Branham strung together his MVP performance behind a game-high 23PTS on 8/17FG and converting on four triples. The Indiana pledge is heading into his first and last year at La Lumiere before heading to Bloomington to suit up for the Hoosiers and based off his showing on Saturday, head coach Darian DeVires is getting a high-level shooter from deep with some underrated ability making plays for both himself or others off the bounce. He also did his work on the glass as he hauled in eight rebounds and dished out four dimes.

Chase averaged 18.3 points, four rebounds, a couple steals and a couple assists for Run GMC earning first team all UAA honors. An Indiana commit ranked top 20 in the nation by 247 Sports.

Shifty ball-handler with arguably the best pace and ball control in the country, constantly changing speeds without ever appearing rushed as he walked defenders into a slow tempo before suddenly accelerating into the gap, only to decelerate again and keep them off balance. His ball control made it easy for him to manipulate defenses with hesitations, hang dribbles, and stop-start bursts, consistently using defenders’ momentum against them. There was simply no taking the ball from him, as he protected his handle with tight pocket dribbles, low-to-the-ground crossovers, and hip attacks that consistently allowed him to turn the corner. Branham also displayed top-tier efficiency from beyond the arc, routinely knocking down long-range bombs from well beyond NBA range, forcing defenses to pick him up the moment he crossed half court. He showed the ability to seamlessly adapt while operating both on and off the ball. A pure shooter unfazed by pressure or heavy contests, he played the game as if it were just him and the basket.

The Indiana Hoosier commit is one of the top shooters in the country and I got to see him light up the scoreboard from downtown on Saturday. Branham has a quick release, range that extends well beyond the 3-point line, sudden off-ball movement and a high release point. That combination of skills makes him a nightmare to track off the ball and you can see the vision for what Darian DeVries has for him at the college level. I’m excited to see Branham with La Lumiere this winter as he easily replaces Jacob Webber, a top wing shooter nationally who is now at Branham’s college rival Purdue.

No surprise here — Branham is yet another Missouri prospect with an impressive résumé and the game to back it up. Coming off a state championship this winter, he’s continued to impress this spring with the way he’s dominated UAA competition. His offensive skill set remains highly intriguing, as he’s shooting the ball at an extremely efficient rate from the field, behind the arc, and at the free-throw line. He might be the best player I’ve seen in person this spring when it comes to moving without the basketball and consistently putting pressure on opposing defenses. As his defensive presence also continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how his two-way impact translates against some of the top players in the country.

There’s not much more that needs to be said about Branham. Whether operating with the ball in his hands or moving off it, he showed he can do just about anything offensively over the weekend. Even while seeing a variety of defensive looks and facing aggressive one-on-one defenders, he consistently made adjustments within the flow of the game to find openings and make plays as contests wore on. His off-ball movement stood out, as he frequently used screens and dribble handoffs to create space and get his quick release off. He also drew contact at a high rate and consistently capitalized at the free throw line. Chase’s slashing and finishing may have been the most impressive part of his game, as he elevated and finished strong at the rim, often off two feet — just another layer that will continue to pay dividends moving forward.

After a huge performance in the state semifinals against Vashon — where he poured in 31 points and led his team to a double-digit win — Chase showed another side of his game on Saturday. While he took some time to get going as a scorer, he did what great players always do — he trusted his teammates. Early on, he made the right reads and consistently got others in positions to score efficiently. He still finished with 15 points, showing he can score with anyone in the state, but it was his feel for the game and his ability to influence it beyond just the scoring column that spoke volumes in the win.