Southern Jam Fest-17U Wings/Bigs
It was another jam-packed Southern Jam Fest event hosted by the Hoop Group in Hampton, Virginia. For this article, we’ll run down wings and bigs from the 17U level that caught attention. For the 17U guards, click here! Xavier Booker…
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Continue ReadingIt was another jam-packed Southern Jam Fest event hosted by the Hoop Group in Hampton, Virginia. For this article, we’ll run down wings and bigs from the 17U level that caught attention.
For the 17U guards, click here!
Xavier Booker Xavier Booker 6'11" | PF Cathedral | 2023 State #4 Nation IN | George Hill All Indy
Booker was the prospect who arguably had the highest ceiling in attendance. At 6-foot-10, he’s fluid while running the floor or even when handling the ball. The southpaw forward screams long term versatility and everything that college programs and NBA teams want in their frontcourt players. Throughout the weekend he used his length to finish well above the rim, buried catch and shoot three’s with efficiency and rebounded the ball at a high level. Booker screams upside.
🔥☠️Dunk heard around the gym #HGJamFest
⚠️ 2023 Xavier Booker (@RealXman23) making his presence know at Southern Jam Fest #HGJamFest pic.twitter.com/DT2YpZm0HV
— Hoop Group (@TheHoopGroup) May 14, 2022
Dennis Parker Dennis Parker 6'6" | SF John Marshall | 2023 State #89 Nation VA Jr. | Team Loaded VA
Parker is a downhill nightmare especially when in transition where he uses his combination of speed, strength and athleticism to overwhelm challenging defenders. The 6-foot-5 wing/forward is dynamic and versatile on both ends with a knack for creating contact on his drives in a half-court setting and visiting the charity stripe. He also showed good awareness as a playmaker by finding open teammates after gaining the defense’s attention on paint touches.
Jamie Kaiser Jamie Kaiser 6'6" | SF IMG Academy | 2023 State #67 Nation FL | New World
Kasier continues his tear this spring with another impressive weekend shooting the basketball and displaying his willingness to do the little things in order to help his team win. Kaiser is a guy who can quickly rain in 2-to-3 triples back-to-back and shift the momentum of a game. When his shot isn’t falling, he’s still effective thanks to his high motor that comes to light when he crashes the offensive glass for second-chance opportunities. His 6-foot-6 frame and ability to embrace physicality (as he does on the football field) shines bright and plays a major key in him winning 50/50s.
Great weekend with the squad, finished 5-0 in The Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest‼️ @NewWorldAAU @RealDealDeme pic.twitter.com/DslSTwHnq5
— Jamie Kaiser Jr (@J_Kaiser53) May 15, 2022
Tyler Tejada Tyler Tejada 6'7" | SF Teaneck | 2023 State NJ | NJ ShoreShots
Tejada has made a name for himself this spring at Hoop Group events in part because of his versatility at 6-foot-7. He plays with a fearlessness about him that is very intriguing. While he still needs to polish his overall game, Tejada is more than capable of knocking down shots from the outside in bunches. He can also put the ball on the deck for one or 2 dribbles and surprise defenders by throwing down a dunk where he gets off the ground much quicker than expected. Tejada is expected to be the anchor in the paint for his team defensively as a center, but he’s much more mobile, skilled and agile than most when playing that position.
Aaron Bradshaw Aaron Bradshaw 7'0" | PF Camden | 2023 State #10 Nation NJ | NJ Scholars
Bradshaw is a legit seven-footer who impacts the game any time he’s involved in a possession. His long wingspan makes him a shot eraser whenever he is in the vicinity of an opposing player, he grabs boards quickly and at their peak and is a lob threat any time he’s around the rim on offense. What surprised me was how comfortable he seemed in face-up scenarios 12-to-15 feet away from the basket. Bradshaw sized up his defender and fluidly got into his jumper with sound results. He’s a guy who prides himself on the defensive end and understands how to play around skilled guards. Like Booker, Bradshaw’s potential is very intriguing.
Aidan Harris Aidan Harris 6'6" | SF St. Marys | 2023 State #293 Nation MD | DMV Stags
Harris had a tremendous game in a win over Team Wilson on Saturday. The burly 6-foot-6 forward was scoring from three off the catch and making the defense pay for any inside touches where he’d utilize his strength to finish through contact. He scored 25 points in the victory and hit multiple three’s in the second half that eventually took the wind out of the opposition. Harris had a high school season filled with lingering injuries, but is now back and feeling better than ever. It certainly showed on Saturday.
Khani Rooths Khani Rooths 6'7" | SF IMG Academy | 2024 State #16 Nation FL | New World
When Rooths hit the high school scene there was plenty of buzz thanks to his frame and length as a freshman. He’s a 2024 playing on the 17U level and looks comfortable as his body and skill-set continues to mature. He was impactful on his touches in the paint where he finished above the rim with regularity and his efforts in running the floor in transition were often times rewarded with lobs or dump-off passes. It was good to see him more assertive on his catches out on the perimeter, as the 6-foot-7 wing/forward showed some improvement in his ability to create space and knock down shots.