Bash In The Desert: The Strong Potential Wings

<p>College basketball programs love a long, versatile, agile big wing and we saw a bunch of them in Phoenix last weekend.  Get some of these names written down if that is what your program needs for the future. </p> <p>Aurelio Aguirre of Minnesota Spartans (6’4 2024 from Ankeny, IA).  One of the most productive teams I saw all weekend was Aurelio Aguirre out of Iowa.  Aguirre had a solid sophomore year at Ankeny scoring in double figures each game and now we are seeing him take a bigger step with the Spartans.  Aguirre is a two-sport standout and you can see that in his physical appearance, approach.  He rebounded like a frontcourt player but handled the ball like a comfortable wing.  Shot the ball well when I watched so that is coming along but the comfortable handling attacking in a physical frame is what caught the eye the most.  That and the consistent production. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1325652" first="Theron" last="Coleman"] of Colorado Titans (6’3 2023 from Air Academy).   First basket I saw from Coleman?  An attack to the baseline completed with a reverse lay-up through a couple players.  Second time the player closed out to Theron they came up short fearing the attack so Theron scored over the top.  And the third finish let us know why Coleman completed 55 percent of his field goals this year because a baseline drive saw him go over the help for a dunk.  A right handed player but his crossover into the attack finished with the left surely caught my eye.  </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1285212" first="Colin" last="Hayes"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1285232" first="Drew" last="Larson"] of NoCo Elite (Both 6’4, both 2023, both from Fossil Ridge, CO).  Hayes had an excellent junior season while Larson was a deep reserve, and both played really well for NoCo Elite in similar ways.  What really separates Hayes is his handle at his size.  Colin was able to handle some, push consistently, and score regularly off the attack.  Hayes was a key figure and Larson did some similar stuff off the dribble as well as using his touch to score.  [player_tooltip player_id="1285212" first="Colin" last="Hayes"] is certainly a player that I could see bursting up a prospect list. </p> <p>Prince Turner Jr of Gamepoint Inland Empire (6’2 2023 from Lakeside, CA).  This is two weekends, and two weekends I have seen Prince score at a high level against good players.  This time he came into the gym for the first game halfway through the first half and then instantly went at NoCo Elite (an undefeated team for the weekend) for 18 points in 21 minutes of basketball.  Mixed in three triples with five basket attack scores.  Turner scored 26 a game as a junior and is following that with a great spring as a scorer. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1448096" first="Zion" last="Watt"] of Two One Elite (6’5 2023 from Crossroads, CA).   Watt continues to accumulate division one interest because this fluid 6’5 wing has some of the best body control through traffic that you will see.  Fits really well with that Two One Elite transition push both as a passer and a finisher, and often times that transition push starts with his defensive impact.  Watt and [player_tooltip player_id="1161971" first="Nils" last="Cooper"] are not only AAU teammates, these are high school teammates.  I can’t believe there are too many wing combos like Watt and Cooper out there and both are division one caliber talents. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1340752" first="Alex" last="Wells"] of Taylor Made Elite (6’4 2024 from Eastmark, AZ).  We detailed Wells before but I want to bring him up again.  Alex is not just the type of prospect that schools are looking at in versatile ways, he also has the agility and explosiveness that separates a player from the elite pack.  Strong handles, a physical and explosive attack, comfort in moving through multiple defenders, and the upside to get even better.  A talent to keep an eye on.  Closely. </p>