Hoopers Club West Valley ID Camp: My Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I attended the 1st Annual Hoopers Club West Valley ID Camp, put together by Aaron Villa and hosted at Independence High School in Glendale, AZ. The event drew players mostly from the West Valley, but we still got to see a handful of guys from different areas of the state. It was a well-organized camp that allowed these young men to compete in front of coaches and scouts, and it was a high-intensity, high-character group who played with a ton of energy, which made every game enjoyable to watch. These are my top performers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2640544"],"_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-6abaa54682ddf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A downhill force who makes driving and finishing at the rim look easy, and he can get there from anywhere on the perimeter. Works well off screens, driving inside the second he gets a sliver of space, and will work around multiple bodies on the way up. Finishes through contact too, and consistently converts the tough look rather than settling for it. Great defensive instincts as well, with multiple steals, and he pushes the pace in transition with a good handle before finishing coast to coast or kicking it to a teammate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2759173"],"_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-6abaa54682e1b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Great at changing pace with the ball in his hands, using quick crossovers to gain an advantage on his defender and make the drive easier. Gets to the rim quickly and consistently, with surprising power at his size, plus through spin moves and euro steps. Finishes well through contact, and he knows when to adjust his body and the ball on a tough look going up. Works well off screens, getting into them quickly and accelerating into the paint where he can elevate for the layup or take the floater. Solid passer, particularly on his bounce passes, slinging them into his teammates with pace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2659968"],"_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-6abb545a5b15d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">By far the best interior defender at the camp, with elite shot-blocking ability against anyone who dared enter the paint on him. He could even elevate on his block attempts when opponents tried to float it over him, and he was a good rim presence all around. The footwork and inside game have come a long way since the summer, and it showed with his drop-step hooks and spin moves in the paint that led to jams. He drove the baseline for a finish as well, looking much more comfortable at handling the ball compared to the past. Even knocked down a midrange jumper and a corner three off the catch, which is a positive sign for his development further from the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2507246"],"_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-6abb545a5b17f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Incredible bounce and athleticism, and he uses it, consistently putting himself in the right spots to snag a rebound or elevate for one off a miss at both ends. Feasted in transition, pushing it downhill in a hurry where he would break away for the slam or be unselfish and find a teammate. A force on the defensive end, making good contests in the paint and converting on steals that led to easy fastbreak points. Primarily a downhill threat, but he showed he can score from the midrange and from three when he needs to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3574752"],"_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-6abaa54682e3d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three-level scorer with an impressive bag. Works his way inside by slicing through multiple defenders, then finishes with a floater or step-through layups. Exceptional at getting separation in the midrange, where he can step back or turnaround before releasing a clean looking shot. Good catch-and-shoot three-point shooter, and he will come off a screen into one as well. Has the pace of an upperclassman already and does not look like a freshman out there, which says plenty about his ability to hang with tougher competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2332290"],"_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-6abaa54682e98"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An unselfish slasher who had the smarts to kick it out when the look was not there. Multiple instances of him spinning inside to the middle of the paint before dishing it off as the defense collapsed on him. He can also slice through defenders and finish at the rim with a layup or a floater when he likes what the defense gives him. The passing was the surprise at this event, and it showed he is more than just a scorer off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->