The second of a few special 5 on 5's.  The first one focused on Indianapolis area point guards who were uncommitted.  This one is featuring those with D1 offers who are uncommitted.  There will be another D1 round next Friday as well.

Jayden Brewer, 6'5" senior shooting guard; Ben Davis

  • His eligibility status has been well discussed on this site (podcasts), and as he has since gotten the final word he's eligible to play, it's finally time to talk about his game. His biggest asset, other than his considerable athleticism and length, is his ability to be a primary ball handler and plus-court vision.  
  • His jump shot is coming along, but it still needs work.  He's good with clean looks off the catch, enough that the defender must juggle the open shot vs. his ability to get downhill in a hurry and make a play.  A defender can still go under ball screens.
  • Brewer has a good floater and good feel when finishing around the rim.  While he needs to get stronger, he plays with force and without much fear of contact.  
  • Defensively, he can be a menace in the passing lanes, can block shots, especially rotating over, and is a lockdown caliber ball defender.  Strength will be an issue in college.
  • Offers from Cleveland State, Evansville, IUPUI and Miami (OH).  He is definitely a D1 talent with HM athleticism.  - JR

Quimari Peterson, 6'1" senior point guard; Gary West

  • He has a lot of weapons around him, including two coveted big men.  He always has a ball screen partner on the floor.  His strength and patience, he's outstanding at getting downhill.  He has the quicks to just beat people, but he's rarely sped up.  
  • Peterson could improve as a shooter off the move from range.  In the paint, he can finish in a variety of ways--floater, different finishing moves to get to the rim.  Off the catch, stationary, he's consistent.  Nothing in his shot to suggest he won't improve in all areas of shooting.
  • He's tenacious on defense.  Will gamble a bit, but when he's locked in he's a plus-defender.  He could be cross matched with 2's and smaller 3's if needed.
  • His leadership on the court isn't rivaled by many in this class.  He can carry the load offensively when needed, and he has no issue involving the many other weapons West Side has.
  • Offers from IUPUI, New Orleans, Valparaiso.  Peterson is a definite D1 prospect.  Guys like him will be hurt between COVID and the new transfer rule, which will compel many programs to use the transfer market for experienced point guards. - JR

Naylon Thompson, 6'4" senior shooting guard; Fort Wayne Bishop Luers

  • On the verge of becoming Luers' second all-time leading scorer, behind DeShaun Thomas.  He has progressed to being a player who can score at all levels
  • Thompson's playmaking has improved, and he's spent time being a primary ball handler the last two season. He's still best off the ball, where he's a consistent catch/shoot guy.
  • He leads Luers in most of their counting stats, which is a roundabout way of saying he can rebound his position for sure.  
  • Defensively, Thompson can guard multiple positions, best suited guarding wings.  He needs to improve off the ball, as he can get a bit ball hawkish, but he doesn't quit on plays.
  • Offers from Cleveland State and IUPUI.  Thompson is a D1 prospect who can round into solid wing.  - JR

Brian Waddell, 6'7" senior small forward; Carmel

  • One of the more complete offensive players in the class, and for Waddell the separation from him and many others is his ability move without the basketball.  Granted, it's necessary in Carmel's system, but he's adept at reading his defender and can score off all cuts.
  • While he will need to improve his strength, he's finishing through contact and able to keep his defender out of position at the slightest advantage.
  • Consistent from the 3PT line, his shot has improved as he's gotten stronger.  His shooting pocket is extended away from his body.  The more he's gotten his legs into his shot, the better he's been.  Much of it for him is how he catches it, and his more aggressive disposition the season and a half has made the difference.
  • He can guard his position at the D1 level, and he'll maximize his recruiting where he can guard 3's.  He's disciplined off the ball and guards his yard on it.  He'll likely not be a lockdown defender, but he'll play system rules well and rebound his position. 
  • Offers from Incarnate Word and Wright State, Waddell is definite D1 prospect, who projects well as a MM wing with additional strength.  - JR

Harold Woods, 6'4" senior small forward; Hammond

  • First blush, he didn't shoot it at all from range, but in the summer he showed good mechanics and shot it pretty well off the catch.  It's a slower release, but it looks good coming off his hands.  
  • Love his motor!  He can hunt steals defensively and lose track of his man a bit, but he plays hard, rebounds his position well and can make plays on the defensive end.
  • As his shot continues to improve, Woods will have tighter close outs to attack.  He's pretty intent on getting to a shot, and while he isn't selfish (he'll move the ball and find the next pass) he misses stuff as he attacks.  He needs work on  creating his own shot.
  • Woods is certainly effective scoring transition and when he does get downhill.  He's one of the stronger players in the class, certainly at a wing position. 
  • Offers from IUPUI, Woods is a D1 prospect with an interesting ceiling.  Improving his ability to get his own shot, combined with improved shooting as a whole, he has a lot of untapped offensive potential.

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