YOUNG PROSPECTS READY TO IMPRESS
By Antonio Curro - NY2LA Sports
February 5, 2008
See also Middle School Future Part 1
See also Middle School Future Part 2
See also Middle School Future Part 3
Part 4 of our Middle School series this week takes a look at 5 more prospects from across the Midwest. While some have already gotten a lot of pub in recent months, others are guys who could be major impact guys at the high school level in the coming years.
First
we head down to Illinois and look at one of our favorite young Class of 2012
(8th grade) prospects, 6'0" F Christopher McGee of
Chicago, Illinois. The long athletic multi-skilled forward
blast on the scene last spring at the 2007 Swish & Dish Spring Warm-Up where he
rocked a Chicago Summit jersey ("Summit Time") and he followed that up with a
monster performance at last summer's Generation Next All-Star camp in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin. The multi-skilled McGee has an excellent mid range game to go
along with solid court awareness and some nice athleticism. He's currently
ranked in the top 100 for the Class of 2012 and we expect nothing but big things
in the coming years from Christopher as he continues to develop and mature as a
player and a person.
Let's
slide over to Iowa where 5'8" SG Kade Olson
is developing into one of the best young shooting guard prospects in the Midwest
for the Class of 2012. Olson is a classic catch and shoot guy who
absolutely lit it up at last summer's Generation Next All-Star camp playing
alongside fellow Iowa standout PG Marcus Paige, who's the real deal. Olson
has an excellent ability to stroke the jumper from the perimeter and he has also
shown an improved ability to attack the rim in recent months as well. As
he continues to mature and develop his skill set and physical tools, expect
Olson to become a solid guard prospect in the coming years.
Wisconsin
is home to one of the most confident and underrated scoring prospects in
5'11" G/F Taron Edwards. The
long slashing left-handed prospect has a scorers mentality and a no fear
attitude that has him set to be one of the top Class of 2012 (8th grade)
prospects in Wisconsin. Edwards has that special takeover ability when he
gets it going where he can put up points in a major way. Last summer's
Generation Next All-Star camp was his coming out party where he got it going and
never stopped as he stroke mid range jumpers, 3 point shots, and slashed his way
through the competition. Keep an eye on this kid as he has the potential
and confidence to become a solid prospect over the next few years.
Next
up is Indiana where 5'6" PG Taishaun Johnson
puts it down. The Class of 2012 (8th grade) prospect out of Indianapolis,
Indiana has a solid floor game for a young guard prospect and excellent court
awareness. He's showing the ability to create on the offensive end, stroke
the mid range shot, and also hit the trey ball if left open. As he
continues to develop his skill set and mature physically, Johnson has a shot to
become another strong prospect for the always loaded state of Indiana.
Last but certainly not least is 6'4" Class of 2013 (7th grade) prospect Riley Dearing of Minnesota. The long athletic Dearing has a chance to become one of the most dominant Class of 2013 prospects in the country when it's all said and done. He's currently ranked in the top 20 nationally and has already shown the ability to completely dominate the interior when he's on the floor. He has excellent length, a great frame, big time athleticism, solid shot blocking instincts, and the ability to finish around the basket as well. That's not all though as the young forward can also step out to the mid range area and stroke the jumper. He runs the floor well and can attack the rim as well. Bottom line is that Dearing could be that dude if he continues to develop in the coming years.
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