Each travel ball season is another opportunity to discover new prospects and see the next wave of talent coming through the country. As many already know, North Carolina serves as a consistent hub for one of the most talented basketball pipelines. Not only is the Hoopstate considered home for many of the top high school, collegiate, and professional players in history, but it’s become a major destination for international guys and prospects who seek a national stage.
There are so many intriguing young prospects that it ultimately comes down to who has the work ethic and intangibles to outlast their peers. Right now, it feels like folks would be wise to bet on Gideon Anum and his long-term potential. There’s already a lot to like, so let’s take a closer look at his overall identity…
Although we’ve written about him extensively over the last few days, it’s simply because Anum is a prospect worthy of attention. No one should be surprised that Coach Morris has yet another noteworthy talent on his roster. That being said, Anum is quite different from the rest. He’s already quite physically defined, both in terms of strength and athleticism, yet still has several indicators that project continued growth. In our first viewings of Anum, he played up three age groups and consistently found ways to impact the game. His physicality and high motor allowed him to make life difficult for opponents, particularly on defense. Anum is comfortable toggling between multiple positions, making hustle plays, and rebounding at a nice rate for his position. On the other end, Anum is a blossoming offensive player who can already pass, dribble, and score. He hit shots along the perimeter but also appeared comfortable attacking closeouts and making plays with the ball in his hands. Anum finishes well through contact and plays above the rim whenever possible. He’s quite comfortable at filling in the gaps but can expand his production as needed. It’s still early, but all signs point to Anum being a name worth noting.