Still over here scouting on Court 3! Here's some guys who put in serious work during today's afternoon games.
Tyzhaun Claude '19 ' Moravian Prep Blue (Hickory, NC)
The 6'7' forward took full control of the paint with his rebounding and patient scoring around the rim. Nobody wanted to jump with him in the lane as he went on to throw down dunk after dunk in the second half of Game 6. His length and athleticism makes him a great two-way presence that can intimidate plenty of opponents who come across his way. He didn't look to shoot any jumpers (and didn't really have to) but should keep adding that particular aspect to his arsenal to make sure opponents cannot deem him a liability outside of the paint. With continued development, I see him becoming a great threat on both ends once making it to the college level. Quinnipiac, Winthrop, USC-Upstate, Morehead State, and Hampton have all offered.
Savion Falls '19 ' Moravian Prep Blue (Hickory, NC)
I liked Falls' versatility and poise more than anything else; he doesn't perform great at one skill but indeed does a lot of different things well. One can expect him to grab rebounds, score on smart shot selection, make the extra pass, draw fouls, and play hard defensively. Falls does some of the best when running the floor and moving to find the ball in half-court settings. He has very good size as a 6'5' wing that helps him in certain areas. If he continues to work and add in a 'separation game' to his offensive package, it'll create for even more mismatches. His handle looks solid but can improve.
Akanbi Akigbogun ' Washington Prep Purple (Post-Grad) (Greenville, NC)
Akigbogun acted as the ultimate glue-guy for his squad every time he stepped onto the floor. He has great timing in his efforts to crash the glass, resulting in many stick backs. When he didn't have a layup, the 6'4' wing/forward found success in taking pull-up jumpers around the FT line. Defensively, he hustled all over the court to swat away and contest shots taken from anyone. I found his motor just as impressive compared to anyone else throughout the day. He seems to embrace his role and definitely performs at it quite well but must continue to showcase his guard skills. At 6'4,' he's pretty undersized as a forward. Ball-handling, playmaking, and creating space should all serve as main areas of focus.
Tanny Bastian '19 ' M.A.C.K. Prep (Charlotte, NC)
It's a close choice between him and Akigbogun' but I'll have to go with Bastian as my pick for the best offensive rebounder during the afternoon. The 6'7' forward had a relentlessness in his efforts around the rim, which played a big reason for his team taking a lead in the second half of Game 9. In addition, he runs the floor at a great pace and can finish at the basket with some grace. His vertical leap allows him to contest shots at a high rate; he needs to work on his timing a bit more when trying to go for blocks. Bastian also looked pretty comfortable from long distance, as he knocked down a pair of triples late in the game. If he can show this consistently, I see him becoming an effective stretch 4-man at the next level.
Phillip Williams '21 ' Thomasville High School (Thomasville, NC)
The young wing has a ton of potential with his size and ability to make plays both inside and out. Williams stands at 6'4' and can knock down shots with his smooth shooting stroke, especially from the corner. When he receives a look near the rim, he has a soft touch to score quick baskets. Defensively, I feel he can grow into a big threat with his wingspan and height to defend other guards. We may soon see him become a well-rounded '3&D' prospect. Only entering his sophomore year, make sure to keep Williams' name in mind for the years to come.
Another great day in the gym, no better way to spend a Saturday!