Pitt Jam’s Most Impressive WV Players: Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this part 2 we'll highlight players from WV Gold Pro 16, including three Linsly players, as well as [program_tooltip program_id='2401858' first='Nash' last='Prep']'s trio of WV 2025's that were in Pittsburgh. The weekend was a big one for all of these players for many reasons. Namely to measure themselves up against competition that was at a higher level and to the opportunity to likely play in front of the most college coaches that will be at any tournament all spring/summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2208851' first='Ethan' last='Blackburn'] was one of [program_tooltip program_id='2401858' first='Nash' last='Prep']'s trio and with our first time seeing Ethan in person he left a more than positive impression. We thought Blackburn handled ball pressure extremely well, shot the ball above average at all levels and showed great intensity and purpose on defense. The most notable attribute for college coaches seeing all these positives is the fact that Ethan has great length, standing at about 6'3"ish with long arms and great lateral movement. Blackburn could easily be a D3 level player but his ceiling is high enough that he could ascend to that level with adding some explosiveness and strength. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2208839' first='Nate' last='Rodriguez'] played a tough role for the Nash crew. Handling constant ball pressure while being the floor general and triggering the action on offense, Nate played it beautifully and protected the ball and made sure he distributed when necessary. Rodriguez has put the time in with his game working hard on strength as well as his mid-range game. Nate has great handles, changes direction with ease as well as finish with either hand. Rodriguez intends to play at the next level and has started to show his skill level matches that of a college level player. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2337625' first='Brady' last='Strode'] played much of the weekend out of position but an all too familiar one. Strode who is a prototypical 2 or 3 had to play inside the paint for the Nash squad and grab alot of tough rebounds as well as give scoring support with his inside presence, something he had to do all of school season. Undersized in almost every instance, Strode still managed to get his usual share of rebounds and put backs as well as shot very solid (above 40%) from deep as well as finish drives vs long athletic defenders. Strode will dabble with the idea of playing basketball at the next level but his bread will probably be buttered on the football field in college. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2319940' first='Ruben' last='Salazar'] like Strode above, played somewhat outta position to contribute with this squad of big wings, but did it well. Salazar being depended on to provide a paint presence especially with rebounding not only held his own but seemed to get stronger as the weekend wore on. Salazar is a tough minded and skilled player as you'd expect form Linsly who has the ability to play 3-4 positions and excel in each. According to coaches at Pitt Jam they believe Salazar will project out to a mid to higher level D2 player and probably play the 3/small forward position with the ability to slide to the PF spot when necessary. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2319250' first='Luka' last='Kecman'] was a steady force for the WV Gold throughout. Kecman is another wing type player and seems to have a good feel for the game and always be in the right spot. Kecman gets out in transition after rebounding and runs the floor with purpose as well as catch and shoot from 3. Luka will find himself in the D3/D2 recruiting circles with a high ceiling allowing him to ascend to a possible higher level D2 opportunity. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='2114397' first='D'arrae' last='Goodwin'] was already mentioned in part 1 of this series but we thought we could add a bit more context to his future. Goodwin has started to transform himself into much more of a wing player and at 6'6" we believe you could see the two in-state D1's make a strong play for Goodwin considering they both have new eyes in the program and evaluating all in-state prospects. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='1310623' first='Jamari' last='Jenkins'] certainly impressed some scouts as we hear the scuttlebut about him on Saturday. Comments about his quickness and lateral movement on defense seemed impressive to multiple coaches. Jenkins would certainly fit the bill as a old school, control tempo, dissect and dish, floor general point guard. Jenkins has a knack for creating for others first while finding cracks in the defense if not creating one. His quickness is high level and already holds a Stony Brook offer with the possibility of adding more. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->