GDAY Combine loaded with talent
By Robert Alfonso Jr.
ROCHESTER, NY – Basketball talent was at abundance during the G.D.A.Y. Combine this weekend. Players came from Connecticut, Canada, Pennsylvania, Western and Central New York.
They all came with a purpose, which was to elevate their game against some of the best competition around. Basketball in Upstate New York is looking to put its stamp on the radar.
Here is a recap of a few players.
2018 Joe Jones (The Park School/Buffalo, NY) is a developing post player with a grown man body. The 6-foot-8 prospect eats up space on both ends of the floor. Jones posse’s great hands with a strong knack for eating rebounds like apples during the fall harvest. His ability to block shots and re-direct shots makes him a force on the interior. For a big man, he is a passer. Jones is a bona fide Division I prospect. He is also the half-brother of former NBA No. 1 pick Greg Oden.
2018 Jordanny Cuevas Marte (Ithaca High/Ithaca, NY) can flat out put the ball in the basket. He is a crafty combo guard who can get buckets and finish in traffic. The lefty has a nice touch around the basket and from beyond the three-point line. There are parts of Marte’s game that needs to continue improving, as college programs will want to keep track of him.
2018 Thomas Jones (McQuaid High/Rochester, NY) is a 6-foot-5 forward with an old-school game. He is physical and athletic. Jones is not afraid to bang with anyone on either end of the floor.
2018 Jeneethan Williams (U-Prep/Rochester, NY) was the normal high-energy playing self. He is a match up problem for every position he plays inside and out at 6-foot-7. The lefty is fantastic in the open court and plays above the rim. Williams can also extend the floor with a mid-range jumper and from beyond the three-point line. On defense he can be a rim protector with his length. His game resembles that of former Syracuse and NBA standout Derrick Coleman.
2018 Shakell Brown (Bishop Kearney/Rochester, NY) displayed his smooth stroke, strength and toughness. He is a reliable ball handler who can also get to the basket. Brown has range that extends well beyond the three-point line, causing defenders plenty of problems. Easily a college prospect with to watch.
2019 Noah Hutchins (The Park School/Buffalo, NY) is an orchestrator handling the ball at the point. He is a levelheaded floor general with the poise of an emergency room surgeon. Hutchins uses angles on the floor to keep defenders off of him.
2019 Dan Scott (The Park School/Buffalo, NY) is a strong body combo guard. He gets to the rim fearlessly. Scott plays through contact and has a body built to take contact. He is a relentless on ball defender.
2019 Symire Torrence (Syracuse Academy of Science/Syracuse, NY) a pure point guard. He weaves through traffic with ease. His vision puts teammates in strong scoring positions. Torrence can also knockdown the open jumper whenever a defender decides to question his ability to do so.
2019 Noreon Williams (Syracuse Academy of Science/Syracuse, NY) has a bright future ahead of himself. This 6-foot-5 youngster is only 13-years old. While his body has a long way to develop, his game is coming along just nicely. He runs the floor well and plays with a lot of energy. Williams handled his own against some of the stronger players at the combine.
2020 Okay Djamgouz (Canada) is a wiry player with a solid IQ on the court. He is fundamentally sound and runs the floor well. The Canadian native has a decent stroke for his young age.
2021 Jalen Bradburry (Niagra Falls, NY) can flat out handle the ball at the point. When it comes to playing in the open floor, his game is not about wasted dribbles. He is efficient at getting in the lane and finding teammates for easy baskets. If a teammate runs the floor, Bradburry will find them in the tightest places. He can also knockdown a number of open shots.
2020 Andre Jackson (Albany, NY) is a sniper in the making. The young fellas jumper cuts through the net like a hot knife through butter. His mid-range and three-point touch is well beyond his years. As that continues to refine itself and his game matures, Jackson will draw the attention of many colleges. His game resembles that of former Syracuse standout Lawrence Moten.
2020 Dillian Foster (Rochester, NY) has a strong mental game as a point guard. He handles the ball well in pressure. Foster’s development should be fun to watch through the next few years.
2020 Jorr Prince (Albany, NY) gets to the basket with minimal fear.
About the Author
Alfonso
Robert Alfonso Jr. is a graduate of Mount Sait Mary College. He has more than 20 years of journalism experience. Alfonso has helped build a basketball web brand in Georgia and has covered high school through college sports for publications in New York, North Carolina, and Georgia. His mission has always been to uplift the athletes who play sports providing them the exposure needed in this new media platform.