The Last Dance 15U Storylines

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I’m locked into 15U play all weekend. The first day of competition had familiar faces showing dominance and future midwestern stars. Below are storylines and standouts from the day of The Last Dance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tough lead guards</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id=’1199979’ first=’Anthony’ last=’Galvin’] was on point as usual. His 21 point performance was filled with high level three point shooting and control of the game. Galvin is a crafty ball handler and finisher at the rim. The next step in his game will be in his passing. He has good vision but got caught telegraphing his passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1522401,"sizeSlug":"thumbnail","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0474-rotated.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0474-150x150.jpg" alt="Shawn Donaldson | The Traveling Hoopers" class="wp-image-1522401"/></a><figcaption>Shawn Donaldson</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shawn Donaldson had a masterful three level scoring performance for the Chicago Grinders. His naturally herky jerky game allowed him to get separation with every move he made. He knows how to operate the pick and roll as a shooter and passer. Donaldson stands 5’9 but has a great build to handle the game’s physicality.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Xavious Kirkwood had 25 points in a blowout win for the KC Spurs. His feel for the game and scoring ability pushed his team over the top. He knocked down four threes and found rollers out of pick and roll. Kirkwood is a quick 2024 guard that knows how to set up scoring opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Upside picks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1522406,"sizeSlug":"thumbnail","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-thumbnail"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0468-rotated.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0468-150x150.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1522406"/></a><figcaption>[player_tooltip player_id=’1323291’ first=’Malachi’ last=’Henningham’]</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id=’1323291’ first=’Malachi’ last=’Henningham’] may be raw, but he plays with a high motor and is physically developed for his age group. It’s a bit bull in the China shop at the moment, but flashes of post-play and slashing make him worth tracking. He’s a strong 6’4 forward that tried to pop the ball when blocking shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id=’1247442’ first=’Max’ last=’Vogel’] will bring a long 6’3 frame to the high school ranks this season. The 2026 guard can hit deep threes and work off his pivot. The entire squad is playing up an age group, and you can tell, but the skill gap isn’t as obvious as the athleticism gap, which can be connected to age differences.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Logan Shockley of Tulsa Impact showed solid skillset for a young 6’4 big. He shots the ball high, which is perfect for his ability to hit turnaround jumpers out of the post. He isn’t afraid to get physical when on the block. Despite a few loose passes, I was impressed by his passing from various spots on the floor.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shooters Shoot</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the Sharks, Orion Quintero-Kelly knocked down a trio of threes. He has good size early at 6’ and operates well as a spot-up shooter. A very high academic kid with a 5.0 GPA.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1522408,"sizeSlug":"thumbnail","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-thumbnail"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0479-rotated.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/IMG_0479-150x150.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=’1479352’ first=’Alec’ last=’Roumph’]" class="wp-image-1522408"/></a><figcaption>[player_tooltip player_id=’1479352’ first=’Alec’ last=’Roumph’]</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id=’1479352’ first=’Alec’ last=’Roumph’] shot the cover off the ball with six threes in a game. The 6’3 2025 prospect already has the size to play off guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->