Team Griffin 2025: Platinum E16 Phoenix Champs
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After an up and down live period in Kansas City for Team Griffin’s 2025 program, they took their game to a new level in Phoenix. They opened the tournament with hard earned win against regional rivals Drive Nation and they…
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Continue ReadingAfter an up and down live period in Kansas City for Team Griffin’s 2025 program, they took their game to a new level in Phoenix. They opened the tournament with hard earned win against regional rivals Drive Nation and they rode that momentum to a first place finish in their pool. That finish earned them a ticket to the Platinum Bracket. On Sunday morning, they picked up a decisive win against northeastern program Expressions.
That set them up with a late Sunday afternoon date with New York based New Heights. Griffin fell behind 15-4 early, but rallied to take a small lead into the half. Then in the second half their run continued, pulling away for a comfortable 62-52 win. For a group of predominately Oklahoma prospects, it’s a huge win on the national stage. Which also qualifies them for Nike’s prestigious Peach Jam’s 16U Division in July.
Here’s a look at the standouts from Team Griffin’s perfect weekend.
Furnish’ jumper wasn’t working in Team Griffin’s championship game victory. The usually reliable shooter from distance struggled with a 1-7 performance from beyond the arc. But that didn’t limit his impact on the victory, he handed out 7 assists and recorded 0 turnovers.
He has an amazing understanding of space and feel when attacking. And most importantly patience, he never seemed rushed on the weekend. Always remaining cool and calm, buying that extra split second for a teammate to get open. His anticipation and feel for space was so good that sometimes his own teammates weren’t even ready for the dimes he was dropping. The rising junior established himself this weekend as one of the best creators in the state, regardless of class.
A man among boys, the Weatherford Eagle was a wrecking ball off the bounce and as a defender in the paint. While also mixing in his always developing perimeter skills. One of the best stretches to sum up what Nickson brings to the court came in the second half. He exploded on the defensive end, pinning a shot off the backboard. A few second later the ball was back in his hands, and he smoothly hit a floater in transition.
Nickson is a one of one type athlete that doesn’t come through Oklahoma very often. His mobility and skill level for a player of his size and power is simply freakish.
The lanky forward has always passed the eye test as one of the higher upsides prospects in the class. He’s 6 foot 8! He has a big wingspan! He has perimeter skills! But the production over the last 18 months hasn’t matched what was presented when he walked into the gym. This weekend the light came on for Rayfield.
Rayfield consistently made a point to control the paint on both ends of the court. His willingness to block and alter shots on defense was huge throughout the weekend for the smaller Griffin squad. On the offensive end, he finished through contact better. And instead of floating on offense, he generally showed more willingness to post up, roll and attack the rim.
This weekend was an amazing building block, that if Rayfield continues to progress he’ll be one of the highest rising Oklahoma prospects this summer.
After a streaky shooting weekend in Kansas City, Scott was a weapon from beyond the arc in all four games. He shot a blistering 59% from beyond the arc. He did most of his damage from beyond the arc during pool play. But still broke into double figures in both of the wins on Sunday.
Along with his sharpshooting, Scott plays with tremendous energy on the defensive end of the court. And has a little bit of juice to get downhill and finish when ran off the line. Raising his floor and still breaking into double figures during games where he wasn’t on fire from distance are a huge sign for the Douglass Trojan’s development.
After a quiet start to the event, Miller was huge on Sunday. He had a 14 point, 10 rebound double double against Expressions. Then went 4-6 from beyond the arc against New Heights for a team high 15 points. He had it going off the dribble with a mixture of pull ups, step backs and tough finishes. When the Mustang Bronco plays with the confidence he did today, he’s one of the top scorers in Oklahoma’s Class of 2025.
When the lanky guard locks in on the defensive end, he has the traits to be a plus defender. While not the quickest guard, he knows how to move his feet, use angles and long wingspan to harass defenders. And if he does get beat, he even has the recovery speed and the aforementioned wingspan to block and alter shots from behind.
Highlights
Jaylon Dean-Vines
Jaylon Dean-Vines
Too often athletic players are prone to only showing off their gifts in transition or with the ball in their hands. That’s what makes the explosive Texas guard stand out. He plays with his hair on fire, often seen skying for tough rebounds or challenging shots at the rim. Speaking to that tenacity and toughness, Dean-Vines finished the tournament as the team’s leading rebounder.
Along with Dean-Vines’ amazing athleticism and motor, he went 8-15 from beyond the arc. He’s proving to be a steady knock down threat from beyond the arc. Toughness, athleticism and floor spacing, that’s a combo that tends to stand out to college coaches.