It was a great atmosphere at Who Wants Smoke Fall Showcase in Portland, OR. The gym was full of talented players, and a good amount of college coaches were also in attendance. The players competed hard all day, they were engaged when coaches spoke, and for a showcase setting, they shared the ball very well. Check out my notes from the event-- they are broken down into categories of what made these guys stand out to me. You can find the HOOPtalk Showcase Awards posted below the notes.
Best of the Best | 6’5 G, Dax Hanzlik (2024) was the MOP of the day.
He was the most consistent player on both ends of the floor. Offensively he showed all parts of his game— athleticism, spot-up shooting, shot creation, and finishing. He attacked the rim with force all day with many finishing above the rim. His jumper was smooth and whenever he had space he made the defense pay. Defensively he had some chase-down blocks and weak side rotation blocks that raised eyebrows. His play had his name buzzing around the college coaches section. He seized the moment and showed out against good competition. I don’t think he will be under the radar for much longer.
Game Is About Getting Buckets | Although Dax was today’s MOP, the most talented player in the gym was 6'5 CG, Martin Kaupanger (2025) no question.
The 6’5 combo had his way and did whatever he wanted when he felt like it. He led his team to an undefeated record and also was chosen to play in the Top 14 Lottery Pick Game. Watching him up close for the first time since middle school, he’s as good as advertised. I was most impressed with his ability to score without the ball— he runs the floor hard, he relocates well after his kick-outs, he cuts well, and he’s constantly moving in the half-court searching for an opportunistic space. Sneaky athlete and an underrated playmaker; it won’t be long before he secures more D1 offers.
Great Day for Small Guards | The two smallest players, 5'7 PG, Cam Newsome (2026) and 5'7 PG, Quincy Aranda (2024), both made all-showcase teams. The mighty mouse guards had dominant moments throughout the day, and what made it special was they did it in different ways. Aranda was more of a true point guard— great reads in ball screens, nice kick-ahead passes in transition, and knocking down open shots.
Newsome was more of a hybrid point guard— aggressive to score, shot-making off the bounce, and creative playmaking. 5’9 PG, Peyton Reyes (2025) and 5’9 PG, Elijah Gillespie (2026) both had good days as well. Peyton affected games with his energy, pesky defense, and ability to get paint touches. Elijah’s tight handle kept defenders off balance, and his shot-creating ability garnered some ooos and aaahs.
Shooting is a Separator | There was a lot of shot-making going on in the gym, but these guys stood out to me the most in this area— 5’10 SG, Artimus Hebbe (2024), 6’2 SG, Dylan Cheek (2025), and 6’2 SG, Edison Kan (2027). Whenever I caught stretches of their games I didn’t see any of them miss much. Artimus proved he could get hot quick— there were multiple stretches in games where his shooting stole the show by hitting 3’s in consecutive possessions.
Dylan showed he didn’t need much space to get off a clean look— his quick release was unfazed by closeouts. Edison is a good young talent with a lot of upside as a shooter — it’s smooth, it’s repeatable, and he can make shots off the catch and off the bounce.
Defense Wins Chips | As a player I took pride in my defense so I love seeing young players that buy-in on that end of the floor. Three guys stood out to me in this area, and I'd take them on my squad any day: 6’8 F, Nate Gilkey (2024), 6’2 G, Dalton Stevens (2025), and 5’10 PG, Malachi Patton (2027). Nate did a great job of protecting the rim without fouling. If he didn’t block the shot, he affected it with his length.
Dalton has all the tools to be an elite defender at the next level—wingspan, athleticism, strength, and they were all on display. Malachi is an impact defender in my book. His timing, anticipation, and natural instincts are fun to watch. At 5’10 he was at the top for most steals and blocks at the event.
Kraftiness is King | The kings of craftiness for the day were 6’0 PG, Braydon Long (2024) and 6’1 PG, Malakai Gray (2024). These two impacted games with their scoring, passing, and ball handling. Braydon was solid all day. He took care of the ball, operated well in ball screens, and made timely drop-offs when attacking the rim against rotating shot-blockers.
Malakai did much of the same but with a little more flash. He had some nice no-look dimes and some very tough running hooks over rotating shot-blockers. Both guards had a balance of knowing when to get teammates involved and when to look for their own shots. They both handled pressure well, too. They just played the right way, and good things happened because of it.
Buy Stock Now | There were a lot of players here with potential, but two really stood out to me and looked like they’re starting to figure things out— 6’6 G, Kody Holcomb (2025) and 6’4 G, Joshua Crane (2026). In addition to having good size for the wing position, both have versatile skillsets to match.
Kody’s ability to put the ball on the floor and create for himself made him a mismatch nightmare today. Bigs couldn’t keep him in front, and guards couldn’t contest him. He can hit the 3, finish above the rim, and provide defensive versatility. Josh had a pace and smoothness to his game that kept defenders off balance. He avoided defenders with euros and spin moves when he attacked the rim— very comfortable with using his weak hand around the rim. He also did an excellent job of getting to his spots for middies using a nice high release that was hard to contest. These are two guys coaches need to keep an eye on without question.
HOOPtalk Showcase Awards
1st Team All-Showcase:
Martin Kaupanger, Dax Hanzlik, Kody Holcomb, Malakai Gray, Cam Newsome
2nd Team All-Showcase:
Nate Gilkey, Quincy Aranda, Noah Schow, Dalton Stevens, Warren Stanton
Showcase All-Defensive Team:
Nate Gilkey, Dalton Stevens, Malachi Patton, Carlos Rodriguez, Jamierre Phillips
All-Watchlist Team:
Joshua Crane, Elijah Gillespie, Edison Kan, Cam Newsome, Malachi Patton
Top 14 "Lottery Pick" All-Star Game Participants:
Dax Hanzlik, Martin Kaupanger, Kody Holcomb, Dalton Stevens, Noah Schow, Quincy Aranda, Cam Newsome, Malakai Gray, Brandon Logan, Kareem Artheree, Damarien Walden, Nate Gilkey, Dylan Cheek, Warren Stanton
Most Outstanding Player: Dax Hanzlik
Best Passer: Malakai Gray
Best Shooter: Dylan Cheek
Best Scorer: Martin Kaupanger
Best Defender: Malachi Patton
Best Motor: Carlos Rodriguez
Biggest Sleeper: Kody Holcomb
Be on the lookout for my “College Prospects List” from this event dropping soon.
*All pictures used with the consent of Andre Waymond and 2127 Media, and MarkPNW.
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