Opening night of the 2018 Swish N’ Dish featured a number of high caliber matchups and once again some of the top prospects delivered in big fashion. Here’s a quick look at a few that stood out in Wisconsin last night…
DAY 1 TOP PERFORMERS
Jalen Johnson – Phenom University 16u – Johnson came out ready to play and exploded for 13 of his 17 points in the first half. There was a stretch when he completely took over the game scoring 6 points in 10 seconds. He makes a huge impact when he's in the game with his ability to score from every level, passing, rebounding, and defensively he can guard every position on the floor. Johnson continues to show why he is ranked among the top ten prospects nationally and the top ranked prospect in Wisconsin's loaded 2020 class.
Monty Johal – Yanders Law 17u – One of the top unsigned 2018 prospects in the Midwest was on full display Friday night. Johal is a pure player who can score the ball in a variety of different ways. He was doing it from all three levels. His crossover is deadly, and he has many different moves that he uses to create his own space. Johal finished with a game high 21 points in Yanders Law comeback win over IBYA IL Heat.
DJ Carton – Quad City Elite 17u – Carton is as good as advertised and he showed exactly why he holds over 10 high major offers. The 6-2 guard was scoring from all over the floor, getting his teammates involved, playing great defense, and shut the whole gym down with a monster dunk. Carton finished with a team high 15 points in Quad City Elites big win over Bradley Beal Elite EYBL.
Marcus Watson – Mac Irvin Fire EYBL 16u – Watson was extremely clutch down the stretch in Mac Irvin Fires big 62-59 win over REACH Legends. He was getting out in transition and blowing by defenders which was leading to wide open fast break lay ups. Defensively he was relentless in shutting down his opponent. Watson finished with a game high 22 points.
Tanner Holden – All Ohio EYBL 17u – Holden was big down the stretch in All Ohio's 67-65 overtime win over Milwaukee Spartans. The left handed 6-6 forward was scoring in a variety of different ways. Holden was knocking down outside shots, finishing through traffic, showed some solid post work, and had some great decision making that was important down the stretch. Holden had a team high 16 points.
STOCK BOOSTERS
Carlos Ramsey – Milwaukee Spartans 17u – Ramsey was playing with a chip on his shoulder after missing this high school season due to transfer rules. He came out and exploded for 15 first half points. The 6-4 forward was attacking the rim hard and finishing through contact, scoring in transition, and hit some outside jump shots. Defensively he held one of the top 2019 prospects Lonzo Gaffney to 9 points. Ramsey finished with a game high 21 points.
Bryant Brown - ILL Wolves UAA 17u - Brown was phenomenal in Illinois Wolves 64-43 win over a very deep and talented REACH Legends team. The 6-4 forward was lighting it up from beyond the arc hitting deep shots from all over, was active on the glass, and threw down an aggressive two hand dunk in traffic. Bryant finished with a game high 20 points.
Ja'Dyn Brown – Hoop Avenues Elite 17u - Brown had one of the most impressive performances I saw Friday night. The 6-2 guard was blowing by his defenders and attacking hard at the rim which usually resulted in nice finish or a foul. He did whatever it took for his team to win and down the stretch he took over the game when it mattered. Brown finished with a game high 32 points.
Alex Antetokounmpo– Phenom University 16u - One of the most improved 2020 prospects around the younger brother of Milwaukee Bucks All Star Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to get better every time I watch him. The 6-7 forward hit some outside shots, handling the ball well, making great passes, and was cleaning the glass on both ends of the floor. He was a key piece to Phenoms big 71-47 win over EG10. Antetokounmpo finished with 8 points.
Cameron Palesse – Phenom University 15u – Friday night the talented 6-3 forward was making big plays when it mattered in Phenoms come from behind win over a talented EG10 team. Palesse was knocking down jump shots, finishing at the rim, handling the ball very well in crunch time, playing great defense down the stretch, and he was all in for doing whatever it took to win. Palesse finished with a game high 15 points.