Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Fort Wayne, IN (Future150) -- Stars were out in full force for the 2013 Memorial Run N' Slam on Saturday, and Future150 was able to check in with some of the nation's highest profile prospects.
One prospect in particular who showed that he was back in a big way was Team Thad forward Leron Black. The 6'7" high-motored prospect was doing what we always expect of him, most notably rebounding, running the floor, and finishing above the rim. However, what impressed us today was the consistency on his mid-range jump shot.
We tracked him through each of Team Thad's four games on the day, and his jumper from 10 feet and out stayed consistent, and when those shots are falling, he is a top five prospect in the 2014 class.
2015 forward Carlton Bragg came into the event with a considerable amount of pressure to perform, whether he was aware of it or not. Our staff was curious to see how much the 6'9" combo forward improved, and the answer is immensely.
He has a unique skill set for a prospect so large, and it took less than three minutes of game action for us to determine he is ranked too low at #18 in our national rankings. We are excited to see what he has up his sleeve for today's action as his Ohio Basketball Club team pursues a championship in the 16U division.
Another young star who had a big day was 2016 combo guard Eron Gordon, who has matured greatly over the past year. He was looking like his brother Saturday, knocking down long range bomb after long range bomb, finishing with 27 points for the Eric Gordon All-Stars.
When he wasn't scoring the basketball, he was creating for his teammates or taking his defender off-the-dribble on his way to the basket, where he finished several strong drives through contact. This weekend he definitely solidified his status as a top 20 prospect in his class.
Notes:
- 2015 point guard Devin Edwards had a nice showing for the Michigan Mustangs on Saturday morning. In a game against the Ohio Basketball Club, he scored 18 points and dished out four assists in a tough loss. Right now, he has Detroit Mercy, Utah, and Central Michigan interested.
- 2016 combo guard Zach Norvell is progressing nicely. The 6'4" Mac Irvin Fire prospect is a smooth lefty whose body is really beginning to fill out. Definitely in consideration for a top 100 ranking in a loaded freshman class.
- A player who will definitely be moving into our 2015 rankings during the next update will be Michigan's Trevor Manuel. The 6'8" forward is a long and slender athlete who can operate at the three or four positions on the floor. The entire B1G Ten is already on him, as are several other schools from coast to coast.
- Trevor Blueitt shined brightest in front of a packed house on Saturday when he led his Spiece Indy team to a win over Team Thad. The strong 6'5" guard scored 28 points and had his way with the Memphis stars throughout the contest, ultimately being the difference. He is also due for a bump in the next rankings.
- Ohio Basketball Club's Justin Bibbs continued his hot spring this weekend. After destroying the competition at the Pittsburgh Jam Fest two weekends ago, he was back at it in Fort Wayne on Saturday. In his team's bracket play loss to Team Thad, he scored 20 points, many of which were on long, contested jumpers. The 6'5" lefty has a beautiful stroke, and schools such as Miami (Fl) have come calling of late.
- Josh Jackson played like a man possessed on Saturday night for Dorian's Pride. The athletic and strong 6'5" freshman rebounded everything in his sight, and was strong off-the-dribble for his team, slashing to the basket for easy scoring opportunties all game long. He is a no-brainer top 15 prospect in the 2016 class. Great showing for the Michigan native.
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