(JJ Taylor is proving his top 10 2023 ranking this spring)

The 2021 Bill Hensley Memorial Run ‘N Slam concluded Sunday with Meanstreets (17U), Indiana Elite 2023 (16U), and Meanstreets (15U) winning the main titles. Here is a breakdown of the top performers.

Mac Irvin Fire’s JJ Taylor (2023 Kenwood Academy) stole the show on Sunday. The six-foot-six wing is an elite athlete with excellent skills to boot. He singlehandedly kept Mac Irvin Fire in the game against Indiana Elite 2023. With his outside stroke locked in, he had two four-point plays in the first half. Taylor also turned in highlights off the dribble and in transition. He finished with 29 points in the loss. In a few viewings this spring, Taylor has looked the part of a top 10 player in the nation.

Tae Davis and Tayshawn Comer helped Indy Heat 2022 jumped on Team Teague early to start Sunday. Davis and Comer were unconscious from the outside. Davis hit multiple long two-point shots and a stepback three in the first half. Comer’s shot has developed into a significant strength for the Cathedral guard. Behind the shooting of Davis and Comer, Indy Heat cruised to a win over Team Teague.

Carmel’s Charlie Williams (2022) played well in the losing effort, especially on the defensive end. He has continued to grow and fill out, and his game has done the same. Williams turned away a lot of shots in the paint as Indy Heat drove to the bucket. That is not something that I have seen Williams do much throughout his career, but he displayed timing and body control while going for the blocks. If that becomes a strength, it will take his game to a new tier.

The newest Purdue commitment Braden Smith (2022) turned in a dominating performance against Bates Fundamentals. BF did not have Emoni Bates (top-ranked 2022 player), but they still had size, strength, and athleticism at every position. Smith used his quick crossover to get Bates defenders off balance before driving to the lane. He routinely scored or found teammates for easy looks in those situations. He finished with 21 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds as Grand Park Premier turned the game into a blowout.

Jalen Jackson (2022) performed at a high level for Indy Heat-Red against Indiana Elite-Team Indiana before taking an accidental hit to the head. Before the injury, Jackson asserted himself on the glass and defensive end while also scoring in the paint and drawing fouls. He is a robust and rugged guard that likes to be physical with the ball in his hands.

Logan McIntire (2022) knocked down a handful of shots to give IE-Team Indiana a chance to beat Indy Heat-Red. The North Harrison guard has a perfect shooting motion and gets into his shot on the move at a high level. He can put it on the floor a little bit, but shooting is McIntire’s main strength. He finished with 16 points in the loss.

Joey Hart (2023) had a good day for Grand Park Premier 16U. He has been known as a shooter so far in his high school career, but Hart found plenty of success off the dribble on Sunday. He continues to get bigger and stronger, and that has helped his overall athleticism. Midwest Basketball Club had no rim protectors, and Hart had a field day getting to the rim and scoring. He finished with 23 points in the win.

Jalen Washington, Kam Craft, and AJ Casey helped Meanstreets to the 17U title. Washington and Craft have been the most consistent Meanstreets players all spring. Washington shows that he is an elite pick and pop forward that also scores well on the block and mid-range. His touch in all situations is tremendous. Craft is a big guard that is shooting well from three and excelling in transition. He is a natural scorer that seems to find shots in all types of situations. Casey asserted himself on Sunday. The Chicago forward likes to be a ball-handler and passer more than anything, but when he hits the boards hard and looks to score, Casey’s game goes to an elite level. That is what he did on Sunday.

Indiana Elite 2023 won the 16U division with a balanced effort. Amire Robinson, son of former Indiana player Stew Robinson, had a big game against Mac Irvin Fire. He is a powerfully built guard that is an excellent spot-up shooter. Cathedral’s Jake Davis knocked down early three-pointers against Ohio Buckets in the semifinals to get them off to a good start. Zionsville’s Logan Imes is an excellent playmaker for IE. With his size, speed, and decision-making, the ball is always in good hands with him. For the weekend, Braeden Shrewsberry was Indiana Elite’s most consistent scorer. He rained threes throughout the tournament and also found opportunities going to the basket.