NBPA Top 100 Day 1 Standouts (Part 1)
It’s that time of year again, as hundreds of the best prospects from across the country and even the world gather in Charlottesville, VA to compete in the National Basketball Player’s Associations Top 100 camp. Being lucky enough to have this even in my backyard, I always take the opportunity to check out some of the best talent in the country and cover it from a national standpoint for Prep Hoops. With that being said, here’s part one of the top performers from day one, featuring eight players from across the country.
Dahmir Bishop | 6’5” WG | Imhotep Charter (PA) 2019
Bishop came ready to play, as he continues to boost his stock over the summer against very good competition. The Philly two guard showed his ability to fill it up in bunches, as he shot the lights out in the first game. He finished with 23 points on 9-for-15 shooting from the field and 3-for-6 shooting from deep, and he showed his ability to score at all three levels. He made shots from deep, he showed a pull up game and his footwork and quick release allowed him to make contested shots off the bounce and off the catch. He also had a number of big time throw downs in transition that showed he’s a good athlete as well.
Isaiah Wong | 6’3” PG | Monsignor Bonner (PA) 2019
Wong had a great start to the day at the Top 100, as he showed everything that makes him a solid four star recruit on the verge of having blue bloods recruit him. He showed his athleticism with some big time finishes, he made good decisions and tough passes that got others good shot opportunities and he showed that he can take and make shots from all three levels. When he gets downhill he’s tough to stop, and he put up big numbers in the first game when I watched him. He finished with 21 points shooting 50% from the field and he pitched in three assists on the night.
Jaden Springer | 6’5” WG | Rocky River (NC) 2020
Springer only played in one game, not quite sure why he didn’t play in the second game, but he was impressive with his ability to get to the rim and finish with great athleticism in the paint. The kid’s chest was above the rim on multiple finishes, with ferocious back scratchers and he had an agile and creative 360 dunk while going baseline. He showed good change of pace and burst with the ball in his hands and he filled lanes well on the break. He’s a good defender and a good rebounder for a guard, and he showed that with 5 rebounds to attribute to his 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the field.
Scottie Lewis | 6’6” WG | Ranney School (NJ) 2019
The wing from New Jersey recently cut his list to six schools, and the way that he played made it look like all of those schools need to make him a priority. Lewis has this knack for the game, and he has the athleticism and skill to make the absolute most of it. He had one of the top plays of the day, where someone tried to dunk on him in transition and he showed no fear, meeting him at the rim and rejecting it with all ball. Lewis did a little bit of everything for his team, finishing with 16 points while hitting two three-pointers, grabbing five rebounds, recording three blocks, two steals and two assists. His versatility and athleticism makes him one of the most intriguing prospects at the camp.
Kira Lewis | 6’3” PG | Hazel Green (AL) 2019
Lewis intrigued me early with his ability to get downhill, create space and create opportunities for himself and others to score, and by the end of the day he had turned in one of the most impressive performances by a lead guard there. He isn’t a big or a small guard, but he has a lightning quick first step, he gets downhill in transition and he’s able to get in the paint and to the rim with ease. He can finish in the midrange with both hands on floaters, he has a tight handle and he’ll help out his bigs by crashing the glass defensively. He finished with 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting with four rebounds in their first game win.
Jae’lyn Withers | 6’8” F | North Mecklenberg (NC) 2019
One of Lewis’ teammates, Withers did a great job of not forcing the action and taking what he was given, but when he did so he showed the tremendous skill set that makes him a possible pro in my eyes moving forward. At 6’8”, he has tremendous length that he’s able to use on both ends of the floor to be effective. He rebounds on both ends, he can defend multiple positions both on the perimeter and in the post and he can score in a number of different ways. In just four made shots, he hit a three off the catch, had a nice dunk in transition, finished in traffic and hit a pull up jumper. He was one of the most interviewed guys as well, as his recruitment and intrigue continues to pick up moving forward.
Keon Johnson | 6’5” WG | Webb School Bell Buckle (TN) 2020
I loved the way that Johnson competed and how hard he played as he was matched up against some of the best wings in the country and he did not back down one bit. He was on the wrong end of a vicious dunk, but instead of hanging his head he went down and caught a serious body of his own as well. He pushed the issue offensively in transition, he attacked the glass with ferocity on both ends of the floor and he showed the ability to finish at and above the rim. He’ll be one to keep an eye on if he continues to play with that kind of energy moving forward.
Patrick McCaffery | 6’8” F | Iowa City West 2019
McCaffery didn’t put up huge numbers by any means, but the kid was efficient in his spots and he played with great energy when he was on the floor. The 6’8” wing, whose father is the coach at Iowa University, showed a great understanding working off the ball as he continued to move throughout the day and found lanes to cut for easy baskets. He showed a great rip through, and when he was in the lane he did not hesitate to use his length and finish above the rim with ease. He finished with 11 points on 4-for-5 shooting with three rebounds in his first game.