Jammin’ at the Jamboree: Showtime Edition

<p style="text-align: justify;">We were Jammin’ at the Big House this weekend for "Travel Team Jamboree Media Day."  My head was on a swivel watching competitive basketball all afternoon.  There were so many teams with that raw, un-cut talent us basketball fans and former players so desperately crave and deserve to witness.  These teams dared to come out with uncapped enthusiasm, grit, and hustle.  Most team rosters were stack<span style="font-size: 1rem;">ed.  There were so </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">many great programs that graced our presence with their unique brand of ball.  Fundamentally-sound teams were keeping up with the athletically blessed.  It was great to see so many teams with tenacity and flat-out determination to win.  I was so locked in to the up-tempo nature of most games.  The caliber of play today quenched my thirst for an exhilarating, fun-filled afterno</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">on of basketball.</span></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">This event was cons<span style="font-size: 1rem;">idered the first of many spring show-stoppers and a great pleasure to watch.  Now, without further adieu...</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">6’1 PG Grac</strong><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">e Alu<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Grace-Showtime.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1415657 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Grace-Showtime-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>ma (West Oaks Academy)</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 1rem;">This senior takes his role seriously.  Mr. Aluma is a true team leader.  If a lane vanishes, he will attempt to revive the gap after a quick retreat dribble.  He also has the skill to bring the ball back out if the defense collapses, and re-distribute the b</span><span style="text-align: justify; font-size: 1rem;">all to open teamma</span><span style="text-align: justify; font-size: 1rem;">tes. </span><span style="text-align: justify; font-size: 1rem;">This stocky point guard pushes the ball in transition harder than any other high school point guard I’ve seen.  He creates, finishes, and not only gets... but keeps teammates involved.  He has quick hands and feet on defense and loves to rebound!  Sometimes he can be too fast and get ahead of his dribble. Regardless, this player gives every ounce of his energy to the game, leaving everything on the floor.  </span></p> <p>Grace’s Favorite Sneaker: The Kobe VII.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Ibrahima-Traore-1-rotated.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1415658 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Ibrahima-Traore-1-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>6’9 PF/C [player_tooltip player_id="1306060" first="Ibrahima" last="Traore"] (West Oaks Academy)</strong></p> <p>This junior can be dominant, but only at his choosing.  Ibrahima is graceful and runs like the wind.  He is deceptively strong and bangs the boards without fear.  He recognizes double teams quickly and kicks the ball out to awaiting shooters.  His quick first step catches most off guard, especially his dunks off two feet.  I look forward to seeing him consistently seal his opponent down low, battle for rebounds in the paint while executing more boxouts and lots more put-backs.</p> <p>Ibrahima’s Favorite Sneaker: The Kobe IX.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Alex-Showtime.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1415670 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/Alex-Showtime-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a><strong>6’9 PF [player_tooltip player_id="1316845" first="Alex" last="Doyle"] (DME Academy)</strong></p> <p>Being a "Stretch 4" plays directly to this senior’s advantage.  Do not sleep on his slender physique.... he has an int<span style="font-size: 1rem;">imidating stature that m</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">ost do not notice until they get up close. He has long appendages, outlets the ball quickly, runs the floor well; and has a gorgeous, high-archi</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">ng jumper that barely touches the rim.  He is a big target, so his teammates look for him to either gravitate toward a corner</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">-three spot or simply shoot down the lane for a high-percentage shot.  Alex sees the floor well and makes good decisions on whether to push the ball or simply slow down the tempo and run a half-court offense.  I look forward to seeing more of his ball-handling skills, rebounding abilities, and dangerously accurate shot!  </span></p> <p>Alex’s Favorite Sneaker: The Kobe IX.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image0-4-rotated.jpeg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1395980 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/image0-4-225x300.jpeg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="225" height="300" /><strong>6’5 SG [player_tooltip player_id="1060171" first="Chris" last="Mubiru"] (West Oaks Academy)</strong></a></p> <p>This Showtime guard is very talented and multi-faceted, in that he can play the point equally as well as the two-spot.  He can float past guards half his size, while also sizing up with forwards.  He is pretty sneaky when it comes to leaking out on the break.  Chris finishes well and his dunks are definitely "Showtime-Esq!"  I look forward to seeing him rise as a dynamic position-less player in the near future.</p> <p>Chris’ Favorite Sneaker:  To Be Announced...</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>