The Next Step: 2030 Prospects to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2030 class is just getting started, so there's still a lot of basketball to be played before we know exactly where everyone fits. That's what makes the watch list important. The Expo gave us another chance to evaluate several freshmen we've tracked throughout the summer, and this group showed enough to enter the high school season firmly on our radar. Some may find varsity minutes early, while others will need time to adjust, expand their games and learn how to impact winning within a role. We're not rushing the process, but these are names we'll be following closely as their freshman seasons unfold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3560978"],"_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-6abec885097f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Arstingstall gave us a lot to work with when we saw him because his impact grew as the showcase went along. What really stood out for me was the motor. He's a force on the glass and works hard getting positioning and pushing the pace after. Luke rebounded from the guard spot, confidently took open shots and even handled some point guard responsibilities. I especially liked his ability to change speeds and find different angles rather than attacking everything at one pace. There's some versatility to develop here and now he knows what it is that he needs to work on. As he enters high school, finding one or two things he can consistently hang his hat on will be important. If the energy and toughness translate first, his offensive role can expand as the game slows down for him but he has a solid baseline of a player who can help in multiple ways. He's a player to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3690901"],"_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-6abec88509825"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gibbs is a player that showed that he could put pressure on the defense as he gets downhill quickly and using his body to gain an advantage. We watched him on multiple plays be able to absorb contact and finish, look for the contact and make it a point to keep attacking. I also liked seeing him relocate without the ball and give himself space for an open shot as well. For Gibbs, this year is about learning to bring that assertiveness consistently. High school defenses will close gaps quicker, so continuing to develop the jumper and his reads off penetration will matter, especially with a defender draped all over you. When he's aggressive, though, there's a guard here worth tracking and he makes the list.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3718585"],"_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-6abec88509849"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sepulveda is probably one of the easier players in this group to envision finding ways to help without having a large offensive role. When we saw him last month he had plenty of plays that didnt always make a highlight but they were so effective. He defended without fouling, stayed engaged away from the ball and set some of the better screens I saw from this group. There was purpose behind the screens and not just a way to be in the way. He made contact and actually freed teammates up and used it to free himself up sometimes as well. That's winning basketball. As a freshman, embracing those details can separate him while the rest of his game develops. Sepulveda still has to expand offensively and adjust to the physicality of high school basketball, but understanding how to contribute without needing the ball on each play is a good place to start.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3578626"],"_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-6abec8850986a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When we saw Abasta we saw stretches where his quickness became difficult to deal with. He's a smaller guard, but he didn't let that keep him from attacking and those kind of guards are defense shifters. He changed directions, beat defenders off the bounce and stayed under control once he created an advantage with his shiftiness. I also liked that he could move between playing on and off the ball rather than needing the ball on every play. His size is already going to cause some challenges now that he's in high school, which makes his decision-making, defense and ability to affect the game doing the little things that much more important. I want to see what this looks like in the next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2821662"],"_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-6abec88509889"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gehringer is a player who we saw a month ago and we really liked how he was able to stand out but not only with his scoring. He moves with a purpose, doesn't force too much and is engaged defensively as well. Jordan was versatile. He handled PG duties at times and pushed the pace and he also showed that he could play off ball and cut as well. He rebounded outside his area and had a few outlets, and in the half court set had some creative finishes as well. Gehringer already understands how to move to the open spot for easy baskets. He understands spacing and this will be a year about getting stronger, sharpening the guard skills and seeing how to find ways to get on the court and in the rotation. He made his rankings debut this go round. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3591695"],"_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-6abec885098a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bulich gave us a true interior presence when we last saw him and there aren't many traditional bigs. He wasn't afraid of contact and already showed some patience and footwork that you don't always get from a young frontcourt player. The up-and-under moves stood out because he wasn't simply trying to overpower everyone he showed he could get a defender committed and then work around him. Now comes the adjustment period where he'll have to add more pieces to his game in high school. His coaches will have certain things they want him to work on and it will be on him to lock in on those things like developing his body, rebounding and being a defensive presence while finding out what works against older bigs. If the toughness and footwork remain strengths as the competition improves, he'll give us a good reason to keep checking in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3601292"],"_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-6abec885098c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2843156' first='Elijah' last=''] is a prospect who we knew a tad bit about as I saw him play in 8th grade as well and he continues to add pieces to his game. He's an attacker and he plays with full on effort which makes him easy to notice. He consistently wanted to get into the paint, wasn't bothered by contact and created enough pressure to where he was getting and-1 finishes. What I liked was that there was no resistance. It didnt matter who we was up against, he was looking to make plays. Smith moved without the ball in half court sets, handled the ball well and passed the ball to open guys instead of letting the offense get stagnant. That's something to build on. His scoring package still has room to expand, and he'll have to learn when defenses in high school are giving him the drive versus taking it away. I think he should continue trying to attack and when the defense adjusts he skips it or gets it to teammates. Smith could be an interesting name to revisit as the season progresses but he makes his WL debut. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->