8 Stock Risers From July's First Live Period

The first July Live Period just wrapped up, and teams from across New England traveled to a number of tournaments throughout the country, including Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and more.   Based on highlights, box scores, and full games here and there, below are eight players who have improved their recruitment/stock from the first July Live Period.    Pemberton was, admittedly, a glaring omission from my recent player archetype article on tough shot-makers—the 6-foot-1 guard is one of the best difficult shot-makers in the entire country, and he showed that this past weekend in Texas. The rising senior gets to his spots effortlessly with his tight handle and effective change-of-pace dribble moves, and then he gets amazing elevation on his shot, which allows him to get good looks off against whoever is guarding him. But the Mass Rivals' star also sets up his teammates beautifully and was an elite facilitator this weekend; the game continues to slow down for him as he learns to master the pick and roll. Defensively, Pemberton holds his own against opposing guards and is a playmaker off the ball, whether it be in passing lanes or rotating on the weak side. He has established himself as a high-major player, and the offers are going to keep rolling for him—most recently he got a couple from UCLA and Kansas.     Price is one of the most skilled players in the region, and scholarship coaches are starting to realize that. The 6-foot-3 BCRI product has a rhythmic dribbling style and looks like he's dancing when he's handling it—he's jumpy but controlled, and shifty but compact. He pairs his ball handling ability with a beautiful outside shot and better athleticism than people think at the rim. Oh, and he's also a phenomenal passer whose feel for the game is only continuing to elevate as he plays with high level players. The incoming Phelps School senior picked up a scholarship offer from Youngstown State after his impressive performance this weekend, and I bet more will be coming.     Rodrigues has been one of the biggest stock risers of this spring/summer. The 6-foot-4 wing dominated the MIAA last season, and he looked quite comfortable in his first NEPSAC action with his new Suffield teammates late last month. Then, this past weekend, the rising senior continued to showcase his versatile, two way game. Offensively, he made threes at a solid clip and showed off his special athleticism on a number of fastbreak and putback dunks. Defensively, he's strong-bodied and super quick, so he's able to guard anybody you put in front of him, whether they be fast guards or plodding bigs, and he has become elite on that end of the floor with simple alterations to his game like gambling less and walling up more. Rodrigues is getting scholarship attention and has a chance to continue his excellent summer with Team Sims in Louisville this coming weekend.     Wilbon has separated himself as a key player on Team Sims 15u squad and one of the better NEPSAC underclassmen in the region. The 6-foot guard is as elite of an athlete as I've seen at his age—he gets up for two-handed lobs and dunks consistently—but he's also agile and strong. Just over the course of this season, the incoming Governor's Academy sophomore has gotten more under control and lessened his turnover rate, too, which is huge for his development—he is going to keep elevating himself as a passer. But he's also continued to show his consistency as a shooter and is always a ridiculous downhill threat as a result of his hops, body control, and toughness at the cup. Wilbon will be a key cog in Team Sims UA Rise hopes next weekend in Louisville and is looking to cement himself as one of the leading scorers in the 15u UA Rise league.      [player_tooltip player_id='2634307' first='Caleb' last='Baker'] is the rare offensive standout who doesn't need the ball to succeed. The 6-foot-6 wing has an incredible knack for cutting to the rim—whether it be on baseline or in the slot—and he's a fantastic above-the-rim finisher once he touches the paint. He takes contact well, and he's not afraid to get hit and still finish the rock. Baker is one of House We Built's most consistent players and is a fantastic piece to any offense because of his ability to play without the ball off of others. This year, though, the rising senior should have a larger role at Lawrence Academy with some of the guys who graduated and will be able to show off some more facilitating and on-ball scoring ability.     Christopher had multiple productive games this weekend as a three-level scorer and facilitator for Expressions. The 6-foot-3 guard is wiry and skinny, but he has consistently gotten stronger and takes contact more effectively at the rim than he once did. But he also has a special feel with the ball in his hands and a knack for slithering past his opponents for crafty layups and floaters. He's a good outside shooter who can pass the ball and should only get better as he puts on more weight and strength. He recently got offers from FGCU and BU, but I bet more will be coming soon, especially if he finishes strong with Expressions and has a good year for Darrow as one of their primary scoring threat.     Chartier averaged around 25 points this live period and showed off his full repertoire for his NE Storm HGSL squad. The 6-foot-6 wing has special shooting ability on the move and needs very little space or time to get decent shots off—he can shoot with elevation and in situations where he's barely squared to the hoop. But he also does a great job driving closeouts and is seemingly having an easier time finishing in the paint with some added strength that's he has put on. Chartier will walk into college hoops as a special shooter, but it's his other abilities that'll determine whether he can reach the mid-major or high-major level.     The Middlesex Magic 17u squad was balanced in their offensive attack this weekend, and Wiggins was an important piece in making their system go. I love his ability to shift his game depending on who he's playing with. He's the offensive engine for his Westminster squad and showcases premier on-ball creation ability—but for the Magic, he spaces the floor as an off-ball shooter, provides elite on-ball defense for 94 feet, and can be called upon to get a paint touch whenever you need one. D1 player.

The first July Live Period just wrapped up, and teams from across New England traveled to a number of tournaments throughout the country, including Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and more.