Chet Mason Invitational Top Performers

<p>The Chet Mason Invitational brought some of the top talent from all over the country to Northeast Ohio. I was there for all five games scouting many future division I basketball players. In this article I’m going to be discussing the top performers from the star studded event.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="809624" first="Elmore" last="James"], 6’3 SG Brush 2022: In the opening game of the day, [player_tooltip player_id="809624" first="Elmore" last="James"] stood out as the Junior has been on a scoring tear this season. James has shown a much improved 3-point shot and has gone from more of a cutter to a bonafide scorer. James unfortunately left the game with a minor injury early in the third quarter, so we didn’t get to see him put up another 30 point game. While the level of competition wasn’t as high as some other games Brush has played this season, it was good to see the consistency that James is showing during his Junior season. He’s emerging as one of the top prospects in Ohio in the 2022 class.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="593905" first="Malaki" last="Branham"], 6’5 SF STVM 2021: Branham had another efficient scoring game against a program with tons of talent in DeMatha. Branham is so good from the mid-range area and shows nice touch on these shots. A physically mature player, Branham is able to get where he wants with jab steps and decisive moves to the basket. I’d like to see Branham become more reliable from behind the 3-point line, but he’s clearly the top prospect in Ohio in the senior class and continues to produce against elite talent.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="904621" first="Rodney" last="Rice"] Jr, 6’4 SG DeMatha 2022: Rice came out firing with 12 points in the first quarter, including a four point play. Rice is dangerous with his off-ball movement and shooting gravity. There were a couple times where Rice was able to get free after help-side defense from the Irish trying to stop dribble drive attacks that led to open 3-point looks. Rice didn’t do much inside the arc in this one, but had one nice dish to a forward when STVM collapsed on a rare drive to the hole from the 6’4 SG. Alongside Rice, [player_tooltip player_id="902004" first="Jordan" last="Hawkins"] and [player_tooltip player_id="777065" first="Tyrell" last="Ward"] shined in the win for DeMatha.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="921740" first="Jamal" last="Sumlin"], 6’2 PG Ypsi Prep 2022: Sumlin has been a favorite of mine and showed his ability to play with elite level talent with Ypsi Prep. Sumlin is a scrappy point guard who isn’t afraid to mix it up in the paint for offensive rebounds. Sumlin shows great patience in the pick and roll and can make some dishes through tight spaces. His feel for the game is obvious when you watch him and I expect him to become a highly sought after mid-major recruit after the AAU season.</p> <p>Dj Jackson, 6’2 SG First Love Christian 2022: Jackson was the only guy keeping First Love in the game as he scored over half their points in the first half. Jackson was working well off ball by running off screens and getting to his spots in the mid-range. Jackson isn’t an elite athlete, but with his shot-making ability, he plays a crucial role for First Love that is stacked with athletes.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="921758" first="Danny" last="Young Jr."] 6’1 PG Shaker Heights 2022: Young was the high scorer from the event, scoring over 30 points in a key victory for the Raiders over previously unbeaten Saint Edward. Young is a talented scorer who can get to the free-throw line at will. Shaker might have a more inexperienced team, but Danny Young has seemed to be capable of winning a district title with whatever group he rolls out so we’ll see if he can recreate that success this March.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="921778" first="Jaiden" last="Cox Holloway"], 6’5 PF Richmond Heights 2022: Cox-Holloway made five 3-pointers in this one, mostly from the corner on catch and shoot opportunities. This is a player I haven’t gotten many evaluations relative to other Northeast Ohio prospects but with this shooting performance I’m buying in on Cox-Holloway being a scholarship level prospect in the 2022 class.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="919019" first="Tyishawn" last="Smiley"], 6’5 PF Warrensville Heights 2021: Smiley came in from Glenville and has fit right in with a Warrensive Heights team that has some very quality wins already this season with their only loss coming to the host of this event. Smiley had one pump-fake from the 3-point line into a mid-range pull-up that really impressed myself. With his size and floor spacing ability, I’m now buying in on Smiley being a potential Division II stretch 4.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="805133" first="Jaden" last="Hameed"], 5’11 PG Warrensville Heights 2021: Hameed had a four point play with under 30 seconds to go to give Warrensville the lead for good. Besides that, Hameed was the leading scorer for the game with 24 points on a handful of 3-pointers. Hameed had a chance to break most VASJ scoring and 3-point records but opted to transfer to Warrensville and has helped the Tigers become a legitimate regional title threat in Division II, being a primary challenger to STVM.</p>