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Approximately 120 of the top high school players from across the nation and beyond are participating this week at the NBPA Top 100 Camp. As part of the new NCAA sanctioned live period, this prestigious camp was open for viewing for NCAA Division I coaches, as well as NBA scouts.
The prevailing thought was, with the presence of college coaches, camp games would be as crisp and well-played as they have in recent memory. With the combination of the camp's highly-regarded coaches and emphasis on teamwork and post play, many expected an upgrade from th game play over previous summer camps, including the Pangos All-American Camp held in Southern California two weeks ago. While some well-respected national scouts were disappointed and made their feeling known on social media, to us the camp's games didn't seem much different than in year's past and were what we expected: a high level of play and sloppiness at times.
Bottom line is, the presence of college coaches can't magically change the way elite high school players approach camp games in a short period of time. The habits they have developed and the way those players have performed that led to an invite is what they'll show. It's hard to expect anything else when players are rewarded for what some influencers see as bad habits. Lesser talented players would perform no better in the same setting. What we were looking for was players who could withstand the long and tedious format of the five-day camp where there is much less down time than a majority of the other national camps. We also wanted to get progress reports on the top shelf talent unable to attend Pangos Camp for various reasons.
As far as college coaches being in attendance, they were able to view for a 24-hour period between Thursday and Friday and for some we spoke to, it wasn't an adequate amount of time based on travel time and travel ability to Charlottesville, Va. from destinations around the country. The camp is also not a recruiting venue for well over 50 percent D1 programs across the country. Those college we're speaking of realistically have minuscule to zero chance to land a high major prospect that attended this camp. We'll continue to monitor how the NCAA's new recruiting calendar impacts the grassroots landscape and recruiting. It's obvious there needs to be changes to the newly-implemented calendar to make sense for all, including grassroots event operators and non power conference college programs.
Jabri Abdur-Rahim, Blair Academy (Blairstown, N.J.) 6-7 2020
The son of former NBA standout Shareef Abdur-Rahim is one of the most talented wing scorers in attendance at the NBPA Top 100 camp and has impressed with his ability to score at all three levels. He is not the swiftest or most athletic, but Abdur-Rahim knows how to break down defenders and change direction. He also uses change of speed to lull defenders to sleep or keep them off-balance, and is one of the camps leading scorers (15.8 ppg). He's also had the long range shot falling (10-of-21 from 3-point range through Friday) and has displayed marked improvement in his overall game in the past calendar year.
Isaiah Cottrell, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) 6-10 2020
Unfortunately this talented post wasn't able to attend the Pangos All-American Camp because of nagging injuries, but he's made the most of his time here in Charlottesville so far. Cottrell is scoring with efficiency around the rim (66 percent field goal shooting) and mixing it up in a camp with an impressive lot of centers and power forwards. Cottrell runs the floor well, is light on his feet and has the ability to impact the game on both the offensive and defensive glass. Competing on the glass is what his college coach Bobby Huggins would like to see Cottrell do on a nightly basis. He committed to West Virginia over Kansas at the camp.
Chet Holmgren, Minehaha Academy (Minneapolis, Minn.) 7-1 2021
We didn't know that much about Holmgren coming in, but there is plenty to like. He moves his feet well laterally for a young prospect his size and knows how to get to the openings on offense and make offensive players feel him on defense. He is a high level shot blocker and had one that caught our eye against 2020 standout post Day'ron Sharpe on Thursday. Holmgren is also a skilled offensive player around the basket with good touch and finesse moves that makes him a tough check for heavier set bigs. Holmgren had a five-block game on Thursday and a 19-point, 10-rebound performance on Friday and is one of the best underclass players, regardless of position, in attendance.
Brandon Boston Jr., Norcross (Norcross, Ga.) 6-6 2020
This skilled wing has had a big reputation in his class for many years and most think his recruitment will come down to Duke or Kentucky when it's all said and done. Boston wasn't able to attend Pangos this year after playing well at the event as a rising sophomore. Boston is slight of frame, but his innate ability to score is surpassed by few, if any, in attendance at the NBPA Top 100. He uses long strides and good footwork to get by defenders and knows how to create separation. Boston is especially effective attacking from the top of the key and knows how to draw fouls. He 3-point shooting is not his strength, but he'll shoot it well enough down the line to keep defenders honest and at this camp, few have been able to check him, regardless. Boston had three consecutive double-digit scoring games to open camp before taking five shots and scoring six points in his final game on Thursday. With a big closing on Saturday, he could be right there with Abdur-Rahim among the top performing shooting guards/wing forwards in our camp player rankings.
Bryce Thompson, Booker T. Washington (Tulsa, Okla.) 6-3 2020
After his terrific high school season in which he led Washington to the Oklahoma Class 6A state crown and a final No. 45 FAB 50 ranking, we were eager to get a look at the muscular shooting guard. We were not disappointed, as Thompson punishes defenders with his relentless ability to score in the key, push the ball in transition and shoot it deep. He's had his deep jumper working so far (7-of-11 through Friday) and has impacted every single game because he's a threat from every spot in the half court offense and his teammates look for him to take the big shot. He had 19 points, including 3-of-5 3-pointers, in a Friday game, with three assists and two steals.
Five More Who Impressed:
Jaemyn Brakefield, Huntington Prep (Huntington, W. Va.) 6-8 2020 PF
Cameron Fletcher, Vashon (St. Louis, Mo.) 6-7 2020 SF
Tramon Mark, Dickinson (Dickinson, Texas) 6-4 2020 PG
Dwon Odom, St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.) 6-2 2020 PG
D.J. Stewart, Whitney Young (Chicago, Ill.) 6-4 2020 SG
Paolo Banchero, O'Dea (Seattle, Wash.) 6-9 2021
This versatile power forward is in the running for top overall performer among forwards in camp to follow up on an excellent showing at the Pangos All-American Camp. In fact, with his performance at Pangos and NBPA Top 100, Banchero could challenge the likes of small forwards Jalen Johnson and Patrick Baldwin of Wisconsin and wing guard Terrence Clarke of New York for the top spot in the consensus national 2021 rankings if he closes out the summer the way he played on Friday. He had all the moves in his vast repitriore working, going 9-for-12 from the field for 28 points in a 82-21 victory in which teammate Johnson hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer. He also had nine steals in two camp games on Friday and is averaging 16.0 ppg (No. 3 in camp) while shooting over 63 percent from the field. Banchero has a relaxed and confident offensive approach and is near automatic in his mid-range field goal attempts.
R.J. Davis, Archbishop Stepanic (White Plains, N.Y.) 6-1 2020
After being selected for the top all-star game at the Pangos Camp, Davis has turned in another series of fine performances in a camp setting. Early on he had some flashy moments where teammates weren't ready, but since that first game Davis hasn't had more than one turnover in any game while scoring at an efficient clip. This combo guard is confident and can really push the ball to put pressure on defenses. He also is a square shooter and when he get his feet under him, it looks like every jumper is going down. He's seen his stock soar in the past few weeks and was recently offered by Vanderbilt and UCLA, as new Bruins boss Mick Cronin was recruiting him while at Cincinnati.
Zion Harmon, Marshall County (Benton, Ky.) 6-1 2021
It was going to be awfully tough for this dynamic point guard to top his Pangos performance, but he's done a good job of both getting teammates involved or creating his own scoring opportunities. The well-traveled junior-to-be gets it done offensively with a wicked handle, strength and the ability to find passing angles on the move. Harmon's greatest asset is it takes an elite, NBA-type defender to stay in front of him or slow him down. If he just works on cutting down on the flashy and low risk passes, there's no telling how high he could finish in the 2021 national rankings next year.
Day'Ron Sharpe, South Central (Winterville, N.C.) 6-10 2020
This muscular force inside was one of our top dozen performers at Pangos Camp and will finish even higher at NBPA Top 100. Sharpe is simply relentless and as a majority of the guards showed signs of weariness and fatigue by the camp's third day, the forwards have helped serve while Sharpe has gotten stronger. Simply put, he's a load inside with his power moves and stands out even in the most physical matchups. North Carolina has to be salivating over what he'll bring to Chapel Hill and he'll likely be one of the top high school players in the country for the 2019-20 season. Heading into Saturday, Sharpe is averaging 15.0 ppg and 10.3 rpg (No. 1 in camp), including a 20-point, 10-of-11 from the field, eight-rebound performance in a Friday victory.
Many Sissoko, Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant, Utah) 6-9 2020
With the camp's format more regimented and its length a day or two longer than most of the similar elite national camps, the NBPA Top 100 is often a battle of attrition. The players that are in the best physical shape and display a love for competition are more often than not the ones who stand out late and rated accordingly. This camp traditionally contains more McDonald's All-American voters in one setting than any camp or event throughout the year and there is little doubt Sissoko has made a positive impression with his play. He was productive at Pangos Camp, but here his physical nature, relentless work around the boards and energy are contagious. Many times as skill wanes because of fatigue, simply playing the right way and consistently playing hard is the difference-maker at this camp and Sissoko embodies that notion. Sissoko makes defenders feel him and few can outwork him on the glass.
The amount of 5 star players in this game was crazy! @bboston_
@MakurMaker @Jalen_J23 @_pbaldwin23 pic.twitter.com/FoilHHF9Ps— www.ebooksnet.com (@Ballislife) June 14, 2019
Five More Who Impressed:
Jaylen Clark, Etiwanda (Calif.) 6-6 2020 SF
Franck Kepnang, Westtown School (West Chester, Pa.) 6-10 2021 C
Ian Martinez, JSerra (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) 6-2 2020 SG
Cliff Omoruyi, Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.) 6-10 2020 C
J.T. Thor, Huntington Prep (Huntington, W. Va.) 6-9 2021 PF
Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores
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]]>Bishop Gorman has won seven straight Nevada state championships, but that didn't matter to the relatively young club at Coronado (Henderson, Nev.) on Thursdays night in the season opener for both teams. The Cougars gave Gorman all it could handle, even taking a 48-46 lead on a 3-pointer by 6-foot-1 freshman guard Richard Isaacs Jr., after trailing 44-42 at halftime. Coronado ran out of gas down the stretch and the deeper Gaels won going away.
Coronado stayed in the game behind the inside play of 6-foot-5 junior forward Tyrelle "Fat Daddy" Hunt, who muscled his way inside to 16 points and seven rebounds in the first half. Most of his finishes with off pretty feeds from 6-foot-4 sophomore guard Jaden Hardy, who had seven assists in the first half.
In the first half, Bishop Gorman's Isaiah Cottrell, a 6-foot-9 junior center and a key to its fortunes this season, got into foul trouble and didn't convert a single field goal, as he scored on a single free throw. It was a completely different story in the second half, as Cottrell scored on a variety of half hooks and inside power moves. He scored 19 points in the second half and finished with 20 points.
Bishop Gorman received a terrific outing from 6-foot-4 sophomore shooting guard Will McClendon, who nailed four 3-pointers and finished with 25 points while providing a defensive spark throughout. Junior guard Noah Taitz netted 18 points for the Gaels, and hit clutch shots at key moments of the game. Hunt finished with a game-high 26 points and 11 rebounds while Hardy, one of the top-rated sophomores in the country, finished with 17 points.
It's not often an elite high school player makes his high school basketball debut on national television, but that was the case for Isaacs Jr.. Arguably the top freshman guard on the fall Pangos Frosh/Soph Camp tour, Isaacs showed why he's so highly-regarded in the national Class of 2022. He scored nine points on three field goal attempts in the first half and displayed the ability to distribute at a high level and create his own offense off the dribble. He finished with 15 points, but like the rest of his Coronado teammates, wishes a couple of his shot attempts down the stretch had fallen.
In addition to Isaacs, here are other top impact freshmen (Class of 2022) on FAB 50 ranked teams or considered among the best in the country (listed alphabetically):
?Henri Adrissa, Crossroads (Santa Monica, Calif.) 6-10 C
?Dylan Anderson, Perry (Chandler, Ariz.) 6-10 F
?Emoni Bates, Lincoln (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 6-8 F
?Jameel Brown, Haverford School (Philadelphia) 6-3 G
?Zion Cruz, Hudson Catholic (Hudson, N.J.) 6-3 G
?Jaylen Drane, Simeon (Chicago) 6-2 G
?Jalen Duren, Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) 6-9 F
?Bryce Griggs, Provision Academy (Houston) 6-1 G
?Isaiah Griffith, Patrick School (Elizabeth, N.J.) 6-0 G
?Jett Howard, University School (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) 6-4 G
?Joseph "Jo Jo" Hunter, San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.) 6-3 G
?Khamari Lands, La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) 6-6 F
?Chris Livingston, Buchtel (Akron, Ohio) 6-5 F
?M.J. Rice, Durham Academy (Creedmore, N.C.) 6-5 F
?Nick Smith, Sylvan Hills (Sherwood, Ark.) 6-3 G
?Jarace Walker, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 6-4 F
?Jalen Washington, Westside (Gary, Ind.) 6-7 F
?Dariq Whitehead, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 6-5 F
?Kijani Wright, Windward (Los Angeles) 6-8 F
Bishop Gorman won't appear again on national television, but will appear on the ESPN+ streaming service twice next week at the Hoophall West event in Scottsdale, Ariz. The Gaels will face No. 16 Guyer (Denton, Texas) on December 7 and No. 41 Gonzaga Prep (Spokane, Wash.) the following day. Guyer is not a tall team by national standards, but Texas' top-ranked team is battle-tested and will give Bishop Gorman all it can handle. Cottrell will have his hands full inside with Gonzaga-bound Anton Watson of Gonzaga Prep, which will likely face No. 30 Federal Way down the line for a Washington state crown. For these teams, however, there's still a ways to go before worrying about playoff scenarios. Below is a breakdown of what to expect in the rest of the nationally-televised ESPN contests.
San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.) vs. Pinnacle (Phoenix, Ariz.), 12/6, 9 pm ET
Both teams were on the FAB 50 bubble this week, but San Joaquin Memorial already suffered a home loss this week to Northern California power Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.). Talented junior Jalen Green played terrific in two games to open the season at the Thanksgiving Hoopfest, but didn't shoot well from the field in the loss to O'Dowd. Pinnacle, which features highly-rated point guard Nico Mannion, will look to coral Green and hopes he tries to get in an individual duel with its Arizona-bound guard. Pinnacle is 5-0 to begin the season, and had a big test Friday night vesus FAB 50 No. 18 Shadow Mountain (Phoenix, Ariz.).
In a battle of defending AIA state champions, Pinnacle won at the buzzer, 82-81, as Mannion (37 points) made a miraculous 30-footer with two defenders draped all over him to win the emotional game at home. Pinnacle's victory snapped Shadow Mountain's 73-game winning streak against in-state AIA opponents and sets up an interesting game next week for Pinnacle versus a San Joaquin Memorial team that is coming off a tough loss at the buzzer. Will Pinnacle be emotionally up for that game? As if that's not enough, two nights later on Saturday Pinnacle's game with No. 23 Rancho Christian just got much bigger in significance.
Nico Mannion with the crazy game winner tonight vs Shadow Mountain!! @niccolomannion pic.twitter.com/7ifoiZueu0
— www.ebooksnet.com (@Ballislife) December 1, 2018
Mayfair (Lakewood, Calif.) at No. 7 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), 1/4/19, 11:30 pm ET
Sierra Canyon will be a big favorite at home in a game that will feature highly-regarded junior guard Josh Christopher of Mayfair. Sierra Canyon will likely already have met No. 5 La Lumiere and/or top-ranked Montverde Academy at the Iolani Classic in Hawaii before Christmas. Regardless of the outcome of the December games, from a FAB 50 perspective, this is a must-win for Sierra Canyon.
No. 23 Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.) vs. No. 15 Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.), 1/11, 9 pm ET
This game will pit the Mobley brothers, senior Isaiah and top-rated junior Evan, versus Memphis recruits James Wiseman (7-0) and Malcolm Dandridge (6-8). Memphis East has played well in the early season behind new coach Jevonte Holmes. Penny Hardaway may be at Memphis, but East's talent level remains high. We'll know plenty about Rancho Christian by how it fares at the Tarkanian Classic (Dec. 18-22), where it could meet No. 30 Federal Way in the semifinals with host Bishop Gorman, No. 33 Whitney Young (Chicago) and No. 36 Sheldon (Sacramento, Calif.) in the opposite bracket.
No. 4 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) vs. No. 2 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 1/20, 7:30 pm ET
This is a big game with potential FAB 50 title implications, but it could be a really big one for one of the clubs. That's because each team is in the bracket of the City of Palms Classic in Ft. Myers, Fla. in December. The game could be a rematch of a potential City of Palms title game or, a revenge game for the team that loses or fails to advance. Perhaps neither team makes it to the title game and then this game takes on even more significance.
No. 30 Federal Way (Wash.) vs. No. 13 Ranney School (Tinton Falls, N.Y.), 1/21, 11 am ET
Jaden McDaniels of Federal Way has quickly risen among the elite of the 2019 class and this could be a pivotal moment for his Mr. Basketball USA candidacy and Federal Way's national standing. McDaniels will need to have a productive outing matching up against fellow 2019 elites Scottie Lewis and Bryan Antoine of Ranney School. Ranney School has more big stage experience, but if Federal Way fares well at the Tarkanian Classic, this could turn into a game with major rankings ramifications.
No. 23 Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.) vs. No. 11 McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.), 1/21, 1 pm ET
The Eagles play one of the toughest schedules in the county and will be a top two seed at both Tarkanian Classic and The Classic at Damien before the New Year. Afterwards coach Ray Barefield's club will travel to West Memphis, Ark. for the Memphis East game and faces a talented Santa Margarita (Calif.) club the very next day on January 12 back in Southern California. McEachern is battle-tested with a talented roster and will be highly-motivated regardless of Rancho Christian's won-loss record coming in. If that's not enough, Rancho Christian will head to the Montverde Academy Invitational in Florida on a short week.
No. 7 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) vs. No. 1 Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), 1/21, 3 pm ET
This could be a rematch of the Iolani Classic title game, where it looks like Sierra Canyon will face bubble club Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.) in the quarterfinals with a potential matchup with La Lumiere in the semifinals. Montverde Academy will for sure be playing La Lumiere at the Cancer Research Classic on January 5 and plays No. 8 Sunrise Christian Academy and No. 9 Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) at the ARS National Hoopfest at DeMatha Catholic in Maryland on December 7-8. Sierra Canyon has the talent to play with the Eagles, but will be at a size disadvantage inside.
No. 5 La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.) vs. No. 3 DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.), 1/21, 5 pm ET
The Stags have their best shot at a mythical FAB 50 title in a generation and this could turn out to be a must-win for coach Mike Jones' club. DeMatha plays in a tough conference (probably the nation's toughest) and La Lumiere plays a tough national schedule as well. These two teams matchup quite well and whomever wins the Hunter Dickinson (DeMatha) vs. Isaiah Stewart (LaLu) matchup will be in good shape in this one. Since DeMatha is going to have to beat the ranked teams in the WCAC more than once, a win over an independent program will be key to its national title hopes since the WCAC has not yet participated in GEICO Nationals.
No. 8 Sunrise Christian Academy (Kan.) at No. 17 University School (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), 1/25, 7:30 pm
University School opened the season with a loss and Sunrise Christian Academy already owns an impressive win over No. 16 Guyer (Denton, Texas) to move into the Top 10 this week. Obviously 2017-18 National Junior of the Year Vernon Carey Jr. versus N'Faly Dante of Sunrise Christian Academy is a primetime matchup, but the verdict is still out on University School's backcourt play. That means the production of Scottie Barnes will be key because Sunrise Christian's backcourt is strong, even after it lost SMU recruit Bryce Cook to a stroke last week.
No. 1 Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) vs. No. 2 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 2/2, 7:30 pm ET
Obviously if the rankings hold up, this will be the biggest game of the regular season as these two powerhouse programs will meet in the regular season for the first time since meeting in the finals of the 2010 Iolani Classic (58-44 Oak Hill victory) the year before Kevin Boyle took over the Montverde Academy program. These two programs have been in the national title hunt each season for the past decade so this game will be important because each program doesn't want to lose to another under any circumstances. Both teams are off to strong starts this season and if the rankings hold up, the winner won't gloat because it will know there is a strong possibility it will need to get past the loser a second time at GEICO Nationals. Montverde Academy will look to slow down Oak Hill's Cole Anthony and Cam Thomas in the backcourt. On the flip side, The Warriors will have to control the boards and keep Kofi Cockburn out of foul trouble.
Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores
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