Fall League Whip-Around (9/11-12): Intriguing Prospects

I attended fall league games September 11-12 across the valley at the ACU, Central, and Best in the West fall leagues. Here are a few more prospects that intrigued me from the weekend.    Highest impact player for Cactus Canyon this past weekend, and he was able to score at all three levels. In the midrange he used his stronger frame to drive before stepping back with a clean release, and he also utilized jab steps that got defenders to stutter before accelerating. When driving, he came at you a multitude of ways, whether straight downhill or with euros that led into a floater. Solid handle when he got out in transition, fighting through contact once he got to the rim and forcing fouls to get to the line. Pretty good decision maker all around, knowing when to take it himself and when to kick it out to a teammate.     Quick trigger from three, most of them pull-ups off the dribble, which seemed to be his specialty. Really was just hitting them in a multitude of ways, whether a step-back or off the catch, and he shot it with a consistent, smooth form. Showed a real feel for creating space with his footwork in the midrange, working into a turnaround middy off a drive or out of a post catch. Has the burst to get downhill when the closeout comes on the three-point line, finishing with straight drives or euros. High volume scorer who can hit it from anywhere on the floor.     Good rim finisher who gets a lot of his buckets in transition, going straight up or finishing with the euro. Has a real feel in the open floor and made opponents pay there, whether he finished it himself or made the right read to an open teammate. He even had a sweet behind-the-back assist on the break. Did well to cover help side and played good on-ball defense, leading to multiple steals and finishes in transition for his teammates. In the halfcourt he will fly in for offensive rebounds and put-backs, which is surprising at his size. Also has the ability to pull up in the midrange when the drive is not there.     Quick release off the dribble with a clean shooting stroke, and he is capable of hitting it from beyond the arc. Does a good job utilizing jab steps to gain an advantage on his first step before driving, and adjusts well, using his opposite hand to shield the ball from defenders so they cannot swipe at it, which makes it easier for him to get to the rim and finish. Showed flashes of real passing vision as well, with good looks to cutters and quick swing passes. Handles it well in transition and can finish coast to coast.     Shooter who gets it off in a hurry, operating most comfortably from the three-point line and the midrange. From beyond the arc he can convert off the catch or step back off the dribble. In the midrange he works into quick dribble pull-ups, and will drive the baseline before stepping back and converting the middy. His shooting stroke may look a bit unorthodox, but it is fast and effective, and it helps him get shots off before the closeout arrives.     Active on both ends with endless energy. Flying everywhere and constantly attacking the glass for defensive rebounds. A real defensive presence with bounce and quickness, moving from the opposite side of the rim to jump in and contest. Gambles into passing lanes for steal attempts and often forces turnovers. Good feel for transition, able to snag a defensive board and immediately push it himself or connect with a teammate on the outlet, picking up a pair of assists on the break in the game I watched. A key contributor who immediately makes his team better on defense.

I attended fall league games September 11-12 across the valley at the ACU, Central, and Best in the West fall leagues. Here are a few more prospects that intrigued me from the weekend.