16U Preview- Team Thrill

We learned Saturday that Nike had cancelled all events in its EYBL Circuit. There’s a chance all of the major shoe circuits take the same approach, but that’s not reason for us not to shed light on the AAU teams that were constructed with their rosters awaiting clearance from COVID-19. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be highlighting some of the local programs, as many of their players would’ve been beneficiaries of a spring/summer travel stage. For this article, we’ll look at Team Thrill’s 16U roster set to play on the UAA Circuit. [player_tooltip player_id="777071" first="Christian" last="Winborne"] | 6’2 | Gilman ’22 Winborne is a name that has started picking up attention in the region and rightfully so. The 6-foot-2 lead guard can facilitate an offense as the point guard while being a scoring threat from all three levels. Winborne is equipped with high IQ, athleticism for his size and brings a competitiveness that every coach loves in his floor general. He has a mature approach and feel for the game that I believe college coaches would’ve immediately fallen in love with on the spring/summer stage. Loyola (MD), UMass and UMBC have all offered Winborne. [player_tooltip player_id="904644" first="Andrew" last="Rheubottom"] | 6’2 | Milford Mill ’22 Rheubottom is a stat sheet stuffer and has developed his guard skills in a big way over the last calendar year. Rheubottom played in the frontcourt for much of his middle school career, so he’s used to crashing the glass on both ends. An efficient finisher in transition, Rheubottom has improved his off the dribble game and will knock down a three when he has time off the catch. He can be used as a versatile defender and plays with admirable effort. [player_tooltip player_id="777073" first="Antonio" last="Hamlin"] | 6’2 | Combine Academy ’22 Hamlin announced he would transfer to Combine Academy after a productive sophomore season at Mount St. Joseph despite battling injuries. The 6-foot-2 guard can be used in many ways, but is at his best getting downhill and finishing around the rim where he can use his size and strength. He’s an efficient mid-range shooter off the bounce and cannot be forgotten out beyond the three-point line. Hamlin can guard either guard position and hold his own against taller, stronger wing players. Denver and Towson have offered Hamlin. [player_tooltip player_id="904658" first="Masai" last="Troutman"] | 6’4 | St. Andrew’s Episcopal ’22 Troutman is a prospect not many have heard of up until this point. The 6-foot-4 guard has plus length and athleticism that should catch a number of coach’s eyes when Troutman suits up for St. Andrew’s Episcopal next season. He played his sophomore season for St. John’s Catholic Prep and helped earn an appearance in the MIAA B Conference championship game. Troutman is a scorer who can do so above the rim in transition as well as shoot off the bounce. He’s a plus rebounder for his position and can block shots around the rim defensively. [player_tooltip player_id="904659" first="Sammy" last="Scott"] | 5’8 | Milford Mill ’22 Scott may not have ideal size, but he makes up for it with the toughness he brings as a defender. With quick hands and feet, Scott can harass the ball handler the length of the floor and manufacture turnovers. Offensively he can facilitate and be a primary ball handler who is also a scoring threat from the mid-range. [player_tooltip player_id="904634" first="Carlos" last="Alexander"] | 5’10 | Mervo ’22 Alexander has a tremendous amount of talent. The 5-foot-10 lefty is fun to watch as he provides many types of plays that are great for highlight tapes. He can break down his defender off the dribble and has good instincts and vision as a passer. Alexander finishes with craft around the rim and doesn’t shy away from contact. When locked in defensively he can be a pest and be the reason for his team getting quick buckets as a result of him getting a steal or deflection. [player_tooltip player_id="837955" first="John" last="Thomas"] | 6’3 | Patterson ’22 Thomas is another prospect on this Thrill team who was used to playing out of position in comparison to what he is now. Thomas has good length at 6-foot-3 and is used to being utilized as more of a wing on this team. He contributes to every statistical category and brings toughness defensively. Thomas is a capable shooter from mid-range and beyond the arc. [player_tooltip player_id="904631" first="Joel" last="Turay"] | 6’7 | John Carroll ’22 Turay is a big body 6-foot-7 forward who provides a physical presence in the paint. He’s a plus rebounder and does a good job using his big frame to move taller forwards out of the way on box-outs. Turay is still growing offensively, but has shown potential as a dependable scorer when operating with his back to the basket on the block. [player_tooltip player_id="902052" first="Hassan" last="Massenburg"] | 6’6 | Mt. Zion ’22 Massenburg helps stretch the floor and bring quality size at the wing position. He’s an efficient marksman off the catch from three and can be a valuable finisher in transition. His combination of size and length make him a nice piece defensively for the lanky wings that are so popular in today’s game. TJ Moore | 6’9 | Perry Hall ’22 Moore is a very intriguing prospect given his size and length. He’s still extremely raw, but showed ability to change the course of a game with his shot blocking. His freakish wingspan and soft hands allow him to finish dunks anytime he’s near the rim. He’s a rim runner in transition and knows how to keep his defender on his back to keep an open passing window while posting. I expect for Moore to gain significant attention over the next couple of years. [player_tooltip player_id="904636" first="Jordan" last="Nkoa-Abessolo"] | 6’5 | St. Maria Goretti Nkoa Abessolo is a 6-foot-5 forward who has good strength and plays with a great motor. He does a lot of the little things such as crash the offensive glass, set good screens and stay locked in defensively. He’s an efficient option around the rim and really presents as one of those guys that just aren’t fun to play against.