The event is organized and runs
on time, which is not always the case in so many of the
different exposure camps and events. Kudos to Bill
"Flash" Flanagan. As is the case with any offseason
event, though, it's hit and miss as far as what you see from
individual players. The play can -- and was -- ragged. And
then there are those individuals that simply didn't come to
play with the right frame of mind. Nonetheless, here is a
look at a little of what the Hoops Report saw on this day.
Simms-Edwards
continues to impress
Every time I watch Washington's Dyricus
Simms-Edwards I come away more and more impressed.
While the 6-1 point guard wasn't eye-popping with his play,
he just gets better and better as he becomes more
comfortable with the ball in his hands on a regular basis.
Remember, this was really the first year in which he has
played that he has been thrust into the role of a playmaking
guard. He is still developing a feel for the point guard
position and has to cut down on turnovers, but he sees the
floor well, gets to the basket, finishes with his strong
upper body and continues to knock down shots from the
perimeter. He's a little stiff in the hips and his lateral
quickness almost looks awkward at times, but this is
nitpicking. It will be interesting to see his progression
this offseason playing for the Illinois Wolves and under
Washington coach Kevin Brown, one of the
best in the business.
Leaving wanting
more
Another day leaving a gym where you just wanted to see more
from Sterling's Joseph Bertrand. I have
seen Bertrand at his best, which can be tantalizing. But in
what was basically a scrimmage/practice for the Illinois
Wolves teams on Sunday, the versatile guard again went with
the flow. He remains an enigma and is embarking on a very
important summer in terms of development and consistency. He
is never going to be a big-time scorer. He doesn't have the
mindset or the perimeter shot to be that type of threat. But
he can still be more assertive, more active and utilize his
strengths, which is his length, athleticism and vision.
Considering the talent level he has, there are still too
many times he's a non-factor on the floor. He's at the age
and point in his career where the light has to come on all
the time -- or at least most of the time.
Most impressive
performer
There were several players who probably could have made a
claim as the top performer, but it was hard to ignore
Danville's Mikel Brigham. The 6-5
out-of-this-world athlete was the eye-opening performer. Oh,
he's raw and without a position. But he's so long, runs the
floor as well as anyone, dunks everything in transition and
is an absolute monster on the boards. I loved the way he
played at the Pontiac Holiday Tournament in December and
again showcased his pure athleticism on Sunday. He lacks any
perimeter skills aside from an occasional 12-foot face-up
jumper. But his biggest hoops obstacle may be that he's a
much better college football prospect.
Other odds and
ends....
Freshman phenom Donivine Stewart of
Limestone remains one of the top five prospects in
the Class of 2011 and features a unique, uncanny style to
his game, which I have talked about in great length in past
blogs. But the questions about his size, quickness and
athleticism (or lack of) are legitimate. You have to wonder
how his individual game and talents will translate to the
highest level of college basketball. Simply put, he's a
completely different type of player that needs to be closely
evaluated to get a read as to his impact at the next
level....Peoria Christian's Billy Molinari
was very solid on the day. He's going to be a hot commodity
on the small school (Division III, NAIA) recruiting trail
and, with a splash this summer, just may find himself being
a Patriot League-type player before it's all said and
done.... There wasn't a player who played harder than
Conrad Krutwig of Jacobs.
The 6-6 four-man ran the floor, finished and defended. He's
limited athletically, but he continues to improve his
face-up game.... Champaign Centennial's James Kinney
is a talented point guard, but he still puts the ball on the
floor too much and tries to do too much at times.... He's
young and doesn't really have a clue yet how to play, but
Peoria Woodruff's Andrew Jordan has the
physical make-up and the proverbial high-ceiling you look
for in a college prospect. He's a long way from being
anywhere close to a finished product, but the 6-5 freshman
wing showed flashes on Sunday.... First look at
Metamora big man Zeke Schneider.
The 6-8 junior is skilled but looks as if he's hardly been
coached. His thin, weak lower body really hurts him when
he's anywhere inside or near the lane. He's a no-brainer
Division I recruit due to his size and skill level, with the
mid-major level a possibility with significant strides in
the next several months.... While not as skilled as
Schneider, big 6-8 Nick Washburn of
Mahomet-Seymour is one to watch. He has a ways to
go, but what a body.
