Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Biloxi, MS (Future150) -- There were plenty of highlights on day two of action at the 2013 Gulf Coast Hoop Fest.
The matchup of the day featured the Milwaukee Rebels vs. Team Thad. With the game time decision of Leron Black to not play due to injury, along with a virtually quiet game by Kevon Looney, you'd expect that the matchup lost its luster. That wasn't the case. It just gave us a glimpse of several other stars in the loaded programs.
There were also several other standouts in the event who shined all day long Saturday. Here is who Future150 took a particular liking to...
Branden Key - 2015 PG, Milwaukee Rebels:
The 6'0" lead guard is a very impressive prospect from the Milwaukee area. He has very good burst and has good ball-handling skills as well. He can get to the rim at will, and knows how to finish with contact. His jump shot can use some work at this point, but that's an easy fix for such a young prospect.
Damiyne Durham - 2014 SG, Franchize All-Stars:
The scoring expert was at it again Saturday morning. The athletic 6'5" wing not only has great range on his jump shot, but he loves to attack in a transition setting, where he finishes at the rim with big dunks and/or against contact. Durham had 9 3-pointers in a 40 point outburst Saturday night. The kid can flat out score the rock. He can get hot in a hurry. Very fun kid to watch.
Jaylen Fisher - 2016 PG, Team Thad:
The evolution of Jaylen as a national prospect is happening right before our eyes. By this time next year, he will have the keys to coach Norton Hurd's program, and it will be in very good hands. He has very good ball skills, gets to the rim at will, and showed good athleticism when he threw down a dunk in transition that had the entire crowd in a frenzy.
C.J. Anderson - 2014 SG, Team Thad:
The 6'4" shooting guard stood out to the staff with his poised play. He never plays out of control, and does his job well. He's the consummate teammate and that shouldn't be overlooked. It sure isn't by college coaches. VCU, Arizona State, UMass, and Middle Tennessee State have all offered scholarships, with many more programs vying for his services.
Mario Kegler - 2016 SG, MBA Hoops:
The 6'6" shooting guard gets lost in the Jackson, Mississippi hype machine being a year younger than Malik Newman, but it's becoming widely known that Mario will be the next star out of the city. He has improved his jump shot, which he was hitting from mid-range as well as long range. He also played some point guard this weekend, which only enhances his value to a college program.
James Thompson - 2014 PF, Louisiana Future:
The 6'8" power forward burst onto the scene in the morning games with his strong play. He has a never-ending motor, rebounds with ferocity, and dunks everything he can get his hands on around the rim. Also a good defender at the rim, James will be making a high major college coach very happy with his commitment. Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Memphis, LSU, and Louisiana Tech are just a few of the programs who have offered him already.
Zach Johnson - 2015 SG, Team Breakdown:
The 6'2" Miami Norland High School (Fl) star is quickly emerging as one of the top talents in the country in his class. He has a great physique, plays physical basketball, and loves to score at the rim. He also is capable of knocking down shots from long range. USF offered him last week, and several other big name programs are in the mix for his services.
David Burrell - 2014 SF, Milwaukee Rebels
A high-motored small forward at 6'6", David did his damage in transition against Team Thad today. He finished with 17 points on a variety of dunks, putback finishes, and he even sprinkled in a few mid-range jumpers. A bevy of big name programs are sniffing at the college-ready forward, and it's only a matter of time until one of them takes a bite.
Damontrae Jefferson - 2015 PG, Milwaukee Rebels:
The 5'8" Milwaukee native absolutely scorched the competition during Saturday's action. He is as shifty as any lead guard we have seen in the country, and he has blazing speed in the open floor. What sets him apart is his ability to score the basketball. He is creative in the air, and uses his athleticism to score at the rim. He also likes to drop long bombs on the defense. Scored 33 points today against Team Thad. Think Aquille Carr.
Malik Hines - 2014 PF, MBA Hoops:
The 6'8" Mississippi forward has a solid nose for the ball and is very active around the rim, which is evident when he piles up rebounds and tip-ins at the basket. He is also a capable face-up forward who is unselfish and finds teammates when the opportunity presents itself.
Dwayne Bacon - 2016 SG, Showtime Ballers:
The 6'6" shooting guard is solidly developing, and has improved vastly since last year. He has a better handle, can shoot it with more consistency, and his physique is ever more impressive than it was last year. Marquette has already offered a scholarship, so you can see what big time programs think of the Florida native.
Jacobi Boykins - 2014 SG, Team Breakdown:
The 6'4" southpaw is a wiry shooting guard who excels when attacking the basket. He can stroke it from mid-range, but he is at his best when using his long limbs to finish at the rim. Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Florida Gulf Coast, and Jacksonville have already offered him.
Riley Norris - 2014 SF, Team Thad:
Consistency is the name of the game when it comes to Riley, and it was business as usual for the small forward on Saturday. In the highly anticipated matchup against the Milwaukee Rebels, he finished with a quiet 18 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists. His play on the day was impressive enough to merit a scholarship offer from Travis Ford and Oklahoma State.
Corey Sanders - 2015 PG, Showtime Ballers:
The 6'0" point guard is an explosive point guard who has the ball on a string. He has an excellent body and uses it to his advantage when getting to the rim at will. He already has scholarship offers from Murray State, Marquette, Georgia Southern, and Rider. Look for more to come as his game continues to progress.
JaCardo Hawkins - 2014 PF, Louisiana Dynasty:
The 6'7" big man may be a bit undersized, but he more than makes up for it with his athleticism. Since he attended the Future150 camp last fall, his perimeter game has developed and he is beginning to make the transition to the small forward position. Oklahoma has already offered, and he is receiving interest from Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss, Cincinatti, and several others.
Tyrell Williams - 2014 PF, R.M.F./Team Breakdown:
The 6'8" power forward from Miami Norland High School (Fl) impressed the staff with his ability to carve out space in the half-court setting. He uses his body well around the rim and is a solid rebounding big man. He also is good at finishing at the rim with either hand.
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