Border League Notebook: More Standout Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Border League was loaded with talent, and the standouts kept coming. Here are more names that caught my eye.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2965868"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad2d3ee25ab6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A legit 7-footer whose size alone changes the game in the paint. He runs the floor hard for a big man and has a real second jump, which makes him a dominant offensive rebounder who finishes putbacks with power. He's a strong catch-and-finish target, a lob threat, and soft enough around the rim to finish with touch, including on the roll. He's comfortable facing up, and he flashed the ability to step out and knock down a three. On defense he walls off the paint, alters shots with his length and clears space on the glass. He's physical, plays through contact and is always competing for position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1948021"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad2d3ee25b67"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A big forward with guard skills and one of the most complete skill sets you'll find at his size. He can grab a defensive rebound and push the break himself, then run offense from the top of the key with a fluid handle that includes long-striding crossovers, hesitations and spins. He scores at all three levels. He's a confident catch-and-shoot threat from deep, with step-back and pull-up ability, plus a polished face-up turnaround from the baseline. Around the rim he's an explosive, above-the-rim finisher who also has the body control to hang and finish through contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2112009"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad2d3ee25c02"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A true lead guard who controls the game on his own terms. He's never sped up and plays at a deliberate pace, but he hits the gas the second a defense is out of position. His handle is tight and low to the floor. Hesitations, crossovers and change-of-pace moves let him get into the paint whenever he wants, and he's composed against pressure. His passing is what separates him: he's a constant scanner with real vision and timing, making the full-court lob, the cross-court skip, the pocket pass in traffic and the drive-and-kick to shooters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2759167"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad2d3ee25c9d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Passing is where he separates himself. He has a real feel for hitting cutters in stride and puts the ball right where his teammates can finish. He's also a capable self-creator who can break defenders down off the dribble and get his own shot. He attacks the baseline efficiently, getting where he wants in just a few dribbles. Under pressure he keeps his handle tight and stays composed, reading the defense well enough to either make the right pass or blow by his man.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2754862"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ad2d3ee25d37"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He has a strong downhill mentality, consistently getting into the paint and finishing with layups around the rim. He also makes a real impact on the offensive glass, crashing hard to create second-chance opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->