E.P.I.C. Hoops Summer Slam: 2028s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The new month means a change in focus back to the Grassroots scene for the rest of the Summer. My first stop in July was the 2024 E.P.I.C. Hoops Summer Slam, which took place at a few locations across Columbia, South Carolina. On Saturday I got to check in with some of our State's top teams from three different age groups including the 14U Division which featured an exciting matchup between [program_tooltip program_id='2245581' first='Carolina' last='Rebels'] 2028 and [program_tooltip program_id='2413030' first='Middleton' last='Hoops Elite'] 2028. Check out my 5 Standouts from this talented-loaded matchup: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2484197,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/4zm8gcRB_400x400.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/4zm8gcRB_400x400.png?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-2484197" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1982894"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2484198,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668afe510dc70"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1982894' first='RJ' last='Davis'] leads off my 2028 Standout List. He is an exciting prospect with terrific length and athleticism to affect the game around the rim on both ends. RJ started the game with a couple of high-flying slams but he's not limited to receiving lobs and dump passes, he can get to the rim off the dribble. Two plays stood out in particular, once in the corner where he pump-faked a three and drove the baseline into a strong finish, and once in transition where he euro-stepped around a defender and finished with two hands. Davis racked up 10 Points, 2 Blocks, and 2 Steals in the win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1916765"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2484199,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668afe510dce7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">KJ is a young wing who stood out on Saturday Morning. He did lots of things well and has a high floor as a prospect. I was impressed with Dupree's ability to score off the dribble, finish around true rim protectors, get in passing lanes, and perimeter shooting. He had a game-high 20 Points to go with 6 Rebounds and 3 Steals. KJ has a very strong offensive game led by his handle and size which allow him to create his own shot opportunities. Dupree was even trusted to be the inbounder late in the game - an attribute that carries over from his talent on the football field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470128"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2484200,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668afe510dd3c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nelson helped run the show late in the game for the [program_tooltip program_id='2245581' first='Carolina' last='Rebels']. He had some good points on and off the ball throughout the day, but he took over down the stretch putting up 9 Points in the final 5 Minutes to help seal the win. He was successful thanks to his terrific handle and open floor speed, creating for himself off the bounce. Nelson is a creative finisher as well, a needed attribute when scoring in the paint against MHE. Jermier also showed good flashes with his passing, particularly in the first half, putting up 4 Assists to go with his crunchtime scoring. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2484201,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2484554' first='Eric' last='Jenkins']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='2413030' first='Middleton' last='Hoops Elite']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668afe510ddd2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eric is a bright young guard who attends West Ashley High School and plays for [program_tooltip program_id='2413030' first='Middleton' last='Hoops Elite'] during club ball. He is a terrific shooter who started off the game hot, knocking down his first two attempts from behind the arc and getting fouled on the third. Jenkins can also be trusted as a Point Guard because of his shiftiness with the ball and vision to find open teammates. On the defensive end, Eric stayed engaged on and off the ball and had a couple of strips due to his quick hands. Jenkins went for 16 Points and 5 Assists in the matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2484202,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jamel McKinley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='2413030' first='Middleton' last='Hoops Elite']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-668afe510de56"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jamel McKinley is an intriguing prospect due to his size and length at a young age. He has well above-average rim protection instincts and had a stretch where it felt like he rejected every shot that came his way. He is almost always in the right spot and covers a lot of ground in rotation. McKinley has a good motor and soft touch around the rim on the offensive end, finishing with 6 Points and 4 Blocks in the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->