Grassroots Update: Las Vegas Punishers 17U
T.J. Rushing
The Las Vegas Punishers like to take a little bit different approach when selecting their spring and summer schedule.
According to the Punishers' 17U head coach James Feltus, it's a priority to get his players seen by as many college coaches in different parts of the country as possible.
"As an organization we pride ourselves on exposure, our focus is making sure we put our top guys in the best situation to be seen and to be recruited," said James.
Coach James has a particularly strong class of 2020, and those guys have been playing up with his 17U squad this spring and summer.
Last weekend, they were at the Under Armour Challenge in Atlanta. This weekend, the team is taking a break from tourney action and is sending some guys to the Elite 100 Camp in Pomona, California.
"It's a showcase camp, which is a viewing period event as well, so over 100 college coaches will be there. And some of the best talent in the West Coast will be there as well. I'm taking what I like to call my power four; Tre'Von Martin, who just received an offer from Southern Mississippi, Martel Williams from Silverado, Londan Coleman will be there and then Dominic Ford. Those are all 2020 guys that are playing 17U."
What Coach James said about his standout players Martel Williams, 6'3 G (Silverado) "Martel is a complete freak of nature, he's what I call a power guard. He does all of the little things that a team will need to win. He can shoot the 3-ball well, he scores around the basket at will. He's very powerful. He's like a mixture of Larry Johnson and Bonzi Wells. I project Martel to been one of the most dominant players in Las Vegas, if now already. He's hard to guard right now, he's real, real strong, super athletic and super bouncy. He's been hard to stop since he was a freshman, and he's going into his junior season now, and I expect nothing but for him to continue and do what he's been doing already. Martel's schools of interest are San Diego State, New Mexico, UC Santa Barbara, Eastern Washington, Portland and Oregon State." Londan Coleman, 6'4 SG (Silverado) "He's probably the sleeper out of the bunch. The last two years he attended a charter school, so he pretty much few under he radar those two years. But, he is well known in AAU with the Punishers. This year he's transferred over to Silverado, which makes them a completely better team. London had a great showing in the Under Armour Challenge. He finished second in scoring. This will be his breakout year now that he's playing in the 4A division. He's a great attacker with a great mid-range shot and can shoot the long-range ball." Tre'Von Martin, 6'5 F (Silverado) "How can I describe him; he's what I like to call unpredictable, he's pretty hard to guard. He's 6'5, long, can shoot the ball at a high percentage, can attack the basket at will, and now he's becoming a great point guard. He 's known for scoring and shooting the 3, but now his assists stats are through the roof. So, his game has evolved actually, which makes him an outstanding Division I prospect. He will definitely have a huge year with Silverado this season. He's become very bouncy to add to his high percentage 3-point shooting. He's very quick and can get to the basket anytime. He's probably the best all-around player in his class." Dominic Ford, 6'4 G (Desert Oasis) "He's a slasher, there's not too much that Dominic can't do; he gets to the basket, he finishes well through contact, shoots the 15-footer at a high percentage, can penetrate to the basket. He's definitely another Division I prospect, and this will definitely be his breakout year at Desert Oasis. He wasn't able to play last year because of transfer rules. He's a great finisher and can get to the basket at will. He can shoot from any spot on the court and plays defense at a high level. He finished third in steals per game at the Under Armour Challenge."
What Coach James said about his standout players Martel Williams, 6'3 G (Silverado) "Martel is a complete freak of nature, he's what I call a power guard. He does all of the little things that a team will need to win. He can shoot the 3-ball well, he scores around the basket at will. He's very powerful. He's like a mixture of Larry Johnson and Bonzi Wells. I project Martel to been one of the most dominant players in Las Vegas, if now already. He's hard to guard right now, he's real, real strong, super athletic and super bouncy. He's been hard to stop since he was a freshman, and he's going into his junior season now, and I expect nothing but for him to continue and do what he's been doing already. Martel's schools of interest are San Diego State, New Mexico, UC Santa Barbara, Eastern Washington, Portland and Oregon State." Londan Coleman, 6'4 SG (Silverado) "He's probably the sleeper out of the bunch. The last two years he attended a charter school, so he pretty much few under he radar those two years. But, he is well known in AAU with the Punishers. This year he's transferred over to Silverado, which makes them a completely better team. London had a great showing in the Under Armour Challenge. He finished second in scoring. This will be his breakout year now that he's playing in the 4A division. He's a great attacker with a great mid-range shot and can shoot the long-range ball." Tre'Von Martin, 6'5 F (Silverado) "How can I describe him; he's what I like to call unpredictable, he's pretty hard to guard. He's 6'5, long, can shoot the ball at a high percentage, can attack the basket at will, and now he's becoming a great point guard. He 's known for scoring and shooting the 3, but now his assists stats are through the roof. So, his game has evolved actually, which makes him an outstanding Division I prospect. He will definitely have a huge year with Silverado this season. He's become very bouncy to add to his high percentage 3-point shooting. He's very quick and can get to the basket anytime. He's probably the best all-around player in his class." Dominic Ford, 6'4 G (Desert Oasis) "He's a slasher, there's not too much that Dominic can't do; he gets to the basket, he finishes well through contact, shoots the 15-footer at a high percentage, can penetrate to the basket. He's definitely another Division I prospect, and this will definitely be his breakout year at Desert Oasis. He wasn't able to play last year because of transfer rules. He's a great finisher and can get to the basket at will. He can shoot from any spot on the court and plays defense at a high level. He finished third in steals per game at the Under Armour Challenge."
