National Prep Championship Standouts

The 16th annual National Prep Championship took place again this year, this time at Clark University in Worcester, MA, and brought together 16 of the top post graduate programs in the country to name an outright national champion. Hundreds of college coaches attended the event which has always been one of the best tournaments to recruit at, and this year was no different.   Putnam Science Academy (CT) came away as the national champs in thrilling fashion, winning their third straight championship and 4 of the last 5.   Here's a look at some of the standouts from the Florida and Ohio programs in attendance.   If you're looking to replay any of the games, they are available for playback on the <a href="http://cbglivenetwork.com">CBG Live Network</a>.   Keynan Davis | 6'4” WG | Spire '23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Davis-Keynan.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Davis-Keynan.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1789445" /></a></figure>   Davis really boosted his stock this past week as the 6'4' two guard had coaches talking about him throughout the event as one of the best available players there. He's an all-around wing who has prototypical size for the next level, he's a knock down shooter who made shots consistently on the move and he showcased his athleticism with a few big time finishes above the rim too. He brings it on both ends of the floor and impacts winning in major ways beyond just the shooting he's known for.   Daniel Young | 6'1” PG | Spire '23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Young-Daniel.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Young-Daniel.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1789451" /></a></figure>   The Cleveland State commit was fantastic running the show for Spire as he showcased his ability to be effective as both a scorer and a distributor as well. At 6'1” he's a strong guard who can bump contact off and get into the paint at will, he's a good finish through contact and he makes good reads as the defense rotates to find open shooters and cutters. He sets the tone on both ends and controls the tempo while also being able to create shots for himself in late shot clock situations.   Xavier Martinez | 5'11” PG | Spire '23   Martinez is another guard for Spire who controls the attack and makes plays on both ends of the floor, and while he may not look the part he can hoop with the best of them. He has terrific feel and instincts on both ends of the floor as he jumps passing lanes and makes great reads with the ball in his hands, he can touch the paint at will and he's a knock down shooter from deep off the catch as well. He's a skilled and smart guard who impacts the game in winning ways and is efficient when he's on the floor.   Eric Dailey | 6'7” WF | IMG '23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/Dailey-Eric-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/Dailey-Eric-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1675150" /></a></figure>   Dailey was probably one of the top pro prospects at the National Prep Championship, and while his IMG team lost a tough one to Worcester in the quarterfinals he stamped that claim with his play. The 6'7” wing is built like a pro with a strong frame and long arms, he's very calm and doesn't get sped up and he has an arsenal that includes the ability to make tough and contested shots in the midrange that others simply can't make. He has great footwork and body control to be able to fade and stay on balance, and he finishes like a grown man when he's able to get to the rim.   Eli Rice | 6'5” WF | IMG '23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/Rice-Elijah-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/Rice-Elijah-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1675151" /></a></figure>   The Nebraska commit showed why he's going to be a great fit in the Big 12 next year, as the 6'5” wing possesses great physical and athletic tools as well as a high motor that makes him very productive. He has long arms and is a very explosive athlete allowing him to get to the rim and finish or go rebound on both ends of the floor, he attacks the rim hard and finishes through contact or gets to the line a lot and he can knock down shots when he's left alone on the perimeter. He really thrives in transition with his ability to handle it in the open floor and get to the rim.   [player_tooltip player_id='955602' first='Anquan' last='Boldin Jr']. | 6'4” WG | IMG '23   Boldin Jr. isn't a starter for this IMG team, but he's a huge part of their success this season as the 6'4” wing does all of the dirty work and brings great energy to his team with his blue collar mentality. As you can guess, like his father who was an NFL star, Boldin Jr. is a big time athlete who can play well above the rim and he did so quite a bit giving his team big time boosts with his highlight reel plays. He defended well both in man sets and zone sets, he rebounded well on both ends of the floor and he picked his spots and scored it efficiently.   Braylon Wheeler | 5'10” PG | IMG ‘23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/Wheeler-Braylon-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/Wheeler-Braylon-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1675153" /></a></figure>   There are quite a few available division one level point guards, and Wheeler fits in that conversation as he is the straw that stirs the IMG drink. He has blazing speed in transition and a quick first step off the bounce, he gets in the paint with ease and has terrific vision and playmaking ability when he gets downhill and he floats when he gets to the paint being able to rise up and make shots in the midrange or hang in the air to finish over bigger defenders. He really shines defensively though, as he's one of the best I've seen all year at pressuring ball handlers and setting the tone defensively.

The 16th annual National Prep Championship took place again this year, this time at Clark University in Worcester, MA, and brought together 16 of the top post graduate programs in the country to name an outright national champion. Hundreds of college coaches attended the event which has always been one of the best tournaments to recruit at, and this year was no different.