Pool play ended, and a few bracket play games for several age groups had started. With championship Sunday on the Horizon, the intensity of games start to increase, drawing more and more interest coming the way from college coaches.
Danny Dixon 6’8″ forward/center Michigan Playmakers 17u
An unsigned senior who will attend Impact Basketball Prep in Las Vegas this upcoming season, Danny so far has brought an added dimension to an already quality Playmaker team. His greatest impact on the day was defense. With long arms and quick footwork, Dixon was able to block shots in close and and even shots on the perimeter, and when he wasn’t blocking shots, just his presence in the lane messed up the concentration for those thinking about shooting. Dixon also found a way to contribute on the offensive end. He showed off his touch from 8-10 feet, flashing into the lane, facing up and letting go, rebounded the ball well on both sides of the floor, and found teammates for assists in the high/low posts. His most complete game on the day was a 10 point, six rebound, and five block performance in a blowout victory. Eastern Michigan, U of D Mercy, and Arkansas Little Rock were in attendance for a few of Dixon’s performances.
Jalen Gibson 6’7″ forward Michigan Playmakers 17u
Gibson had a quiet yet productive day for the Playmakers. He long, athletic, and quick off the floor for a tweener small/power forward. In the team’s victory vs. St. Louis Majestic, Jalen didn’t score much, five points, but seemingly got every rebound on offensive, coming away with a total of nine rebounds in the whole game, and altering two shots. He’s got a nice touch from 10 feet and in, but is more of a garbage man when it comes to getting his points, he’s also going to have to work on not bringing the ball down when he gets a rebound, he goest from being 6’7″ to 5’7″ real quickly. If Jalen continues defensive performances like this in July, the more and more he becomes a likely scholarship player for division two schools and low division ones.
Mac Irvin Fire 15u
In the one game against Howard Pulley, not one player stood out, the whole team did, in front of every high-major college in attendance at the Chicago Summer Jam. The Fire like to push the ball, and that works when you have 6’7″ Lanell Hill of Morgan Park High School. He’s long, athletic, and a big strider on the break, giving the Fire an easy scoring opportunity when pushing tempo. 5’5″ guard Cameron Irvin also stood out on day with his shooting in the second half. During a five minute stretch in the second half, Irvin made three pull-up three pointers that was the sign of the route that would become of Howard Pulley. 6’5″ Romello Burrell showed up as well on defense, challenging shots, and rebounding at a high level.
Josh Smith 6’4″ guard/wing Michigan Playmakers 16u (Pictured)
Not too much is known about the Waverly swing man, but his game speaks for himself. He’s a shooter, and a good one to. He’s forced to play a more of a stretch four role on a team that lacks height, but Smith loves to spot up on the perimeter and shoot his southpaw j. making three 3’s in his teams opening round bracket play game, finishing with 14 points. The more he could play off screens and move without the ball, he will become a greater threat to defenses. A willing rebounder on defense, Smith also has a freakish long wing span, which he used to block a few drives to the basket. Hitting the weight room, drinking milk, and eating vegetables this Summer will help Smith become a more dominant player as opposing competition increases.
The Prep Ball Report 