Stock Risers from The Circuit League II
The Circuit League II is an event where a player can easily improve his recruitment status. Players can see their stock rise with top notch performances facing the right competition. Louisiana definitely had some players who saw their stock rise…
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Continue ReadingThe Circuit League II is an event where a player can easily improve his recruitment status. Players can see their stock rise with top notch performances facing the right competition. Louisiana definitely had some players who saw their stock rise during the event at Drive Nation and we will look at a few of them.
Solomon Washington Solomon Washington 6'7" | SF Carver | 2022 State #127 Nation LA / 6’7″ / LivOn Fleur-de-lis / 2022
One of the hottest players on the grassroots circuit this summer is Solomon Washington Solomon Washington 6'7" | SF Carver | 2022 State #127 Nation LA . Washington has shown the ability to play both sides of the floor very well and with high energy. His finishes above the rim have been eye-popping and abundant. At the Circuit League II, Washington even stepped out and shot the three better than before. His confidence is off the charts right now in what he can do on the floor. He is willing to chase down players for blocks in transition, switch out on smaller guards, and defend bigs at crunchtime. Washington is becoming a well-rounded player and a Louisiana hoops stock riser.
Joseph Manning Joseph Manning 6'3" | CG Bossier | 2022 State LA / 6’3″ / The North / 2022
For a guy who was pretty much matched up with taller wings all weekend, Joe Manning handle himself very well at the Circuit League II event. He was one of the better performers on The North on both ends of the floor and really impressed with his ability to play defense. He showed that he could double down on a post player and get back and effectively guard his man. Manning displayed his athleticism by out rebounding taller players in certain instances. He also dunked on a bigger wing in transition. With his mid-range game continuing to evolve, Manning is a player who had his full range of talent on display at the Circuit League II. He is primed for a breakout season next year.
Bennie Amos Bennie Amos 6'0" | CG Landry-Walker | 2021 State LA / 6’2″ / WAWG Elite / 2021
Amos was already known as a shooter in Louisiana circles before play at the Circuit League. He has range a good five feet behind the high school three point line and it was on full display during the weekend. Why I believe Amos might see his stock rise was that he filled a particular role in a couple of games and it worked for him. Against The North, Amos came off the bench and hit three triples that extended the WAWG lead. It is hard to fill that role at times coming off of the bench and being a gunner. Along with his range, Amos displayed that he can play well off of lead guards in a dribble drive offense and knock down shots with ease. Schools are always looking for shooters and Amos can fill that role easily.
John Mitchell John Mitchell 6'3" | CG Captain Shreve | 2021 State LA / 6’4″ / The North / 2021
Mitchell physically looks like he is a defensive end or linebacker playing hoops. However, once you see him play, you realize that he is a gifted basketball player. Mitchell had the task of guarding the taller and more physical forwards that The North played. He proved that he can bang with prospective Division I talent and handle their physicality. Mitchell also proved that he can rebound and lead the break if need be or rebound in traffic. He takes a pounding and will get his shot blocked, but he will keep coming. Schools like bruisers. This one has a soft touch and can score with either hand around the basket. Look for Mitchell to be a hot commodity for schools looking for this type of forward for their program.
John Kelly John Kelly 5'10" | CG De La Salle | 2020 State LA / 6’7″ / LivOn Fleur-de-lis / 2023
The LivOn Fleur-de-lis family is a deep and talented one. Part of that family that should see his stock rise after the Circuit League is John Kelly John Kelly 5'10" | CG De La Salle | 2020 State LA . He began play early Saturday morning with a double-double in LivOn’s first win and kept going from there. Kelly runs the floor pretty well for a young big man and is super efficient around the rim. He positions hmself well to gather rebounds and uses his length to finish around the cup. There were some times when he ran into trouble rebounding the ball and bringing it down where guards could steal it. However, those instances were mostly in the game versus the Louisiana Titans. Kelly has a lot of potential and can be one of the better players in the 2023 class as his game expands.
Reginald Stoner Reginald Stoner 6'1" | CG North Central | 2022 State LA / 6’1″ / LivOn Fleur-de-lis / 2021
When you are a smaller guard, you have to make an impact in some way. Reginald Stoner Reginald Stoner 6'1" | CG North Central | 2022 State LA did that in a big way during play on Saturday. In the loss to Drive Nation, Stoner took Drive Nation’s leading scorer, Noah Shelby, out of the game. He played Shelby from baseline to baseline, chased through screens, and prevented him making a shot until the loose ball buzzer beater (that’s another story). Stoner then took the challenge against Team Dynasty of guarding baseline-to-baseline and turned that game around. On offense, Stoner is a slasher who can finish at the rim with ease. His defense is top notch, however. He proved that past performances in the state championships were no fluke. Because of his defense alone, Stoner will see his stock rise.
Other players like Daniel Ortiz Daniel Ortiz 6'1" | CG Calvary Baptist | 2021 State LA (The North) and Dorian Finister Dorian Finister 6'5" | CG Carver | 2022 State #173 Nation LA (LivOn) had premium weekends as well. Finister displayed more grit and toughness than I have seen before. Colleges and universities from other states should have all of these players on their radar after their performances during the Circuit League II.