Second part of the stock boosters with all the great talent on hand this past weekend in Louisville at the Grassroots Showcase.
Sam McKinney – 2024 – SF – ATX Force
One of the bounciest players of the tournament who was throwing down thunderous dunks each game. The wing stands at 6’6” with some length but is much more than just an athlete. A very active wing who showed off a smooth jumper from the outside but was getting to the basket with his long strides.
Jaylen Murphy – 2023 – F/C – Indy EBC
The unsigned senior impressed throughout the tournament with multiple big games. Murphy is 6’8” with a strong build and plays with great energy running the floor, aggressively rebounding the ball, and defending the paint. As well to using his frame and height to score around the paint efficiently he also has a good jumper from three.
Darrius Roach – 2023 – G – George Hill Unsigned
It was a strong showing for Roach at the Grassroots Showcase with plenty of tools to his game. He has some size in the backcourt at 6’3”, athletic, and plays with plenty of energy and toughness. Roach moves well with the ball with a quick first step and is at his best playing on the attack but is a more than capable outside shooter.
Braylon Roman – 2024 – PG – MidPro Academy
Roman saved his best performance for last game of the tournament when he scored 15-points in a hard-fought win. There are a lot of tools to his game as a 6’4” point guard, plays well with the ball in his hands, can create for himself and teammates. He was playing extremely confident with the ball in his hands creating his own shot from the outside as well as taking it strong into the paint. Roman has continued to pull in the offers including Murray State and UIC following the tournament.
Quenton Parker – 2024 – SG – Team Ramey
Parker had a few big games over the weekend including a 22-point game on Sunday. The junior is a lengthy 6’4” wing guard who is a gifted shot maker. He moves well with the ball in his hands creating his own shot and knocked them down at a high percentage. Already a highly impactful player who has even greater upside.
Deunte Phifer – 2024 – SG – Reach Legends
Phifer hit a big game winning three-pointer on Saturday as well to showing a lot of translatable tools for the next level. The wing guard has some size on the perimeter at 6’5” as well to plenty of length and some athleticism. An active and tough defender with his physical tools who can also be a playmaker with the ball in his hands. A very high upside player in the 2024 class.
Grantas Sakenis – 2024 – C – DB Pro
There are few players that can match the physical traits of Sakenis. Not only does have the build of a powerful defensive linemen, but also stands at 6’10”. He really stepped up his game this tournament having games of 20 and 14 points. A tough interior scorer that battles for position inside and can bully defenders for baskets scoring over them or right through them. For his size he moves well and plays with good energy running the floor hard.
Jake Stephens – 2024 – G – DV45
Stephens continues to prove he is one of the top scorers on the NY2LA Association with multiple 20+ point games during the tournament to help DV45 to a 3-1 record. He is an incredibly tough attacking guard that was beating defenders with his strength as well as his moves but showcased his scoring versatility knocking down threes all weekend too.
Layton Starks – 2024 – SF – Cave Gym Elite
The wing out of Kentucky is a highly intuiting junior with all his tools. Starks is 6’5” with some length and plenty of bounce throwing down multiple big dunks. He is also a good playmaker off the dribble with his ability to hit shots off the dribble and attack the basket.