UCExposure Summer Camps: Prospect Recap 1

Coach Russell and his staff of coaches have really been busy this summer, hosting camps all throughout the State of Texas. Uncommon Basketball has set up a unique way of really testing players and getting the most out of them with their UCExposure Camps. It is said that "pressure bust pipes" but pressure also makes diamonds and players have to confront pressure at these camps which makes for a good environment to critique them. Here is what we found out about some of the top prospects that attended, along with Coach Russell’s projections of the college level these prospects would flourish most in. [embed]https://youtu.be/OC3ohShBhOg[/embed] [player_tooltip player_id="959224" first="Jordan" last="Roberts"] 6’3 Guard | South Grand Prairie HS Has a knack for scoring in a variety of ways. Great size for a guard and versatile on the offensive end and defensive end when he locks in. Right now, Coach Russ believes that D2+ Top 25 programs should be all over Jordan. Where he ends up depends on him, once Jordan becomes more consistent on the defensive end and plays with a higher motor his stock will rise quick. Always under control on offense and a tough matchup for any defense (Avg. 24ppg as a Junior) Could easily end up with several LM/MM programs recruiting him in the Spring if he improves in other areas. When coached he does make the adjustment which is positive, but it must come from within to secure the D1 offer. Jordan’s best FIT would be a 4 out 1 in type system where coaches allow the players to push it in the open court and make plays. [player_tooltip player_id="887075" first="John" last="Muhammad"] 6’4 G | Mansfield Legacy HS Great open court wing with size (6’4) and the ability to break down the defense in the open court and finish. Capable of guarding the 2-4 positions on the defensive end and has a high motor which makes him stand out in the UCExposure camp settings. Really good at getting to the basket and finishing in traffic, but must get more consistent from the 3pt line to move up to the D1 Level. His stock will rise as he continues to improve his perimeter game, but a no brainer for D2’s or LM programs in the right system, believe Coach Russell. John’s best FIT would be a man to man pressure D program that likes to turn Defense into Offense. Kenyon Williams 6’6 SF | Euless Trinity HS Top Prospect in the 2021 Class at the DFW Finale. Led his team to the Round Robin Championship by scoring on offense and locking down the best player on the opposing team. A long athletic swing player that has a high ceiling. From the opening drills he was going full speed, talking, competing and having FUN trying to WIN all situations. A 2-Way player that can defend multiple positions and scores in a variety of ways. Needs to get stronger and improve his perimeter shot but his work ethic & upside should get him on lots of D2/LM radars. If he goes JUCO and improves his skill set and can play the 3. Kenyon’s best FIT would be a 4 year program that recruits active tweeners and don’t need sets run for them, or a top JUCO that would transform him into a wing at the next level. Nick Donnelly 6’0 Combo | Flower Mound Marcus HS Nick dominated the skills challenge portion of the camp. This tests a player’s “Will to Win” not just his skill set. Had the overall top score of all my summer camps to kick off a great day! Based on past evaluations, he had a high IQ and could play both the 1 and 2 positions at the next level. A true combo that currently is a D3+ player (Top 25 D3 program) but could easily end up with multiple D2 offers this Spring. At his size he must show he can guard a PG at the next level and that will get him the NAIA D1 or D2+ offer. He’s a scholarship level offensive player right now so keep an eye on his progress. The work ethic, motor & skill set to match makes him one to watch. Nick’s best FIT would be in a program that shoots a lot of 3’s and runs good offensive sets. His IQ and ability to read situations makes him a full ride player in this type of system. [player_tooltip player_id="887061" first="Jake" last="Arnold"] 6’3 Combo | Katy Taylor HS Best overall offensive player at the DFW Camp with good size for a 2 guard. High offensive IQ and consistent 3pt shooter with range. Uses shot fakes and is very crafty when he’s attacking so draws lots of fouls as well. Can flat out score and is a very efficient scorer averaging just over 24ppg in a tough Houston Region. Has to play some PG at the HS level because of his talent but his best position both defensively and offensively will be the 2 in college. He’s a solid off the ball help defender and if he puts more effort into his on-the-ball D he will end up with LM D1 offers this Spring. Jake’s best FIT would be in aprogram that sets multiple screens for their shooters, or uses the 2 as a screener/offensive threat in a motion type HC program. Chris Wiseman 6’6 PF | Langham Creek HS The top power forward at the DFW Camp. Really good at screen and roll action and finishing at the rim. Very competitive kid that plays hard on the defensive end and changes a lot of shots with his effort and shot blocking ability. Won the “Will” Challenge at the camp which puts players in situations without the ball in their hands to evaluate intangibles that help TEAMS win. The toughest competitor usually wins this portion of the camp and Chris won it going away! All day long he attacked the glass, rebounded everything, scored it, and out physicaled opponents throughout the camp. Right now he’s a D2+ prospect but if he goes JC and improves his face up game, he could end up a D1 player. Chris’ best FIT would be a program that uses their 4 man to ball screen and attack the rim on the roll, and a coach looking to improve their interior defense next year. Elijah Bernstein 5’10 PG | Houston Christian HS The top playmaker/PG at the DFW camp in a one day setting. Controls the tempo and has a great change of pace on the offensive end. Knows when to attack and when to shoot it which keeps the defense guessing. Undersized but crafty and can run a team with his versatility to shoot it or drive and dish. If he stays in attack mode and remains aggressive throughout, his stock will rise this year. Definitely one to watch and one of the most intriguing prospects in the August Camps. It’s great when PG’s that can control the game and make others better and Elijah does just that. Not really sure what level he lands at but if you need a TRUE PG in this recruiting class make a trip to Houston Christian and watch this kid. Elijah’s best FIT is an uptempo attacking system that lets the PG make reads in the offense instead of running a set every other possession. His basketball IQ and how he controls pace will translate in this type of program. [player_tooltip player_id="1039561" first="Isaiah" last="Washington"] 6’2 Combo | Judson HS [embed]https://youtu.be/LoSqARG7mR8[/embed] Time and time again Isaiah just displays that he is the best player on the floor. Impacts his team in so many ways on both ends without all the flash. Just an old school player that brings his hard hat to every competition and finds ways to WIN. He shoots the ball with range, can get to the basket and finish and then turns around and wants to shut down the best player on the other team. If he was 2 inches taller there would be LM D1’s bringing him on visits right now. His best is in front of him and he will have a great 4 year career wherever he ends up next season. Just works too hard, embraces coaching and is a relentless competitor on both ends. A player must have “Will” & “Skill” to STAY in school, not to just get an offer. Isaiah has both. Isaiah’s best FIT would be a man to man pressure defensive team that pushes off misses and turns defense into offense. Akhwari “AK” Smith 6’1 Combo | Steele HS AK is a quick and shifty combo that has a really solid mid-range game. Attacks the basket and gets in the paint at will. What stood out with all the coaches/evaluators was his on the ball defense. Showcased he was the top on the ball defender in camp by picking up full court and making the offense work just to get across half court. Must get more consistent with his perimeter shot to really increase his stock but he is tough, athletic and plays on both ends of the court. Right now D3+/NAIA player but if he goes JUCO and hits the weight room and improves his 3, he will end up higher. One to watch early as AK is set to have a big season for Steele. AK’s best FIT would be in a 90+ ppg system where 3 combo type guards play together in the backcourt and pick up full court.