The Expo: Prospects Who Impressed and Have Our Full Attention

The Expo gave us another chance to get eyes on players who brought different strengths, styles and plenty of energy to the floor. What encouraged us most was how these players impacted the game beyond simply putting points on the board. We saw toughness, basketball IQ, physicality, playmaking, effort and a willingness to make winning plays. Each one gave us something to be excited about, and now that the Expo is in the books, we can't wait to see how they build on those performances and show even more throughout the upcoming season.    Barajas got our attention at The Expo with the type of game that made us want to get our eyes on him even more moving forward. He consistently found ways to put himself in the right spot, and that wasn't by accident. His understanding of the game and high basketball IQ allowed him to read plays, anticipate opportunities and make things happen without forcing the action. He also played with a relentless motor, staying active and involved from start to finish. The baskets came from simply being where he needed to be, and that kind of feel, intelligence and nonstop effort made Barajas a player we wanted to continue following closely     Yarbrough has always been a player who seems to shine when the summer lights come on, and The Expo gave us another reason to believe that production was the real deal. He brought a big man presence but played with the range and versatility to stretch the floor, including knocking down threes and making defenses pay when they left him space. He was comfortable operating around the paint while also stepping outside and creating matchup problems. Yarbrough showed us there is more to his game than simply being a big body inside, and it gave us even more excitement to see how that versatility translates into the upcoming season     Nelan gave us plenty to like at The Expo, especially with how naturally he moved and found ways to impact the game around the basket. He stayed active down low without forcing things, allowing the game to come to him and consistently putting himself in the right spots. That led to plenty of clean up baskets and easy finishes, but they came from good instincts and understanding of where to be. Nelan also moved fluidly for his size, which added another element to his game. He really gave us a closer look at a player who simply seemed to know where to be and made the most of those opportunities     Schlegel showed at The Expo why his ability to see the floor makes him such an intriguing point guard. He consistently delivered quality passes, pushed the ball in transition and played with his head up, always looking for the next opportunity. He also did a good job breaking defenders down off the bounce and getting into the lane, where his toughness really stood out. Once downhill he didn't shy away from contact or traffic. Schlegel put together a strong showing and gave us plenty of reasons to keep our eyes on his continued development moving forward     Lyon made his presence felt with a physical style that was impossible to miss. He competed for position, attacked the glass and finished around the basket with strength and purpose. There was no hesitation when the ball came his way inside as he went up strong and made defenders deal with him. Lyon also showed good energy getting from end to end, consistently running the floor and creating chances in transition. His effort never seemed to dip, and that toughness gave him a steady impact throughout his minutes. The Expo left us excited to see more from Lyon and how his physical style continues to translate as his role grows     Hayelom brought an energy and excitement that was impossible to miss, but it was his feel for the game that really caught our attention. He looked smooth with the ball, showing a good understanding of when to create his own shot and when to make the extra pass. Away from the ball he stayed active and consistently moved to keep defenders engaged and open up opportunities. Hayelom simply looked like a smart, confident player who understood what the game was giving him. The Expo left us excited to see him take that ability into the upcoming season and continue to excel moving forward

The Expo gave us another chance to get eyes on players who brought different strengths, styles and plenty of energy to the floor. What encouraged us most was how these players impacted the game beyond simply putting points on the board. We saw toughness, basketball IQ, physicality, playmaking, effort and a willingness to make winning plays. Each one gave us something to be excited about, and now that the Expo is in the books, we can't wait to see how they build on those performances and show even more throughout the upcoming season.