Mecca is a player who puts together these solid summers that make you wonder how he isn’t playing a ton more but we may just be at the point where he HAS to play. He passes the eye test with good size and athleticism but now the skill is catching up. Mecca was solid this summer where we saw him and had him as one of the standouts as he uses his length inside, gets out and runs the floor for solid finishes and he’s also developed on his offensive game as well. We’ve seen him attack off the dribble, shoot the mid range jumper and counter when he makes moves at the rim. He now will have to bring what we saw from the summer and also at a showcase to the high school season and show that he’s much improved and ready for a bigger role. Powell can be a game changer for Mountain Vista who will be looking for consistency all season long. He’s a riser in the rankings as this is the most that we’ve seen him.

Powell always passes the eye test for me because he’s physically gifted and fills so many gaps. He’s able to do everything on the floor and while he isn’t a prospect who you give the ball to and clear out for, he still finds ways to score. At the showcase he was able to use his boy to battle inside and defend bigs but also stepped out on the perimeter with guards as well and stayed in front of them. Mecca got a couple of steals, he got out in transition and finished and also operated int he halfcouft set as well. Powell got more comfortable as the day progressed to where he was getting the ball and facing up and scoring but also coming off of screens ready to shoot and he opened up the floor there as well. He’s a two-way athlete who excels in his role and he’s starting to become more of a threat and that was on display this weekend. He put together a solid event that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Powell was one of the more pleasant surprises on Day 1. At around 6-foot-6, he already has the frame that catches your attention, but it was how active he was that kept bringing me back to watch Premier. He attacked the glass on both ends, finished comfortably with either hand, and used his length to alter shots around the rim. He came up with multiple steals where his team started the break for a run after.  What also stands out is how good he moves. He moves better than you’d expect for his size and has a motor. He’s still flying under the radar, but performances like this are how that starts to change.

This rising junior is also a prospect who has a good foundation to begin his varsity career with. A player who is 6’5″ and can handle the rock for his team. A guard who tries to look for and then set up his teammates is a valuable piece to most rosters. I felt his dribble drives were on the plus side for this event. In one of the two games I watched, he had a really strong half by tallying 14 points for his club so the kid can fill the bucket.

The prospect looks the part, being long and lean. He has great size at 6’5″. He impressed early because he was the main ball handler for his club often. He showed additional skill at attacking the hoop off the drive and then the will to help set up his teammates by dishing out of those drives when appropriate. Led his team in scoring in the first half, and was looked upon to make plays early and often. He gave me enough that I looked at the schedule of Saturday games and penciled his next one into my time slot.

Call me impressed early.