PrepHoopsTN / Above the Rim Gym Fall Combine Recap: Part XIX
MURFREESBORO-
Young guards splashed into the talent pool that was the September Fall Combine. Tony Thompson Jr. (Cane Ridge) demonstrated a strong body with startling speed.
While Thompson Jr. certainly showcased two of the fastest sprinting feet, quick darting feet belonged to Jamie Abernathy (2021) of Stewart’s Creek. He changed direction with the best of them.
Meet two promising 2021 point guards from the day.
Tony Thompson Jr. 2021 Cane Ridge Point Guard
Young point guard Tony Thompson Jr. loves the game of basketball and plays with a constant joy.
Thompson Jr. pumped his feet to a 3.50 3/4 court sprint time on the Coach Tony Thompson Sr. stopwatch. Coach Tony’s sprinters tended to mark slightly faster than the opposite side. Instead of drawing too many conclusions on the time itself consider Tony Jr.’s time for what it certainly reflects, an average senior or faster than average sophomore time.
In shoes Tony stands 6-foot-0 tall and weighs 151 or a little more. He was measured after a week of flu-like symptoms, so his weight probably belongs a little higher. Still, Tony is a quick, thin, toned young guard with potential to play for Cane Ridge Ravens varsity as a sophomore.
Jamie Abernathy 2021 Stewart’s Creek Point Guard
The speed of Stewart’s Creek guards dramatically appeared throughout the combine and Jamie Abernathy fit that mold well.
Abernathy is more impressive with his deft feet dancing from point to point than he is in the open floor. There were certainly faster 2021’s in the gym, but few glided with the ease and grace of Abernathy. Will Pruitt comes to mind as a similarly fluid foot-stepper.
As a 5-foot-11 guard (w/ shoes), Jamie Abernathy needs to develop his handle more. In elaborate guard drills Jamie showed too much extra junk with his hands, whereas his feet moved smoothly through the elements. Just more quiet, calm hands will go a long way to making him a more efficient mover in tight spaces.
Sunday Abernathy weighed 154.8 pounds and shared a wingspan of 71.5″.
The guard’s hand length is 7″ and handspan is 5″. Entering his sophomore season Abernathy hopped an impressive 33.5 inches off the ground to produce a strong one-step vertical.