UAA KC: 2020 standouts

<p dir="ltr">This weekend I attended the <strong>Under Armour Association</strong> in Kansas City, MO at the Hyvee Arena.</p> <p dir="ltr">Here were some of the standouts from the junior class.  </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Jaden Springer SG 6’4” 185 IMG Academy (FL) (B. Maze Elite 17 UAA)</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">-Springer is high level player who can score it from all 3 levels. He is a great athlete that throws down any dunk on the break. He handles the ball like a lead guard and can make plays for others. He uses his body, tighter handle and strength to score through contact. He can pull-up off the dribble from mid to the 3pt line. He defends well on the ball and is ultra competitive. A top-25 type of player.  </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Bryce Thompson SG 6’4” 170 (Oklahoma Run PWP 17 UAA)</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">-Thompson is a big time scorer. He is another that can score from all 3 levels. He can pull-up off the dribble quickly. He has a little Damian Lillard in his game the way he gets his shots off. He is long and lean and very athletic on the break. He can make plays for others and is good in the passing lanes. His deep ball is good not great but gets hot quickly. He has the handle and speed to get downhill and score through contact. He can get stronger but has that it quality to be a special college player and maybe play professionally somewhere. A top-50 type of player.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Osasere Ighodaro PF 6’9” 180 Desert Vista (AZ) (Powerhouse Hoops 17 Rise)</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">-Ighodaro is an unique player to watch. He can handle the ball fluidly and is close to being an elite passer like a point forward. He can make others better at the high post and be your facilitator. He can cross over his defender and rise up from elbow and in and score it. He can make catch 3’s in rhythm but could be more consistent overall. He can get downhill and score tough layups with either hand. He has a hook shot but is more of a face-up type of forward. His defense is his next best quality. He gets off the floor quickly to block shots at a high level. He also rebounds well and moves fast laterally and runs the court like a wing. He needs to fill in but has one of the higher upsides in state and the West Coast. A possible top-75 player when it’s all said and done.   </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Evan Nelson PG 6’1” 165 Salpointe Catholic (AZ) (Powerhouse Hoops 17 Rise)</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">-Nelson was arguably the top performer in every game he played all weekend long. He can score it anyway he wants with incredible open court speed. He is a dog on the ball defensively speeding up everyone in front of him and turning them or ripping their pockets 3-4 times per game. He has a nasty pull-up from mid-range and good from the 3pt line. He can create off the dribble and is a very underrated passer. He sees the court with the best of them and has many skills to love. His speed, skill, handle, competitiveness, defense and having that no-lose attitude make him one of the better PG’s on the West Coast. A top-150 player. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Dayten Holman CG 6’5” 182 Hillcrest Prep (AZ) (Oklahoma Run PWP 17 UAA)</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">-Holman is a long and lean defensive lead guard. He is an excellent passer and great off the pick and roll making the pass at a perfect time to the big. He has good open court speed and can get downhill using his longer strides and speed. He can make 3’s off the catch or pull-up at times from mid-range. This is where he needs to make the biggest growth. He can make shots but isn’t overly confident and rather facilitate currently. A top-150 player. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Lamont Butler PG 5’11” 180 Riverside Poly (CA) (West Coast Elite 17 UAA)</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">-Butler is the quintessential PG. He was arguably the best pure PG to its fullest degree of the players I viewed. He is constantly looking to push the tempo and find the open shooter. He is quick, fast, strong with the ball, has a very tight handle and can turn the corner on his defender and get through the hole to penetrate and pitch it out to a teammate or drop it off to a big. He can pull-up from mid-range but he isn’t a consistent 3pt shooter currently. He is a capable shooter but needs more reps. He did put on a little weight recently but he still is super effective making his team go with great pace, poise, timing of his passes and on-ball defense. A top-150 player.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Eddie Lampkin C 6’9” 290 Morton Ranch (TX) (Houston Defenders 17 UAA)</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">-Lampkin is a massive true 5-man. He has long arms and seems to move anyone defending him. He can carve up space and score it with good post footwork. He has huge hands and is an incredible passer for a post player. He blocks shots and rebounds anything near him. His main issue is his weight. He is very nimble and skilled but doesn’t get much lift and could move end to end better. If he can lean out, he will be even more effective and would go to any school of his choice. A top-150 player. </p>