Exposure Camp Preview – Highlights Houston Area Prospects
With the Texas high school basketball season winding down and AAU season beginning anew, unsigned seniors are preparing to compete for a chance to play basketball at the next level. With exposure camps, unsigned senior teams and other unsigned senior events, there are several options in which a player can be provided with the opportunity to further their playing career. One of the opportunities that have captured my attention and intrigue is the Uncommon Basketball Exposure event being held at The Gym in Houston, TX on March 7th. I was able to catch up with the camp director to get an oversight of this event and also get a look at some of the players that are expected to be in attendance. Here is what I have learned.
Uncommon Basketball Exposure Camp
The founder/owner of Uncommon Basketball is Coach Russell “Coach V” Vanlandingham and his reputation precedes him.
Highlights of Coach V’s Career
- 25+ Years Coaching Experience
- 20 Years at the College Level as lead Recruiting Coordinator
- 16 Post-Season Appearances in 20 year (D1, D2, D3, NAIA D1)
- Recruited 32 Academic All- Americans, 28 All-American at all 4 year levels and 64 First or Second Team All-Conference Selections
Coach V’s experiences are what, he believes, makes this camp unique. Through his recruiting roles and coaching roles, he has the ability to discover players and lead them to the next level by exposing them to the right fit. I was able to ask him what else makes this camp different and here is what he stated:
4 keys that make my camp UNCOMMON:
- 48 cap setting – With small, intense college camp setting workouts, college coaches on site will get an in-depth player assessment. Every prospect selected is guaranteed a FAIR shot to showcase why they deserve an offer
- NO politics, NO hidden agendas, NO rankings – spring layouts reward winners from each segment of the first 3 hours. Players that perform well will get automatic spots in Top Prospects game and a chance to answer questions from college coaches. This gives under recruited players a real shot to go from interest to an offer on site
- Top 12 Prospects receive Athlete Marketing kit – This targets 100’s of coaches at the appropriate levels, with profiles that have transcripts, film, evaluations, eligibility status etc. his makes it easier on coordinators so they don’t have to track down all this information
- 48 hours post camp Recruiting Report – These reports are sent to 500+ Contacts on top performers, rising 2021 prospects and Top 12 prospects
What originally captured my attention to this event was the quality of players that are expected to be in attendance, barring deep runs in the Texas UIL Playoffs. I have covered most of these players, here on Prep Hoops, and I am excited to see how they perform in a different environment. Here are some of the top 2020 prospects expected to participate, their projections according to UCExposure and my thoughts on each:
Davon Wright
Cy Springs – G/F (D2 with LM D1 upside according to UCExposure)
A 6’6 guard that can score on all three levels. Davon also rebounds well and a new revelation of his game is the ability to block shots.
RJ Crawford
Langham Creek – Combo Guard (D2 w/LM D1 upside according to UCExposure)
A 6’5 guard that can handle pressure relatively well and gets to the rim effectively. Also able to knock down the 3.
Cy Creek – SF (NAIA/D2 according to UCExposure)
Trahan is a high energy guy that leaves it all on the floor. Able to shoot from distance and active around the rim.
Cy Fair – SG (NAIA/D2 according to UCExposure)
Butts is an absolute shooter. Will fit in extremely well with any program that traditionally takes a high volume of deep shots.
Micah Glover
Brookshire Royal – SG/SF (NAIA/D2 according to UCExposure)
Glover is a two way player that can contribute in a multitude of ways. He also has the ability to find creative ways to score.
Hightower – PG (NAIA/D2 according to UCExposure)
Harris plays like a seasoned vet. Minimum mistakes, protects the ball, able to shoot the 3 and plays both sides of the ball.
Summer Creek – PG (NAIA/D2 according to UCExposure)
Scales does any and everything that his team may need on any given night. Runs a team well and able to contribute in different ways.
Jayshon Cannon
Aldine Davis – PF (JUCO – after 2 years LM/MM D1 prospect according to UCExposure)
Cannon is a 6’8 forward that is active in the paint, but also able to stretch the floor with his set shots. Defensively, he protects the rim well.
Doug Young
Texas Prep Academy – PG (JUCO – after 2 years LM/MM D1 prospect according to UCExposure)
Doug is a PG that is a leader on the court. He holds everyone accountable and acts as a coach on the floor. Shoots the three well and defends the perimeter.
Jonathan Joseph
Cinco Ranch – PF (Sleeper of the camp after being injured a large portion of the year – JUCO prospect that will end up LM D1 according to UCExposure)
Joseph is an athletic forward that has great footwork. I can see him transitioning into more of a guard role in the near future.
Upon the completion of this event, I will write up a summary and give my thoughts on how truly effective an event like this can be.