Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Milwaukee, WI (Future150) -- College coaches were packed into Homestead High School (WI) on Thursday as the first day of action kicked off at the 2013 Under Armour Summer Jam. Here are some of the prospects who showed out with their performances...
Joe Burton, 2014 SG, Houston Defenders: The 6-foot-5 wing stole the show at the Under Armour Summer Slam for the second consecutive day, again scoring 30+ points for his Houston Defenders team. He knocked down several three-point baskets and was feeling it scoring from all levels on Thursday, at one point scoring 14 straight points. The long and athletic shooting guard was also effective slashing to the rim and using his craftiness to score against contact. He will be one of the highest risers when we update our 2014 rankings in the following weeks.
Wolfgang Novogratz, 2016 PG, The City-Black: In terms of pure floor generals, there aren't many in the class who are better than the New York City prospect. The 6-foot-2 Novogratz changes direction on a dime and plays extremely crafty basketball. One of the most impressive aspects of his game is his transition court vision. Several times he found teammates on the break for easy baskets today. He also showed the ability to finish at the rim and pull-up for 10-15 foot jumpers. Schools such as Villanova and Miami (Fl) have offered and been in contact, respectively.
Isaiah Whitehead, 2014 SG, Juice All-Stars: This AAU season, Isaiah has been on a mission to prove that he is the purest scorer in the class, and he sure has convinced the Future150 staff. The big and strong wing was at his best on Thursday, several times pulling up from deep in rhythm and knocking down long range bombs. He also had the gym in a frenzy with a big poster dunk on a fast break that showed his explosiveness. It is worth noting that Coach Gerry McNamara of Syracuse was sitting front row for the Whithead show. Simply put, Isaiah has impressed us at every stop this spring/summer, and is due for a bump in the rankings.
Cody Schwartz, 2015 CF, Wisconsin Blizzard: I first saw Cody a few months back at the Spiece Run 'N Slam in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and left being very impressed by the mid-major prospect. After his performance in Milwaukee on Thursday, I'm wondering if he's not a high major kid after all. While we were used to his blue-collar work ethic and post game in the paint, he surprised us with his extended range, knocking down several three-point baskets in rhythm. When he's stretching the defense on the perimeter, his value skyrockets. Creighton head man Greg McDermott and an assistant were front row for the performance, as well as several other coaches.
Riley LaChance, 2014 CG, Ray Allen Select: Expect LaChance to be one of the prospects from the event to become flooded with division one offers when the week is over. The demand for superior shooters is at an all-time high, and that's exactly what he is. The 6-foot-2 combo guard can handle the basketball when necessary, but he is at his best when playing off-the-ball. He was an integral part in his team's victory over a gritty Team Charlotte squad today, and there was a buzz surrounding him after the performance. Mid-major and high-major offers are on the way, and there will be a ton.
Trae Jefferson, 2015 PG, Milwaukee Rebels: The 5-foot-7 dynamo is by no means a pure point guard, but that's what we marvel at with the Milwaukee native. He absolutely went off against Texas Select Thursday, scoring well over 20 points. While he forces many bad plays when playing at breakneck speed, when he's playing his best, it's near impossible to stop him. He had several beautiful assists in pick-and-roll situations today, and as usual, was burying long distance jumpers and scoring on acrobatic drives to the bucket.
Matt Milon, 2015 SG, Q6 All-Stars: Louisville coaches were on hand for a big performance delivered by the Florida prospect. The 6-foot-4 wing has one of the best shooting strokes in the country, and his shots were falling from all over the court Thursday. He also scored above the rim in transition as well as when slashing to the basket. He is another kid who will leave Milwaukee with new interest from several high major programs at weeks end. A top 50 kid in the rising junior class.
Ray Smith, 2015 SF, Las Vegas Prospects: Potentially one of the biggest sleepers in the rising junior class is the Las Vegas High School (NV) small forward. The multi-dimensional wing can shoot it out to 23 feet, rebounds well on both ends, and can use his ball skills and adequate first-step to get to the rim on the regular. UNLV, New Mexico, and San Diego State already have offered scholarships. Soon, schools east of the Mississippi River will catch on to the forward with a world of upside.
Terence Davis, 2015 SG, Team Thad: After his big performance against Dream Vision in 16U action on Thursday, the hometown Memphis Tigers pulled the trigger on a scholarship offer. What did they see in the wing? Well, Terence is a born scorer. He got to the basket time-after-time, where he finished using his physical frame. He also possesses a beautiful shooting stroke and was effective knocking down several mid-range jumpers throughout the game. A physical on-ball defender, he showed that he can become a standout defender at the college level.
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