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Several stand out at Elite 75

September 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment

The Elite 75 camp was loaded with talent and prospects maintained their place in the spotlight while some new names played their way into the picture. Who stood out to us? Check out our detailed report.

6’7 2014 Dwayne Morgan-Baltimore City College HS- Baltimore, MD

Without question, Morgan was one of the premier players at the Elite 75. He has a rare blend of length, athleticism, and skill that separates him from his peers. He has the ability to make advanced ball handling moves off the dribble. He felt more comfortable attacking the rim and didn’t take many perimeter jump shots. He has been nursing an injury and was his first competitive action in over 4 weeks. We were impressed with his ability to play defense and especially boxing out which is often unheard of in camp setting. Morgan mentioned UNLV, Maryland, Georgetown, UNC and Texas as his top five, but stated it was subject to chance. Just a 2014 prospect and we’re sure that list will continue to evolve.

6’8 2014 Tariq Owens- St. Vincent Palotti HS- Baltimore, MD

Owens came into the event with little to no hype or fanfare, but the Amile Jefferson body clone was one of the surprise players and did more to advance his stock than any single player. The long and wiry athletic wing has a nice midrange shooting touch. He is active on both ends of the court. He has fast switch muscles and is extremely quick off his feet. His length allows him to alter and block shots. Owens stated he has an offer from USF and is getting interest from Maryland, Miami, George Mason and Tennessee. Look for his stock continues to rise. He is definitely a prospect that high majors should monitor over the upcoming season and next spring/summer.

6’8 2013 Kennedy Meeks- West Charlotte HS- Charlotte, NC

One has to give Meeks credit for participating in the event. A consensus top 40 prospect, Meeks was just having fun for the day. He simply has the best set of hands and makes the overhead outlet pass as fluent as any one player to come along in quite some time. He used the event to showcase his outside touch. It looks like the recruiting battle is down to 5 schools: UNC, NC State, UK, IU and Georgetown. Meeks stated he was looking for a team that emphasized defense and had great team unity, plus an outstanding coaching staff.

6’7 2014 Dante Buford- Arlington Country Day- Jacksonville, FL

We have appropriately nicknamed Dante “Dr. Dunk” and he more than earned his nickname this weekend. He is truly one of the freakiest WF in the country. He is brutal on the rim, but showcased a much more improved shooting touch from the perimeter. He has good ball handling and passing skills for his position. We strongly feel he is vastly undervalued in the national rankings. While the majority of his interest is coming from mid majors, we still believe Buford is ready to take the next step.

6’11 280 lb. 2014 Lloyd Burgess- The Christ School- Arden, NC

Burgess is still a little raw and doesn’t possess outstanding quickness or foot speed. That being said, he runs the floor well enough due to his lack of conditioning. He also looked like he was nursing a sore knee, but fought through it for the day.  He is absolutely a “load” in the paint and he has super huge/soft hands. We were impressed with his ability to catch the ball in traffic. He does an adequate job of keeping the ball high on rebounds. With improved conditioning and game experience, mid majors will definitely be monitoring his progress at Christ School.

6’0 2014 PG Kamau Stokes- Dunbar HS- Baltimore, MD

Stokes was one of the top point guards in attendance at the Elite 75. He showcased a beautiful jumper and played “string music” consistently throughout the day. He is poised and exhibited outstanding floor leadership and directed players throughout the day. He has excellent quickness and a sure fire no miss mid major prospect.

5’10 2014 PG Marcus Johnson- Evelyn Mack Academy- Charlotte, NC

One word that simply describes Johnson is “explosive.” Outside of Dr. Dunk Buford, Johnson brought the house down with some of his impressive dunks. Johnson possesses a “wicked” right to left cross over and his speed off the dribble is difficult to contain. He has worked hard on his dribble drive pull up jumper and that seemed to be his best and most consistent offensive move for the day. The next step in his development is becoming an astute floor general.

6’2 2014 PG/SG Rashad Wattie- St. Frances Academy- Baltimore, MD

Wattie is a physically mature and athletic “combo” guard that is oozing with potential and upside. His strength, power and leaping ability for his size is impressive and on the offensive end of the court, he is difficult to contain. He has a “full throttle” approach to the game and has a quick first step and once he is by you, he is at the rim finishing with authority. He played with poise and confidence throughout the day and should be a prospect for MM schools.

5’9 2014 PG Trey Foster- West Charlotte HS- Charlotte, NC

We have seen Foster countless times throughout his young AAU and high school career. He has a reputation for being a big time shot maker and many people have labeled him as an undersized scoring PG. That being said, Foster relished the role of being floor general for the day as he was more concerned for setting up teammates and running his team. Foster has tremendous self-confidence, which is appealing, and his winning attitude on the court is contagious. Foster should be a high priority for schools in the Southern Conference, Big South and even CAA level.

6’1 2016 PG Timmy Walker- The Christ School- Arden, NC

Walker is one of the promising young players in a loaded 2016 class for North Carolina. Walker has a physically mature and athletic frame and possesses strength, quickness and power for his age/grade. He is explosive off the dribble and has mastered a mid range pull up jumper which is unique for his class. He has the ability to knock down perimeter jumpers with consistency and also take his man off the dribble. The next step in his development is mastering the nuisances of being a floor general.

6’4 2014 SG Che Bob- Arlington Country Day School- Jacksonville, FL

Che Bob is a strong and athletic WG that possesses all the physical intangibles for his size/position. He attacks the rim with authority and has a quick first step. He has excellent body control and has the ability to take over a game offensively, but needs to have stronger effort more of the time. We were impressed with his lateral quickness and can create havoc defensively when he wants to. While we have seen him shoot the perimeter jump shot in past venues, he was more comfortable attacking the rim. Che Bob should be a solid MM prospect.

6’6 2013 PF BJ Gladden- Olympic HS- Charlotte, NC

Gladden is a strong and physically gifted player that is excellent finishing at the rim. He has excellent body control and has the unique ability to use either hand efficiently and effectively. We project Gladden more as an undersized PF.

5’10 2014 PG Giovanni Mack- Providence HS- Charlotte, NC

The best word to describe Mack is “solid.” A true floor leader/general that plays the game the right way from the PG position and rarely makes a bad play even in a camp setting. He has a solidly built frame and his strength will surprise you. He has the ability to score from the perimeter but he uses his dribble drive ability to get into the gaps to set up teammates. He may have been the best pure PG in attendance and has excellent basketball IQ. He knows the value of balancing the floor and setting up his teammates.  He has excellent poise and confidence and will be a PG to watch in the 2014 class in North Carolina.

6’3 2016 PG/SG Kishawn Pritchett- Lake Norman HS- Mooresville, NC

Pritchell is a nice “combo” guard that had the combination of excellent ball handling and passing skills, but the ability to be a lethal shooter from the perimeter. We loved his composure and self-confidence throughout the day. He has solid fundamentals and a nice blend of athleticism to complement his overall game.

5’11 2014 PG Tayon Gleaves- Independence HS- Charlotte, NC

Gleaves is a lefty PG that is quick on quick and has the ability to push him into a D1 prospect with added strength. We hope to check him out more thoroughly throughout his high school season. He could be a sleeper in the class of 2014.

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Top players at Big Shots I Tournament

July 16, 2012 by 1 Comment

We traveled down to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to capture the final day of the Big Shots I Tournament. Below is a recap of the top players we observed.

Breakout Performances

Player: 6’4 2014 SG Grayson Allen
City: Jacksonville, Florida
High School: Providence Christian
AAU Team: Douglas Brothers
Evaluation: In the 16U championship game against Flight 22, Allen was simply sensational and wowed the crowd with his overall skill and surprisingly athletic ability. He tallied 25 points and they were coming from all spots on the floor. He was knocking down 3 pointers, driving fiercely to the basket, making mid-range pull up jumpers, and was also on the receiving end of an alley oop pass. At 6’4 Allen, has solid ball handling and passing skills and can slide over to the PG if needed, although he is more effective at the SG position. He has a soft shooting touch with a high release with excellent extension and follow through. He has an outstanding touch at the free throw line. On the defensive end, he showcased his athleticism by getting back in transition and swapping an attempted layup high off the glass. Allen has huge hands and feet and looks like he has room for additional growth. He won over many of the coaches in attendance Friday and one coach thought his game reminded him of Bobby Sura. Look for Allen’s stock to roar this summer. He is fun player to watch. He combines the blend of fundamentals, basketball IQ and the athletic ability to make him a MM+/HM prospect.

Player: 6’5 2013 WF Trevaunte Williams
City: Seattle, WA
High School: Garfield
AAU Team: Seattle Rotary
Evaluation: Seattle Rotary lost a tough 64-59 game to the bracket champions South Carolina Ravens, but not without the fight and competitive nature of the athletic WF from Seattle. Williams played at a high level and displayed a high motor throughout the game. His workmanship attitude was evident on both ends of the court. He can score from multiple spots on the floor and has the ability to put the ball on the floor in transition. His speed and strength attacking the basket created problem for the Ravens. Williams finished with a game high 25 points and played with a level of passion and intensity which is refreshing today.

One More Year

Player: 6’0 2013 PG Frank Mason
City: Petersburg, VA
High School: Petersburg HS, but will prep a year at Massanutten
AAU Team: Team Loaded 17U
Evaluation: Mason was originally in the 2012 class and now has decided to prep a year at Massanutt Military Academy. The best words to describe Mason’s game is “tough as nails.” The strong and athletic PG was impressive in his performance in the semi-finals to the SC Ravens. He tallied 16 points mostly off strong and explosive drives to the basket and periodically knocked in a few perimeter jumpers. In addition, he was able to get into the lane at ease and made good decisions kicking out to open teammates. Mason is a strong defender and does sit low on the defensive. He has superb lateral quickness and will be a hot prospect for MM+/HM schools.

Surprise Players

Player: 5’9 2013 PG  Caleb Dougan
City: Murrells Inlet, SC
High School: St. James
AAU Team: Flight 22
Evaluation:. Dougan led Flight 22 to the 63-58 upset win over Grayson Allen and 7’0 John Ebgunu to win the Slam 16U Championship bracket. Dougan finished with 22 points and effectively ran the show for the well coached and disciplined Flight 22 team and may have earned himself some D1 offers from his play at Big Shots. He handled the full court pressure extremely well and dribbled low to the floor making it difficult for the quicker and more athletic opponents to guard. He has advanced ball handling and passing skills and used a variety of dribble moves to constantly evade defensive pressure. His ability to get into the lane caused tremendous problems for opposing teams and made nifty and crafty passes around the rim. Left open from the perimeter, he would bury the 3 point shot with consistency.

Player: 5’11 2014 PG Dantez Bennamon
City: Charleston, SC
High School: Goose Creek
AAU Team: TMP
Evaluation: Bennamon played an outstanding floor game in the championship defeat to Team Loaded by the score of 56-51. On paper, TMP was simply outmanned and didn’t possess the overall talent or athleticism of their opponent, but the steady and strong play of Bennamon kept his team close until the end. He tallied 10 points, but it was his decision making ability that constantly put pressure on Team Loaded. He was effective on the perimeter by using pump fakes directly into a 1-2 dribble drive pull up. He is a strong and explosive guard with a good shooting touch.

Beyond his years!

Player: 6’2 2016 SG Seventh Woods
City: Columbia, SC
High School: Hammond Middle
AAU Team: South Carolina Ravens
Evaluation: Woods was simply outstanding in the semi-final game against a talented 17U Team Loaded squad. The youngster played more like a rising senior rather than a rising freshman. Woods played with tremendous poise and has a beautiful shooting stroke from the perimeter as he continued to knock down clutch 3 pointers in the come from behind victory. He tallied 15 points but the skill, athleticism and overall understanding for the game is off the chart for his age/grade. In a hard fought game, Woods showed the composure of a truly special player and will be one of the premier players in the 2016 class.

Rock Steady

Player: 6’6 2014 WF Caleb Martin
City: Mocksville, NC
High School: Davie County
AAU Team: Team Loaded 16U
Evaluation: Team Loaded breezed through the competition of the 16U division, but did face a solid challenge from a pesky and persistent TMP team. Although, Team Loaded had balanced scoring, it was the timely 3 point shooting of Martin was the big difference in the game. Martin knocked down four 3 pointers in route to his 14 team high points. Martin is excellent in transition and has tight handles for his size/position and has outstanding court awareness and vision. He has advanced passing skills and enjoyed another “rock steady” performance on Friday.

Best of the Rest

Player: 6’9 2013 PF/C TJ Williams
City: Wilmington, NC
High School: Wilmington Ashley
AAU Team: Flight 22
Evaluation:. The NC Phenom 150 Alum banged and battled NBPA alum John Egbunu the entire evening. He didn’t back down from the challenge and the talkative Williams is fun to watch. Rarely, do you find young players that talk more on defense than Williams. He is totally engaged in the game on both ends and is active especially on the defensive end of the court. While he has modest offensive moves, the development in his offensive arsenal will help determine the appropriate level. Currently, he is project at a MM level.

Player: 6’6 2014 Dante “Dr. Dunk” Buford
City: Greenville, NC
High School: Oakwood School
AAU Team: Team Loaded 16U
Evaluation: Buford earned his nickname early in the contest and made his presence known. A freakish athletic combo/forward, Buford is a highlight waiting to happen. His quick and explosive leaping ability is impressive. He is strong attacking the basket and usually finished with contact or draw the foul. No doubt, Buford has the athleticism to play at a high level. The next step for Buford is to fine tune his midrange and perimeter game.

Player: 6’3 2013 PG/SG Troy Caupain
City: Chesterfield, VA
High School: Cosby
AAU Team: Team Loaded 17U
Evaluation: The Cincinnati commit had a strong/solid showing. He is a physically mature guard that loves attacking the rim. He has mastered the “crow hop” move efficiently and effectively and finished at a high rate. He is a high character young man and plays the game the right way. The next step in his development to be more comfortable with his perimeter game.

Player: 6’10 2013 Chuck Ogbodo
City: Greensboro, NC
High School: High Point Christian
AAU Team: Team Loaded 17U
Evaluation: In the second half of the semi-final game vs. the SC Ravens, Ogbodo used his height and length to muster 10 points off missed shots. He was active on both ends of the court with keeping his hands above his head. In addition, he used his length to create problems for the opposing team. The next step for Ogbodo is to develop more refined low post moves or a “go to move” in the paint.

Player: 6’6 2013 WG Travis Hammonds
City: Columbia, SC
High School: Gray Military Academy
AAU Team: South Carolina Ravens
Evaluation:. Hammons should be a high target for MM schools that are looking for an athletic WG with good shooting skills. He is active defensively and plays with good intensity. He finished with 11 points in the 2 point win over Team Loaded. The next step for Hammonds is to “tighten up” his ball handling skills.

Player: 6’2 2013 PG/SG Eric Eaves
City: Hopkins, SC
High School: Gray Military Academy
AAU Team: South Carolina Ravens
Evaluation:. Eaves was one of the better performers in the SC Ravens/Team Loaded semi-final game. He has the ability to be team facilitator or easily create his own shot off the dribble. He scored 15 points from various spots on the court. He knocked down 3 pointers, made midrange jumpers and attacked the basket. He was also very effective in dribble penetration and kicking out to 2016 Phenom Seventh Woods.

Other Impressions

6’6 2013 Kristofer Acox of South Carolina Ravens 17U

6’4 2013 Matthew Howard of South Carolina Ravens 17U

6’7 2013 Treshawn Patterson of Flight 22 17U

6’0 2013 Rian Hollard of Flight 22 17U

5’11 2013 Marquis Davis of Seattle Rotary 17U

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Under Armour Hoop Group Pittsburgh Jam Fest 17U Evaluations

April 25, 2012 by 1 Comment

Powerful AAU teams from all over the country converged on Pittsburgh for the latest edition of the Hoop Group Jam Fest.  Part of the Under Armour Championship Series, the tournament was highlighted by outstanding play in the 17U division.  Recruiting junkies and coaches are familiar with many of the names appearing in my National Top 10.  Some under the radar names in my Regional Top 10 may open the flood gates for prospects’ recruiting interest from programs of various levels. By Ryan Mattocks

National Top 10

1.      Player: 7’ Trayvon Reed
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
AAU Team: Atlanta Xpress 17U
Class: 2014
Evaluation:  In a perfect world, all the kids on my list would be Class of 2013 prospects.  In reality, many younger players who play up show enough talent, size, or production against older opponents that keeping them off of camp All-Star teams, Top 10 lists, etc. when they deserve to be there would be a travesty.  Such is the case with Reed after his performance in Pittsburgh.  The first of two 2014 guys to crack the Top 10, Reed possesses a fluidity in his movements that not only can’t be taught, but is beyond rare in a legit 7’ rising HS junior.  What separates Reed from the pack in terms of play at this stage is his aggression on the defensive end and willingness to see defensive possessions through.  In their 1-2-2 HC zone, Reed’s Atlanta Xpress team used its length to extend it to apply more ball pressure and, thus, saw more quick ball reversals and movement off the ball by their opponents (DC Assault).  Anchoring the middle, Reed actively followed the action, bumped cutters, and rebounded at a high rate – which is saying something because with his slight build he could have fallen prey to the linebacker-like frontline of the Assault.  Covering 22’ of floor space in two strides, the Shiloh High School product denied a corner 3FGA with a draw-dropping show of athleticism and grit.  Obviously, the shot blocking ability is there and his timing is everything you’d want it to be.  Offensively raw and could use a go-to post move + one counter (possibly even a reverse pivot 12’ footer off the glass), but let’s be honest – most bigs – even the good ones – leave college with MAYBE one post move they’ve OWNED.  What Reed needs to fix immediately is his tendency to float on the perimeter and jack threes.  Outstanding top national prospect we’ll see on tv in 3 years.

2.      Player: 6’5 Torian Graham
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
AAU Team: D-One Sports
Class: 2013
Evaluation:  The lanky shooter torched the BSA (PA) team on Saturday afternoon at Avonworth High School, putting up a gaudy 35 points in D-One’s double overtime win (75-74).  Graham’s upper body strength and handle both need work but there’s no question he is an elite marksman  – going no more than a few minutes between burying 3s all game long.  Favoring the deep right wing, Graham converted on two rainbow longballs from that spot to open the game that looked identical.  What’s important in that is the consistency in his form and, as the Phenom Hoop Report chronicled in our coverage of the 2011 Carolina Challenge (before he reclassed), the kid’s lift on his jumper is exceptional.  The normally mild-mannered Graham showed some emotion after realizing he wasn’t hot – he was blazing – by gesturing to the crowd after knocking down big shots.  Lateral quickness isn’t elite but not a hindrance either.  Ball-handling in halfcourt must be tightened (needs to play lower to the floor in order to get by guys), and if he can add a mid-range game off the dribble and/or the ability to get to the rim by playing at 2 speeds (average first step), Graham could pan out as a NBA draft selection as an upperclassman.

3.      Player: 6’3 Markeal Crawford
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
AAU Team: Atlanta Xpress
Class: 2013
Evaluation:  Melrose High (GA) standout Crawford is a nicely sized 2G with outstanding fundamentals and a desire to get after it on the defensive end.  The backcourt mate of #1 Trayvon Reed, Crawford made his presence known to the Division I coaches in attendance (including Georgia, Kentucky, Vanderbilt to name a few) with his textbook, straight up-and-down form on his release.  The defensive-minded Crawford intercepted ball reversals by jumping out early in passing lanes and anticipating plays.  In his team’s 14-point win over a talented D12 Warrior’s program (FL), Crawford moved well off the ball, cutting hard to find the basketball and screening with an unusual physicality for a guy his size (6’3 ~ 185).  Headhunted a backscreen on a 6’7, 230 lb. F in order to set up a lob with no hesitation.  Showed above average speed off the bounce and finished moves in 2 dribbles or less most often, rising up to knock down jumpers from 14-18’.

4.      Player: 6’7 Dante Buford
Hometown:
AAU Team: SC Raptors Elite 17U
Class: 2014
Evaluation:  May end up having the best career of all the prospects in attendance when all is said and done.  The 6’7” competed hard on both ends against a lengthy, athletic Richmond Squires team in Friday’s nightcap at Sewickley Academy.  Coaches from Lehigh, Winthrop, and Campbell were just a few who took in the rising junior’s dominant performance.  Knocking down 2 3’s, Buford tended to settle for iffy shots from deep in the game, partially because his team was getting steamrolled.  Don’t let that dissuade you from considering this viable area of his floor game because his range is legit (hit 2 3s).  Hunted his three too much in transition as well – thought he could have attacked the rim more consistently.  When he’s not leading the break, Buford sprints from end-to-end, finishing a couple easy buckets early on with rim runs.  Dedication to his handle, lateral quickness, and midrange game will vault this sure-fire D1 impact player to the next level.

5.      Player: 6’5 Andrew Harrison
Hometown: Houston, Texas
AAU Team: Houston Defenders 17U
Class: 2013
Evaluation:  The buzz about the better playmaker of the Harrison twins is true: Andrew looks like a high-level lead guard right now and he’s only a junior in HS.  That said, all the slick ball-handling in the world doesn’t erase the lingering effects of poor body language, something he and his brother had in spades in an 8 a.m. game Saturday.  What I liked most about Harrison’s floor-game was his willingness to defer to others.  His loaded Houston defenders squad is stocked with athletes who run the floor like gazelles and the highly touted PG seemed content to put them in easy positions to score.  Defensively he wasn’t challenged vs. an inferior opponent, but he showed flashes of his side-to-side speed in picking off lazy passes vs. the Defenders’ HC trap.  Needs to learn to finish with the left hand more consistently and I’d like to see him in some more PNR exchanges, but there’s not much not to like about this uber-talented prospect.  Can guard any position on the perimeter at the Division 1 level.

6.      Player: 6’1 Nate Britt
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
AAU Team: DC Assault 17U
Class: 2013
Evaluation:  The PG prodigy running things for former NBA Head Coach Eddie Jordan’s DC Assault program this summer was as cool as a cucumber Sunday afternoon in a hotly contested battle with the Ohio Basketball Club.  Already committed to the University of North Carolina, the rising senior took on a relaxed air amongst the throngs of D1 coaches in the gym (John Calipari being one of them) that some of the other prospects fighting for scholarships were not able to replicate.  In fact, I thought Britt played at a pace that was a little too relaxed in the early going – feeding the post repeatedly (in itself not a bad thing), but not punishing the ‘D’ when a big would kick it out after a dig down.  His timing and spacing off the dribble were immaculate – especially in ball-screening/PNR situations.  Tar Heels’ skipper Roy Williams will be happy to know that Nate is adept at putting the rock on the floor and getting by defenders with either hand as well.  The lefty turned the corner on his man with his right hand more than once and finished or got to the line.  Questions surrounding his game at this point for me are the lift on his jumper/ability to get it off vs. any sort of ball pressure at the next level and his intensity on the defensive end.  Unfortunately, Jordan had his kids in a zone much of the time, as is customary in AAU, and Britt’s lateral quickness/wingspan/”want to” on that end of the floor weren’t able to be judged.

7.      Player: 6’9 Jermaine Lawrence
Hometown: Queens, New York
AAU Team: New York Rens 17U
Class: 2013
Evaluation:  First things first – there are so many nice things about this kid’s game that it must be stressed that he’d be significantly higher in the rankings if he had a serviceable left hand.  With that out of the way, the 6’9 Pope John F did a little bit of everything on Sunday against a small but determined Team Loaded (VA).  Rebounding with passion and energy, Lawrence didn’t settle for an initial leap/maybe getting a hand on it – he relentlessly went after balls on the defensive glass and came up with a number of them.  Showed absolutely gorgeous form on his jumper and knocked down a couple triples (although missing badly on a couple as well – the form is there).  Not a freak athlete but showed some hops on a couple leak outs and on a filthy one-handed dunk in traffic off the bounce vs. game defenders.  What sold me on his Top 10 status was his Sam Young-like shot fake/ straight-line drive to the elbow on one bounce for a pull-up jumper.  Palpable potential – will most likely guard the post in college.

8.      Player: 6’5 Aaron Harrison
Hometown: Houston, Texas
AAU Team: Houston Defenders
Class: 2013
Evaluation:  In the interest of full disclosure, I didn’t want to include Aaron on the list.  The less-heralded half of the Harrison Twins had possibly the worst body language of all the players I observed over 15 games at the tournament and, to be honest, I feel like talent evaluators rank really talented twins right beside each other because it’s the thing to do.  Honestly, it’s lazy in some cases.  Pouting aside, the 2G has a major upside and will play a substantial role from Day 1 for any program he inks with.  Jab-stepped into a two-dribble drive from the left wing and spun – trying to finish with his left – on his way to the FT line.  Also switched up speeds nicely, catching his man off balance and punishing him by getting into the lane for buckets or assists.  Like his brother, will guard any/all of the three perimeter spots at the next level.  Let’s be honest – they’ll sign with the same school and be a NIGHTMARE to deal with.  Aaron’s physique was the most college ready I saw in Pittsburgh.

9.      Player: 6’3 Joseph Chealey
Hometown: Apopka, Florida
AAU Team: D12 Warriors 17U
Class: 2013
Evaluation:  Chealey is fortunate to be coached by Carlos Morales in the summer, as it’s obvious to anyone who watches his D12 Warriors squad play that Morales is doing a lot of things right.  Chealey epitomizes what coaches want from their kids in the way he plays (as do many of the other team members) and his positive attitude and bulldog work ethic are a breath of fresh air in today’s AAU scene.  Chealey got after on the defensive end, harassing opposing guards so aggressively that they often had to pick up their dribble without initiating the offense or committed a live ball TO.  Watching the budding prospect attack the rim on the other end, it was apparent that high-major coaches would be on his trail soon.  Hit a couple 3s, used a jab step before getting off a runner in the lane, and drew charges – all while having that look of a kid who’d rather be nowhere else but playing the game he loves.  Got to the line consistently and fared well against a staunch Atlanta Xpress defense that gave his teammates trouble on the perimeter with its length.  Can guard the 1 or the 2.

10.  Player: 6’8 Devin Williams
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
AAU Team: Ohio Basketball Club 17U
Class: 2013
Evaluation:  Williams went to work down low against the DC Assault and bulled his way to double-digit rebounding numbers.  The goggled, below-the-rim forward isn’t flashy but could hold his own right now in high-major Division 1 basketball in the post.  With offers from the Big East, Big Ten, Pac 12, ACC, and SEC, coaches around the country value his motor on the defensive end as much as I do.  Took advantage of the few post touches he got by spinning into the lane and finishing with a soft half-hook.  Most impressively, he made his move quickly and didn’t hesitate once starting it – no wasted crab dribbles.  His concerns over the next year and a half should be owning a post move (half-hook is a start!), having a second one in his bag, and learning how to play defense without fouling vs. longer/taller players.  Solid performance in Pittsburgh.

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Best of the 2012 Dave Telep Carolina Challenge: 1-10

March 27, 2012 by 2 Comments

The Phenom Hoop Report was in full force this past Saturday to cover the Dave Telep Carolina Challenge. My counterpart Ryan Mattocks was covering gym one while I was covering action in gym two. We wanted to get a thorough evaluation by watching entire contests to get the most complete player summary as possible and I believe we achieved just that. We will divide our report into two parts, but today we will look at the top 25 performers of the day based upon performance.   [Read more...]

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Scout Focus Elite 80 Showcase Part 1

October 30, 2011 by Leave a Comment

We traveled to Proehlific Park in Greensboro, North Carolina to cover the Scout Focus Elite 80 Showcase. Every year, Joe Davis has a lot of young players from eastern North Carolina that I usually don’t get a chance to evaluate. That being said, the marquee names coming into the camp was 6’4 explosive and athletic WG James Demery and 6’7 WF Gary Clark, but it was 6’6 Dante Buford who stole the show. In all honesty, I hadn’t heard a great deal of Buford who played on the South Carolina Raptors Elite AAU program and must have played out of position. This Saturday, Buford introduced himself as a possible high elite level player.

There is an old saying, “if it walks like a duck, if he quacks like a duck, and if it looks like a duck, it is probably a duck.” In regard to Buford, “if you have high major athleticism and high major skills then you may just be a high major player.” In addition, another name to closely monitor of having a breakout season is 6’8 junior “man-child” Tony Nunn. We will have more on each in the below write up.

Let’s get started!

Player: 6’6 Dante “Dr. Dunk” Buford
Hometown: Greenville, NC (recently transferred)
School: Oakwood School
Grade: 10 (Class 2014)
Evaluation: Simply put, Buford was a “man among boys” at this event and without question was the top prospect in attendance. We are talking about a super athletic 6’6 wing that can do a little bit of everything as he used the courts at Proehlific Park as his “personal playground” to showcase his athleticism and skill sets. Of course, like many athletic wings, they love to get out in transition and dunk everything in sight and yes Buford had his fair share of highlight dunks. Without question, he was a “dunking machine” in transition, but his impeccable timing off missed shots for slam dunks were more impressive. In addition, he was equally impressive with his outstanding range on 3 pointers as in one sequence made 3 consecutive 3 pointers from NBA range. He was coming down in transition and pulling up 3 and was making nifty moves off the dribble for 3s. (Has great elevation and lift on his jumper) In addition, Buford has above average ball handling abilities and is also unselfish in the open court as he made “no look” passes to open teammates. Buford plays extremely hard on both ends of the court and competes like a warrior as he goes hard and high for every rebound! While one can become intoxicated with his performance at an exposure/evaluation event, Buford is definitely a prospect high major schools should follow and monitor over the next few years.

Player: 6’8 Tony NunnHometown: Salisbury, NC
School: Salisbury HS
Grade: 11 (Class 2013)
Evaluation: While Tony Nunn only has a few mid major offers on the table, he stated he is getting interest from a few ACC and SEC schools. Get this; Nunn is a wide body youngster that looks like he still has room for growth. He wears a size 18 shoe and has an impressive 7’2 wing span and he is a young junior since he played some 15U AAU basketball last season and what’s equally important is what you currently see is not the finished prospect quite yet. He still has a little “baby fat” and has a young looking face. First of all, Nunn has extremely “soft hands” which is number one on my criteria for a low post presence. Second, he is a wide body that takes up a lot of space and does have good footwork in the post. Third, he moves well without the ball and doesn’t mind playing the post. Fourth, he gets off the floor well for his size while he is a good but not great athlete. While Nunn can improve his conditioning and get in a little better shape physically, but if that was the case, high majors would have already been on him already. While we are not ready to put Nunn in a high major category, he is definitely a prospect high majors should monitor based upon supply and demand of big physically low post players, plus if he continues to grow and develop he could be a sleeper in the class of 2013.

Player: 6’7 Logan McClane
Hometown: Greenville, NC (transferred to Oakwood School)
School: Oakwood School
Grade: 10 (Class 2014)
Evaluation: McClane is a promising young prospect that has a tremendous skill set, fundamentals and high basketball IQ. The southpaw simply knows how to play the game. He sets picks to get teammates open and is an excellent “pick and pop” player. He has outstanding range and his shot is “textbook.” He has a high release point with excellent extension and follow-through. More importantly, he has good handles and is an above average passer. He has a little flair to his game as he likes to make a few nifty “no look” passes in transition. One of his best moves of the day was receiving the ball behind the arch and made a hard jab step to create space and stepped back to knock down the 3 pointer. He plays smart and under control. The next step in his development is to get stronger and quicker. That being said, mid major schools should carefully monitor his progress over the next 3 years.

Player: 6’5 Sharwyn McGee
Hometown: High Point (transferred to Upper Room Academy)
School: Upper Room Academy
Grade: 11 (Class 2013)
Evaluation: McGee transferred to Upper Room Academy from High Point Ragsdale. In the past, McGee has been regulated to playing on the interior and was primarily known as an undersized PF. McGee is a strong and physical wing that loves to attack the rim. He plays with a passion and purpose with a high intensity motor that makes him valuable at the next level.  He was excellent with his mid range pull up jumper and even extended the defense by knocking down 3 pointers for the day and his may erase some doubts concerning his perimeter skills. The most impressive feat of the day was slam dunk off a miss shot and then coming down in transition on the next possession with a pull up 3 pointer. It will be interesting to chart his progress over his junior season with Upper Room Academy and see if he can continue to make vast improvements in his perimeter game. All that being said, his young man plays as hard as any young player I have seen.

Player: 6’4 James Demery
Hometown: Washington, NC
School: Oakwood
Grade: 10 (Class 2014)
Evaluation: Demery probably came into the camp with the most hype and according to him, already has received high major offers from Kansas and others.  It is no secret that Demery has an extra gear and is quite athletic and explosive. He has a strong and quick first step and passes well off the dribble in transition. He does have excellent elevation and lift on his pull up jumper and has all the physical tools to be a high major player. That being said, he had a very “quiet” camp, but showed glimpses of stardom at times. He did play on the same team as future Oakwood teammate Dante Buford and may have just let him have his day in the sun. More importantly, after the game I approached Demery that he needed to be more assertive and aggressive since I already knew of his abilities, but the conversation with his young man afterward made one of the strongest and memorable impressions on me as an adult. First of all, Demery responded with a “yes sir” or “no sir” in our conversation, but also told me “thank you” for mentioning that to him and how much it meant to him. In our “microwave society” and “me first mentality” with so many young players, it is refreshing to see such a talented and humble young player exhibit the mannerism and maturity of Demery.  While he has high major ability, in my opinion, he has high major character which is far more important in the game of life.

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