The Challenge: Game-Changing Wings

New readers: Use code Proia30     I drove up to Spooky Nook in Manheim, PA for one of my favorite preseason warmups of the year in The Challenge. There was a good mix of local teams, NE/PA teams, and international preps from Canada competing in front of college coaches and media. In this article we'll break down the top frontcourt/wing prospects that we saw over the course of the weekend. Let's dive in!    -My favorite thing about Dunbar's game is the consistency of his aggression on a nightly basis, he really brings it at both ends of the floor whether you are seeing him during the high school season or during AAU. Dunbar spent the afternoon bulldozing his matchup all the way to the rim to the tune of 17p 8r 1b 2s. Dunbar's handle has improved to add a shot creation element to his offensive game at the elbows that really opens his driving lanes to the rim. Dunbar also uses his blend of size and strength to be a defensive force on the backline that can switch 1-5 for the Trainers. Although they have added in a few transfers that are already making an impact in the preseason, his team will go as far as he carriers them this season.     18p 3r 1b vs YS Trojans   -Really dynamic athletic flashes in both games, was more assertive attacking the rim in the first game of the day and was rewarded with the near-20-point performance. Walton is at his best when he is aggressive in attacking his matchup on the bounce or hitting the offensive glass from the weakside to impact games with his vertical leaping ability. The offseason work to improve his jumper has made him a respectable shooter on face-up catches from the elbows, where I think he is at his best. Should continue to be a crucial piece for a Whitman team that played in the state tournament last season!     -Ansong looked great in new threads with the Lions as an athletic wing prospect that impacts games with his energy. Love the way that he flew around defensively to guard multiple spots--especially up-- for a Lions team that really needs that type of versatility in the frontcourt with the graduation of most of their size. Ansong's impact was shown in a huge stretch he had midway through the 2H upon re-entering the game when he scored 6 straight points for his team, two coming off of steals and the last being a catch over the top in transition that he converted into a 1-handed spike above the rim.     -Really liked the flashes and role acceptance from a wing piece that should step into a much bigger niche within SR's schemes this season. Schrader serves as a physical defender on the back line that has a good feel for when he needs to double down on the post or stunt into a driver's path to blow up a good look at the rim. His effort on the glass both in the paint and in long rebounds that he then outletted to a guard really swung the pace of the last two games that I've seen him in. If he can continue to improve his off-ball feel as both a screener and cutter to generate some easy offense for his team-- he has a chance to build a big role for himself with this group.     -Probably the most skilled frontcourt prospect that I saw this weekend, Mckevicius flashed true inside-out potential as a young building block for this Polaris group. He knocked down several deep threes off the catch, went right into a hook shot with either hand without a dribble to score over defenders, and showed good touch on putbacks around the rim. I liked his decisions in the two-man game on the wing as a PnR big that can both pop or roll depending on where the help is coming from to make good reads for his team.     -The flashes are becoming more and more consistent for one of the area's best kept secrets in the rising junior. Wylie was an efficient 8/11 from the floor en route to 16 points and 5 rebounds in a win over Polaris Prep. Wylie showed off a more refined set of post moves, has improved his off hand touch in the paint, and is playing through contact much better around the rim. I also liked what I saw on his elbow catches as Wylie is simplifying the game to jab and go to get downhill to the rim. His improved athleticism also popped several times but none more memorable than a contested rebound and 1-step poster dunk with the right through contact in the paint for the AND-1 bucket.

New readers: Use code Proia30

I drove up to Spooky Nook in Manheim, PA for one of my favorite preseason warmups of the year in The Challenge. There was a good mix of local teams, NE/PA teams, and international preps from Canada competing in front of college coaches and media. In this article we'll break down the top frontcourt/wing prospects that we saw over the course of the weekend. Let's dive in!