Live Period’s Underclass Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New readers: Use code Proia30</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I attended three different events during the first scholastic live period session to try and see as many of the local teams play as possible in a big weekend for college recruitment. Due to the current recruiting climate in the portal era, most college coaches were watching the 2027 prospects the most closely-- but I'd like to spotlight a few of the next wave of prospects that I think have a chance to be important names to know in their respective classes as they continue to develop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3539433"],"_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-6a302f6601997"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>17p 3r 1a 7/10 FG vs Petersburg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-First viewing of Nkafu and his skillset stood out as a scoring PG prospect that can contribute in several different areas. Nkafu scored in double figures in all 4 games of DC Live off of 55% shooting from the field and 50% from beyond the arc, showing that he can really fill it up but do so efficiently within the flow of the offense. Love how quickly he gets into his pull-up jumper off the bounce and how smoothly he can deliver pocket passes or alley oop lobs off of a live dribble or from a standstill. Should be in for a big year in the DCIAA this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3669306"],"_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-6a302f6601a49"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-The combination of reclass and transfer to a Potomac team that needs his play-making really popped this weekend as Brandon proved to be a shifty point guard that understands how to set up and exploit angles in the half court. Loved the way that he's able to get into gaps and process quickly on the fly to deliver on-time and on-target passes or use that play-making gravity to get a bucket for himself. The first step and acrobatic finishing basket around the basket really stood out as a young guard prospect that seems set to flourish in Coach Myers' system.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3044217"],"_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-6a302f6601ac4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-I took turns watching two courts and only got to see bits and pieces of his games this weekend— but every time I looked over he seemed to be making plays for a young Maret group. Austin is a pretty strong good with good positional size that is adept at breaking down his matchup and getting to the second layer of the defense to make a play for his team. His finishing package around the basket with either hand seemed advanced for his age as a young prospect that didn't look rushed or intimidated out on the floor. Excited to get a chance to see him again to evaluate his value as a defender and shooter— but he has a nice skill base to build from as he carves out a role in the Frogs' rotation.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2954132"],"_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-6a302f6601b38"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-Williams impressed with his confidence as he got to it immediately at both ends of the floor as soon as he checked into the game. His ability to break his matchup down efficiently and make plays in tight spaces (along the baseline, in the paint, just across halfcourt in the corners) where underclassmen usually turn the ball over. His advanced handle allows him to get to his spots while keeping his head up and his intentional drives to vulnerable spots in the defense to draw two set his teammates up with easy finishes around the basket or perimeter jumpers. I liked his ability to apply ball pressure without fouling both in full-court and half-court schemes to generate stops for his GBB team. The handle, jumper, and feel all spell long term upside as a lead guard prospect that impacts the game at both ends of the floor.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3665449"],"_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-6a302f6601baa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">-The youngest grandson of the NCAA Hall of Fame has looked good for Sidwell as a guard prospect that can contribute in several different areas. Larrañaga can space the floor with his shooting, is a pesky offensive rebounder that makes good split-second decisions after grabbing the board, handles the ball well enough to get to his spots in the halfcourt without turning it over, and plays with great pace to make timely reads while taking care of the rock. Breaking into the Sidwell rotation at this young of an age isn't an easy thing to do, but early on it seems to be a hand-in-glove fit as a high IQ guard that can plug and play into different spots within the lineup to make a positive impact on the game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3671086"],"_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-6a302f6601c1a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-More prospect than player right now, Yarborough came in off the bench a few times this weekend and looked as if he not only belongs but has some nice long-term upside. Yarborough has good positional size, can guard up or down a position, plays hard at both ends of the floor, moves well laterally, and has the commensurate speed/leaping ability to project as an athletic 3+D wing prospect. The shooting form looked good and the handle is solid enough to get him to his spots in the half court. Bullis has developed several productive players on the perimeter that have success at the college level and beyond. And with how diverse his skillset is at this stage in his career-- he has a good chance to join that group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->