Grassroots Showcase Day One Notebook from @TJBScouting
LOUISVILLE, KY - The Grassroots Showcase is the biggest event in the country thus far and this is our third year in the Bluegrass State. With teams from all over the country and a live period for college coaches there was a lot to see on the late afternoon and into the night. Let's jump right in.
Florida Athletes Are Different
SCE Ward was the first team from Florida that I watched tonight and there is just something different about an athlete from The Sunshine State. Javon Brown is a long and lanky forward that likes to dunk everything he thinks that he has a chance off dunking. Jakorian Lamb, another long and athletic forward is a lefty with a soft-touch around the basket. SCE Ward got the win over DB Elite in the 5PM game.
Ball 4 Lfye, another Florida team was also impressive in their win over Juice All-Stars in a tight game later on in the night. Jermaine Council is an explosive guard that can thrives at getting into the lane and finishing. Also for Ball 4 Lyfe was a 6-foot-6 forward that has length and athleticism. Low-major Division I and Division II schools should be taking a look at all four of these Floridians.
In The Driver Seat
Abraham Driver for Juice All-Stars was impressive again so far this week. He has been on my radar for the last couple of weeks after his play at The Carolina Jam. Driver is a big man at 6-foot-7 with really good footwork and a soft-touch around the rim. He finished tonight with 13 points. He is easy to find in the post and understands where he needs to be to get the ball. He keeps the ball high when the help-defense comes and he can find the open teammate in the trap. He can score over either shoulder and looks to be a college prospect with what we have seen lately.
LionChaser United Look The Part
The program out of eastern North Carolina keeps on winning on the HoopSeen stage. Their only loss has came at the hands of Iso Joe last week. The play of Zyvaun Puckett has been steady all travel season. A physically built guard with a lot of Jazian Gortman in his game continues to impress me with his explosiveness when he gets in the paint and his scoring ability at the rim. The 2026 prospects for this team are going to be fun to watch over the next few years.
Ahrens Was Impressive
Monarchs forward Spencer Ahrens was the best that I have saw him. He was able to score from any situation he was in tonight against Team Trezz. He was taking guys off the dribble, using the euro-set to perfection and finishing at the rim with an acrobatic lay-in. He has the size and the skillset at this stage in his career where we can see what the big-time offers came from. It's hard to tell just yet if that is the exact level he will play at but from what we saw tonight, he is one the right track.
