IndyBall Evals: 16u

IndyBall was a great event for Indiana prospects to showcase their talent against one another. We broke down 24 prospects from the 15 and under age group earlier. Those prospect evaluations can be viewed by members here. This article breaks down 31 players from the 16 and under age group with help from Eric Gardner and Jeff Schoenle.

 

G3 Elite 2016

Derek Hawthorne – 6-0 – SG – Pike – 2016

Slasher and a scorer, Hawthorne was very effective for G3 Elite this weekend. Hawthorne didn't play varsity minutes for Pike this season, but it looks like he could be a player. He is more of a slasher than a shooter. He didn't look for his outside shot very often.

 

Tyler Kirtz-6-1-170-G-Brownsburg (IN) – 2016 – Low Major

Kirtz had one his best weekends playing for G3 Elite 2016. Kirtz shot the ball well from distance and showed a slightly improved handle. Kirtz didn’t play much for his high school team due to roster makeup this past year and he came out and was the leader of his AAU team running the point. Kirtz has good size and could grow a little more as well. Needs to develop his jump shot at this point as he relies on getting to the basket for majority of his opportunities.

 

Preston Flamion-6-5-175-SG-2016-Carmel (IN) – Low Major

Flamion was really good and took over the game in spots. He’s long and mobile and can spot up shoot from distance and does well slashing to the basket. Preston is developing a bit off the dribble, which would elevate his stock as he’s predominantly been three point shooter for the early part of his career. Flamion showed the use of ball screens to get to the basket throughout the weekend.

 

Trenton Richardson-6-7-200-PF-2016-Carmel (IN) – Low Major Stretch

Richardson is very stocky and strong and used that to his advantage and was able to show production in the stat column. Trenton played along the baseline and was able to drive from the wing and create space with his body to get off his shot at the rim. He also did a good job of fighting for rebounds on both ends. He’s got decent hands and a good court awareness so offensive rebounds for him usually result in kickouts to his open teammates. Even though Trenton is stocky, he’s still pretty mobile for an undersized forward. Would like to see him develop some sort of jump shot to add to his game.

 

GRIND-Indy Hoosier 2017

Paul Scruggs-6-2-160-SG-Southport (IN)-2017 – High Major

Scruggs is the next big scoring threat in Indiana. He’s got all the tools to put up huge numbers during his high school career. Paul was good with the ball in his hand choosing the right spots to take it to the rack or pass off to his teammates. Scruggs scores mostly in transition and has a decent pull-up game. He also has enough handles to run the team at times if need be but definitely projects off the ball.

 

Zach Gunn-6-7-180-SF-Fishers (IN) Hamilton Southeastern HS-2017 – Mid Major Plus to High Major

The thick-built wing, Gunn, struggled to knock down his shots during stretches on Sunday which is very rare for Gunn. He prefers the catch and shoot corner three, which he can hit at a very good clip. Gunn showed decent ball skills on the wing but stayed on the perimeter for the most part. He wasn’t involved as much in the post as I had seen in the past. He has post skills, it is just a matter of Gunn getting the mindset to take advantage of mismatches and get in the post more often.

 

Justin Roberts-5-10-150-PG-Indianapolis (IN) Pike-2017 – Mid Major Plus

Roberts struggled at times to pick and choose his spots on the offensive end. He did well off the bounce and was able to get to the basket more often than not. He controls the tempo of the game well and when he chose his spots well he was able to get his teammates the ball in good spots.

 

Kris Wilkes-6-6-150-SF-Indianapolis (IN) North Central-2017 – High Major

Wilkes was easily the top performer on Saturday and was among the best again on Sunday. Kris showed great touch on his jumper and was able to hit consistently out to 16 feet. Wilkes has a good grasp of what his role is as a high-energy, scoring wing and he executes it well. Kris is very skinny at this point but does well to put concerns to rest as he always seems to make plays you don’t expect. Wilkes had 20 and 26 points in two of his games this weekend. His ceiling is very high plus he always seems to produce at a high level already.

 

Ross Koella-6-6-180-PF-Grand Haven (MI)-2017

In the first viewing opportunity for Koella, he showed promise as a well-built power forward prospect. He’s fairly mobile and can play in play well with his back to the basket. Ross was also able to haul in his share of rebounds. He has a distinct size advantage against most he will face in his age group.

 

Jalen Adaway-6-4-165-SF-Logansport (IN)-2017 – Mid to High Major

First time watching Adaway, an athletic, explosive wing that did most of his work in transition. He rebounded the ball well at times and showed the ability to make plays on a loaded team. He hit a couple pull-up jumpers and created some turnovers by jumping the passing lanes. Jalen looks like he has a little bit of room to grow and will play on the wing. His defense stood out more than any other 2017 this weekend.

 

Indiana Elite 2016

Anthony Murphy – 6-5 – F – Griffith (IN) – 2016 – Mid Major

Anthony showed a lot more explosiveness around this weekend. He and Tremell were consistently finishing plays above the rim. They are both slowly growing. A couple more inches would be a huge help for his game. Perimeter skill set is under-developed. It would be best if he could get to 6-7 and be power forward.

 

Tremell Murphy – 6-5 – F – Griffith (IN) – 2016 – Mid Major

The player that made the biggest impression in terms of change this weekend was Tremell Murphy. His play from the opening game was much improved from last year and he was also a bit bigger than he was. Now, standing nearly 6-6, Tremell was aggressive around the rim trying to finish with a dunk. He did so in their second game on Saturday. His athleticism was much more evident this weekend and used it to his advantage not only on the offensive end but also defensively grabbing rebounds and running in transition. Indiana Elite wasn’t in the half court much if at all though.

 

Nai Carlisle – 6-0 – PG – West Lafayette – 2016 – Mid Major

Nai, son of Purdue’s Director of Sports Performance, is one of the best guards in the state in 2016. He’s a smart, strong point guard that has a well-rounded game. He can hit from all three levels but could stand to take it to the next level. The ball doesn't come off his hand very well on outside shots, that leads to some inconsistency with his shooting. Carlisle leads his teams by his actions as well as his performance. Nai is coachable and willing to make adjustments. Carlisle was solid all weekend but wasn’t really tested from a talent standpoint.

 

Jalen Hill – 6-6 – F – Waggener HS (Louisville, KY) – 2016 – Mid Major

Long and athletic lefty with a wiry frame. Hill made some unbelievable above the rim plays at IndyBall for Indiana Elite. He didn't display a skill set away from the basket over the weekend. He is definitely going to be a player to watch because of his size and athleticism.

 

DJ Wilkins – 6-2 – G – Merrillville (IN) – 2016 – Mid Major

Wilkins was slowed this high school season by a stress facture in his ribs. He missed more than a month of the season and Merrillville struggled without him. He's grown about an inch in the last year and he thinks he has another inch or two left. Wilkins looks pretty young in the face. One thing that looks improved with Wilkins' game is his outside shooting. He's a good athlete, but he doesn't explode off the dribble and isn't a great leaper.

 

Koch Bar – 6-10 – C – IMG (FL) – 2016

Another massive A-HOPE play from the Sudan. Bar is extremely long and has some wiry strength to him. Skill set needs to be developed which is usually a weakness of A-HOPE prospects. High ceiling because of his size, but I'm not sure how likely it is for him to reach it.

 

C.J. Hedgepeth-5-11-160-PG-2016-Evansville (IN) North – Low to Mid Major

Hedgepeth didn't have the greatest high school season after he entered the year with high expectations. C.J. was more active in terms of being a part of the offense. His outside shooting has been a major weakness for Hedgepeth but he he hit a few shots this weekend and drove from the arc with a little more aggressiveness. He’s not going to grow much more but his game can. Showed a little bit of that this weekend.

 

 

Indiana Elite Central

Lance Dollison – 6-4 – SG – Fishers (IN) – 2016 – D2/Low Major

Dollison shot the ball well all weekend long and started off as he hit five threes in the first half of his first game Saturday. He’s a bigger guard and will probably need to cut some weight and refine his body but he’s strong and can take a hit. Most of his offensive game comes from catch-and-shoot threes. He can drive at times but isn’t his first option. He also could stand to develop a left hand finish, always finishes with his right hand.

 

Elijah Miller – 5-11 – PG – Culver Academy – 2016 - Low Major

A driver and distributor, Miller is very quick off the bounce. He has a wiry build right now. Miller's outside shot needs to be more consistent for his game to go to the next level. He has the ability to pressure guards full court with his quickness.

 

Charles Bain – 6-6 – F – La Lumiere (IN) – 2016 – Low to Mid Major

One of the surprises/new names from IndyBall. Bain, a former resident of the Bahamas, had a couple solid game during the weekend. He did most of his work within the three-point line, posting up, catching and turning on his man to get to the basket. He’s got the length to get to the basket over the top. He’s athletic and has some bounce. Didn’t see him take too many jump shots but he wasn’t necessarily forced to do anything away from the rim. Has a decent amount of upside to him.

 

Conner TenHove – 6-6 – F – Valparaiso (IN) – 2016 – Low to Mid Major

Combo forward that has a strong build. He has the ability to hit spot-up 3s. TenHove also shows the ability to be phyiscal in the post. Limited athlete in terms of leaping and lateral quickness. Listed at 6-7, but looks like he is 6-6 compared to other players.

 

Mason Degenkolb – 5-11 – G – Tipton (IN) – 2016 – Low Major/D2

Natural scorer that averaged 24 points per game as a sophomore for Tipton. He did much of the same for Indiana Elite Central this weekend. He's a good shooter that also finishes well at the basket despite not being a leaper. He has toughness and intelligence to his game.

 

Indiana Elite Magic

Franklin Nunn-6-2-170-SG-2016-Liberty Christian (IN) – D2

Nunn played at a high level during a pair of games this weekend. He shot the ball from distance well and put up points for his Indiana Elite Magic squad. There was a little bit of scrappiness to him, fighting for boards and lose balls. He handled the ball well but looked to catch-and-shoot more than create for himself. Decent athlete with a little room to grow.

 

Tiernan Cook-5-11-155-PG-2016-Cathedral (IN) - D2/Low Major

Cook is a good floor general, leading his team and running the offense. He was active on the defensive end looking to create turnovers and getting out in transition. He’s got a good grasp of how to run a team and knows when to go and when to slow things down. He showed solid handles and was able to hit a couple shots from the arc. Not a big scorer but does just enough.

 

Christian Munson-6-3-170-SG-2016-Noblesville (IN) Guerin Catholic - NAIA

Munson, one of best pure shooters in the class for Indiana, was hitting from deep this past weekend. Knocking down threes is his calling card and he didn’t do much to disprove that this weekend, however, he’ll need to add to his game as he goes through the summer.

 

UA GRIND-Shepherd

Joey Brunk-6-10-205-C-2016-Southport (IN) – High Major

Brunk is one of the best true centers in the Midwest for his age. He was limited on touches but when he got the ball he was effective. He made sure to get the ball and go right at the basket. He’s big and plays physical and not afraid to bang to get room or rebound. He’s got good hands and fights for position on the boards.

 

Jordan Walker-6-0-160-PG-2016-Indianapolis (IN) North Central – Low to Mid Major

Walker is a very athletic point guard with good vision and a quick pace. He’s all about pushing the ball and getting quick baskets. In the half-court, Walker’s jump shot is still a missing part of his game at times. However, Jordan is great at moving the ball and finding the open man. Jordan has more athleticism than you would expect and can easily finish above the rim. He's probably closer to 5-11 than 6-0.

 

Djimon Henson – 6-4 – SG – Warren Central (IN) – Low to Mid Major

Henson was mainly all catch and shoot during the high school season as a sophomore. He showed that he can hit shots off the dribble at IndyBall. He had many pull-ups over defenders that were pure. The next step is being able to break defenders down off the dribble. He doesn't get to the basket very often. He's a solid athlete, so he should be able to do it if he develops his skills. Low major right now with mid major potential.

 

Max Kurkowski-6-6-150-SG-2016-Plainfield (IN) – Low Major/D2

Max, a skinny and lanky shooter, did well to be more than just that this weekend. He was more active attacking the basket and finishing on the right side of the lane. He’s got to beef up but he’s got the ability to knock down shots from deep and is tall enough to shoot over defenders. Most of his progression is tied in with how much strength and build he develops in the next year. He had a tough sophomore season at Plainfield as defenses focused on shuting him down. He wasn't ready to face that type of defensive attention.

 

Brandon Peters – 6-4 – SF – Avon – 2016 – Low Major

Good athlete that can also stroke shots from the outside. He doesn't look to put the ball on the floor very often. He doesn't shy away from contact, but I'm not sure that he is a dog on the defensive end. That would be something that took his game to a higher level.

 

John Kiser – 6-4 – SF – Noblesville (IN) – 2016 – Low Major/D2

Kiser shined in the practice/scrimmage that I went to a few weeks ago, but he was very quiet against Indiana Elite 2016. He has a strong build and a good frame. He is a very good outside shooter; off the catch and off one or two dribbles. Doesn't have any shake to his dribble game. Likely about done growing at 6-foot-4.

 

Trevor Harrell – 5-10 – PG – Center Grove (IN) – 2016 – NAIA/D2

Small point guard with pretty good quickness. He finished a couple of plays at the basket that were impressive. He has the ability to be a solid small college prospect.

 

 

Follow Indiana Basketball Source on Twitter

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.