Derrick’s Dimes: Nike EYBL & Midwest Takeover Saturday Standouts
Indianapolis, IN – It was day two of the Nike EYBL session II and 16U Midwest Takeover and Prep Hoops Illinois were back at the Pacers Athletic Center to take in the action. Several Illinois prospect had big days as well as some national prospects we take a look at here in Derrick’s Dimes: Nike EYBL & Midwest Takeover Saturday Standouts!
Nike EYBL 17U Standouts
F – 2020 6’5” Maliq Carr (The Family) MI
Playing up with the 17U this session the dual-sport athlete (Football) brought some toughness to The Family. A big guard with good size Carr was able to bang down low with bigs or impose his size on smaller defenders down low. Was crafty around the rim with some strong finishes. Didn’t show much of an outside shot but played within himself and knew how to be effective. Finished with 13 points in the win over Nike Meanstreets
F – 2020 6’8” Isaiah Jackson (The Family) MI
Another 2020 prospect playing up was Isaiah Jackson out of Old Redford HS in Detroit. Jackson is a long lanky 6’8′ Forward that did a good job attacking the offensive boards and bringing a high amount of energy for The Family. Jackson is athletic and can move well. Super bouncy he had 3 big-time put back dunks. The offense doesn’t run through him, but he still found ways to score. He was best at cleaning up the glass and protecting the rim. High major prospect with offers from Iowa, Florida State, Pitt, Ole Miss
PG – 2019 6’2” Marquise Walker (Meanstreets) IL
Running with the Meanstreets after a stunt with the Fire Marquise Walker provided a needed scoring option for the Meanstreets. Walker started off hitting a couple three’s in the first half and then procceded to find a rhythm attacking the lane and getting to the line. He did a good job using his body to draw contact and get to the line. Cooled off shooting wise in the 2nd half, but overall improved since we last saw him. Was playing more under control and also held his own against some talented guards on The Family. Walker finished with a team high 18 points in the loss.
C- 2020 7’0” Hunter Dickinson (Team Takeover) MD
One of the more impressive bigs I’ve seen this spring 7′ footer Hunter Dickinson is a load down low for Team Takeover. In front of packed crowd of coached the big man showed off nice footwork a soft touch down low. The ability to work the screen and roll and handle and pass it. Has good size and can defend the rim even though he is not overall athletic. Will have a who’s, who of college trying to pursue the big fella out of Maryland.
Nike Midwest Takeover 16U Standouts
G/F 2020 6’8” Jalen Johnson (Phenom University) WI
Second time checking out Jalen Johnson out of Sun Praire, WI who is a highly skilled point/forward type of player that can impact the game in so many ways. He is 6’8” with good size and build and can handle and pass the ball like a guard but rebounds and defends like a forward. I was impressed once again with his willingness to pass and create for his teammates. He didn’t shoot the ball particularly well from deep but was able to score by getting into the lane and attacking the rim for Phenom University. Johnson finished the game with 14 points. 7 rebounds.
G – 2020 6’2” Tyler Beard (Meanstreets) IL
Tyler Beard (Whitney Young HS) has continued to improve his game this spring Beard got out to a hot start for Meanstreets starting the game out with a dribble drive basket, an alley-oop and a three all within the first three minutes of the game. He would continue to stretch the floor hitting two more threes’. Beard brings a lot of intangibles to the table. He can defend multiple positions and rebounds very well for a guard. He is a bouncy guard who can finish at the rim. He finished the game with 17 points in the win
PG – 2020 6’0” Ahron Ulis (Meanstreets) IL
Ulis is another guard who has been playing well this spring for the Meanstreets. The 6’1” Point guard is a steady floor general who makes few mistakes and doesn’t easily get raddled. He has a slick handle and can finish around the rim which he showed on Saturday pouring in a team high 21 points for Meanstreets including a game winning and-1 finish where he pulled down the offensive board and hit a floater as time expired then proceeded to hit the winning free throw.
G – 2020 DJ Steward (Meanstreets) IL
The final member of the backcourt trio for Meanstreets 16U DJ Steward started off a little slow shooting wise but would heat up in the second half. The slender 6’2” guard has a smooth game and doesn’t force and just lets the game come to him. Started to heat up from deep in the second half knocking down three triples. Steward has a quick first step and doesn’t have much wasted movement getting to the rim and finishing. He also has a nice pull up game off the bounce and hit several mid-range jumpers. Steward finished the game with 20 points in the victory.
PG – 2020 6‘1”Gerald Doakes (Woodz Elite) AR
Doakes out of Arkansas had a big-time performance against the Meanstreets the 6’1” Guard in the class of 2020 is a super bouncy slender player who is very quick and plays with a high level of intensity. Doakes was scoring from all three levels hitting some big threes’ and attacking the rim with aggression. He can finish at a high rate and plays above the rim. Did all he could to keep Woodz Elite in the game, but it wasn’t enough to pull out the win. Keep an eye on this name nationally in the next year because if he continues to play like that he will quickly burst out on the scene.