The Warmup Standouts
April 1, 2023 by Jackson McGuire
Jadis Jones, 2025 Wing, Brad Beal Elite: Jones is a lengthy, explosive wing prospect who can be used in a multitude of roles. Offensively he can play on the perimeter, in the high post, or cut from different spots. Jones showed the ability to make quick reads from different positions often leading to good looks for his teammates. His understanding of the game also showed up on some timely cuts to the basket. Jones uses his athleticism to make acrobatic finishes around the rim and he is willing to go up against anyone. He is deadly in transition and sometimes he is a one-man fastbreak. His length helps Jones rack up steals, leading to fast breaks for his team. Defensively, Jones has the potential to be a positive in the long term because of his understanding of the game and combination of quick feet, length, and explosiveness.
Jared Harris, 2024 Guard, Livon EYBL: Harris was the most impressive player I watched all weekend. A wiry guard, Harris is the full package offensively. He is a consistent shooter and can shoot from multiple feet behind the line. Harris also does a good job attacking and finishing at or near the rim although his frame isn’t ideal. As he grows and puts on weight he’ll only become better at the rim. Harris does a good job using declaration to throw off the rhythm of his defender and shot blockers. He projects as an off-guard more than a point guard, but there were still flashes of high-level passing. The ball rarely sticks in his hands and when it does, he is going north-south. His effort isn’t great but that is a common issue. Overall, Harris has a really high ceiling and projects to be an impactful player at the next level.
Ayden Hansberry, 2026 Guard, Iso Joe: A small guard, Hansberry is listed at 5’9 but I doubt he’s that tall. It doesn’t matter because Hansberry is a gamer. He has a quick trigger and is willing to pull from just about anywhere. Hansberry is a really good ball handler who can change directions really well and get two feet into the paint. He’ll likely be used in high pick-and-rolls where defenders are going to have to choose between letting him shoot or letting him get to the rim. Hansberry is also an effective passer in the pick-and-roll and does a good job finding rollers. His ability to make the right pass also stood out. It was clear he wasn’t always looking for an assist. Hansberry doesn’t project as a high-level defender but his offense will more than makeup for it.
Will Riley, 2025 Guard, UPLAY EYBL: A big guard, Riley is a very solid all around player. Offensively, his ability to find open teammates is very impressive, and does it in multiple different situations. He is very good in the pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop where he has the ability to find teammates. Riley also can find teammates once he gets in the paint showing the ability to find players for open layups or hitting open shooters. Not only is he a good passer but also knows that sometimes he just needs to move the ball. Riley does a very good job getting into the paint which is part of what makes him such a valuable player. Defensively, he showed that he could be effective at the point of attack because of his combination of length and strength. His screen navigation was also really impressive. More importantly, he showed some impressive flashes of being a help defender which is very important in his long-term projection.
Mekhi Owens, 2026 Wing, Team Ramey: A lengthy guard/wing prospect, Owens is one of the more effective players with the ball in his hands. He loves playing in the pick and roll where he gets into mid-range pull-ups at the elbow area. Self-created long twos are a good sign in projecting growth as a shooter, so there is good reason to believe he’ll end up being an effective shooter. His length is also a huge asset at the rim on offense because he can extend his arm to finish over bigger guys. Defensively, he does a good job using his length and body to deter opposing players. I was also impressed by his understanding of his help defense. Most players in this age tend to stick to their man rather than playing team defender. Especially as the “nail” defender he was in good positioning and affected multiple shots.
Oscar Patterson, 2026 Wing, Team Ramey: Patterson is a connective wing piece that possesses many of the most valuable traits for a role player. While Patterson may not be a primary ball handler, he has an efficient shooter and has shown the ability to shoot off pick and rolls or off the catch. His ability to play without the ball will become more valuable at higher levels. While he’s not creating, he’s still a decent connective passer. He is a willing ball mover and did a good job finding and anticipating teammates on cuts. Patterson plays within himself and doesn’t try to do anything he can’t do. He also guarded the other team's best player on defense and did a very good job. At the point of attack Patterson does a really good job moving his feet and he forces really tough shots. As he gets stronger and older he’ll become a more versatile defender and be better at navigating through screens.
Tahai Morgan, Class Guard, Scoot Henderson Elite: Morgan is a small and skilled combo guard. Offensively, he is pretty well-rounded as he can shoot from three, attack in the mid-range, or finish at the rim. He looks comfortable shooting off the dribble and knows how to attack his own shot in the mid-range. He uses impressive pace and change of speeds to throw off the timing of defenders. He is also a smart passer and consistently broke the press and the defense in general. On the whole, he’s a really good ball-handler and he’s very secure. There is also a sense of control when he has the ball because he really slows the game down. Defensively Morgan puts good pressure on the ball and slides his feet relatively well. At higher levels, I can see his defense being a bit more of an issue because he’s not an elite athlete but at the moment it’s not an issue.