Southern Spring Invitational: Adding A Few New FaceS to 2020
By Clarence Williams
Jayden Stone is new to Alabama and has made his mark.
Jayden Stone 6’3” SG (Central Park/Team Carroll Premier 2020) is the new face and may be the best player in the class. He hasn’t been in America too long but has already made a name for himself in Alabama. He has a complete game and can score on all levels. Lights out when left open from three. Stone really gets up and snatched rebounds as that may be the most intriguing part of his game. He can play on and off the ball, isn’t afraid of contact and can finish through defenders or above the rim. “I’ve played pro so I’m able to realize the tempo.” said Stone, which has given him a huge advantage. Of course playing pro in Australia is completely different than the term here in America and he wasn’t under a paid contract. His maturity level is really high and he knows what he needs to do to improve his game and adding swagger was one. “Work on my ball handling a lot and add a little bit of swagger to my game instead being a robot.” said Stone when asked about making improvements this year. He listed interest from a number of schools including Alabama, Arkansas, Cincy, LSU and UAB.
Kam Woods 5’10” PG (Midfield/Alabama Fusion 2020) has grown a little and he was his normal self, knocking down trey ball after trey ball. From step backs, pull ups & and spot ups. Woods found himself cashing in a quiet 42 in an overtime loss to WACG in a high scoring affair. On defense he used his quick hands and IQ to get steal after steal as he jumped passing lanes. Woods may not look like a prospect and one will question himself about where he will play but his high scoring abilities and IQ is inevitable and he’s doing it against quality competition. Auburn point guard Jared Harper took the same road as Woods and is obvious as to why Bruce Pearl is interested.
Kam Woods 5’10” PG (Midfield/Alabama Fusion 2020) has grown a little and he was his normal self, knocking down trey ball after trey ball. From step backs, pull ups & and spot ups. Woods found himself cashing in a quiet 42 in an overtime loss to WACG in a high scoring affair. On defense he used his quick hands and IQ to get steal after steal as he jumped passing lanes. Woods may not look like a prospect and one will question himself about where he will play but his high scoring abilities and IQ is inevitable and he’s doing it against quality competition. Auburn point guard Jared Harper took the same road as Woods and is obvious as to why Bruce Pearl is interested.
Kam Woods had a 42 point effort this weekend.
Kedrick Turnipseed 6’1” (Sumter Central/Alabama Fusion 2020) is a great athlete for his size and played well above the rim. The undersized 2 guard thrives in transition and caught a few bodies as well. He was able to get to the elbow from the wing to knock down the midrange jumper and hit a few threes with one more noticeable than others as he hit a defender with a pullback dribble making him slip and draining the shot as the crowd went nuts. Turnipseed got after it on the defensive end using his quick feet and hands to get in the passing lanes while also picking a few pockets. If Turnipseed has these type of performances during the first EYBL Session in Dallas, expect his recruitment to get a bump.
Austin Harvell 6’5 G (Clements/AL Elite Stars 17U) long and and big time athlete; he’s the Jimmy Butler of the 2020 class and might arguably be the top prospect long term. A 27pts/11 rebound performance against MEBO (EYBL 17u) showed that even at only 15 he belongs in 17U level competition. Harvell had an eye popping number of blocks showing he’s not just a scorer but also hangs his hat on the defensive end. A solid three level scorer with a high basketball IQ, his strength and skill set sets him apart. Harvell recently received an offer from North Alabama which will compete on the division-I level next season. Expect to see him rise in the updated player rankings.
Austin Harvell 6’5 G (Clements/AL Elite Stars 17U) long and and big time athlete; he’s the Jimmy Butler of the 2020 class and might arguably be the top prospect long term. A 27pts/11 rebound performance against MEBO (EYBL 17u) showed that even at only 15 he belongs in 17U level competition. Harvell had an eye popping number of blocks showing he’s not just a scorer but also hangs his hat on the defensive end. A solid three level scorer with a high basketball IQ, his strength and skill set sets him apart. Harvell recently received an offer from North Alabama which will compete on the division-I level next season. Expect to see him rise in the updated player rankings.
Kedrick Turnipseed has really made improvements.
RJ Perry 6’7” PF (Fairfield/Alabama Fusion 2020) was a man in the paint with his physical imposing style of play. He scored over both shoulders & hit the baseline jumper when he popped out, which he has added to his game. Perry has soft hands and good feet while he used his size to dominate the glass. Perry is a big time football prospect and it’s not hard to see why.
Zondrick Garrett 6’7” F (Oxford/Alabama Fusion 2020) transferred to Lincoln Academy in Georgia for his sophomore season and has consistently expanded his game to the three-point line knocking down a number of them from the corner. He blocked & altered shots throughout the weekend, like he typically does with his freakishly long wing span and quick leaping ability. Garrett finished baby hooks over his right shoulder and played above the rim in transition as well the half court set with dump offs and put-backs. Garrett transferred back to Oxford earlier this year.
Zondrick Garrett 6’7” F (Oxford/Alabama Fusion 2020) transferred to Lincoln Academy in Georgia for his sophomore season and has consistently expanded his game to the three-point line knocking down a number of them from the corner. He blocked & altered shots throughout the weekend, like he typically does with his freakishly long wing span and quick leaping ability. Garrett finished baby hooks over his right shoulder and played above the rim in transition as well the half court set with dump offs and put-backs. Garrett transferred back to Oxford earlier this year.
Willie Screws plays with a chip on his shoulder.
Willie Screws 6’4” SF (Barbour County/Team Carroll Premier 2020) is a grown man with a big time motor. He can post smaller defenders, does a good job when driving getting defenders on his hip and finishing or drawing fouls. Screws rebounds against bigger players and has started to knock down the elbow jumper. Loved seeing the improvement in his game.
Trey Bonham 5’10” PG (UMS-Wright/JSI Elite 2020) stood out with his true point guard abilities as he got teammates involved. It can be hard to evaluate a kid who isn’t involved in the thrill but when you think about how he’s playing and if he was surrounded by some big time talent, he makes the game much easier for everyone else.
Dallas Howell 6'6" F (Enterprise/Team Carroll 2020) had a good weekend and played with a high motor. He was crashing the boards, getting after loose balls and was always in attack mode. Howell does his best work from 15-feet in but can step out and hit the three. Finished above the rim well in transition and his best attribute is straight line drives where he used his frame to bully opponents.
De’Marquiese "Duke" Miles 6'0" PG (Robert E. Lee/Team Carroll 2020) was really quick with his first step and knocked down shots from the perimeter. He did a good job of getting into the the lane challenging bigger defenders. Miles found teammates and finished when he needed to. He was solid and allowed the game to come to him and was smooth with his approach.
Trey Bonham 5’10” PG (UMS-Wright/JSI Elite 2020) stood out with his true point guard abilities as he got teammates involved. It can be hard to evaluate a kid who isn’t involved in the thrill but when you think about how he’s playing and if he was surrounded by some big time talent, he makes the game much easier for everyone else.
Dallas Howell 6'6" F (Enterprise/Team Carroll 2020) had a good weekend and played with a high motor. He was crashing the boards, getting after loose balls and was always in attack mode. Howell does his best work from 15-feet in but can step out and hit the three. Finished above the rim well in transition and his best attribute is straight line drives where he used his frame to bully opponents.
De’Marquiese "Duke" Miles 6'0" PG (Robert E. Lee/Team Carroll 2020) was really quick with his first step and knocked down shots from the perimeter. He did a good job of getting into the the lane challenging bigger defenders. Miles found teammates and finished when he needed to. He was solid and allowed the game to come to him and was smooth with his approach.