This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled down to Ambassador Christian School in Huntersville, North Carolina, to cover the Cyber Interscholastic Basketball Alliance (CIBA) event. The two-day showcase featured four noteworthy teams in Bull City Prep, Phoenix Montessori Academy, California Basketball Club, and Tennessee Collegiate Academy. The four games allowed us to see a lot of high-level players compete on a quality platform against intense competition. There were several notable standouts and storylines that we will discuss, including the way JJ Sati-Grier has clearly taken the next step in his progression. Let’s take a closer look…
Watching his ascension from a little elementary school kid to his current status has been nothing short of incredible. Sati-Grier already stood out as one of the most poised, intelligent players you’ll find at a young age, but so many variables determine how the future unfolds. Fortunately, he’s a gym rat whose work ethic, intangibles, and on-court ability separate him from his peers. Sati-Grier has stayed on an extremely steady progression over the years, consistently maintaining his status as a top-tier player through each checkpoint of his journey. It’s clear that playing against notable (often older) competition his entire life has more than prepared him for the spotlight.
Now with the California Basketball Club, Sati-Grier only continues to track as a top prospect. In two games at the CIBA showcase, he posted the following stat lines:
Versus Phoenix Montessori- 20 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 8 steals.
Versus Tennessee Collegiate- 16 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Keep in mind, this production is coming alongside three members of Team USA (Brandon McCoy, Jordan Mize, and Josh Lowery). Sati-Grier perfectly fits the mold of a modern floor general. He’s a sharp playmaker whose blend of IQ, pace, vision, and crafty handle allows him to get wherever he wants on the floor. Sati-Grier is a terrific passer who sees the entire floor and consistently makes quality decisions with the ball in his hands. That being said, he’s a reliable self-creation and off-ball threat with the ability to fill it up in a variety of ways. Sati-Grier shoots the ball at a high clip from midrange and beyond the arc while applying constant pressure as a penetrating threat. He plays with a seemingly perfect balance between scoring and managing a game. Additionally, Sati-Grier defends the point of attack with energy and toughness. He anticipates incredibly well to force turnovers, both on and off ball, and rebounds at a quality rate for his position. Only in the Class of 2028, Sati-Grier continues to visibly solidify himself as one of the top guards in the country.