#LiveSZNKickoff: 17U Saturday Standouts
In this article:
It felt great to be back in a gym for the first time since the conclusion of high school season early last month. A long Saturday in Lincoln brought about some quality matchups between programs around the Midwest. I spent…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIt felt great to be back in a gym for the first time since the conclusion of high school season early last month. A long Saturday in Lincoln brought about some quality matchups between programs around the Midwest. I spent the day watching 17U squads and settled on 7 standout performers from the day’s action in the #LiveSZNKickoff
Jayden Dawson Jayden Dawson 6'4" | CG Omaha Central | 2022 State NE – Nebraska Supreme
I’m no stranger to just how good Jayden Dawson Jayden Dawson 6'4" | CG Omaha Central | 2022 State NE can be when he gets going from beyond the arch. The Omaha Central product has shot upwards of 40% from 3 in his two years at the varsity level. On Saturday morning he shot the lights out in the debut game for the newly formed Nebraska Supreme UAA squad. Dawson nailed 7 3’s in their opening win over Team Buddy Buckets and had arguably the highlight reel play of the day with a ferocious dunk in Supreme’s second game against Tulsa Hawks. The 6’4 guard can score both on catch and shoot jumpers as well as off the dribble, showing on Saturday his ability to score from all 3 levels. Dawson is definitely a name to watch this summer on a very talented Nebraska Supreme Squad.
????????♂️ pic.twitter.com/DOp3HWHVi8
— Jayden Dawson Jayden Dawson 6'4" | CG Omaha Central | 2022 State NE (@JaydenDawson20) April 11, 2021
Parker Friedrichsen Parker Friedrichsen 6'4" | SG Bixby | 2023 State #165 Nation OK – Tulsa Hawks
Friedrichsen is playing an age group up with the Tulsa Hawks but still was a no doubt standout on Saturday afternoon. The 6’4 guard has a very good-looking shot and got hot from beyond the arch, while also displaying a solid mid-range pull-up jumper. He’s also a very capable off-the-dribble scorer. Friedrichsen played well beyond his age on Saturday and I’m excited to see how he follows up his circuit debut on Sunday.
Ethan Scott Ethan Scott 5'10" | PG Mustang | 2022 State OK – Team Buddy Buckets
I first saw Ethan Scott Ethan Scott 5'10" | PG Mustang | 2022 State OK play last summer in Omaha on the PrepHoops Circuit and he remains one of the best shooters that I have seen in person. Regardless of school, state, or age. The kid can flat out score the ball from deep. The 5’10 guard knocked in seven 3 pointers in a very exciting win for Buddy Buckets over a very talented MPJ Elite team.
Jalen Hampton Jalen Hampton 6'7" | PF Link Year | 2022 MO – MPJ Elite
Hampton is a long and athletic forward at 6’7 who was making big plays on both ends of the court when I watched him and his extremely fun to watch MPJ Elite squad play throughout the day on Saturday. Whether it was rising for dunks on the defensive end, or finishing big dunks on the offensive end, Hampton was all over the court on Saturday. MPJ Elite has some absolute dudes on their team and Hampton’s versatility certainly stood out to me throughout the day.
AJ Storr – Illinois HoopStars
A 6’6 forward, Storr recently committed to Illinois, and the AZ Compass Prep product has been on another level for the first two weekends of the PrepHoops Circuit. Storr may have been the most explosive player in the gym on Saturday, using his strength to power to the rim and finish through contact, drawing fouls, and even throwing down an emphatic left-handed slam. His strength also played to his advantage when it came to rebounding the basketball, where he was not at all afraid to battle inside. I was thoroughly impressed with every aspect of Storr’s game. The Illini are getting a good one for sure.