Dr1ven Timesland Invitational Underclassmen Standouts
Sunday at North Cross School in Roanoke, Dr1ven Training put on the third annual “Dr1ven Timesland Invitational,” bringing together some of the best players in the SWVA area. There aren’t many local opportunities for the 540/434/276 prospects to show their abilities, but over the past three years event director David Williams has packed the gym with college coaches and great trainers to help the kids get maximum exposure and get better at the same time. With over 30 kids in attendance, coaches and scouts had their hands full trying to evaluate so much talent. Here’s a look at some of the underclassmen that stood out to me.
Dylan Catron | 6’6” F | Chilhowie 2019
Moving forward, Catron could be one of SWVA’s best prospects next season as he has tremendous upside and is starting to reach it. He’s a stretch four man with good length, mobility and skill set. He can shoot it off the pick-and-pop, handles well in transition and is a capable and willing passer that makes others better. He’s still growing into his body and should fill out and get a little bit quicker, but he’s possible scholarship level player if he continues to develop at the rate he has over the past few seasons.
Kasey Draper | 6’2” WG | Northside 2019
The perfect glue guy, Draper returns to a talented Northside team and looks improved and more confident. He shot the basketball well off the catch, defended well both on and off the basketball and showed the grit that makes him effective even when he isn’t getting the touches others are. He rebounded the ball well, made the right play time and time again and was a good leader as well. Expect him to have the same role but bigger production levels this season.
Josh Bryan | 6’6” PF | Salem 2019
He’s still a project that needs to develop physically, but Bryan was impressive in a number of ways Sunday, especially when shooting the basketball. He was great in pick-and-pop and trail situations as the four man, and while he needs to get stronger so he can bang in the post he showed toughness and versatility guarding multiple positions and making plays in transition. He may be a project but he could pan out with his size and skill set.
Chris Shepherd | 6’3” WG | William Fleming 2019
Last time I saw Shepherd he was about 5’11”, now that he’s sprouted up he looks like a totally different prospect. He still has the tight handle of a point guard, sees the floor well like one and now he’s a long and tough finisher in transition. He’s athletic, created well off the bounce and now can play and guard multiple positions. Because of his length and athleticism he still has a point guard mindset and skill set so college coaches will likely love his size to play that position.
Josh Reeves | 6’1” WG | George Wythe 2019
Another glue guy who saw success on a state runner up last year, Reeves will see a lot more action at the point guard position this year after Malik Johnson headed to Concord. He’s a tough and heady guard with shot making ability. He shot it well off the bounce and off the catch, saw the floor, defended with toughness and made other players better throughout the event.
Jared La Treill | 6’2” WG | North Cross 2020
La Treill has had a big fall, as he was a standout at our Prep Hoops Top 250 a couple weeks ago and he continued his strong play with another standout performance here. He has a great frame as a wing, with a strong upper body and big legs that keep him anchored. He’s a knock down shooter off the catch, shooting it well and attacking closeouts well too. His most underrated aspect is as a rebounder, giving his team an extra rebounder or allowing them to play small since he hits the glass.
Isaiah Donaldson | 5’10” PG | Salem 2019
Donaldson was one of the biggest breakout candidates of the event, especially for the underclassmen. After a good summer with Coops Hoopz, we expect him to be one of the biggest new names in the Roanoke area. The Salem PG is lightning quick, has great body control and is a good finisher in traffic. Defenders bounce off him like bowling balls, and he’s very shifty in the open floor. He has to work on his consistency from deep, but from 15 and in he was as good as anyone throughout the camp.