Year number 11 of the Tennessee Prep Hoops Rankings and Exposure Showcase is in the books and a special thanks to Carson Newman for the use of their outstanding facilities. We had 90+ players make it down for the showcase and as we begin the evaluations I wanted to inform everyone that I had three college coaches, as well as, myself combine for these player evaluations. They will be posted by Camp Team and will come sporadically over the next couple weeks or so. Let us begin.
Vanderbilt
Andrew Wiliford (Pigeon Forge)
6-1 SG 2019
Camp Number: 32
Functional player who has a skill level, he uses both hands around the rim, he is a decent passer and plays with some emotion and aggression. His shot is compact and he tends to short arm his release but those moments when that lefty stroke is working he is not an awful shooter by any means. His lack of athleticism and quickness account for some of his turnover issues as he tries to play too fast, with the notion this will speed up his game. He takes too many chances with the pass and tends to force things much to often. He showed the ability to score from inside or out and has really improved his game over the past few seasons.
Sam Wiseman (Arlington)
6-1 PG 2019
Camp Number: 33
"Pass first guard who isn't afraid to initiate the action, he has a high basketball intelligence and a decent body to make some things happen, I cannot stress enough consistency, consistency and more consistency". Not super quick but with a really active first step, the senior lead guard likes to force the tempo, and shows patience in and around the hoop. Camp basketball doesn't always regulate itself to showing the best of ones basketball ability but it is one avenue where athleticism and quickness are most revered. His outside shooting is solid and he really must learn to finish better inside, thus prompting more than one evaluation to mention the consistency moniker. Improving his handles in traffic, he is an opportunistic defender using his strength to force the issue and is very good on the help side with his anticipation. I have no doubt he will find the right level to play after high school.
Jonathan Clow (Homeschool)
6-1 SG 2019
Camp Number: 34
Average sized guard trying to find his way among so many that possesses the same size and skill level that he does. He doesn't do anything really well but he is functional in most aspects of the game. He has a decent shot and understood when and where to find spots to launch while also feeding the post and playing unselfishly in the half court settings. He seems to get the flow but his lack of overt athleticism played havoc with his ability to guard quicker and stronger guards.
Walker Kyle (Bearden)
6-4 PF 2021
Camp Number: 35
"Really impressed with some of the things he can do at this age, his foul line jumper is a keeper, he has decent foot work, most young players don't, he goes hard to the glass and he knows how to put the ball in the basket". Youngster will need to get into better basketball shape if he is to maintain the rigors of high school basketball on a night to night basis. He need a left hand badly and despite showing some range, this is an area where he could put distance between himself and his brethren. Get in better shape, I cannot stress this enough, your confidence will rise and then the sky is the limit. Your quickness will blossom, your ability to rebound, defend and become a player the coaches will not wish to take off the floor. Your on your way young fella.
Reece Dykes (Cumberland County)
5-9 PG 2020
Camp Number: 36
"If you could get everybody to play with this intensity and this dedication things would be a great deal easier to coach, his worst enemy is his lack of size and strength". He is unafraid to mingle with the big boys, he will take charges, he likes to defend and he is flying all over the court trying to make plays. His shot is adequate and he likes to take it hard to the hoop. He could work on his ball handling and decision making in the half court. His size indicates lead guard but he plays more like a two, especially in transition. His size will always be a hindrance but overcome and adapt, be the best lead guard, be the best shooter and just working your tail off, good things will happen.
Houston Dyer (Knoxville West)
6-0 WF 2021
Camp Number: 37
Lanky young guard who really likes to pound the basketball. He has decent handles, he truly does, but his excessive dribbling and subsequent bad decision puts all the skill on the back burner. He has a push shot, a lefty no less, but will need to seriously work on his mechanics. He lacks physical strength and this also causes him to play a bit too fast. Tempo is key my friends. Value the ball, coaches despise turnovers and his handles are god enough to where this could be fixed with concentration and repetitions. Get stronger, work on your shot, you have the length and the skill level to make a big jump if you put in the work.
Hayden Llewellyn (Jellico)
6-2 SG 2023
Camp Number: 38
"Many superlatives with this kid and when I saw his age, very impressed. He can shoot, he has some athleticism, very thin but handles good and when he gets stronger, look out". Couldn't agree more. Its very difficult and always has been to evaluate players of this age, I generally stay away from it. He doesn't back down, he isn't afraid and that gets the ball rolling. His shot is very good and he has some quickness and ball skills. He is physically weak but we are talking about a 14 year old kid. His confidence will be beaming when he starts getting stronger, his range will improve and he will glide to the bucket unabated. He needs to develop an off hand, and work on his explosion and also needs to embrace playing both ends of the floor. Young, talented offensive players tend to relax on the defensive side of the floor. Shooting is great but also become more guard oriented and incorporate some point skills into the arsenal, pass and cut, use your quickness and become hard to guard. Keep improving those skills, get in the gym, play high level summer ball and this is a kid we will all know well in the coming years.
Hudson Stokes (Hardin Valley)
6-0 SG 2022
Camp Number: 39
As we have mentioned time and time again, one of the only qualities we look for in those this young is effort and does he back down. Small guard who has yet to suit up for a high school practice lacks strength but showed some skills that will benefit him as he grows into a player. He was a very good passer, in the both the half court and transition, he will need to keep his head up, as when the dribble goes down so do the eyes. He will be an even better passer when he works on this. His shot was good but he will need to value the possession a bit more, as his haste led to turnovers, but they were in the midst of effort so they are easily corrected. Get stronger, work on your skills and next time we do this the results will be telling.
John Sheringham (Knoxville Catholic)
6-0 SG 2021
Camp Number: 40
Young guard who showed decent handles but must work on his quickness and athleticism. His foot work was lacking and he often had trouble keeping up with the pace of the game. His shot needs work from a mechanical perspective and his release is compact and he doesn't extent his follow through. He will need to get in better shape as well and become more mature on the floor. Body language is a big deal and something that I myself pay particular attention. Plenty of room for growth in almost every aspect of the game.
