Sophomores Naasir Cunningham and Ian Jackson among 12 who stood above the rest at MLK weekend showcase.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The 20th installment of the Spalding Hoophall Classic lived up to the billing as the premier high school basketball showcase with 27 of the top 50 senior prospects and 16 of the top 50 junior prospects all in one place over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.
The elite talent was on display all weekend as the event saw multiple nationally ranked programs battle to the wire, while the game's top prospects faced off in front of a raucous atmosphere with sold-out crowds Saturday through Monday.
Though the Massachusetts weather hovered near zero, numerous players heated the gym with highlight-reel performances and standout moments throughout the holiday weekend event.
Read on for a look at 12 players who stood out above the rest at this year's Spalding Hoophall Classic.
Indiana signee Jalen Hood-Schifino of Montverde Academy goes up for the jump shot over the outstretched arms of the defender.
Photo by Pete Wright
The junior played
a pivotal role in the Eagles' 66-48 win over MaxPreps Top 25 No. 1
Camden (N.J.), finishing with 22 points, four rebounds, three assists
and two steals on 8-of-19 from the field and 3-of-7 from 3-point range.
The five-star also was part of a physical defensive approach
that held top-ranked junior prospect D.J. Wagner to 12 points on 5-of-20 shooting.
After three games in three days at the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions, the Eagles flew north to take on Camden at the Hoophall after one day of rest. The five-star Stanford commit scored a game-high 25 points on 9-of-23 from the field and 6-of-12 from 3-point range while playing all 32 minutes in a tough eight-point loss.
The sophomore displayed flashes of elite potential, winning game MVP honors with 23 points, 11 rebounds and three
assists on 8-of-13 from the field and 5-of-7 from 3-point range in a
70-60 victory over Westtown (West Chester, Pa.). The 6-8 wing also
chipped in 11 points and six rebounds on 5-of-12 from the field in a
70-61 loss to Simeon (Chicago).
The standout performance of the event belonged to the 6-10 Duke signee who electrified a large Titans' following with 28 points, 10
rebounds, five blocks, four assists and two steals on 10-of-16 from the
field and 7-of-13 from the free-throw line in a blowout win over Life
Christian Academy (Kissimmee, Fla.).
The five-star
Indiana signee played at an elite level in Springfield, providing 12
points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists and four steals on 5-of-10 from the
field in the Eagles' 86-65 win over No. 9 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.).
Hood-Schifino also had 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three
steals on 9-of-21 from the field in a 57-53 loss to No. 2 IMG Academy
(Bradenton, Fla.).
The 6-foot-4 sophomore put together one of the best outings of the event with 30 points, four rebounds and four assists on 11-of-18 from the field and 4-of-7 from 3-point range in the Cardinals' 81-40 victory over De La Salle (Chicago). Jackson proved to be one of the most impressive prospects regardless of class over the holiday weekend.
The three-star
Bowling Green pledge played at a high level in both games over the
weekend, chipping in 12 points, six assists and four rebounds in a 65-58
win over No. 17 Patrick School (Hillside, N.J.) and going for 15
points, eight assists, three steals and three rebounds in a one-point
loss to top-ranked Sunrise Christian Academy.
Five-star
Kentucky signee filled the stat sheet with 19 points, 13 rebounds, five
assists and three blocks in a 70-55 victory over No. 7 Gonzaga
(Washington, D.C.). He struggled from the field in the
Warriors' first outing, but still provided seven points, eight rebounds
and six blocks in a win over No. 6 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.).
Five-star
Duke signee was the most consistent player that appeared multiple times
at the event, going off for 27 points and 12 rebounds on 11-of-16 from
the field in a 63-62 victory over No. 13 Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant,
Utah). Mitchell also led the way with 23 points and eight rebounds in
the Buffaloes' 72-68 overtime victory over No. 11 Combine Academy
(Lincolnton, N.C.).
One of the top unsigned prospects in the senior class, Mintz dropped a game-high 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting in the Warriors' victory against La Lumiere. He produced 11 points and four assists on 5-of-9 from the field against Gonzaga.
Senior Providence commit continued his excellent play on the season with 16 points, nine rebounds, five steals and three rebounds on 7-of-10 from the field and 2-of-3 from 3-point range in 22 minutes of action. The Crusaders blew past Chaminade (St. Louis) 88-40.
Five-star Houston signee has performed well in big games this season and Monday was no different as he had 13 points, seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals on 5-of-7 shooting in a 57-53 victory over No. 5 Montverde Academy. The 6-8 forward broke the game open with a monstrous dunk over fellow five-star senior Malik Reneau.
