Day Two Grassroots Showcase Notebook From Justin Byerly
Louisville, KY -
Day two is in the books at The Kentucky Expo Center and things are shaping up to be an electric Sunday with some semi-finals and championship games on deck. Things have gone smoothly; we have seen some players that we will continue to write about and we are in a state that loves basketball.
As I cruised the roads near the event venue, I made the decision to keep it real and dine at Kentucky Fried Chicken beside a biker bar. I must say, the chicken tastes a little better up here. Until next time Louisville.
Trey Thompson Brings Impact
With what I saw today out of Greenville (TN) High School forward Trey Thompson, I think he is a guy that can make an impact as a freshman at the next level. He is being recruited at the highest level and I think his game will translate. He can stretch the floor, he can score out in the open floor. On several occasions his teammates with Team Impact just threw the ball near the rim and Thompson corralled it and threw it down. He has length and timing as a rebounder and shot-blocker.
His offer list is a who's who among the top college programs in the land and Thompson is one of those prospects that by-pass the transfer portal era. He can impact the game just the way he is.
Next Up With Tennessee Tigers
I have always liked prospects that have a little stuff to them. Guys that talk a little junk, guys that defend, and guys that carry themselves a certain way on the floor. The Tennessee Tigers have a guy like that with 2027 prospect Ayden Glenn. The 6-foot-1 guard is as smooth as silk with the ball in his hands. On top of that, he is a lefty, and nobody doesn't like a lefty shooter. It just comes off the fingertips different and man isn't it pretty when they drop. The quick twitch first-step that he possesses is as quick as I have seen for his size, year and position this travel season. I think he can be a special player for Chip Smith's program.
In two games today, the shooting guard scored 15 points and 12 points, respectively. What might go unnoticed in those stats are his ability to rebound at a high rate for his position and his defensive instincts. When he turns it on and plays defense, he causes deflections, stops and steals. Glenn recently transferred to Christ Presbyterian Academy.
Durham Hurricanes Are On A Roll
Bull City. Durham, North Carolina. Known as an area in North Carolina that YOU have to recruit. They say the people there are Durham tough. Same goes for basketball. Those dudes from Bull City are built a little different.
One guy that stood out today for the program was Aden Jeffries. The 6-foot-7 wing who is transferring to Southern Durham High School has been in St. Louis at Cardinal Ritter Prep High School. Some of you older readers will remember the name Loren Woods and Chris Carrawell as guys that came from that program.
Jeffries is a long and slender built forward that can destroy rims and score from all over the floor. In the two games today, Jeffries scored 18 points and 11 points respectively. He also knocked down five three-pointers in those two outings. Programs like the Hurricanes have a style of prospect and way of playing that resonates with them since the beginning and this edition is no different.
The Durham Hurricanes will play in the semifinals of the Platinum Championship against Cave Gym Elite tomorrow at 10:10AM.
Shooters Shoot
Griffin Elite's UA Rise 17 and under program came to Louisville for this warm-up event before their circuit kicks off and they have been impressive so far. In the game I caught today, it was Tate Robinson who was the guy that stood out. He connected on eight, three-pointers for the night and finished with 26 points. He scored 20 points in their second game of the day against We Play Basketball. Through three games today, Robinson scored 57 points.
The junior guard was named Honorable Mention All-City by The Lexington Herald after the high school season and will be a key piece for Fredrick Douglas High School this upcoming season.
