News » Event Reports

16U Action from Nationals

By: Brett Blevins

The Arkansas Wings got beat by Nike Team Florida, but they definitely have a few high major prospects.

Arkansas Wings

Ky Madden(2011) is a very promising wing prospect who played the point for the majority of the game. He is long and thin at 6'5. In the half court he has good wiggle to get into the lane. Playing the 1 will do nothing but improve him for the next level. His list is enormous but of the schools showing interest it appears Kansas may have an inside track.

Hunter Mickelson(2011) is another player, on the Wings squad, with that great length that coaches loves. Mickelson is very skilled at 6'10. He is improving his shooting range out to the college 3 and has great touch. He has the ability to play the pick/pop game, as well as drive it from the mid-wing or elbow area. As he improves his strength he will be able to drive it from farther out on the court. Mickelson claims offers from Ole Miss, Baylor, and Wake Forest, with Florida, Texas, and LSU coming on amongst others.

Aaron Ross(2011 Arkansas commit) is a combo forward standing 6'8. The difference between him and his other teammates is to go with great length, Ross has some muscle on his frame. Ross is a double-double kid who can do a little bit of everything.

David Rivers(2011) is a 6'6 wing that didn't show a whole bunch offensively in this game because he didn't touch it a whole bunch. He did impress with his effort and disruptive defensive effort. He is another D1 prospect on this loaded Arkansas Wings team.

Darion Griswold(2011) is an intriguing two-sport prospect. He is getting high to mid-major attention in football at quarterback and some low to mid-major looks for basketball. We look to follow up to see where his interest is in playing both at the next level. Griswold is a wide body at 6'6 240.

Nike Team Florida

Dennis Diaz(2011) is a strong 6'4 lefty that has had a great showing at Nationals. He plays extremely hard and can finish through contact. Diaz has a great feel for the game and moves well without the ball. His jumper needs some fine-tuning but he has hit out to the 3 point line on occasion. His size and attacking nature allows him to get to the FT line a bunch where he is pure.

Deante Saunders(2011) is another physically strong guard for Nike Team Florida. At 5'11 he is an exceptional shooter with a quick release. If you do not honor it, it is going up and going in. Saunders has a quick first step and can finish with either hand around the rim. Look for him to continue to improve his pull-up game, catch and shoot abilities, as well as tightening his handle to become a major lead guard prospect.

Jason Pimentel(2011) is an active 6'7 bigman who competes defensively and on the glass. He is not extremely long, but is fairly strong at this stage in his development. He showed ability to go lefty or righty hook. He gave the thin forwards from Arkansas all they could handle on the glass.

We watched the Jackson Tigers a few times, who obviously should have been the favorite in the 16U bracket play. They were upset by Team STAT after running through most of the other competition.

Jackson Tigers

Johnny O'Bryant(2011) is going to be one of the highest rated big men in the class by the time it is all said and done. The 6'9 O'Bryant showed great athleticism around the basket finishing a variety of reverses after spinning baseline. He did display some perimeter skills as far as ball-handling and shooting, although his release on his jumper makes him a streaky shooter. O'Bryant dominated the backboards on both ends with his size and jumping ability. He needs to concentrate on playing with consistent effort and playing tougher on the block. Smaller defenders routinely push him out away from the basket, where he counters with that quick spin baseline. O'Bryant has great tools, so look for him to be a highly coveted, nationally recruited player. He list still remains at the 5 schools we reported from Lebron Skills Academy.

Mychal Ammons(2011) is a strong lefty that is a veteran of the summer basketball scene, having been around since 8th grade. Now 6'6, he uses his great size and strength to really pressure people defensively. He led his team in scoring against Boo Williams Summer League with 20 points. Ammons has improved his jumpshot and is now capable of shooting out to the high school 3 point line with relative consistency. He knows how to create space of the dribble for his jumpshot. Ammons also will attack the rim and is not afraid to play through contact.

Tyler Adams(2011) is a big bodied 6'10 center. His post game is somewhat raw, but he plays with a great motor inside. He knows how to use his size to carve space and get position. In the games we saw his offensive repertoire relies on putbacks and tip-ins. He will attack the rim on finishes even though he is not an explosive leaper. At 250 pounds, he runs the floor well, and he should be one of the better true post prospects in the class.

Jarvis Summers(2011) is an extemely quick guard who leads the Jackson attack. Now standing a shade over 6'1, with added strength, he does things that we haven't seen him do in the past, especially finishing in the paint consistenly. He is a good pull-up jumpshooter, who should improve his range to the 3-point line. He is a good leaper and changes directions with the dribble well.

We will detail more 16U teams as well as today's action later on. For now we will watch the final 4 in the 16's and some bracket play in the other age groups.

Stay tuned to Hoopsreport.com!

POSTED: 7-30-2009

[ RETURN ]