Missing Talent from the NCAA College Basketball Academy
There was an article written by Corey Evans talking about the missing talent from session I of the NCAA College Basketball Academy. With the lack of communication to coaches, the changing of the calendar and prior grassroots committments, many a…
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Continue ReadingThere was an article written by Corey Evans talking about the missing talent from session I of the NCAA College Basketball Academy. With the lack of communication to coaches, the changing of the calendar and prior grassroots committments, many a player missed this inaugural event. With that said, I will rundown a list of players who definitely would have benefitted being part of the NCAA College Basketball Academy.
Kendal Coleman / Captain Shreve & LA Roundballer / 6’8″ / 2020
Coleman is probably the most improved big man in north Louisiana. He picked up a couple of offers after leaving the Great American Shooutout in Duncanville earlier this month (LSUA & Ouachita Baptist). His rebounding and mid-range shooting alone would have been good to see against more stiff competition. With the way he has been playing this summer, Coleman would have peaked the interest of several colleges outside of the state of Louisiana. Being a part of the CBA would have advanced his profile tremendously.
D’ante Bell / Bossier High & Nike Pro Skills / 6’8″ / 2020
Bell has played on one of the most successful high school basketball teams in Louisiana since his freshman year. His game has morphed from someone who played with his back to the basket to a legitimate all around offensive player. While he has shown the new additions to his game all of June, the NCAA academy would have been tailored for a true coming out party. The way Bell blocks shots and runs the floor, coaches would have seen what Shreveport-Bossier has seen night in and night out. He is still on the radar of some high major schools. However, this would have been a way to make more coaches aware of his talent.
Quatarious Jones / Delhi High & Monroe Ligthening / 6’6″ / 2020
Jones is a 6’6″ shot blocker who has played during Marsh Madness the past two seasons. Like the aforementioned Bell, Jones has worked on improving his game. He has moved from a shotblocker that played with his back to the basket to an all around player. During the AAU state championships, he showed his three point shooting ability along with his usual defense. This play also transferred over to June where he led the Bears to a winning record for the summer. The College Basketball Academy was short on players with his skill set in session I. If he had made his way to Houston, Jones might have played his way into numerous scholarship opportunities.
Cody Deen / Bossier High & Nike Pro Skills / 5’9″ / 2020
Deen has been the best guard in north Louisiana all summer. Whether it was on the grassroots level with Pro Skills or team camps with Bossier, Deen has shown up time and time again. He is one of the best shooters in the state by far and knows how to setup an offense being he has played the point all his life. Now Deen has stepped into the hotseat of being the point guard at Bossier and has not missed a beat. Deen is a threat playing on or off the ball and has to be accounted for wherever he is. This summer he has shown the ability to be effective offensively playing against taller, longer guards. Even at his height, Deen’s improved scoring and passing ability would have intrigued many a coach at the NCAA academy.
Kenny Hunter / Huntington High & Nike Pro Skills / 6’9″ / 2020
Hunter’s name has popped up on Division I coaches radar when he showed up as the number two player on ESPN’s 2020 Louisiana rankings. His play with Pro Skills and Huntington during the summer have cemented him as a player who can play on the DI level. What would have helped him most by attending the academy would have been playing time. When he played signifcant minutes with Pro Skills, his numbers showed he could be a top five player. Coaches usually love a 6’9″ player who can rebound, run the floor, and bury a 15 footer. Hunter would have seen his stock increase plenty playing well at the basketball academy in Houston.
Charquez Owens / Ouachita High & Monroe Lightening / 6’2″ / 2020
Owens had a great second half to his junior season. He had a game winner against Rayville and was the leading scorer in their semifinal loss to Walker. The momentum from the season was dampened by a knee injury that kept him out of some games during June. If anyone could have used a good performance at the college basketball academy, it would have been Owens. He is a hard-nosed defender and three level scorer who is very athletic. Owens is also a lefty which means they do not make many like him. Tai’Reon Joseph (Scotlandville) and he are very similar. Coaches in Houston would have loved his defensive intensity and offensive skill set. Unfortunately, they did not get the opportunity.
Delatrion Moton / Woodlawn-Shreveport & Xpress Sports / 6’4″ / 2021 – pictured above
Moton is the only junior highlighted here. He led Woodlawn to a two loss summer as the focal point of the offense and performed quite nicely. Moton is a do-everything wing. He scores on three levels, cleans the glass on each end, and takes on the top defensive assignment. For those three reasons is why the CBA would have been a good event for him. True enough he is known around the state for his skill set. However, it is a totally different thing to recognized by Division I coaches. His versatility, along with his confidence, would have made him a great addition to the talent in Houston.
Jakemin Abney / Simsboro High & Louisiana Select Team Millsap / 6’2″ / 2020
Abney is a two-time state champion and 2019 Most Outstanding Player in the class B championships. The one thing he rarely gets the opportunity to do is actually play the wing. During high school and grassroots play, Abney often has to guard a taller wing or post player due to his length. At the NCAA academy, it would have been great to actually see him as a wing player. His length and ability to defend would have been a welcome sight to coaches in attendance. He often dives on the floor for loose balls and makes other energy plays. While I did observe plays like this in portions during session I, Abney plays like this all of the time. An energy guy who can shoot from deep and defend three positions would have been a welcome asset to the group in Houston.
Christian Caldwell / Southwood High & All 4 Sports Dream Team / 6’6″ / 2020
All thought Caldwell finished his grassroots season in Houston at the Texas Elite 8 Showcase, the NCAA academy might have been better suited for his exposure. He is a super athletic wing who is still refining parts of his game. This summer he turned a corner with his intensity on the court. Caldwell has made more direct decisions with the ball on the court and has made better offensive decisions. His length and quickness also allow him to defend four positions. He definitely would have benefitted from the drills portion of the academy and his talents would have been observed by coaches from both coasts as well as his home region.
Most of these players have plenty of interest but not too many offers. Look for these players and other elite talent to begin attending elite camps after the school year begins. If the NCAA is looking to improve their academies during next summer, they will find a way to incorporate most of the top talent from a state or region. While they definitely had some, Division I coaches should get the chance to see the all the top talent possible.