2020 Under Armour 50 Showcase - Top Performers 2021-2022s
On Friday, August 21st, the Connecticut Elite hosted its annual Under Armour Elite 50 Showcase with players from CT, NY and MA in attendance. Here are the top performers:
Kalium Johnson (2021) 6’5 wing, Marianapolis Prep (CT) - Johnson stole the show this evening with several high-flying dunks in transition or in the half court and a few chase down blocks. His ability to attack the basket and finish above the rim or at the rim made him one of the most consistent players on the floor. He has a smooth stroke from 3, but with time will become consistent and make him more of a threat on the offensive end. Johnson is a D2 to low D1 3 man.
Mason Jackson (2022) 6’4 wing, Canterbury School (CT) - Jackson was one of the top prospects at this session. Pushed the tempo incredibly well. He probed the defense at times effortlessly and finding a teammate for a score. Has college level range on his jumper, as well as a quick release. He was a good teammate to others around him. Plays above the rim when attacking and rebounding. In short, Jackson displayed why he is being recruited by D1 Institutions.
Logan Carey (2022) 6’2 point guard, Fairfield Prep (CT) - Carey is a floor general that constantly plays through contact. Very good on ball defender. He finished at the rim. Has great court vision. Attacks the rim at a high level. If the defender takes his drive away, he has great consistency from 3pt range. Complete package player.
Carter Meshanic (2021) 6’5 wing, Kingswood-Oxford School (CT) - A solid player who is very versatile (can play on the wing or attack the rim). He can dribble, pass and shoot at a high level. Carter Meshanic has a high IQ of the game and has very good 3 point range. He gets to the rim well. Draws fouls as he attacks aggressively. Extremely Coachable player.
Akili Evans (2021) 6’4 wing, Lee Academy (ME) - Evans demonstrated the ability to play both ends of the floor this evening and do them consistently. Evans used his explosive first step and length to attack the basket at will and finish around the basketball. Evans made several plays on the defensive end that led to easy dunks in transition. Evans will be a great addition to the loaded Lee Academy squad as a post grad this year.
Jalen Gordon (2021) 6’3 guard, Capital Prep (CT) - Gordon is a relentless defender, and bucket getter! Very strong around the rim. Plays through contact and finishes at the rim. College level 3-point range. Bangs the boards from every position.
Hunter Meshanic (2021) 6’5 wing, Kingswood-Oxford School (CT) - Tough physical player on the perimeter and near the hoop. Sees his entire team on the floor well. Is a very versatile player. Can really fill it up from the high slot. Transitions very well from offense to defense.
Will Barton (2021) 6’7 forward, St Paul’s Catholic High (CT) - Barton is all of 6’7 but hasn’t grown into his body yet or hit his full potential. Barton was able to show that he could play the 3 at the next level with his ability to handle the ball, stretch the defense with his ability to (pick and pop) knock down 3’s and finish around the basket. Barton plays the game with a high IQ and always looks to make the right play. Very much loved by the academic D3’s but has the necessary tools to be a D1 prospect.
Corey Walters (2021) 6’2 guard, Hamden Hall Country Day (CT) - Walters boasts a college-ready body. He displayed his love for playing inside the 3-point line by hitting several mid-range jump shots and finishing around the basket with his newly found athleticism. Walters played above the rim with several dunks as well.
Joey Giuliani (2021) 6’0 guard, Woodland High (CT) - Giuliani is a guard who really gets after it. He played hard on both ends of the floor this evening showing his ability to make shots and finish at the basket.
Frank Pacheco-Davila (2021) 5’8 guard, St Bernard High (CT) - Pacheco-Davila is an undersized guard who plays much bigger than he is. He was a lock down defender on one end of the floor and running the show on the other. His ability to take care of the ball and make the right plays stood out all evening.
Julaquis Minnifield (2021) guard, Naugatuck High (CT) - Minnifield is a physical guard with a good size body frame. Minnifield showed that he can score the ball and used his athleticism to do so.
Silas Sawtelle (2021) 6’2 guard, Canton High (CT) - Sawtelle is a spot-up shooter with a quick release who was able to knock down several threes this evening.
Mike Olivencia Jr. (2022) 6’4 wing, Kolbe Cathedral High (CT) - Olivencia is a slasher who can make open shots. He has a bright future ahead.
Micah Hall (2022) 5’11 guard, Amity Regional High (CT) - Hall was hard to stay in front of all evening, as he was breaking down defenders in the half court and creating scoring opportunities for himself or teammates. Hall made a number of spot up 3’s as well.
Matt Murphy (2022) 6’7 forward, Phillips Andover Academy (MA) - Murphy is your typical stretch 4 at 6’7 who can knock down 3’s, put the ball on the floor and finish around the rim. Murphy has a ton of potential and will only get better.
Trevaughn Duncan (2021) 6’1 guard, Sacred Heart High (CT) - Duncan played his game today by making open shots, getting to the basket and making the right play.
Mehki Tyson-Slaughter (2021) 6’3 small forward, Capital Prep (CT) - Tyson-Slaughter is an athletic 4 man who uses his body to create space and finish around the rim.
Daniel Becil (2021) 6’3 guard, Worcester Academy (MA) - Becil had a slow start this evening but picked things up heading into the second set of games. He was able to create offense for himself off the dribble, run the floor in transition for easy baskets and knock down open shots. Becil would be a solid fit for any D3 program.
Tyrell Staples-Santos (2022) 6’2 point guard, Kolbe Cathedral High (CT)- Staples-Santos is a smooth PG who can create for himself or his teammates. Other players had a hard time guarding him as he was shooting from 4 ft behind the 3-point line and when he did beat his defender he was getting to the hoop for easy basketballs or stopping for his mid-range jump shot.
Benjamin Merritt (2021) 5’10 guard, Kingswood-Oxford School (CT) - Merrit was knocking down 3s all night from beyond the arc and displayed that he was one of the best shooters in the gym.
Joseph Carrier (2021) 6’4 guard, White Plains High (NY) - Carrier played both ends of the floor well and was able to show that he could compete with the top talent on the floor.
Dylan Matchett (2021) 6’2 guard, Hopkins School (CT) - Matchett has a college-ready body with a high IQ. Matchett made the right plays all evening and took the right shots. He was able to show us that he can knock down shots and get to the basket. He surprised many with his athleticism
Carson Arkay (2021) 6’6 forward, St Josephs High ( CT) - Arkay made great moves on the low block all evening and made tough finishes around the hoop. Arkay has developed a jump shot from 15ft in and continues to get better each year.