Notebook: Hoop Group Spring Jam Fest
MANHEIM, PA — The Hoop Group Spring Jam Fest brought a wide variety of teams, fans, and coaches to Spooky Nook for the first live evaluation period. The three-day event featured high level competition consisting of teams from various regions across a variety of age groups. Below are 12 players who enhanced their stock as a result of their respective performances.
Geo Baker – 6’3″ PG/SG – DC Blue Devils (NH) 17U (Proctor Academy; 2017)
Geo was a standout on both ends at the Spring Jam Fest. He proved to be a threat on or off the ball as a result of his high IQ and expansive skill set. The talented combo guard displays a confident and efficient jump shot with range to go along with a tight handle and great vision. While he was off the ball, he worked hard to move to open areas of the floor and make himself available for his teammates. He’s a rangy athlete with good length and quickness and reactions, making him a strong defensive presence.
Damian Chong-Qui – 5’9″ PG – Team Choo (MD) 17U (McDonogh; 2017)
Damian showed a supreme level of confidence and skill at the Spring Jam Fest. He was very efficient both off the catch and the bounce from the perimeter, exhibiting good balance to go along with a quick release. The speedster used a crafty handle featuring a devastating hesitation move to get into the paint where he showed strength when finishing through contact, and vision to find open teammates.
Edwin Ebube – 6’7″ Forward – Maryland’s Finest 17U (Episcopal/Lawrenceville; 2017)
Ebube showcased an excellent blend of size, skill, and understanding of the game at the Spring Jam Fest. Defensively, he showed good positioning in help side situations, where he exhibited solid instincts and quick, active hands when reading passing lanes. His versatility was evident offensively, where he utilized nifty footwork and a soft touch to score efficiently on the low block. His perimeter shooting touch was excellent, as he connected on a high rate of shots from the outside.
Jalen Gabbidon – 6’5″ Guard – York Ballers (PA) 17U (Harrisburg Academy; 2017)
Jalen displayed excellent scoring prowess from a variety of areas at the Spring Jam Fest. His efficiency from the perimeter was well noted, where he displayed confidence and range to go along with nice form, balance, and rotation on his jumper. He was crafty and aggressive off the bounce, showing good paint getting ability, and a soft touch as a result of his length and athleticism. His aggression on offense translated to his defense, where he showed a relentless work rate.
Josh Hemmings – 6’6″ Guard/Forward – U15 Northern Kings (CAN) (Crescent; 2020)
Josh immediately stood out at the Spring Jam Fest, where he produced at a high level playing up with the 15U squad. The Canadian eighth grader showed nice footwork on the low block, soft hands, and an efficient jump hook. The 6’6″ lefty was polished out of the triple-threat, where he showcased a strong rip move and a quick first step.
Johnathan McGriff – 5’11” PG – Team Durant (DC) 15U (Bishop McNamara; 2019)
Johnathan is a super handler who is fearless and highly confident at the lead guard spot. The lefty, who controls the ball as if it were on a string, demonstrates good vision and the ability to thread the needle with a variety of passes. The lead guard got into the paint at will, showcasing an explosive first step, and good body control when absorbing contact.
Brandon Mitchell – 6’7″ Forward – Team Loaded 757 (VA) 17U Black (Salem; 2017)
Brandon showed mobility when running the floor, and crashed the boards hard on both ends. The long-limbed forward owns strong hands, which he used to rebounded effectively out of his area. He altered and contested a host of shots, displaying good defensive instincts.
Tshiefu Ngalakulondi – 6’7″ SF – DC Blue Devils (NH) 17U (Proctor Academy; 2017)
Tshiefu is an elite athlete with an impressive touch from the perimeter. The strong, bouncy forward plays above the rim, and crashed the offensive glass hard. He had had several put back dunks at the Spring Jam Fest, seemingly trying to rip the rim off with each attempt. His shot was effective from the catch, and features a quick release. Defensively, he exhibits quick reactions and solid instincts.
Leo O’Boyle – 6’7″ Guard/Forward – JB Hoops Reagan (PA) 16U (Scranton Prep; 2019)
Leo owns a terrific blend of size, skill, and versatility to go along with an awesome understanding and feel for the game. He showed good lateral quickness and mobility defensively, and did a nice job keeping his hands out at the top of the zone. He crashed the boards hard, and secured the ball with strong hands. He’s very unselfish, and showcases good vision and passing skills. His soft touch was well noted both from the perimeter and in the post, where he displayed confidence and efficiency.
Jeffrey Planutis – 6’4″ Guard – JB Hoops Reagan (PA) 16U (Hazelton Area; 2018)
Jeffrey was a potent threat from multiple areas at the Spring Jam Fest. He’s a smooth scorer with a confident shooting touch from 3 point range, and a terrific feel and understanding of the game. He was very alert, active, and constantly in motion off the ball to get open. He utilized ball and head fakes to open up angles which enable him to create for himself or his teammates.
Cormac Ryan – 6’5″ PG/SG – Middlesex Magic (MA) 17U (Milton Academy; 2018)
Playing up with the 17U team, Cormac was a standout at the Spring Jam Fest, owning an intriguing blend of confidence, skill, and intangibles. The athletic, super competitive young guard was regarded as a leader, and was often seen communicating and encouraging his teammates. He displayed a high level of vision in conjunction with a slick handle and solid passing skills. Perhaps his most notable asset was his perimeter jumper, which he stroked with confidence both from the catch and off the bounce.
Jared White – 6’6″ SF – Team Durant (DC) 15U (St. Stephens St. Agnes; 2019)
Jared has grown nearly two inches since the beginning of his freshman year, and he continues to produce in a number of categories.. He’s a solid rebounder who uses his strong hands to pluck the ball out from the air at it’s highest point. His mid-range game was commendable, and he was an effective scorer with his back to the basket. He ran the floor and was consistently active on both ends, displaying good timing and instincts when contesting shots.