Level Up Elite 80: Top Performers
Over the weekend, Endless Motor Sports teamed up with Prep Hoops to put together the Level Up Elite 80, one of the most talent-filled camps of the late summer/fall. Some of the best players from all ages came from around the state to showcase their skills in front of multiple scouts and college coaches. Here are some of my top performers from the camp:
Markeese Hastings (2018/Godwin Heights) – Hastings has had one of the best spring/summer campaigns in the state and appears to be continuing his dominance into the fall. He was simply unstoppable in the 5v5 games, dominating in every aspect. He truly was a man among boys the whole day. If I had to choose, Hastings would be MVP of the camp in my eyes.
Lucas Kroft (2018/Fort Wayne North Side) – Having watched Kroft play with his AAU squad 1Nation a couple times, I was pleasantly surprised with what I saw at the camp this weekend. In AAU, he played more of a forward, rarely having the ball as a guard and getting a majority of his looks slashing to the rim. At the camp this weekend, he displayed an ability to create shots off the dribble and score from all three levels. I was really impressed with his handles as well as his ability to make shots from anywhere off the dribble – two skills that are a must for a guard. With his 6’4″ frame and ability to create and make shots, Kroft has everything necessary to excel as a true SG.
Marcus Bingham (2018/Grand Rapids Catholic Central) – The Michigan State commit really didn’t have much competition at this camp. He was simply too tall and too long for people to challenge him, and he dominated as such. With the graduation of future Spartan teammate Xavier Tillman and the transfer of future high-major guard Duane Washington, Bingham will look to stake his claim as Grand Rapids’ best. He has all the opportunities available to not only have great success individually but also lead his team to a successful year – he will definitely be one of the top players in Michigan to watch this upcoming prep season.
http://thelocalathlete.comCarrington McCaskill (2019/Detroit Renaissance) – McCaskill had a great spring/summer, making a name for himself as one of the state’s most athletic players. His combination of size, length and athleticism makes his potential extremely high as he has a ton of room to develop his skills. He’s production matches his potential, however; he already holds a D1 offer. He solidified his spot as one of the state’s most athletic players by attacking the rim (and almost breaking it) all day long. In addition to great play in the 5v5 portion of the camp, he also won the dunk contest.
Jayvien Torrance-Jackson (2018/River Rouge) – Torrance-Jackson had a really good day, finding success in pretty much everything he did. He had the best handles there, shifting anybody who stepped up to guard him and getting wherever he wanted to go with the ball in his hands. He scored from all three levels – he finished strong through bigger defenders, but really did his damage raining threes as well as midrange. The southpaw has a quick release which, especially when combined with his shiftiness, allows him to comfortably get his shot off no matter who’s guarding him.
Lamar Norman (2018/Godwin Heights) – Similar to a Markeese Hastings or a Marcus Bingham, Norman didn’t have too much of an issue absolutely dominating whenever he wanted to. He was easily a top 5 player at the camp in terms of both talent/name as well as production on the day. Norman is one of the most electrifying players in the state and will look to have a dominate year alongside teammate Markeese Hastings – one of the best duos in the state.
Jacob Polakovich (2018/Grand Rapids Catholic Central) – Polakovich is one of the more overlooked players in the state. He is a very tough bruiser down low – he’s got a bunch of that old-school, physical, bang-it-out big man style to his game. His toughness and effort on every play allow him to be a great rebounder and get a ton of easy looks at the rim, something that he did a ton of at the camp. Together, Polakovich and Bingham will make up the best rebounding duo of big men in the state next year.