Breakout Candidates: Zero Gravity Southern Showcase (Part 2)
It was the first AAU tournament of the season for many of the teams in the Virginia area, and for us it was a good chance to see who will be on what team to start the summer and what their roles might be. We knew many of the players already, but we still found some new guys and see the potential for many of them to break out moving forward. Here’s a look at six guys who are ready to see their recruitment pick up, or just start, in a couple of weeks when the live period starts.
Earl Timberlake | 6’5” WG | DeMatha/Team Loaded VA (2020)
Playing up on the Loaded VA 17U team, the DC native is going to be a key figure in the success of the reigning Gauntlet championship. At 6’5” with great athleticism, Timberlake is going to be a versatile piece that will be relied on on both ends of the floor. He can really play in transition, with his shiftiness and ability to play above the rim, and he’s also able to shoot it from all three levels. His ability to be a two way impact guy will make him a very intriguing prospect for high level schools.
Josh Campbell | 6’2” WG | Carmel School/River City Reign (2020)
Campbell shot the basketball really well for RCR this past weekend, and that’s what he’s going to do wherever he steps on the court. He has good size for a shooter, and he’s a supremely confident one with easy range. He has a solid handle and the ability to attack closeouts and use his size to finish in the lane, which keeps defenses honest and allows him to get easy points at the line.
Kenard Richardson | 6’2” G | Varina/Team Richmond Choice (2020)
A strong and tough combo guard, Richardson has shown both the production and improvement in his first two years that means he should start to see his recruitment pick up. Playing up on 17U, he showed the ability to get in the lane and make shots at the rim in traffic and on the pull up, which he has improved immensely. He isn’t the quickest guy, but he’s crafty, smart and physical, which makes him very hard to guard off the bounce.
Jaden House | 6’3” WG | Henrico/River City Reign (2020)
With good size and the innate ability to score the basketball, House is very under the radar but there’s no doubt that if you watch him you will be impressed. He can score the basketball from all over the floor, is a good rebounder and he can guard multiple positions as well. He’s a strong kid with a nice stroke from deep, and all he needs to do is have a breakout game in front of coaches to get himself on the market.
Mark Williams | 6’10” C | Norfolk Academy/Team Loaded VA (2020)
While Williams has already broke out somewhat, with high major offers from schools in the ACC, Big East, SEC and Big 12, but he was recently ranked at 109 in the 247 Sports 2020 rankings, which is unbelievable. He’s freakishly long at 6’10”, allowing him to finish plays in traffic above the rim and protect the rim, but he also has a unique skill set that allows him to handle the basketball in transition and make shots from the midrange. He should be recruited very heavily moving forward.
Nick Reese | 6’1” WG | STAB/Team Richmond (2020)
Reese will be one of the better players for TRGR 16U, as the STAB guard is coming off of a sophomore year of growth and development at St. Anne’s Belfield. An athletic two way wing, Reese has improved his skill set and has become a good shooter from deep, something he needed to work on. He’s a lock down defender on the ball on the perimeter, and he rebounds well for his size. His mix of athleticism, motor and improving skill set is going to be something to watch moving forward.