Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Atlanta, GA (Future150) -- The 2014 Under Armour Association Finals wrapped up action on Saturday night, with We R1 winning the 17U title, New Heights winning the championship in 16U & Grassroots Indiana winning a title of their own in the 15U division. Here are a few standouts who were impressive during the final day of action:
Nate Pierre-Louis, 2017 PG, Sports U: Since the high school season, Pierre-Louis has grown to 6-foot-2, added muscle & has improved his skills both on offense and defense. He has a high basketball IQ on the floor and is equally capable of running the offense or scoring the basketball himself. Look for him to rise in the updated 2017 rankings.
DeAndre Hunter, 2016 SF, Philly Pride: The 6-foot-6 wing is a tantalizing prospect who teases us with what kind of player he can become. He shows flashes of becoming a dominant wing, but he also has stretches where he disappears in games. He's coming off an injury this past winter, and he is still rounding into form. Look for him to have a gigantic junior season and see his stock continue to rise.
Gary Trent Jr., 2017 SG, Grassroots Indiana: Not many 2017 prospects are as skilled as the 6-foot-4 wing. Not only does he show advanced skills on the offensive end, but he might be one of the best defensive prospects in the class right now, who plays with a chip on his shoulder. Very good perimeter shooter and scorer.
Elishja Duplechan, 2017 PG, Earl Watson Elite: One of the best pure point guards that we've seen to this point in 2017 is the Sheldon (CA) 5-foot-10 playmaker. He is a skilled facilitator who seemingly always makes the right play. Look for him to make a splash this winter for his high school squad.
Paul Scruggs, 2017 SG, Grassroots Indiana: The 6-foot-3 power guard is one of the most physically imposing wings that we have seen in the class. He can finish against contact around the rim, and although he is a bigger and stronger kid, he still has the ball skills and quick first step to get to the rim at any moment. Good on-ball defender as well.
Tyler Polley, 2017 SF, Miami City Ballers: The 6-foot-7 wing plays a bit like Penny Hardaway, showing off a high skill set coupled with excellent size for the position. He shoots the ball well from beyond the arc and is capable of taking his man off-the-dribble and finishing against contact.
O'Shae Brissett, 2017 F, Canada Elite: While Justin Jackson steals most of the spotlight on Canada Elite's 16U squad, Brissett, a 6-foot-7 forward, has the skills to play both inside and out, which is impressive for a 2017 player. He is active around the rim and showed he has range out to 22 feet. Expect him to start gaining considerable interest this coming school year.
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