On The Radar Hoops: Sweet 16 Session I
The NCAA live period was amongst us this past weekend and numerous division-I coaches hit the road to check out the up-and-coming talent. We also hit the road to Atlanta to check out several Alabama kids at the On The Radar Hoops: Sweet 16 Session I. With over 75 coaches in attendance, maybe even more, several kids from the Yellowhammer State garnished some attention.
Triston Chambers was hot this weekend. Photo Cred/Willie Evans Jr.
BLEDSOE ICE WAS ON FIRE
Triston Chambers, AKA White Chocolate was on a mission this weekend for the Bledsoe Ice who finished 5-0 with some quality victories. At 6-foot-2 with freakishly long arms, every time Chambers spotted up, the ball looked like it was going in. He was just that hot this weekend. His athleticism is one to take notice of as he went up several times to block shots at the rim and almost caught a kid slipping as he attempted to poster him off vert. Mercer and Tennessee Tech extended offers after his performances while he already held offers from Appalachian St, Furman, IUPUI, Samford and UAB. Mercer had been on him pretty tough already from what he told us. Every school on his offer board was in attendance this weekend including UAB Head Coach Jerrod Haas. We wouldn't be surprised if UAB reeled him considering all the time they have put into him in addition to their Conference USA championship and NCAA Tourney appearance.
Also playing with the Bledsoe Ice, was Micah Fuller (Bessemer City HS) who could also fill it up from deep. Made shots off the dribble and also on the catch. Showed a little explosiveness in the break at 6-foot-1 and needs very little room to get a shot off. He was on the money in a blowout victory over the Alabama Legends with a 22 point performance. Fuller and Chambers are a pretty good mid major duo in the backcourt and look to have more success the rest of the travel season. Fuller has had recent contact with Lipscomb, Murray St and Samford. Look for that list to grow after a stellar weekend.
Triston Chambers, AKA White Chocolate was on a mission this weekend for the Bledsoe Ice who finished 5-0 with some quality victories. At 6-foot-2 with freakishly long arms, every time Chambers spotted up, the ball looked like it was going in. He was just that hot this weekend. His athleticism is one to take notice of as he went up several times to block shots at the rim and almost caught a kid slipping as he attempted to poster him off vert. Mercer and Tennessee Tech extended offers after his performances while he already held offers from Appalachian St, Furman, IUPUI, Samford and UAB. Mercer had been on him pretty tough already from what he told us. Every school on his offer board was in attendance this weekend including UAB Head Coach Jerrod Haas. We wouldn't be surprised if UAB reeled him considering all the time they have put into him in addition to their Conference USA championship and NCAA Tourney appearance.
Also playing with the Bledsoe Ice, was Micah Fuller (Bessemer City HS) who could also fill it up from deep. Made shots off the dribble and also on the catch. Showed a little explosiveness in the break at 6-foot-1 and needs very little room to get a shot off. He was on the money in a blowout victory over the Alabama Legends with a 22 point performance. Fuller and Chambers are a pretty good mid major duo in the backcourt and look to have more success the rest of the travel season. Fuller has had recent contact with Lipscomb, Murray St and Samford. Look for that list to grow after a stellar weekend.
Trendon Watford has a bright future. Photo Cred/Shun Williams
ALABAMA CHALLENGE UNDERCLASSMEN RISING UP
The word pro has been used quite frequently these days but when it comes to Trendon Watford, that's the first word that comes to mind. Comfortably playing on the wing at 6-foot-7, Watford is the younger brother of former Indiana star Christian Watford. Trendon, the 8th grade phenom has all the tools. He can score on all 3 levels which comes with a nice three point stroke and pull up from mid range on out. He can post smaller guards & beat bigger ones off the dribble. Sky is the limit for this kid and with added strength while his game matures, he could easily be a lottery pick.
Jamal Turner (2017), the freakish athlete is that, an athlete! He thrives in transition finishing above the rim or absorbing contact for And 1s. He's a legit 6-foot-5 with a nice build and his football background allows him to finish through contact. Because of his strength, he is able to guard in the post in small lineups while being a great on ball defender & rebounder for his size. With more reps with his jumper and ball handling, Turner looks to be a legitimate MM+ to HM- wing in the near future.
2017 6-foot-0 PG Kevion Nolan is a sharp shooter and has unlimited range. High IQ & a knack for winning, he is transitioning from SG to PG during AAU season & looked good handling the duty during the 1st live period.. Kevion is looking to build off of a great sophomore campaign where he helped lead his team back to the Final Four & eventually state champs.
Frosh Diante Wood is the younger brother of UNLV star Christian Wood and at 6-foot-4, the younger Wood is another kid making a transition during AAU season. Mostly asked to play in the post during high school, Wood has a high IQ, toughness & athleticism to be a nice future prospect. As his jumper & ball handling, improves watch out for the straight line driver who can knock down the open three & rebounds exceptionally well.
Also another frosh to keep an eye on is 5-foot-8 point guard Nick Preyer of LeFlore High School in Mobile, AL. Playing with the 15 & under division, Preyer dominated his age group scoring on all three levels with ease. He has a really nice form and is consistent with his pull up. Showed a great handle and finished well at the rim with either a power move or crafty layup.His IQ allows him to think two frames ahead of his competition and make good passes for easy finishes for his teammates. He's already been on Alabama and Wichita St's radar since last year.
The word pro has been used quite frequently these days but when it comes to Trendon Watford, that's the first word that comes to mind. Comfortably playing on the wing at 6-foot-7, Watford is the younger brother of former Indiana star Christian Watford. Trendon, the 8th grade phenom has all the tools. He can score on all 3 levels which comes with a nice three point stroke and pull up from mid range on out. He can post smaller guards & beat bigger ones off the dribble. Sky is the limit for this kid and with added strength while his game matures, he could easily be a lottery pick.
Jamal Turner (2017), the freakish athlete is that, an athlete! He thrives in transition finishing above the rim or absorbing contact for And 1s. He's a legit 6-foot-5 with a nice build and his football background allows him to finish through contact. Because of his strength, he is able to guard in the post in small lineups while being a great on ball defender & rebounder for his size. With more reps with his jumper and ball handling, Turner looks to be a legitimate MM+ to HM- wing in the near future.
2017 6-foot-0 PG Kevion Nolan is a sharp shooter and has unlimited range. High IQ & a knack for winning, he is transitioning from SG to PG during AAU season & looked good handling the duty during the 1st live period.. Kevion is looking to build off of a great sophomore campaign where he helped lead his team back to the Final Four & eventually state champs.
Frosh Diante Wood is the younger brother of UNLV star Christian Wood and at 6-foot-4, the younger Wood is another kid making a transition during AAU season. Mostly asked to play in the post during high school, Wood has a high IQ, toughness & athleticism to be a nice future prospect. As his jumper & ball handling, improves watch out for the straight line driver who can knock down the open three & rebounds exceptionally well.
Also another frosh to keep an eye on is 5-foot-8 point guard Nick Preyer of LeFlore High School in Mobile, AL. Playing with the 15 & under division, Preyer dominated his age group scoring on all three levels with ease. He has a really nice form and is consistent with his pull up. Showed a great handle and finished well at the rim with either a power move or crafty layup.His IQ allows him to think two frames ahead of his competition and make good passes for easy finishes for his teammates. He's already been on Alabama and Wichita St's radar since last year.
Tough weekend for Todd. Photo Cred/Jon Lopez/Nike
TOUGH WEEKEND
Reginald Todd probably had the biggest name at the event but he struggled the first two days with the rest of his Alabama Legends teammates. Todd sat out his junior season because of a transfer from LeFlore High School to Blount High School and hasn't quite shaken the dust off. Looked mediocre but showed a couple flashes then he exploded on Sunday against the Team Georgia Elite. His stock may drop after the weekend with all the numerous coaches watching from Friday & Saturday but those who watched Sunday may follow the next live period (April 24-26).
Rod WIlliams also struggled the first two days with the Alabama Legends but had a breakout game Sunday along with Todd. Needs to lose some weight especially for a 5-foot-10 point guard to be able to finish around bigger defenders and guard quick guards.Sunday he got into the lane and made good dump offs while knocking down several threes off the bounce.
Also Cameron Diggs was with the Alabama Legends and struggled as well. The 6-foot-8 post man showed an array of moves out to the perimeter but didn't finish well around the basket. Needs to spend the entire off season working on his athleticism which may help increase his mobility. Once that happens then he will be pretty much unstoppable on the offensive end of the court.
Reginald Todd probably had the biggest name at the event but he struggled the first two days with the rest of his Alabama Legends teammates. Todd sat out his junior season because of a transfer from LeFlore High School to Blount High School and hasn't quite shaken the dust off. Looked mediocre but showed a couple flashes then he exploded on Sunday against the Team Georgia Elite. His stock may drop after the weekend with all the numerous coaches watching from Friday & Saturday but those who watched Sunday may follow the next live period (April 24-26).
Rod WIlliams also struggled the first two days with the Alabama Legends but had a breakout game Sunday along with Todd. Needs to lose some weight especially for a 5-foot-10 point guard to be able to finish around bigger defenders and guard quick guards.Sunday he got into the lane and made good dump offs while knocking down several threes off the bounce.
Also Cameron Diggs was with the Alabama Legends and struggled as well. The 6-foot-8 post man showed an array of moves out to the perimeter but didn't finish well around the basket. Needs to spend the entire off season working on his athleticism which may help increase his mobility. Once that happens then he will be pretty much unstoppable on the offensive end of the court.
SLEEPER ALERT
There's always a sleeper to be found and we saw a pair of them. Both are very athletic but we will start with 6-foot-6 junior forward Charles Price of Southside Selma High School (AL). Price caught our eye across the court, playing with Vanguard Elite, as we were watching the Alabama Challenge 16U play. We would look over and it seemed as if he knew because he would be putting back missed shots for dunks well above the rim. He also chased down opponents for some crowd pleasing blocks. Right now he isn't quite polished on the offensive end but his motor and athleticism will take him a long way as playing hard translates to any level.
Henry Ruggs was the other player who caught our eye. Playing with the Alabama Legends, Ruggs was one of the long highlights for the Legends against Heat Check as he postered with his head above the rim. Standing at maybe 6-foot-0, Ruggs had several highlight dunks that game and missed a couple nasty ones which ended up being fouls. He has a really quick first step off the catch and finishes through contact as he elevates over defenders every chance he gets. If the 2017 guard can transition to the lead guard spot, he will see his stock improve greatly as he showed flashes of passing ability and an outside shot.
There's always a sleeper to be found and we saw a pair of them. Both are very athletic but we will start with 6-foot-6 junior forward Charles Price of Southside Selma High School (AL). Price caught our eye across the court, playing with Vanguard Elite, as we were watching the Alabama Challenge 16U play. We would look over and it seemed as if he knew because he would be putting back missed shots for dunks well above the rim. He also chased down opponents for some crowd pleasing blocks. Right now he isn't quite polished on the offensive end but his motor and athleticism will take him a long way as playing hard translates to any level.
Henry Ruggs was the other player who caught our eye. Playing with the Alabama Legends, Ruggs was one of the long highlights for the Legends against Heat Check as he postered with his head above the rim. Standing at maybe 6-foot-0, Ruggs had several highlight dunks that game and missed a couple nasty ones which ended up being fouls. He has a really quick first step off the catch and finishes through contact as he elevates over defenders every chance he gets. If the 2017 guard can transition to the lead guard spot, he will see his stock improve greatly as he showed flashes of passing ability and an outside shot.
GEORGIA KINGS ARE IN ALABAMA
The Georgia Kings are located in Columbus right along that Alabama-Georgia state line so they dip into Alabama quite a bit. They have several prospects on their numerous teams in different age groups with some pretty good up and coming talent. We will give you some quick hits on the Alabama talent that played well this weekend.
The Georgia Kings are located in Columbus right along that Alabama-Georgia state line so they dip into Alabama quite a bit. They have several prospects on their numerous teams in different age groups with some pretty good up and coming talent. We will give you some quick hits on the Alabama talent that played well this weekend.
- 2017 6-0 G Tre Todd knocked down five-threes against Vanguard Elite. He constantly made clutch jumpers all weekend and proved to be a big time shot maker and defensive stopper all weekend.
- 2018 6-4 G Justyn Ross is a long and athletic guard who can defend multiple positions. Played up to 17U with no problems. Lead Georgia Kings 16U to the 17U Bronze bracket championship. Ross is well on his way to proving that he is one of Alabama's best in his class. Tons of potential and size for his position at an early age.
- 2017 6-2 G Demarkus Lampley had (6) threes in the 17U Bronze bracket championship game. He also lead his 16U team along with Ross in the 17U bronze championship game. Lampley is an explosive scorer from anywhere on the floor and is definitely one to watch this summer if you're looking for a shooter.
- 2017 6-9 F Anthony Rodger showed that he is a shot blocking, rebounding, defensive stud! Rodgers displayed a nice stroke all the way out to three point range. Which leads us to believe he will be a real match up problem as he continues to develop.
- 2017 6-5 G/F Airen Brooks proved to be a versatile highly skilled player who's stuffed the stat sheet all weekend as he averaged a double double through 6 games. His inside/outside presence will allow him to be successful on any level.
- 2017 6-2 G Jatarvious Whitlow, the state champion PG picked up where he left off in high school by winning another championship in the 17U bronze division. The explosive Whitlow threw down serval highlight dunks and nailed countless big shots for the Georgia Kings.
- 2017 6-0 Ray Ray Jakes the defensive stopper for the Georgia Kings shutdown several of his opponents this weekend. His high motor and leadership skills make Jakes a major problem on the defensive end of the floor. As his offensive game improves look for Jakes to be a fast riser this summer.
- 2018 6-6 Donald Jackson III the young big fellow showed that he is a threat from 3pt range as well as in the paint. He is a highly skilled forward with big time upside. As the class of 2018 starts to unravel, Jackson along with Ross look to be two of the bonified division-1 future prospects.