New Names to Know After the Sophomore Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Getting out and competing gives prospects a chance to put their name in front of new eyes, as well as see where they measure against some of the top prospects in the state and that's exactly what happened at the Sophomore Showcase. Several players I didn't know much about coming in gave me a reason to keep watching. There is still plenty to learn about each, but these are some new names I'll be paying closer attention to moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3300871"],"_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-6a7b8f87e0fb8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Campbell's scoring ability caught my attention pretty quickly as he had a couple of finishes I did not expect him to have. The lefty has a smooth stroke and connected on multiple threes, but he wasn't limited to playing behind the line. He showed that he could score in tight spaces, he had a few iso baskets, and created separation off the dribble. Campbell mixed in mid-range pull-ups and had enough burst to blow by defenders when they crowded him. There was some versatility to the way he played, and he's a player I feel confident about with the ball in his hands. Definitely got on the radar after yesterday. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2384428"],"_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-6a7b8f87e1029"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Freeman is a scrappy player who can impact the game in ways other than just scoring, and that is going to be what earns him minutes this upcoming season. He has good size, a long wingspan, and he's active defensively. Freeman played extremely hard, brought physicality defensively, and showed the versatility to take on different assignments, as I saw him defending on the block and also stepping out on the perimeter and holding his own as well. Freeman also snagged a few rebounds I didn't expect as he used his athleticism, boxed out, and went and got it. I liked how he crashed the baords and he can use that as well as screen and rolls as ways to get the offense going. He's an instinctive player who I expect to see more of. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3720821"],"_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-6a7b8f87e107a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Allen came from out of town and wanted to get out to the event and make a point, and we liked what we saw from him. Allen had a balanced approach and seemed to understand where he needed to be on the floor as a high-IQ guard. He called for and used the screen; he got a few putback scoring opportunities and spaced the floor with his outside shot from time to time. Allen excels with the ball in his hands, which is why I wanted more of it once things moved into 5-on-5. He became more of an off-ball piece during those stretches and still found ways to make his mark. Going forward, I'd like to see him assert himself and take more responsibility initiating the offense because there were glimpses that suggested he could handle the ball and be one of the better guards on the day. All-in-all, solid day for him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3564464"],"_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-6a7b8f87e10c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chavez needed a little time to settle and figure out the speed at which everyone else was playing at, but once he did, his impact became much easier to see. His defense was what initially caught my attention. He got his hands on passes, had a couple of poke outs, and came away with a steal or two by staying active. Chavez then turned those plays into opportunities in the open floor, where he showed the awareness to find teammates instead of automatically taking it himself. As the game slowed down for him, his vision started showing up more. He filled gaps and found productive ways to stand out, and he's a player we hope to see more of. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3702686"],"_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-6a7b8f87e1112"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cordova was a true new name for me coming into the showcase, and he had enough moments to make me think there's something worth following. His best play was one of the better finishes I saw all day, attacking off the bounce and using an up-and-under to navigate around the defender at the rim. Nobody thought that shot was going in but he had a few creative finishes that separated him. Cordova also showed he can knock down the three and rebounds well for his size. I'd like to see him become more assertive offensively and find the balance between attacking and shooting because he certainly looks like he could pop in both areas. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3549956"],"_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-6a7b8f87e115c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maes' speed jumped out immediately as I was watching him, and there was one sequence that stands out. He helped create a turnover by poking the ball loose, and then beat everyone down the floor before finishing a tough and-one. What I liked was that he didn't treat every transition opportunity as an excuse to force something, but started to try and find the right play. On another break, Maes recognized a teammate had the better opportunity and gave it up. He also worked off screens and showed he could step into his jumper within the flow of the offense. I think that his calling is defensively though, as that is where he seems the most comfortable. I like him as a 3&amp;D prospect who we want to see more of.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->