Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Springfield, MA (Future150) -- Known as one of the premier events nationally during the high school basketball season, the 2014 Spalding Hoophall Classic proved to be another loaded event this year, with several nationally ranked teams taking the floor on Saturday. Future150 takes a look at who was impressive on our first day of scouting in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Tyonne Malone, 2016 SG, Putnam (MA): The 6-foot-4 wing was extremely impressive for Putnam on Saturday. In a 77-45 win over Woodstock Academy (CT), he dominated with a blue collar work ethic. He was relentless when attacking the basket on offense, crashed the boards on both ends, and played intense on-ball defense as well. Currently, he is claiming offers from UMass, Boston University, Manhattan and St. Peters. He also said UConn and Providence are interested as well. He finished the day with 19 points and nine rebounds.
Chris Baldwin, 2015 PF, Springfield Central (MA): In terms of big men in the junior class, there aren't many who have the tools that Baldwin possesses. The 6-foot-8 power forward rebounds well, has nice touch around the rim, and has nice footwork in the low post. He is also a good interior defender who shows the ability to be a rim protector at the next level. For the day, he accumulated 12 points and 14 rebounds.
Oumar Barry, 2015 PF, Bishop O'Connell (VA): The 6-foot-9 center had a solid showing Saturday for O'Connell. He protected the rim for his team, rebounded the ball on both ends, and even showed flashes of offensive skill, especially in the second half. If he keeps developing like he projects to, he will be a priority for mid-major programs in the near future. After starting slow, he finished with eight points and nine rebounds for O'Connell.
Emmanuel Mudiay, 2014 PG, Prime Prep (TX): The MVP for Prime Prep in their nailbiter against Huntington Prep, he almost single-handedly carried his team to a victory in the second half. Finishing the game with 20 points, he scored the majority of them late in the second half on punishing drives to the basket, using his explosive first step and fantastic body control. It's going to be fun watching Larry Brown let him loose at SMU next season, as he is a surefire future NBA lottery pick.
Daniel Hamilton, 2014 SF, St. John Bosco (CA): The MVP of the first day of action was the future UConn wing. After a subpar first half, the 6-foot-8 swingman went to work in the second half. His skill set really shined over the course of the game, bringing out his entire arsenal of skill. Whether he was dropping jumpers, slashing to the rim for scores, rebounding, or defending the ball, he was making an impact. Finishing the game with 25 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals, it's easy to see why so many respected basketball minds project him to be a future NBA draft selection.
Djuan Piper, 2014 SF, Rainier Beach (WA): One of the best unsigned prospects in the senior class was putting on a show Saturday. The versatile swingman showed the ability to be a lockdown defender, drawing the assignment of O'Connell star Melo Trimble. The 6-foot-6 wing used his length to disrupt the future Maryland Terrapin, ultimately helping his team to a close win. He is also a capable slasher and mid-range shooter as well. On the day, he had 12 points, four rebounds and four blocks. He has narrowed his college choices down to Gonzaga, Minnesota & Washington.
Melo Trimble, 2014 PG Bishop O'Connell (VA): The 6-foot-3 lead guard had a good showing for his team in a hard fought loss to Rainier Beach (WA). The MVP for his team, he finished with 26 points and seven rebounds. His ability to shoot the ball at an elite level while leading his team will make him an instant impact player at the next level, and we look forward to watching him progress over the coming years. Highly skilled guard.
Montaque Gill-Caesar, 2015 SG, Huntington Prep (WV): The 6-foot-5 wing was named MVP for his team after a narrow win over Prime Prep. Where he excelled Saturday night was in his mid-range game. He has excellent body control and was using it to his advantage with lengthy defenders draped all over him. Finishing the game with 13 points and nine rebounds, the surge in his recruitment looks like it will continue.
Elisha Boone, 2014 SG, Lincoln (NY): Boone recently signed with St. Peters and looked more comfortable because of it. The big combo guard got to the rim out of Yates' full-court trap and finished at the rim. He is a steal for a program that could use a player out of the New York City area to bring toughness, as well as play either guard position. He finished with 26 points, 11 rebounds, three steals & an MVP award for the Railsplitters.
Vance Jackson, 2016 SF, St. John Bosco (CA): Without a doubt one of the more versatile prospects in the nation for his class, the 6-foot-8 wing is a smooth operator. On Saturday, he had his jump shot working, stroking jumpers as well as mixing it up on the inside. In terms of the dreaded "potential" tag, he has a ton of it. We came away very impressed with his 26 point, eight rebound performance Saturday.
J.C. Washington, 2014 F, Yates (TX): The Houston commit had a nice showing on Saturday, even in a lopsided loss to Lincoln (NY). He finished the contest with 15 points and eight rebounds for Yates, doing most of his damage in the paint. He is a physical kid, and although he is a bit undersized for the position, his toughness and long limbs with help him succeed at the college level.
Comments:
A preview of Hoophall without any mention of the #1 player in 2014 Jahlil Okafor or #64 Paul White from Whitney Young? Come on!