Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Portland, OR (Future150) -- It was an eventful weekend for Future150, as we hit the road for Portland, Oregon to take in action at the Hoop Source President's Day Tournament, which has been known to bring in top talent from across the country. This year was no different, as several teams and stars showed their best on a national platform.
Team Lillard Wins HoopSource President's Day 8th Grade Title
While it's early in the year, Team Lillard (CA) made a serious case for being the best 2022 team in the country, taking down Team Thrill (MD) 58-56 in the championship game of the Hoop Source President's Day Tournament on Monday afternoon in Oregon. Behind big performances from a combination of four of the best prospects in California and Nevada, they went undefeated over the weekend, and set the stage for high expectations for the remainder of the 2018 AAU season.
Growing Las Vegas Post Max Allen Continues His Ascension
It's not often that you find a player who has grown 4-5 inches in less than one calendar year, but that's exactly what Max Allen did in 2017. A 6'2"ish forward last year, he's now grown into a dominating 6'7" post who not only led Team Lillard to a title in Portland, but was named MVP in the process. He used his wide frame, impressive footwork and bullying offensive and defensive mindset to show why he's going to be counted among the most impressive bigs in the country at this stage. He's headed to Bishop Gorman (NV) in the fall, so you'll be hearing a lot more about him on a national level. However, he wasn't the only standout for Lillard, as Jeremiah Dargan, Darrion Williams & Milos Uzan all had their moments as national level prospects in Portland.
Grassroots Canada Takes Home 7th Grade Championship Trophy
On a weekend where they were rarely tested, Grassroots Canada (CAN) showed out in the United States, and were led by the #1 prospect in the class of 2023 to this point. Elijah Fisher, an athletic and imposing 6'4" wing, did anything and everything that he wanted throughout the weekend. He showed off explosive leaping ability and scored the basketball on all three levels with ease. Playing Robin to his Batman was another highly touted 7th grade national prospect in California 6'1" combo guard Mikey Williams, who also showed dominating stretches for his team in Portland. CP3 made an impressive run to the title game on the West Coast, but couldn't get past the impressive Grassroots Canada bunch.
Elite Wings Strut Their Stuff In Portland
Two of the best 2022 wing prospects in America went to work at HoopSource President's Day. Team Thrill (MD) 6'5" prospect Jarace Walker not only proved his status as a top five national prospect with some of the dazzling moments he had, but we were introduced to another potential elite national prospect in Texas Hard Work (TX) small forward Colin Smith. While the 6'6" prospect isn't nearly as productive as Walker at this point, there's no denying his tools and the flashes that he shows when combining his size, athleticism and perimeter shooting. As it stands right now, he's one of the top five wings in the country based on upside alone.
3 More Standouts From HoopSource President's Day Weekend:
Keyonte George, G, Drive Nation (TX): We were blown away by the skill and production level of the 6'1" shooting guard prospect from Dallas. A lights-out shooter with excellent mechanics, he carried the load offensively for an extremely impressive Texas group all weekend long, and immediately showed he's one of the elite talents in the country at his position.
Joyful Hawkins, F, Atlanta Big Five (GA): Emerging from the small town of Brunswick, Georgia on the southeast coast of the state is a bouncy 6'7" forward prospect who immediately projects as one of the best forwards in the country at his position. He's a high motor prospect who grabs every rebound in sight and finishes well around the tin.
Austin Nunez, G, Hard Work (TX): The 5'9" lefty put on a show over the weekend, showing off a deadly perimeter stroke as well as using his ball skills and wiggle in his game to avoid traps and aggressive on-ball defense. He continues to show why he's one of the elite prospects in the country at the point guard position.
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