This is a three part series and in the first episode, I'll talk about three headlines from the two practice sessions (with some scrimmaging going towards the end of each practice) and a full scrimmage.

Ace Bailey Checks A Lot of Boxes

I haven’t had the chance to see Ace Bailey play much this year, but he pops out when he enters the game. Even in the drills, looking at him elevate and shoot, the fluidity with his athleticism and handle was present. A big wing at about 6’9 that can create his own look, make separation off the bounce and is a playmaker in the open court, Bailey also has positional size, adequate handle combined with shooting and scoring upside. Bailey showed why he’s one of the best in the national 2024 class and is intriguing to NBA Scouts. 

Zoom Diallo Made Presence Known in Thursday Afternoon’s Practice

The afternoon session on Thursday was a good evaluation opportunity, especially after a morning practice and a decent break. I was looking for which player's energy would still be up and who would finish strong. Zoom Diallo, a 2024 point guard, fit that bill. A strong, pure point guard with good positional size, Diallo utilizes his strength to create space off the dribble, albeit without a crazy burst. He’s very shifty though and is an intuitive passer. Diallo also finds an off-ball cutter when in isolation or coming off a ball-screen. He also excelled when he got a paint touch, making no-look passes to the guy at the dunker spot or open at the 3-point line. Defensively, Diallo competed and moved well laterally. Zoom really impacted the session with his passing and paint touches.

Ian Jackson, Vyctorius Miller Show Out on Friday

Going into the next day, Friday’s full scrimmage run was a competitive one. Vyctorius Miller came out the gates fast, showing his adequate pull-up game, decision making and poise as the primary ball-handler. At 6-foot-5 and labeled as a two-guard, I thought Miller showed the ability to play on and off the ball effectively. Streaky as a 3-point shooter, but it’ll get better with reps and time. He has quietly been one of the better guard performers this week. 

UNC commit Ian Jackson, another one of the nations' top guards in the 2024 class, made his presence known. A quick twitch athlete that’s a regular visitor of the paint. Jackson blew by defenders, showed dexterity in his finishes and just knows how to finish vs. length well. Even when guys knew he was trying to get to the rim, it didn’t matter because Jackson flashed his counters, changed speeds and got where he wanted. 

The post Three Headlines: Elite 24 Edition appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Games were won, scholarships were earned, and new names popped on the radar at the Under Armour Association Session 1. Here are a few of the top rising senior performers:

Derik Queen, 6’10, C, Team Thrill 17U, 2024
The highest ranked senior in the Under Armour Association lived up to the hype and more in Phoenix, pacing Team Thrill to a 5-0 record in front of future lottery pick (and Team Thrill alumni) Jarace Walker. Rocking a new svelte frame, the uber talented big man was far more explosive than he was a year ago. The Baltimore native got whatever position he wanted on the block, converted via his feathery touch with both hands, and used his more slender frame to pop above the rim from a number of dunks. Blending his new frame with his immense skill set for a new age center, Queen will have his choice of virtually any school in the nation.

Vyctorius Miller, 6’5, SG, West Coast Elite 17U, 2024
One of the smoother players in the class of 2024, Miller helped West Coast Elite cruise to a 5-0 record. The L.A. native is a big time shot creator who has no problems creating separation, has quick hands on D, and has really shown potential as a potential combo guard down the road. Gonzaga, LSU, Kansas, San Diego State, and USC were just a few of the college programs sitting courtside to watch Silkk The Shocker’s son put on a show in Mesa.

Cole Certa, 6’5, SG, Illinois Wolves 17U, 2024
One of the most fearless players that we saw in the UAA was Certa. Owning no shortage of confidence, Certa showed ridiculous range on his jumpshot and was a threat any time that he was on the court. Just as impressive as his shot itself was how well the Bloomington Central Catholic guard relocated without the ball and constantly stayed on the move. Having visited Notre Dame this past week, Certa had no shortage of blue blood programs sitting courtside evaluating him throughout the weekend.

Jayce Nathaniel, 6’8, PF, Team Curry 17U, 2024
While I had heard the buzz about him, it was my first time checking out Nathaniel at the UAA and he did not disappoint. The versatile forward shot the ball well from the perimeter with his feet set, was a constant double-double machine, and beat slower defenders with straight line drives to the rack. The Lanier HS (GA) forward already owns a Georgia offer, but there are countless more high major programs who were sitting courtside to see him in Phoenix.

Tey Barbour, 6’4, SG, DC Premier 17U, 2024
A player who I had not seen prior to the weekend, Barbour definitely showed that he’s a wing to watch in the DMV. Barbour was the model of consistency scoring double figures in all five games, getting to the rack with limited dribbles, and keeping the defense honest with his perimeter jumper. Holding a 4.2 GPA, Barbour already holds offers from Harvard and no shortage of other high academic mid-major programs, so he’s going to be good both on and off the court for a long time.

Chris Catchings, 6’5, SF/PF, Houston Defenders 17U
While he doesn’t necessarily fit the mold of any particular position, Catchings is merely one of those dudes who gets it done. Able to play inside and out, Catchings can punish smaller guys on the block with his broad shoulders, shoots it out to the 3-point line, and defends multiple positions. Owning a 3.9 GPA, Catchings has had programs such as Yale, Lehigh, Old Dominion, and Sam Houston State inquiring about the Fort Bend Marshall junior’s services.

The post UAA Session I 2024 Top Performers! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

The post "This AIN'T TIK TOK!" Jared McCain vs 5 Star Vyctorius Miller Gets HEATED in Championship Game! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

The post LeBron PUTS UP SHOTS w/ Bronny! Strive For Greatness DUNK EVERYTHING! Tre White, Tezz, Jah & More! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

The post 5 Stars GO AT IT! Mikey Williams, Jah Jackson vs Brandon Huntley & JJ Taylor! Main Event FULL GAME! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

The post Mikey Williams & Jah Jackson TEAM UP Once Again!! CRAZY Poster Dunks & Highlights In Nashville! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.