What We’re Looking For (Part 3)
Phenom’s High School Jamboree
By Jamie Shaw
This is Phenom’s 5th Annual High School Jamboree, the region’s premier pre-season hoops jamboree filled with talent, scouts and college coaches. Every year baselines full of college coaches have attended with the last two years bringing in 60-70 college coaches from around the region.
With that many coaches and scouts in tow, it is a given this event has kickstarted players recruitments. This event was the first time Columbia saw their (now) starting center Patrick Tape in 2015, Davidson saw (now) starting forward Dusan Kovacevic for the first time in 2014 and the same with Jay Huff and Virginia in 2014. There have been many other instances of this, but it is safe to say that if you perform well in this event, your recruitment can spring board.
Let’s Take a Look at the 2019 Players Primed for a Scholarship Breakout
6’3” 2019 Caleb Mills
Asheville Christian (Asheville, NC)
Mills is one of the hotter names in the region, he had a huge July and picked up numerous offers. Now he has power 5 schools calling to come and watch him play. Mills is an effortless scorer, before breaking a sweat he has 20 points, from all levels. He has good length and is a solid athlete, but it is his ability on offense that sets him apart. Already Appalachian St, Winthrop, Western Carolina and others have offered. Expect more to come and expect that to start this weekend.
5’11 2019 Shakeel Moore
Piedmont Classical (Greensboro, NC)
Moore is a new name to the radar, however it is one that people should be looking at closely. He is an explosive lead guard who gets his teammates involved all the while being able to get his in a tough and eye-opening fashion. Moore is a compact and highly explosive point guard, he plays above the rim but also at a great pace. He has range and he is a dogged, tough defender for 94 feet. No offers on the table yet, but D1 schools across the region should be sitting courtside watching this one.
6’3” 2019 Quest Aldridge
Mt Tabor (Winston-Salem, NC)
Aldridge just flat out knows the game, his IQ is off the charts. When you add in the fact he is a lengthy 6’3” and he can shoot the ball you wonder what is there not to like about this point guard. Aldridge has great vision and deep, consistent range. His upside is undeniable and he is a good academic kid.
6’2” 2019 Zeke Littlejohn
Kings Mountain (Kings Mountain, NC)
Littlejohn has had a lot of traction lately with college coaches coming through Kings Mountain regularly. Littlejohn has a lengthy, albeit slender frame with a smooth scoring ability from the wing. He is coming off a sophomore season that saw him average 17 points, 5 boards, 2 assists and 1.5 steals per game. As Littlejohn is a year older and Kings Mountain goes to a more perimeter oriented attack, look for him to boost his numbers across the board. With that boost will come offers.
6’2” 2019 Mike Green
Christian Academy of MB (Myrtle Beach, SC)
Green is a known commodity, he has been playing on varsity since the 8th grade and is averaging a combined 15.7 points, 4 boards, 4 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. Green is an incredibly skilled and fundamental player. He has great vision and he really shoots the cover off the ball. Green has played at the highest level through travel ball and in state championships in school ball. It’s about the time the offers start coming, Green makes the team better.
6’3” 2019 Bryant Randleman
Durham Academy (Durham, NC)
Randleman has transferred back to Durham Academy from a year away at Kecoughtan High School (Virginia Beach) last year. Randleman is a lengthy guard who has a very aggressive skill set. He is able to defend multiple positions as well as play both guard spots on the offensive end. He has a good upside and is a player that will turn the D1 heads the second the lay eyes on him.
6’1” 2019 Lavontae Knox
Lincoln Charter (Denver, NC)
Knox is a big time athlete who carries elite speed with the ball in his hands. He is able to run the team with good vision and has the ability to score at all levels. Playing on an unselfish, guard heavy team, even when the ball is not in Knox’s hands he thrives doing the tough guy stuff to get himself involved, rebounds and defending. Knox carries an Appalachian State offer, and more at this level and higher should be coming.