Live Periods: Top Underclassmen W/F

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New readers: Use code Proia30</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I spent the weekend taking in HS basketball at two different live period events: DMV Live at DeMatha Catholic in Maryland and Philly Live in Pennsylvania. The goal was to see as many high-level players and teams as possible to get a pulse for talent both in and outside of my area of the DMV. In this article we will break down some of the top incoming freshmen and rising sophomores that I saw this weekend as the next wave of talent that will impact HS hoops. Let's dive in to the top wings and forwards that I saw!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2768347"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a42de7fb208a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Tomlinson will debut within our top 10 when we rank the freshmen class for the first time in the fall and should make an immediate impact at Gonzaga for a very deep varsity group. Tomlinson has great positional size and a strong frame that he used to guard 2-5 throughout the weekend as a physical and aggressive defender that doesn't cede any ground whether he is defending on the block or denying a catch on the perimeter. On Tomlinson's first possession of the game he caught the ball on the wing and slashed to the rim to attempt a 2-handed poster dunk on a 6'10 forward, almost completing the highlight play before he was fouled. He sees the floor well as an unselfish passer that finds the open man, moves off the ball well to be a finisher or passer in the paint, and is dynamic in transition both on the ball or running the wing. His assertive and aggressive brand of basketball should make him an immediate impact guy at both the local and national level beginning this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2919981"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3682539,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a42de7fb2132"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Jackson scored pretty effortlessly around the basket as a nimble forward prospect with a soft touch around the basket. Jackson scored 16 points by finishing hook shots around the rim, tipping in putbacks under the basket, knocking down open jumpers from the elbow, and face-cutting to the rim to present a passing option to guards on the wings or corner that picked up their dribble. Love the way that he utilizes a strong frame and light set of feet to create better finishing angles around the basket as a young prospect that knows his role and understands his value for a young Roman team that graduated most of their scoring production. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2973052"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a42de7fb2187"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">12p 7r 1b (4/9 FG) vs Riverdale</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-The long term vision is slowly but surely coming together for Branch as a young wing prospect that flashes a ton of perimeter skill in his minutes for a young MSJ group. Branch knocked down a pair of 3s to space the floor for the Gaels, moved his feet well laterally to guard several different positions, and closed out defensive possessions by chipping down on the block or chasing down long rebounds. Love that he doesn't over-dribble and gets right into his move to either pass, drive, or shoot right away on his catches away from the basket. If he can add in some weight to his frame and more downhill slashing ability/vertical pop-- he projects well as a 3+D wing prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3589537"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a42de7fb21d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">10p 9r 1s vs Bethel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-DeStefano transferred into Landon a few weeks ago and fits like a glove into Coach Bohlen's system as a skilled frontcourt prospect that affects the game in several areas. Love DeStefano's feel as an off-ball mover that cuts to open space in the middle of zone defenses or along the baseline to catch and quickly throw a pass to an open teammate to force rotations. He sets great screens and came up with some tough post entries and pocket passes to finish well around the rim. He also continues to show that he can space the floor as a C+S threat that doesn't need much space to get off a jumper. Should be an impact player in the MAC this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3669293"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3682637,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a42de7fb2230"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">9p 5r 2a 1b vs Wesleyan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Kingsby had some ridiculous athletic flashes throughout a blowout win over Wesleyan in new threads with St James. A hilariously-athletic leaper, Kingsby wowed the crowd with 3 dunks in a row midway through the 2H that blew the game open after he raced back to pin a shot attempt against the glass. Love the way that he uses a very quick first step to probe the defense and kick out to shooters to collect hockey assists. Should be a crucial spark plug whether he comes off the bench or starts for an improved StJ roster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->