PH Summer Challenge: Max’s Post Standouts
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Six frontcourt prospects who impressed in the games I watched over the weekend at the Prep Hoops Summer Challenge! Mike Jones IL #7 PF #2 HEIGHT 6'7" POS PF CLASS 2025 View Profile Mike Jones Twitter State: Illinois School: Chi-Prep…
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Continue ReadingSix frontcourt prospects who impressed in the games I watched over the weekend at the Prep Hoops Summer Challenge!
Jones was the most productive player on the floor for a loaded Mac Irvin Fire 16u team, as his combination of size, athleticism, and work rate was tough to match. Jones pulls in rebounds in bulk, and was a major shot blocking threat with his quick leap and timing off the floor. Offensively he was a threat out of the pick & roll with the ability to explode off the floor for powerful dunks, but he could also face up and elevate for mid-range jumpers if his man sagged off. Defensively had success jumping crosscourt passes and getting out in the open floor for transition dunks.
Jacob showed some nice flashes in Playground’s win over M14. The 2026 big has some solid mobility at 6’8+, meaning he can move his feet when switched out to the perimeter, and is also able to run the floor hard. That effort to sprint the floor paid off on one occasion as he caught in-stride and threw down a two handed dunk. Soft touch in the half-court with his hook shot as well as showing a nice looking jumper when he steps out to the perimeter. Solid skillset to work with at his height.
Liam Switzer
Liam Switzer
Liam is an intriguing prospect because of how well he moves at his size. He was often able to play the 4 spot alongside another 6’11+ big, because he was more than capable of defending smaller forwards out on the perimeter. Showed no problem picking up and moving his feet 25 feet away from the rim. Quick off the floor which allows him to block/contest shots while also posing a threat from the dunker spot as he could step in and elevate to finish off the catch. High energy big who makes plays with his effort and athleticism on both ends of the floor.
Benjamin Kaye
Benjamin Kaye
If you let Benjamin catch anywhere near the basket, the possession is pretty much over. At 7′ with a strong frame, there’s not much you can do to stop Kaye in the paint. He does a great of of maintaining his balance with defenders constantly trying to push him off-balance, and he showed soft touch with the right hand to finish off the glass. Good at sealing his man to provide a big target on the block, and also showed coordination to catch and finish on the move out of the pick & roll.
Ross Liegel
Ross Liegel
Ross is committed to play college football at Northern Illinois, but also looks like someone who would’ve been capable of playing college basketball. At 6’7-6’8 he just moves in a way that not many bigs can, especially when you take into account he’s listed at 225 pounds. Fluid mobility in transition and out of the half-court, while also being able to put the ball on the floor and handle it a bit in space. Showcased a nice spin move to get to the rim. With his strength and size, there wasn’t much defenders could do to stop him around the rim, and it allowed him to draw a lot of fouls and get to the FT line.
Grantas Sakenis Grantas Sakenis 6'10" | C Andrew | 2024 State IL
Grantas Sakenis Grantas Sakenis 6'10" | C Andrew | 2024 State IL
Grantas has an unrelenting motor on the glass, and it allowed him to pull in a handful of offensive rebounds in the games I watched. Just never stops competing for the ball, and had a couple of plays where he was able to secure his own miss and go right back up for two points. Big and strong frame to power through smaller forwards, and he also showed the touch to step outside and knock down the open three. Does a nice job of finding bodies to box out before attacking the ball out of the air on the defensive end.