Notebook: Junior Phenom Top 100 The Watchlist
Junior Phenom Top 100 was in Richmond this past weekend as they put on “The Watchlist,” an event featuring around 100 players from a number of states around the Virginia area. The talent pool was packed with multiple guys with division one talent, along with some under the radar guys who stood out throughout the event. Here’s a quick look at some of the guys that caught our eyes at U-Turn on Saturday.
Jalen Cone | 5’8” PG | Walkertown HS (NC) 2020
Cone may not pass the looks test before he steps on the court, but watch him run up and down the floor a couple of times and you’ll be sold that he’s as good as they come. He’s tough as nails, a dynamic athlete with a lightning quick first step and great end-to-end speed and he’s a highly intelligent player on both ends of the floor. He’s a walking bucket that can knock down shots from all three levels off the bounce and he has great hand time allowing him to contort his body and finish around bigger players in the paint. He’s a scrappy on ball defender that will pester ball handlers the length of the floor, and he’s a playmaker that can create for others or himself. Some high majors may be scared away by his size, but they’ll regret that one day if they pass on him.
Mahamadou Diawara | 6’9” PF | Massanutten 2019
He’s transferring from Hamilton Heights (TN) and has already seen his recruitment pick up with offers from Penn State, VCU and UMass. As time goes on, expect Diawara to be a no brainer high major recruit from the way he’s developing and the things he can already do. He’s strong, I mean grown man strong, and he finishes through contact in the paint with ease. He uses that upper body strength to bully smaller posts and hit the glass, but he’s also got soft touch and can finish with both hands in the paint. He exhibited good footwork and great hands, patience in the post and the ability to run the floor. He’s capable of doing so much and dominating the paint, but he’s also got so much room to grow and improve moving forward.
Henry Coleman | 6’6” WF | Trinity Episcopal 2020
Coleman continues to trend upwards, and it’s no surprise because he’s growing both physically and through his game. He’s a legitimate 6’6” and looks like he’s still got a few inches to go, he’s improved on his perimeter skill set on both ends and he has the confidence to be a go-to guy despite his young age. What sets Coleman apart from other athletic forwards his age is not just his improving skill set but his motor on both ends of the floor. He plays tremendously hard, even in camp settings, loves to get up and down the floor and will sky to finish above the rim or block a shot in transition defensively. If he can continue to make the transition to the wing he’ll continue to make buzz among high major programs on the east coast moving forward.
Julien Wooden | 6’6” WF | Northside 2019
I tweeted out asking how this kid doesn’t have a rack of mid major offers yet because the fact that he’s only sitting on Richmond and Hampton makes no sense to me what-so-ever. Wooden isn’t a “rah-rah” in your face type of player, but that doesn’t mean he won’t go put it on your head or clamp you up defensively. He’s a very efficient scorer, never forcing shots or settling for easy or contested jump shots and instead attacking the rim, and while he doesn’t take a ton of shots he’s still a guy that averages double figures easily. He can handle it in transition, defend most positions on the floor and is willing to either be the guy or accept a secondary role while still contributing. If you’re a college coach that hasn’t got to Roanoke to see this kid play, you need to schedule a trip soon!
Marcus Banks | 6’3” WG | Walsingham 2021
Banks, who recently reclassified to the 2021 class after a year at Lafayette, can flat out score the basketball! The 6’3” guard has a smooth stroke from deep, is shifty off the bounce and is always in attack mode. A three level scorer that’s still growing, he had a great summer with Boo Williams is poised to become an elite scoring guard in the Hampton Roads area over the next four seasons.
Gabe Dickerson | 6’2” PG | Atlantic Shores 2018
When talking about rising seniors with breakout potential, Dickerson may lead the pack. An uber athletic point guard, he put on a show with his ability to get in the lane and finish at or above the rim with flash. He has a quick first step off the bounce, keeps his head up in transition to get others easy opportunities and he can finish with authority on the break. He has a nice mix of scoring and facilitating ability, and with his size and athleticism he could see some division one schools come in late that are looking for a point guard.
Mark Williams | 6’11” C | Norfolk Academy 2020
The next in a long line of Team Loaded big men poised to go to the highest of levels, Williams is gradually turning into a possible blue blood prospect. At 6’11”, he’s freakishly long with a 7’4” wing span that allows him to be an elite level rim protector. He can shoot the midrange, is a mobile big man that can run the floor and finish in transition and he’s a capable and willing passer out of the post that gets others easy shots. As he continues to fill out, expect his offers to shoot through the roof moving forward.
James Bishop | 6’2” PG | Mount Saint Joseph (MD) 2019
Bishop is a guy who impressed by his ability to flat out play in every way. He has a nice frame at 6’2” and is able to break his man down and get in the lane with ease. His scoring ability is natural, as he can shoot it from deep and has an array of moves in the lane to be able to score over big men. He thrives in transition, where he can finish above the rim and make plays for others in transition. He’s a midmajor prospect that can play and guard multiple positions, perfect for the way basketball is headed.
Michael Gray | 6’0” G | James Monroe 2020
Gray is poised for a big sophomore season after a summer of improvement. After averaging 15 points per game as a freshman, he looks ready to take over and become one of the better players in the Fredericksburg area. He can play both guard positions, as he can both score and create off the bounce. He has a solid frame, is a good athlete and can score it from a number of different places on the floor. He was one of the breakout players at the event who should see a lot of collegiate attention with continued improvement.