Top Performers at the Kahari Beaufort Skills Academy (Hartford)

On December 20th, I had the opportunity to attend Kahari Beaufort’s Skills Academy in Hartford, CT, where several high ranking Connecticut-based prospects were in attendance. Who were the top performers from the scrimmage portion of the skills academy? (1) <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/desmond-claude/">[player_tooltip player_id="1081793" first="Desmond" last="Claude"]</a> | 6’5" | Combo-guard with the ability to guard wings | St. Thomas More | Class of 2022 Claude’s performance during the scrimmage session was awe-inspiring. A high flyer with the ability to create off the dribble, he thrives off his versatility.<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG_2787-1-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1608676089.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1105142 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG_2787-1-rotated-crop-3024x1986-1608676089-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> A capable off-hand finisher with an explosive leaping ability, he made several high-level reads as the primary initiator. Still, he was also extremely aggressive on his drives to the paint. On defense, his effort level as the point-of-attack defender was something that I found very impressive. He rarely let his opponent beat him off the dribble and forced several steals. He was engaged and locked in during the scrimmage, as Claude’s ability to become a two-way player is very much in the making. (2) <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/gavin-griffiths/">[player_tooltip player_id="1081855" first="Gavin" last="Griffiths"] </a>| 6’7" | Guard/Wing Combo | Kingswood-Oxford School | 2023 Griffiths seemed to utilize every tool in his offensive arsenal on Sunday afternoon, as he is an effortless elevator and fluid mover in the open floor. He made his shots off the catch while also doing a fair bit of primary creation with the dribble. A promising movement shooter, Griffiths is capable of playing both the guard and wing spots. A bonafide three-level scorer, Griffiths also can run the floor and elevate as he caught several lobs throughout the scrimmage. On defense, Griffiths came up with several steals which led to a quick 9-0 run and seemed willing to take on challenges as the point of attack defender. (3) <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/matt-curtis/">[player_tooltip player_id="1081802" first="Matt" last="Curtis"]</a> | 6’3" | Combo Guard | Northwest Catholic | 2022 Another skilled three-level scorer with a fluid shooting stroke off the dribble, Matty Curtis, also hit a number of shots off the dribble throughout the scrimmage. As a trusted ball-handler, Curtis can create space for himself off the dribble as he also made astute decisions in the pick and roll setting. He has a great understanding of how much of space he needs to operate, both on and off the ball. I was also very impressed with his cadence throughout the scrimmage. Having good control with the ball in his hands, he understands when and when not to push the pace and elevate off one foot in transition. (4) <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/isaiah-earl/">[player_tooltip player_id="1081783" first="Isaiah" last="Earl"]</a> | 6’8" | Big with stretch big potential | Lee Academy | 2022 On both ends, [player_tooltip player_id="1081783" first="Isaiah" last="Earl"] is a force at the rim. Not only did he make a number of successful challenges at the rim, but opponents were hesitant to put up shots in his vicinity. Earl caught lobs, altered shots, and also displayed an impressive face-up game. Perhaps the most impressive play from Earl throughout the scrimmage came during a play where he successfully brought the ball up while being hounded by the smaller guard [player_tooltip player_id="1081776" first="Matt" last="Walker"]. Earl displayed a high-level handle and skill moves during this stretch and while this was only one play, he definitely has the skill set of more than just a traditional rim-running big. (5) <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kazell-stewart/">[player_tooltip player_id="1081709" first="Kazell" last="Stewart"]</a> | 6’6" | Wing with Guard skills | Lee Academy | 2021 As a positionless player, [player_tooltip player_id="1081709" first="Kazell" last="Stewart"] is all go, all the time. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG_2775-rotated.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1105126 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG_2775-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>On one play during the scrimmage, Stewart got his entire head over the rim while also successfully finishing off a lob. He could be the most explosive leaper I’ve seen in person at the high school level, as this makes him a threat on both ends. Outside of his jaw-dropping athletic ability, Stewart took several plays to initiate as the primary creator. With a fluid stroke, he showed the ability to create off the dribble and knock down many self-created midrange shots. He found his teammates on backdoor looks and was always engaged on both sides of the floor. He came up with some come from behind type steals as Stewart plays with a high motor and infectious energy at all times. (6) <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dashon-gittens/">[player_tooltip player_id="1081712" first="Dashon" last="Gittens"]</a> | 6’2" | Combo Guard | Woodstock Academy | 2021 Gittens is another effortless elevator, who made many high-level cuts that caught his defenders sleeping. Even though he can play both guard spots, I liked his work off the ball as a cutter, given his ability to get off the floor with ease. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG_2782-rotated.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1105127 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG_2782-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>The most aggressive slasher at the Skills Academy, Gittens has good control on his spin moves, can stop on a dime, and get up quickly off two feet. He doesn’t need a screen to create space for himself and can finish on both sides of the basket. Gittens also displayed a tight handle, explosive footwork and made good reads from the point guard spot.         (7) <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justin-covington/">[player_tooltip player_id="1081821" first="Justin" last="Covington"]</a> | 6’5" | Combo-guard with the ability to guard wings | St Luke’s | 2022 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG_2788-rotated.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1105128 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG_2788-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1081821" first="Justin" last="Covington"] plays with a controlled cadence. I enjoyed his work as the primary ball-handler as he can initiate out of the pick and roll setting, making many high IQ reads. A versatile player on both sides of the floor, Covington has a complete offensive skillset. With the ball in his hands, he doesn't rush the play. He takes that extra second to see how the defense will react and then makes his decision based on those reads. With wing size but a point handle, he also has a fluid stroke and can knock down shots off the dribble. Covington also showed a high level of effort as a point of attack defender. He was very engaged throughout the practice and in constant communication with his teammates. (8) <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/johnny-mccain/">[player_tooltip player_id="1081825" first="Johnny" last="McCain"]</a> | 6’1" | Combo-guard | Trumbull High | 2022 <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG_2780-rotated.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1105129 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/12/IMG_2780-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a> A lights out shooter with a pure stroke and immaculate mechanics, McCain can get off his shot in very tight windows of space. A microwave shooter, McCain understands the importance of moving without the ball into open space. McCain converted on his looks from the corner with ease. I also really liked how McCain catches high and releases high in pure Duncan Robinson type form. That said, McCain isn't just a catch and shoot threat, as he has point guard skills and can create his shot off the dribble.