Midwest Invitational: Missouri Prospects
PrepHoops was in the house over the weekend at the Ramey-Jets United Midwest Showdown at Belleville East High School. The event featured many of the top players from Illinois and the St. Louis area. Here is our scouting report on the top Missouri prospects in attendance!
SF Torrence Watson (Whitfield – 2018)
The Whitfield 6’5” small forward had his full offensive game on display for Ramey-Jets United. Watson has a physical frame with great strength in his upper body. For carrying all of that strength he is a quality athlete. Watson showed off his athleticism with several big slams including a few monster alley-oop jams. The wing has the ability to score in a variety of ways. Got out in transition for a few finishes off passes from his running mate Courtney Ramey. His jump shot was on point. Probably the best we have seen him shoot it as he can be a bit steaky at times. Although the defense wasn’t the greatest he was going up against he got clean looks from wherever he wanted on the floor. Drilled pull up jumpers from both mid-range and three. Also connected on several spot up threes. Sound form on his shot. The bulky wing has strength to finish at the rim. High-major prospect.
PG Courtney Ramey (Webster Groves – 2018 – Louisville)
The Louisville commit showed why he is a five star prospect nationally. The 6’4” point guard has long arms and size for the lead guard spot. Will need to continue to add strength to play in the ACC. Ramey is an elite point guard prospect that can both score and pass. His vision and feel for the game are advanced at a young age. Ramey is an excellent facilitator finding his teammates and putting them in positions to score. We were really impressed with his transition passing in particular at this event. Made multiple full length passes on the money for assists. Knows how to run a team in the half court as well getting his team in their sets and making quality decisions with the rock. When looking to score he is a bit streaky as a perimeter shooter, but was on at this event. Hit threes from all over the floor mostly off the catch. Slick handles allow him to get in the lane where he makes plays for himself and others. Ramey is one of the premier point guards in the 2018 class nationally.
PF Gaven Pinkley (Hillsboro – 2018)
Pinkley is a skilled 6’8” face up four man. He is intriguing with his physical profile with size, length, broad shoulders, and solid athleticism. The Hillsboro power forward can beat a team in a variety of ways. Really impressed with how well he runs the floor. Pinkley consistently gets up and down the floor with ease beating opposing big men down the court. He is rewarded many times for it with passes that he converts at the rim. The forward is a floor stretcher with his perimeter shot. Clean looking jump shot. Effective drilling threes off the catch and in pick and pop situations. Active offensive rebounder that gets second chance points. Flashes skill in the post, but is most effective as a face up man that can shoot and put it on the deck a couple times. Mid-major prospect.
PF Yahuza Rasas (St. Mary’s – 2018)
Big fan of this 6’6” power forward. We saw him during the high school season and he brings a lot of the same qualities to his Ramey-Jets United team. Rasas is an energy four man that has a big time motor! He is constantly moving and plays hard every possession. Sometimes he lacks basketball IQ, but makes up for it with how hard he plays. The athletic post is a plus rebounder that snatches them with his strong hands and high points them. Fights hard on the defensive end getting under his opponents skin. Moves laterally on the defensive end and is more than comfortable defending a ball screen. Offensively he is fairly raw with most of his points coming on put backs and dump offs. Does flash however including a high/low finish and a nice spinning mid-range jumper. Should be on the low-major radar for schools looking to bring toughness and athleticism at the power forward spot.
PF Leon Perry (Confluence – 2018)
What a showing for Perry! The 6’7” forward put on a show against the Jets. He is a long and lanky forward that is well built with broad shoulders. Seems like a consistent motor play in and play out is an area that he could improve, but there is no doubting this kids raw talent. Handles it well for his size and got to the hoop slashing throughout the game as a face up power forward. Can hit a jumper on occasion as he drilled a couple threes. Rebounds in traffic and got on the offensive glass for a few put backs. Defensively projects well as a shot blocker that has mobility to hold up in a ball screen. Based off purely this performance he has D1 talent that should be looked at by low-majors. Was told he is an inconsistent player game to game from others.
PF Trey Jenkins (Sikeston – 2019)
Big fan of what this 6’7” power forward brings to the table. Jenkins is a projectable four man that has a lot of tools to like. He is a floor spacing four man that has the ability to knock down pick and pop threes with ease. Smooth and effortless perimeter stroke. Also is an outstanding offensive rebounder with a quick second jump. Gets multiple offensive rebound put backs a game. High points rebounds in traffic. Runs the floor with ease. Defensively he will need to continue to add strength which he has the frame to do to hold up against posts at the next level. The plus athlete is a shot blocking presence that can swat them with a quick twitched bounce off the floor. Mid-major prospect.
PG Kobe Clark (Vashon – 2020)
Clark is a 6’5” freshman that we had been told could be the next big time point guard out of the STL. He certainly has great size for the position along with length. Looks the part. When we saw him he was looking more to set others up than score. Nice feel for the game and didn’t force things as a scorer or passer. Plays very calm and under control. Clark did hit a three showing good mechanics and rhythm. Defensively was active with his hands and moves well laterally staying in front of his man. Used his length to cause havoc. Potential D1 prospect.
SF Cameron Fletcher (Vashon – 2020)
Fletcher is another Vashon 2020 to track. This 6’5” small forward is a long and lean young wing. Was comfortable attacking off the bounce. Slasher that also likes to get out in transition. Had several finishes getting up and down the floor including a big dunk off a steal. Potential on jump shot. At times seems to short arm shot. Quick second jump to the glass. Plus athlete is one to track down the line.
PF Elijah Bishop (Soldan – 2020)
This Soldan 6’6” power forward ran with the Jets-Ramey 15U second unit, but really stood out. Bishop has a strong body along with decent length. Plus area rebounder that plays with a motor. Got on the glass for multiple offensive rebound put backs. Classic junk yard dog!