Team Phoenix 16U
To get things started we will be discussing one of the most intriguing prospects that attended our events over the summer, 6’7 Ibrahim Dodo (2018). He’s got all the physical tools to be successful at the next level, especially for a wing player: size, speed, strength, leaping ability, and great length. Dodo can score really well inside the three-point line, as he’s almost unstoppable when barreling towards the rim. Additionally, there have been glimpses of a workable three-point shot within his game. Dodo has a high motor to pair with an IQ that continues to rise with each passing game; it was his first summer in the States and he adjusted to the style of play quite well. He’s got a fairly natural feel for the game, displaying phenomenal footwork, especially on defense; one of the best rebounding wings on display. Dodo has huge potential; he has grown leaps and bounds from the beginning of summer to the end, proving to be great in an expanded role. We are extremely excited to see Dodo grow over the course of his junior year; there is a ton of untapped potential that he’s set to translate into production.
NC Vortex 16U
When it comes to imposing will down low, 6’5 Michael Armstrong (2018) was one of the absolute best. His height will deceive many into believing he should be a perimeter player, but Armstrong truly belongs near the basket. He’s got tremendous feel around the basket, able to finish on either block with either hand; drew fouls at an incredibly high rate every time he stepped on the floor, missing less than a handful of free throws throughout our events. Defensively, he handles his own despite typically giving up plenty of height to opposing big men; few guys are bringing equal strength to the table. He runs the floor quite well for a big and is able to make decisions quickly with the ball, rarely resulting in turnovers. Armstrong has a solid jumper inside the arc, and is especially deadly from the elbows. The basketball IQ is definitely there, as he always seems to know where the best shot available is, even if it’s not in his hands. Was a walking double-double for CP3 Live and Southern Jam; we see no reason why that won’t carry over to the school year.
TMP Elite 16U
If there was one specific player that stood out as the epitome of athleticism, it had to be 6’6 Shaquan Davis (2018). Fortunately he’s quick witted and understands the game like the back of his hand, using his high IQ to get wherever he wants on the floor. Players that tried to meet Davis in the air usually came down in disappointment; he throws it down emphatically and gets blocked about as often as a solar eclipse appears. However, on the other end, blocks come for Davis in bunches. He’s among a handful of players that can pick up a block on defense, soar down the court, and dunk over multiple defenders. What’s truly impressive about Davis’ game is his ability to play above the rim, among the giants, yet he only stands at 6’6. He is a phenomenal rebounder, on both ends, and works his tail off each passing second he’s on the floor; it’s difficult to think of many players that outwork Davis on the court. Offensively, he’s dangerous from inside the arc, especially on the drive; Davis has solid mechanics on his jumper, so it wouldn’t come as a surprise if he adds a capable three-point shot. There was a game of Davis’ that comes to mind, where he finished with 28 points, 17 rebounds, and 8 blocks; every program can absolutely utilize his versatile skill set. Right now Davis is ranked #15 on our 2018 South Carolina rankings. He’s destroying guys as the four in most lineups, but if he can add perimeter skills to play on the wing, then the sky’s the limit for this young man.
Carolina Knights 16U
Next, a silky-smooth guard that can fill it up in a hurry while still getting teammates heavily involved, 6’4 Tre Harvey (2018). Currently he’s sitting at #99 in our 2018 North Carolina rankings, and for good reason, as Harvey torched opposing defenses game after game this summer. High IQ player that can score on all three levels with great ease; has a beautiful looking shot form equipped with great balance and ball rotation. Harvey’s capable of playing either guard spot; he’s an ideal fit within most systems away from the ball, but can stand as the secondary ball-handler in a pinch. His lethality in the scoring department leads to huge holes in opposing defenses; count on him to find and exploit those openings immediately. Defensively, Harvey can guard either guard or even bump down to the small forward; he can make up for his lack of size with quality footwork on and off-ball. He’s long with pretty solid size, but what really sets him apart from comparable prospects is the ice running through his veins. When the game enters crunch time, Harvey is the captain of his ship, and does everything imaginable to will his team to victory.
Your Future Basketball 16U
To finish things up, we are going to take a look at a set of brothers whose style of play compliments each other phenomenally, 6’0 Eric Truong (2018) and 6’1 Michael Truong (2018). These two are very capable of lighting it up from anywhere on the floor; when one of them has gone cold, the other begins to heat up; it’s truly amazing to watch. Eric is more of a distributor, typically bringing the ball up and putting defenses on their heels, as he really understands the drive-and-kick game. His handles are a plus; there wasn’t a single defender that was prepared for how well either brother handled the ball. Both boys are three-level scorers, but Michael pushes the envelope more frequently; he never stops moving without the ball, and that’s a huge part of his offensive success. These roles, as previously stated, are almost completely interchangeable. It doesn’t matter which one plays with the ball; it’s clear that their chemistry is through the roof, and rightfully so. Defensively, they don’t back down; both can pickpocket the opposing ball-handler with little hesitation. The Truong’s carried their team game after game this summer, simply put. They’ll be worth keeping an eye on as they go into their junior year.