AAU Workout Visit: North Metro Elite 16U
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You can always expect to be tested when you take the floor against a North Metro Elite club of any age group, and this group of 16Us headed by Steve Rodriguez is set to make a big jump with a…
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Continue ReadingYou can always expect to be tested when you take the floor against a North Metro Elite club of any age group, and this group of 16Us headed by Steve Rodriguez is set to make a big jump with a cast of characters who know each other very well and who all look primed to take positive steps forward from last summer. Here are a few players to keep an eye on from Tuesday night’s workout:
Earnest Ofremu Earnest Ofremu 6'5" | SF Mceachern | 2023 State GA , SF, McEachern (pictured above)
Like many last summer took the understandable step with Covid-19 to sit out travel ball, but the word on him was “an athletic freak with untapped upside”, and after Tuesday night it was easy to see why there is so much excitement about this player. With graduation cutting up the Indians roster, this lefty 6-4 wing/guard/forward hybrid will move into the forefront of McEachern studs on the rise. The athlete part is frightening, as there may be a better “mover” at any age group I’ve seen to date, but the basketball acumen is there as well, a mix of mid-range jump shooting and slick moves/spins off the bounce that are a handful with his rare mix of power and finesse. Primed for a monster breakout.
Kael Cotton Kael Cotton 6'0" | CG McEachern | 2023 GA , PG, McEachern
It’s a nice luxury to have a pair of talented McEachern-factory products as the bulwark of your roster, and Cotton fills out Part 2 of that scenario. Looking bigger and more physical this year, the lefty’s got great tenacity and fire on the floor, be it guarding you up on the defensive end or using a slick handle to slice up a defense on the other end. Like all modern PG’s he looks to get into the teeth, but he can really hurt you from 3-land so he has to be carefully marked. Like Ofremu, sure to make a splash in the Indians rotation next year and sure to turn plenty of heads with his all-around play this summer.
Nathan Rodriguez Nathan Rodriguez 6'3" | C North Paulding | 2023 State GA , PF, North Paulding
Perhaps no 6-3 player in the ATL-Metro is more adept at pure post-play than Rodriguez, who embodies the throwback post-men of the 80’s with an array of clever moves down low that seem to have been made prehistoric by the 3-point shot and downhill bullying to the basket. What makes him also so valuable to any team is the ability to guard the block as well at his size, a combination of smarts and good teaching. His jump shot has improved markedly from last year too, and his production is sure to remain strong and steady as he outworks and outthinks many of his opponents.
BJ Brown BJ Brown 5'9" | PG IMG Academy | 2023 FL , PG, Harrison
Speaking of bigger and stronger, Brown has grown a couple of inches and put on some muscle as well, looking much more physical to go with a polish at the PG-position that was evident most of last summer. He can spell Cotton at the 1-spot or take the ball and allow Cotton to play off the ball and attack, giving this group great flexibility. Brown is very comfortable leading the break but does a poised job in the halfcourt looking over his options. Can shoot it and defend as well, and if underestimated has the arsenal to make you pay.
Zavier Askew Zavier Askew 6'0" | CG McEachern | 2023 State GA , SG, North Paulding
Askew and Brown playing off each other was one of the evening’s best highlights, showing a lot of the same success the two had last summer doing the same. Askew is your wing bomber and slasher to Brown’s steady hand, and Askew too looks a little taller and stronger a year later. Those things will pay dividends as he continues the slashing part of his development, the part where his real damage is done, playing into and through more and larger contact at older levels.
OTHERS TO WATCH: Ryan Forcade (Harrison, injured), Carter Connelly Carter Connelly 6'1" | SG North Paulding | 2023 State GA (North Paulding), Jonathan Rodriguez Jonathan Rodriguez 5'9" | CG North Paulding | 2023 State GA (North Paulding), Godwin Nwossisi (Kennesaw Mountain)