BCAT Top 100 Camp: Who stood out?

<p>Saturday marked the first time for the BCAT Top 100 Camp at Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.</p> <p>And the turnout was solid.</p> <p>The top players in the state of Tennessee competed against one another, playing in a total of six games. A lot of Division 1 programs were in attendance. Tennessee, Belmont, Vanderbilt, Iowa State, East Tennessee State, Middle Tennessee State and Ole Miss were among a list of schools in attendance.</p> <p>I just sat back and watched a bulk of Tennessee’s elite talent. Most of the players at the camp I have seen in the past, but there were others I’m just now seeing for the first time.</p> <p>I listed 20 players who stood out to me and following this story will be recruitment stories on the 20 players on my list plus others that didn’t make this list.</p> <p>Here are Tennessee’s best from the BCAT Top 100 Camp:</p> <p><strong>Kameron Jones, ECS</strong>: The 6-foot-4 point guard dazzled his way through the lane whenever he wanted to glide through the air. Jones is very smooth with his ball handles and can shoot from different areas of the floor. He’s really dangerous in the open court. Last season for the Eagles, Jones averaged 19.2 points, 7.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists a game.</p> <p><strong>Philip Dotson, Arlington</strong>: As a freshman last season, Dotson averaged 17.5 points for the Tigers. At the BCAT Top 100 Camp, he made his defenders pay with his outside shooting. Dotson was one of the best jump shooters at the camp, and I expect Dotson to be Arlington’s leading scorer in his sophomore season.</p> <p><strong>Michael Malone Jr.,</strong> <strong>Briarcrest</strong>: Malone Jr. plays hard on both ends of the court. He’s a solid perimeter defender and knows how to run an offense. He did both things on Saturday.</p> <p><strong>Kavion McClain, Arlington</strong>: Like Dotson, McClain is another small point guard that can score. He’s quick and is unstoppable in the open court. It’s going to be interesting to see Dotson and McClain play together in the backcourt for the Tigers this upcoming season. A lot of scoring should come from them.</p> <p><strong>Reese McMullen, Christian Brothers</strong>: McMullen has improved on his ball handling, so he’s no longer just a jump shooter like some people thought he was. McMullen proved at the BCAT Top 100 Camp that he’s more than a spot-up shooter. He’s a facilitator and is close to money as an off-the-dribble jump shooter.</p> <p><strong>T.J. Madlock, Houston</strong>: Madlock continues to be that smart point guard he’s been since the start of his sophomore season. He continues to allow the game to come to him. Madlock made solid passes to his teammates that knew how to finish. Madlock’s mid-range is making some strides as well.</p> <p><strong>Johnathan Lawson, Wooddale</strong>: The 6-7 point forward caught the attention of a lot of D1 programs in attendance. Lawson can see over the defense, he can make outside shots, and he’s one of the best passers in the 2021 class. Former Whitehaven High School head coach and now one of Vanderbilt’s assistant coaches Faragi Phillips made it clear during the camp that he’s impressed with Lawson’s court vision. The Commodores have already offered the Memphis, Tennessee native.</p> <p><strong>Johnathan DeJurnett, Lausanne</strong>: The 6-8 power forward dunked almost everything with force and didn’t care who was in the paint. DeJurnett’s mid-range game makes his offense beneficial for D1 programs. Also, he contests shots on the defensive end.</p> <p><strong>Ryan Wilcox, Hillsboro</strong>: The 6-5 wing is very athletic and made shots from 3-point range. Wilcox had strong finishes at the rim. He has a high motor that will go a long way in college coaches’ eyes.</p> <p><strong>Ty Hurst, Knoxville Carter</strong>: This was my first time watching Hurst, and I came away impressed. The 6-3 guard can shoot the basketball from deep. Hurst is one of the most gifted guards in the 2020 class. His offensive capabilities should get some interests from a lot of college coaches.</p> <p><strong>Jesse Payne, Whitehaven</strong>: The 6-0 point guard is very consistent. Payne brings stability each time he’s on the floor. He’s going to knock down 3s, go after the loose balls and get back on defense. What more can a coach ask for?</p> <p><strong>Jalen Bo Montgomery, Lausanne</strong>: The 6-5 combo guard’s improved jump shot puts him in position for high-major schools to come knocking at his door. Montgomery’s length and athleticism were too much for a lot of his defenders to deal with.</p> <p><strong>Gary Smith Jr., Columbia Academy</strong>: Smith Jr. plays like he’s 6-9 instead of 6-6. He wants the ball as it is coming off the rim. He wants to get out in transition and get easy layups. Smith Jr. doesn’t like settling for jump shots. He is the ultimate competitor. Smith Jr. hates to lose.</p> <p><strong>David Dixon, MAHS</strong>: The 6-8 forward is a stretch four, but he still wants to be a point forward. I don’t get it. Being a stretch four isn’t a bad idea for Dixon. He’s not a great ball handler right now. Dixon’s mid-range game is coming along. When he plays inside the 3-point line, he’s one of the best players in the 2021 class, but when he wants to be guard, a disaster is about to happen. I saw both on Saturday.</p> <p><strong>Mason Miller, Houston</strong>: The 6-8 ½ guard/forward has bounce, something his dad, Mike Miller, didn’t have for part of his NBA career. Mason Miller made jump shots and went to work on the block. Not too many players can block his turnaround jumper.</p> <p><strong>Grant Slatten, White County</strong>: Slatten is an easy 20-point scorer each time he steps onto the floor. He’s very unselfish and can be too unselfish with the type of offensive gift he possesses. Wherever Slatten is on the floor, someone better get in his face.</p> <p><strong>Patrick Smith Jr.:</strong> Smith Jr. is another prized guard in the 2021 class. He’s somewhere between 5-10 and 5-11 with solid ball handles and court vision. Smith Jr. is a slasher, which is where he thrives the most.</p> <p><strong>Tadarius Jacobs, Memphis East</strong>: The 6-1 point guard is continuing to get better. If Jacobs doesn’t grow anymore, he will most likely be able to only play the one position. His aggressiveness on the defensive end and smart shot selections will put him in position to play D1 basketball.</p> <p><strong>Honorable mentions</strong>: <strong>Rodney Mason II</strong> (Bartlett) and <strong>Alex Anderson</strong> (Tipton-Rosemark Academy) were the highlight reels of the camp because of their breakaway dunks in transition. Mason II is a big body at 6-5 and plays defense. Anderson, at 6-6, is very gifted offensively. He proved that late last season during the Rebels’ run in the postseason.</p>