6’4 ’28 Marc Watkins (Team Loaded 757)
Several guys within the Team Loaded 757 organization turned heads throughout the weekend, and that certainly includes Watkins. He’s a strong, athletic, physically overpowering forward with a quality level of skill for his size/position. Watkins is a reliable post-up threat who can finish through contact, attack off the bounce, or knock down jumpers at a solid clip. His activity as a rebounder leads to consistent second-chance opportunities. Watkins defends with toughness and utilizes his body well to absorb contact. Between his production and leadership by example, it was easy to be impressed with everything he showcased.
5’9 ’28 Joc Mitchell (Team Loaded 757)
Though somewhat unassuming at first glance, Mitchell made a lasting impression with this group. He’s a smart, scrappy guard who understands how to make his presence felt with or without the ball in his hands. Mitchell is a knockdown shooter with deep range and a quick release. He’s able to consistently hit shots off the catch or bounce and appears comfortable coming off movement. However, Mitchell also highlighted the ability to run the offense, create for others, and touch the paint at a solid volume. The skilled, pesky guard should only continue to progress.
6’0 ’30 Zyire Howard (Juice Crew)
It feels like every viewing of Juice Crew is a new opportunity to watch Howard dominate. He does legitimately everything possible to establish himself as a leader in all facets of the game. Howard reliably and intelligently dictates the offensive action, displaying a quality blend of vision, decision-making, and scoring prowess. He’s able to knock down jumpers along the perimeter, but is arguably at his best when utilizing his size and physicality to get downhill and finish. Howard is able to defend multiple positions, force turnovers, and set the tone as a rebounder. It’s difficult to say anything other than positives about the way he leads this group.
6’5 ’30 Darren Carey (Team Grind)
Although there are plenty of physically imposing players at the middle-school level, Carey is simply an overwhelming mismatch for the majority of opponents. At 6-foot-5 and built like an absolute tank, he’s able to dominate on both ends of the floor. Carey is a strong finisher, rebounder, and defender. He displays solid touch around the basket but can also make kickout passes or draw fouls and convert at the line. Carey controls the glass with relative ease and blocks shots at a consistent rate defensively. If he continues to grow, his upside could be scary.
6’4 ’29 Jordan White (Virginia Phenom Jr)
Despite some struggles as a team, White stood out as an intriguing prospect with visible long-term upside. He’s already a long, fluid athlete with great size and natural instincts on both ends of the floor. White impacts the game as a finisher, rebounder, and interior defender. He’s currently bigger than most of his peers but also displays feel and a developing skillset. White is truly just beginning to scratch the surface of his long-term abilities, so it’ll be interesting to follow his growth going forward.