Pro Insight Pop-Up Run: Wing/Post Spotlight

On November 1st, I attended Pro Insights' third annual Pop-Up Run at Parkrose High School in Portland, Oregon. The event featured athletic testing as well as six 5-on-5 games throughout the day, showcasing some of the top athletes in the area. Here are some of the posts and wings I saw in action.    Thompson's a skilled post who did well to seal opponents down low, hold position to make defensive rebounding simple, and also showed the awareness to seal his man out of the lane to open up drives for teammates. He's a big, strong kid who works a lot by the rim, but also showed the touch to step away and knock down catch-and-shoot looks from the midrange and even out to three.     Muhammed showed a lot to like at the Pop-Up, displaying athleticism on the go to the hoop, both offensively and defensively, as well as great activity to run the floor, and an attacking mindset on the glass. He has some quiet explosiveness that really showed up with his ability to rebound outside his area and go up with strength to bring balls down with two hands around multiple players. He was a key rim defender in transition and in the half, and did a great job going in strong when he caught with momentum to the hoop to finish through defenders.     The sophomore forward was a constant threat around the rim and earned a ton of trips to the foul line with his constant work inside. Has the footwork to catch away from the hoop and beat the initial defender, and was constantly crashing in or setting up under the hoop to reel in boards on both ends of the floor. Also showed he can step out and knock down some jumpers away from the hoop.     The Iowa commit displayed good poise and versatility at the event, showing he can play from all over the court, facing up, backing down, making reads on the catch or on the go, and made an impact in just about every area of the game. It starts with his reading of the defense, his ability to pick his spots to attack, and get in sync with his teammates. He made a great call before a backcourt inbounds, signaling to his guard to cut off him up the court when the ball comes in. Harris got the ball, the guard cut up, and Harris hit him at midcourt, where it was just two dribbles to the hoop before his guard drew a foul and went to the line.     Ghoreishi was a force around the rim, with multiple big blocks and pins, countless shots altered, and a whole lot of dunks. He also used his length to lunge through gaps and finish at the cup, highlighting his size and length, making sure his advantage was felt in the paint. But he also displayed his skill with the ball and from the perimeter, delivering on-time passes from different spots, and showed his willingness to be a playmaker when defenses were focused on him.     An athletic wing who showcased how his game has grown since really popping on the scene last season. Has the size at 6-foot-7 to play out of different spots and let his athleticism shine with some big dunks and rebounds, then started to work in some pick-and-pops later on to drain some threes. Steadily becoming a more and more well-rounded player who should be in for a big season with Skyview.     Owens was a clear standout in transition, filling every role from weaving around defenders in the open court, to using his length and athleticism to finish high at the rim and around contests. He moved the ball up the court with outlets and extra passes, filled lanes to finish or follow, and showed that same mentality in the half-court with some big tip-ins on the offensive glass.     Thompson is a wing who doesn't really fit into any one type of mold, he just goes out and tries to make the right play. Offensively, he has a good enough handle to deal with some pressure, beat tight defense, and makes all the extra passes. He also showed a capable outside shot, and some skill to spin around defenders down the lane and feel out defenders in the midpost to get around and to the hoop. Was also a factor defensively with his ability to guard multiple positions, showed strength to fight through screens, and the athleticism to block some shots at the rim.     Luenen is a player with size who can stretch the floor, work on the glass, and play with good defensive awareness. Did a great job shifting over in the help side to close passing lanes when teammates doubled the ball, communicated and stayed in position on that end, and did a great job working to gain position on the glass on both ends. Made a handful of little key plays throughout the day, blocking a 3-point attempt toward the end of a quarter, and tipped an offensive board to himself off a free throw, then quickly found a pass to space with the defense still scrambling.     Cogan didn't necessarily have big production in terms of stats at the event, but the freshman wing's potential and skill are clearly evident. He's got the length and athleticism to compete at the rim, is a fluid mover with the ball, got up for some big dunks, and created some good looks in the midrange as well. He has the pace and ball-handling to push the ball down the floor and attack gaps in the half-court, and has a bright future ahead of him.     The Central Catholic wing was one of the better 3-point threats I saw at the event. He has the size to get his sights on the rim over defenders, and was pouring in three after three in his second game of the day, after dropping in a couple in the first game. He has a pretty pure stroke out there and was also able to make a difference on the defensive end, using his length to get in passing lanes and alter/block shots at the rim.

On November 1st, I attended Pro Insights' third annual Pop-Up Run at Parkrose High School in Portland, Oregon. The event featured athletic testing as well as six 5-on-5 games throughout the day, showcasing some of the top athletes in the area. Here are some of the posts and wings I saw in action.