UAA NOTEBOOK: Players carve name out in NY

UAA NOTEBOOK: Players carve name out in NY

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

ARDSLEY, NY – New York has the reputation of giving individuals the stage to make a name for themselves. Under Armour Association Session III gave a number of players the same opportunity where #RepsAreEarned.

Some players came to the Big Apple with a name, while others took a bite out of it to grab some people’s attention.

Here are some notable names to watch.

Trevon Duval (2017) – St. Benedict’s (NJ) Prep/WeR1 – is a true table setter. He gets guys in position to scorer while setting the tone, regardless of what defense being thrown at him. His sneaky athleticism comes into play when he is getting to the bucket to finish many times above the rim. He can hit the jumper, which will be a defenders nightmare when guarding him. Virginia Tech, Penn State, Michigan State, South Carolina, Missouri, Maryland, St. Joseph’s, Rhode Island, Temple and Providence have currently offered.

Aaron Augustine (2016) – Peachtree Ridge (GA) High/Atlanta Xpress – continues to show his ability to see the floor. He finds teammates in comfortable scoring positions. The New York native, who was glad to be back playing in front of family, has a knack at getting to the rim. He holds offers from Georgia Southern, Middle Tennessee State, Detroit, Furman, Georgia State and Mercer.

Kwe Parker (2016) – Wesleyan Christian (NC) Academy/Team Felton – was on loaner this weekend. The 6-foot-2 shooting guard showed all his athletic ability throughout the session. He also displayed solid leadership off the court. His list of offers include Wake Forest, Boston College, Clemson, Western Carolina, Florida State, Rutgers, Kansas State, Nebraska, Charlotte, Virginia Tech and Old Dominion.

Isaiah Washington (2016) – St. Raymond/New Heights – is a heady point guard with excellent poise. The Ravens product knows when to shift gears and put defenders on their heels. He holds offers from Providence and Minnesota.

Josh Howard (2016) – Providence Day/Team CLT – has fantastic size and high motor. He is a prospect many college coaches will be interested in getting. He has offers from teams in the Patriot and Ivy League.

Caheim Brown (2016) – St. Raymond (NY) HS/Juice All-Stars – could easily be one of the most undervalued players in the Empire State. The 6-foot-X gets to the basket and absorbs contact well. He is a scorer from all three levels of the floor. The Ravens standout is a blue-collar style player with a chip on his shoulder. Manhattan, Hofstra, Iona and Seton Hall have offered him.

Kevon Tucker (2016) – Dacula (GA) High/Atlanta Xpress – is a flat out bucket getter. The 6-foot-4 New York native was back to put on a show. He knocked down shots with efficiency, while absorbing contact like a sponge. Maryland-Eastern Shore, Middle Tennessee St, William & Mary, Northeastern, Georgia St, Charlotte and Tulsa have all offered the Falcons standout.

Jimmy Sotos (2017) – Conant (IL) High/Young Legends – was one of the most fearless shooters on the weekend. The 5-foot-11 guard has as good a range on his jumper as anyone in the 16U division. He knocked down some shots in the final game on Sunday against Team Breakdown that had House of Sports buzzing. He is able to create on his own but his quick release can be hard to defend.

Donald Cannon-Flores (2017) – Lincoln (NY) High/New Heights – was making his UAA debut and did not disappoint. The shifty floor general understands how to handle pressure. He can also keep defenders off balance with his ability to attack the basket. UNC Wilmington has offered with interest from Seton Hall, Miami and Providence. Look for the Coney Island native to pick up some more offers as he develops.

Bol Bol (2018) (pictured above) – Bishop Miege (KS)/KC Run GMC – is a spitting image of his father former NBA standout Manute Bol, who passed away in 2010. His son, however, is doing the family name proud. The 6-foot-10 center is a tenacious shot-blocker with excellent timing. He runs the floor well and has a nice jumper. Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wake Forest have expressed interest.

Hamidou Diallo (2017) – Putnam Science Academy (CT)/NY Jayhawks – is a strong athlete with the ability to finish above the rim. He knocks down shots and really puts defenders on their heels. Wake Forest, Seton Hall, VCU, Iowa State, UMass, Providence, Minnesota, Temple, Duquesne, St. Peter’s, Southern Cal, St. John’s, Iona, Cal-State Bakersfield, Fairfield, UConn and St. Bonaventure.

Sunday Okeke (2017) – Greens Farms Academy (CT)/New Heights – does not make things a breeze for opponents. The 6-foot-8 post is a headache on both ends of the floor. He has excellent feet on the inside with the ability to put it on the floor. Defensively, Okeke is either blocking a shot or changing the trajectory of one.

Nazreon Reid (2018) – Roselle (NJ) Catholic/Sports U – showed plenty skills of being a traditional big man block shots and eating space on both ends of the floor. Iowa, Oklahoma, Virginia, Villanova, St. John’s, LSU, Kansas, UConn, Maryland, North Carolina State and Seton Hall.

Jayce Johnson (2016) – Santa Monica (CA)/Earl Watson Elite – was impressive the entire weekend. The 6-fot-10 post has a No Fear approach to his game. He fights for position finishes well around the basket. His ability to rebound out of his area is impressive as well. Arizona St, Auburn, Boise State, Cal State Northridge, California, Gonzaga, NC State, Tulsa, Portland, Nevada, UNLV, Utah and Washington St have offered.

Elias Harden (2017) – Sandy Creek (GA) High/Atlanta Xpress – is a shooting guard that will generate some serious attention for years to come. The rising junior knows how to play both guard spots with comfort. His length allows him to finish with ease inside, while also giving him open looks from the perimeter. Auburn, Wofford, Georgia Tech has offered. Tennessee, Georgia, Cincinnati and LSU have inquired about this youngster.

Jerald Butler (2017) – Westminster Academy (FL)/Florida Vipers – is a strong a guard in the 16U division one will find. He handles physical play well and absorbs blows with no problem. His ability to remain focus helps him finish shots in the mid-range are and at the rim. He is also a solid rebounder. Binghamton has offered. Wake Forest, Florida State, Columbia and Yale have expressed interest in the Florida native.

Preston Horne (2017) – Tift County (GA) High/Atlanta Xpress – is a grown man on the interior. At 6-foot-5 or so, he plays above the rim. Horne is a relentless rebounder on the glass. He does not shy away from any contact and will give you everything you want on both ends of the floor. Currently he does not have any offers but if teams are looking for a glue guy when things are going array, you might want to check in on this South Georgia prospect.