Tyler was dominant when I saw Beckman take on Clear Creek Amana, showcasing elite rim protection, a strong presence on the glass, and deft touch around the rim. There was a three possession stretch in the second half in which he blocked five shots, and he did so in a variety of different ways. He rotates really well and has great awareness on the defensive end. He makes strong contact on his box outs and is aggressive on the glass on both ends of the floor, and while his offensive game is still a bit of a work in progress, he has good touch around the bucket and is a strong finisher through contact. He was one of the breakout performers of the weekend for the Blazers.

-Runs with Nova Elite Basketball 15U

-Comes from a small parochial school in Iowa

-Monster, physical, tough, plays hard

-Moves well for his size, active

-Cleaned up the glass, many O-boards

-Putback points came throughout the game

-Blocked & changed shots

-More offensive rebounds

-Raw but loads of potential

-Put backs often

-If he were a football prospect, D1’s would be all over

Evan had the best combination of size, speed, and intensity at his position in the 15U division of the Derby City Duel. He was the heart of a very good Nova Elite 15U squad that went undefeated over the weekend and allowed the fewest number of total points scored. More often than not he was the most vocal kid on the court which went a long way with establishing his dominance and encouraging his teammates. His game was efficient and relied on quick footwork and advanced post skills. He also protected the paint and pulled off some big blocks down the stretch.

Evan is an absolute bruiser on the court, both physically and mentally. Think “traditional big man” when considering Evan’s intangibles and long-term potential. With the over-emphasis on guard-like qualities that exists in today’s game, however, it just makes Evan’s game that much more intriguing. His drop step is legit, and he used it on several occasions to get a bucket when presented with the opportunity. He was also the most forceful rim protector in the matchup, all while being one of the more vocal prospects. Seems like a coach’s dream.