GBCA Live Team Camp 2022 Session I Notebook

GBCA Live Team Camp 2022 Session I Notebook

By Robert Alfonso Jr

EMERSON, Ga. – The Georgia Coaches Live Camp final made the basketball world seem normal.

High School teams from across the Peach State along with Florida, Tennessee, Alabama and other states arrived at Lakepoint Sports Complex for the #GBCALive event where players could be evaluated by college coaches. Those same coaches have seen some players via video but this was the first time they were out recruiting in 15-months.

Here are some 2022 who made sure to have their names written on notepads or to earn an offer.

Jah’kimn Payne | Alexander | is a 6-foot-6 guard with some flexibility. He can play on and off the ball. His ability to dance with the ball in the open court was stellar. Looks to make plays for others in many opportunities. He can make shots from all levels of the floor and post up inside.

Zion Fruster | Alexander | is a blur in the open floor,. This 6-foot-2 guard is all about smashing the gas and putting pressure on opponents on either end of the floor. Defensively, he is a full length defender turning opposing players into traps or errant passes. Offensively, it is to the rim, mid-range jumper and at every angle possible.

Jameel Rideout | Berkmar | is one of the more improved players since the end of the high school season. This gritty guard brings a Philly toughness every time he steps on the floor. He can run a team and put teammates in scoring spots. If that is not working, Rideout works the offense where he flourish in getting to the basket through contact. His demeanor never really changes through contact.

Malique Ewin | Berkmar | is always an intriguing post player. Your eyes are immediately drawn to him because of his size and length. Ewin makes moves that will have opponents getting out of the way and college coaches jotting down notes. He is a solid rebounder and can take over a game in a snap.

Joyful Hawkins | Brunswick | is back where he belongs. The South Georgia product left the state for a year and has now returned back to the school he was at before. He played like he never left. The 6-foot-9 forward was relentless on both ends of the floor. Hawkins finished high above the rim on one of the games. He also showed a touch away from the rim. His confidence was through the roof. Look for a solid July from this one.

Jaylon Taylor | Buford | has a new coach and is playing under a new system. This did not matter because this 6-foot-7 wing plays hard regardless. He showed the athleticism some playing in a fast-paced system. This is where Taylor is most effective right now but it is not the only thing he is capable of doing. He can put the ball on the floor and get the basket. His range extends to the three-point line.

Zaylan Chaney | Cass | will be a name to remember by the end of the summer. This 6-foot-6 guard showed some bright spots throughout the weekend where college programs will be intrigued. He has a strong mid-range game, while also being able to post up inside. This versatility will help him be hard to guard. Also, playing under former college coach Byron Taylor, who will have those skills sharpened, makes Chaney someone to watch.

Kashik Brown | Cedar Shoals | is a small guard who plays harder and bigger than his height. The 5-foot-8 point guard is an elusive ball handler with the ability to score at all three-levels. He is a long extension of the head coach. He rocked opponents to sleep this past weekend with his ability to change the pace of the game. This is what he will bring to a program at the next level. 

Denzel Aberdeen | Dr. Phillps (FL) | took advantage of making sure everyone knew his name by the end of the weekend. The 6-foot-4 point guard orchestrated the offense with ease as defenders stumbled to keep up. His offensive arsenal was deep. He was decisive and tactical with every move. There was not much the defense could do against him while Aberdeen showed out. College coaches know his name now.

Riley Kugel | Dr. Phillips (FL) | rang the alarm and woke up any college coach looking for a player with his ability. This 6-foot-5 guard just mixed things up in every way possible. He knocked down jumpers from deep. Drives into the lane for rim rocking dunks. Kugel’s mood never changed. He was focused on performing to be talked about among the coaches in attendance. They and many others will call soon based on what they seen from Kugel.

Jackson Slater | Dr. Phillips (FL) | is a player who could get lost with talented teammates around him. However, when you take a look at this 6-foot guard, you will see a player willing to guard the best ball handler on the opposing team. He makes plays with his feet and quick hands. No, players like him do not get the highlight reels because people talk defense. If one was highlight put together his deflections while forcing errant passes from other guards will make the cut. Do not get it mistaken, he can score through contact but his defense is something coaches will appreciate later than sooner.

Ernest Udeh | Dr. Phillips (FL) | can be described in a phrase, “He is freakin’ good.” This was the consensus among everyone watching this 6-foot-10 center. One thing you can see immediately is the strength. He was stronger than any player at any given time on the court, if not all the time. Udeh put the rim structure to the test with thunderous dunks. When he was not dunking there were soft touches around the rim. Udeh was clearly the best player during the live period event.

Devin Story | Evans | has a skill valued by many college programs. He has the ability to shoot the ball exceptionally well. The 6-foot-3 guard is a natural scorer with range. As coaches see him shoot the ball they will realize his worth. He is a solid defender and not just a scorer.

Brasen James | Evans | is an athletic wing at 6-foot-3. He got gets out in the open floor to finish above the rim or through contact. The mid-range is as automatic as turning on the lights. James can also catch opponents sleeping with his athleticism and lock them down.

Anthony Arrington | Galloway | had coaches intrigued because they have heard so much about him through the pandemic. The 6-foot-3 guard did not disappoint. He showed the ability to score willingly. It comes so natural for him, even when he is the focal point of the opposing teams defensive strategy. He showed a level of toughness through the double teams, which was impressive. Arrington can make plays with or without the ball in his hand all the time. Look for more coaches to lay eyes on him and they will walk away impressed.

Jalen Forrest | Greenforest | has the basketball genes and it shows. This 6-foot-5 combo can play both guard sports fluidly. His body allows him to dominate opponents by sheet pushing the needle on the gas. He then gets into the lane and shows excellent basketball IQ dropping passes off to interior guys or finishing the basket. His court vision puts guys in easy scoring position. 

Johnny (JC) Curry | Hart County | showed exactly what shooters are supposed to do. He shot the leather off the basketball. The 6-foot-4 guard is a bonafide sniper. His level of consistency in hitting shots is why he will become an attractive prospect the remainder of the summer. The Bulldogs offense helps him get those shots off. Something coaches will learn quickly, Curry is a high school high jumper. This athleticism translates on the hardwood. He loves to show those hops off in the open court and on defense. 

Jerome Riley | Lowndes | is a solid looking post player. He is 6-foot-8 and mobile inside. Anyone looking for an interior player may need to take a look at this space eater. He is a game changer with his size in changing shots. The market is good for a player his size. Check him out the next time you see the Vikings on the schedule. 

Izaiyah Nelson | Marietta | played with plenty of energy on both ends of the floor. This 6-foot-8 forward is a defensive menace on the defensive end of the floor. His knack to change the trajectory of shots or rejects them completely. He his a rim runner and an elite finisher above the rim.

Barry Dunning Jr. | McGill Toolen (AL) | is a highly skilled forward. At 6-foot-6, he has a smooth handle and it helps him get into the lane with ease. Dunning keeps pressure on the defense with an array of moves. His length allows him for finishes only a contortionist can complete. He has a Luol Deng-esque vibe. 

Chase Cormier | Milton | has a new location but the production is still the same. The 6-foot-2 guard shot the basketball well enough to gain attention. His shooting and defense complemented the players around him. Cormier’s skill will open up the offense and the eyes of college coaches.

Timothy (TJ) Clark | Newton | is the kind of guard every winning program needs. His motor is always revved up and there is no let up. He just wants to hoop and make sure the Rams opponents does not gain any advantage.

Jerry Deng | Norcross | can flat out shoot. The 6-foot-8 wing stepped inside the sports complex and burned just about every net the Blue Devils played on. He scorched them for at an exceptionally proficient rate. He has an old school flavor to his game and it is effective. There is limited wasted movements only high results.

London Johnson | Norcross | can certainly run a team. He makes things go but at his pace. If he wants to pushing things he will blow by defenders to create. It can be a play to finish for himself or room service assists to teammates. His shot is a problem for defenders because it gets to going they need to decide which to defend. The drive down the lane to a bucket or dump off to someone. Or the jumper between the eyes. Either way, Johnson is going to get what he wants out of the play.

Ven Allen Lubin | Orlando Christian Prep | showed his versatility throughout the weekend. The 6-foot-7 forward was just active on either end of the floor. He never stopped moving or from seeking the basketball. His demeanor on the floor is all business.

Josh Reed | Pace Academy | continues to catch the eye of some of the nations top-programs. The 6-foot-5 forward is just active in every way possible on the floor. He knocks down shots at a proficient rate. Then he runs down rebounds like someone’s life depended on it for survival. He does a lot of things that do not necessarily look sexy but they get the job done. Watch for the recruiting trajectory to continue upward.

Braden Pierce | River Ridge | has made so much improvement since Christmas and it has been impressive. At 7-feet tall, this former baseball player, continues to add to his game. He can play as a traditional back to the basket player or face up and hit the jumper. Pierce is also rejecting shots at a high rate. College programs will certainly want to get in early because the best for him is ahead of him.

Damian Horton | Rockmart | is a stupendous athlete. At 6-foot-10, this power forward never left the paint other than to run to the other side on defense and black several shots. He is fun to watch because there is a dawg and motor in him present this past weekend which made him attractive.

Kyle Burns | Wheeler | has a high motor on either end of the floor. His change of pace speed makes him an issue on offense. He can either get to the lane or stop on a dime. Either way, he will get the basket. Burns gets locked in defensively and makes plays without touching the basketball. If you’re matched up against him rest assure it will not be a boring game.