5 Studs From Newkirk Draft League

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Saturday, August 15th, I attended the National Hoops Foundation's Summer Showcase, which consisted of all star teams from the Summer Draft League, the Newkirk Draft League, and the 978ers League. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tons of talent was present in the gym, but the Newkirk Draft League stood out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are five players from their squad that really impressed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3725092,"_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-6a8350a2ee06c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Biney has absolutely ridiculous potential and I cannot believe I didn't know who he was before Saturday. The 7-foot (!) lefty center runs the floor well for his size and age, can finish with soft touch around the hoop, and is a menacing force in the paint on both ends. He has an insane wingspan and uses it to rebound quite effectively on both ends but can also cover an immense amount of ground in the paint defensively as a shot blocker. Biney is only a rising freshman and will be playing at Springfield Commonwealth Academy this season, where he should get super helpful reps against older big men who are on their way to playing D1 hoops. His potential is through the roof, especially if he can improve his hands and right-handed finishing ability—both of which are things I think he can.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2883038"],"_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-6a8350a2ee0c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Earle was probably the most impressive player in the gym Saturday. The 6-foot-3 guard was the strongest pound-for-pound player on the court and consistently used his physicality to bully opposing defenders on drives and effortlessly got to the front of the rim as a result. He also made a ton of pull-up and step-back threes (many of which from VERY deep) and showcased a strong skillset in terms of ball-handling and footwork in the paint. Furthermore, Earle's reaction to things stays completely consistent throughout the game, whether he's making or missing shots—an impressive quality for someone his age. He might have a hard time finding a fit in high-major D1 hoops, but I'm extremely high on Earle and think all levels should be on the table for him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2938023"],"_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-6a8350a2ee0f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dillahunt is AWESOME. The 5-foot-11 guard was the smartest player on the court Saturday and completely wow'd me with his skill level and feel for the game. He doesn't have ridiculous burst/explosiveness, but he gets by anybody he wants because of how well he handles the ball and his change-of-speed and change-of-direction capabilities. On a number of occasions, he split double teams and converted some extremely difficult finishes at the rim with both hands. He's in ultimate control at all times and was probably the best passer on the court as well. I can't wait to watch Dillahunt play for Wilbraham and Monson this season, and I think scholarship coaches will eventually be calling about him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3725124,"_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-6a8350a2ee114"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mciver is an athletic freak with what I call the "finishing gene." The lefty guard is super explosive off the dribble and has amazing burst, and then he has a knack for taking contact in the air (or shifting his body to avoid contact) and finishing off the glass no matter how fast he's going or what the defense looks like. Towards the end of the day, the rising junior also hit a good number of threes of the dribble and showed some flashes of being a big-time marksman. Mciver should be one of the best players in MIAA hoops at Springfield Central High School this coming season, and he'll be a really intriguing prospect to local D3s (and maybe even higher level schools) who are looking for a great point-of-attack creator and scorer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3725228,"_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-6a8350a2ee137"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I didn't know who Bamba was before Saturday's games, but boy do I know him now. The 6-foot-6 wing was one of the better athletes in the gym and certainly the highest-motor player. He has never-ending energy and is a total menace defensively and on the boards as a result—there isn't a player he can't guard and he was easily the best rebounder in the gym. He runs the floor like a madman, he has phenomenal hands on both ends of the floor, and he has a burgeoning skillset that includes good ball handling control, a smooth looking shot, and really good coordination. Bamba feels like a future scholarship player to me and should be an awesome piece for Springfield Commonwealth this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->