Brian Flinn:
Future150 National Recruiting Analyst. Covering high school basketball nationally.
Springfield, MA (Future150) -- On the final day of the HoopHall Classic, there were plenty of competitive games and a player who stepped up when their team needed them the most. Here are a few of the players who stood out.
Markis McDuffie, 2015 SF, St. Anthony’s: McDuffie put his long and lanky frame to use, getting to the rim and being St. Anthony’s most efficient rebounder. He has improved his handle in the last few months and despite still being rail-thin, he finished through contact on multiple occasions.
Josh Reaves, 2015 SG, Paul VI: Reaves is rapidly improving and looks more and more like a high major player every time out. He gets to the rim with ease and has great athleticism. He uses his athleticism to be a menace defensively. He finished with 14 points, 9 boards, and 4 blocks in a strong all-around performance during their win over St. Anthony’s (NJ) Monday.
Theo Pinson, 2014 SF, Wesleyan Christian: Pinson was great for an over-matched Wesleyan Christian squad vs. Findlay Prep. He showed off his full offensive arsenal, going up against Kelly Oubre. He plays hard and is a natural leader. He will be a welcome addition for the Tar Heels moving forward.
Kelly Oubre, 2014 SF, Findlay Prep: Oubre is as talented of a player as anyone in the country. He is an elite level wing that can both score and defend. He shouldered the scoring load in the first half for his team and helped them win in a comfortable fashion.
Paul White, 2014 PF, Whitney Young: White has really improved as a player and looks to be poised to break into the top 50 in our rankings. He has a great shooting stroke and can create off the bounce, as he showed in the basket that ultimately sealed the win for Whitney Young vs. Oak Hill. He should form a tough duo with fellow 2014 commit Isaac Copeland.
Terrence Phillips, 2015 PG, Oak Hill: He is the motor that makes this Oak Hill team run and his fingerprints where all over their game. He finished with 8 points, 9 assists, and 3 rebounds in a tough loss. He has been flying under-the-radar nationally but that seems like it’s about to change.
Cliff Alexander, 2014 PF, Curie: Alexander had arguably the most dominant 12 minute span in the high school ranks this year as he put his team on his back and willed them to an upset over the number one team in the country in Montverde. He is a beast in the paint and tries to dunk everything. Defensively he is long and is an intimidating force in the paint. He looks like he could be the next star big man for Bill Self and company.
Ben Simmons, 2015 PF, Montverde: The loss aside, Simmons is one of the most talented players in the country and is making a serious push for the title of top player in the class of 2015. He is freakishly athletic but very skilled as well. At 6-foot-8 he is able to play 4 positions. LSU has a program changer on their hands.
Rex Pflueger, 2015 SG, Mater Dei: Pflueger looks to be one of the top scorers on the est coast; He has a great stroke and can create his own shot off the bounce. At 6-foot-5, he has good size for his position and is a fluid athlete. It is easy to see why he has become a priority for a majority of the Pac-12.
JaQuan Newton, 2014 SG, Neumann-Goretti: Newton is off to Miami next year and really looks as though he will be a fantastic fit for the Hurricanes. He can play either guard spot and can really score the rock. He did what he could to keep his team around a Mater Dei team that may be the best one in the country.
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