15U KS Bigs Who Stood Out at the Midwest Grind Session
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The 15U ranks of the Midwest Grind Session was loaded with Kansas forwards and centers who will be making a name for themselves for the next three years. The event provided a great opportunity to get to know this group.…
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Continue ReadingThe 15U ranks of the Midwest Grind Session was loaded with Kansas forwards and centers who will be making a name for themselves for the next three years. The event provided a great opportunity to get to know this group.
Five bigs made the 15U all-star teams from the event: Gabe Adams (Kapaun/Wichita Padres), Rocco Keller (Kapaun/SBA), Franklin Ekue (Andover Central/ Wichita Padres), Walker McClellan (Andover/SBA) and Kamerion Bodney (Wichita Heights/HOH).
But there were plenty others who stood out. We will be looking more in-depth at this group in coming articles. But for now, here are some of the top Kansas 15U bigs from the Midwest Grind Session (in alphabetical order):
Gavin Devoe
Gavin Devoe
The long, gliding Devoe was a playmaker all weekend. He was equally capable of dropping shots from deep and getting to the goal. He isn’t a bulked up guy, but he played through contact to make a lot of tough buckets and draw fouls. He can grab a rebound and immediately push it up the floor, creating mismatches and numbers advantages. He showed off a nice jump hook and good patience with the ball in the post, allowing cutters and perimeter shooters to move.
Luke Hartman
Luke Hartman
Hartman did a lot of nice things in the paint. He blocked a lot of shots and occasionally jumped passing lanes. He keeps the ball high on rebounds to get a lot of stick-backs. Hartman is a solidly built, rugged big who hit some nice turnaround jumpers off the post.
Alec Mack
Alec Mack
HOH was running at such a fast pace, it was hard for a big man to stand out. But Mack is athletic enough to run with the guards, and he provided some serious muscle in the paint. He rebounded with strength and intensity, kicked out outlet passes, and occasionally put the ball on the floor to spark the break. He chased plays and grabbed boards in transition.
McConnell played bigger than 6-foot-1. He was a really solid paint player all weekend, particularly impressing in the high post. He handles the ball and passes it well, getting the ball to cutters and outside shooters. He hit a lot of midrange jumpers, using a slight backward lean and high release to get shots off. McConnell grabbed a lot of rebounds and frequently tipped the ball to keep it alive when he couldn’t corral it. He’s strong, fundamentally sound and has nice ball skills.
Highlights
Erv Phillips
Erv Phillips
One of the most impressive forwards on the weekend was Phillips (pictured). This guy relentlessly attacked the goal to keep his team in games. He is a springy, lanky slasher who puts the ball on the floor and goes all out. He connected on creative buckets and used different shot angles to get the ball off in traffic. He showed pump fakes and stepthroughs too. Phillips drew a lot of fouls and scored a lot of points on the weekend. He can really put the ball on the floor and make plays.