WESTON, Mass. – The Rivers School was host to the Boston Best 40, run by ESkillz Academy this weekend. Saturday saw sixth and seventh graders in attendance, while Sunday belonged to eighth and ninth graders. While several other basketball events in the area drew some of the talent, the turnout was good, and while not as many players were present as in last year’s event, that was fine with the organizers and a big reason they split it up into two days. The young players listened to some words of wisdom from a few speakers, participated in organized stretching activities and then went through drills before it was time for games in the afternoon.
Sunday’s action included a couple of tenth graders in addition to the younger players. There was a good deal of size there, a nice surprise in an event that is often dominated by guards. All in all, the effort the young players put forth was good at both ends of the floor.
The most impressive guard was Brian Mukasa. The incoming freshman at Sharon High School showed a nice feel for the game, a good motor and solid fundamentals. As his body develops, the lefty is going to be well worth watching as he also has great leadership qualities that will make him an excellent point guard down the road.
Steven Basden was the most impressive guard off the ball. A rising sophomore at Governors Academy, he showed a nice shooting touch all day and got some offensive boards using his good body that can still get better. Another who showed a shooting touch was Albert Lawrence, an incoming freshman at Codman Academy in Dorchester. A baby physically, Lawrence will need to be a little quicker on the draw but his shots were going down when he was left open. Victor Udoji was active and showed a good motor, and the rising sophomore at Boston College High School might not initially jump out at you but he was a factor on the court.
Patrick Benzan was back in action here, although clearly not 100 percent after spraining both ankles in July. The incoming freshman at Roxbury Latin had some good moments running the show as he knocked down a couple of jumpers and a nice runner over a taller player. Johnnie Spears, a rising sophomore at Georgetown High and the younger brother of St. Mark’s junior Jaymie, is a baby physically and plays a little like his brother.
The frontcourt had some nice players, led by Jeremy Miller, an incoming freshman at Milton High School. Probably the top prospect in the area in the Class of 2014 right now, Miller continues to look better every time out as he showed a mean streak inside and had moments of dominance, while also knocking down mid-range jumpers. It’s hard to believe that at one time his motor looked like a question mark, because that doesn’t appear to be the case now.
Aaron Falzon, who will join older brother Tevin for a year at Newton North, showed a nose for the ball and some solid skills. In many respects, he is a more athletic version of his brother as the skill package is not very different and he’s already close to his brother’s height.
Kyle Dokus wasn’t a big factor on the day, but he’s already about 6’5″ and wears a size 17 shoe as he enters high school at Parker Charger in Devens, Mass. this fall. Those specs hint that he’s likely not done growing yet.
All in all, there was some nice talent that will be worth keeping an eye on over the next few years.
