As soon as Emani stepped on the floor, you could tell that he would be a problem for the opposing team’s defense. And he spent all 32 minutes of his game on Sunday creating problems for the opposition.

Emani set the tone right off the opening tip for Pink Panther Elite. His size makes him a threat at all 5 positions: he regularly is bringing the ball up the court as a point guard… he has the size and bulk to play down low and pile up rebounds… and then he’s got the shooting touch to pop out and nail a few 3-pointers.

There were no substitute players on the bench for Emani’s team on Sunday, so he was forced to never take a break during this game; but that didn’t seem to faze him. Late in the first half he grabbed a rebound, dribbled behind his back to split a double-team, and went coast-to-coast for an and-1 basket. And still late in the game, playing in a tight contest, he buried a 3-pointer to help seal the win.

Emani finished with 22 points, and might have had a double-double by halftime. He fights hard for rebounds and goes up strong in traffic.

This is a kid who can singlehandedly take over a game, and he’ll be fun to watch on the AAU circuit in the coming tournaments.

– Strong frame – uses it on a put back – uses it again with a power move from under the rim

– Another put back / Another put back

– Under the rim and scoop for 2

Rebounds are often effort plays. That was the way that Hinkle dominated the glass, especially offensively. He just wanted it more and was willing to put in the extra hustle and effort.

Hinkle turned some heads while he was in Grand Rapids. He had the look of a very versatile and well rounded forward. Hinkle showed that he could be effective at any pace, but I liked when he pushed off a rebound, drew the D and dished it off. He was active on the glass as well and I saw him score of a put back that came off some of that work.

Hinkle drew some eyes last year at the Freshman Showcase and we’d like to see him show off his improvements at the Sophomore ID Camp. Hinkle plays steady and under control and is willing to crash the glass. Hinkle is able to score through put backs and is a pretty versatile forward.

Hinkle turned some heads at the Freshman Showcase. He played both an athletic and intelligent game. Hinkle made quality decisions with the ball and didn’t force bad looks. In fact, he had a knack for finding and getting high percentage looks at the rim. Hinkle did this through activity on the offensive glass that led to put backs and with power moves under the rim. Defensively, he was strong and sturdy and stood his ground, usually forcing the ball out of his man’s hands.