Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Orlando, FL (Future150) -- Future150 hit the road for 8th grade Nationals in Orlando on Sunday, after a great week at the 2013 Peach State Summer Showcase. Here are a few notes from the last day of action at #PeachSt.
Team Charlotte ended up winning the 17U championship on Sunday evening, in large part to underrated wing Desean Murray. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard is an unselfish prospect who impressed with his unselfishness and motor all day long. He's a low major prospect who is beginning to catch on with the college coaches after his big week.
Lamonte Turner was instrumental for the Atlanta Xpress in their championship at Peach State Sunday, flexing their muscle as the best 16U team in the state of Georgia, and one of the best in the entire country. The 6-foot-1 lead guard is an intense prospect who can score at the rim or from distance. He also played excellent defense all weekend. It's no surprise that he's hearing from several SEC programs.
The Georgia Renegades were defeated in the championship game by the Upward Stars, but that didn't take the shine off of 2016 prospects Trey Clemons and Anfernee King. The 6-foot-6 forward is a high major prospect who can do a little bit of everything on the floor. Anfernee on the other hand, is a bulldog defender and solid ball handler whose jump shot is now consistent from the outside.
Precious Ayah continued his strong AAU season this past weekend, showing the staff his enormous potential. The 6-foot-7 post runs the floor extremely well and has soft hands for a 2016 kid. He also finishes well at the rim using both hands. Legitimate mid-major to high-major prospect.
8th Grade AAU Nationals Notes:
- Team Final gave us a glimpse of the future of Philadelphia basketball by showcasing their star in Orlando, point guard Quade Green. The 5-foot-11 blur has a money jump shot from the outside, a devastating first step, and gets from end-to-end faster than any kid in the 2017 class. It's going to be fun to watch him develop as the spotlight begins to shine on him.
- Louisiana Tarheels shooting guard Javonte Smart has the look of the best 2018 prospect in the state of Louisiana. The 6-foot-2 wing has excellent court instincts, plays unselfish basketball, and scores with ease both on the break in the half-court setting. If he develops his ball skills, he can become a stud point guard at the high school level.
- Jamal Johnson led the powerful Birmingham Store Elite to a win this morning with his scoring exploits. The 6-foot-3 wing was knocking down jump shots from behind the arc, slashing to the rim and scoring against contact, and rebounding and running the floor. He is currently the #19 prospect in the 2017 class, and he could rise in the rankings if he continues his strong play this week.
- In a battle of top point guards Monday night, Team Thad's Blake Williams and Chase Hayden, as well as Houston Elite's Doc Nelson, all made a case for top 40 prospects in the class with their impressive play. Nelson knocked down a clutch step-back three with seconds remaining, only to have Williams nail a 25 footer at the buzzer to send Houston Elite packing. Hayden controlled the tempo for Thad and was crafty scoring at the rim all game long. Bright futures are ahead for the three guards.
- The Swilling Storm continued to breeze through bracket play with another impressive victory Tuesday night, behind the stellar play of guards Lamont Berzat and Tre Swilling. However, the surprise for the Storm was big man Bruce Jordan. The bruiser was rebounding everything in his area and finishing around the basket with both hands. If he continues his strong play, don't be surprised if the Storm win themselves an AAU championship.
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