By Pat Dallahan
Today was day number two (and my final day) at the prep national championship in Worcester, Massachusetts. Once again, I will be discussing a player or two from each team I broadcasted in today's quarterfinal action.
Sunrise Christian Academy - Ashton Williamson, uncommitted (post-graduate)
Ashton Williamson, in the two games he played at the NPC, was either the quickest player on the court, or, at the absolute worst, the second quickest player on the court. Williamson's ability to control his pace and speed made him an incredibly hard matchup. One of the best stop and start guards I've seen at the prep level (along with the man he was responsible for guarding today, you'll read about him later). A truly elite ball handler and offensive general. Today, Williamson showed off a part of his game that I did not see at all in the opening round: the three ball. Williamson primarily drove in game number one, but today he felt much more comfortable and confident letting it fly. He shot three of four from beyond the arc and shot seven of fourteen overall. Very crafty finisher around the rim with elite touch on scoop layups. Also finished with five boards and five assists. Holds offers from Western Kentucky and NIU, both received within the last twenty-four hours.
Putnam Science Academy - Fallou Gueye, Sacred Heart commit (C/O 2024) and Oswin Erhumnwunse, Providence Commit (C/O 2025)
Sacred Heart has found themselves one of the best athletes that prep basketball has to offer. Gueye controlled the pace of the Mustang offense exceptionally well. Often times he was the shortest person on the floor for PSA, yet he stands six-foot six! He was phenomenal at getting to the rim and getting to his spots on the floor. Not a lot of wasted dribbles or movement. Although, his shots were not falling today, he did hit a three early that forced the defense to be honest when guarding him, which really allowed him to do what he does best: attack the rim. He only attempted one three, but has a very clean and short shooting motion. Finished four of nine from the field with eleven points. Will be very excited to see how he plays for the Pioneers next year.
I was able to broadcast Oswin Erhumnwunse's breakout last March at the NPC. He tore onto the scene in one of the best dynamic duos I have seen, paired along with the then Rutgers commit (now Georgia Tech standout), Baye Ndongo. He was blocking everything and dunking everything last year and the same is true for this year. Players are afraid to drive when Oswin is in the game. He had a block today that he quite literally caught out of mid air. His ability to fill the middle lane instinctively created lots of options for Putnam in fastbreak situations. Finished with ten points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. Friar fans are VERY excited for him and for good reason. #ThankYou
New Hampton School - Keyshaun Tillery, uncommitted (C/O 2025)
Keyshaun Tillery versus Ashton Williamson was the one of the most entertaining guard matchups I have seen at the prep level. Keyshaun Tillery was the shiftiest guard at the 2024 NPC. Staying in front of him is a very, very tough task and tough ask for a defender. He was truly unpredictable when the ball was in his hands. Tillery is fearless when it comes to scoring, whether it is inside or outside. He shot ten threes while drilling four of them, 2 of which with defenders right in his grill. Showed incredible touch with his left hand, especially for being a right-handed junior. In two games of the National Prep Championship, Tillery is averaging twenty-six points per game (twenty-seven in game one, twenty-five in game two). Without the three star Albany native, the New Hampton Huskies would not be in the National semi-finals. Holds offers from Northwestern, Syracuse, Georgia Tech, Washington, Temple, and St. Bonaventure.
Mt. Zion Prep - Malachi Palmer, Maryland commit (C/O 2024)
Palmer had a very quiet first half for the Spartans. I hardly even remember saying his name on the broadcast in the first twenty minutes. The second half was a very different story for the future Terrapin. Palmer scored all sixteen of his points in the second half, making big shot after big shot for the Spartans. Was particularly impressed by his ability to rise up and shoot over defenders, especially in the mid-range. Palmer created his own shot off the dribble efficiently, using four to five dribbles at the absolute most. He stands at six-foot five, 205 pounds, so when he got downhill, Palmer was very tough to stop. Was able to hang in the air on layups and displace defenders on his way to the cup. Finished with sixteen points (seven for seventeen from the field), two of five from three-point range, and six rebounds. Will be a great addition to Kevin Willard's Maryland program.
Link Year - All Wright, uncommitted (post-graduate)
Not only does he have the best name in prep basketball, but he is also one of the most impressive guards, too! All Wright shares many of the same qualities as the previously mentioned Ashton Williamson and Keyshaun Tillery, in that he is extremely twitchy and a great stop and start guard. Where he differs from the previous two is how slippery he is off of the ball. Does an incredible job of relocating as soon as the ball leaves his hands. Used off ball screens very well and does a great job of finding the open floor/open passing lanes. Was effective in creating his shot off the dribble. Struggled to connect from deep today, going one for five, but was very confident shooting on the move and with pressure. Finished with nineteen total points. Wherever All Wright (I will never get tired of this name) ends up this fall, I am confident he will make an immediate impact for whatever program he plays for. Holds offers from Kent State and Southern Illinois.
Western Reserve Academy - Collin O'Connor, uncommitted (C/O 2024)
On a squad with two Marquette commits, a Liberty commit, and a top fifty player in the class of 2025, Collin O'Connor was by FAR the most impressive player on the court today for the Pioneers. O'Connor is listed at six-foot three, 180 pounds, but plays much bigger than his listed height and weight. Scored the majority of his points inside the paint. Following game number one, it was clear that his finishing ability was his strength was scoring down low. Heading into today, I wanted to see him be a little more confident from beyond the arc, and he delivered on my wishes! O'Connor shot five threes, drilling two of them in catch and shoot situations. Operated in transition very, very well. Always looked to push the pace when the ball was in his hands, but did not play out of his speed or comfort level. O'Connor understood when the game needed him to put the pedal to the metal and when to take his foot off of the gas. Rebounded out of his area well. Finished with twelve points (five of twelve shooting), six rebounds, and three assist. Does not hold any division one offers as it stands today, but I don't think this will last much longer.