MBCA Showcase Top Performers Pt. 1 - Prep Hoops (2024)

When Tommy caught on the block, there really wasn’t anything defenders could do to stop him. His combination of size, strength, and coordination allowed him to back opposing bigs down into deep position before finishing over the top with ease. Tommy was dangerous out of the pick & roll, and also showed his ability to step out and hit a couple of threes in the first game of the night. Quick off the floor to step in from the dunker spot, catch, and elevate for powerful dunks. Was extremely productive in Friday night’s games.

Jayden thrived in the fast paced style of play at this event. In the first game on Friday night he excelled at setting up his teammates, and after going through my footage I believe he finished with 13 or 14 assists in that one game. He was setting up his teammates in a variety of ways, threading the needle after coming off screens, driving and kicking to his shooters, and throwing the ball ahead in transition. Moore just found ways to create good looks for everyone else on the floor, having a major impact on the game without needing to take many shots of his own.

Emmanuel Jentzen

Emmanuel Jentzen

Possibly the biggest surprise of the event, Emmanuel showcased his long-term potential while also producing at a high level in the two games I watched. At 6’5-6’5 he’s a long and athletic wing who also spent time handling the ball for his team. He changes directions so quickly at his size, and was dangerous getting downhill to attack the basket. Utilizes his length to extend and finish from a variety of angles around the rim, and has the bounce to go up and finish over defenders. Was consistently knocking down threes off the dribble, forcing opposing wings to step out and defend him well beyond the arc.

Mason did a nice job of not forcing his game over the weekend. In an event with talent at every spot on the floor, a lot of players get caught trying to do too much to stick out. Mason made his presence felt with his scrappiness on the defensive end, pressuring opposing point guards and showing quick hands to poke the ball free for a few steals in the games I watched. Was often the smallest guy on the floor but plays with a lot of toughness. Offensively he made the most of his chances as he was knocking down threes with efficiency. Mason is a dangerous shooter off the catch with deep range beyond the arc.

I liked the energy that Isaiah was bringing to the floor, as he was looking to play fast and was always in attack mode. If he got a defensive board or received an outlet pass, he was looking to push the ball up the floor, and often times got easy lay-ups in transition as he was beating defenders up the floor. In the half-court Isaiah was stretching the floor from three, and if he missed a shot he was sprinting back on D instead of pouting around. Did a nice job of moving without the ball as he looked to open up pockets of space to catch and shoot.

As I was writing this Marley just committed to UND, fresh off of another strong weekend shooting the ball. At 6’6+ he’s a capable floor stretcher, and he knocked down 6 threes in game one on Friday night playing with and against some of the best prospects in Minnesota. Capable of hitting shots off the catch or dribble, once Marley got into a rhythm he was just bringing the ball up the floor and creating space to instantly get into his shot. Wasn’t looking to force his game, but when he got hot he was able to knock down a couple of heat-check shots. Combines length, athleticism, and outside shooting the makes him a dangerous stretch-four/big wing.

Isa showcased impressive change of speed across the two games I watched over the weekend. He can lull defenders to sleep and then blow by them to get into the paint, where he’s effective as both a passer and finisher. Can extend and finish when given a clear path to the rim, but also excels at zipping out passes to his open shooters on the perimeter. He was excellent in transition where he sees the floor so well, and is able to deliver bounce passes through tight gaps to hit a teammate sprinting the floor. Mixed in a few made jumpers as he racked up both points and assists over the weekend.