Grind Region Finals: 17U Explosive Athletes

Jawun Shaw is an explosive point guard who can jump with the best of them, often using his hops to challenge the defense at the rim, making him a dynamic force on the court. He's a blur pushing the pace in transition, often finishing with acrobatic layups or dunks that ignite the crowd and energize his team. His body control is on a whole other level as he takes flight from well away from the basket and still converts at the rim with a dunk or a contact layup, often resulting in an and-1 foul call. His hangtime is a hallmark of his game, allowing him to contort mid-air to avoid defenders and finish plays with a soft touch. Shaw was the most elite three-level scorer in the entire 17U division, dominating the game from anywhere on the court. His scoring versatility makes him incredibly difficult to defend, as he can seamlessly transition between attacking the basket, hitting mid-range shots, and draining threes. Shaw shows a knack for drawing fouls and converting tough layups. In the mid-range, his shot selection is impeccable, with a reliable pull-up jumper. From beyond the arc, his shot-making is equally lethal, showing deep range and a sharp release, making him a constant threat, whether in catch-and-shoot situations or off the dribble.     Drake Worley was a scoring threat anywhere near the lane, showcasing a knack for getting to the rack by using jab steps and pump fakes to get defenders off balance. He possesses surprising athleticism and an effortless ability to spring off the ground and throw it down, as evidenced by his posterizing highlight against PGU Hoops. In that play, Worley slashed down the middle of the lane before exploding and delivering a powerful tomahawk dunk with an and-1 call.     [player_tooltip player_id='2442224' first='Justin' last='Jones'] is a high-level prospect with exceptional athleticism that sets him apart from other guards in the tournament. He's one of the most explosive players of the weekend, using his speed and bounce to drive to the basket and finish with creativity and flair. His ability to explode off the ground allows him to leave defenders behind and score in a variety of ways at the rim. Jones showcases impeccable body control, executing full up-and-under reverses and powerful dunks that highlight his athleticism and versatility. His knack for making spectacular plays, including catching alley-oops off the backboard, makes him a threat on every possession.     [player_tooltip player_id='2481621' first='Deundre' last='Lewis'] is a high-level athlete with a remarkable vertical leap, making him a constant threat near the rim. His ability to effortlessly bounce off his toes for multiple jumps allows him to recover and put back his own misses. In the open court, Lewis' speed and elusiveness enable him to outrun most defenders, excelling as he fills the lanes on fast breaks. As a versatile wing, Lewis stretches the floor with his go-to pull-up jumper from beyond the arc and takes advantage of driving lanes, creating spacing issues for opposing defenses. While not his primary mode of scoring, Lewis is also effective in the post, utilizing a variety of moves such as jump hooks, turnaround jumpers, and up-and-under moves. His solid footwork allows him to create space against defenders consistently.     [player_tooltip player_id='2477618' first='Altrie' last='Farris'] has a high motor with unlimited stamina, consistently running the floor, defending, rebounding, and maintaining high energy levels throughout the game. Offensively, he was always in motion, cutting, setting screens, and positioning himself to create scoring opportunities. In transition, he excelled, quickly turning defense into offense. Defensively, Farris consistently applied pressure on the ball handler, chased down loose balls, and contested shots with vigor.