Dayton Team Camp: 2020 Standouts
It’s officially senior year. So while players qualified for this list if they flashed skills and made shots, we were also looking for a level of toughness and leadership at the Univ. of Dayton team camp this weekend from rising…
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Continue ReadingIt’s officially senior year. So while players qualified for this list if they flashed skills and made shots, we were also looking for a level of toughness and leadership at the Univ. of Dayton team camp this weekend from rising seniors.
Being June, mistakes and issues with team chemistry are to be expected. But how do you respond to new teammates and young guys? That matters.
These 10 rising seniors all made the right impression:
Matt Allocco (2020) | 6-4 PG | Bradley / C2K Elite
Allocco is a world class decision maker. Throws on-time, on-target passes to cutters. Hardly ever dumped it off to the corner against Trotwood when they had a defender waiting to pounce. Great communicator.
We mainly came away impressed, though, with Allocco’s flashes of athleticism as a finisher, defender, and rebounder. He beat quick guards to their spots to cut off drives. Allocco is a long guard who decelerates for patient gather steps on finishes. Shot the 3-pointer confidently.
Conner Maciag (2020) | 6-2 G | Pickerington Central / Apex Gold
Often sharing the floor with four guys who lack varsity experience, Maciag thrived as a creator in Dayton. He’s showing more shake off-the-dribble with a more dynamic crossover and effective shot fakes. Stops and pops a consistent mid-range jumper from the elbow area often. Maciag is a bit thicker, which has unlocked his game in the paint — dropped-down late assists to the block. Handsy defender who doesn’t draw many whistles.
Jadakis Mack (2020) | 6-1 SF | Lima Senior / All Ohio Cleveland
Mack is a truly explosive athlete with big hands, a lean frame, and the ability to defend multiple positions. Nothing new there.
Creating his own shot off the dribble, though, was a surprise. Mack flashed the ability to shoot it from distance after a size-up dribble at the arch. He also blew past defenders after a hesitation. Elite rebounder for his size. Plays like he’s 6-foot-6.
In other news, Lima Senior has a chance to be special this season.
Kaveon Ross (2020) | 6-5 PF | Walnut Ridge / Hidden Gems Black
If you’re going to go 2-3 zone against Walnut Ridge, beware of Ross on the baseline. He ate up Alter’s 2-3 all game with timely flashes from corner to block and back to corner again. Catch-and-finish weapon from the block and short corner. Flashed outside shooting capability on open looks.
Ross brings a real edge to the game. He’s very tough and in-your-face. His big body combined with quickness off the ground allows him to dominate the glass and painted area if opponents aren’t ready to brawl for 32 minutes. And look, Walnut Ridge is going to really benefit from the tenacity — there’s going to be some games where some 6-foot-5 sophomore twig is just going to be like, “Forget this,” and Ross will have a double-double in a Scots win.
Derrick Hardin (2020) | 6-1 SG | Worthington Christian / Nova (Gullick)
Hardin can fill it up in a hurry. Shoots the heck out of the ball. Thin, undersized athlete with dynamic quickness on the wing. Gets past the first line of defense quickly for an effective one-dribble pull-up. Should be able to provide scoring at the Division III level in college.
Brady Uhl (2020) | 6-1 SG | Alter / Shining Star
Some in-state college coach is going to fall in love with Uhl over the next several months. A very improved 3-point shooter with a motor that belongs in a monster truck, Uhl was one of the top performing small school prospects in Dayton.
Built like a wrestler with a chiseled, defined frame. Uhl out-sprints opponents to the basket in transition and as a relentless straight-line-driver from the wing. Sneaky finisher with underhanded scoops while flying down-hill. Uhl is active off the ball and shoots it with a quick-release.
Conor Stolly (2020) | 6-8 PF | Alter / Shining Star
Stolly has a combination of outside shooting ability and size that’s going to get him into college for free — already sporting offers from Delta State and Urbana. Very consistent shooting it with range this weekend. He also anchored their 2-3 zone look — which they played the entire weekend — by blocking and changing shots. Covers ground pretty well and contested shots in the mid-range, too. Stolly needs more help on the boards if Alter will fulfill their potential as a regional title contender (they’re going to be very good, by the way). We have no more questions about Stolly’s aggressiveness after this weekend.
Deairius Randle-Barker (2020) | 6-0 G | Princeton / Apex Gold
Randle-Barker checks a lot of boxes. The athletically built combo guard is explosive and fluid with a tight handle. Makes good decisions and delivers very crisp passes to teammates. Finishes in traffic and knows how to slide past his defender off the dribble. Provides outside shooting when his defender collapses. Plays hard.
Yousef Saleh (2020) | 6-0 PG | Beavercreek / Mid Ohio Pumas (Sullivan)
Competitor. Saleh is a physical, quick point-of-attack defender who — above all else — really makes the opposing point guard work. He also chases his man around screens and never seems to tire. Saleh will turn college heads in July if he combines that with knocking down outside shots, which he did this weekend. Finishes on the way down from tough angles. Fast.
Jack Santa-Emma (2020) | 5-8 PG | Alder / Mid Ohio Pumas (Staib)
Remember in the introduction when we said we were looking for toughness and leadership? Santa-Emma is that guy. He’s oozing with intangibles, namely poise.
Not only handles the ball against pressure, he doesn’t let it affect his decision-making. He’s clearly not phased by a height disadvantage and has added muscle to deal with crowding defenders.
Santa-Emma is a true creator who can get into the lane after clever head and shot fakes when he receives a pass on the wing. Keeps his dribble alive in the paint and finds late drop-down passes. Effective finisher, too.