Gauntlet At The Gulf Day 2 Standouts

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Sunday was a strong finish to the Gauntlet at the Gulf. Teams stepped up for big comeback wins, overtime stunners, and the occasional blowout. Below are the top prospects from a long day of competitive games.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1433178" first="Trent" last="Phillips"] &amp; Mekhi Nesmith | G1 Sports 2023</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Trent-Phillips.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1463044" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Trent-Phillips-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>Phillips knocked down 8 three pointers on his way to a 28 point performance. I wondered why G1 Sports trusted the calm demeanor guard with the last shot. Then he walked the ball up the court and shot the game winning three from the hash mark. He’s a consistent threat from beyond the arc as a spot up shooter.</p> <p>Nesmith is an athletic guard with a great frame. His activity level in the second half was a game changer. His ability to finish plays, routinely in the right place at the right time, and crashed the offensive boards. He scored 17 points with 12 coming around the rim and connecting on his lone three point attempt.</p> <p><strong>Ronald Durham | Jacksonville Trojans 2024</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Ronald-Durham.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1463046 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Ronald-Durham-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>Durham’s weekend points to a break out high school season. Compared to the role he played on a state title team, he opened a lot of eyes with his shifty downhill style. He was the Trojans leading scorer hitting threes off the dribble, turning defense to offense, and finishing around the rim. His mix of shot creation and above the rim athleticism at 6’2 made him one of the better guards in the 17U division.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Jamar-Browder.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1463047" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Jamar-Browder-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>Jamar Browder | Ball4lyfe 2025</strong></p> <p>Ball4lyfe 2025 had a well rounded performance on Sunday. [player_tooltip player_id="1450227" first="Xavian" last="Charles"] was working on his pull up jumper and playmaking. Alex McFarlane is an athletic slasher. Aaron McFarlane is a tough two way combo guard. Yet it was Browder with his 6’5 size, strong frame, and athleticism that stood out. He hit midrange jumpers, attacked the basket in space, and tore the rim down in transition.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Caden-Douglass-1.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1463048 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Caden-Douglass-1-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>Caden Douglass &amp; Aiden Cilladi | Lockwood 2023</strong></p> <p>Lockwood had a stellar wing combo in Caden Douglass and Aiden Cilladi. Both showed impressive athleticism with big dunks on the break. They know how to play off the ball as cutters and shooters. Cilladi checks in at 6’5 and is a solid spot up shooter from deep. Douglass is a 6’2 guard that can create for others with his vision and passing.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Keelan-Anglin.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1463049" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Keelan-Anglin-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>Keelan Anglin | ISA Elite 2025</strong></p> <p>Anglin exudes confidence from the minute he steps on the court. When you knock down three threes beyond the arc per game, it makes sense. The 2025 prospect can hit shots off the pull up and catch.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/CJ-Wiley-.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1463053 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/CJ-Wiley--150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>CJ Wiley | OTOD 2025</strong></p> <p>Speed and ball handling is the name of the game for CJ Wiley. This is the third time I’ve seen him play, and he’s produced every time. Today it was 19 points against one of the better 2025 programs at the event. His bursts of speed and body control allow him to get downhill and snake through traffic for looks at the rim. At a shade under 6 foot, he was one of the best finishers at the rim, consistently using his body to shield the ball from defenders.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Ryan-Bledsoe-Taylor.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1463036" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Ryan-Bledsoe-Taylor-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>Ryan Bledsoe | Big 3 Basketball 2025</strong></p> <p>The Chicago-based squad brought a lot of talent to the event. The 6’6 Michael O’Connell has a promising frame with a massive wingspan. 6’5 Andrew Hill has the size, speed, abs handle to be a good wing prospect. However, Ryan Bledsoe-Taylor stole the show with his playmaking and scoring. The 5’10 is a good decision maker with a tight handle. He used his handle to get out of traps and get downhill, where he finished at tough angles. He’s a capable shooter from deep with multiple threes point makes in each game on Sunday. Chicago has produced good guards over the years and he could be another one in a talented 2025 class.</p> <p><strong>Israel Nuhu | OTOD 2024</strong></p> <p>Nuhu’s athleticism jumps out at you during play. He uses it to make plays on both ends. The 6’4 2023 prospect has the bounce to touch the top of the square. At 6’4 it makes him an outstanding above the rim finisher, a good weakside defender, and adept at second chance plays.</p> <p><strong>Jack Fields | House of Wellness - All Stars 2023</strong></p> <p>The 6’6 forward did a bit of everything for his team. He brought the ball up the court, scored with floaters, made plays as a cutter, and used his size on defense. His sheer versatility made him a standout jack of all trades type of player.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Blake-Wilson.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1463057 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Blake-Wilson-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>Blake Wilson | Ball4lyfe 2023</strong></p> <p>Wilson put up consistent numbers with his three point shooting at the head of his attack. The 6’6 is a good spot up option and possesses the footwork to shoot well coming off screens. Wilson can get hot after seeing his first shot drop. The 2023 prospect got in a rhythm and knocked down three consecutive shots in a row beyond the arc. He has the size to defend multiple perimeter positions.</p>