There are a ton of players improving their stock as we move deeper into the spring. Here is part three of this section.

Kobe Drake – 2028 – G/F – Michigan Warriors

Drake has been one of most impressive and biggest breakout players on the NY2LA Association this spring. At both the Grassroots Showcase and the Spring Extravaganza, he was one of the top players. In each of these two tournaments he had multiple 20 plus point games while doing plenty more too with his rebounding, creating for others, and defending multiple positions effectively. Drake has done all of this while playing up a level at 17U as a 2028. He has proven to be a physical force on the court as a 6’5” wing who can use his strong build to get to the basket and finish at a high percentage.

Parker Mitchell – 2027 – SG – Team Herro National

After a good junior season for Wauwatosa East in which he averaged 10.1 points while shooting 38% from three, Mitchell has elevated his game this spring. All spring long Mitchell has showcased his great shooting ability. With his outside shooting, he helped his team to a 4-0 record at the Grassroots Showcase and then at the Spring Extravaganza, he hit a total of 13 threes in just 4 games. As well to hit three-point shooting, Mitchell as also scored it going to the basket as a driver and cutter and plays with good energy both defensively and on the glass.

Evan Ploeckelman – 2027 – SF – Elevate

There are few players in the Midwest of the entire nation who have grown their recruitment this spring. Entering the recent May live period, he didn’t have a single division one offer. Since then, in just over a week, he has added eight of them. Iona, Holy Cross, Florida Gulf Coast, Air Force, Le Moyne, UNCG, Milwaukee, and Boston University have all offered Plockelman. He has a ton of translatable tools for the next level as an explosive, two-way 6’7” wing forward with a high skill level.

Gary Thorpe – 2027 – PG – Jay Academy

Thorpe is an incredibly quick point guard who has been a real playmaker on both ends of the floor this spring with Jay Academy. He was one of the top point guards at the recent NY2LA Spring Extravaganza tournament which included scoring 13 points in just a single half of a game. He is a highly elusive playmaker with the ball with not just his quickness but also his handle and shiftiness. While he excels with his play on the attack both scoring and distributing, he has also been able to hit threes at a high percentage. He is also a playmaker on the defensive side on the ball with his intensity and quickness.

Ty Smith – 2027 – SG – Full Package

Throughout the entire spring, Smith has continued to prove his scoring ability. This is highlighted by his knockdown shooting ability from both the outside and mid-range. This includes most recently at the NY2LA Spring Extravaganza hitting five threes in a single game. At the tournament prior to this at the NY2LA Sports Invitational, he scored 12 points twice just in a single half. As well to his shooting, Smith is an athletic guard with some size at 6’3” as well to being able to plays with some physicality to get to his spots and finish. Smith is an under the radar talent in Illinois’ 2027 class that should be generating real college interest.