My standouts from the Nike Elite 100 in St. Louis

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ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The latest edition of the Nike Elite 100 wrapped up action late Sunday morning on the Saint Louis University campus.

Actually, it could have been called the “Nike Elite 100 plus three” since there were 103 members of the national classes of 2018 and ’19 on hands – “rising” juniors and sophomores, if you will, come late summer.

The proceedings (drills, practices and games) were well-managed and all instruction from camp coaches was on-target.

Here’s a look at 18 of the players (kind of a random number) that impressed me most.

Remember, I don’t see them (in all instances) as the best 18 “prospects” in the camp but the 18 that caught my eye and impressed me, often for multiple reasons.

Listed alphabetically:

 

2018

Ayo Dosunmu            6-2       Chicago (Morgan Park)

Comments: He made quite the splash for the Mac Irvin Fire squad when it was moved from the 16s EYBL circuit for Week III (Hampton, VA) and he showed why, here. He was the best scorer among the “point guard types”.

Spencer Freedman    6-0       Santa Ana, CA (Mater Dei)

Comments: The slender left hander was the best floor leader and passer here, helping his “Los Angeles” squad to a 10-0 record (along with 6-9 Mater Dei teammate, Michael Wang, he missed the final two games Sunday morning because of their return flight to Southern California).

Joseph Hauser           6-7       Stevens Point, WI (Stevens Point)

Comments: He was the smoothest and most accurate jump shooter – especially from deep – that I watched here.

Kamaka Hepa           6-8       Portland, OR (Jefferson)

Comments: The recent move-in from Alaska was as offensively “skilled” as any “big” here, especially as a passer.

Keldon Johnson        6-4       Sterling, VA (Park View)

Comments: The EYBL on the 17s level (Boo Williams) was another of the exceptional scorers on hand. He was impossible to keep out of the land and his mid-range jump shot was nearly always spot-on, as well.

Louis King                 6-6       Jersey City, NJ (Hudson Catholic)

Comments: King was quite impressive a few weeks ago while playing in the Under Armour Association event (for New Jersey-based Sports U) in Southern California a few weeks ago. He was just as impressive here. His head-up battle with Trenton Watford was one of the more competitive matchups I saw over the weekend.

Thomas Kithier         6-7       Macomb, MI (Dakota)

Comments: Look for his stock among college recruiters – in Big Ten country and beyond – to sky rocket, ASAP. He scored at will at times, both in congested areas in the lane and via jumpers from the short corners or wings.

Jamie Lewis               6-2       Atlanta (Westlake)

Comments: If forced to make designate a “point guard-type” at the event with the best future – over the next two years of high school and into college – this fellow would get the nod.

Jontay Porter             6-9       Seattle (TBD)

Comments: The left hander is big, strong and oh-so assertive as both a scorer (in the low post or via mid- and deep-range jump shots). He and Spencer Freedman made like “Stockton and Malone” during that 10-zip Los Angeles run.

Silvio de Sousa           6-7       Montverde, FL (Academy)

Comments: He was a late arrival (Friday night) to camp and so I just go to watch him with the Oklahoma City squad just once (Saturday evening). He obviously made a strong impressive with his forcefulness and efficiency in and around the lane.

Emmitt Williams        6-6       Bradenton, FL (IMG)

Comments: No one played harder and no one rebounded better than this guy, who had a strong spring season with EACH1 TEACH1 on the 17s EYBL level.

 

2019

Tyger Campbell        5-10     La Porte, IN (La Lumiere)

Comments: I’m not sure what was more impressive over the weekend, his skill as a playmaker and scorer or his blown-out hair style, which would have made a lot of players in the late 60s and 70s quite proud.

Vernon Carey Jr.      6-8       Ft. Lauderdale, FL (University School)

Comments: This buffed (at 236 pounds) left hander looked every bit the part of the “best power forward prospect” at the event, at least in his class. He hit a 3, drove for nifty finish in traffic and swatted a shot on three consecutive possessions in a game I watched Saturday morning.

Chandler Lawson     6-6       Memphis, TN (East)

Comments: He got a lot done (at both ends of the floor), without resorting to shot-hunting or over-handling, in a couple of up-close viewings I got of Lawson and his Miami teammates.

Chol Marial               7-0       Cheshire, CT (Academy)

Comments: There were multiple players of like-size, athletic tools and basketball skills here. But there was only one guy like Marial, who blocked six shots – including three of Jontay Porter’s attempts – ran with the greatest of easet, tossed in a jump hook and even nailed a very deep 3 for Portland against L.A. Friday night. It’s chilling to imagine the impact he’s going to have on every game he plays eventually.

Tyrese Maxey            6-0       Garland, TX (South)

Comments: He tended to play a bit too fast on occasion but defenders struggled to stay in front of him and any attempt to back off of him usually resulted in an on-target jump shot.

Cassius Stanley          6-5       Studio City, CA (Harvard-Westlake)

Comments: A slight ankle twist limited his on-court action but didn’t prevent him from being at his “you’ve got to be kidding”-best as both a leaper, finisher and passer when he was on the floor. There wasn’t a more physically explosive athlete at the event.

Trendon Watford     6-8       Birmingham, AL (Mountain Brook)

Comments: He’s oh-so-skilled and creative as a handler (mostly in navigating his way into a jump shot or drive to the rim). He forced a few shots and pounded his dribble a bit too frequently at times, though.