Pitt Jam Fest-Saturday Takeaways
Saturday was a loaded slate at Pitt Jam Fest where the Prep Hoops MD team spent 10+ hours of watching hoops. For this article, I’ll break down some takeaways that I walked away with from the action. Cam Ward lives…
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Continue ReadingSaturday was a loaded slate at Pitt Jam Fest where the Prep Hoops MD team spent 10+ hours of watching hoops. For this article, I’ll break down some takeaways that I walked away with from the action.
Cam Ward lives up to his ranking
The Team Durant 15U squad is stacked with prospect who will be entrenched in the Prep Hoops MD and VA rankings for years to come, but it was another chance for us to get eyes on our top prospect in the 2025 MD rankings in Cameron Ward Cameron Ward 6'6" | SF Largo | 2025 State #30 Nation MD . What makes Ward unique is his blend of size, feel and versatility at his age. He made plays above the rim, made the extra pass whenever the defense collapsed on him and was constantly pursuing rebounds at their peak. As solid as his skill set is currently, there’s obviously plenty of room for growth, which gives him an opportunity to become far and beyond the best prospect in the state (in the 2025 class) as the years progress.
Omarion Reid gaining confidence in Pittsburgh
Reid played an underrated role for Mt. Carmel this past season as the first big off the bench and thrived at supplying his team with energy, physicality and consistency. At 6-foot-6 he’s a big body forward that knows how to use his frame in sealing scenarios on the block. While he doesn’t have an array of post moves at this point, he bullies his defender below the rim for buckets or puts them in a position where they have to foul. He’s been the anchor and beef inside for this Melo squad and should leave this weekend feeling great about how he’s answering the call of a more involved role as he’ll likely have for the Cougars next winter.
Tobi Raji improving his stock with consistency
I first saw Raji this past high school season when Eleanor Roosevelt defeated Parkville in the Class 4A Final Four. His size intrigues immediately at 6’7-6’8, but its his motor that will gain respect. He isn’t a guy who plays outside of his capabilities and is always looking to make the correct play. He can score inside over his left shoulder, has soft hands when hanging in the dunker’s spot and get rise up and flush with two hands off the gather. Raji has been a staple for this District team that plays extremely hard on the defensive end and he’s depended upon to be a shot disruptor with any attempt in the paint. He’s a prospect that I’ll monitor closely going forward as he continues to add size to his frame and looks to become more dynamic in face-up scenarios.
Jadyn Brown catches my attention
Brown is on a Team Melo 16U roster that is headlined by the likes of Drew McKenna Drew McKenna 6'7" | PF Glenelg Country | 2024 #61 Nation MD , Acaden Lewis Acaden Lewis 6'2" | PG Sidwell Friends | 2025 State #149 Nation MD and others. Brown, a 6-foot-6 wing who attends St. Andrew’s Episcopal, had a stretch in their win over a tough, gritty K-Low Elite squad where he showed immense versatility. His length at 6-foot-6 can make him a nightmare on the defensive end and he seems comfortable staying in front of smaller, shifty guards even in isolation situations. Offensively he was finishing high in transition, converting on shots from three off the catch and had a couple of mid-range jumpers after creating separation from his defender with a crossover or stepback. He’s still very much a prospect that is figuring it out and needs to be more assertive, but that should come with time and confidence.