NEXT Midwest Melee: Promising 13U Prospects

The Midwest Melee brought together some talented 13U teams in the region for a high-energy weekend of hoops. With packed gyms and nonstop action, the tournament served as a proving ground for the next wave of rising stars. Here's a look at a handful of promising prospects who made their mark during the Melee.    Loudermill brings constant energy to the floor. He makes an impact with his quickness on the glass and well-timed shot contests. He showed the ability to stretch the floor with a soft touch from deep and flashed some comfort putting the ball on the deck. While his ball-handling is still a work in progress, his willingness to contribute in multiple areas stands out. Loudermill's motor, timing, and developing skill set make him a valuable all-around contributor with room to grow.     Ellis showed a confident shooting stroke, knocking down shots from deep and flashing a promising mid-range touch. He competes hard on the glass and uses his length well as a defender, disrupting passing lanes and contesting shots. With his frame and skill foundation, Ellis is another long-term prospect with upside — especially as he continues to grow into his body and refine his all-around game.     Beckering brings a soft shooting touch both from beyond the arc and around the rim, giving him a versatile scoring profile at this stage. He plays with poise and maturity. Consistently found soft spots in the defense to make himself available. His effort on the glass stands out, showing a gritty edge that complements his finesse scoring. As his physical tools continue to develop, his skill set gives him a strong foundation moving forward.     A physical and assertive presence on the wing, Fair rebounds well for his size, often pulling down tough boards with one hand. He's comfortable operating from the triple threat position and uses a quick rip-through move to attack the rim. Fair finishes with control through contact and isn't afraid to draw fouls. He also flashed range from beyond the arc, making him a multi-level scoring threat. His ability to blend strength with skill makes him a tough cover at this level.     Williams thrives in the open floor, using his transition speed to consistently get ahead of the play and create easy scoring chances. With projectable length and good instincts, he profiles as a promising wing prospect. Defensively, he's a disruptive presence — jumping passing lanes and generating steals. As his halfcourt polish catches up to his athletic tools, Williams has the potential to emerge as a versatile two-way threat.     A dynamic ball handler with an advanced arsenal for his age, Nishida keeps defenders on their heels in transition and open space. He showcased a crafty euro step and a late dump-off pass that speaks to developing court vision. While his creativity and pace are clear strengths, continued growth in decision-making and shot selection will take his game to the next level.

The Midwest Melee brought together some talented 13U teams in the region for a high-energy weekend of hoops. With packed gyms and nonstop action, the tournament served as a proving ground for the next wave of rising stars. Here's a look at a handful of promising prospects who made their mark during the Melee.