Notebook: John Lucas Be Elite Invitational

Notebook: John Lucas Be Elite Invitational

By Darnell ‘Tate’ Johnson

HOUSTON, TX – This years Be Elite was one of the most talented John Lucas camps to date. There were impact players from all classes. The skill and intensity was outstanding. It was good to see kids from over 25 states represented. 

Below is just a few of the standout players:

2025 Caleb Williams 6’6 G (DME Academy) Ruskin, FL

Last year, we had VJ Edgecome & Mikel Brown from SE Elite out of Florida come in and shine in the camp. This year they sent Caleb, an 6’6 point guard, and again they sent a difference maker. He plays under control and at a great pace. He didn’t seem to get rattled at all. He played within himself and very rarely forced anything. I would like to see him become more aggressive on both ends. When the game starts playing up to his ability consistently his stock will start to rise dramatically in peoples eyes.

2025 Sebastian Williams-Adams  6’8 F (St Johns) Houston, TX

We have had the privilege of watching this young man’s game expand over the last few years and its been impressive. He has great size and skill. His IQ for the game has gotten better over the years. He is learn when to play with power and when to finesse. His ability to be a big time playmaker with the ability to score really makes his game valuable to coaches at the next level. He seems to understand with his success, there is now a target on his back at any event he will attend. He relishes at the challenge and rises to the occasion. The growth left in his game is exciting to watch.

2025 Mazi Mosley 6’6 G (St Francis High) Sherman Oaks, CA

He started a little slow and you could tell he was pressing a little early in camp. Once he settled down Mosley showed why his stock has been rising all spring and summer. He plays with great pace and he’s real smooth with the ball. Offensively, he can score in a variety if ways. The court vision was on display this past weekend. He understands the need to get stronger and when that happens his game should take a dramatic leap. I would like to see him more aggressive on defense. Here is a little nugget about Mosley’s game. He started playing competitive basketball two years ago because he was a high caliber baseball player. It shows you when he focuses and dedicates to something, he has a chance to real successful at anything he puts his mind to.

2025 Xavion Staton 7′ C (Sierra Vista) Las Vegas, NV

It was our first time getting a good look at this kid and we were highly impressed with his energy and athleticism. I thought he was exciting with the energy he bought to the camp and the way his game elevated the intensity of his teammates. He made his presence felt in a dominating way on the defensive end. The 7-footer also showed his athleticism switching off to guard multiple positions. He was consistently contesting shots. His limited offensive package should catch up with time, but when he still managed to score around the basket efficiently and aggressively. I look forward to watching his game grow in the next few years.

2025 John Clark 6’8 F (Klein Cain High) Houston, TX

This was only my second time seeing big John Clark play and this time I left highly impressed. His play making skills for a big may be his best attribute. Being able to handle the ball the way he did helped create opportunity for him and others. He plays above the rim on both ends. His defensive focus helped locked down opponents making it difficult for the other team to execute effectively. I expect a real big season and next summer from this big man.

2025 Hudson Greer 6’6 F (Lake Travis) Austin, TX

He was one of the more complete players in camp. Greer will surprise you with his athleticism. He made scoring on the offensive end look easy and it translated to the defensive end as a solid on ball defender. His IQ may have been one of his best attributes. He seems to be a step ahead of his opponents. His game is adaptable as most players enjoyed playing with him. He can dominate without playing selfish. With the versatility in his game, Greer can play in almost any college system. You can see why people in the Lome Star state have been raving about him.

2026 Cameron Ward 6’7 F (Largo High) Largo, MD

He competes at the highest level on both ends. He seems to get to the basket and does it was ease. He doesn’t have problem sharing the spotlight with other high visible players, which makes it easier to shine in a camp setting with other talented players. It’s always exciting watching a young player play who seems to really enjoy playing the game. He is also tenacious on the defensive end. He has plenty of work to do on his offensive game and skill development is a priority but you cannot teach effort.

2025 Preston Wade 6’8 F (Providence Christian) Murfreesboro, TN

He’s been on my radar for the last two years. In the last 2 months he started to put it all together. His most valuable asset is understanding his limitations and playing to his strengths. He thrives and at times dominated on the defensive end altering and/or blocking many shots in the paint. Ninety percent of his came inside the paint due to aggressively attacking the rim. He finally showed some touch from 15 feet in. His post footwork has improved tremendously. The ability to run the floor like a guard from end to end is another big difference maker in his game. An ex-NBA player said Wade reminded him of former NBA player Keon Clark.

2025 Christian Thomas 6’6 WF (C.E. King) Houston, TX

With him coming to Houston this year to attend C.E King high, he just adds to the talent pool in the city. He competes from the jump ball to when the clock shows double zero. He showed the ability to get the basket and finish are draw fouls. He had no problem getting his teammates involved. He always seemed to be in the mix. I watched how he interacted with his teammates and coaches and was highly impressed with his professionalism. His focus and attitude should take him a long way. 

2025 Christoper Cenac Jr 6’10 C (Isadore Newman) New Orleans, LA

This was my first time laying eyes on the big man from Louisiana and he was did not disappoint. He was aggressive all weekend. His footwork in the post smooth helped him finish with either hand inside. He was good at carving out space inside and getting to his spot. Being physical allowed him to fight through the double teams and score. He was decent passing out the double team but it needs to be more consistent. Knocking down the mid range jumper was had no problem for him. Cenac’s size and frame did not hamper him from getting up and down the court. When he locked in he was a major factor on the defensive end. 

2025 F Nigel Walls 6’9’F/C )St. Francis Episcopal) Houston, TX

He showed at times during the camp why many feel he is one of the most skilled bigs in the country. Walls excelled off the bounce from the perimeter and showed his abilities to be a very productive forward offensively and defensively. After watching him for a few years now, i believe that he still doesn’t understand how good he can be.

2025 SG Shelton Henderson 6’5 G/F (Bellaire) Houston, TX

Versatility is the best way to describe his game. At the high school level he displayed the ability to play all 5 positions. Strong and active describes Henderson play too. He’s a true slasher and bullish type guard. I like to see him show more patience on the offensive end. He doesn’t understand there is no need to rush to get to his spot. At times, he struggled with his long range shooting, but is pretty efficient in the mid-range area. When he locks in on defense he can be very disruptive.

2025 SG Legend Smiley 6’5 SG  (Garfield HS) Seattle, WA

He came into the camp as a know shooter. I was more impressed with his playmaking skills. He showed he had NBA range on his jump shot. We knew he was a good defender but didn’t know how versatile with the ability to guard multiple positions. What makes me comfortable about his development, is he has the ability to learn from one of the most talented players to play his position ever, Brandon Roy.

2025 Acaden Lewis 6’3 G (Sidwell High) Washington, DC

He was jet quick with and without the ball. Lewis can score in a variety of ways. He was most effective and impressive when playing downhill, but also showed the ability to play off the ball. While he is lightening quick, there is a level of patience where he lets the game come to him. When his jump shot is on is a very hard guard. I like his physicality and toughness from the guard position.

2025 G DeMarco Johnson 6’4 G (Southern Cal Academy) Los Angeles, CA

When you watch him play there is nothing overwhelming about his game. This is where as an evaluator you can fool yourself. He seems to do everything you want out of a PG. He controls the tempo, seems to consistently make the right play when needed to and took the game over with his scoring ability. Impactful defensively with use of his wingspan at his position. 

2026 Kamani Samuels 6’2 PG (Hamilton Heights) Montreal, Canada

He had an inconsistent weekend but showed flashes of why the Canada National team is excited about him. His quickness from end to end while exhibiting good composure is a strong attribute for a young player. He gets in the lane effectively and avoids trouble with his ability to pull up. His perimeter game has inconsistencies knocked down the occasional 3. He surprised me with his athleticism. You can tell his feel for the game is his best attribute.

2026 Sincere Folk 5’9 PG (South shore High) Brooklyn, NY 

Don’t let his height fool you. He was a problem all camp long. If he was guarding you and you weren’t locked in the ball would disappear. Folk’s quick hands led to a number of steals for easy baskets. His toughness and attitude more than makes up for his height. He stayed in lane making things happen, either getting to the rim and scoring are dropping it off for someone else to finish. His impact on every game I watched was definitely felt on both sides.

2026 Bo Ogden 6’5 G/F (St Michaels Academy) Austin, TX

He bought a toughness and nastiness to the camp with his no nonsense game. His fearless demeanor helped him bang with much bigger players. He has no problem guarding multiple positions. You can tell he’s a coaches son. He can shoot the 3 and can post you up. His game raises the level of his teammates. On the offensive end he doesn’t have wasted moves. He’s aggressive and attacks.

2027 F Lincoln Cosby 6’7 WF  (Overtime Elite) Atlanta, GA

The thing that impresses me most about Lincoln, he doesn’t duck competition even when they are four grades above him. The young man struggle with strength and conditioning and I think this hurt him early on in camp with his in game production. You can see his skill, but he just had problems scoring and getting space against the older kids. Day two of camp there were less physical drills during the different stations and you could see his the freshness during games. He was bouncy and quick finishing baskets along with knocking down some timely jumpers. His plays in defensive lanes well on the defensive end. He oozes potential and its scary how good he can be.

2027 Tyrone Jamison PG (Calvary Baptist Academy) Shreveport, LA

Tyrone stormed on the map a couple years ago as a 7th grader.  He competes like he is a senior in high school. His handles is on a string and gets from baseline to baseline as quick as any guards in his class. He has every offensive tool to his game knocking down floaters consistently when he couldn’t get to the basket. His jumper still needs maturation. He is a headache on the defensive end because of his tenacity and quickness.

2027 Jahari Miller 6′ PG (Overtime Elite) Atlanta, GA

He has a smooth game and plays with patience and a very high IQ. I would’ve like to see him be more aggressive. He didn’t  consistently show his whole package. He has the ability to control the whole game and take over when need be. He has a tremendous upside. The stronger he gets the more his game will grow. When all said and done he should be something special.

2027 O’neal Delancy (Mt. Moriah Christian Fundamental) St Petersburg, FL

He has good size and athleticism at his age and position. Competing against older and bigger players is not a problem for him. He shoots it from deep and attacks the basket looking to score or draw contact. Is ability to defend either guard position makes him a menace. This freshman should have an immediate impact on the high school level. He showed he belong in the step up of talent.

2027 Aaron Britt Jr 6’1 PG (The Villages Charter) Jacksonville, FL

He plays with poise of a high school senior. When you watch a game he immediately catches your eye. He’s one of those players that is good at making difficult shots. His court awareness and vision is very impressive. He can control a game without scoring and this is normally difficult for a freshman. When he locks in on defense he can be very disruptive.