International Talent
Josh Green, IMG Academy
The muscle-bound 6-foot-6, 195-pound Class of 2019 guard has the effortless hops which enables him to float to the rim.
Out of Australia, Green has carved a niche for himself in his ability to set up his own shot and knife his way to the rim utilizing only a few dribbles. The highly prioritized high major prospect, who will have more talent flanking him this season, added to his game by opening up his 3-point shot on the AAU scene this summer.
Nicolas Elame, Bella Vista Prep
The tough, skillful 6-foot-3 guard has a vertically explosive edge to him. He’s best in the open court and can finish on virtually anyone. The native of France’s upside is translatable to the major strides his made to his game since coming to the United States as an unpolished and unproven sophomore. Elame has unveiled a newly discovered mid range game, which he’s devoted consistent focus to, to supplement his dazzling above the rim finishing. He’s also assimilated to the playmaker role, orchestrating offense and making his teammates beneficiaries of his presence. UTEP, Fresno State, Southern Utah, UC Santa Barbara and others have offered the oft-attacking guard.
David Didenko, Palm Beach State (JUCO)
The 6-foot-9 Russian has developed a dependable outside shot at 6-foot-9. This summer, the JUCO 2019 prospect added on to both his motor and his presence on the glass while racking up numerous double doubles. He’s got a comfortable handle and has developed a full arsenal of offensive moves. More explosive at the rim, Didenko has the look of a low to mid major prospect. Playing under established head coach Martin McCall this season, Didenko will have a swiss army knife look to his game. He’s still got to get in better shape and adjust to the uptempo offensive attack enforced at this level.
At the collegiate level, he brings a European guard’s skill set with vastly improved open court finishing ability.
Dardin Kapiti, The Rock School
The mobile 6-foot-9 four man is one of the most unheralded and unknown prospects. This is mostly because he didn’t play AAU basketball this summer, instead opting to ply his trade on the international scene with the Kosovo national team. He’s got athletic attributes and the type of sneaky bounce to make an impact as a high level finisher who can carom boards with the rest of them. The SIAA conference, which is known to feature a plethora international products, will return to relevance with the number of elite level guys they’ve hauled in from the wild and topsy turvy 2018 transfer carousal. Kapiti should bolster the frontline with a rim protecting presence.
Amiko Khazalia, SCS
The 6-foot guard may not pass the eye test so to speak, but he’s got a skill-set and shot making prowess that will make him a steal at a D-II or high D-III program. With a tight handle that’s low to the ground, he still needs to improve at scoring on the fly and getting into the driving lanes and finishing. He’s particular adept at dialing in from beyond the arc and depositing contesting treys. If he gets hot and extracts face-guarding, he’s content to facilitate and used his advanced IQ to make plays.
Jonathon Kaminga, Huntington Prep
The 6-foot-8 guard/forward has a dazzling above the rim game and can finish wildly athletic plays in the open court. He possesses a real thrill factor with his ability to get to the rim and dunk. Hanging around the rim, with his size and athleticism, he’s got the potential ton turn in dazzling plays. He’s still developing his ball handling and becoming more comfortable with a dependable mid-range game. After playing sparingly as a freshman, the Class of 2021 prospect shined this summer. He collected offers from LSU, Auburn, Xavier, Texas Tech, St.John’s, and a variety of others.
Mikal Gjerde, Woodstock Academy
The 6-foot-7 Norwegian has some explosiveness to his game and loves to penetrate along the baseline and finish. He’s got a fluid set shot and can fire in shots from 3-point land. He’s a smooth, deliberate guard who knows how to read a defense and exploit the open gaps. While his identity is that of a scorer, expect Gjerde to inherit a significant role on the glass this season. He’s got a killer instinct to go with his patient attack mode.
The Class of 2019 prospect, he of the tough European guard skill set, has plenty of California love in offers from San Diego, San Francisco and UC Davis.
Jaden Campbell, The Rock School
The hard-attacking 6-foot-5 Class of 2019 guard from Canada boasts a game predicated on explosion. He’s got the type of bounce and downhill game to be a reliable supplementary scorer, especially on a program featuring a radiant inside-outside tandem of Bryan Greenlee and Florida State-signee Zimife Nwokeji. He’s evolved into arguably the team’s best slasher and really rebounds the ball, offensively and defensively. Coach Justin Hardin was quick to note Campbell’s 3-point range, as he’s devoted the work to opening up a dependable outside shot. This and the defensive aptitude of the athletic wing have contributed to a sudden rise in his recruitment.