Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Nashville, TN (Future150) -- The 2014 Nashville Jr. Future150 Camp wrapped up action on Sunday afternoon with the most talented and consistent campers taking part in the Top 24 All-Star Game. A heated, back-and-forth battle kept the fans on the edge of their seats all game long, ending in a 55-51 final. Here are some of the standouts from the game and the camp overall.
Kaliq Green, 2018 SF, Sparkman (AL): The MVP of the Top 24 All-Star Game was the active 6-foot-1 forward. He came on strong during action on Sunday and became an unstoppable force at the tail end of camp. A high motor kid who plays physical basketball, he couldn't be stopped on the boards or when he was finishing around the rim on aggressive drives.
Chase Forte, 2019 G, Magellan Charter (NC): One of the youngest campers in attendance was the North Carolina prospect. He impressed the staff with his court vision, ball skills, and ability to score against much bigger opponents. He was fearless on the floor and played every game to win.
Warren Zager, 2018 SF, Ensworth (TN): The most impressive performer overall from the start of the camp to finish was the soon-to-be Ensworth (TN) prospect. An athletic 6-foot-3, Zager is a versatile kid who has skills to play both the small forward and shooting guard positions. He can score the basketball on all three levels and with improved foot speed, will become one of the best players in the Nashville area over the next several years.
Jalen Johnson, 2018 SG, Hopkinsville (TN): Another promising prospect from the camp was the Kentucky native. The 6-foot-1 shooting guard is as smooth as they come. He knows how to create for himself on the perimeter and has a picture-perfect release on his jumper. He can handle the basketball for stretches if needed, but he is at his abolute best as a high volume scorer from the wing.
Rodriguez Thomas, 2019 SF, Paducah Tilghman (KY): The strong small forward prospect was the ultimate glue guy for his teams all weekend long. The 5-foot-10 wing has good strength and uses it to his advantage when rebounding and scoring around the rim. Simply put, the kid is a winner and as long as he keeps growing and improving, he will be a force to be reckoned with at the high school level.
Ryan Mathis, 2019 G, Graves County (KY): The best rising 8th grader in the camp was the 5-foot-8 guard. Right now, he can play three positions on the floor, but it looks as though as he moves forward in his development, he will slide over to being a combo guard full time. He has good ball skills, a high basketball IQ, and the ability to distribute the ball or score hiimself with ease.
Keyonte Calloway, 2018 PG, Ensworth (TN): A point guard with a lot of upside, Calloway impressed the staff last weekend with his savvy on the floor. He has good ball skills, excellent speed, and is fearless around the rim. He can hurt the defense with his penetration and is also a physical on-ball defender as well. Another prospect who will become a very good player at Ensworth down the line.
Malik Morgan, 2018 SF, White House (TN): The 6-foot-1 wing was another prospect who came on strong during the all-star game on Sunday. He is a physical wing who loves to rebound and run the floor. In terms of being able to finish around the rim using both his right and left hand, he was the absolute best at the camp. He has a nose for the ball and his jump shot is consistent at the mid-range level.
Trevon Faulkner, 2018 SG, Mercer County (KY): Yet another impressive Kentucky wing was the 6-foot-2 southpaw. His jump shot was incredibly consistent all weekend long and he showed the ability to score the ball on all three levels. He is also an excellent attacker who finishes very well around the rim. In terms of upside, he has as much as anyone at the camp, and it will be fun watching him develop over the coming years.
Justin Mitchell, 2018 SF, Henry Clay (KY): While he is more of a prospect than player right now, the sky is the limit for the 6-foot-3 small forward. Blessed with excellent size and skills, Mitchell can score the basketball on all three levels. He finishes extremely well around the rim, rebounds the basketball, and is an active defender. Once he hones his ball skills, watch out!
Justin Oden, 2018 SF, Spring Hill (TN): Another good long term prospect is the 6-foot-2 wing. Possessing excellent athleticism and feel around the basket, he is always a threat to score the basketball. He can hurt the defense from both the low block and the perimeter, and he has an extremely high motor. Look for him to grow into a premier player in eastern Tennessee over the coming years.
Parker McKinney, 2018 SG, Coalfield (TN): Already a name in basketball circles in the eastern side of the state is the 6-foot-2 shooting guard, who played varsity basketball this past season for Coalfield. The excellent perimeter shooter will make the defense pay if given any space on the perimeter, and he is also a capable finisher around the rim. Look for him to improve his ball skills and quickness over the coming years, making him a very dangerous prospect.
Nashville Jr. Future150 Camp Prospect Rankings:
1. Warren Zager
2. Jalen Johnson
3. Kaliq Green
4. Trevon Faulkner
5. Parker McKinney
6. Justin Mitchell
7. Justin Oden
8. Malik Morgan
9. Keyonte Calloway
10. Rodriguez Thomas
11. Ryan Mathis
12. Kaleb Mack
13. Chase Forte
14. Marcus Smith
15. Camari Cannon
16. Will Nutter
17. BoBo Hodges
18. Reese Tolley
19. Trenton Gibson
20. R.J. Wright
21. Mauricio Brown
22. Corey Wilson
23. Jonathon Howard
24. Terry Clardy Jr.
25. Jordan Lockridge
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