This past weekend, Phenom Hoop Report hosted their second annual National High School Showcase at Forsyth Country Day School in Lewisville, North Carolina. After watching the variety of different talent compete, we decided to put together an “All-Showcase” team based on the performances we evaluated throughout the course of the weekend. If you aren’t familiar with some of these names, we suggest you pay close attention this coming year.
KYLE’S “ALL-SHOWCASE” TEAM:
MVP-
PLAYER: Eli Wright
HIGH SCHOOL: 22 Feet Academy (Greenville, SC)
CLASS: 2016
THOUGHTS ON WRIGHT:
Eli Wright was one of the most intriguing players at the National High School Showcase this past weekend. Going into the event, we didn’t necessarily know much about the Mississippi State commit. We knew he could compete from other sources, but we wanted a first hand look at the kid before making any immediate assumptions. Right from the tip, this jack-of-all-trades literally blew us off our feet. Wright was sensational in both outings this weekend, racking up 28 points in his first contest, and 20 in the second. The 6’5” senior was lights out from all angles on the floor. Three after three, drive after drive, Wright’s insanely high motor and freakish athleticism allowed him to virtually take over whenever he got the rock on the offensive side of the floor. Defensively, he was just as stellar. His rebounding was strong, his on-ball defense was tight, and his determination and swagger made him an elite player throughout the course of the weekend. Whenever his team needed a big time play, this future Bulldog was there to deliver. Look for Wright to climb up everyone’s top 100 list after his extraordinary play from the HS Showcase.
PLAYER: Mario Kegler
HIGH SCHOOL: Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, VA)
CLASS: 2016
THOUGHTS ON KEGLER:
Mario Kegler put on an absolute show for his Oak Hill Warriors squad this past weekend. The Mississippi State commit quickly proved to our Phenom Hoops team that he is indeed a top 50 player in the 2016 class for a reason. Right from the start in OHA’s opening game against Providence Day, Kegler took control and never looked back. His lengthy frame and dynamic skillset allowed him to set the tone early for his squad. Offensively, Kegler was flat-out dominant. His baseline attack and lethal 3-point jumper led to 25 points in an opening round victory for OHA. On day two, Kegler was just as impressive. Although he didn’t rack in as many buckets as we expected, the 6’7” brute created countless amounts of plays for the Warriors until the clock hit zero. He was fierce, determined, and eager to bring home a big time win back to Mouth of Wilson. Defensively, Kegler used his arms and quickness to his advantage, forcing several turnovers and missed jumpers. This kid is definitely the real deal people. Look for him to make an immediate impact for MSU whenever he arrives in Starkville next fall.
PLAYER: Grant Williams
HIGH SCHOOL: Providence Day School (Charlotte, NC)
CLASS: 2016
THOUGHTS ON WILLIAMS:
Grant Williams was an absolute machine for Providence Day this past weekend at FCDS. As soon as this Tennessee commit rolled into the building late Friday evening, we knew things were about to get interesting. In Providence Day’s opening round game against Oak Hill Academy, the future Volunteer went to work for the Chargers. The 6’7” hoss made his name known against the Warriors, knocking down several put-back jumpers and acrobatic lay-ins. He consistently attacked the glass strong with a purpose, and kept his team alive against the #1 team in the country. He never backed down from a challenge and proved to us he’s easily one of the top overall prospects in North Carolina’s loaded C/O 2016. Defensively, Williams was electric. It was easy to tell he wasn’t going to let the elite competition stop him from giving it his all. He laid it all on the line, and it paid off. Although they fell a tad bit short in both games against OHA and Mountain Mission, this stud was the reason his team almost came away with two huge wins. If he can work on a few minor aspects of his overall game, we wouldn’t be surprised to see him and his squad fighting for a title this March. Watch out Charlotte, the Grant Williams is about to take over.
PLAYER: John Fulkerson
HIGH SCHOOL: Christ School (Arden, NC)
CLASS: 2016
THOUGHTS ON FULKERSON:
John Fulkerson emerged as one of the top overall players from this weekend’s National Showcase. Dunk after dunk, play after play, Fulkerson was absolutely phenomenal. Whenever he stepped foot on the floor, the Tennessee commit was continuously on the verge of putting someone on a poster. Fulkerson’s high basketball IQ and electric energy led to several explosive dunks throughout the course of the event. In game #1 against 22 Feet Academy, this stud nearly posted a double-double, finishing with 14 points and 8 manly rebounds. After watching him compete this summer, it was apparent to us this kid is only going to get better. He looked stronger, more determined, and elite compared to the rest of the competition. Defensively, Fulkerson was a monster. He blocked several shots, controlled the paint, and ran the floor well after racking in a few big-time boards. Fulkerson’s athleticism and team-leader mindset nearly led to two big time upsets over 22FT and Greensboro Day School. Simply put, Fulkerson is a flat-out competitor. With the addition of Grant Williams, Jalen Johnson, and Fulkerson, the Vols are looking like serious conference title contenders out of the SEC East in the coming years. HC Rick Barnes is in for a treat whenever these guy step foot on campus next fall. Expect the Greenies to have a fantastic year in NCISAA 3A.
PLAYER: Justice Kithcart
HIGH SCHOOL: Virginia Episcopal School (Lynchburg, VA)
CLASS: 2016
THOUGHTS ON KITHCART:
Justice Kithcart, a Pittsburgh commit, played a very important role for the Bishops this past weekend at the showcase. After getting off to a slow start in game #1 against Quality Education Academy, the 6’1” PG got hot and never looked back. He continuously attacked the glass strong, drawing in several fouls, leading to an easy two points from the foul line on many different occasions. Kithcart’s shifty ball handling ability and blazing quickness allowed him to play the game at his desired pace. Despite taking a dominant 22-point loss against QEA, the future Panther didn’t let the outcome get in his head. On day #2, Kithcart looked destined for a big time W. He was efficient on both sides of the floor, and led all scorers with 19 points on a variety of different buckets. Whether it was the deep 3, or a mid-range step back jumper, Kithcart was virtually unstoppable offensively. On defense, Kitty was an opponent’s nightmare. At the start, we were eager to see how he would perform against Ravenscroft standout Mike Okauru. Would he let his emotions get the best of him' Absolutely not. Kitchart played lock down D throughout the course of the game, leading to a day two victory for the Shops. If this guy can slightly work on his stroke and pack on a few additional pounds, HC Curtis Staples might just bring a title back to the ‘Burg this coming spring.
SIXTH MAN-
PLAYER: Justin Miller
HIGH SCHOOL: 22 Feet Academy (Greenville, SC)
CLASS: 2016
THOUGHTS ON MILLER:
22 Feet Academy’s Justin Miller was one of the most talked about players at the showcase this past weekend. Going into the event, we didn’t exactly know what to expect from this hoss. He had very limited interest, and didn’t necessarily fit the role of an elite superstar, but after watching his courageous performance in both tenures at FCDS, we instantly knew we had to add this kid to our radar. The 6’7” barbarian averaged 11 points, 13 boards, and 3.5 assists for his squad, leading to two huge wins for the South Carolina natives. Before transferring to 22FT this past year, the former Coppin State commit was 300+ pounds, out of shape, and completely overlooked by the majority of scouts in the Owensboro, KY area. But after a dedicated summer, and a fresh start down south, Miller took a complete 180, shedding close to 60 pounds. It’s definitely safe to say his hard work paid off. When 7:30PM rolled around on Saturday evening, Miller put on one of the best overall performances of his high school career. After being down 18 points at half time, 22 Feet Academy looked completely out of sync. Shots weren’t falling, the crowd was intimidating, and it looked like Oak Hill would come out on top with another blowout victory, until this mammoth took over. In the final three minutes of the game, “Miller-Time” had 5 points, 5 boards, and 2 big time assists to secure a historic upset over the #1 team in the nation. Miller looked like a completely different person on the hardwood this weekend. Low-major D1 schools in need of a hardworking bruiser that lays it all on the line need to take a close look at this kid in the coming months.
KYLE’S BEST OF THE REST:
Deshawn Corprew – Quality Education Academy (Winston-Salem, NC)
Sacha Killeya-Jones – Virginia Episcopal School (Lynchburg, VA)
Tripp Greene – Forsyth Country Day (Lewisville, NC)
Bruno Solomun – Forsyth Country Day (Lewisville, NC)
Juwan Gary – Gray Collegiate Academy (Columbia, SC)
Josh Hall – Genesis Academy (Lynchburg, VA)
Braxton Key – Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, VA)
Harold Baruti – Mountain Mission (Grundy, VA)
Michael Okauru – Ravenscroft (Raleigh, NC)
Coby White – Greenfield (Wilson, NC)