UA Next: Rising freshman make an impact on Elite 24 stage

UA Next: Rising freshman make an impact on Elite 24 stage

By Robert Alfonso Jr

BROOKLYN, NY – Players from the Class of 2019 and one from 2020 took to the Elite 24 hardwood in Brooklyn on Saturday as a preview for things to come if they continue making improvements.

Putting players this young together and expect continuity is not easy. These guys, however, put on a show that left many in attendance wondering – How many of these guys will be part of the next players to play in the end of the summer showcase under the bright lights of the New York City skyline.

Here four takeaways from UA Next

STEPPING OUT OF THE SHADOWS

Being the son of an NBA player is never easy when you step onto the hardwood chasing the same dreams. Neither is being the younger brother. Many times the comparisons are endless.

Well, two guys, Cole Anthony and Khalil Battle took the opportunity to inform the world compare them against their own merits.

Anthony is a throwback point guard cut from the same fabric that made many New York City guards special. He plays at a different speed and beyond his years. Every chance Anthony had he was pushing the ball up the floor and dropping dimes like he was putting money in a meter. The son of former NBA star Greg Anthony plays with a poise and leadership like of a child who has been around professional athletes. In the fall, the younger Anthony will enroll at Archbishop Molloy where the legend of Kenny Anderson looms along with the success of Sundiata Gaines.

Battle, from New Jersey, is not son of any professional athlete. He just happens to be the younger brother of Tyus Battle, who has committed to play for Syracuse. Regardless of who the younger Battle is related to understand this, he will make sure they speak about him in the same light. The Class of 2019 product is a multi-dimensional player who plays aggressive on both ends of the floor. He makes plays by deflecting the ball, making steals or rebounding and pushing the tempo. Offensively, Battle just knocks down shots. He is not afraid of the moment or making mistakes. Battle fights through and will be a special contributor on the varsity level in the immediate future.

ATHLETICISM, SIZE EQUALS BRIGHT FUTURE

The Class of 2019 showed it has some athleticism and size worth tracking.

Francis Okoro gave everyone watching the practice session and the game a glimpse of what an athletic 14-year old with some size can do. The 6-foot-9 forward from Nashville, Tennessee, via Lagos, Nigeria, ripped down the rim during drill work on Friday. He just made it a point to dunk just about everything around the basket. Okoro also just pulled rebounds from outside his area. In the game, he did some of the same things. The more he develops to become a well-rounded player the harder he will be to guard. His travel team – We All Can Go – has themselves a good one for years to come.

Balsa Koprivica is a name that will continue to be heard down the road. The Serbian native, who lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is seven feet tall. Yes! 7-feet tall! His game resembles that of the many European players before him. When he does get the ball though, Koprivica is usually a good finisher and rebounder. He has some big hands and decent balance, which is always good for a young post player. Koprivica’s development and growth will continue to improve as his game extends and athleticism improves.

SNIPER ALERT

Bryan Antoine has something players his age do not have – a jumper. The New Jersey native can flat out shoot the ball. It does not matter if it is beyond the three-point line, mid-range, foul line extended or any other place on the floor; Antoine turned heads because of his ability to knock it down.

At some points throughout the game, some people said he resembled current NBA player Jamal Crawford. He knows how to fill up the basket. Antoine is also an athletic guard, who at 6-foot-4 can cause some issues against smaller guards. He is easily one of the best shooter in the class.

RANNEY SCHOOL’S FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT

College coaches may want to become familiar with the Ranney School. The school is located in Tinton Falls with a solid academic background. It also has just strengthened its basketball presence for the coming season.

Scottie Lewis and Antoine are headed there in the fall. The duo will be incoming freshman and played together during the travel circuit for Team Rio National. Lewis is an athletic wing who plays at 100-miles an hour all the time. He has shut down middle school gyms with his dunks in the past and do not be surprised it happens on the high school level before it is all said and done. Antoine’s accolades can be found just above.

The Jersey school will get attention from coaches and players alike as it has attracted these two guys from within the state.