Big Shots Philly Team Final- Elite Standouts

<p>Big Shots held its Team Final Basketball tournament this past weekend in Philadelphia. There were teams with elite players from New York to Virginia competing to make a name for themselves. This tournament provided many highlights and competitive basketball throughout the weekend. Here were some of the top guards who stood out. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/IMG_4126-rotated.jpg"><strong>Jeremiah Littlejohn-G-2022-Rock Creek Christian Academy</strong></a><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/IMG_4126-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1623081858.jpg"><img class="alignleft wp-image-1210894 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/IMG_4126-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1623081858-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p> <p>Jeremiah is a 6'5, 160 pound combo guard who plays with a lot of passion and grit. He is a very athletic wing who can play the 1-3 positions. He plays with a ton of energy and seems to never get tired. Jeremiah is very explosive when attacking the rim and can get above the rim very easily. On defense, he has good length and is very aggressive with his on-the-ball skills. Even though he has a slim build, I was very impressed on how he defended stronger wings. If he continues to build his upper body strength and improve his 3-point shooting, he will fit on multiple D1 rosters.   </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/IMG_4124-rotated.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-1210131 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/IMG_4124-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a><strong>Mandela Tarke-G-2022-Rock Creek Christian Academy</strong></p> <p>Mandela is a 5'10, 170 pound combo guard who has great athleticism. On offense, he has good court vision and can handle the ball efficiently. When he gets to the rim, he can finish well with both hands. He also does a great job getting his teammates into sets. On defense, he is very disruptive when defending the ball and when he is playing help defense. His strength also allows him to defend multiple positions. If he continues to work on his perimeter jumpshot, he will be able to contribute on many D2 rosters.  </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/IMG_4122-rotated.jpg"><img class="alignleft wp-image-1210136 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/IMG_4122-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a><strong>Gabe Valmond-G-2022-DelCastle Tech High School</strong></p> <p>Gabe is a 5'10, 150 pound combo guard who can really create space with his ball handling, and he shoots efficiently behind the arc. He does a great job scoring in bunches and will compete for the entire game.  On defense, Gabe is disruptive with his active hands. He does a good job reading and reacting to different situations. If Gabe continues to add upper body strength, he will be a nice addition for many D2-D3 schools. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/IMG_4121-rotated.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-1210137 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/IMG_4121-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a><strong>Demere Hollingsworth-G-2022-Howard Tech High School</strong></p> <p>Demere is a 6'0, 190 pound point guard who plays under control and can facilitate the offense. His ball handling and passing skills are good. When he attacks the basket, he finishes well with contact.  On the defensive side of the ball, he moves his feet well and can defend the 1-3 positions with his size and strength. If Demere continues working on creating shots around the perimeter, he will be a nice addition to a D2 program.  </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/IMG_4119-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1623077021.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1210840 size-thumbnail alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/IMG_4119-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1623077021-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a><strong>Thomas Brown-G-2022-Mastery Charter School Pickett Campus</strong></p> <p>Thomas is a 5'11, 170 pound point guard who is very athletic and can score the ball. His ball handling allows him to create offensively, and he shoots the ball well behind the arc. He does everything the coach ask him to do. On defense, his athletic ability allows him to defend bigger guards and he will compete no matter who he is playing against. If he continues to get stronger, he will compete on many D2 rosters. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/IMG_4112-rotated.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-1210140 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/IMG_4112-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a><strong>Malachi Wright-G-2023-1st State Prep Basketball Academy</strong></p> <p>Malachi is a 6'6, 185 pound guard who can play the 1-5 positions in high school. Offensively, he can handle the ball well, create shots off the dribble, and finish above the rim. Malachi also has a good IQ for the game. He sees the floor very well. On defense, he is strong and can move his feet well. He is very active playing on the ball or in help defense. I really like this kids overall toughness. If he continues working on his perimeter shooting, he will be a nice shooting guard in a D1 program. </p>