End of Summer Showcase: 2023/2024 talent

Gregg Rosenberg September 16, 2020 @ 10:32 AM

This Labor Day weekend I attended Gerry Freitas Arizona End of Summer Showcase at Inspire Courts in Gilbert, AZ. The event had 36 teams from the West Coast as far up as Washington. Specifically he had 15 from CA, 10 teams from AZ, 5 from Washington, 3 from Las Vegas, 2 from New Mexico and 1 from Colorado in the 16 and 17U divisions.   Here were some of the 2023 talent I watched: [player_tooltip player_id="994931" first="Martin" last="Gumwel"] Calvin Christian (CA) (Gamepoint 16 Elite) -Big man moved to the US last year and he started playing basketball 3 years ago with only 1 year organized. He is an explosive athlete with amazing length and good frame/wider shoulders. He blocks everything near him and rebounds at a high rate. He dunks way above the rim and runs the floor swiftly and doesn’t lumber up the court. [player_tooltip player_id="923109" first="Kelson" last="Gebbers"] Brewster (WA) (Friends of Hoop Seattle 17) -One of the more skilled sophs with size at the event. He has a nice stroke from the 3pt line with a high release plus he can mix it up inside. He is a fluid athlete and can handle the ball some and rebounds well in his area. Ahmaree McCullough PG 5’9 St Joseph Notre Dame (Arsenal Elite 17) -A super fast two-way pure PG is quick with the ball in his hands and made opposing guards feel his presence the entire game. He can collect steals quickly plus he can score it. He passes more than he shoots but he can hit the open 3 and from mid-range. [player_tooltip player_id="814531" first="Adonis" last="Thomas"] Ironwood (Team Zona 16) -A long wing can score it. He can hit the catch-3 plus he can drive it to the cup. He uses his length to deflect passes or collect steals. He makes good decisions and moves well up the court. [player_tooltip player_id="936905" first="Julius" last="Williams"] Ironwood (Team Zona 16) (Pictured) -A well built forward is stronger than most sophs in the state. He does most of his work deep inside the paint with multiple moves and he had a few double moves. He is a sneaky good passer and rebounds anything near him with his wider frame and long arms. [player_tooltip player_id="1046351" first="Tristen" last="Reid"] Skyline Prep (Team Zona 16) -A transfer by way of New York is fast and has a tight handle like a typical New York city guard would have. He is a little small but has real speed and can blow by his defender with a quick burst and use the floater.   Here was the lone 2024 player I watched: Dylan Chavez CG 6'2 La Cueva (New Mexico D1 UAA 16U) -A long and lean incoming freshman is reportedly the tops in the state and you can see why. He moves fluidly around the court and his IQ jumps off the page. He has a pretty looking jumper and a natural feel for the game. The thing I was most impressed with was his leadership already at his age being 1-2 years younger than all players. He was directing his teammates before the game even started and plays like a son of a coach would with a high IQ.