Given the fact that the next July Live Period is right around the corner, it feels like no better time to start introducing some of the players that college coaches should be monitoring. Currently amidst the busiest recruiting month of the year, our Hardwood Classic should be a hotbed for coaches and players alike. As usual, Phenom Hoops will have prospects of all levels in attendance. This series will continue by taking a closer look at Quasim Oden of Grace Christian and Team Wall.
We’ve seen Oden various times over the years, recently stating, “There’s so much intriguing talent within the Team Wall roster, and Oden consistently stood out as a personal favorite throughout the weekend. His tough, heady, quick-twitch identity allows him to legitimately harass and outwork opponents on both ends of the floor. Oden possesses great feel, anticipation, and two-way instincts with an understanding of how to assert himself within the flow of the team structure. He effortlessly breaks down opponents, touches the paint at a high volume, and generates clean looks for himself and others. Oden is a menacing defender with the ability to mirror his assignment and force turnovers with relative ease. For college programs in search of a heady floor general, Oden is worthy of attention.”
In reality, it feels like Oden is one of the more overlooked prospects among college coaches. He’s smart, heady, and incredibly tough. Oden clearly knows how to set the tone as a rugged defender with the necessary quickness, physicality, and sheer instincts to cause constant problems for opponents. He displays a high motor and quality feel for the game on both ends of the floor. Oden is excellent at getting downhill in the open floor, but also has no issue breaking down opponents and touching the paint at a high volume in half-court situations. He’s a useful shooting threat with craftiness as a finisher and playmaker. Oden is the type of player who stands out as a difference-maker in basically every type of setting or context. He should certainly be a priority amongst scholarship-level programs. College coaches can watch him July 14-16 at the Phenom Hardwood Classic.