Team 2 Evaluation: Wisconsin Freshman Showcase

Team two was a team that really impressed in Appleton on Saturday afternoon. Let's breakdown Team two as they prepare for their first high school season in November.    Cook Jr. was one of the better players I saw on Saturday in Appleton. Elgin Jr. is the son of former Milwaukee Hamilton and University of Oregon standout [player_tooltip player_id='2404780' first='Elgin' last='Cook']. The six-foot-three prospect who is attending Dominican High School, was making winning play after winning play on both the offensive and defensive end. Offensively, Cook Jr. has a quick first step that allows him to use his strong frame to finish through and around contact. Elgin is a consistent three point shooter, as he buried shots off the dribble, including an impressive step back three. To round out his offensive skill set, Cook Jr. has great court vision and is unselfish when opposing defenders over commit on his dribble penetration. It is rare to see a player of his age, under control, and so confident scoring and playmaking with the basketball in his hands. Elgin is a player more than worthy of consideration for a higher ranking in the initial 2030 rankings.     Heck is the next guard up at [program_tooltip program_id='2829078' first='West' last='De Pere'] High School. Cooper was as impressive as any other guard prospect on Saturday, with his pure ability to hit deep perimeter jump shots off the bounce and off the catch. Outside of his shooting, the six-foot-one guard prospect can take his defender off the bounce, showcasing his three level scoring abilities. Heck had several nice mid-range pull ups and finishes at the rim throughout the day of competition. Cooper is ultra competitive, especially for his age, rebounding well for his size, and getting his hands on the ball defensively in passing lanes and on the ball. Heck is a player to closely monitor and a player I have circled on my 2030 top prospects.     Parsons, who attends Denmark High School had several flashes of potential throughout the Wisconsin Freshman Showcase. The five-foot-ten guard has a tight handle, allowing to make a nice quick hesitation finish and contact finish throughout the five on five segment. In addition to attacking the rim, Parsons had good vision in transition finding open teammates for layups and open threes.     Peterson is a scrappy guard prospect attending SPASH who made winning plays throughout the event over the weekend. Peterson's nose for the ball on the glass stood out and his ability to play through contact. Wyatt has the capabilities to finish through contact with his balanced stance on drives. When he was not finishing, Peterson was able to draw contact to earn a trip to the line showcasing his savvy skillset in the paint.     Coburn competes with a lot of energy and hustle, especially in transition. The freshman out of Indian Trail High School, made things happen in transition converting an impressive and one finish, and looking for opportunities to finish directly at the rim. Brayden also had a nice midrange catch and shoot make, and demonstrated his feel for the game, rolling/cutting to the basket an opportune times.     A combination guard out of the southwestern part of the state, Poppy showed some great flashes in 3 on 3 play, and in 5 on 5 evaluation games in Appleton. Poppy proved to be an efficient rim attacker as he had an acrobatic spin move to draw free throws, and a solid and-1 finish. Hudson is balanced and can bounce off contact when he gets downhill.     The GB Southwest wing, showed a great amount of confidence at the Freshman Showcase over the weekend. Decker is a left-handed sniper and hit a handful of deep triples shooting it over late reacting defenders in the half court and in transition. Milan's three point stroke has a good slight backspin on the ball which allowed for him to cash in those three point opportunities. The six-foot-three freshman had a few nice pocket passes to open teammates and had good defensive vision on the ball.     Wathke, who is attending Eau Claire Memorial, is a hard working wing player with a high ceiling. Something that is harder to teach in today's game is a high competitive motor, and Paxton has this intangible skill. In the 5 on 5 games I was able to view, Wathke was communicating, relentlessly attacking the boards, and generating winning opportunities for his teammates. Paxton with his size and length, has potential to develop into a contributor for the Old Abes.

Team two was a team that really impressed in Appleton on Saturday afternoon. Let's breakdown Team two as they prepare for their first high school season in November.