Standouts from Saturday at the Elite 75

Ashbrook High School was the site for the 2012 Elite 75 camp on Saturday, and the event attracted a large group of talented players to its campus in Gastonia, North Carolina.  Some big names were in attendance and they did nothing to disappoint, but plenty of other players were also able to step up and grab some of the attention.  Here are your standouts.

Rashad Wattie 2014 PG – St. Frances Academy (MD)

Take one look at this combo guard, and he immediately passes the look test.  He has a strong, athletic frame and backs it up with an exciting style of play.  The 6’2” Baltimore native attacks the rim with regularity and makes plays once he gets there.  He has the athleticism and jumping ability to go over or around people and also has the coordination and concentration to finish in the air.  He’s someone who is hard to guard simply due to his attacking mentality and ability to get into the lane.  Although Wattie can occasionally hit the outside shot, consistency appears to be an issue, so this should be an area of focus in the near future.  Nevertheless, he is a very solid division one prospect with good upside, who should get mid major looks.

Dante Buford 2014 PF – Arlington Country Day School (FL)

Buford has a reputation as a high flyer, and he showed why on Saturday.  The guy can jump out of the building.  He had multiple dunks in transition, including one that he put through the legs, that left the entire gym buzzing.  His athletic ability, however, was not the only aspect of his game that stood out.  Buford was incredibly active on both ends and pulled down a countless number of rebounds to show for it.  This activity level is something that he should look to replicate every time he steps on the floor, as it will translate into consistent production.  The real issue with him at this point is his position crises.  At 6’6” he is somewhat undersized at the four position, so keeping that in mind, he should continue to improve his perimeter game.  His jump shot did look better this weekend than it did three months ago, but there is still plenty of room for improvement.  Ball handling and playmaking ability are other areas that, if improved, could take his game to a whole new level.  Regardless, his athleticism and potential make him a good long term prospect and one that mid majors should track. 

Dwayne Morgan 2014 SF – St. Frances Academy (MD)

This 6’7” wing is an elite talent.  Coming off an Indiana offer Friday night, Morgan scored it well Saturday and did so with relative ease.  He has the size, length, and skill to play at the highest level.  Operating with the ball in his hands for much of the day, his improved handle made him a constant threat to score off the dribble, and that threat often turned into reality, as he had his jumper working in the games I saw.  His range extends past the three point line, and his high release allows him to get off a good look pretty much whenever he wants it.  He also showed an ability to create for others off the bounce, although his mentality is that of a scorer.  Defensively, he has the length to be disruptive, so his commitment on that end of the floor will be what determines his status as a defender.  As his decision making improves, so will his efficiency as a player, and this should come with time.  Overall, he is a big time talent with big time upside.  High majors are and will continue to be all over him. 

Giovanni Mack 2014 PG – Providence Senior High (NC)

Probably the most impressive pure point guard that suited up Saturday, Mack led his team beautifully throughout the day.  In a camp setting that, at times, was full of sloppy play, Mack was a steadying presence that set the pace of the game and kept his team under control.  He’s a very mature player on the court, and his composed play stood out among his peers.  The 5’10” floor general makes the right plays at the right times and does so with confidence and poise.  He knows when to look for his own shot and when to get others involved.  These attributes make him a true point guard, someone who can run a team and get the job done consistently.  Mid majors and low majors, alike, would be wise to take notice.

Kennedy Meeks 2013 C – West Charlotte HS (NC)

I’ve written about Meeks a few times this summer, so there is not too much new to say, but it does appear that he has trimmed his body down a little bit.  The 6’10” space eater was moving well on Saturday and as always, his advanced skill set was on display.  Probably the best passing big man in the country, Meeks made plays for others using his vision and unbelievable instincts on the court.  Meeks also showed off his scoring ability, and one particular play stood out.  He stepped out to the mid post, put it on the floor a couple times, made a spin move, and buried a fade away jumper in his defender’s face.  Not many 6’10” high school guys can do that.  And while college coaches will want Meeks posting down on the block, this play simply illustrates his skill level.  He had UNC at his house for an in home visit on Sunday, and the Tar Heels will most likely be in it until the end.  Georgetown, Indiana, NC State, and Kentucky are also in the mix. 

Tariq Owens 2014 PF – St. Vincent Palotti (MD)

One of the more naturally gifted players at the event, Owens possesses a long and athletic 6’8” frame.  He made his presence known on the defensive end, as he consistently blocked and altered shots in the lane.  Owens was very active on both ends, and he loves to get up and down the floor.  This is where he is very dangerous.  He’s a fluid runner, and he knows how to fill lanes, where he can catch and finish above the rim.  The next steps for him are to gain strength and polish his skill set.  As these areas of his game improve, his status as a prospect and player will steadily rise.  He has the makings of a mid-major prospect who could develop and play himself into an even higher level.  He’s a guy who is just scratching the surface of his potential. 

Marcus Johnson 2014 PG – Evelyn Mack Academy (NC)
Johnson is a point guard with a scoring mentality.  He can hit from the outside, but he can also get to the rim with explosive bursts and finish above it using his elite jumping ability.  One of his finishes put the gym in a frenzy.  He caught the ball in transition on the wing, took a couple dribbles, lifted off, and absolutely posterized a defender at the rim.  That play made it hard to believe that he is only 5’10”.

Isaiah Tripp 2013 PG – Edmondson Westside High (MD)

I only got a chance to see Tripp once on the day, but his scoring prowess stood out in that single viewing.  The 6’2” point is fundamentally sound and can score from all three levels.  He can shoot it well off the dribble and knows how to get to his spots.  He’ll need to add strength, but he is a legitimate division prospect who we should expect to have a good senior season. 

Kamau Stokes 2014 PG – Dunbar HS (MD)

Stokes displayed a good ability to get to the rim and finish.  He constantly kept the defense off balance with changes of pace and direction.  Although he made plays more difficult than they should be at times, Stokes is a solid prospect who will get division one offers.

Che Bob 2014 SG – Arlington Country Day School (FL)

This 6’4” two guard has all the physical attributes you want in a wing - good size, strength, and athleticism.  Bob rebounds well out of his position and has good ability as a scorer, both inside and out.  Defensively, he can become a perimeter stopper if he puts his mind to it.  He’ll simply need to improve his energy level and body language on the court, but the natural abilities are there.

Charlie Russo 2014 SG – Christian Brother’s High School (NY)

Passing ability is the aspect of Russo’s game that stood out Saturday.  Although he plays off the ball, he has a great knack for finding people in transition and hitting them on stride with long passes that often result in easy buckets.  His vision, along with his consistent hard play, makes him a fun player to watch. 

Lloyd Burgess 2014 C – Christ School (NC)

I didn’t see much of this 6’11” monster on the court, but one glance is all one needs to see that he has the body to eat up space down low.  He’ll need to improve his conditioning, but his size alone makes him one to track.  It’ll be fun to watch him develop over the next two years. 

A Few Underclassmen:

Devin Cooper 2015 PG – Walnut Oak Grove School (SC)

This 6’0” youngster is certainly one to watch, as he displayed a very impressive skillset and feel for the game.  Cooper is poised with the ball in his hands and knows how to get others involved, while also being aggressive as a scorer.  He can hit the midrange off the dribble or get into the paint and either finish himself or kick to the open man. Walnut Oak Gove appears to have a good one on their hands.

Kishawn Pritchett 2016 SF – Lake Norman High School (NC)

His approach to the game is very likeable, as he simply went out there and got the job done.  He consistently finished plays and showed impressive versatility when he posted up his defender and hit a lefty hook shot over his right shoulder.  Pritchett is deceptively athletic and is one to track in that 2016 class.

Quincy Issaca 2015 PF – Nottingham High School (NY)

A lefty hybrid forward with good athleticism, Issaca has solid upside.  At 6’8” he rebounds well and has good footwork in the post.  He can also put it on the floor and get to the rim using long strides.  Right now, he’s more of a four, but a transition to the three spot could come in time.  He will, however, need to improve his commitment to defense and cut down on turnovers.