Sophomore Standouts At Phenom Top 40 Camp

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the best players in the state were under one gym as they competed with drills and five on five action. I concentrated a lot on the class of 2029 and 2030 to really get a better look at some players in a different environment. [player_tooltip player_id='3621290' first='Taelin' last='Burney'] took home the MVP and players like [player_tooltip player_id='2700757' first='Ayo' last='Awosanya'], [player_tooltip player_id='3483107' first='Sylva' last='Okauru'], [player_tooltip player_id='3665728' first='BJ' last='Houston'], [player_tooltip player_id='2529320' first='Peyton' last='Fogle'], and [player_tooltip player_id='3664198' first='Jayce' last='Williams'] were recognized as standouts. I compiled a list outside of those names that stood out to me throughout the entire event. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3677198"],"_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-6accff108a3d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After a big summer, Jaylen emerged on radars as one of the biggest risers in the 2029 class. A true point guard who has extremely good pace, ball handling, and vision. It's typically harder for point guards in this type of environment but Jaylen was effective with his ability to distribute the ball. Not only was the playmaking on display, but he also scored well at all three levels. He thrived in transition, getting to the rim and either scoring or spraying to open shooters. Defensively there was a lot to like with the ball pressure provided. Overall, Jaylen played a tremendous floor game and was one of the better point guards I saw in the 2029 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3791626"],"_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-6accff108a408"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Right away Noah stood out with his energy and effort. Even in warm-up lines, he was going at game speed. Those characteristics are high on my checklist when evaluating a player. Typically, that translates to the gameplay, and Noah's performance was no different. Immediately off the jump ball, he got a layup and a chase down block. The effectiveness on both ends of the floor was at a high level all camp long. Impact was made from Noah with low usage and without needing the ball. Although his athleticism was shining bright with rebounds, dunks and blocks, the shooting impressed me also. Off the catch, he was effective which helped open his downhill attacking. I thought Noah was one of the most consistent two-way players at the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3664225"],"_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-6accff108a429"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A real sleeper in the 2029 class may have woken a lot of people up yesterday. Tolson has exceptional positional size and the versatility to match. Capable of stepping out and hurting defenders with his shooting, but his downhill attacks were on full display at the event. There wasn't a lot of overdribbling, Tolson did more with less and consistently finished above the rim. It wasn't just in transition; Tolson's rim attacks came with defenders hanging on to him and even challenging him at the rim. His improved frame and strength helped him finish through the contact for several three-point plays. Underrated defender who can guard any position on the floor, I thought he did a good job protecting the rim and communicating on that end of the floor. Overall excellent showing from one of the best wings in the 2029 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3565250"],"_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-6accff108a447"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vision, playmaking, and defending. Three key components you would want in a lead guard. Ricardo possesses all of those and more. I didn't mention the scoring, but he can also do that but during this event he consistently set the table for his team. There was an impressive stretch in a game where Ricardo knocked down a three, got a steal, an assist, and flushed a dunk in transition. Those types of plays were consistent throughout the day for him. I thought he outplayed a lot of his backcourt matchups with how balanced his offense was, but the defense was phenomenal as well. There has been some buzz around his name but after a solid camp yesterday, expect more people to catch on to just how good Ricardo is and will be this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3574528"],"_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-6accff108a464"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Breathtaking is the best word to describe Trace. When he's attacking the paint, he can finish with ferocious dunks or acrobatic layups. During his freshman year at Grimsley, he was strictly a downhill attacker and slasher off the ball. At the event, Trace showcased more ball handling and even knocked down some shots off the dribble. Obviously not the strongest part of his skillset, but the improvement showed during the event. With his athletic ability and length, Trace was excellent as a defender. He was able to jump passing lanes for steals and protect the rim on the weak side. All things that started fast break opportunities which Trace thrives in at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->