Eli Oakland Eli Oakland 6'0" | SG/PG Cedar Falls | 2029 State IA offered elite two-way impact. His ability to hit smothered and heavily contested layups was special. He hammered through contact and did not allow it to deter him one bit, finishing around the rim on attempts that most other guards would struggle with greatly. And with this punishing driving ability, he offered deep-range sniping skill. He hit off-the-catch and off-the-bounce threes from way outside. Hands in his face on these downtown attempts did little to quell his efficiency and production as a three-point shooter. Finally, his defensive production was super impactful for his team. He got many steals with his quick hands, high defensive feel, and positioning, ripping opponents in the gaps and sneaking up behind opponents, poking the ball free, and creating turnovers.

Oakland’s younger brother Kaiden, an eighth grader, was a standout at the Freshman Showcase in August and I’m looking forward to seeing what Eli has in store after watching Kaiden play. He’s an intelligent guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands, and he’s a really good shooting threat.

Oakland is a sharpshooting guard who can play with or without the ball in his hands, but he’s at his best right now when he’s operating off the ball and knocking down shots off the catch. He has a quick release, moves well without the ball in his hands, and is a supremely confident shooting threat. Look for him to become a significant part of the Tigers rotation as early as this season.