Indiana Top 80 Evaluations
Team 5
Coach: Shaun Busick
#6: 5’10 ’19 Garrett Pollard (Westfield HS, Westfield, IN)
Starting things off, we look at a player with a lot of craftiness and ability at the offensive end of the court, Garrett Pollard. He’s a gifted point guard with the ability to get to the rim. His ability to penetrate the defense made him a threat every time he had the ball in his hands. His ability to move the ball provided his teammates with many opportunities for open looks. Defensively, Pollard did a great job of pressuring the ball and keeping the play in front of him. Coach Busick on Pollard: “Garrett is a high basketball IQ, point guard. He’s a shifty point with a great pull-up jump shot. He is able to get good lift on his jump shots and can hit shots from three. In addition to his offensive ability, he is a very strong defender.” Pollard will be one to keep an eye on heading in to his senior season.
#15: 6’0 ’19 Blake Burris (New Castle HS, New Castle, IN)
Next, we look at a player that really excelled with his passing ability throughout camp, Blake Burris. He’s a smart point guard prospect that can be the floor general, initiating offense and looking to get each of his teammates involved in the action. Offensively, Klein displays a nice handle and shot, with the ability to score from all three levels. He displayed a willingness to move the ball and is a great team player. In addition to his offensive skill, Burris is a strong on-ball defender. Coach Busick on Burris: “Blake is a great leader and communicator. He is a knock down three-point shooter. He sets up his teammates very well to make plays. He is an extremely tough defender with a high basketball IQ.” Burris has a well-rounded skillset at both ends of the court and will be one to keep an eye on during his senior season.
#27: 6’1 ’20 Jacob Cochran (Greenfield Central HS, Greenfield, IN)
Moving on to a player who possesses the ability to put the ball in the basket from any where on the court, Jacob Cochran. Coachran showcased his basketball IQ at both ends of the court. His movement without the ball made him difficult to keep track of. His ability to defend the ball made him difficult to get past at the defensive end of the court. His passing and ability to push the pace made him a great lead guard. Coach Busick on Cochran: “Jacob is a very crafty shooter and has an extremely high basketball IQ. He is a great spot up shooter. He is extremely coachable and is a great listener. In addition to his offensive ability, he is an extremely tough on ball defender.” Cochran showcased his shooting ability throughout camp and will be one to keep an eye on heading in to his junior season.
#36:6’2 ’20 Avery Beaver (Jefferson HS, Lafayette, IN)
Continuing on to a player who filled up the stat sheet throughout his time at the Indy 80 camp, Avery Beaver. Beaver is a long point guard prospect with the ability to put the ball in the basket from anywhere on the court. His ability to catch and shoot makes him a threat coming off every screen. In addition to his ability to stretch the floor, his quickness allows him to get to the basket where he is able to finish over bigger defenders. His ability to defend the point makes him a true two-way guard with the ability to shut down a teams lead guard. Coach Busick on Beaver: “Avery is a crafty left-handed shooter with an extremely high basketball IQ. He is a strong physical defender with good quickness. He is lights out from the three-point line and can play the 1 or 2 at a high level.” Beaver has all of tools necessary and his willingness to be coached will make him a player to watch heading in to his junior season.
#48:6’4 ’20 Collin Blessinger (New Castle HS, New Castle, IN)
Next ,we look a player who made a big impact at both the offensive and defensive ends of the court, Collin Blessinger. Blessinger made a strong impact in the post at the offensive end of the court and kept people out at the defensve end. His ability to be a strong on-ball defender and made sure his opponents worked for every basket. Collin made several hustle plays throughout the day that offered second chances for his team. Coach Busick on Blessinger: “Collin is a very good 3 or 4 prospect. He has a great jump hook and is a great defender who is willing to do the dirty work. Collin has the ability to play inside and outside. He is a great rebounder out of his area.” Blessinger was able to make shots in the post during camp and should continue developing at both ends of the court heading in to his junior year.
#58: 6’4 ’21 Easton Strassburger (Homestead HS, Fort Wayne, IN)
Moving on to a player who made strong contributions at both ends of the court, Easton Strassburger. Strassburger is a 3/4 prospect who possesses the ability to stretch the floor or get to the basket depending on what the defense gets him. His high basketball IQ allowed him to make the right play and find the open man. His offensive contributions were superseded by his pressure at the defensive end. Coach Busick on Strassburger: “Easton would win the “Mr. Intangible’s and Versatility” award if one were given out. He has excellent hustle and work ethic. He plays a good inside out game for his size/position. He has the ability to guard multiple positions due in large part to his great footwork. He is a good spot-up shooter who has the ability to hit the three. He understands the game at an extremely high level.” Strassburger’s well rounded game will make him one to keep an eye on heading in to only his sophomore season.
#69: 6’8 ’19 Ali Ali (East Noble HS, Kendallville, IN)
Continuing on to the player who was named the camps “Mr. Top 80”, Ali Ali. Ali was strong at the offensive ability, possessing the ability to shoot the three and play above the rim. In addition to his ability to score the ball, he moved the ball, found the open man and made sure that all of his teammates were involved. Defensively, he played from the time the ball tipped until the clock read 00:00. His willingness to defend on and off the ball made everyone else’s job easier. Coach Busick on Ali: “Ali is possibly the top player to come to the camp this year. He has tremendous versatility and can play all five positions on the court. He is a great spot shooter and has the ability to hit the three ball. He has a tremendous handle on the ball and is an exceptional passer. A sure fire D-1 player, with the ability to play well in to the future.” Look for Ali, the Akron commit, to have an extremely strong senior season.
#77: 7’1 ’20 Noah Hupmann (Evansville Day School, Evansville, IN)
Next, we look at a long, athletic center prospect who dramatically impacted the game at both ends of the court, Noah Hupmann. Noah is a rangy prospect who scored the ball extremely efficiently around the rim. His ability to play above the rim provided a plethora of second chances for his team. Defensively, his size allows him to wall up and force the defense to finish over him. Next in his development will be continued improvement of his shot from the three-point line. As he improves his two-way play, he will be someone to keep tabs on. Coach Busick on Hupmann: “Noah is a D-1 prospect with great size and length. He has great back-to-the-basket moves and excellent hands on offense. He has the length and shot-blocking ability to dramatically change the game. Noah is a good spot-up shooter up to fifteen feet. With added strength, he can become a high level D-1 prospect. Look out in the future for this prospect.” Hupmann’s size and length will make him a prospect to watch closely heading in to his junior year.