NBPA Top 100 Camp Scouting: East Coast Seniors (Part 1)
The NBPA Top 100 camp took place last week from Wednesday through Saturday at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, VA. The goal of the camp is to take some of the best talent around the country and have them compete in a controlled environment, all while learning from current and former NBA players what it takes to make it to the NBA and what it’s like once you make it there. The atmosphere was great, as there was tons of talent throughout the gym, national scouts everywhere and competitive games from the beginning to the end. It was a great place to evaluate, and over the next few days I will be giving my take and breaking down the game of some of the top performers I saw (there was no way I could see everyone). To get started, here is part one of the rising seniors on the east coast.
Keldon Johnson | 6’6” WG | Huntington Prep (WV)
Johnson got off to a slow start on day one with two disappointing games, and I warned everyone that I had been covering this kid for three years now and that he would come out with something to prove the next three days. I don’t like to pat myself on the back too much, but I was right since he finished second in the camp in scoring at 16.9 points per game and was named co-MVP of the camp. From Thursday through Saturday, Johnson played six games and scored in double figures every game, including four games of 20 or more points. His best game came during the first game set on Friday, where he dropped 28 points on 7-for-11 shooting from the field and grabbed nine rebounds as well. He plays with so much energy, even in a camp setting, and there’s no secret that he feels like he should be mentioned among the best players in the country, which makes him play with even more of a chip on his shoulder. Well Mr. Johnson, it’s safe to say that you made one heck-of-a case to move up in the rankings, but regardless if he does or not it’s hard to think of any school that wouldn’t want a kid who showed great leadership, work ethic and was one of the most productive players in the entire camp.
Simisola Shittu | 6’7” F | Vermont Academy (VT)
The other co-MVP of the camp was Shittu, who led the camp in scoring at 18.1 points per game and in rebounding at 7.7 rebounds per game. His team struggled at times, but it was in no way because of Shittu. The 6’7” Canadian born big man showed a tremendous motor from the beginning of the camp, and he simply outworked and outmuscled other bigs and wings which is why his numbers were the top in the camp. He has a tremendous build and strength in his upper body, and he’s also an athletic freak that can run the floor like a gazelle and finish above the rim with ease. It was refreshing to see a kid who was not only one of the most talented prospects from a physical standpoint, but also displayed one of the top motors in the entire camp too.
Jahvon Quinerly | 6’0” PG | Hudson Catholic (NJ)
Jahvon “Jellyfam” Quinerly had everyone buzzing from day one with his ability to keep it on a string and make plays for himself and others so effortlessly. The playmaking point guard whose final seven include Villanova, UVA, UCLA, Kansas, Stanford, Seton Hall and Arizona was cooking whoever tried to stay in front of him. He plays with great poise, changes pace well and is a tremendous finisher in the paint and from the midrange despite his size. He was extremely efficient out of the pick-and-roll and was one of the top on ball defenders, all while playing with a hurt shoulder. Other than the first day, where he played just two minutes in two games, he finished averaging 16 points, 4.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Even more impressive than his stats was the way that he made the right play and changed the entire pace of the game when he had the ball in his hands.
David McCormack | 6’10” C | Oak Hill Academy (VA)
Big Dave McCormack came into the camp as one of the most highly recruited big men in the country, and he only stayed for two days because he already had scheduled an unofficial visit to Duke over the weekend. The first thing you see when you look at McCormack is how much his body has changed over the past three seasons. While he’s still a massive individual, gone is the babyfat, and now he’s a chiseled and muscular 275 lbs. that is impossible to stop in the paint. He’s a monster on the glass, finishing fifth in the camp in rebounding at 6.3 per game, a number that likely would have been higher if he played the last two days. He’s also improved in a number of ways offensively, including a new and improved midrange jump shot and jump hook with both hands. His quickness is something that would surprise most people because of his size, and he’s able to get up and down the floor with guards to clean up in transition. He hasn’t yet set a timetable for his decision, but whatever high major school lands him will be extremely fortunate because he’s able to change the game on both ends with just his presence in the paint.
Immanuel Quickley | 6’1” PG | John Carroll (MD)
Quickley started slow and was hampered with the injury bug late in the camp, but he showed what makes him so tough and so coveted in games two and three. He was exceptional in pick-and-roll situations, as he’s able to press the situation, get in the lane and find shooters or bigs depending on what the defense gives him. He also showed the ability to score in a number of ways, and the improvement on the consistency of his jump shot is going to bold well for him as teams aren’t going to be able to go under him on ball screens. He plays with pace and a high IQ, but is also one of the toughest guys on the court and won’t back down from anyone. He’s exactly what you think of when you think of the prototypical Baltimore point guard.
Jack Hemphill | 6’9” PF | Ravenscroft (NC)
If we want to talk about breakout performers, Hemphill has to be in the conversation as one of the top guys who made a name for himself last week. The 6’9” power forward who plays with CP3 wasn’t one of the big names coming into the event, but he performed tremendously all four days. He played with a lot of energy, was consistent on both ends of the floor and he wasn’t afraid to do the dirty work and the things that didn’t show up in the stat sheet. He finished with an impressive stat line of 10.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, and was one of the biggest stock risers of anyone in the event.