Samuel Brannen 5’11 150 2023 Portsmouth Christian School, Portsmouth VA
Samuel is a strong and confident guard with powerful strides, sound ball handling skills, excellent shot making consistency and strong scoring instincts. I could analyze the aesthetics of his perfect shooting form and sound mechanics but suffice it to say he is a natural shooter and a creative scorer. Sam is a high percentage shooter and knocks down shots in spot up opportunities, coming off of screens, and spreading the floor in transition. One of the area’s top shot makers! He can shoot the three ball at an incredibly high percentage, is capable of knocking down shots with a hand in his face, and is simply lights out when unguarded. A very reliable catch and shoot player either running off of screens or floating to the open spot on the perimeter, he instinctively gets open as the play develops and can comfortably knock down shots from anywhere on the floor. He gets from catch to shot pocket so quickly allowing for his quick release. He is fast and aggressive when handling the ball in the open floor and a very good decision maker in transition. Not overly quick but he does have a powerful and decisive first step off the dribble and uses ball fakes, dribble hesitations and step back crossovers nicely when creating off the dribble. Sam likes to initiate contact when tightly guarded on the catch either before the dribble to create space or leaning into his defender to close the gap and play off that contact on the drive. That’s where he’s really effective, clever in fact off the dribble. Sam has a strong frame, powerful legs and uses contact with his defender to create attack angles. Using a defenders contact he slaps a defenders hand away and leans in with his shoulder to create leverage and thus a driving lane. He likes to initiate contact accompanied by a spin move to change angles and get between the defender and the rim creating a lane. He’s very crafty playing through contact. Samuel is a very good finisher at the rim and is a good passer when attacking the rim. On the defensive end he demonstrates sound mechanics and has the lateral mobility and strength to deny dribble penetration. He picks up the occasional steal with anticipation in passing lanes and really competes on the defensive end. Transitions nicely from offense to defense and stays active on the ball and in passing lanes. Samuel is quickly emerging as one of the 757’s best prospects in a deep 2023 class and his scoring prowess makes him a priority for opposing defenses.
Sam is starring in the classroom and in the community as well! He holds a 4.0gpa and was elected Hampton Roads Scholastic Award winner for the 2018 school year with a 4.2gpa by Jarcam Sports. He sits on the Student Counsel Board as the middle school representative. An all around impressive prospect.