Proven commodities show off skills at GCBCA Senior Showcase (Part 2)
Some of the top prospects in the class of 2018 were on display on October 5 at the 2017 GCBCA Senior Showcase at Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School.
Dozens of college coaches watched the 82 players run through drills and then scrimmage.
While there was a lot of good talent on hand, I spent some of my time watching two surefire college prospects in Keandre Graves and Tyler Kaminski go through drills came away impressed with both.
Graves, who transferred to Garfield for his senior year after winning a state championship at Lutheran East during his junior year, oozed with confidence and athleticism at the showcase.
Maybe not coincidentally he committed to Central State this weekend, according to his high school coach.
At 6’4” and a solid 200 pounds it appears he could fill out and have the body and athletic ability to play at a low-level Division I school or Division 2. In the 2-on-2 Kentucky drill he was impressive on offense and defense, flashing his ability to get to the basket, help create for a teammate as well as be disruptive on defense.
“I’m on a great team. We’ve got guys going high major Division I and whatever I got to do to adjust and win another state championship is what I’m going to do,” Graves added.
Garfield, coached by Sonny Johnson will be one of the best teams in the state. In addition to Graves, the roster also features 6’9” Alonzo Gaffney, one the best players in the state in the class of 2019 and Brison Waller (2019), 6’8” who is also getting looks from high major D-I programs.
Graves is an attacker on offense.
“He’s a slasher who can really finish and get to the rim,” said Johnson. “He has a great body, is a good shooter and a great student with a GPA over than 3.0 and a tough competitor,” Johnson said.
Another player who lived up to his rep at the showcase was Tyler Kaminski, a 6’ 7” big from Medina. In one drill he showed an uncanny ability to hit the 3-pointer.
Kaminski is expected to be a focal point of his team’s offense. He uses his length to score in the post but can also pop out to the perimeter and hit a 3-pointer, according to his high school coach Chris Hassinger.
“He’s put 20 pounds of muscle on this summer and that’s given him a toughness and edge to score inside this season,” said Hassinger. “He can finish with the right and left hand around the hoop, so he’s also improved his skill a lot.”
“I don’t think he’s done developing,” Hassinger continued. “He’s not going to leave the court unless he’s tired. He’s increased his speed and strength and I think he’s going to surprise people with his scoring.”
Kaminski is currently being recruited by schools from NAIA and Division II as well as a slew of Division III schools, according to his coach.