6’8 ’18 Ignas Brazdeikis (Michigan signee) of Orangeville Prep
It’s hard to walk away from spectating Brazdeikis feeling anything other than sheer excitement, especially given the advanced skillset he brings to every game. He attacks the basket often with a variety of moves, including euro-steps, spins, and floaters, all of which are effective scoring avenues. However, Brazdeikis is a wizard that prefers to operate outside the arc, where he’s a deadeye shooter and incredible shot creator (for himself and others). His approach to the game is very similar to a James Harden, seeing as how he can play as the primary ball handler in a pinch and simply does whatever he desires on offense. Brazdeikis has an elite IQ and feel for the game, able to manipulate and contort defenses with relative ease. He has a next-level frame with quality length. The lefty has real potential to play beyond his years at Michigan given his pedigree and ability to perform on the floor. Brazdeikis is a really strong rebounder for his position and frequently pushes the break in transition, but also knowing when to pull the ball out. He has terrific understanding on defense in addition to meticulous positioning and textbook closeouts. Watch for him to become a big-time player at Michigan, where he should compete for minutes immediately.
6’6 ’19 Max Farthing (Word of God)
The long-bodied shooter continues to expand his game while taking on a heavier load with an intriguing Word of God team. He could honestly fit on nearly any college program as a spot-up shooter, but he’s become a quality midrange/interior scorer too. Farthing has begun taking on a role as a secondary ball handler and he often initiates the offense. However, he’s still at his best when others are hitting shots, where he can play off-ball and rip defenses to shreds without typically being the focal point. Farthing is tougher than he gets credited for and doesn’t shy away from contact inside the paint; he competes on the glass and utilizes his length well to net second-chance opportunities. He’s consistently efficient while taking a high volume of shots, especially from three-point range. Opposing defenses struggle to deal with Farthing’s jumper because of his quick release and setup; his range dials out to thirty feet and he has the ability to shift defenses at will. He’s still feisty on defense, playing passing lanes and solid on the ball.
6’7 ’19 Kobe Brown (Lee-Huntsville)
Brown entered the event with great intrigue and delivered exceptionally well in his debut game against Cannon. It took some time for Brown to get settled in, but he soon found comfort and starting showcasing his fundamentally sound two-way ability. Offensively, he’s a walking mismatch, standing at a sturdy six-foot-seven and scoring from all over the floor. Brown shoots the three-pointer efficiently and demands respect behind the arc. He can be passive at times when hunting penetration opportunities, but either scores or draws a foul nearly every time he enters the paint. Brown is unselfish and sees the floor really well for his size, able to drive and kick to the right guys at the perfect time. Due to his combination of frame and athleticism, Brown is a versatile defender and strong rebounder on both ends of the floor. He poses a huge threat in transition, where he can spot-up or simply run the floor and finish inside. Brown will blow up over the next year, especially if he continues controlling the game on both sides of the ball.
6’11 ’18 Flo Thamba (Mountain Mission)
Throughout the day, no player displayed a more impressive motor than Thamba, who leaves spectators in awe of his nonstop pursuit of the ball. He’s always played this way, but it’s interesting to see him go against an opposing team full of athletes and still dominate in typical fashion. Thamba is exactly the type of center that will continue to thrive in today’s game with the direction basketball is headed; he plays with incredible activity on offense, flashing all around the paint and diving hard to the basket. His finishing ability is terrific, as he goes to both hands and finishes above or below rim whenever he pleases. On defense is where his bread is buttered though, where he enter the collegiate ranks as an elite rim protector with untapped potential left to harness. Thamba blocks everything inside or outside of his area and shows no fear meeting anyone in the air. He is able to leap two and three times while other players are still coming down from their first. Thamba is special and he’ll be one to watch going forward, as he holds a plethora of offers to choose from and has potential beyond the next level.
6’4 ’18 Luguentz Dort (Arizona State commit) of Athlete Institute Prep
It’s hard to pinpoint any player that affected all facets of the game better than the future Sun Devil, Luguentz Dort. He’s a one-of-a-kind talent with his ability to do literally whatever he wants on both ends of the floor. Dort shoots the ball incredibly well from all three levels and has craftiness inside the lane, able to assist or score on one basket after another. He rebounded the ball exceptionally well for a guard, never shying away from contact and finishing anything he pulled down. Dort played a lot as the primary creator and has such an innate feel-IQ-vision combination. He was one of the best defensive players on display, able to defend three positions comfortably and doesn’t struggle at all against bigger/taller opponents. Dort has a college-ready frame and athleticism pairing, which allows him to truly dominate his matchup in a vast array of ways. He’s bloodthirsty on the court and will continue to stand out above the rest with his irreplaceably tough two-way game.
6’6 ’18 Michael Wynn (ECU signee) of Liberty Heights
East Carolina snagged their wing of the future in Wynn, who makes a priority of outplaying matchups and carving opposing teams to shreds. He’s the unquestioned two-way leader on this Liberty Heights and it’s evident in the way that he coaches on the floor. Wynn constantly communicates and makes intelligent decisions with the ball, seeing the whole floor and playing unselfishly but also knowing when to take over. He has a beautiful three-point shot, however, he also loves to go to work from midrange and inside the paint—where he’s able to effectively use his body and strength to score in bunches. Wynn demands attention on the glass or he’ll continually pummel opponents on second and third-chance opportunities. He utilizes his physical tools and IQ exceptionally well on defense, willing and excited to lock up the opponent’s best perimeter player. Wynn continues to outperform opponents that many see at a higher level with no problems.
6’0 ’18 Chris Barnette (Ravenscroft)
If there is a clear example of a player that did everything right to work harder than everyone else to become an incredibly talented player, and succeed, it is Chris Barnette. It’s almost sickening to watch him consistently control both sides of the ball and perform at an insanely high level, only to see no boost in his recruitment. It’s time for the world to finally start acknowledging that Barnette is a quality defender and all-around beast of a player. He’s D1-level in terms of talent and work ethic, regardless of what other scouts and analysts may feel. Barnette is extremely efficient from all three levels, especially deep, and never takes a bad shot, even when the pressure is mounting. Fundamentally, he is textbook in all facets of running the point guard position; he dribbles and passes with an innate sense, always knowing where he’s going and what he’s doing. As stated many times before, his value is irreplaceable and the two-way presence he brings to a team is unlike other floor generals. It’s easy to see the meticulous nature of his defensive abilities, fully understanding his area on the floor at all times and knowing how to lock his opponent in a box. Though there are players across the country similar to Barnette, but no one can realistically replicate the amount of silent grunt work that he does from game to game. Perhaps Barnette will finally start to get some recruiting love, considering he dominates each and every game in the exact same manner, and will continue doing so until he’s properly respected.