CBG Memorial Day Standouts (Part 1)

The Commonwealth Basketball Group put on a one day showcase event at Ben Wallace Gym in Richmond, VA, featuring some of the top AAU teams from around the state. There was tons of talent in both the 17U and 16U division, and we'll take a look at them starting with part one featuring some of the top 2023 prospects in attendance. [player_tooltip player_id="992528" first="Dennis" last="Parker"] Jr. | 6'6” WF | Team Loaded VA 17U 2023 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Parker-Dennis-CBG-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1468923" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Parker-Dennis-CBG-2-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Parker is the biggest name for this Loaded group, and he came up big in their win over Team Richmond bringing a lot of energy and playing on both ends of the floor. The 6'6” wing started things off with a huge poster to get the crowd going, he showed his ability to handle the ball and make plays for himself and others off the bounce at his size and he can rebound and defends well both on the ball and in help side. He's a very good athlete who thrives in transition and plays with a good motor on both ends of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="992530" first="Trevor" last="Smith"] | 6'0” PG | Team Loaded VA 17U 2023 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Smith-Trevor-Loaded.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1438616" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Smith-Trevor-Loaded-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> The Richmond commit has even more of a role with senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1387026" first="Xavier" last="Brown"] committing and signing with JMU, and Smith looked well up to the challenge making plays for himself and others off the bounce. He shows very good shot making ability making tough contested shots from multiple levels, he sets the tone on both ends of the floor and he controls the pace and can push the tempo and make plays in transition. He made big plays down the stretch in close games and he was better with more opportunities, which is always a good thing. [player_tooltip player_id="1403925" first="Jaedon" last="Harris"] | 5'11” PG | Circle Sports 17U 2023 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Harris-Jaedon-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1302377" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Harris-Jaedon-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> “Boogie” as he's known by teammates and coaches is one of the more underrated floor generals in the state and showed that by joining a new team and making plays for himself and others with no problem. He has tremendous pace with the ball in his hands as he changes speeds and directions well, he has a great midrange game with floaters and pull-ups and he consistently makes the right plays and the easy plays at the point guard position. He has a smooth game that makes others better and he doesn't make many mistakes with the ball in his hands. [player_tooltip player_id="1241930" first="Luke" last="Fisher"] | 6'0” CG | Circle Sports 17U 2023 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Fisher-Luke-CS.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1468925" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Fisher-Luke-CS-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Fisher had a good showing at the event, as he showed his crafty scoring ability and good toughness on both ends of the floor as well. He can really shoot it from deep with good range and a quick release, he's crafty off the bounce and can get in the lane and put pressure on the defense and he can score it in bunches when he gets it going. He is the type of guy who may not look like it but he can take over a game with his scoring ability. [player_tooltip player_id="999660" first="Dylan" last="Saunders"] | 6'8” PF | [program_tooltip program_id='2078813' first='VA' last='Premier'] 17U 2023 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Saunders-Dylan.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1468927" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Saunders-Dylan-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Sunders had one of the best showings of anyone at the event, as the 6'8” forward from Roanoke showed his ability as a stretch four/five and was very productive in both games, including a 31 point showing against a good Team Richmond group with good size. While he isn't the most athletic he's long and has good timing as a shot blocker and rebounder, he thrives in his ability to stretch the floor on pick-and-pops and as the trail man and he has good hands and touch in the paint as well. He has continually improved in his consistency and is very efficient and productive across the board. Alex Bates | 6'4” WF | [program_tooltip program_id='2078813' first='VA' last='Premier'] 17U 2023 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Bates-Alex.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1468930" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Bates-Alex-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Bates is a wing out of North Carolina who is very intriguing as a prospect at the next level for high academic schools, as he showed a variety of tools including a strong frame, good athleticism and shot making ability; He plays with a good motor on both ends of the floor and is a good rebounder and defender, he knocks down shots from deep off the catch with good range and when he gets downhill he can finish above the rim and through contact. He comes from a basketball background and has a good IQ and he plays with a lot of energy and intensity too. Aaron Brooks | 5'11” PG | Virginia Supreme 17U 2023 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Brooks-Aaron.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1468932" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Brooks-Aaron-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Brooks was the breakout player of the event, as the 5'11” guard from Courtland helped his VA Supreme team to some very impressive wins and he showed he can do a lot of at the lead guard position. He's a quick guard with good shift off the bounce, he can knock down shots from deep and finish in the midrange and he can control the pace and make others better. He had multiple big games, including a 34 point showing in their win over a good Higher Level team.