Derek Piper:
Future150 Midwest Analyst Covering high & middle school basketball. IL, IN, KY, OH, MI, MO & WI
Louisville, KY (Future150) -- Future150 has been on the scene at AAU Nationals in Louisville this week. There are a number of top prospects who continue to raise their stock in their respective classes, while others are securing their spot on the radar. Here are some of the top performers from the last few days.
Justin Robinson, 2015 PG, Boo Williams: Robinson was huge for Boo Williams in their run to the semifinals of the Peach Jam last week, and he has continued to impress here in Louisville. While he isn’t in the conversation amongst the top point guards on the national stage, Robinson has proven to be a high-caliber prospect in the class. He is extremely tough, and he has shown an ability to score in a variety of ways. On Friday, Robinson hit three triples in the first half in a win against the Travelers.
Seth Towns, 2016 SF, VCC Ohio Warriors: At 6’8”, Towns is a long, athletic wing who possesses one of the purest strokes on the AAU circuit. He can make you pay with even the slightest bit of space. Towns is lethal from beyond the arc, and he also showcased a smooth pull-up jumper. Towns was a big-time performer on Thursday night in front of Xavier head coach Chris Mack, Iowa assistant Kirk Speraw, Michigan assistant Bacari Alexander and others.
Eli Wright, 2016 SG, KY Hoop Dreams: Wright has been spectacular this summer, and his list of offers the last few months tells the story. At 6’5”, Wright is an athletic scorer who can get buckets from anywhere on the court. He is especially good off the dribble, and he also has a solid lefty stroke. Wright was dominant on Thursday night in front of Louisville head coach Rick Pitino and Mississippi State head coach Rick Ray. Assistants from Indiana, Purdue and Florida State were also in attendance.
Jimmy Whitt, 2015 PG, KC Run GMC: Whitt has proven to be one of the best scoring point guards in the 2015 class. At 6’3”, he has good length and athleticism, which allow him to make plays off the bounce and on the defensive end. Whitt utilizes the ball screen to perfection, with an ability to drive to the hoop, pull up for a jumper or knock down the three. He has elevated himself to an elite level this summer with his performance on the circuit and at the NBPA Top 100 Camp. Illinois head coach John Groce and Nebraska head coach Tim Miles watched him on Friday, in addition to assistants from Marquette, Missouri and others.
Mitchell Ballock, 2017 SF, KC Run GMC: Ballock is one of the top prospects in the 2017 class, and he has lived up to the hype in Louisville this week. At 6’4”, Ballock is a long, athletic wing who is extremely skilled for his age. He can beat you off the dribble and above the rim, and he also has a smooth lefty stroke. Ballock is a big reason why his team is still alive in the 16U bracket play this weekend. He has offers from Iowa State and Creighton, and the Cyclones watched him on Thursday.
Justin Roberts, 2016 PG, KC Run GMC: Roberts has all the qualities that coaches look for in a point guard at the next level. He is quick off the dribble and he isn’t shy about being a leader on the floor. Roberts also has a high basketball IQ and a good stroke from the outside. It’s easy to tell he comes from a basketball family, with his father being Kansas assistant Norm Roberts. He and Ballock make for one of the best 16U combos at AAU Nationals this week.
Matt Moyer, 2016 PF, VCC Ohio Warriors: Moyer is a highlight reel waiting to happen with the way he plays above the rim. The long, athletic power forward threw down a pair of emphatic slams on Thursday night in front of a slew of college coaches. Head coaches Chris Collins (Northwestern) and Mack (Xavier) were in attendance, in addition to assistants from Dayton, Iowa, Kansas State, Michigan, Penn State, Virginia Tech and others. Moyer is a hot commodity in the 2016 class, and he picked up offers from Florida and Vanderbilt on Friday.
Tyler Cook, 2016 PF, St. Louis Eagles: Cook is a force on the interior with his size and aggression. At 6’8”, he is an athletic scorer in the paint, and he is also a great defender with his strength and shot blocking ability. Groce watched him on Friday, in addition to assistants from Florida, Iowa, Kansas State, Marquette, Virginia Tech and others. Cook’s stock has been on a steady incline and there are no signs of that stopping any time soon.
Jordan Bone, 2016 PG, Team Thad: Bone is one of many highly-skilled guards at Team Thad’s disposal. At 6’1”, Bone is a quick point guard with great handles and a high basketball IQ. He knows how to play within the system, while creating for himself and his teammates. Bone also has a good pull-up jumper off the dribble. He will soon be recognized as one of the better talents in Tennessee in the 2016 class.
Chase Thomas, 2017 PG, cPhase Elite: Thomas is small in stature (5’8”) but his impact on the floor is large in comparison. He is extremely quick off the dribble, and he is a great passer in transition and in the half court. Thomas is also a good shooter from beyond the arc, and he finds a way to finish at the rim around taller defenders. Reigning from the same high school as Whitt (Hickman), Thomas looks to be the next wave of talent at the position.
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