Andrew Force:
Future150 National Analyst. Covering High and Middle School basketball.
Powder Springs, GA (Future150) -- On Saturday the Elite 24 Camp welcomed gifted wings, bigs, and guards from 22 states across the nation. Powder Springs' McEachern High School housed some remarkable athletes who are just beginning to realize their potential.
After a full day of skill development on Saturday, Sunday commenced with a Dunk Competition and then an All-Star Contest pitting the Elite 24 Campers in battle.
One of the very best, Larenz Williams continued the tradition of Louisiana Elite AAU players smacking the competition with overwhelming athleticism. After Kobe Julien, Gregory Williams, and Josh LeBlanc earned top 10 honors at The Summit Camp in June. Larenz needed to live up to the LA Elite standard.
Rahul Das, 2019 SG, Athens (Georgia): The energy of Das is infectious. He is a fantastic offensive rebounder and very quickly picks up instruction. Every time he got advice, Das instantly implemented it. Das can hit any shot off the catch-and-shoot. He projects as a wing, either as a small forward or as a shooting guard. To play out on the wing he will have to improve his lateral mobility. Offensively, he is well ahead of his peers.
Eric Coleman, 2019 SG, Kennesaw (Georgia): Coleman hinted at a high major future Saturday. For instance, he pump-faked and took two giant strides from the arc. In no time he was laying the ball in the cylinder. Sunday, Coleman showed amazing initiative. During the lunch break he played 3-on-3 with camp instructors and then followed that up with a challenge to the best guard (instructor) in the building. Though he was smacked by deep three after deep three he kept coming. In a world of thousands of aspiring hoopers the guys who have that extra craving for development make the biggest leaps. Coleman’s large strides (literally and metaphorically) give him ideal separation.
K'Vonte Baker, 2019 PG, Wichita (Kansas): It took a few hours to find his groove, but when he did Baker dominated play for short stretches. The short, left-handed guard impressed with his expert outside shooting. Though he started unreliably, Baker turned into a true floor leader. He is explosive and dangerous at every point on the floor. Despite his size disadvantage he finishes in traffic well at this level. To be a Nate Robinson-type player he will have to continue to develop his already powerful upper body.
Ronald Davis, 2019 SG, Knoxville (Tennessee): Davis can get off the floor. Slashing and jumping are his major contributions. He earned his way to Elite 24 with a sparkling mid-range game June in Nashville. This week his outside shooting was hit and miss. Developing more consistency is important for every youth athlete, but Davis in particular. His ceiling will be determined by outside shooting and physical development.
Larenz Williams, 2019 SF, New Orleans (Louisiana): Williams was fantastic slashing to the bucket. He flies up the court and brings his intensity to every contest. His length and quickness combine to give defenders fits. He projects as a wing beyond high school. He might be able to play either wing spot if he keeps improving with his handles. He runs the floor like a deer. Williams is a terror on the offensive glass. Because he pounces on every miss, it seems no errant shot is safe in the hands of the defense. He can really fly to the rim. Williams gave the fans a raucous “ooh” and “aah” block in the Final Four of the halfcourt tournament. It will be fun to watch him develop. There are not many wings with his ceiling in the 2019 class. When he decides to take over he does well attacking the basket. Williams also camped with Future150 in 2013. He takes home Co-MVP honors
Jourdan Smith, 2019 SG, Harvey (Louisiana): The poise of Smith was unmatched in the McEachern Fieldhouse. It was almost like a grown man snuck onto the floor. He changed speeds so quickly that his possessions routinely absorbed multiple defenders. His quickness is considerable, but the sneakiness makes him an elite penetrator. He can finish off the bounce.
Dontavius King, 2019 CF, Fountain Inn (South Carolina): The power forward managed to finish most of his mid-range jump shots Saturday. His height was overwhelming for most of his defenders. He had more trouble when Larenz Williams (6-foot-4) switched on to him. In the open floor few can contain the powerful combo forward. He gets lazy on defense and sometimes fails to even track back. His outside shooting still needs work. He doesn’t jump when he shoots. At this point a lot of his game is predicated on athleticism and size advantages that he enjoys. When he refines his skill set he will certainly make a college roster.
Dominique Hardimon, 2019 SF, Steele (Missouri): Hardimon (Future150 #76) has the ultimate tweener game. He is good at everything, great at rebounding. He projects as a strong wing with elite rebounding skills. He kind of plays like a combo forward right now. He prefers to defend in the paint and works well with his back to the basket. Ultimately he will have to move his feet laterally better to stick on the perimeter. He can absorb contact while finishing. His touch is very good.
Kevin McGaskey, 2019 PG, Missouri City (Texas): McGaskey has good strength for his position. He can dash by defenders with the ball on a string. His shooting touch was pretty good. McGaskey will have to fight for playing time at the varsity level with bigger guards. Skill-wise he is ready for the next level.
Mason Ellison, 2019 SF, Huntsville (Alabama): Ellison has veteran tools like the ability to drive either way. He also scores very well with the pull-up jumper. Ellison really has no weaknesses. With ideal height for the position Mason might only add a little explosiveness to continue his domination of the age group. His expansive skills give him a fantastic foundation to build upon. This is the second All-Star Game Ellison made with Future150 this summer.
Kevin McCullar, 2019 PG, San Antonio (Texas): In a gymnasium filled with point guards, McCullar was able to climb to this top group. His half court vision is special. Outside shooting is decent, but has room to grow. McCullar plays hard on both ends, but needs to improvement his overall athleticism. The players at the level he wants to get to have incredible springs and speed bursts. This should be his focus off the court...improving explosion.
Nathan Adcox, 2019 SG, Burleson (Texas): Shooter. Adcox hit three-pointers as soon as he walked in the door. Primarily, Adcock is a catch-and-shoot guy. The natural evolution of his game will surely include sharp dribbles to set up a mid-range game. If he intends to operate off the ball Adcock will have to get stronger...like almost all young hoopers need to do.
Joseph Babalola, 2019 SF, Katy (Texas): Babalola is a very versatile player. He grinds like a garbage man, but has skills emblematic of a volume-scoring slasher. Babalola is an above average athlete. Saturday Babalola hinted that he might grow into a triple-threat scorer. He can already slash with the best of them. When he knocks down the triple he is deadly. He keeps his motor revved. Defensively, he can guard PG, SG, and SF. His upper body strength gives him the ability to body up with taller wings. If he grows he can certainly operate from the small forward position. Even if he doesn’t he has the potential to be a combo guard. The defensive versatility and high motor offensively make Babalola an attractive target for recruiters.
John Cole Norris, 2019 CG, Hunstville (Alabama): Norris is a high energy glue-guy who also happens to be a top shooter. He didn't get to handle the point guard much at Elite 24, but proved his handle is solid. Norris understands how to make his mark without the ball in his hands, and capitalize when it comes his way. No wasted touches with Norris.
Kamar Robertson, 2019 PG, Milton (Georgia): Gritty and tough are two word that best describe his game. Loose balls seem to find him. He slashes well. Robertson has great speed. At Cambridge High School, Robertson will be an impact player. He did not coast a single minute all weekend.
Terry Clardy Jr., 2019 SF, Conway (Arkansas): Clardy Jr. is as steady as they come. A hulking wing, the young man represents the Arkansas Wings well. He plays really solid defense both out high and down on the block. His strength allows him to hold his position against any slasher. Clardy has the shooting touch to play any wing position and his ultimate position will probably dictated more by height than any clear deficiencies.
TJ Bickerstaff, 2019 PG, Tyrone (Georgia): Though Bickerstaff lists himself as a point guard he truthfully projects as a long combo forward. He is still growing into his body. Good finish around the rim. The point guard training will help him. He definitely can handle, but the need for tall point guards is not as strong as elite scoring wings. He gets to the bucket with long strides and crafty handles.
Larry Canady, 2019 SG, Racine (Wisconsin): Canady is a volume scorer from Wisconsin. His quick first step sets up everything that he does on the floor. Canady can shoot, but most of the weekend he was able to create closer shots for himself. When he finally faces up with elite defenders his own age, Canady will have to prove he can score on all three levels.
Justin Webster, 2019 SG, Fairview (Texas): Webster is a pure shooter. His shooting mechanics are insanely fluid for his age. He has incredible balance from floor to release point. The size will come, but his techniques are fantastic now.
Tre’ Jones, 2019 CF, Arlington (Texas): Jones is an abnormally strong combo forward. He plays much like a power forward at this early stage in his career, but his agility suggests a move to small forward is in the works. He is good for three or four dribbles, nothing more. If you give him the ball with momentum towards the basket the bucket is going in.
Koby Isaac, 2019 CG, Norcross (Georgia): Isaac is a fantastic slasher that banks on exceptional hops to score in traffic. If you leave him open he can knock down jumpers in bunches. At times he falls in love with the jumper which can be off at times. Defensively, Isaac he is tenacious and has the laterall quickness to guard both guard positions. He tends to drift a little mentally when the ball is not near him on either end. Overall he had a strong performance this past weekend.
Alex Powell, 2019 C Berkley Lake (Georgia): Powell is a long body kid that has tramendus upsize and is still growing into his and standing at 6'10 he displayed his abilities on both ends of th floor. On defence he posses huge problems in the paint because of his size and length he clogs the lane and showed he can guard the 3-5 positions and offensively he stretchs the floor out by being able to play different areas on the floor and being affective.
Denver Jones, 2019 CG, New Market (Alabama): Jones was one of the best Alabama-based participants. His athleticism puts him positions of strength offensively. Jones attacks the lane with aggression. His on-ball defense wavers from very good to somewhat lazy. Judging by his lateral mobility he should be an elite defender. It only takes mental investment.
Russell Jones Jr., 2019 PG, Columbia (South Carolina): Jones Jr. earned his way into the All-Star Game Sunday afternoon by playing north-south basketball. His quickness makes him a tough mark. Jones Jr. slashed his way to problem areas all day Sunday.
Dontae King, 2019 PG, Canton (Georgia): King was one of the best perimeter defenders at The Elite 24 Camp. His commitment to stopping offensive flow was apparent from the start. He has a strong upper body that allows him to hold his ground firmly. He gets the haunches low. King’s entire defensive stance is textbook. King does not leave his feet without reason. King has great vision and ability to execute passes.
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