ESPN Showcase: Scott’s Top Performers

Thursday night was a great night of high school hoops with a triple header across the nation on ESPN2 featuring some of the best players in the country and did they ever show up on the big stage with epic performances. We break it all down in ESPN Showcase: Scott’s Top Performers! [player_tooltip player_id="532574" first="Chet" last="Holmgren"] (Minnehaha, MN - 2021) The top 2021 prospect put on an absolute show in front of a nationally televised audience. Holmgren who is a 7 foot center from Minnesota is the complete package. He displayed his all-around game for those that have not seen him before. His ability to handle the basketball in the open floor at his size taking it coast to coast either finishing or dishing off an assist is incredible. His go to spin move in the lane was working all night. Could not be stopped with that move. As the game went on he started to get more comfortable with his outside shooting knocking in a pair from deep. His overall toughness and tenacity on the boards and defensively were very impressive. As it’s been noted for a while he is the best shot blocker in the country either swatting or altering almost everything that comes inear him. Holmgren finished with 36 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 blocks. [player_tooltip player_id="850724" first="Donovan" last="Smith"] (Minnehaha, MN - 2022) What a showing for this undersized point guard. The 5’9” junior was lights out from the perimeter connecting on eight from behind the arc. Notched 24 points in the game with his instant offense. [player_tooltip player_id="787606" first="Emoni" last="Bates"] (Ypsi Prep, MI - 2022) In my time of covering recruiting over the last decade Bates is probably the most talented prospect I’ve ever seen. I said that after Nike Elite 100 and it remains the same now. The small forward has so much Kevin Durant to his game. Feathery touch from the perimeter loving to pull up from the wing for threes. At times he can definitely force it but with his immense talent it’s hard to argue with the shots at times. Like what he did putting it on the deck throughout the night finding lanes to get to the hoop. Bates is just an unstoppable force offensively scoring effectively from all three levels as well as getting to the foul line. The top junior in the country finished with 36 points and 10 rebounds. Committed to Michigan State. [player_tooltip player_id="611401" first="Jaden" last="Akins"] (Ypsi Prep, MI - 2021) The other future Spartan in this game was this combo guard. Akins is a left handed guard that has a smooth all-around game. Effective pull up shot from both mid-range and three. Also did a nice job of shielding the ball on drives to the hoop when going at Holmgren. He had 17 points. [player_tooltip player_id="1069091" first="Mikey" last="Williams"] (Lake Norman Christian, NC - 2023) One of the most highly touted sophomore prospects in the country Williams is a flashy guard that has a good passing feel but can be a bit wild with it at times. Had several turnovers early in the game but then began to heat up in the second quarter. Has a burst with the ball in his hands getting to the rim and made regular trips to the foul line. Knocked down a couple jumpers. Was quiet overall in the second half but still managed to score 24 points. [player_tooltip player_id="947287" first="Trey" last="Green"] (Lake Norman Christian, NC - 2023) While Williams gets all the hype we came away extremely impressed with this 2023 floor general. Quick and shifty playmaker that makes sound decisions with the ball. Excellent passer especially in the half court finding his shooters and rollers. In the second half he got it going in the scoring department netting 10 points for the game. One of the bigger stock risers of the night. [player_tooltip player_id="870147" first="Joyful" last="Hawkins"] (Lake Norman Christian, NC - 2022) Versatile and athletic power forward that is extremely bouncy around the hoop and on the glass. Rim runner in transition and defensively has shot blocking potential. He had 8 points. MJ Rice (Oak Hill, VA - 2022) Rice is a big and physical wing that is built like a linebacker. He knows how to use that strength to his advantage getting downhill where his opponents bounce off him. Works well in the mid-range with his shot and rebounds in traffic. Also hit a pair of threes. Finished with 17 points. [player_tooltip player_id="854886" first="Caleb" last="Foster"] (Oak Hill, VA - 2023) Foster is a combo guard with slick ball handling. Sliced and diced through the defense. Got buckets in the lane with runners and a hit three for 14 points. [player_tooltip player_id="957885" first="Jalen" last="Ricks"] (Oak Hill, VA - 2021) Long and athletic forward was active on the glass throughout the night. Was a tremendous glue guy for his team filling in wherever needed. Stuffed the sheet for 8 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists. Camryn Carter (Oak Hill, VA - 2021) Carter is a lights out shooter from the perimeter as he drilled several deep shots in the win. Effortless stroke from deep. Can also put it on the deck and crash the glass. Went for 20 points. [player_tooltip player_id="798685" first="AJ" last="Williams"] (Oak Hill, VA - 2021) This unsigned combo guard made plays throughout the night. Nice looking three-point shooter with a handful from deep. Also got after it defensively creating turnovers and getting deflections. He had 15 points on the evening. [player_tooltip player_id="533052" first="Jaden" last="Hardy"] (Coronado, NV - 2021) Hardy has a ton of Damian Lillard to his game and he showed it on national television. The broad shouldered combo guard is an elite bucket getter. One of the best shooters in the class with excellent range out to beyond the NBA arc. Hit several contested threes helping bring his team back to get a win. Instant offense that can also take it to the rim with a burst. Hardy scored an impressive 39 points. This is exactly the type of guard NBA teams are looking for. [player_tooltip player_id="806816" first="Frankie" last="Collins"] (Coronado, NV - 2021) Collins is headed to Michigan next year as part of their top ranked recruiting class. Tough guard that brings great handles and passing to the table. Has the ball on a string getting where he needs in the lane and finishing through taller defenders with crafty moves. Like what he did as a set up man especially early in the game. He had 19 points. [player_tooltip player_id="989242" first="Osiris" last="Grady"] (Coronado, NV - 2023) This sophomore emerged on my radar. Bouncy four man that was active on the glass and used his quickness inside to score. Length played well on the defensive end. Pretty good motor. He had 8 points. [player_tooltip player_id="962803" first="Amari" last="Bailey"] (Sierra Canyon, CA - 2022) Bailey is a Chicago native that is one of the most coveted junior recruits in the country. A one time Depaul and UCLA commit he now has schools from coast to coast pursuing him. What we were most impressed with was how well he finished at the cup. The natural lefty can finish with either hand around defenders and has added strength which helps him finish through contact. Such a skilled player that has advanced passing instincts. Hit a couple threes but overall that is probably the area of his game he needs to fine tune the most. Complete guard with a chance to be extremely special in the future.. Went for 29 points and 7 dimes. [player_tooltip player_id="954225" first="Shy" last="Odom"] (Sierra Canyon, CA - 2022) Odom is a combo forward that has a physical body and plays with toughness on the interior. Used his combination of power and quickness inside to be effective getting on the glass. Scored on dishes from his teammates. Even made a couple nice dishes himself. Runs the floor in transition and plays with a motor. He had 22 points. Chance Westry (Sierra Canyon, CA - 2022) This was my first evaluating this guard from the West Coast. Liked what we saw with his athleticism as a two way guard. Turned his defense into offense consistently getting steals and taking them the other way for points. Really good in the transition game and has some passing feel as well. Athleticism stood out with several acrobatics at the rim. [player_tooltip player_id="992475" first="Bronny" last="James"] (Sierra Canyon, CA - 2023) The son of LeBron James is the most high profile high school basketball player in the country. The sophomore has gotten stronger since we saw him last year. Playing a bigger role this year for his team he connected on three triples for all 9 of his points. Sound shot mechanics with a smooth release. Flashes passing feel and does a nice job pushing in transition. Potential as a defender down the road.