Primetime Showcase Immediate Takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Coach K and his NYBA program put on another fantastic Primetime Showcase, which was loaded with talent. Here are my immediate takeaways from the event…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2432915,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/PHN-Bennett-Gordon-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/PHN-Bennett-Gordon-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2432915" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Bennett Gordon </strong>(6'1/PF|C/'29/TN Blue Devils) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Matthewcole22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Matt_Gordon22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Bennett is an interior presence with length. He is still developing his tool kit but he showed that he could consistently score from around the rim. He showed a level of comfort around the free throw line as he often received the rock in the area and attacked off the bounce. He was very active on the glass and showed developing footwork. He has a foundation to build upon, and it is going to be important for those around Bennett to make sure he doesn't get stuck in the post by continuing to work on his perimeter game as much as he works on his interior game.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2432916,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/PHN-Travis-Rivers-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/PHN-Travis-Rivers-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2432916" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Travis Rivers </strong>(5'9/PG/'29/Clarksville Crossovers)<strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Chillztravis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Travis is a shifty lead guard with a lot of potential. Not only does he handle the ball well, but he also takes care of the rock. He was able to get to any spot he wanted off the bounce, as it was hard for defenders to contain him off the dribble. He showed some explosiveness off the bounce and did a good job finishing at the cup. His iso-scoring ability stood out, but his ability to get others involved really helped Travis stand out. He has another year before high school, and if he stays in the lab, he will have a loaded PG repertoire stepping onto the stage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2432918,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/PHN-Jermaine-Cobbins-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/PHN-Jermaine-Cobbins-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2432918" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Jermaine Cobbins </strong>(5'11/SG/'28/Tennessee Sports Club)<strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: luh_jermaine</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jermaine was absolutely phenomenal throughout the weekend and had it clicking on all cylinders. He is a potent scorer with athleticism who flies around the court, making plays. He is a go-getter and can get a bucket at any moment during a possession. He is a three-level scorer but is at his best off the bounce, and when he gets in the paint, he is looking to posterize defenders as he is very bouncy. JC is physical, gets downhill, and is a menace off the bounce in the half-court and in transition. Even though he was one of, if not the best, players in the middle school division, he has some areas in which he can continue to improve, and being a willing defender is one of those areas. As much of an offensive juggernaut as he is, JC has the physical tools to be that same caliber player on the defensive end of the floor.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2432919,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/PHN-Luke-Smith-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/PHN-Luke-Smith-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2432919" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Luke Smith </strong>(6'8/C/'28/Chattanooga Elite' 28)<strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @LukeCSmithElite / @ChattElite2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Luke was one of the biggest guys in the entire tournament in the middle school division, as he stands 6'8. His size was undoubtedly a factor in every area of the game, as it gave Luke the upper hand. He has to continue to learn how to play out of double teams and with crowds around him, as teams will continue making it hard for him to maneuver on the low block, as evident in how he was being defended throughout the weekend. Defensively, he is not the quickest off the floor to be known as a consistent shot blocker. Still, he is definitely a rim deterrent, as opponents hesitated to attack the cup with Luke lirking in the paint. It is without question that he is a rebounding machine, as his size was a significant reason for that production.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2432921,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/PHN-Devin-Phillips-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/PHN-Devin-Phillips-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2432921" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Devin Phillips </strong>(6'2/PF|C/'28/Team Tae Kings) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Lonestar.devo / Teamtaenyba</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Devin is a stout inside presence and does a really good job clogging up the paint. He made it hard for potential scores off the bounce to get to the cup because Devin's presence took away driving lanes. His size helped his rebounding numbers as he carved out space, keeping opponents from getting rebounding position. His activity on the glass led to easy put-backs for Dev over the weekend, allowing him to contribute to the scoring column. He has to continue to work on his offensive skillset as he eyes life at the high school level.    </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2432922,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/PHN-Will-McCabe-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/PHN-Will-McCabe-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2432922" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Will McCabe </strong>(5'4/SG/'29/Team Thad 2029)<strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Willmccabe_1 / Teamthad2029</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @willwall901 / @Teamthadnation</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Will is a young, budding talent who is developing his tool kit. He is small, and his profile lists him as an SG, but focusing on his point guard skills, tools, and IQ will serve him well for his basketball journey. I am not sure how much growing is in his future, but if he doesn't grow much more, he will need to transition to the lead guard spot. He showed the ability to take care of the ball and keep it moving, which kept the offense flowing. He showed his competitive nature, and staying in the lab is going to be essential for his development.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->