JB's Day Two Notebook from The Grassroots Showcase
We are back again at The Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville. We are not the only show in town this week, as Josh Tec told you, the Kentucky Derby festivities start this week, so this place is a little crowded. Let's take a look at some of the prospects that stood out on day two.
1 of 1 Elite
The mixtape and media circus that follows Mikey Williams around got to see him have one of his best games for 1 of 1 Elite during the 11AM game against 3D Empire. The nationally-ranked junior went for 20 points including the game winning lay-in and the foul to secure the win for 1 of 1 Elite.
Derin Saran was another huge reason that 1 of 1 was able to hang on and get the win over 3D Empire. The skilled guard has good size, has a great understanding of the spacing and the way the game should be played along with a scoring ability. The junior guard scored 17 points including a big three-pointer from the corner to ultimately help 1 of 1 claim the win. Saran currently holds offers from Radford and Stony Brook. I think some more recruiting letters or calls are coming his way, soon.
6-foot-3 guard Antonio Perkins also had a strong game for 1 of 1. The junior guard who played a little last season with Team United. He was impressive today with his ability to get to the rim and his shot-making. He came up big with some baskets against a good 3D Empire team in a win yesterday for 1 of 1 Elite.
Everything is Bigger in Texas
11, 11, 11 is all I kept hearing from the fans behind me during the 3D Elite game against 1of1. 11 is Gehrig Normand is the name. He scored 17 points and connected on three, three-pointers during the first half. He finished with 30 for the day. He can knock down shots from the outside, he can rise up and throw down a rim-rattling dunk on the defense, he can make fall-away jumpers and he can defend. There is a lot to like with this Texas kid. He holds offers from Kansas State, Rice, Colorado State, Oral Roberts, URTGV, and New Mexico.
Iowa's Next Big Man
Iowa Head Coach Fran McCaffery was in attendance to see MidPro Elite's Owen Freeman, a Iowa commitment, over the weekend and the big man didn't disappoint. He was a big presence down low for MidPro and showed that he has the game for the Big 10. Freeman has the skillset and the post moves already but what was impressive to me was his ability to stretch the floor with his shooting ability from outside. He is a guy that can play the four-spot at the Big 10 level and should have some momentum to make an impact when he arrives on campus.
Team Wall Program Having Great Weekend
The Team Wall 15's Show Promise
Team Wall's 16 and under group looks like they are the real deal but the 15 and under group looks like they have some dudes as well. The most impressive guy that I saw as Jamal Brown. He has a frame that looks like it will translate over to the next level. He has length and he explodes off the floor. In the game we watched yesterday, Brown scored 21 points. He made three shots from beyond the arc and he got the other half of his points near the rim on put-backs and finishes.
Team Wall 16's Have Another Weapon
As if the 16 and under group wasn't already one of the more stacked teams in the building, guard Ryan Crotty gives them another option to get baskets for Kendrick Williams' 16 and under team. Ryan Crotty, a 6-foot-3 shooting guard can make a lot of shots from the three-point line. He made four three-pointers en route to 16 points in a win yesterday. Crotty is a big piece for this team with Jayden "Juke" Harris and Ari Fulton.
Team Wall 17's Undefeated on Weekend
Our HSA program Team Wall 17's are undefeated on the weekend. The program out of Durham, North Carolina has knocked off The Pentagon Schoolers, Wisconsin Dynasty Singleton and UTS Elite Gold.
