Next Up Recruits Camp: 2021/2022 Standouts
180 players from 16 states descended on Luce Gymnasium at Asbury University on Saturday. Campers went through station work for 2 hours then played 3 games of 5 on 5 over the course of the afternoon. Here are some of the sophomore and freshman standouts from the Next Up Recruits Camp.
Dashawn Jackson, Frederick Douglass (Manimal Elite) – Dashawn just keeps getting better and better as he grows and develops. Jackson can knock down 3s with confidence and get to the rim on about anyone. We could be talking about the best player in Lexington over the next few seasons.
Isaiah Mason, Bowling Green (Manimal Elite) – Mason continues to show his tremendous upside as a slasher and wing defender. Right now the only question is if Isaiah will grow enough to be a true small forward or if he’s going to wind up as a shooting guard. If he doesn’t grow, his handle and shot have to improve.
KJ Crump, University Heights (Manimal Elite) – KJ made the Top 20 All Star Game by being his usual crafty self. KJ makes up for a lack of size with big time quickness and ability to change gears with the ball in his hands.
Trey James, Sheldon Clark (Manimal Elite 17u) – James is bigger than most and uses that to establish his position on offense. Trey still isn’t nearly aggressive enough on the block and wish he would go as hard at other true posts as he does against smaller defenders. You can’t teach size like Trey has and his ceiling is high.
Jaden Rogers, Fern Creek (G3 Grind) – Jaden is a top point guard in a class full of good point guards. Jaden keeps growing and developing and will push to be a top 5 prospect in the class over the next three years.
Aden Slone, Boyle County – Slone is small but he was electric on Saturday. Aden caused one scout in the building to tell me that “Slone may be the best guard in the class.” Boyle County will be young next season and Slone will be one of 3-4 freshmen who see major time on the varsity level next season.
Deajuan Stepp, West Jessamine (Charlotte Court) – Stepp has long been one of my favorites in the 2021 class and his full skill set and motor were on display on Saturday. He’s played out of position the last couple of years in high school as a post but should settle in as a good wing prospect eventually.
Jake Whitlock, Spencer County (Louisville Prospects) – Whitlock does one thing that many in his class haven’t grasped yet. He’s excellent at reading and attacking off a ball screen. Jake is going to be the starting point guard at Spencer County again this season and should develop into a solid college prospect.
Cearius Warren, Southern (The Ville) – Warren isn’t ranked in our 2021 rankings yet but that is about to change in a big way. Warren is long and bouncy at 6’7. He showed some range on his jump shot and a good motor. One of the scouts in the building said he could be the best prospect in 2021 in Kentucky.
Jack Edelen, Ballard (Manimal Elite 2022) – Edelen is small but has an IQ that’s off the charts and is a pest on defense. Jack took a lot of heat recently for announcing his high school commitment on Twitter but make no mistake, the kid can play. If he can grow, he projects as a D1 point guard.
James Mckensie, Tates Creek (Charlotte Court) – James is very long at about 6’5. He didn’t flash much athleticism but he has some wing skills and will have a chance to impress on a Tates Creek team that should be greatly improved this year.
Danye Frazier, Madisonville-North Hopkins (Madisonville Elite 2022) – Frazier competed all day long. In the drills portion of the day, Danye went head to head with KJ Crump most of the morning and that will only make him better. Danye’s shot mechanics need some work but he has a long time to get them right as he grows and develops.
Jackson Twombly, Franklin County (Darius Miller Elite) – Jackson is a big body that looks like he could be a 2020 prospect. Twombly will only be a freshman this season but his game is seasoned and he showed polished post moves in individual drills. Jackson will be a name to know for the next 4 years.