The Circuit League: 17U Standouts from Thursday Night

<p>The Circuit League began Thursday night at Drive Nation and was stacked with talented prospects from every age group. The Circuit League is on July 2nd and 3rd and will return on July 16th and 17th. Thursday night was packed with good games with elite players. Here are some of the players that stood out to me from 17U.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0038.jpg?1593804739191"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1009077 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0038-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="781876" first="Keyonte" last="George"] - Drive Nation - G</strong></p> <p>George might be the most talented player at the entire tournament regardless of age and had a big Friday night. In Drive Nation’s opening game of the tournament, he finished with 16 points even without playing in the fourth quarter. George was locked in on defense, his mid-range jumper was automatic, and he had multiple thunderous dunks. Drive Nation got a strong start on Friday night and won both of their games.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0019.jpg?1593804849436"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1009078 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0019-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1008492" first="Kaden" last="Morgan"] - Texas Legion Elite - G</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1008492" first="Kaden" last="Morgan"] had a great game in Texas Legion Elite’s opening game of the tournament and gave Texas Legion Elite a 59-56 win over Next Page Force. He was making some extremely difficult shots around the rim and scoring in transition. Morgan played as well as anyone in that game as he finished with 13 points and definitely made a name for himself to start Texas Legion Elite’s weekend at the Circuit League.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0020.jpg?1593804959014"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1009079 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0020-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1008489" first="Robert" last="Billingsley"] - Texas Legion Elite - G</strong></p> <p>Billingsley was the leading scorer for his team in their 59-56 win over Next Page Force and was seemingly unstoppable in the second half. He was scoring inside, knocking down three’s, and coming up with steals on the defensive end. Billingsley finished with 18 points and was a big reason that Texas Legion Elite was able to take down Next Page Force.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0021.jpg?1593805092034"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1009082 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0021-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p> <p><strong>Daeshun Ruffin - Next Page Force - G</strong></p> <p>Ruffin dropped 18 points in Next Page Force’s opening game of the Circuit League and showed why he is ranked as one of the best point guards in the country. Ruffin showed off his ability to blow by defenders and finish around the rim. He also hustled for the entire game and got to the free-throw line often.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0030.jpg?1593805240561"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1009083 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/DSC_0030-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="933801" first="Kamryn" last="Waites"] - Drive Nation - F</strong></p> <p>Waites was a monster in the paint in Drive Nation’s opening game of the tournament and helped lead them to a 58-40 win over Basketball Means More. He finished with 13 points and was unstoppable in the post. He has the size and strength to body most players and outmuscle them for easy layups. He also showed off his mid-range jumper from either baseline and finished multiple dunks. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>