Derrick Akines Derrick Akines 6'2" | PG Waterloo West | 2027 State IA ‘ shiftiness, smoothness, and feel as a scorer were one of my favorite things to watch at this event. Derrick was unbelievably calm and calculated as a midrange creator. He used his finesse, pace, and skilled handle to work his way to his spots, rise up, and score. His jump shot looked amazingly balanced and solid with soft touch, and his shot looked the same no matter his position on the court or how contested he was. This translated to the three-point line as well. He hit a behind-the-back step-back three, which was one of the most impressive shots I saw made at the Expo. And overall, he was one of the most talented tough shot makers at the event as a whole. His footwork around the rim and touch made him a very productive around-the-rim finisher too. He hit a tough spin layup which was heavily contested. And his finesse and knowledge in these short-space situations made it look like he was moving at a different speed than everyone else on the court. With this three-level scoring impact, he was able to leverage his passing at a high level, as he drew many extra defenders and punished them with quick reads, leading to open shots. And his defensive impact and effort were similarly impressive. He displayed great defensive footwork and had a great chase-down block, while also using his length and athleticism to impact the game on the glass as well.

A lead guard with really good size, Akines is always one of the standouts at these events because of his raw ability to create quality shots for himself and his teammates. He has excellent vision, is a fantastic ball-handler, and has the high-level footwork to create additional space. Players who end up on Akines’ team in 5-on-5 play should be very happy, he’s going to put them in good positions all afternoon.

Akines was playing with Drive Pro Select this weekend and his usual arsenal was on full display. He has great footwork and handles the ball exceptionally well, a combination that helps him create additional space to get his shot off, especially in the mid-range. He’s a skilled playmaker who sees the floor really well, and he isn’t afraid to take smaller defenders down onto the block and impose his will.

Following the graduations of two of the top three scorers, and the transfer of the other leader from last year, Akines should have ample opportunity with the ball in his hands this season, an area in which he thrives. He handles the ball really well, is a gifted passer, and has excellent footwork and the ability to absorb contact and finish around the rim. He’s a tough lead guard who plays through contact and he can defend on the ball at a high level.

Derrick Akines Derrick Akines 6'2" | PG Waterloo West | 2027 State IA did it all at the Prep Hoops Iowa Expo. For starters, he was insanely efficient on a flurry of step-back threes. His touch from outside can only be described as delicate. This allowed him to be a walking paint touch with how defenders would fly out at him. He was elite at exploding out of spin moves into tough layups and floaters, and his mid-range scoring stood out as well. His lob passing and finesse with the ball in his hands made him a great primary initiator in the games that I watched. Deceleration was another key aspect of his game. He could stop and start on a dime, which made him very difficult for defenders to stay in front of. And on the defensive end, he got a haul of steals throughout the expo, attacking ball handlers and forcing turnovers with his quick hands. Derrick Akines Derrick Akines 6'2" | PG Waterloo West | 2027 State IA was always making an impact, no matter where he was on the court.

Akines is one of the most talented guards in the 2027 class, a skilled ball-handler and shot creator who can score from all three levels. He has great body control around the rim and finishes with either hand, and he has really improved as a shooter over the last year, especially from 3-point range.

Akines is a strong, physical guard who does a great job playing at his pace, dictating the tempo for the rest of the players around him and never getting sped up. He plays under control, has fantastic vision, and is a great ball-handler who creates shots for himself and his teammates off the bounce at a high level. He shot it extremely well from behind the arc throughout the day, getting to his shot in a variety of different ways and knocking down shots both off the dribble and the catch. He finishes through contact with either hand, and is a solid on-ball defender.