Flying under the radar: Mayhem in the Plex

Chris Francis

May 14, 2019 @ 04:45 PM

In big tournaments such as Mayhem in the Plex, it’s our job to make sure we cover all players. Guys do fly under the radar, for many different reasons, but Prep Hoops are the best at exposing those guys. This tournament was huge, full of talent, after speaking to a few kids, most didn’t have any offers at the time. Here are a few guys who should have some offers by the end of summer if they keep up the hard work.   Jakob Hester- 6’7-2020- Anclote HS, Team Speights. At 6’7 Hester is a kid with a bright future in basketball. He really impressed me with his ability to post up on bigger or smaller players. His moves on the block imitated players such as Kyle Singler and Mason Plumlee. He was great in the short corner, catching dump offs and powering up to finish at the rim. If he needed to dribble, he made sure not to wast any dribbles and got right to his spot. A junk yard dog on the glass, there wasn’t many rebounds he got out worked for. He knows his game, he knows his moves and doesn’t force issues. Defensively he made plays on the ball and at the rim. Great communicator on ball screens and in help defense. Plays above the rim, can drop stop and flush, as well as dunking put back rebounds. Everything in a player a coach would want. Hester did pick up an offer from the University of Science and Arts Of Oklahoma, an NAIA D1 school located in Chickasha OK, should be more to come. Jake Dukes- 6’5-2020- Frisco Memorial, All Day Elite 17U. A kid who grabbed my attention by pulling down 10 boards and putting up 24 points to go with it. Jake Dukes is doing all the fundamentals a college coach teaches at the next level. Although undersized, he did most of his damage on the block and in transition. I think he can transition into a forward and a stretch four. Dukes did show he can knock a jumper down consistently. His ability to rebound is going to spark interest in college coaches. He rebounds with two hands, a big fundamental that most kids struggle with. A kid who is flying under the radar, but will have a shot if he keeps working hard. Daylen Stewart-6’4-2020- Frisco Memorial, All Day Elite 17U. Probably one of the best take overs I seen at the Mayhem in the Plex. Daylen took over when his team needed it the most. Scoring three layups and a step back 3 pushed his team to victory, while he needed up with 17 points. Eleven of those points came in the second half when he got lose. Driving in the lane, cutting through the defense while finishing at the rim. Floaters, reverse layups, mid range jumpers and a step back 3 is all in his package. Stewart standing 6’4, will give him a shot at popping up on some radars. Jayln Todd-6’5-2020- Deer Creek HS, Oklahoma Eagles 17U. A very athletic player, his rim rattling two hand dunk had the crowd on their feet. Running on the fast break, Todd uses his athleticism to elevate and score over defenders. He has soft touch around the rim and nice touch off the glass. Very strong athlete, defensively he went up against taller guys in the post and held his own. Opposing post players have problems scoring on him because of how well Todd uses his strength. Developing a jump shot that will extend past the three point line will be critical in his recruiting. He did take a few jump shots, but his best attribute is on the block or in transition. Donerio Davenport-6’2-2021- Mansfield HS, Team FOE 17U. An impressive style of play, Davenport at 6’2 will need to keep his solid play up. Competing in the big State of Texas, he is a kid that’s flying under the radar. That’s ok though, he has time, playing up against 17U players, is just helping his stock rise. Davenport has a tremendous upside to his game. Playing point guard for his squad, he knows how to create for himself and others on his team. Not afraid of banging inside, he will also go up and rebound with the best of them. Great range on his jump shot and his ability to handle the rock, will make him a college prospect. Knowing how to read the ball screen defense, he knows when and when not to reject coming off the screen. Hits the post rolling to the rim, makes the pass to the guard rolling up, great eyes on Davenport. Keep an eye on him, he could have a break out summer.