Southern Jam Fest 17U Standouts (Part 4)
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Every year Hoop Group puts on one of the best events in the country at the Boo Williams Sportsplex called the Southern Jam Fest, but this year it was a little bit different. Some of the best shoe company and…
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Continue ReadingEvery year Hoop Group puts on one of the best events in the country at the Boo Williams Sportsplex called the Southern Jam Fest, but this year it was a little bit different. Some of the best shoe company and independent programs from up and down the east coast came to Southern, including the number one team in the country Team Final featuring the top two players in the country.
There were double digit shoe company teams from all three major circuits, and plenty of other talented teams making it one of the most talented events I’ve ever been to. We will have tons of content from it, starting with part four of the many 17 U standouts, focusing on the PA and NJ areas.
Emoni Bates | 6’9” WF | Team Final
The top player in the country showed why he’s considered the best high school prospect since LeBron James, and it’s easy to see why many people compare him to Kevin Durant. At 6’9” he’s extremely long and mobile, he can put it on the deck like a guard and has good shift and burst off the bounce and he’s an excellent shooter from deep and is able to shoot over people out past NBA range. He’s a natural athlete that plays way above the rim, and he showed that while he’s possibly the best scorer in the country he’s also a savvy playmaker that’s unselfish and has a great IQ.
Jalen Duren | 6’10” C | Team Final
Duren, who’s considered the number two player in the country by most national sites, was a man amongst boys throughout the event as he was a walking highlight reel with his thunderous dunks and huge blocks throughout the event. He reminds me a lot of Bam Adebayo when I watched him in high school, as he’s bigger, stronger and more athletic than everyone on the floor and is a physical presence in the paint that just overpowers guys at the rim. He plays with a great motor and absolutely owns the paint, and he has more of a skill set than he’s given credit for as well.
Byron Hopkins Byron Hopkins 6'0" | PG Upper Moreland | 2022 State PA | 6’4” G | Team Final
Williams, who’s another top 50 prospect and Duren’s teammate at Montverde in Florida, may not have had the same attention as the other guys but he was one of the best guards in attendance throughout the event. He’s shifty and athletic off the bounce, he’s athletic and has great body control around the rim and he can light it up from deep as well. He has excellent feel on both ends of the floor, he is a good defender both on and off the ball and he brings a toughness to his team as well.
Dereck Lively | 7’1” C | Team Final
While Duren and Bates got a lot of the attention, and rightfully so, Lively would have been my vote for MVP on Final’s run to the championship. At 7’1”, Lively is a matchup nightmare as he’s mobile and athletic, plays well above the rim on both ends of the floor and he showed that he can step out and shoot it from deep as well. When talking with others that know more about him, he’s an extremely hard worker that studies the game and has improved a lot over the past few years, and he could easily be a guy you see in the NBA in a few years.
Corey Floyd | 6’3” WG | Team Final
A UConn commit, Floyd brought tons of energy to his team with his athletic plays and high motor, and he had quite a few highlight reel posters throughout the event. He thrives in transition with his ability to finish above the rim, he can knock down shots from deep at a good clip and he’s a dog on the defensive end as he can pick up 94 feet and force turnovers easily. He still has room to grow and should be an impact guy in the Big East for years to come.
Kenny Jackson Kenny Jackson 6'3" | PG #23 Nation PA | 6’3” PG | WeR1
One of the most underrated guards in the 2023 class, Jackson is a big time athlete who has improved in a number of ways over the past few years and has a very high ceiling moving forward. He’s strong and quick on both ends of the floor, he plays well above the rim and is a super explosive athlete at his size and he’s improved as a floor general and playmaker in a big way. He’s going to turn a lot of heads playing up on the UA Circuit in July, and he is also one of the most fun guys to watch I’ve seen in the class.
Kareem Ewell Kareem Ewell 6'6" | SF Olympus Prep | 2022 State NJ | 6’7” PF | WeR1
Ewell is an available 2021 that will likely go the prep school route, and he will see his recruitment take off in the 2022 class with his motor and skill set. He’s a wiry and long forward that can play and guard multiple positions, and he’s a walking mismatch with his length, athleticism and ability to play on the perimeter. He’s a tough kid who plays with a great motor and is very productive in a number of ways.
Quadir Copeland | 6’6” PG | NJ Scholars
Copeland is perhaps the most underrated guard in the entire country as far as national rankings go, and the 6’6” lead guard is likely to sky rocket when he gets to IMG next year. Copeland is a natural playmaker at his size and a true point guard that plays with flash but has substance to his game as well, and he makes everyone on the team better whenever he’s on the floor. He has great length and can play above the rim, he is a natural leader and he genuinely seems to enjoy himself on the court making him very easy to play with.
DJ Wagner | 6’3” WG | NJ Scholars
The number one player in the 2023 class, Wagner is a certified bucket getter even while playing up and can take over games with his scoring ability. He’s extremely smooth with the ball in his hands, he’s able to create shots off the bounce and make shots from all over the floor and once he gets it going there isn’t much you can do to stop him. The son of one of the top high school players ever, Wagner is as good a scorer as you’ll come around and he has a competitive streak to him as he wants to go up against the best and get the best of them.
Aaron Bradshaw Aaron Bradshaw 7'0" | PF Camden | 2023 State #10 Nation NJ | 6’11” C | NJ Scholars
Another 2023 that’s playing up with the NJ Scholars, Bradshaw is a high ceiling big man thats just scratching the surface with how good he can be. A legit 6’11” with long arms and good mobility, Bradshaw is an inside-out threat that can play both in the half court and in transition and is a matchup nightmare at his size. He protects the rim and can switch on wings, he rebounds at a high clip and once he fills out he’ll be a handful in the paint to handle.