UAA & EYBL Players to Watch (Class of 2020)
The NCAA live period started on Tuesday evening. Coupled with the beginning of the live period are the UAA Finals and EYBL Nike Peach Jam which are two of the biggest summer grassroots events. Players who have not had a…
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Continue ReadingThe NCAA live period started on Tuesday evening. Coupled with the beginning of the live period are the UAA Finals and EYBL Nike Peach Jam which are two of the biggest summer grassroots events. Players who have not had a lot of interest on the recruiting trail can definitely make an impression on coaches during these events. In this article, we will take a look at a few players that can help their stock by playing well during these two tournaments.
Hobert Grayson IV / Louisiana Elite / 6’5″ / 2020
Grayson is one of the top 10 players in Louisiana’s 2020 class and has not generated a ton of interest in recruiting which is very odd. He is one of the few wings in the state that can dominate a game on both ends of the floor Grayson can score at all three levels and defend four positions at the high school level. He cleans the glass on offense and defense at a high level. If a defender does not block him out, they can end up on one of his highlight reels. There really is not much that he can not do on a basketball floor. With the volume of coaches in Atlanta for the UAA finals, I would be surprised if he does not have multiple offers and a high level of interest when he leaves.
Cody Deen / Nike Pro Skills / 5’9″ / 2020 (pictured above)
Deen has been one of the five best players in north Louisiana this summer. He has taken over the mantle of point guard at Bossier High and run with it. Deen is as solid a floor general who has gone back to his roots or getting others involved first after playing the two guard his initial prep years. However, if the offense needs to him to light it up from outside he can. During the Peach Jam, Pro Skills will have a plethora of finishers and scorers that he can get the ball to. His job will be to show how well he can run an offense with other great players while getting his own. At 5’9″, if he can also show that shooting his jumper will not be a problem over taller guards, Deen will greatly increase his recruiting status going into 2019-20.
Elijah Tate / Louisiana Elite / 6’4″ / 2020
Tate is regarded as one of the best two way players in Louisiana. He often defends the main offensive threat on the other team. At 6’4″, he more than likely will be guarding a guard or wing that is his height or taller. Tate will need to use his long arms and defensive agility to cause them problems. He will also need to knock down open jumpers when he has a chance. This year for MPA he will have to be more of a three and D player instead of just being relied upon for defense. If he makes this evolution in front of the UAA coaches in attendance in Atlanta, low and mid major school may find their way to Baton Rouge to recruit him.
Kenny Hunter / Nike Pro Skills / 6’9″ / 2020
Hunter has had a good spring and summer playing with Pro Skills and Huntington. He has catapulted to being the number two ranked player (per ESPN) because he has done well playing top EYBL competition. The key for Hunter during Peach Jam will be to get minutes. There are some games when he plays more minutes than others. His job during Peach Jam should be to make the most of his minutes and help the team win. The same rebounding and scoring prowess he has shown around the rim during April and June needs to carry over to this tournament. If he plays exceptionally while he is on the floor, his offers will increase upon the three or four he has now.
Collin Holloway / Nike Pro Skills / 6’6″ / 2020
Holloway has been a solid performer for the Pro Skills team. While he has some offers, Peach Jam can be his coming out party. At 6’6″ and 225, Holloway may fit the profile of a college power forward as opposed to a wing. This is where his wing skills need to be at their best. Holloway should be able to use his body to post and score on most wings. If he can show the burst to take lighter, faster wings off the dribble and dominate as a wing player, Holloway will possibly see more mid-major types of offers come his way. This platform would be the place to have some of his best games.
LaDamien Bradford / Louisiana Elite / 6’5″ / 2020
Bradford has probably the most intriguing skill set of the players on Louisiana Elite’s team. A 6’5″ guard with the feel he has for the game is incredible. He can make pinpoint passes, no-look passes, and drop a dime on the fastbreak. Bradford reminds me of former Syracuse guard Frank Howard with better passing ability. He can also rebound like a forward and lead the break. The things Bradford can do should appeal to a lot of coaches. While he does have offers from some mid-major schools, a good weekend in Atlanta may widen his appeal to coaches of power 5 schools and more.
Other players that can improve their recruiting profiles would be shooters Kentrell Garnett and Carvell Teasett and do-it-all wing Jason Perry. It is a strong possibility that Louisiana Elite can walk away with the UAA title so that will indeed help recruiting for the whole squad. Play at Peach Jam and the UAA finals will end on Sunday.