Southern JamFest 17U Standouts (Part 2)
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It’s that time of year that we all wait for in the state of VA, as the top independent AAU tournament on the east coast came back to Hampton. The Hoop Group Southern Jamfest features some of the top shoe…
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Continue ReadingIt’s that time of year that we all wait for in the state of VA, as the top independent AAU tournament on the east coast came back to Hampton. The Hoop Group Southern Jamfest features some of the top shoe company and independent teams in the country, and is loaded with talent throughout the field.
Here’s a look at part 2 of some of the VA standouts in the 17U division.
AJ Clark AJ Clark 6'2" | SG Menchville | 2023 State VA | 6’3” WG | Team Loaded 757 2023
Clark is one of the most underrated players in the 757, as he has great physical and athletic tools and also has improved a good amount on the offensive end. He has improved in his ability to knock down perimeter shots both off the catch and off the bounce, he’s improved in his wiggle off the bounce and he’s always been good in straight line drives and finishing above the rim and in traffic. While his scoring ability has improved, defense is still his bread and butter as he uses his physical and athletic tools to guard the other teams best player, jump passing lanes and block shots as well.
Stylz Gardner Stylz Gardner 5'11" | CG Peninsula Catholic | 2023 State VA | 5’11” CG | Team Loaded 757 2023
Gardner put on a show in Loaded 757’s run to the 17U quarterfinals before falling in overtime to Team Loaded NC, and he showed why he’s one of the top scorers in the 757 with his craft and three level scoring ability. The 5’11” combo is shifty off the bounce and knows how to create space to make shots, he can get hot quickly and fill it up in bunches and he has a smoothness to his game where he makes it look very easy. As this Loaded 757 team continues to have success he’ll see more and more coaches start to pay attention to him.
Dareion Parker | 6’2” CG | Team Loaded 757 2023
Parker is the x-factor for this 757 group, as his intensity and energy on both ends of the floor is infectious to the team and he makes a lot of winning plays. He’s aggressive attacking the basket and puts pressure on the defense, he’s able to finish in the lane and knock down shots when he’s open on the perimeter and he rebounds and defends as well. He does all of the little things as well as making plays on and off the basketball on the offensive end.
Sam Brannen | 5’11” PG | BWSL Gold 2023
Brannen continues to show he’s one of the top point guards in the 757 after a great junior season at King’s Fork, and the thing that really stands out with him is his skillset and understanding of the game. He’s very good off the bounce in pick-and-rolls and getting in the lane and finding contact, he can knock down shots consistently from deep and he’s a very good and smart defender both on the ball and in help. He’s the type of player who is able to negate his size due to the fact that he’s smarter and more skilled than most other players.
Michael Ojo | 6’7” F | BWSL Gold 2023
Ojo had a breakout junior season at Princess Anne and showed this weekend why he’s starting to have division one schools recruit him. He’s chock full of potential as he has great size on the wing and is a big time athlete who can play above the rim, he can put it on the deck and create shots for himself and he showed a versatile scoring package as well. He’s a walking mismatch with tons of potential on both ends of the floor as he continues to get better.
Justin Bass Justin Bass 5'11" | PG Kecoughtan | 2023 State VA | 5’11” PG | Team Push 2023
Bass has been outstanding this summer, showing his ready to take the reigns at Kecoughtan next year, and the 5’11” guard showed he can do it against the best as he went for a 30 ball against the NJ Scholars. He’s quick off the bounce and gets in the lane where he’s a crafty finisher, he creates space and has developed into a knock down shooter and he isn’t afraid of big matchups or moments either. He’s a gamer who brings it every day and brings it on both ends of the floor.