Fort Erie International Academy The Grind Session Toronto Team Analysis

Style of Play:

Fort Erie International Academy is a team that thrives playing fast in transition with multiple ball-handlers. They have ball-handling guards and forwards with guard skills, allowing them to push the pace as soon as they get a rebound and secure easy fast-break points. They have many leak-out players who are catch and shoot pull-up threes threats or use their quickness, explosiveness, and ability to fill the lanes well to get easy catch and finish opportunities at the rim. They have rim running bigs who are quick to get down the floor and athletic above the rim finishers and lob threats. In the half-court, they run pick and roll with guards who are quick and explosive getting to the rim and bigs who set good picks freeing them up. They try to get switches for their guards into favorable matchups where they use their speed to blow by the defender and get all the way to the rim to finish inside or initiate constant ball movement on drive and kick situations. With their bigs being skilled passers, they have the bigs play out of the high post where they can find cutters at the rim. Fort Erie International Academy is a cutting heavy team and they get a lot of easy shots in the paint from it. Their players have good poise taking their time inside on cuts to get quality looks and execute shot fakes to get the defender up in the air and off-balance. They have effective spacing and a lot of catch and shoot three-point threats making their drive and kick heavy offense extremely effective. Their off-ball players are constantly moving along the three-point line and relocating to spots making themselves available for the drive and kick passer and making it exhausting for opposing team's defenders to chase them around.

With their bigs having a size advantage, they grab extra possessions and second-chance opportunities on the offensive end while limiting the opposing team's extra possessions and second-chance opportunities on the defensive end. When getting offensive rebounds their bigs either go for the putback attempt or scramble it out passing to the open three-point shooter for a quality catch and shoot three-pointer.

On the defensive end, Fort Erie International Academy is getting into passing lanes, disrupting passes, and creating offense from their defense in transition. With their size, they have defensive anchors who can block shots in the paint. They have timing and instincts blocking shots in the paint and discipline jumping straight up without fouling.

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Player Analysis:

Promis N'Landu

Position: G

Height: 6 Feet 3 Inches

Team: Fort Erie International Academy

Class: 2026

Committed to George Washington University

Promis N'Landu is an aggressive slashing guard getting downhill and attacking the rim. He operates in one on one isolation situations using his quick and explosive first step to blow by his defender. He operates in pick and roll situations as a ball-handler either getting around the pick quickly and taking advantage of switches and mismatches or rejecting the ball-screen. He can finish with both hands and attack on both sides. He makes it tough for defenders to stay in front of him with his ability to change speed and direction. He can start drives fast and slow down as he gets to the rim or start drives slow and explode to the rim as he gets closer. He displays a comfort level playing at his own pace and not getting sped up. His finishes at the rim are a combination of being a straight-line driver and using craftiness and footwork to navigate around defenders. He doesn't shy away from contact. He uses his strength to absorb the contact, finish through it, and get free-throw opportunities. He isn't a ball-dominant guard who only needs the ball in his hands to have an impact. He moves well without the ball along the three-point line, finds the open space, and relocates for catch and shoot three-pointers or he is in the right positions on scrambles after offensive rebounds to get high-quality catch and shoot threes. This not only makes him a fit for Fort Erie International Academy's drive and kick offense as a ball-handler but also as an off-ball player as a catch and shoot guy. He is Fort Erie's primary scoring option late in games. He isn't afraid of the moment and gets more aggressive hunting down his shot in crunch time as the game moves on in the second half.

He can create looks for his teammates with passes on drive and kick and dribble penetration, crosscourt passes in the half-court, and in transition finding the leak-out man. Being effective and able to operate in all these scenarios makes him a catalyst in executing the style of play and pace his team wants to play at. His scoring ability in this Grind Session tournament caused teams to become more aggressive with their defensive coverages on him sending double teams, hedges, and blitzes when he was the pick and roll ball-handler. To be more successful operating in this situation, he needs to make quicker decisions and improve his ability to pass through traffic and length.

Defensively, he anticipates and gets into passing lanes for steals and deflections allowing him to create offense from his defense. He navigates through picks moving well laterally and showing defensive lateral quickness. He is quick on rotations and closing out on three-point shooters using his length to force them into a tough contested shot. He has defensive discipline closing out without jumping into the shooter and fouling. He can pick up ball-handlers from the backcourt and be physical with them as they advance the ball wearing them out.

Eli Jolin

Position: F

Height: 6 Feet 7 Inches

Team: Fort Erie International Academy

Class: 2026

Committed to Santa Clara University

Eli Jolin is a forward who operates and thrives in transition running the floor as a leak-out man. He is quick, explosive, fluid for his size, and fills the lanes well allowing him to outrun other teams and get high-percentage easy fast-break points. He is an athletic above the rim finisher. He showcases his guard skills pushing the pace in transition and getting downhill with an effective tight handle at his size. He takes pressure off his team's guards and gives Fort Erie International Academy another ball-handler to run the offense through. His craftiness executing stop and go moves and step-throughs with good footwork and balance makes it hard for his matchup to stay in front of him and take away his drives. His ability to get deep into the paint, attract multiple defenders, and collapse the defense allows him to operate in drive and kick situation and off dribble penetration where he finds and sets up his teammates. He has the ability to play off the ball as a backdoor cutter to the rim and as a catch and shoot three-point shooter constantly moving along the three-point line. When shooting catch and shoot threes, he has quick release, fluid shooting mechanics, and a high release point to shoot over others. The next step for his shot is developing a deeper range from three so he doesn't become an inconsistent shooter as he moves up to the next level and faces a longer three-point line.

A big draw with his skillset is his aggressive rebounding crashing the glass and rebounding out of his zone which showcases his effort and motor. On putbacks, he is an extremely athletic finisher and comes out of nowhere to get them. He is more athletic than he looks and how opposing teams expect him to be. When matched up against him, you always have to keep one or two bodies on him to keep him off the glass.

Defensively, he quickly gets back in transition and forces a tougher shot rather than giving uncontested layups or dunks at the rim. He can stay in front of guys his size with good defensive positioning and contest their shots at the rim without fouling. He is a great teammate picking guys up and encouraging them showing his intangibles from a teammate's perspective.

TJ St. Louis

Position: C

Height: 7 Feet 0 Inches

Team: Fort Erie International Academy

Class: 2026

Uncommitted

TJ St. Louis is a big who is still raw with his skillset and development but he has the size, physical tools, and athleticism to be successful as he gains more basketball experience. His best skillset is being a rim running big in transition. He is an athletic above the rim finisher and lob threat. He moves well without the ball and goes from a cut to playing back to the basket. He has a big size advantage for posting up. His off-ball movements get him into a spot where he can post up, but he has a weak base and lacks strength to get deep post positioning and back down the post defender for a hook shot or turnaround shot. It results in a tough off-balance shot away from the basket.

He can operate in the high post as a passer and facilitator making passes in big to big action, finding cutters, and being involved in give and go actions executing the pass to the guard. This gives Fort Erie creativity with their offense and allows them to run unique sets where the guard is cutting and he as the big can execute the pass.

He showed flashes of rebounding well using his size advantage. He is a 7 footer and there weren't many players his size who could outrebound him. He can get extra possessions and second-chance opportunities offensively for his team and limit extra possessions and second-chance opportunities defensively for the opposing team. Their approach to keeping him off the glass at times was to get into his lower body and knock him off balance. He needs to get stronger so he doesn't get pushed around and bumped from his spots. He can also mistime rebounds at times going after them too early.

He can operate in the pick and roll as a roll guy. He is inconsistent with his pick setting as a big. At times he shies away from contact and looks to slip the pick, and at other times he absorbs enough contact on the pick and frees up the pick and roll ball-handler, which is when he is at his best. When operating in the pick and roll as the roll man looking to score he can go to a push shot with good touch.

On the defensive end is where his biggest impact is. He is a rim protector and defensive anchor. He has the size and length advantage at this level, so others have trouble finishing over him. He has timing and instincts when blocking shots. He jumps straight up vertically without fouling. He is vocal in ball-screen coverages on the defensive end calling out different coverages and communicating with his teammates.

The limitations in his game are mostly strength-based. Once his body fills out more and he becomes stronger in his lower body, he should be a much more efficient and effective offensive player finishing inside, getting deeper post positioning, and not being pushed off his spots when rebounding the ball. All aspects of his game will look better as his strength comes along.

Anthony Ponga

Position: SG

Height: 6 Feet 5 Inches

Team: Fort Erie International Academy

Class: 2026

Committed to California State University Fullerton

Anthony Ponga is an effective off-ball playing guard making him fit a role and system well. He is constantly moving without the ball and finding the open space giving himself scoring opportunities and quality high percentage shots. He cuts to the rim backdoor and from the top of the key with a slight hesitation and misdirection which gets the defense off-balance allowing him to find the open space in the paint for a high percentage shot. He has a two-man game with his teammates and is involved in give and go actions. He needs to improve his finishing in the paint by using a shot fake more and showing poise not rushing shots so he can better finish through size and length.

He can operate as a catch and shoot three-point shooter constantly moving along the three-point line, relocating, and finding the open space in the half-court making it exhausting for defenders to chase him off the three-point line or leaks-out in transition for catch and shoot pull-up threes from the wings and corners. He can be involved in guard to guard pick and roll action where he sets hard picks and pops out to the three-point line or he slips the pick and finds the open space along the three-point line. He has a quick release and fluid shooting mechanics. He has lift and elevates off the ground when shooting making him unaffected by contests. He is a volume three-point shooter taking and making a lot which spaces the floor for his teammates to operate to their strengths in the paint. His ability to start the game as a three-point threat forces defenders to pressure up on the three-point line opening up cutting opportunities, driving lanes, and scoring opportunities in the paint as they try to take away his three-point shot. He has shown the ability to put the ball on the floor and attack closeouts from the three-point line.

On the defensive end, he anticipates and gets into passing lanes, giving his team more opportunities to play fast.

Deng Ngor

Position: F

Height: 6 Feet 8 Inches

Team: Fort Erie International Academy

Class: 2027

Uncommitted

Deng Ngor is a forward with a tight handle who can put the ball on the floor and get to his spot fluidly. He can go to a floater or push shot with good touch or get all the way to the rim and display his athleticism attacking closeouts. He is a straight-line driver with an effective first step at his size to blow by defenders. He doesn't shy away from contact and gets to the free-throw line where he is an efficient shooter displaying good mechanics, touch, and poise. He is an effective cutter, especially on baseline out of bounds plays. He can fake off-ball screens and cut to the rim with quickness and explosiveness. When moving along the three-point line and getting into his shot he isn't as fluid moving without the ball and is stiff in his hips. In the post, he overdribbles and takes tough contested turnaround shots over players of the same size and length or taller. His shot selection needs to improve and he needs to become a more willing passer to keep the ball moving rather than taking tough contested shots. He needs to better understand matchups where if he has a smaller defender he can attack, but if he has a defender of the same size or more size it won't be an efficient shot to take.

He can set up the fast-break where he can grab the rebound and push ahead quickly to the leak-out man with an accurate outlet pass before the defense gets back. He can make drive and kick passes and off dribble penetration after getting deep in the paint. He can get overflashy at times with his passing rather than making the simple pass making it harder for the off-ball player to get a quality look and causing them to regather when they get the ball.

His motor is on and off going after rebounds. With his size and athleticism, he should be pursuing more rebounds and coming up with them.

On the defensive end, he has shown flashes of versatility defending multiple positions and being a switchable defender. He moves his feet well, anticipates where the guard is going, and beats them to the spot cutting off the driving lane. If guards get to the rim, he has the length and wingspan that make it really challenging for them to finish over him. He can anticipate and get into passing lanes forcing the other team into turnovers allowing him to create offense off his defense where he goes the length of the court and finishes inside.

Junior Jean-Marie

Position: G

Height: 6 Feet 1 Inch

Team: Fort Erie International Academy

Class: 2027

Uncommitted

Junior Jean-Marie is a quick and speedy undersized guard whose game is predicated on getting to the rim. When he gets into the paint, he is a pass first guard looking to facilitate and get his teammates involved on drive and kick and off dribble penetration rather than forcing shots into the paint. He gets deep into the paint and attracts multiple defenders, which collapses and breaks down the opposing team's defense. This skillset would allow him to thrive in a drive and kick ball-movement-heavy offensive system. He can also operate as a catch and shoot three-point shooter. He has a quick release and fluid shooting mechanics. He is shot ready and doesn't hesitate. An area of improvement is that when operating through traffic, he tends to overdribble and has a loose handle making him turnover-prone. He has a knack and is a high-motor player tracking down his team's misses and coming up with loose long rebounds and 50-50 balls getting extra possessions.

On the defensive end, even though he is undersized and bigger players can shoot over him he is quick on rotations and closing out on three-point shooters trying to make it a lower percentage shot and a tougher look for them to make.

Pierre-Charles Yimga

Position: G

Height: 6 Feet 4 Inches

Team: Fort Erie International Academy

Class: 2027

Uncommitted

Pierre-Charles Yimga is an effective cutter to the rim and off-ball role player. He finds holes in the defense and gets to the open space, whether it's backdoor cuts or cuts from the top of the key. He displays poise using a shot fake to get the defender up in the air and off-balance giving him a higher quality shot in the paint and a better chance to finish through size. He finds the open space in the paint and finishes inside. He can also leak-out in transition and play in the open court with his ability to fill the lanes well.

Adam Elaheebucus

Position: SG

Height: 6 Feet 4 Inches

Team: Fort Erie International Academy

Class: 2026

Uncommitted

Adam Elaheebucus is a player who knows his role well and plays to his strengths. He is a low-usage player who picks his spots to score off the ball. He is a three-point specialist, either running in the corner in transition on leak-outs or relocating and finding the open space in the half-court. He has a quick release and fluid shooting mechanics. He is shot ready, shoots the ball confidently, and doesn't hesitate. He can shoot it from the corner and the wings, but he shoots it best from the corners and a lot of his makes come from there.

On the defensive end, he can rotate and draw charges with his feet set forcing a change of possession. He is a more effective team defender than he is a one on one isolation defender in space. He doesn't move well laterally and is too upright making him struggle to stay in front of his matchup whether they are quick and explosive blowing by him or a shifty player getting him off balance and into their shot.

Daven Larosiliere

Position: PG

Height: 6 Feet 2 Inches

Team: Fort Erie International Academy

Class: 2027

Uncommitted

Daven Larosiliere is a guard who is an aggressive downhill driver. He has a quick and explosive first step to the rim. He is aggressive attacking the rim and is always looking to get downhill. He gets deep in the paint and attracts multiple defenders. He struggles to finish through size and length. He is more reliant on straight-line drives and needs to become a more crafty finisher with better footwork so he can finish through more size, length, and athleticism. He can facilitate offense for his teammates with drive and kick passes and off dribble penetration.

On the defensive end, he has a high compete level, is physical, has defensive lateral quickness, and is in a defensive stance limiting blowbys to the rim. 

Totu Akuentok

Position: F

Height: 6 Feet 9 Inches

Team: Fort Erie International Academy

Class: 2027

Uncommitted

Totu Akuentok is a big who plays out of the high post rather than wanting to be a physical interior presence. He attempts face-up mid-range shots out of the high post. For him to be a more effective and efficient high post player he needs better touch on his shot. He is stiff in his hips, slow to get his shot off, and has little to no backspin resulting in a flat shot. He can get to open spots as a cutter but it is also a situation where he lacks touch and poise. With his size, he should look to dunk more inside to be a more effective higher percentage finisher in the paint.

On the defensive end, he is more refined than on the offensive end. He is a rim protector using his size and length to block and alter shots at the rim. He can rotate out to shooters well for his size and quick enough to get a hand up and make the shot a tougher contested catch and shoot three-point look.