Crossroads Recap — The Weekend’s Best in Kansas City

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crossroads Elite Invitational was back in Kansas City for another weekend filled with talented players from the 2028, 2029, and 2030 classes from across the country. While there were a number of impressive performances, eight players stood out above the rest. I'll take a deep dive into each player and what they did well throughout the weekend to generate some of the biggest buzz and intrigue. These are names that both national and regional programs should be monitoring closely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Majok Ater | 6'9" Forward | Principia (MO)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a weekend for the live and athletic 2029 big Ater. He was all over the floor, with his best basketball coming on Sunday. He punched everything home around the rim with force and is one of the quickest jumpers I've seen in person over the past few years. He pursues the basketball off the glass and has a knack for finding open space around the rim, where he catches and finishes in a split second.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Majok was also tough in traffic off the bounce, showing another dynamic to his game as he can handle the ball and play on the perimeter at times as well. He's got massive upside that should continue to develop at Principia over the next couple of years, but you can already see the potential. At times, he simply took games over on Sunday with his aggression and intensity — something very few, if any, could match or keep up with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>RJ Ball | 6'3" Guard | Beverly Hills (CA)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hands down, one of the best lead guards from over the weekend. On Saturday, it was tough to miss RJ as he operated with great pace and suddenness with the ball. He changed speeds and played with great timing and vision out of ball screens, often manipulating defensive coverages to create creases or angles to the rim for scoring or facilitating opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ball's ability to create space off the bounce led to a lot of pull-up chances and in-between moments, where you could see a growing level of skill and confidence. He consistently put pressure on the defense with his ability to get to spots, make plays for himself, and create opportunities for others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Billy Stanfield III | 6'6" Wing | Calvert Hall College (MD)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stanfield had moments where he looked like the best player in the gym. A do-it-all type of player, you saw stretches where he would carry play for his team and take over games as a rebounder, push the pace with the ball in his hands, and make plays on the offensive end. He was strong and explosive, playing above the rim as a finisher, especially in the open floor, while his passing and feel were next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His ability to outlet the ball or push it ahead in transition really popped, as you saw both right- and left-handed passes that consistently found teammates in stride. Defensively, he also showed his versatility, defending almost every position on the floor and sending shots away in rotation at the rim. There was a lot to like from Stanfield throughout the weekend, and his ability to put his stamp on games elevated him above the other players in attendance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Braxton Bogard | 6'8" Forward | Masters Academy International (MA)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bogard really turned it up on Sunday, playing his best basketball of the weekend when it mattered most. Skilled and athletic, along with a big frame that allows him to see and play over the top, he competed on the glass and was another forward who could take the ball off the rim and push it in transition, where you saw spurts of his passing and unselfishness. Braxton also showed flashes of perimeter shooting, which made him almost unguardable at different moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He can stretch defenders out on the perimeter and beat them off the bounce, while also showing he can create, find space inside, and play with strength. He does so many things well on the floor that he provides an element you really didn't see from many other players over the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Peace Brand | 6'8" Forward | Westtown (PA)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you were looking for motors, Brand's just did not turn off in Kansas City, playing with an unmatched level of effort and intensity. At his best around the rim, he was a tenacious rebounder, pursuing the basketball and chasing it down through traffic continually. It didn't matter if it was on the offensive or defensive glass, the ball seemed to find his hands. An aggressive and forceful finisher, he threw down a number of dunks with authority and also showed he could finish with either hand through traffic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peace's perimeter shooting also made an appearance, as he appears to be stretching his game outside when opportunities present themselves. You also saw a versatile defensive piece who could cover up the rim at times and really served as a true anchor in the painted area. That combination of motor, physicality, and defensive versatility made him one of the more impactful players throughout the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Roman Henry | 6'4" Guard | Iowa United Prep</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The multifaceted Henry was as advertised, at his best slashing and getting downhill to the rim. Roman showed he could initiate offense with the ball or move into space and attack off closeouts from the wing. He absorbed and played through contact well, pairing that toughness with an explosive first step. His ability to score when it mattered most and show up big in tight situations was impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Sunday, you saw the most dialed-in version of Henry, as his movements were both quick and decisive, and he was ultra-aggressive on the offensive end. It should be a big year for the young guard as he continues to take big strides.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2916369' first='Isaac' last='Smith'] | 6'6" Wing | Monarch Academy (KS)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there was a player who passed the eye test immediately, it was Smith, with his legitimate 6'6" frame and length to pair with it. A true wing, he played with a smooth and effortless look at times, especially offensively, showing a little bit of everything — an ability to handle the ball and create space, perimeter shooting, and a suddenness with the ball at times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Isaac should continue to fill out and should be a huge piece for a loaded Monarch Academy next year, which has the chance to field one of the nation's best overall rosters from top to bottom.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Kaleb Allen | 6'6" Wing | Christ Church Episcopal (SC)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking bigger and sturdier than ever, it was hard to miss the athletic Allen, who really looked explosive in the open floor. He was able to get out in transition at times and finish well above the rim. Kaleb attacks the rim relentlessly and consistently puts tremendous pressure on defenses. He balances his game with the ability to play with his back to the basket or attack open space, where he can pull up on balance and rise up over defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His catch-and-shoot element also had its moments, and you can really see the makings of a three-level scorer as he continues to put everything together more consistently and at a high rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->