Young Players Lead the Way in Top 100

BOSTON – Among the events every September brings to the area is a Hoop Group Top 100 event.  Held at Boston University, the event brings about 100 high school players together for two days of drills to help teach the game and games to put the teaching to work.  Later in the day, players in grades six through nine competed in a similar event held at the same site.

There was certainly an emphasis on younger players, as many of the best prospects in attendance were underclassmen.  While not loaded with Division I prospects, some of the younger players certainly have a chance if they put the work in.

Daniel Brooks (6’3″ Sr. SG, Dorchester (MA) Catholic Memorial HS) wasn’t really different from prior observation. He’s athletic enough and makes just enough shots to keep you interested, but you also get the feeling he can be better.  Fundamentally, he has an almost natural fade on his jump shot and sometimes stops and goes up off the dribble in relatively slow motion.  In an up-tempo game, these can be hidden somewhat, but not in a half-court setting.

Andrew Chrabascz (6’4″ So. SF-PF, Portsmouth (RI) High) has good fundamentals and showed a touch from long range, but at times struggled off the dribble.  Despite that, he kept competing and made plays as a result.

Tevin Falzon (6’6″ Jr. SF, Auburndale (MA) Newton North HS) looks to be in better shape, although he still isn’t the most fluid player.  As has been the case before, however, he makes enough shots to keep you interested, showing a good mid-range touch and generally good shot selection.

Dimitri Floras (6’0″ Fr. PG-SG, Merrimack (NH) High) showed his ability to shoot the ball, with range out to about the three-point line.  He shot it off the dribble and the catch, and one time made a nice pass to a wide-open post teammate for a basket inside.

Kaleb Joseph (6’0″ Fr. PG, Nashua (NH) South HS) showed some of his potential, and he’s still got a ways to go physically.  He’s quick and surely made some friends on his team as he was pass-first all day, and he kept competing at both ends of the floor.

Andre King (5’10″ Sr. PG, Springfield (MA) Sabis Charter School) doesn’t have the best body but can certainly play.  He’s well-built, although not all of his weight is muscle, and was able to get by defenders in part from good fakes and is quicker than he looks.  His shooting range goes out to the three-point line, and if he improves his conditioning he should be better at getting by a defender.

Akosa Maduegbunam (6’3″ So. SG-SF, Charlestown (MA) High) is an intriguing prospect who looks to be getting better all the time.  He’s athletic and has a good body that can get better, and his skills, while having clear room for improvement, aren’t bad right now.

Dudy Maduegbunam (6’0″ Fr. PG-SG, Boston (MA) Match Charter School) is athletic and plays stronger than he looks, as he’s a baby physically.  He showed that he will be worth keeping an eye on.

John Powell (6’5″ So. SF-PF, Ashland (MA) High) has a good body and showed a good motor, and effort isn’t an issue.  He was around the ball and has hints of good ball skills, but clearly has to learn the game more as he is prone to forcing something that isn’t there and either turning it over or taking a bad shot.

Kyle Reardon (6’4″ So. SF, Salem (MA) Rivers School) had a nice day, especially shooting the ball as he got hot from long range in one game.  He was active and found the ball often, as he usually does, and effort is never a concern when he’s on the floor.

Latif Rivers (6’0″ Sr. PG, Avon (CT) Old Farms HS) got better as the day went along.  Although he won’t blow you away with quickness, he has a good body and knocked down several three-point shots as his confidence clearly grew.  He didn’t play especially fast, but you can’t argue with the results.

Wayne Selden (6’1″ Fr. SG-SF, Roxbury (MA) John D. O’Bryant HS) is a well-built wing with good athleticism.  He’s small for his position right now, but with more growth and development has some potential down the line.

Harrison Taggart (6’4″ Jr. SF, Cuttingsville (VT) Mill River HS) opened up some eyes with his play.  While he’s not very athletic, he’s skilled, unselfish and gets things done on the court.  He was around the ball often, and while he was a threat to find an open teammate or get a garbage basket, his jumper had to be respected as well.

Jacquille Taylor (6’7″ Fr. PF-C, Cambridge (MA) Rindge & Latin School) looked appreciably better than a few weeks ago.  The lefty post player showed some improved mobility and even a nice post move for a jump hook, both good signs.  He’s not the most fluid athlete and doesn’t box out, but those can be improved and he’s already shown progress over time.

Mo Taylor (6’5″ So. SF, Cambridge (MA) Rindge & Latin School) is clearly more advanced than his brother, even more than just being a year older would indicate.  He showed good ball skills and is well on his way to being a good wing aside from having the athleticism for the position.

Stanley Winn (5’9″ So. PG, East Boston (MA) High) is a point guard worth watching.  A baby physically, he acquitted himself well, driving through the defense well on a few occasions and making a few good passes.

Ryan Woumn (6’2″ Sr. PG, Lynn (MA) English HS) had himself a good day on Saturday, controlling the game for his team and taking over during one stretch.  He’s still not there yet physically and on a couple of occasions it showed, but that also means he still has a physical boost coming.