Big Men from the NSU Elite Camp
The Northwestern Elite Camp had five of the best big men in Louisiana on one campus. We will take a look at each one and what makes them appealling as recruiting season rolls around. Rollin Belton / 6’7″ / Ruston…
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Continue ReadingThe Northwestern Elite Camp had five of the best big men in Louisiana on one campus. We will take a look at each one and what makes them appealling as recruiting season rolls around.
Rollin Belton / 6’7″ / Ruston High / 2021
Attributes: Great foot work, Scores with either hand, Toughness, Rebounding
Belton has the best footwork of any player who plays the post that I have seen in the last two years of covering the sport. He does his work early on the box and knows how to anchor himself down. Belton can score over either shoulder and take punishment in the paint. He displayed these traits at the elite camp and at the Prep Hoops Top 250. During fast break drills at Northwestern, he did show more speed than I gave him credit for. This should help him with rim runs during the season. If he gets similar chances to score in the paint as he has gotten during these past two camps, being a district MVP or All-state player is not out of the question.
Kendal Coleman / 6’7″ / Captain Shreve / 2020
Attributes: Shot blocker, Mid-range touch, Rebounding, Ability to Post
Coleman has shown plenty of improvement from summer of 2018 to summer 2019. His ability to block shots on the defensive end has made him an anchor on defense during the summer and he displayed it on this day. Coleman has the best touch of any big man in the mid-range. Coleman is an offensive weapon from the elbows in. His jumper out to 17 feet is one of the more consistent shots in the prep game. When it comes to rebounding, he attacks the ball at its zenith and uses his long arms to secure it. During the camp he rebounded the ball in this manner on the offensive boards. This allowed him to score easily at the rim. His play at the camp was consistent with what he has done since January. His recruitment should be very interesting during this year’s recruiting season.
Corey Dunning / 6’8″ / Lafayette / 2020
Attributes: Athleticism, Scoring, Defending the paint, Offenisve rebounds
Dunning was the big man on one of the more explosive teams at the camp. He did not have to rebound many off shots because they were shooting that well. When he did get opportunities in the paint thought, he took advantage. Dunning is quick off the floor and is a menace on the offensive boards. When he catches the ball in the paint, it is almost an assurance he is going to lay it in. During the elite camp this was how he scored the most. On defense, he deters a lot of drives to the rim with his length and quickness. Guards were not able to turn the corner and get an angle on him unless he was really out of position. With his height and his performance in Natchioches, he should garner plenty of interest from teams looking for a quality big.
Hunter Strickland / 6’7″ / Weston / 2020 (pictured above)
Attributes: Effort, Scoring, Rebounding, Ability to finish at the rim
Strickland was a difference maker when he was on the floor at the elite camp. Nothing spoke more to his effectiveness than game number two when he left the court to get his ankle retaped. His team went from down 16 to up 18. Strickland has sneaky speed and out ran most bigs from rim to rim on this day. His tenaciousness on the boards was a welcome sight as well. Not only did he rebound well, he finished with dunks when he went up to score. His effort is such a positive trait and his energy rubs off on his teammates. His ability to effect the game in more than one way is what programs will like about him. The improvements Strickland has made will definitely garner him a scholarship on someone’s campus next fall.
Brayden Thompson / 6’6″ / Airline / 2020
Attributes: Atheticism, Shooting, Activity, Face up ability
Thompson has had a promising last 30 days. He made am impression on coaches at the NCAA Academy in Houston and did the same at Northwestern State. Thompson is always active on the boards and showed that at the elite camp. He created extra possessions for his team on numerous occasions. His ability to take bigs off the dribble is another asset Thompson showcased. His increased ability to score by facing up along with his expanded shooting range makes him a very appealing prospect. Thompson is also a better one-on-one defender than most would think. He can move laterally and extend to effect his man’s shot. His athleticism is what makes Thompson an intriguing recruit. His work at the elite camp should have coaches inquiring about his ability to play for them on the next level.
Whether it was playing with their back to the basket, their rebounding, or their scoring ability, these five young men should be heavily recruited going into this season. The recruiting period opens September 9th and extends to March 31, 2020.