In one of many closest and most fun McDonald’s All American video games, the East was in a position to make a comeback behind Cooper Flagg and Derek Queen (co-MVP) to win 88-86. Here’s a breakdown of the East prospects.
Cooper Flagg 6-9 200 F (Newport, ME) Monteverde Academy *Duke(8 factors 6 rebounds 3 assists 1 block 1 steal)
It wasn’t a stellar efficiency from the extremely touted consensus #1 ranked prospect within the 2024 class, however he did make an affect on the courtroom simply off his instincts and bodily instruments alone. Flagg is 6’9, skinny and prolonged with the body so as to add muscle and turn into much more dynamic. He has high-level consciousness on each ends of the courtroom and on the glass, which allowed him to show some missed/blocked photographs and deflections into transition alternatives, the place he excels. He’s lengthy and athletic however his ability as a passer and open ground handler additionally proceed to intrigue. Flagg is somebody who’s clearly comfy initiating issues after getting missed photographs, whether or not with hit-ahead passes or pushing the ball himself. His jumper has been some extent of dialogue throughout the observe and scrimmage classes; primarily his type which has an unorthodox elbow flare out, and whereas he didn’t shoot it significantly properly on this sport he has proven shot-making potential out to 3-point vary. Whether or not or not the Duke workers will tighten up his type will likely be attention-grabbing to see, but when his jumper turns into extra constant ,he will likely be an much more formidable matchup as somebody who can play on the perimeter and within the publish.
Ian Jackson 6-4 180 F (Bronx, NY) Our Savior Lutheran College *North Carolina(21 factors 2 assists 1 rebound 1 steal)
Jackson’s aggressive mentality with the ball on offense shined on this sport. He’s a taller lead guard at round 6’4 and he’s additionally fairly quick and bursty; actually confirmed a knack for moving into the paint, particularly within the open courtroom. He stored the East within the sport within the 2nd half together with his vitality and intense aggressive spirit, and likewise had some good defensive possessions that stood out in this kind of setting. His jumper, ground imaginative and prescient and shot choice appears prefer it might use work, however he did stick a 3-pointer within the sport and confirmed some flashes of decide and roll abilities. Additionally might want to maintain getting stronger. A UNC commit; Jackson performs the way you’d count on from a Tar Heels PG, he appears greatest taking part in up-tempo and in order for you an thought of his type he’s similar to a Coby White sort.
Derik Queen 6-10 240 C (Baltimore, MD) Monteverde Academy *Maryland(23 factors 8 rebounds 5 assists 3 steals 1 turnovers 0 fouls)
Queen, a 6’10 publish participant, had a gaudy statline and appeared nice working within the paint, the place his decisive publish strikes, arms and contact close to the ring shined, successful (co) MVP honors in a sport that often is catered to guards. His footwork appeared excellent, particularly for his age, and he shielded the ball from shot-blockers utilizing the rim and backboard very properly. Was additionally fairly stable on the glass. He additionally was a disruptive defender forcing a number of turnovers exterior of the paint by hedging ball-screens and displaying some fast arms and smothering size. He’s at present not probably the most athletic bigman, however he even appears to have the potential to enhance there as he strengthens his decrease physique. A Maryland commit; Queen appears to have a vibrant future and I’m positive Coach Willard can’t wait to show this expert, clean massive free within the Huge 10.
Boogie Fland 6-2 175 G (White Plains, NY) Archbishop Stepinac *Kentucky(17 factors 5 rebounds 3 assists)
Fland had a reasonably good displaying, and he’s a flashy of sort participant who places stress on defenders as a scorer/slasher and did a great job of utilizing that stress to have leverage to sometimes drop off passes to bigs in pick-and-roll conditions. He’s shifty and fast off the bounce and has an additional gear he can go to when seeking to get into the enamel of the protection. Additionally confirmed a pleasant shot and drained a number of 3-point photographs, trying assured in doing so. Nothing about his bodily profile stands out at 6’2 and including extra energy to his skinny body wouldn’t damage. He was a Kentucky commit, however reopened his recruitment after Coach Calipari’s departure and he will likely be extremely wanted. He has fan favourite traits and will likely be thrilling to observe as he elevates to school hoops.
Jalil Bethea 6-4 175 G (Philadelphia, PA) Archbishop Wooden *Miami(3 factors 4 rebounds 2 assists and 1 turnover)
Bethea struggled on this sport however is a gifted participant with some good scoring potential; his solely made shot of the sport being a 3-pointer. Normally stable creating with the ball, the slender 6’4 combo guard Bethea didn’t deal with physicality properly on this one and was even stripped of the rock for a turnover after some full-court stress from Dylan Harper on one possession. He clearly must get stronger to succeed in his full potential. The Miami commit will look to toss this efficiency apart.
Jayden Quaintance 6-9 225 F (Raleigh, NC) Phrase of God Christian *Kentucky(7 factors 7 rebounds 4 steals 3 assists)
Quaintance made his presence felt when he was on the courtroom; he’s very sturdy and bodily within the frontcourt. At round 6’9 230 with seemingly nice size, he’ll solely turn into extra imposing as he will get older and within the weight room extra. And by the best way he’s at present solely 16 years previous (sure, not a mistake) and received’t flip 17 till this summer season. His ability stage by way of his publish work and taking pictures contact are a piece in progress, and he wants photographs created for him or by cleansing up on the offensive glass (the place he was additionally nice on this sport) to attain, however he’s already a powerful rebounder and finisher. One other Kentucky commit who reopened his recruitment following the departure of Coach Calipari, Quaintance has to play at the least 2 years earlier than being NBA-eligible and people years of growth will likely be large for him. Simply scratching the floor of his upside.
Isaiah Evans 6-7 170 G (Huntersville, NC) North Mecklenburg *Duke(4 rebounds 1 help 1 steal)
Evans couldn’t purchase a shot on this sport and didn’t rating in any respect, however he’s identified for his potential to mild issues up offensively. He additionally is understood to be a fierce competitor so he ought to have the ability to bounce again. He’s rail-thin proper now at 6’7 170 and desires so as to add vital energy, however he’s lengthy and is aware of methods to use his size to get photographs off and as a strategy to disrupt on protection at occasions. Upside is fairly excessive regardless of a lackluster efficiency on this one. A Duke commit, Evans will inevitably draw comparisons to Brandon Ingram throughout his time in Durham because of his physique sort with a slim construct and offensive type.
John Bol 7-1 200 C (Saint Louis, MO) Time beyond regulation Elite Academy *Ole Miss(4 factors 2 rebounds 1 steal 2 turnovers)
Bol was on the courtroom for 11 minutes however confirmed his intriguing athleticism and a tantalizing mixture of size and top (7’2) by changing 2 dunks to make up scoring for the evening. He’s very uncooked offensively however has good defensive and rim-running instruments, plus he’s rangy sufficient to issue on the glass even exterior of his rapid space. He’ll want time and reps to spherical out his sport from a basic and ability standpoint. Bol is an Ole Miss commit and if he can seize boards and defend with out fouling he could possibly chip in some minutes instantly for Chris Beard on a group that wants frontcourt items.
Liam McNeeley 6-7 190 F (Plano, TX) Monteverde Academy *Uncommitted(2 factors 4 rebounds 1 help 1 turnover)
Struggled on this one, together with his solely factors coming on the FT line. His play within the scrimmages main as much as the sport was extra spectacular, the place he made a game-winning nook 3 in a single session. A 6’7 ahead, McNeely usually reveals good really feel for the sport and is a assured leap shooter with a pleasant stroke from deep whether or not recognizing up or shifting off screens. He makes use of that to assault closeouts and even finds methods to make stable reads for passes in display and roll motion. He’s not significantly fast or athletic and is a lot better off the ball than he’s creating, however he can be a wonderful participant to have alongside slashing guards. He has a easy sport and a few query his defensive potential, however he is aware of the place to be and his consciousness permits him to be in the proper spots and make the proper performs on each ends of the courtroom as a rule. He decommitted from Mike Woodson and Indiana in March and his recruitment remains to be open as of writing.
Drake Powell 6-5 185 G (Pittsboro, NC) Northwood *North Carolina(4 rebounds 1 help and a couple of steals)
Powell didn’t rating within the sport however he was spectacular on the defensive finish and clearly has some fast arms that may make him a pesky participant to go towards. At round 6’6, he’s a SF/SG sort and it’s simple to see somebody together with his sort of vitality and athleticism being tasked to be a fringe stopper who guards the opposite group’s greatest wing scorer. I additionally favored among the flashes he confirmed as a slasher. He must work on his deal with and taking pictures vary offensively; his stroke on his solely 3-point try wasn’t spectacular and he performs with a considerably excessive heart of gravity that may negate a few of his quickness off the dribble at occasions. A UNC commit, I might see Powell carving out a task and profession trajectory much like former Tar Heel wings Leaky Black or Theo Pinson as a flexible glue man who makes performs defensively, in transition and makes good passes to maintain the offense flowing.
Bryson Tucker 6-7 180 F (Bowie, MD) Bishop O’Connell *Indiana(3 factors 1 turnover)
Tucker coasted by means of this efficiency going 1-3 from the ground with a made 3-pointer. The Indiana recruit is understood for his clean athleticism and really feel for the sport, as he usually takes what the protection provides him and that type didn’t stand out on this All-Star setting. There’s a lot to love about his potential as a scorer and transition participant although, as he has clean taking pictures mechanics and a excessive, fast launch, the place he’s very efficient from mid-range and dealing to progress additional out persistently. He additionally has good measurement for a swingman at round 6’7 200. Athletically he’s a stable leaper and reveals good agility as properly. As his vary expands and he will get extra teaching defensively, he ought to be productive within the Huge 10.
