The Grind Session Los Angeles Standouts

Style of Play:

The Grind Session is an event that attracts some of the best high school talent, who get to show what they can do against high-level competition. In this tournament, most teams played a fast paced offense getting easy fast-break points whether it's transition ball-handlers going all the way to the rim or pulling up for a dribble jumper, leak-out players getting open for catch and shoot threes or easy rim finishes, or rim-running bigs acting as athletic lob threats. The teams that couldn't handle the fast frenetic pace and lacked athleticism got sped up, overdribbled through traffic with a loose handle, and struggled to score. In the half-court, the teams with an effective guard and center ran more pick and roll offense, while those with a stretch big operated more on the perimeter as a pick and pop threat. A lot of teams emphasized guard play in the half-court creating a constant drive and kick offense with dribble penetration, collapsing the defense, and finding the catch and shoot three-point shooter or cutter. Teams with a lot of size would take advantage of mismatches against smaller defenders by using a post up big, getting deep post positioning, and going to a hook shot or turnaround shot. The teams whose bigs would shy away from physicality would play more out of the high post and set things up from there. ______________________________________________________________________

Standouts:

Caleb Holt

Position: G

Height: 6 Feet 5 Inches

Team: Prolific Prep

Class: 2026

Uncommitted

Caleb Holt is a guard who isn't elite at one thing but does multiple things well. He is effective in transition as a ball-handler and leak-out player. When leaking out his ability to be quick, explosive, and fill the lanes well allows him to play at the fast frenetic pace his team plays at. He can either get all the way to the rim, get catch and shoot pull up threes in transition, or get into a dribble pull-up jumper. He initiates contact with his strength allowing him to get to the free-throw line and finish through it. He is more of an off-ball role-playing guard than a shot creator and primary decision-maker. He knows his role and plays it well, showing his basketball IQ. He plays on a deep team with multiple high-level players which limits his role whereas if he were on another team he would be able to showcase more of this skillset. As a pick and roll ball-handler he is quick at navigating around the pick, getting to his spot, and getting his shot off. Off the ball, he can operate as a cutter and catch and shoot three-point shooter. When cutting to the rim he moves well along the baseline, gets behind the defense, fluidly comes around off-ball back screens, and finds the open space in the paint for high-percentage shots. He is a lob threat and has good hands to catch those tough lob passes and finish them. To get his catch and shoot three-point opportunities he is constantly moving without the ball along the three-point line making it exhausting for defenders to chase him around. He can be a movement shooter with his balance and footwork getting into that shot. When shooting threes off the dribble and on the catch he has a quick release, fluid shooting mechanics, and is comfortable operating in both situations. When shooting on the catch, he uses his size and high release to shoot over smaller guards.

As a passer, he sets up his teammates leaking out with a quick accurate outlet pass getting them easy fast-break points in the paint before the defense could get down. In the half-court he can pass in the pick and roll and off dribble penetration and drive and kick. He is quick finding the roller at the rim for a high-percentage shot allowing him to run quick pick and roll offense with an effective two man game. On drive and kick he gets deep in the paint, attracts multiple defenders, collapses the defense, and finds the open catch and shoot three-point threat for a high-percentage shot.

Being a bigger guard, rebounding comes easier for him. He has a high motor tracking offensive rebounds to create extra possessions and second-chance opportunities. He can convert putbacks being an athletic above the rim finisher.

On the defensive end, he can force turnovers by getting steals and deflections. He tries to pick up from the backcourt and applies resistance. Although he has the body and physicality to make it tough for smaller guards, he struggles to get into a defensive stance and is too upright, leaving him vulnerable to quickness and speed.

Bruce Branch III

Position: SG/SF

Height: 6 Feet 8 Inches

Team: Prolific Prep

Class: 2026

Uncommitted

Bruce Branch III is an aggressive player looking to score and hunting for shot opportunities. He operates in transition as a ball-handler after grabbing a defensive rebound and pushing the pace or as a leak-out guy where he is quick to get down the floor and outrun opposing teams. He is quick, explosive, has big strides, and uses his body to shield off defenders. When he isn't scoring as a transition ball-handler, he finds his teammates either on rim runs or leaking out for shots. In the half-court, he has the potential to be a three-level scorer with the ability to create his own shot from inside, mid-range, and three-point range. He can create separation from defenders with a step-back jumper. He has moments when he operates as a big guard in the pick and roll as a ball-handler getting to his spots and rising up to shoot. He plays off the ball moving well and relocating to the open space along the three-point line which allows him to generate higher quality shot opportunities. He has a quick release, fluid shooting mechanics, and uses his size to shoot over smaller defenders closing out on him. With his size advantage and physicality, he can post up smaller defenders and seal them off for shots in the paint, taking advantage of switches and mismatches.

On the defensive end, despite lacking defensive lateral quickness he moves his feet well and is physical which makes up for his lack of footspeed and makes him an effective one on one defender. As a team defender, he is quick on rotations and closes out with intention. He has the length to disrupt passes or force tough contested shots.

Davion Adkins

Position: PF/C

Height: 6 Feet 9 Inches

Team: Prolific Prep

Class: 2026

Committed to University of Kansas

Davion Adkins is a big that can operate in a variety of situations. He can be used in the pick and roll as a roll man. He sets good hard picks and generates switches into favorable matchups for the pick and roll ball-handler, making him someone who can get a good amount of screen assists. He uses his mobility and quickness to roll to the rim or slip picks and find the open space for high-percentage shots inside. He can also operate as a back to the basket post up big. He has the strength, physicality, footwork, and size advantage to get deep post positioning and back down smaller defenders to get high-percentage shots. He is effective and active as a cutter from the top of the key or wings and backdoor. He is an athletic above the rim finisher. When getting shot opportunities in the paint he is very poised.

He is a high-level rebounder. He gets extra possessions and second-chance opportunities for his team and limits them for opposing teams. He can get multiple shot opportunities on a single offensive possession with the relentlessness he displays on the offensive glass. He has a nice finishing touch on putbacks going back up for the shot attempt or finding teammates after grabbing the rebound for quality looks.

On the defensive end, he shows potential to move his feet well and guard in space giving him the capabilities at times to be a switchable defender. His main skillset is rim protection and shot blocking. He has length, timing, and instincts as a shot blocker. He is disciplined jumping straight up vertically without fouling.

Beckham Black

Position: PG

Height: 6 Feet 4 Inches

Team: Southeastern Prep

Class: 2027

Uncommitted

Beckham Black is most effective being a slashing guard in space and in transition. He is quick and explosive bringing the ball up as a ball-handler and pushing the pace. He can change speed and direction and he plays comfortably at his own pace, allowing him to get to the rim with ease and making it hard for defenders to stay in front of him. His ability to rebound the ball and push the pace allows his team to play at a faster pace. He is a primary scorer and can operate in isolation situations. He has a quick and explosive first step to blow by defenders and get to his spots. He can attack and finish on both the right side and left side. His aggressiveness getting to the rim combined with his strength allows him to absorb contact, finish through it, and get to the free-throw line. He can also initiate contact and create separation from the defender bumping them off without committing an offensive foul. When he isn't getting deep in the paint, he can get to a floater with good touch. He sets the tone by getting into the paint, putting rim pressure, and then expanding his range attempting more shots from the mid-range and three-point range. He elevates off the ground jumping high on his shot and getting it over defenders. At times he was taking tough contested shots over bigger players in the mid-range and forcing his offense a bit to try and get going in the first half. Once he got into a rhythm, he started converting those shots in the second half. He doesn't get many opportunities to operate off the ball since his team needs him to make decisions with the ball in his hands, run the offense, and score, but he showed flashes of cutting to the rim and operating in give and go actions. When cutting to the rim, defenders have an issue staying with him because of his quickness and ability to get them off-balance by faking one way and going another. On cuts, he shows his athletic above the rim finishing ability for a guard.

He has the ability to create looks for teammates off dribble penetration and drive and kick, in transition, and finding cutters in the half-court. He is vocal on the court directing the offense and telling teammates where to be, showing his point guard mentality.

On the defensive end, he picks up full-court and applies resistance wearing out ball-handlers and making it tough for them to advance the ball. He has quick, strong, and active hands to dig in and poke the ball away. When matched up against bigger players in the post, he denies them deep post positioning and entry passes, and uses his physicality to make their catches more difficult and force them to operate farther from the basket. He has a strong base and is tough for post up players to back down despite their size advantage. As a team defender, he is quick on rotations and closes out hard to three-point shooters eliminating space for quality catch and shoot looks.

Toni Bryant

Position: F

Height: 6 Feet 10 Inches

Team: Southeastern Prep

Class: 2026

Committed to University of Missouri

Toni Bryant in the half-court is a player who doesn't get stagnant, constantly moving to find the open space inside on cuts or along the three-point line for catch and shoot three-pointers. He comes around pindowns and stagger screens moving fluidly and getting around them quickly for his size. He has a quick release, fluid shooting mechanics, and a high release point. He is shot ready and doesn't hesitate. He is a willing cutter and finds holes in the defense executing cuts backdoor or from the top of the key. He has the potential to be a lob threat but had poor hands catching the ball. On post ups, he has the strength and physicality to fight for deep post positioning and then finish through contact or take advantage of mismatches by sealing off and having teammates throw the ball high to him for a catch and finish inside. He can play out of the high post either scoring on a turnaround shot or facilitating for his teammates cutting to the rim. In transition, he isn't as quick or explosive as other players, so he operates as a trail guy allowing him to stay in the possession when his team plays at an extremely fast pace. When he is ahead of the play, he operates as a catch and shoot pull-up three-point shooter. There are flashes where he is ahead of the play operating as a rim running big and an athletic above the rim finisher, but he doesn't do it consistently enough and it is against significantly less athletic teams who can't keep up with him.

On the defensive end, he is quick on rotations and closing out on three-point shooters forcing them into tough contested looks over his size and length. He can block shots with the length and size he has. He has timing, instincts, and covers a lot of ground when blocking shots. When getting beat on a closeout, his length and size allow him to recover, get back into the play, and block shots from behind. He can wall up and defend post up threats using his strength and physicality to take away deep post positioning and not get backed down.

Zion Green

Position: PF

Height: 6 Feet 10 Inches

Team: Mount Zion Prep

Class: 2027

Uncommitted

Zion Green is a versatile forward who can operate in transition as a ball-handler pushing the pace or leaking out. As a ball-handler, he can get all the way to the rim with his quickness, explosiveness, and big strides. He is under control bringing the ball up and has a tight handle for his size, so defenders can't get their hands on it and force him into turnovers. His ability to grab rebounds and advance the ball in transition is a luxury for his team giving them multiple ball-handlers and playmakers. He is a crafty finisher with good footwork in the open court. As a leak-out man, he plays the corners or rim runs. In the half-court, he operates as a pick and pop threat. He sets good hard picks freeing up the pick and roll ball-handler and taking the initial defender out of the possession forcing a switch into favorable matchups for his teammates and himself. After getting a switch, he can exploit mismatches playing back to the basket or facing up. In these situations, he generates his own offense using just one or two dribbles to attack the rim or pull up in the mid-range. He absorbs contact, can finish through it, and get to the free-throw line. He has a good routine and touch making him an efficient free-throw shooter. Off the ball, he can get catch and shoot three-pointers in the half-court after receiving crosscourt passes or passes off dribble penetration and drive and kick. He is shot ready and doesn't hesitate. He is an active cutter finding holes in the defense and getting to the open space making him a threat to play off guards who get double-teamed. He is an athletic above the rim finisher as a cutter.

He is relentless on the glass grabbing extra possessions and second-chance opportunities and limiting them for the opposing team. He grabs rebounds off the rim and long loose rebounds. He jumps high for rebounds, can grab tough contested rebounds through traffic, and he can rebound out of his area. He converts putbacks into points having a nice finishing touch in the paint.

On the defensive end, he is quick on rotations and gets out to three-point shooters using his length to force them into tough contested shots. He can protect the rim coming from the weak side quickly and blocking shots. He is quick coming back in transition and challenging shots or fouling hard reducing the amount of quality easy looks for the opposing team. He displays timing and instincts when blocking shots. When defending in pick and roll situations, he communicates for switches.

Anthony Thompson

Position: F

Height: 6 Feet 8 Inches

Team: Western Reserve

Class: 2026

Committed to Ohio State University

Anthony Thompson is a skilled scoring modern day big with guard skills. His best skillset is operating as a tall, high-volume three-point shooter. He can operate in transition as a leak-out guy where he is quick, explosive, fluid, and fills the lanes well. He gets to the open space along the three-point line or trails for catch and shoot pull-up threes. If he doesn't score in transition, he is active following his guard's misses and crashing the glass. He shows moments where he brings the ball up as a ball-handler and goes the length of the court after grabbing a defensive rebound. In the half-court, he constantly moves without the ball and doesn't get stagnant either cutting to the rim or moving along the three-point line to find the open space. As a backdoor cutter to the rim, he hesitates and uses misdirection allowing him to get past the off-ball defender for a high-percentage shot in the paint. He is a pick and pop threat. He sets good hard picks and absorbs contact with the defender freeing up the pick and roll ball-handler to find him. He can also slip picks and get to the open space in the paint with his mobility and quickness. He has a quick release, fluid shooting mechanics, and the size to shoot over smaller defenders. He is such a threat from three-point range that defenders closeout hard and force him to put the ball on the floor. From there, he has shown an ability to attack those closeouts and finish at the rim. The combination of changing speed and direction with his size makes it hard for defenders to stay in front of him. He finishes comfortably with either hand and operates effectively from both sides of the court. He can operate in the post securing deep position and using his strength to back down smaller defenders for a high release turnaround jumper. He can also spin off defenders to get straight to the rim.

He shows potential as a playmaker for his teammates and setting them up as a passer. He is an effective passer in drive and kick, out of the low post, in the pick and roll, and making crosscourt passes to three-point shooters in the half-court. In the low post, he can find cutters after attracting double teams and multiple defenders and displays good timing and touch with his passes. He doesn't get used often as a pick and roll ball-handler but he has shown flashes of being effective when used in big to big pick and roll action where he is the ball-handler. He is quick finding the roller and setting them up for a high-percentage shot inside or getting to his spot for a three-pointer off the dribble. This is a skillset teams can look to utilize and expand upon in the future to add more creativity to their offense.

He is an aggressive rebounder who leverages his size, motor, and athletic tools. He jumps up high for rebounds and can grab tough contested rebounds through crowds. He converts second-chance opportunities into points getting tip-in putbacks and cleaning up his teammates' misses.

On the defensive end, he can force turnovers using his length and anticipation jumping the passing lanes to create offense from defense and get transition opportunities. He is quick on rotations and closing out to three-point shooters using his length and size to contest, alter, or block three-point shots. In the paint, he is quick coming from the weak side to block shots. He has timing, instincts, and covers a lot of ground when blocking shots. He shows flashes where he is a switchable defender in the pick and roll. He has the length, size, and physicality that make opposing team's pick and roll ball-handler not want to attack him.

Troy Fason Jr.

Position: PG

Height: 6 Feet 0 Inches

Team: DME Prep

Class: 2026

Uncommitted

Troy Fason Jr. is an aggressive guard attacking the rim. He has a quick and explosive first step to blow by defenders and get to the rim. He can change speed and direction and he is low on his drives, which makes it hard for defenders to stay in front of him, especially those who are bigger. He faced tough defensive looks including full-court pressure from various types of defenders and navigated that physical play using a tight handle. He can finish through size by finding ways to contort his body to get shots off or by operating as a crafty finisher with good footwork. He doesn't shy away from contact, can initiate it, and get to the free-throw line. When teams guard him more tightly from the three-point line and apply pressure, he can attack the defender closing out and get to a floater with good touch or a mid-range dribble pull-up. Off the ball, despite being an undersized guard, he shows flashes cutting to the rim and getting to a floater comfortably to avoid his shot being blocked.

As a passer, he finds teammates off drive and kick and dribble penetration. He attracts multiple defenders, collapses the defense, and finds the open catch and shoot three-point shooter. He has more of an attack mentality and score first mentality, so if he gets deep in the paint and has an opening to get a shot off he will look to score rather than find teammates. The next step in his game is to be a more willing passer balancing scoring with facilitating others' offense.

On the defensive end, despite being an undersized guard he is physical with bigger players and is a high IQ player. He can make bigger players feel his presence and if they are bringing up the ball in transition he will commit the foul by being in front of them to stop the fast-break opportunity. He makes the right reads double teaming the post and helping so he pokes the ball away which is beneficial for DME Prep being a smaller team and not matching opposing teams' size.

Ryan Hampton

Position: SF

Height: 6 Feet 7 Inches

Team: DME Prep

Class: 2027

Uncommitted

Ryan Hampton is best in the open court pushing the pace when he has the ball in his hands or leaking out. As a ball-handler he is quick getting down the floor, changes speed and direction, and has the physical frame to keep defenders off him. Leaking out, he is quick to get down and fills lanes well. He is a crafty finisher with good footwork and better body control in the open floor than in the half-court. He can start drives fast and slow down as he gets towards the rim. In the half-court, he is an effective off-ball player and not as effective with the ball in his hands. He is a high-level catch and shoot three-point shooter. He has a quick release and fluid shooting mechanics. He is shot ready and doesn't hesitate. He gets his catch and shoot three-point opportunities from teammates finding him off drive and kick and dribble penetration. He is more of a corner shooter than a wing shooter.

When attacking closeouts he lacks the speed, burst, and explosiveness to blow by the defender closing out on him, resulting in tough off-balance shots from inside and mid-range where he loses body control. Defenders force him into tough contested long twos which are analytically low-percentage shots. He can at times look to play back to the basket and post up from a distance which contributes to his poor shot selection and lack of body control. As a ball-handler in the half-court, he operates best as a pick and roll ball-handler and is more decisive coming around picks and getting to his spots fluidly in the mid-range. He can be a ball stopper at times taking tough contested shots and overdribbling through traffic with a loose handle rather than moving the ball around. He needs to become a more willing passer and find the open man rather than settling for tough contested shots off the dribble. He is relentless crashing the glass and grabbing tough contested rebounds through traffic. He can grab rebounds off the rim and track long rebounds after misses.

On the defensive end, he is quick to get back in transition and limits opponents from getting easy fast-break points. He limits good off-ball movement along the three-point line and cuts to the rim being a glue guy and staying with his matchup. He has long arms and length to disrupt passes and recover if he gets beat. His struggles defensively are in the post where he allows deep post positioning and needs to add more strength to his body.

Rokiem Green

Position: G

Height: 6 Feet 4 Inches

Team: Bella Vista Academy

Class: 2026

Committed to San José State University

Rokiem Green thrives in transition as a ball-handler and on leak-outs. As a ball-handler he is under control, plays at his own pace, changes speed and direction, and uses his body and frame to shield off defenders and protect the ball. He has an effective handle that defenders can't disrupt. Leaking out he is quick getting down the floor, fills the lanes well, and understands spacing. He gets catch and shoot pull-up threes with a quick release and fluid shooting mechanics. In the half-court he moves well without the ball,  relocates to the open space, and makes himself available for high percentage catch and shoot three-pointers. When defenders closeout on him from the three-point line, he puts the ball on the floor and can get into a 1 to 2 dribble pull-up mid-range shot. He is very effective and mechanical in getting to his spot in the mid-range operating on minimal dribbles and not overdribbling the ball. He has balance and lift and elevation getting off the ground when shooting. When driving to the rim on closeouts he can initiate contact, get to the free-throw line, and finish through contact. Late in games, he is his team's go-to scorer. He isn't afraid of the moment and wants the big shots. At the end of games, he operates more as a pick and roll ball-handler coming around the pick to get to his spot for a three off the dribble after a late switch from the opposing team's defense or as a shot creator in one on one isolation situations. He has a high motor and is in the right spots at the right time allowing him to get offensive rebounds and create extra possessions for his team as a guard.

He can set up teammates as a passer in drive and kick situations and in transition. He is unselfish in transition as a ball-handler prioritizing getting his teammates going rather than finding his own offense. He can set screens as a guard allowing his team to run creative offensive sets.

On the defensive end, he can anticipate forcing turnovers and deflections creating offensive opportunities off his defense. He is picking up ball-handlers from the backcourt and applying resistance making it tough for them to bring the ball up. He is quick on rotations closing out on three-point shooters and forcing tougher contested threes. He can hold his own defending post ups. He competes and walls up making it hard for the post up player to get deep post positioning and back him down.

Promis N'Landu

Position: G

Height: 6 Feet 2 Inches

Team: Fort Erie International Academy

Class: 2026

Committed to George Washington University

Promis N'Landu is an aggressive slashing guard in one on one situations and transition. In transition, he can be a leak-out guy and a ball-handler. As a leak-out guy he is quick to get down the floor as a guard and fills the lanes well allowing him to outrun opposing teams and get quality offense in the paint. He is quick pushing the pace in transition and getting all the way to the rim as a ball-handler. In the half-court on isolations, he has a quick and explosive first step to blow by defenders and get to the rim. In the pick and roll his teammates look to force switches into favorable matchups for him, letting him use his speed to drive downhill. He changes speeds and directions when attacking the rim to complement his athleticism. He plays with poise at his own pace and without getting sped up. He can finish with both hands from both sides of the court. He can be both a straight-line driver to the rim and a crafty finisher with good footwork when the paint gets crowded and teams try to take away his drives. He can absorb the contact, take bumps, and get to the free-throw line. He isn't a ball dominant guard and plays off the ball as well. Off the ball, he constantly moves along the three-point line and relocates to find the open space for catch and shoot three-pointers. He has a quick release and fluid shooting mechanics. He is a clutch scorer and go-to scorer for his team late in games. As the game progresses, he becomes more aggressive in hunting for his offense and scoring for his team.

As a playmaker, he can make passes in the pick and roll, off dribble penetration, and in transition. In the pick and roll, he is quick to find the big rolling to the rim or executing a short roll and sets them up with a pocket pass.

On the defensive end, he can use his quick, strong, and active hands to poke the ball away and get steals or he anticipates and plays the passing lanes allowing his team to create offense from his defense by getting out in transition. He is quick on rotations and closing out to three-point shooters forcing them into a tougher contested shot or speeding them up. As a one on one isolation defender he has defensive lateral quickness, moves well laterally, and is in a defensive stance allowing him to cut off driving lanes to the rim. He also has a high IQ guiding his matchup towards the rim protection.

Dazon Reid

Position: PG

Height: 6 Feet 4 Inches

Team: Huntington Expression Prep

Class: 2027

Uncommitted

Dazon Reid is a score first guard with three-level scoring ability creating his own shot from inside, mid-range, and three-point range. He takes what the defense gives him and takes good shots. On the offensive end in the half-court, he is mainly used as a pick and roll ball-handler. He is quick to get around picks and to his spots to generate offense. At the start of this Grind Session tournament, he operated more as a shooter and when teams keyed in on his shooting he became more of a driver. As a shot creator, he creates a good amount of separation from the defender with a step-back jump shot. If they play up on him and guard him tightly from the perimeter, he starts getting aggressive attacking the rim, blowing by his matchup, and getting deep into the paint. He can change speed and direction and he is low on his drives which makes it hard for defenders to stay in front of him at this level. He is also comfortable getting to his spot for a floater but needs better touch to finish it more efficiently. He gets his floater up high making it tough for the defender to get a quality contest on it, but it is flat coming out of his hands. The combination of his aggressiveness getting to the rim and his strength makes him a threat to draw contact, get to the free-throw line at a high rate, and convert on easy points. At times, he loses body control when attacking the rim and is forced to finish through size. To finish in the paint more consistently and not struggle with it as much, he needs to be a craftier finisher with better footwork to navigate around defenders crowding the paint, rather than relying on straight-line drives as he does right now. He operates effectively off the ball, remaining impactful without needing the ball constantly in his hands. He is constantly moving along the three-point line, finds the open space, and relocates for catch and shoot three-pointers. In transition, he either takes pull-up threes off the dribble when operating as a ball-handler or catch and shoot pull-up threes when operating as a leak-out man. He gets all the way to the rim as a leak-out guy with his quickness getting down the floor, outrunning other teams, and filling the lanes well.

He operates as a drive and kick passer after attracting multiple defenders and collapsing the defense. He has no problems finding the open man for a catch and shoot three-point shot but should become more of a willing passer rather than taking a tough off-balance shot at the rim through size.

On the defensive end, he can get steals using his quick, strong, and active hands as a guard to poke the ball away from bigger players or disrupt passes. In isolation situations he has defensive lateral quickness, moves well laterally, and is in a defensive stance limiting paint touches and drives to the rim. He has a high motor, diving for loose balls and 50-50 balls.