Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Little Rock, AR (Future150) -- This weekend was the Illustrious Real Deal in the Rock tournament. In the ten years that it's been running, plenty of top talent in the southeast has been showcased in the event, and this year was no different.. In the 17U division, it was the Dallas Mustangs who ultimately took home the crown, while the Arkansas Wings emerged victorious in the 16U age group.
There were several prospects who caught the attention of Future150 staff. While several were nationally ranked prospects, there are many who emerged who could make great strides down the road as sought after division one prospects.
No Signs of Rust: Labissiere's Domination Evident:
After sitting out for the entire high school season, 2015 forward Skal Labissiere brought his name and game to the forefront in Arkansas last weekend, reminding onlookers why he is considered one of the top prospects in the entire 2015 class. Highly skilled for a 6-foot-10 prospect, his polish shined bright during every Wings game. His low post passing skills, mid-range jump shot, and ability to use both hands around the rim were most appealing to us, and there's no denying that he has the ability to move himself into the top 5 during our rankings update.
Esa Ahmad: Frame and Game Growing:
Another prospect who will most certainly see a bump in the updated 2015 rankings is Shaker Heights (OH) forward Esa Ahmad of All Ohio Red. Now 6-foot-8, the power forward has excellent skills on the low block, showing an ability to finish around the rim with both hands. He also has the ability to stretch defenses with his outside shooting and is quick enough to take defenders off-the-dribble to the basket. Sitting at #126 in the country, don't be surprised to see him land somewhere inside the top 75 at our rankings update.
Lawson and Monk Making Moves in 2016:
One of the best storylines of the weekend was the play of super sophomores Dedric Lawson of Team Penny and Malik Monk of the Arkansas Wings.
Lawson, a 6-foot-8 combo forward, solidified his spot in the national top 10 with his dominating performances over the weekend. While he isn't an overly athletic prospect, his size and skill make him a matchup problem for any player guarding him. He not only can play physical basketball in the low block, but he can also stretch the defense out to the three-point line with his shooting ability. On top of those attributes, he also showed the ability to lead the fast break and take defenders off-the-dribble with his ball skills. In each game we saw, we was the top scorer for his team.
A freak athlete, the 6-foot-3 Monk had the local crowd on the edge of their seats all weekend long with his play. When he wasn't dismantling rims with his dunks, he was showing picture-perfect form on his jump shot, knocking down constested shots all over the floor. He is also a skilled slasher, using an explosive first step and crafty hangtime ability to finish around the rim against contact. Currently sitting at #12 in our rankings, he is making a strong push to land in the top 10 at our next rankings update.
2015 SG's Duel on Saturday:
In a fantastic game on Saturday afternoon between the Dallas Mustangs and the Jackson Tigers, it was two wing prospects who stole the show.
Future150 Camp alumni Quinndary Weatherspoon made himself known on a national level by almost single-handedly beating the Mustangs, scoring 31 points. The 6-foot-3 combo guard was automatic shooting the basketball, knocking down contested jump shots all over the floor. He was also crafty when scoring around the rim, and near the end of the game, he had the entire gym crowd hanging on his every shot. He showed that he could be one of the best high volume scorers in the class if Saturday was an indication of his improvement since we saw him in September.
For the Mustangs, it was the play of Admon Gilder all weekend that had people impressed. The 6-foot-2 shooting guard makes scoring the basketball look easy, and proved that he might be the best perimeter scorer in the country for 2015. After his dominating performances over the weekend, he has all but sealed his status as a top 50 prospect. If you want baskets, he can get them for you...in a hurry.
New Names on the Circuit:
A handful of prospects put themselves onto Future150's radar at the Real Deal in the 2016 and 2017 classes.
Sophomore Tyrus Grayson of the Arkansas Hawks showed the promise of a future division one player with his elite athleticism coupled with his size and wing skills. At 6-foot-5, right now he is at his best in transition, but he knows how to get to the rim and is crafty around the basket.
Team Penny has a promising wing in 2016 guard Maceo Woodard. The 6-foot-4 southpaw is an excellent slasher who made his mark attacking the basket and leaking out in transition at the event.
Arkansas Wings 16U power forward Eric Curry had himself an excellent weekend. At 6-foot-7, the long-armed post is bouncy and showed a high motor which helped him get several points and rebounds each game on effort alone. He is athletic and works hard on both ends of the floor. Watch out for the Memphis Ridgeway (TN) product.
In the 2017 class, Texas Select shooting guard Victor Bailey impressed the staff while playing quality 17U competition. With good size at 6-foot-4, he showed not only an ability to knock down shots from the outside, but he was effective penetrating to the basket and getting to the foul line. When is all said and done, he projects as a top prospect in the country for his age.
Another Lawson on the Horizon:
Chandler Lawson, the younger brother of the Hamilton (TN) and Team Penny stars, had himself a good showing in Arkansas as well. The 6-foot-6 forward can play multiple positions on the floor and looks to be a hybrid between his older brothers, with excellent size and skill. Currently the #1 prospect nationally in the 2019 class, look for that to stay the same throughout the spring.
Some other prospects who stood out to our staff...
Khalea Turner, 2016 PF, Jackson Tigers: After initially being ranked as a top five prospect coming out of middle school, Turner has seen his stock take a hit over his first few years in the high school ranks. However, he may be on his way back toward the top 25. An agile 6-foot-9, 250-pounds, he shows flashes of the prospect he can become if he puts it all together.
P.J. Washington, 2017 PF, Team Penny: The 6-foot-7 post is starting to make a transition to the wing, if his develop perimeter skills are any indication. While he has always been an excellent rebounder and finisher at the rim, he is beginning to develop his outside jump shot, which he showcased throughout the weekend. As usual, playing against top notch competition, he excelled.
K.J. Lawson, 2015 SG/SF,Team Penny: Maybe the most physical wing prospect over the weekend was the 6-foot-6 Memphis native. He is superb when penetrating to the basket and drawing fouls at the rim, where he usually converts his scoring attempts. He is an absolute headache for smaller defenders to contain. While not overly quick or athletic, his efficiency is impressive and he will definitely be a solid addition for the hometown Memphis Tigers.
Jecoby Bush, 2016 CF, RL9: Bush burst onto the scene on Friday night with his ridiculous athleticism. He had a series of thunderous dunks in transition and showed that he can run the floor well. On the defensive end of the ball he was an imposing shot blocker and grabbed every rebound at its highest point. Bush also stepped out and hit a few threes throughout the weekend. He is definitely one to keep an eye on.
Donte Fitzpatrick, 2015 SG, Team Penny: One wing who has put a lot of work into his game over the past year is the 6-foot-5 Memphis prospect. He is a lethal perimeter scorer who can get hot shooting it from mid-range, three-point range, or off-the-dribble. He knows how to create separation and is also good when finishing at the rim against larger players.
Chris McNeal, 2015 PG, Memphis Magic: The catalyst for the Magic all weekend was the Jackson South Side (TN) guard, who led his high school team to a state championship this year. The 6-footer is extremely quick and is very hard to stay in front of when he is attack the basket. He knows how to balance scoring and distributing and has improved his perimeter shot immensely.
Dillon Mitchell, 2016 PG, Team Penny: Mitchell recently picked up offers from UCLA and Cal and it’s easy to see why. He doesn’t get sped up with the ball in his hands and is looking to get his teammates involved constantly. He has good speed and is a strong guard who plays bigger than his 6’1’’ frame. Team Penny is a talented group this year, and it will be on Mitchell to make them go.
Hassan Thomas, 2015 PF, Dallas Mustangs: The Mustangs took home the 17U title and Thomas was a major reason why. The big man rebounded the ball well all weekend and was hard to guard with his quick first step. He took bigger players off the dribble and was able to guard larger forwards in the post as well. While Thomas is looking to transition to the wing, he has the tools to be a solid stretch-4 once he bulks up a little more. Either way he is a matchup problem on the offensive side of the ball.
Noah Bramlage, 2015 PF, All Ohio Red: All Ohio Red has a group that could make noise in the EYBL again this year and Bramlage looks like he will be a solid piece for this team. His ability to hit shots from beyond the arc, coupled with his rebounding, make him an intriguing prospect. He played hard throughout the weekend and could see his stock rise considerably on the circuit this year.
Payton Willis, 2016 CG, Arkansas Hawks: All Willis did was produce throughout the tournament, putting up numbers in each of his teams 16U games. The 6’3’’ guard played point guard at times but was at his best when attacking the rim and looking to score. He helped to lead his team to the championship with his scoring and playmaking ability. If he improves his three point stroke, look out.
Josh Hall, 2016 CG, RL9: Few players showed that they have the vision and passing ability that Hall does. He routinely brought the ball up the floor for RL9 and acted as their point guard all weekend. His size makes us believe that he will ultimately end up playing off the ball at the next level, but if he continues to develop his handle and decision making, he may end up as a point guard full-time. Regardless, Hall is one that could really blow up in the coming months.
Willie Jackson, 2016 CF, All Ohio Red: Jackson is similar to All Ohio Red forwards of recent years as he is a hard-nosed player that looks to power through people. He can put the ball on the floor a bit and has no problem facing up and attacking the rim. He has a great frame and knows how to use it on the low block. All Ohio Red made it to the 16U title game, and Jackson was the leader, putting up points by getting to the rim and finishing.
Malik Hicks, 2015 SF, Memphis Magic: Hicks plays a bit like former Morehead State star Kenneth Faried in that he is an active body who plays bigger than he actually is. He got into the lane and finished through contact all weekend and was a great defender. If he continues to develop his shot he will turn himself into a can’t miss high-major recruit.
Matt Milon, 2015 SG, Q-6 All-Stars: When talking about the top shooters in this class, Millon’s name must be thrown into the conversation. He showed that he can create his own shot this weekend, as Q-6 counted on him to be the primary ball-handler. He has good size and is strong with the ball in his hands. Millon also showed off an improved ability to shoot off the dribble and get to the rim. His shooting stroke is what really sets him apart, and he should see a plethora of high-major programs offer him this spring and summer.
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