Puma: Saturday 2027 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I attended the PRO16 League July live period this weekend and in this article I'll break down my 2027 standouts from the action I caught on Saturday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2127267"],"_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-6a52f58800e53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jones played a major role for Team Haliburton with Tyrese watching from the baseline behind the basket. Jones knocked down a handful of set 3-pointers and used the threat of his jumper to attack closeouts and get to the rim. Jones played well off the ball as he caught the ball ready to make a decision whether to pass or shoot. With a pair of his future college coaches in attendance, Jones should have a chance to earn minutes early in his college career for the Huskies of Northern Illinois.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2253094"],"_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-6a52f58800f78"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cooz Elite found a way to get a win in a highly contested battle with Team Haliburton that had dozens of college coaches watching from the sidelines. Goolsby caught fire from downtown as basically every time he caught the ball and had a clean look at the rim, it was going in. Goolsby hit a huge 3-pointer late in the game to give Cooz Elite the lead and they were able to hold on at the end. If you can shoot like Goolsby can, you will be able to provide value to your team and Goolsby did compete on defense with effort. Goolsby just picked up an offer from Holy Cross this weekend and has developed good chemistry with five star Reese Alston as the pair play together at both the high school and grassroots level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2859620"],"_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-6a52f588011f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nebraska Supreme dominated Kentucky Basketball Club as Dada was showing why he's regarded as a top prospect on the PRO16 circuit with some monster plays in transition. Dada is an explosive leaper off either foot and had some powerful dunks on the fast break. Dada also has the strength to play through soft contact for and-1 finishes. Starting to turn the corner in terms of his production, Dada seems like he'll be a core piece for his hometown Creighton program he's committed to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2046738"],"_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-6a52f5880137e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jointer was battling through an injury and did everything he could to keep Kentucky Basketball Club competitive with a short-handed group. Jointer was offered by San Jose State on Friday and his performance on Saturday could allow him to pick up a few more. Jointer is also shooting the ball better from the perimeter than I've ever seen him and that is allowing his scoring to look easier for him. Jointer is one of the hottest 2027 prospects in the midwest and trending upwards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2401106"],"_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-6a52f58801474"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Colorado Collective pulled away from a scrappy Rice Academy Basketball team and Shepherd was their most productive player on Saturday. Shepherd did most of his damage in the paint as he scored in the open court, off cuts and putbacks in the paint. Shepherd is a strong athlete who has the explosiveness to rise above shot contests at the rim when he gets a head of steam. Holding a couple of scholarship offers already, Shepherd definitely put himself on a few more college radars today.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2532390"],"_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-6a52f58801563"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray got comfortable against the defensive pressure and athleticism of a PRO16 team and got going as a creator as Rice Basketball Academy hung around for about three quarters with Colorado Collective. Gray was getting by his defender with crafty dribble moves and used the pump fake as a way to create leverage against the defense multiple times. In the second half Gray hit back-to-back 3-pointers as Rice Basketball Academy got into a rhythm offensively with the ball mostly sticking to Gray's hands. A top guard from the Toledo area, Gray should be on small college radars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3692077"],"_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-6a52f588016f7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The play finisher for the Tice Basketball Academy group, Bower connected on a lot of buckets without needing to put the ball on the deck. Being able to score off the catch is a trait that will translate on different teams and levels and Bowers made shots off the catch and did well running off screens. Bowers also used the rim for protection on reverse layups and was crafty around the rim to score. Perrysburg will be a tough out in northwest Ohio this season with an experienced group that can score the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2125714"],"_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-6a52f58801928"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">KBC West has turned some heads this weekend with strong play and Carter is at the center of everything for his team. Carter works hard in the full court press that KBC West used and got a handful of steals off that pressure. At the point of attack, Carter did a nice job staying tight against ball handlers and pressuring the basketball. Carter also looked comfortable as a mid-range shooter, connecting on some pull-up jumpers from the 12-18 foot range on Saturday. Warren Central is one of the top programs from Western Kentucky and Carter is viewed as a key piece for them this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->