With three Fall League getting underway, I will slip in some more evaluations from the NPA Basketball Showcase from Father Ryan. Here we go.
Tehlor Buford (Hillsboro)
Camp Number: 77
2021
Lanky guard that showed some skills especially in drill work. He has decent size at 6-1 and shows a very good first step. He can play at various speeds but gets a bit out of kilter when the game gets going too fast. He needs to work on his strength badly and tighten up those handles if you want to control the ball and the tempo of the game. He has good length and a work in progress jumper.
Trey Hamilton (McCallie)
Camp Number: 78
2021
Painfully thin young man who shows some skills and basketball IQ. His body needs to catch up to his skill level and quickly before he leaves it behind. His outside shot can be methodical but the fundamentals are decent, he just needs to speed up and lift the release, especially against better athletes who can close out quicker. He has length and decent size at around 6-4 with perimeter skills in the making
Jamel King (Alabama)
Camp Number: 82
2020
One of the pleasant surprises of the showcase with his length and overt athleticism. He showed he could score at every level, his jump shot was adequate and it extends to the three-point line, his handles were tight and deliberate and he finished at the rim with quick explosions and skillful face up or back to the bucket moves. He has a tendency to short arm his shot when he plays too fast but he is a graceful prospect who will draw considerable mid to high major looks.
Randy Brady (Brentwood Academy)
Camp Number: 83
2021
In my opinion the best player in the state in his Class. He can do it all and do it all well. He has incredible length and poise. He can shoot the ball and he sees the floor as well. He is the total package at this tender age. He will need to continue to work on his body, which will move him in to the next stratosphere as a prospect. He plays with an even tempo and doesn't get to excited about anything happening on the floor. Great demeanor for a youngster. His future is mega bright.
Quenton Brooks (Knowledge Academy)
Camp Number: 87
2019
Your first impression is his willingness to play hard on both ends of the floor. He is a very good athlete but his aggressive nature can lead to turnovers and unnecessary plays when something of the easy variety would have sufficed. He glides when he runs and is at his best when he is filling lanes and finishing on the break. He can explode with the ball but tends to make his mistakes when he goes to fast, there seems to be a theme here. His body is good but he is thin. His outside shot needs a lot of work and he the type of kid who would benefit greatly from a post grad year to sharpen those skills for a shot at the next level.
Matthew Sells (Livingston Academy)
Camp Number: 89
2021
The superlatives are plentiful. He is slick, can shoot, handles well, has a great feel for the game and all the intangibles that just exude from such a young player. His feel for the game belies that age for sure, he understands when to go fast and when to knock down that sic jumper. He passes the ball well and sees the floor so his value could b at either guard spot in the future. His body will need to get stronger for the rigors of the competition he will face. He has a tendency to force the issue at times and does take his fair share of bad shots, but he's young and so talented he will learn and we will watch his maturation for afar.
Josh Groomes (Polk County)
Camp Number: 90
2020
Has certainly worked on his body and looks to be in better basketball shape than what we remember from last year. His lateral quickness and athleticism have improved but his skill level still needs to upgrade. His shot is slow but to his credit it has improved, when he is open he has the confidence to knock it down. He will give maximum effort on every play and is the type of players coaches love because he will do all the dirty work and sacrifice his stats for the good of the team.
Jeremiah Dixon (Antioch)
Camp Number: 92
2021
Diminutive guard who simply at this juncture doesn't have the physical size to make much of an impact against these bigger and stronger kids. He tries to do too much and instead of letting the game come to him, he forces the issue and creates turnovers and bad possessions. He seems to understand how to play and does see things happening just doesn't have the body or strength to complete his basketball thought. Keep grinding and making better basketball decisions, know your role and don't try to force the issue as much.
Tylor McClain (Lipscomb Academy)
Camp Number: 93
2021
Among the bevy of tiny guards that invaded this camp, McClain did show some basketball IQ and again sees the floor but just doesn't have the physical tools to compete the plays his basketball mind sees. He showed a decent stroke, despite at times it appeared to be of the push variety and really understands the flow of an offense. Size and strength are real difference makers at this level.
Alex Rush (Upperman)
Camp Number: 94
2021
Almost a throw back to the back to the basket post player of yesteryear, but with a new age ability to knock down the three. He has incredible hands and really makes his guards look good snatching even the most errant pass to the post. He has moves over either shoulder and uses his footwork to get easy scoring chances against overtly athletic defenders. He is a wizard in a structured half court system where the ball comes through his hands on every possession, he tends to make the right decision a great deal. Defensively he need to fight through screens with more vigor and determination. His is a bright future I hope to witness as it matures.
