The Platform Showcase: 5 intriguing underclassmen
Sunday’s showcase featured a lot up and coming talent from the city of Memphis. I was on hand at the Memphis Athletic Ministries gymnasium to watch players from the 2023 and 2024 classes. Here are five intriguing prospects from both…
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Continue ReadingSunday’s showcase featured a lot up and coming talent from the city of Memphis.
I was on hand at the Memphis Athletic Ministries gymnasium to watch players from the 2023 and 2024 classes.
Here are five intriguing prospects from both classes.
Braxton Jumper, Whitehaven: I was impressed by how well the freshman point guard avoided double teams when the trap was coming. He didn’t hold onto the basketball and commit a turnover. Instead, he found an open teammate. When he was able to, Jumper used his speed to blow past his defender before the trap came. The 6-foot-1 guard shoots the ball well. That was on display. Jumper has a lot of potential.
Jaye Nash, Briarcrest: Nash is another freshman, with the makings of being a special point guard. At 6-1, Nash is quick and athletic. His court vision is already solid to be so young. Right now, Nash doesn’t shoot the ball extremely well, but his shot will come as long as he’s in the gym working on it. Nash should be a coveted point guard in his class.
Javar Daniel, Arlington: Daniel is starting to get comfortable putting the ball on the floor. He’s starting to get comfortable taking mid-range jump shots. Daniel expanding his game will be beneficial in the long run. It will allow the Tigers to spread the floor, which in return, open up scoring lanes for the guards Arlington will have on the floor this upcoming season. Daniel contested some shots at the rim on Sunday, which is an area he was already striving in before his freshman season ended.
R’Chaun King, MUS: It might be early, but King might coin the nickname “Beale Street Bully.” King is a 6-5 forward with upper body strength, athleticism and tends to be quiet assassin. King doesn’t do a lot trash talking. He just knows when to turn it on. King did that two weeks ago in The First 48 event against junior forward Isaiah Regular. As Regular kept jarring words to King, the freshman responded with dunks over Regular’s head. On Sunday, King crashed the boards well. He made his presence felt in the paint with his broad shoulders.
Jamarion Harvey, Memphis East: Harvey is a smooth operator with the basketball. I witnessed Harvey glide past defenders in transition for easy layups. I saw Harvey position himself in shooting motion on half-court possessions, where he benefited from, knocking down a couple of 3s in the corner. Another great asset about Harvey is that he can create off the dribble. The sophomore can be effective in half-court and up-tempo situations.
Another freshman to watch out for is Memphis East guard Billy Richmond. Richmond has long arms, can easily get his hands on the basketball when he’s face guarding the opposing offensive player.
Also, let’s not forget about 2023 point guard EJ Smith from Memphis East. His passing ability and ability to initiate the offense stands out.