8th Finale: Thursday's Standouts
July 7, 2023 by Max Feldman
8th Finale is well underway, as the next wave of elite prospects meet in Augusta. Here, I'll dial in on Wednesday's standouts.
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- Team United’s King Gibson is clearly reaping the rewards of playing a full spring at the E15 level. 2027 wing playing with a whole new level of confidence and aggression both ends here.
- Relatively new look roster, but Arizona Unity remains one of the premier prospect groups on tap. Paul Osaruyi has strung together a very nice spring between FIBA and E15 action, and that jump in competition is showing through. Generates mismatches at a high level and continues to grow in terms of decision-making. Izayah Cook, a hard-nosed mismatch wing, and Jason Gardner Jr, a slippery creator with burst, are new faces with the group, but each have had their fair share of big moments and will be of focus when bracket play tips off here. Mayom Mayom continues to bring steady production as a twitchy frountcourt play-finisher and disruptor.
- 2027 Team Durant G Kaylen Chilton has been one of the key eye-openers through early Finale play. Skilled creator loaded with craft and juice off the dribble. Off to a big start in Augusta.
- Saw the flashes from Iso Joe's Tra'jhin Aleem through the spring, but came away impressed by his growing nuance and cadence creating off the dribble. Creates space, puts pressure on the rim and has begun to produce on a more consistent basis. Plenty of upside looking ahead.
- Seen progression across the board with Team United’s 6-9 2027 big Charles Chienggan Pur. Defensive stopper with plus length, pop and a relentless motor. Runs the floor at an extremely high level early on while also growing notably more skilled in terms of finishing.
- Seems like Pro Skills’ Dawson Battie is beginning to show more and more each time out. Versatile 2027 F with basketball in his DNA. Off to a strong start in Augusta.
- 2027 G Devin Cleveland is parlaying a monster spring/early summer into an impressive start at Finale. High level competitor and versatile shot-maker. Scores it in a number of ways, but impacts winning outside the box score at an early stage.
- 2027 wing Lincoln Cosby brings plenty to the table offensively, but it’s been on the defensive end where he’s made his mark in early Finale play. Tools, instincts and big time ground coverage at 6-8. We're about a month or so away from the debut of 2027's top-150, but he'll figure in highly given his array of tools.