Freshman Showcase: All Showcase (Pt 1)

This year's Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase had an incredible turnout, with nearly 80 incoming freshman showing up at the Auburn Fieldhouse to get after it. After taking in the live games and rewatching the film, we've decided to highlight 12 players as our All-Showcase performers. Here are six of the All-Showcase selections (in no particular order). Keep an eye out for part two of our All Showcase selections.    Piper-Ibrahim was a cut above much of the competition at the showcase. He was just on a different level physically and athletically, and demonstrated the type of approach that highlighted those strengths. He's got a handful of moves on the perimeter that allow him to separate and get that long frame going downhill, and was one of the top finishers throughout the day. He was a constant presence at the rim and at the foul line, and although he did step out to knock down some outside shots, he saw his advantage was around the paint and wasn't settling much outside the key.     Rogers was another top performer who was just on a different level physically. At 6-foot-6, he had a decent height advantage that allowed him to shoot over defenders, which he was clearly comfortable doing, but he also was one of the strongest and most physical players at the event. He was clever enough to make a move and get an angle on defenders, but also nasty enough to bully his way through players once he had that edge. He was a constant factor throughout the showcase, and clearly one of the top performers of the day.     The thing that stood out with Avril was just his overall efficiency. He was an efficient 3-point shooter, an efficient finisher at the rim, but was also efficient with his touches and dribbles, which allowed him to attack or probe and then keep the ball moving so the offense didn't lose its energy. Showcased a pretty smooth shooting touch as well as the footwork and balance to get into his shot off the dribble. Didn't over dribble or force much, used one move and maybe a counter to get by his man, and was able to play with a certain flow that benefitted himself and his teammates.     Lane is a strong kid at 6-foot-4, who already seems to have an understanding of how his strength can help slow things down for him. He played under control out of different spots with the ball, had great control in the post, was poised when extra defenders came his way, and made great decisions with the rock. He played on balance, did well to recognize when to attack right off the catch or be a little more patient, and had the touch to score consistently with his touches around the paint. Had a high work rate as well, and was a consistent factor for his squad at the showcase.     It didn't take long for Aikens to grab my attention at the showcase. He has the type of deception with the ball that makes it seem like he's playing at an easy pace, when really he's leading defenders with his eyes, throwing in subtle shot fakes, slight hesitations, and constantly playing on balance so he can shoot by defenders when he gets them off balance. Played a very smart game, seeing space, settling in it to make plays, and showcasing the ability to be a playmaker and shot-maker.     Ratcliffe looks like he still has some growing to do to catch up with that long wingspan, which made his current skill level all the more impressive. He can knock down shots from each level, and showcased the grit to power his way to the rim, understanding he didn't need much space to use his length to finish over defenders. He was also able to make various defensive plays with his length and reactions, and could be a kid who really takes off in the next couple years if he does grow a couple of inches.

This year's Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase had an incredible turnout, with nearly 80 incoming freshman showing up at the Auburn Fieldhouse to get after it. After taking in the live games and rewatching the film, we've decided to highlight 12 players as our All-Showcase performers. Here are six of the All-Showcase selections (in no particular order). Keep an eye out for part two of our All Showcase selections.