#GrindSZNKickoff Sante Fe Day 2 Standouts
The second day of the GrindSZNKickoff concluded, but not without some very big performances on the day at the Sante Fe Events Center.Teams got after it as there were plenty of highlights plays, baskets scored and prospects out giving it…
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Continue ReadingThe second day of the GrindSZNKickoff concluded, but not without some very big performances on the day at the Sante Fe Events Center.Teams got after it as there were plenty of highlights plays, baskets scored and prospects out giving it their all. Here is my top standouts on a very eventful day.
Jake Arnold — Texas Takeover
Arnold was able to make his mark early on in his early game of the day and that play translated in Texas Takeover getting a much needed win. He was able to show off a smooth shooting stroke while also attacking the rim and using his size to get things going inside. You know things are going for you when you finish with 18 points in the first half alone. He spaced the floor, was the player that the team went through to create that spark and he led the team to victory. Arnold is able to get going with his jump shot but is also able to create for himself off of the dribble or on the block. He makes the right basketball play, is vocal on the floor and has a high basketball IQ. On defense he is fundamentally sound and works to box guys out when he is not able to get the rebound. He was one of the major standouts on the day as he was able to lead his team to victory in a very close high energy filled game.
Makye Loggins — NHLA Silmon
One of the surprise performers of the day was Loggins. Early on his shot was falling which opened up the defense and from there he was able to get going in other ways. He hit three 3-pointers in his game of 18 points and was a player that the opposing team tried their hardest to slow down even sending two defenders at him at times to throw him off. It was a close and high energy filled game and he kept his composure to help lead his team to victory on a high scoring game against Texas Takeover Elite. He was a player that NHLA ran through and he looked comfortable dissecting the defense with timely shots or giving it out to an open teammate. He also brought it on the defensive end and was a standout on the day that there were no answers for.
Christian Cook — Team Buddy Buckets
Cook was one of the most athletically gifted players in the gym that is very dangerous because his game is not only predicated on dunking. He is a strong guard that makes things happen with his ball handling and he gets to the rim as well as any other player and finishes. Against Beast Elite he was able to pick them apart by taking the defender off the dribble and once he got inside he was able to finish at the rim and a few were through contact. He finished with a game high 22-points and is a player that also stood out on Friday as well. On defense he is tenacious and challenges himself by guarding the teams best ball handler and hounding him for the entirety of the game. He has a high IQ, extreme confidence and is a player that a coach feels comfortable having on the court. He can knock down jump shots or finish in various ways and with him playing as he has been during the GrindSZNKickoff it is going to be tough to beat this Team Buddy team as he has been one of the most consistent players that I have seen in the tournament.
Trey Alexander — Team Griffin
The most complete player on the day was Alexander as there is not many things that he cannot do. He runs the offense to perfection as a lead guard who made sure that everyone was involved while also getting his own. He was able to observe the court and get it to open guys with flashy passes and also showcase his vast variety of offensive moves. He attacked the rim, knocked down jumpers and displayed his athleticism in the open court as well. His first game was a blowout so it was difficult to see just how great of an offensive player he is but not without him finishing with 24-points. He followed that game up with another game later in the day where he had 14 points and had a few and-1 finishes to give Griffin energy that was desperately needed in the first half. Defensively is where he really impressed me on the day. For him to be a taller guard it was interesting to see him pickup full court and work hard on that end of the floor almost better than anyone else on the day. He is a two-way player with a high IQ, athleticism and star offensive power that is going to impress at whatever division I school he ends up at.
KJ Adams — Team Griffin
For 16U it appears that it is Team Griffin and then everyone else. With so many weapons it is difficult to key in on one player as they have a scorers, solid bench, big men and defensive stopper but a player that balances this team is KJ Adams. Adams is a physically gifted player that uses his strength and athleticism to separate himself from the pack. He is able to score in multiple ways and has as pure of a mid-range jump-shot as I have seen that gets so much elevation that players are unable to guard him. He had countless highlight plays on the day and an incredible out of bounds dunk. He finished with 17-points as he got to his spots and picked the defense apart. He is able to rebound with the big men with his large 6’5 frame and has long long arms and also is a player that meets the offensive player at the rim to record the block. He has a well developed body with the talent to match and there were not many players that had as good of a day that Adams had. With him and Alexander playing at a high level as they are you are going to have a near perfect game if you plan on beating this team. Adams is a real deal division I player with high upside.