East Warmup: Saturday's Standouts & Storylines

April 9, 2023 by Tony McNiff

New York Rens Trio Impresses

Harper led the charge for a talented Rens squad that could make some noise in the EYBL this upcoming AAU season. He’s a left-handed, well-rounded guard who possesses an excellent blend of size, feel, and developing skill. He was a skilled advantage creator who used acceleration bursts, dribble counters, and his frame to create space or get downhill. Harper showed glimpses of his improving weak hand touch in the lane on a couple different occasions today as well. A smooth + reliable mid-range scorer with a fluid and high release point. He's a highly productive positional rebounder for a guard, plus he has the physical tools to effectively defend guards or wings. 

Betsey was one of the biggest stockrisers regardless of class last summer and he’s coming off a strong junior season. He’s a long and smooth wing whose rightfully regarded as one of the top perimeter shooters in the 2024 class. Possesses an appealing blend of size, length, and inside-out touch. Displayed his spot-up shooting prowess on the perimeter while flashing his ability to convert pull-up jumpers inside the arc. Demonstrated a strong feel off the ball as he utilized screens & cuts to get open looks from three-point range. Defensively, he together some strong sequences of play by utilizing his length to jump passing lanes.

Palmer was a steady producer during Saturday’s action and he provided additional scoring for Rens. He’s a skilled pull-up scorer who was capable of converting self-created mid-range jumpers. He knocked down some spot-up jumpers from three-point range, although he was more comfortable shooting off the bounce in the mid-range area. Palmer also flashed some playmaking chops as he was able to beat his initial defender off the bounce to draw help defense. He’s another talented prospect to look out for on a deep New York Rens unit.

Jalil Bethea & Thomas Sorber lead Team Final 

Bethea erupted against City Rocks and he played with a noteworthy level of confidence. He’s one of the best shooters in the 2024 class and he certainly showed why on Saturday. The sharpshooting off-guard displayed a soft touch, advanced relocation instincts, and extensive range on the perimeter. He’s becoming more comfortable off the dribble as he was able to convert a few pull-up jumpers. Bethea also made some strong reads on the perimeter when he had the option to make an extra pass to get a better shot for the team. UCLA, Miami, Villanova, Syracuse, and many more have already offered the Pennsylvania native. 

Sorber showed off his toughness and growing offensive versatility during Team Final’s time at The East Warmup. He’s a well-built prospect who thrives at leveraging his upper body strength to carve up space for high percentage looks on the interior. Powerful finisher who loves to use his frame to seek out contact at the rim for and-one opportunities. Sturdy screen-setter who gives his guards open angles and gaps to operate with. Notably productive rebounder who used his size, strength, and power to control the interior. Sorber also flashed improving touch and consistency as he was able to stretch the floor from three-point range on a couple different occasions.  

Multiple underclassmen shine 

McKnight exhibited some steady improvements in his game on Saturday, particularly on the offensive end of the floor. He’s an athletic guard who showed off his explosive and vertical finishing at the rim when he was given a runway. He was a reliable pull-up scorer inside the arc who appears to be more confident operating off the bounce since I last saw him live. McKnight also was a productive on-ball defender who has the lateral agility to stay in front of opposing ball handers and slashers. 

Ansong is an under the radar and raw prospect who took full advantage of the platform at the East Warmup. His stock is certainly trending upwards after the event for an array of reasons. He’s a long athlete who showed flashes of an intriguing skillset for a 6-foot-11 prospect. Ansong is a mobile rim runner who earned some high percentage looks by beating opponents down the floor. Defensively, he was a highly productive rim protector who had a knack for leveraging his size and length to contest or block opponents shots. 

Fawaz had some eye-opening performances on Saturday and he’s another big man to monitor in the 2025 class this AAU season. He’s a physically imposing frontcourt prospect who thrives at using his strength to create space to finish in the paint. Reliable lob threat who consistently proved he has the size and verticality to finish above the rim. He flashed some face-up touch, although that’s an area of his game that will continue to develop in the coming years. Fawaz rebounded the ball at a high volume and he was a prominent force on the offensive glass to keep possessions alive.

Additional Saturday East Warmup Standouts

'24 Derik Queen, Team Thrill UAA

'24 Damarius Owens (Marquette), City Rocks EYBL

'24 Aris Rodriguez, Team Final Red EYCL

'25 Tyler Jackson, Team Thrill UAA

'25 Kiyan Anthony, Team Melo EYBL

'25 Kayden Mingo, PSA Cardinals EYBL

'26 Stephon Ashley-Wright, Team Final E15