As we head into the crucial July evaluation period, we take a look back at who performed at a high level in April and May. In this edition, we will look at the top spring performers for the 2014 class. Many rising sophomores were impressive but here are a few that really stood out.
Spiece Indy Heat Trio Playing Up and Excelling
Trey Lyles 6’8" PF Indianapolis Tech
Trevon Bluiett 6’4” SF Park Tudor
P.J. Thompson 5’9” PG Brebeuf
Lyles has played some with the 17U group but has mainly been with the 16U team. He has fit right in and excelled at a high-level. His skill set is unbelievable for a young player his size. He still has a lot of improving to do though. He tries to do too much at times especially from the outside. Inside, he has some solid post moves but doesn’t have a great feel for positioning and knowing where he is on the floor at all times.
Bluiett has had some huge games this spring. He has shot it extremely well from the outside and finishes tough around the basket. That is what made him a consistent scorer for Park Tudor as a freshman. I’m worried about his athleticism especially lateral quickness. Right now, I see him more as a great high school player than a big-time college prospect. I have him on the mid-major plus/mid-major borderline if he grows to 6’7” then he’d be bumped up to the high-major stretch/mid-major plus.
Thompson has also played very well. His height is his biggest weakness. He likely won’t get much taller than his current 5’9” but he is ultra smart on the floor. He sees the floor well and shoots it well from the outside. He’s on the high-major stretch/mid-major plus borderline right now. If he gets to a true 5’11” and he will be a high-major prospect.
Wings on the Rise
Sean Sellers 6’5” SF Greensburg-This spring was my first opportunity to see Sellers play. He has impressed me with his versatility, above average athleticism, and toughness. His inside/outside ability makes him a very tough match-up especially for the 15U level. Sellers has a bit of a slow release on his outside shot because he has a low shooting pocket. The only part of his game that would keep him from being a high-major prospect is his athleticism. He is a good athlete but not overly explosive especially vertically.
Troy Spears 6’4” SF Park Tudor-It seems like Spears is expanding his game. He is playing up a year with Dan Dakich’s Indiana Elite-South 16U team. The sophomore-to-be has been one of their top performers along with Mark Donnal all spring long. Spears is a very good athlete that finishes well around the rim. His perimeter skill set especially his outside shooting is improving rapidly. He’s a definite mid-major prospect right now with the athleticism to develop into a high-major prospect.
Impressive Potential
Perry Poindexter, Jr. 6’7” PF North Central
Justin King 6’5” SF Bowman Academy
Poindexter and King are both very rare offensively. King is more of a SF/PF tweener right now but has the height and athleticism to play either. His athleticism gets Poindexter most of his points right now. If he develops his perimeter skill set, look out because he could be a high-major prospect. His outside shooting and ball handling needs a ton of work though.
Poindexter is more a back to the basket player. He is a springy athlete for a rising sophomore that is 6’7” already. In an interview (link to article) we did with him, he said his doctors expect him to get to 6’9”. He has the athleticism and body type to become a face-up four that can attack the basket from the perimeter. His skill set should develop quite well since he plays in the North Central program.