Category: PLAYER REPORT

by Mike Enright

Crusaders and Supreme College Showcase Recap

Omaha Sports Academy and Lincoln Supreme recently held a college showcase at Union Bank & Trust Sports Complex. It featured players from ages 14U-17U, with most of them being from the OSA/Lincoln Supreme programs. Here were a few standouts from the showcase.

John Mitchell – Lincoln Supreme 15U National/Creighton High School

Mitchell is one of the best in the state at getting buckets, and he’s only a sophomore. He was 5th in the state last year in scoring, as he averaged 24 points a game for his high school squad. He ran with Lincoln Supreme this summer, playing mainly 15U but also joining the 16U squad a few times. His scoring habits didn’t change, as he had multiple 20+ outings. At the College Showcase, he found a lot of success with his outside shot, which opened up driving lanes where he used his crafty finishing abilities to put the ball in the basket.

Ian Medeck – OSA 16U National Freeman/Papillion-La Vista South High School

Medeck was terrific at running in transition and letting his teammates know he was open. His teammates consistently found him and he made sure to finish off 2 whenever there was a defender nearby. Medeck was one of the best communicators that I saw at the camp, which is a very important and usually overlooked talent. He always would be calling out screens, and calling for the ball if he was left open. And when he would catch close to the rim, he would finish strong and off 2 feet, absorbing contact from the defender and using the glass to score.

Caden Reynolds – OSA 17U National Roubicek/Elkhorn High School

Reynolds was torching the net all day. He has a good looking shot that is consistently the same looking jumper each team — his form is polished. He excelled with his catch and shoot ability, but also showed flashes of a good off-the-dribble shooting ability. His teammates knew to find him, especially in the 2nd game, where he was 5/6 from deep. 

Landon Pokorski – Lincoln Supreme 14U National/Gretna High School

Pokorski was dropping dimes all day long, whether it was a full-court find to a teammate in transition, or a slick dump down to the opposite block, Pokorski was finding them with a pass. He even threw a few alley-oop passes in the later games. When he wasn’t busy finding teammates for points, he was scoring them himself. His pass fakes led to a few easy layups or short jumpers. Pokorski is a part of a well-rounded freshman class at Gretna High School.

Chase Lett – OSA 17U National Porter/Papillion-La Vista High School

Lett was one of the most effective rebounders we saw, with a few of those being offensive boards which led to 2nd chance points for his team. They weren’t keeping score on the scoreboards for any of the games, but Lett did all the things that would lead his team to wins. Lett didn’t need to score a ton to be successful, but he scored enough to keep his defenders honest when helping off of him. Lett will be a big piece on his high school team, Papillion-La Vista, and they have the potential to make a deep run this year.

Coverage provided in partnership with Cornhusker Hoops Report

by Mike Enright

Austin Hilton Player Breakdown

2021 Austin Hilton – Shooting Guard / Combo Guard – is returning to Belle Plaine for his senior year as one of Kansas’ top players.  Hilton is a smart player who can read the game at a high level.  He identifies mismatches and will bypass shots to put his team in the best position to win but can also take control of the offensive scoring and put the team on his back.

He excels in the inside-outside game and wreaks havoc for defenses from deep.  This past high school season, Hilton was ranked in the top 10 in the nation (per MaxPreps) in three-point shooting while connecting on 52% of shots (80 of 154).

Teams attempt to take away his outside jumper, often pay for it as Hilton has the ability to put the ball on the deck and finish at the rim. Hilton is also an efficient ball handler who varies his speed to create space and is equipped with tremendous court vision.

Defensively, Hilton uses his speed to cut off drives before they start and utilizes his aggressiveness to guard larger opponents. 

Last year, Hilton led his team in points scored, rebounds, blocks, deflections and scoring efficiency (71% eFG%) while ranked 2nd in assists, steals, free throw attempts and charges taken.

Hilton carries a 3.7 GPA and has been in contact with several D2 and D3 schools in the Midwest.

Coach Tim Fuller Player Evaluations

Austin Hilton

Austin Hilton can shoot with range. Has shown quick release, strong base with deep range on jump shot. Players that can get their 3pt shot off in under one second from time of catch are college prospects. Austin does that with ease – in order to continue to climb for more college looks continue to work on foot speed and athleticism. Very impressed with range, IQ, and ability to get shot off.

Love Austin’s anticipation skills and willingness to give up body to dribble penetration. Especially willingness to take charges – heading into senior year try to work on stepping up earlier into the charge and be there before player takes off. Will be important to continue to work on guarding 84’ and containing faster more athletic players with IQ. Continue to work in passing lanes and off the ball – especially communication on defense.

by Mike Enright

5 High Major Potential Hoopers

We’ve seen a lot of basketball this summer, and one thing that has stood out is certain kids not blowing up. It isn’t a lack of game for these players, it is a lack of exposure in front of college coaches. Live streams are great, but you still can’t get the same evaluation as being in the gym.

Here are some guys that currently don’t have High Major offers but they have High Major Potential:

Julius Rollins | 6’6 | Guard | Young & Reckless | 2021

Rollins is explosive with his first step, and he shoots it well enough from 3 that you have to respect that in his game. He uses that range to lure players closer to him on the perimeter where he uses his quick first step to get around them. From there, he uses his length and jumping ability to finish at the rim. He was one of the best finishers we saw this summer. Rollins holds numerous LM/MM offers but yet to land a HM. His time is coming.

Cole Farrell | 6’4 | Guard | SW Illinois Jets | 2021

Cole’s game has progressed from the last AAU season to his junior high school season and to this past AAU summer season. Each time we see him he adds more to his game. He’s an explosive guard and an elite finisher, but his added jump shooting has put him into the HM category. His footwork to get to his jumper off the dribble, pass, and step-backs is polished & now he’s knocking down the tough shots. He’s strong and quick & can defend the 1 through 3 spots at the HM level. Video of Cole from our Sunflower Showcase.

Jordan Brown | 6’3 | Shooting Guard | Team YOBO | 2022

Jordan is electrifying with the basketball. He’s got a lot in his bag, and he had it on full display all summer long — cooking some of the top teams in the country. Jordan dropped 30pts on KC Run GMC and Team Factory… 2 teams with MM/HM talent. Jordan plays with a lot of swag and is entertaining to watch with his hesi-dribbles, step-back threes, 360 layups, and so on. He currently doesn’t have any offers. Video highlights against KC Run GMC.

Josh Dix | 6’4 | Guard | OSA Crusaders | 2022

Josh is one of the players that does a bit of everything and does it well. He scores from all 3 levels, he can play on the ball and distribute the rock, he is big enough to rebound, and he creates a lot of turnovers. He’s on our HM radar because his floor is set and his upside is huge. A smart player that averaged 16ppg, 4apg, 4rpg while shooting around 50% from 3-point range this summer against top competition… he is next up for the OSA Crusaders. Video from our Omaha Showcase.

Blaise Porter | 6’0 | Point Guard | Iowa Barnstormers | 2023

Blaise has plenty of MM+ and HM interest but none have pulled the trigger on him just yet. His time is coming. He played 15u all summer so programs are waiting to see what happens as he develops the next couple years. He has elite handles, court vision, and passing abilities that have HMs interested. By the end of this summer, he was showing off his bounce and athleticism. The game just seems to be slowed down for him as he operates at a smooth pace. If this holds true as he goes against older competition, he’ll be HM point guard. We think it will happen.