While several players had very strong weekends, there wasn't anyone in Chicago who was more productive over the course of three days than 2016 small forward Braxton Blackwell.
A likely future five-star from Nashville (Tenn.) Christ Presbyterian Academy, Blackwell was dominant in several areas of the game for his Nashville Celtics team, helping lead his squad to a championship game appearance in the 17-and-under division.
For a 6-foot-6 freshman, the Nashville native is extremely fluid as a bigger athlete who has the agility to play on the wing with skill and strength. Blackwell was efficient all weekend as a tall and long guard who hits the glass on both ends, but on Sunday he stepped up another area of his game, his defense.
Blackwell recorded five blocks, by our count, in the Celtics' semifinal win over Wisconsin Playground Warriors, and most of his deflected shots ended up as dunks for his teammates on the other end.
Also a versatile offensive player, Blackwell will quickly make a name for himself as an elite passing wing who can also score the ball. Blackwell told Rivals that he tries to model his game after top-five 2013 prospect Jabari Parker, referencing Parker's combination of size, offensive IQ and unselfishness as traits he admires.
On the recruiting front, Blackwell already can claim offers from Mississippi State, Auburn, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Florida, Tennessee,
Cincinnati, LSU and Memphis. He has drawn interest from Indiana, North Carolina and Kentucky as well.
http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1509471
