Kansas Hoop Dreams Standouts in Richmond

The Hoop Dreams squad was in Richmond, Virgina last weekend and we took in their final game against one of the AUSA teams. When you play AUSA you are always in for a challenge as they are usually older and stronger than their opponents but Hoop Dreams played with them to the final buzzer.    Playing up at the 17u level and for a very good reason, Boldra is a slippery shooter that is very hard to defend. Boldra has a quick release and range to go with it so you have to step to the arc or past it to contest his shots. Keenan has a nasty change of direction too so a dribble separation or a fake into a side step is all he needs to hurt his opponents,   When going to the rim, Boldra has a really nice touched in floater that he can score with in small windows and that is how he paired threes with attacks for a 24 point game (with five boards and four assists). Boldra made 10 of 17 field goal attempts including a nasty step back with ten seconds left to tie the contest. It was one of four threes made.     Kash is another 2028 playing up for Hoop Dreams in this game and he's a physical talent at 6'3 that can play guard with agility and guard skills, but also was used to defend size because he's a stronger athlete. Think tight end or strong safety on the football field.   Payne grabbed a team high ten rebounds in this game ending several AUSA possessions but Kash had the ability to turn and lead a quick break. he made two threes and scored a dozen points on what was a tougher shooting day (4-11) but Payne was a key part of everything that Hoop Dreams did.     Brozek was the player that the ball went to for Hoop Dreams early and he knocked out two quick threes that helped his team build a near 20 point lead early. Ethan looks to be a combo guard that can handle both spots, he is usually where the ball goes to knock out a key shot and to playmake. He pairs with Boldra as they both took 17 field goal attempts and Brozek had an 11 point game.   Brozek rebounded well for a guard (4) and I was really impressed with some of the mature items seen from him as a defender. His talk and defensive steps off the ball screen commonly forced AUSA kicks or wing passes out of desperation. Ethan averaged 19 plus points a game last year.     Kyler is a true point guard that came off the bench and instantly changed the game with some pressure defense. Woodall had three steals and forced a tough possession from opposing guards often. Sits in a deep stance to harass opponents.   Had three assists and made three shots for eight points, Kyler did a great job of pushing the game with his transition.     stepped off the bench and gave Hoop Dreams some post support instantly. Robinson grabbed six rebounds and played good post defense against a much, much bigger post from Australia. Knocked out a three, got to the foul line to make free throws, and scored twice in the post to get to nine points on eight attempts. Set some strong screens and overall made a really nice bench impact.

The Hoop Dreams squad was in Richmond, Virgina last weekend and we took in their final game against one of the AUSA teams. When you play AUSA you are always in for a challenge as they are usually older and stronger than their opponents but Hoop Dreams played with them to the final buzzer.