Pool play finishes and bracket play commences as Saturday at the EPLAY Boys Summer Championship saw exciting performances and close, heated contest in the evening. ProSkills 17U and Los Angeles Rockfish roll through pool and bracket play as a few prospects caught our eye.
Devin Newton Shines in Bracket Play
2018 Devin Newton ran the show for Southwest Elite on Saturday. He took the reigns on offense and became a leader on the floor. Against Urban ASAK, Newton found his teammates when he attacked the paint and continued to put pressure on the defense. The staff will continue to evaluate Devin and see if he can continue to be a floor general.
JB Mukeba Shows his Presence in the Paint
The TBB staff first saw the 2019 forward in May and we were intrigued with his face-up and back to the basket play. On Saturday, Mukeba was a handful inside finishing above the rim and using his quick first step to blow by his defender on his path to the rim. Mukeba is a potential top 40 player in his class and his performances on Saturday boosted his stock.
Top Guard Performers
Jalen Mullens, 2019 PG – The Program Red: Mullens is a scrappy guard that scored off the bounce and defended the full length of the court. Jalen’s ability to get to his spots and compete on the defensive end with intensity kept the young Program team in position to win on Saturday.
Calvin Carpenter, 2019 PG – Louisiana Roundballers: The shifty Carpenter excels in the open court and scored off the dribble consistently against RM5-East. Carpenter’s swagger and confidence are tools that allow him to score in bunches and effect the game quick.
Isaiah Range, 2019 G – ProSkills: Range knows how to use his body, he is productive when he posts up smaller guards and initiating contact on drives. Range scored in double figures in all his games Saturday and will be needed in ProSkills premier matchup against LA Rockfish on Sunday.
Jamal Shead, 2020 PG – Urban ASAK-Shead: A guard that continues to pique our interest in the 2020 class is Jamal Shead. The Pfugerville Central guard facilitated and got his teammates involved early but also obtain a bucket when his team needed to stop a run. Jamal plays with a fearlessness and may have cemented a spot on our top 25 list in the fall..
Chris Austin, 2018 PG – LA Rockfish: Austin plays within his strengths and knows how to get to his spots. He doesn’t get too deep into the teeth of the defense as he showcased a smooth stroke from 12 ft out off the bounce. Austin is a quietly productive player that has been efficient for Rockfish’s backcourt.
Jerrod Fields, 2018 PG – CYM: Fields has a good feel when running the point and has been consistent all weekend. The staff likes what Fields brings to the table as a scorer and facilitator but also communicates on both ends.
Collin Wilkerson, 2019 G/F – Ballers Nation: Wilkerson was one of our potential sleepers in our preview and he has been instrumental in Ballers Nation unblemish record on Saturday. The lefty out of New Summerfield scored in a variety of ways and plays bigger than his 6’4 size.
Forwards & Bigs
Jakevan Leftridge, 2019 CF – ProSkills: The rangy 4/3 man played above the rim and ran the floor well in the open court. Leftridge did a better job finishing through contact and his activity on both ends is something the TBB wants to see from Jakevan on a consistent basis.
Tripp Mays, 2019 PF – BigTyme Sports: The Sunnyvale product played with more aggression than when we evaluated Tripp in January. The 6’7 forward can space the floor with a solid stroke from the perimeter but we were mainly impressed with his ability to alter shots and bang in the paint.
Preston Okerele, 2019 F – BigTyme Sports: Okerele shared the frontcourt with Mays and they fed off each other on Saturday. Preston was scoring inside and out and is starting to turn the corner some but still has some ways to go into reaching his ceiling.
Tyrese Taylor, Urban ASAK Gold: The burly, strong power forward enforced his will in the paint. Taylor showed an improved stroke from 14 ft out and averaged a double-double on Saturday. Taylor really pursues the ball off the glass at both ends of the floor and finished inside at a high clip. A top 40 TBB prospect for 2019, Taylor is a handful when he plays focused.
CJ Weathers, 2018 PF-RM5 East: Weathers had three double figure outings on Saturday. The lefty showcased a smooth stroke from 15 ft and finished more efficient in the paint. This weekend was a good start for Weathers in the live period but the staff needs to see if he can consistently put it together.
Notable Performers
Sean Como, 2018 PG – Blade
Osayi Osifo, 2019 PF – Elite Academy
Xavier Elam, 2018 G/F – ProSkills
Hunter Woods, 2018 F – LA Rockfish
William McBride, 2020 SG – Urban ASAK – Snead
Quevian Adger, 2020 F – BMM
Brian Wilson, 2018 PG – Texas Cougars