The Tune Up MN: Max’s Backcourt Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six of the guards and wings who impressed last week in Shakopee at The Tune Up!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2843078"],"_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-6a4b918c820c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It seems like every couple of years there's a new star player coming up out of Mahtomedi. [player_tooltip player_id='2843078' first='Joey' last='Wright'] looks to be the next name up for them. I saw him running with [program_tooltip program_id='2859102' first='Hoop' last='Habits Elite'], where he showed a mature feel for the game at the 15u level. Things just seem to be slowed down for him compared to his classmates, as Joey makes great reads with the ball, and makes things look effortless. At 6'3 he has a smooth stroke from three, can make plays off the dribble, and is a composed finisher in traffic. He forms a dangerous 1-2 punch with [player_tooltip player_id='2524096' first='Rashad' last='Smith'] for Hoop Habits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2524096"],"_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-6a4b9746177af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Good luck stopping [player_tooltip player_id='2524096' first='Rashad' last='Smith'] in isolation at the 15u level. The 2029 guard has an endless bag of tricks off the dribble, and couldn't be stopped no matter who was guarding him. It got to the point where PJ Hoops was face guarding him to try to prevent him even getting touches. Throughout the game I watched Rashad scored at all three levels, and used tough on ball defense to force a couple of turnovers that led to easy points the other way. Promising young guard coming up at DeLaSalle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2821858"],"_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-6a4b974617826"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mason had a strong performance for Real Phenom 16u, helping lead them to a win over Elevate Skills. At 6'1 he has a strong frame that allows him to play either the lead guard, or out on the wing where he has no problem defending against length. Mason did a great job of getting into the lane and using his strength to shield off defenders as he extended to finish. Throughout the game he stretched the floor from three, hit a tough mid-range pull-up, threw down a transition dunk, and dished out a handful of assists. He followed that up by immediately filling in for the shorthanded Real Phenom 17u team in the next game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2409303"],"_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-6a4b974617877"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2409303' first='Ramadan' last='Ibrahim'] showcased his versatile game in a matchup against The Next Level Basketball Academy on Thursday. The Minneapolis South guard was pressuring the ball hard defensively, and was his team's floor general on the offensive end. In the half-court he made smart decisions with the ball, and could create instant offense with his ability to beat defenders off the dribble. Throughout the game he was an unselfish guard, but when his team needed him he showed he can go and get a bucket in isolation. Will be a part of a very strong Minneapolis South team this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2560474"],"_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-6a4b9746178c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing for a [program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite'] 16u team filled with talented guards, it was Ira who stood out in a highly anticipated matchup with [program_tooltip program_id='2859102' first='Hoop' last='Habits Elite']. Defensively, Ira was all over the floor coming up with plays. He has good lateral quickness, combined with the motor to sit deep in a stance and pressure the ball every single possession. That ball pressure led to a handful of turnovers throughout the game that his team was able to capitalize on to keep things tight. I had known about Ira as more of a defensive threat, but going the other way he showed he can put points on the board by connecting on a handful of three point shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2394170"],"_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-6a4b974617906"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing outside of the Cities I don't get to see a lot of Alex during the high school season, but this spring/summer he's been putting the entire state on notice with his play. He helped lead his [program_tooltip program_id='2859102' first='Hoop' last='Habits Elite'] team to a win over [program_tooltip program_id='2075485' first='Gain' last='Elite'], putting points on the board in a number of ways. Showed a smooth stroke from three, and was so dangerous getting into the lane and playing off two feet. Alex could stop and pivot for a turnaround jumper, or use his strong frame to power his way up around the basket. Alex is at his best off the ball where he's constantly moving and opening up easy looks for himself with hard cuts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->