Jr. Prelude: A Look Into My Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The New Balance Jr. Prelude League tipped off in Memphis, TN, this weekend, and here are some players who made it into my notes…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2386817,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/PHN-Zion-Zovar-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/PHN-Zion-Zovar-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2386817" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Zion Zovar</strong> (5'11/PG/'28/ABC Young Lions) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: zionzovar</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Zion had the bag wide open today as he led his team throughout the day. He showed his handles, passing skills, court awareness, and ability to score off the bounce. He is a two-way talent who gave a lot of energy and effort on both ends of the floor. Zion can serve as a scorer or distributor and can create offense for himself and his teammates. He had a solid showing and will catch some eyes throughout the remainder of the league sessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2386828,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/PHN-Robert-Nelson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/PHN-Robert-Nelson-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2386828" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Robert Nelson</strong> (5'11/G|F/'28/DG Elite) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: rjfrmtheg</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Robert Nelson is a lightning-quick wing who is very difficult for defenders to contain off the bounce. He was at his best when he was getting by defenders and putting pressure on the rim, as he scored most of his points slashing and in transition. I loved his efficiency and productivity on the day, as he showed promise as an emerging backcourt prospect. Robert was one of the best shot-makers I saw today, and he even had a game-winning lay-up as he used his speed to blow by defenders.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2386829,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/PHN-Cameron-Marcelo-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/PHN-Cameron-Marcelo-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2386829" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Cameron Marcelo</strong> (5'6/PG/'28/Florida Vipers) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: cameron.marcelo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Cameron is a small lead guard with a very good PG IQ and proved to be a trustworthy floor general. He plays like a coach on the floor and really excels at running the offense and getting the rock to his playmakers. He takes care of the ball as well as anyone I saw play the PG spot. He facilitates the offense and is really good at keeping his squad in a rhythm and playing at a nice pace. He showed a lot of confidence in his play, and you can see it spread throughout his teammates, precisely what you need from your floor general.      </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2386831,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/PHN-Josh-Johnson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/PHN-Josh-Johnson-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2386831" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Josh Johnson</strong> (5'5/CG/'28/Midwest Renegades) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: d1_josh1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Josh is a small backcourt player who is listed as a combo guard in his profile. He had moments when he scored the rock off the bounce, but Josh will have to settle into the PG spot as he continues his basketball journey at the next level. He has a solid foundation to build upon as he functions as a triple-threat player who contributes as a shooter, passer, and driver. Josh was aggressive off the bounce and did a good job finishing in the lane as well as finding teammates off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2386832,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/PHN-Griffin-Reese-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/PHN-Griffin-Reese-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2386832" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Griffin Reese</strong> (5'9/PG/'28/Sewer South) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Griffinreese_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Griffin_reese2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Griffin was one of the best shooters I saw on day two. He was very productive from behind the arc, knocking down four trey balls in the contest against Houston Defenders Gold. He is a lead guard who does a good job facilitating and getting his teammates involved. He had it going from behind the arc, and when you add that to his IQ at the PG spot, he is a solid backcourt talent.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2386834,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/PHNKeaton-Smith-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/PHNKeaton-Smith-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2386834" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Keaton Smith</strong> (6'2/PG/'28/Vision Elite) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: kas.king4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Keaton is a lead guard with good positional size who is a reliable initiator of the offense. He is not the quickest, but he is skilled and takes care of the ball. He balances scoring and facilitating, scores at all levels, and does a good job distributing the rock around. Even though he may not be the fastest off the bounce, he plays with really good efficiency and quick decision-making abilities. He uses his size to his advantage on both ends of the floor, which is a significant asset at the level at which he is currently playing.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->