NBPA Top 100 Senior Standouts: East Coast (Part 3)
It was the 25th annual NBPA Top 100 Camp this past weekend, and this was the first year that division one college coaches could attend the camp. What was even more surprising was the amount of media, which was even…
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Continue ReadingIt was the 25th annual NBPA Top 100 Camp this past weekend, and this was the first year that division one college coaches could attend the camp. What was even more surprising was the amount of media, which was even more than usual for a camp that people come from all over the country to cover.
As usual, my goal was to find as many players to write about, some that I knew and some that I didn’t, and with the sheer number I decided to break it up first by class and then by region. With that being said, here’s part one of my East Coast Senior Standouts, focusing on guys from the southern area and a few guys from the Northeast.
PJ Hall | 6’9” PF | Dorman (SC)
When you talk about a stock booster, Hall had to have impressed coaches with his blue collar mentality along with his ability to play inside out with a solid skill set. He got after it on both ends and even in a camp setting wasn’t afraid to sacrifice his body or get on the floor for loose balls. He contested well at the rim, showed that he’s a good passer and and a good rebounder, and even when his shots weren’t falling he found ways to be productive and make winning plays. Programs that like stretch fours will love Hall and should definitely take a look.
Brandon Boston Jr. | 6’6” WG | Norcross (GA)
One of the most naturally gifted and talented players at the camp, Boston was phenomenal on the way to being named to the All Camp team and showed that he’s capable of playing both guard positions at a high level. While he started the camp looking like he was going to be a volume shooter and only look for himself, he settled into more of a dual threat role where he used his scoring ability to make defenses focus on him and then started to make plays for others. Off the bounce he can score from all three levels, he has great measurable and athleticism and a natural feel for the game you can’t teach. He finished the camp averaging 13.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and close to 3 assists per game.
Dwon Odom | 6’1” PG | St. Francis (GA)
Odom really opened eyes quickly at the camp and he continued to impress as he was named to the All Camp Team as well. The lightning quick PG thrived in transition where he was able to show great end-to-end speed, and in the half court he was virtually impossible to stay in front of with his quick first step and good handle. He scored it at an impressive clip showing a good midrange game and good athleticism as a guy who can finish at and above the rim, but he was also a guy who made plays for others and helped as a rebounder from the point guard position. A solid defender as well, he finished the camp averaging 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
Reece Beekman | 6’4” PG | Scotlandville Magnet (LA)
No need to worry UVA fans, reinforcements are on the way, and Beekman is one of them after he committed right before the camp started. The Wahoos coach got a good look at him as he was fantastic, averaging 9.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. A natural playmaker, Beekman will be perfect as a guy who can get you into your sets but also has the ability to get in the lane and make plays when things break down. Late in the shot clock the ball often ended up in Beekman’s hands where he showed the ability to make shots from all over the floor off the bounce but was also heady and made plays for others. His poise and size at the point guard spot is something that can’t be taught.
Jalen Cook | 6’1” PG | Walker HS (LA)
Another lead guard out of Louisiana worth mentioning was Cook, who showed he’s a dynamic scorer at the point guard position. He has good quickness with the ball in his hands and thrived in transition where he was able to use his speed to beat people downcourt and use his crafty finishing ability to finish through the trees. While he played on a team with other point guards and was stifled at times by that, he showed with the ball in his hands that he can create in isolation situations and pick-and-rolls and flat out score the basketball, as he averaged 10.3 points per game from the lead guard position.
Noah Farrakhan | 6’1” PG | IMG Academy (FL)
The national champion will have to lead a brand new team this year after IMG graduates five of their top guys, but if there’s anyone who can get them all to play together it’s Farrakhan. The 6’1” lead guard continues to improve as a true point guard, and in a camp where everyone was interested in taking bad shots Farrakhan did a great job of getting others good shots and making plays on both ends. He was one of the top assist guys in the camp at four per game, and he finished the camp with a 4:1 assist to turnover ratio.
Andre Curbello | 6’1” PG | Long Island Lutheran (NY)
Another true point guard that made everyone on his team better, Curbello ran the offense like a hot knife through butter as he lived in the lane and saw the game a few plays ahead of everyone else. He wasn’t the most physical imposing guard or a super athlete by any means, but Curbello showed that he knows the game, plays with pace and is super crafty which allows him to get where he wants on the court at all times. He has a competitive spirit and a mean streak to him as well.
RJ Davis | 6’1” PG | Archbishop Stepinac (NY)
One of the best all-around point guards at the camp, Davis may not look the part at first glance because of his stature but nobody, and I mean nobody, was able to guard him for an extended period of time. A dual threat point guard that can score at will and make others better as well, Davis is a smooth athlete who has a quick first step, a tight handle and is able to create space and make shots from all three levels off the bounce. He has a good feel and understanding of the game, he takes care of the basketball and he makes winning plays for his team. He opened a lot of eyes this weekend en route to being named to the All Camp Team after averaging 13 points and 2.5 assists per game.