Out of State, But Not Out of Mind

[caption id="attachment_1142702" align="alignleft" width="210"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Ahmad-Nowell-Houston-2.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1142702 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/03/Ahmad-Nowell-Houston-2-210x300.jpg" alt="" width="210" height="300" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="991400" first="Ahmad" last="Nowell"] (C/O 2024) from Houston HS (TN). Photo: Houston HS Athletics[/caption] During late summer 2020 the Covid 19 pandemic cast a cloud of uncertainty on the 2020-21 high school basketball season here in Pennsylvania. As September rolled around, the question as to whether or not a varsity hoops season would take place during a pandemic still lingered. The result of that uncertainty was that a handful of elite basketball prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania transferred out of state to schools that were absolutely going to take the court this winter for games. Today, let’s check in on those home grown elite prospects who elected to bounce out of state for this winter and learn how their seasons are going in places such as Montverde, Florida and Germantown, Tennessee [player_tooltip player_id="990932" first="John" last="Camden"] – 6’8” / Senior / Brewster Academy (NH) / Wing: After missing some time because of a minor injury, the former 4A All-State selection from Archbishop Carroll (Radnor, PA) is holding his own on a nationally competitive roster. What coaches’ love about this athlete is his ability to score the ball in numerous ways. He can draw a defense out with his ability to shoot the 3-ball which will open up the floor for teammates. Or, if the defense plays him tight, Camden can put the ball on the floor and score at the rim. Ohh yeah, his mid-range game is a thing of beauty too. Plus he can rebound. Camden (Memphis commit) has posted several notable performances, but his best by far was a 27 points (7 three-pointers) and 8 rebounds performance in a road win over New Hampton School. Camden’s season has also included games of 19 points (3 three-pointers); 17 points (3 three-pointers); 15 points (3 three-pointers) and 13 points. Brewster Head Coach John Smith says: “John is doing well. He’s worked hard to return to the lineup after a minor injury / rehab process earlier this year. We’re excited for his future. He’s our top perimeter shooter. “ [caption id="attachment_792094" align="alignleft" width="273"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2019/07/Jalen-Duren.jpg"><img class="wp-image-792094" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2019/07/Jalen-Duren-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="273" height="141" /></a> Jalen Duren (C/O 2022) formerly of Roman Catholic.[/caption] Jalen Duren – 6’10” / Junior / Montverde Academy (FL) / Forward: In August 2020 Duren (#2 nationally ranked player in the class of 2022) headlined the list of southeastern Pennsylvania prospects who transferred to out of state schools. The former Roman Catholic (Phila., PA) superstar (17 ppg.) took his talents to Florida and it appears Duren has not missed a beat. Duren continues to dominate games with his size and athletic ability, but according to the MVA coaches he has developed a good mid-range jump shot as well as some face up moves in the post. Duren’s stat line is 11 points and 7 rebounds per game. Performances of note for Duren include: 18 points, 12 boards and 3 blocks in a win over then No. 6 nationally ranked Wasatch Academy (UT); 23 points against a Windermere High (FL 7A powerhouse); and 23 points and 14 rebounds in a dominating win over Bishop Walsh (MD). Montverde Head Coach Kevin Boyle says: “Obviously he has outstanding size and outstanding athleticism. He is a very good rim protector. He is better offensively then most believe. He has a really, really high upside. He has made great progress in staying focused and learning to play hard on every possession. We are trying to grow his game so that he has what he needs to become and NBA player. I am confident, if he is patient with the process and lets his game develop, that he will be a high, high level NBA player and a multiple All-Star.” [player_tooltip player_id="991400" first="Ahmad" last="Nowell"] – 6’0’’ / Freshman / Houston High (TN) / Combo Guard: One of the top Class of 2024 players in Pennsylvania and a nationally ranked prospect, Nowell took his talents to Houston High School in Tennessee where two-time NBA Champion Mike Miller is the head coach. Nowell can rain in threes and attack the rim off the dribble. A physical guard with outstanding handles and footwork, Nowell is also a willing passer who when defenses collapse on him, can kick out to open shooters along the arc. Largely coming off the bench for Houston and operating as a facilitator, Nowell is averaging 11 ppg. and 6 apg. However he has been called on to start multiple games. Nowell was huge off the bench for Houston against then #4 ranked Paul VI, scoring 15 points. He scored 14 points for the Mustangs vs. Bartlett. Against then undefeated and #19 ranked Brentwood Academy, Nowell posted 12 points and provided a much needed burst of energy. Nowell has helped Houston capture a District Championship and the Mustangs (currently ranked #2 in the state) are on a path to a Tennessee state championship. Houston assistant coach Erik Buggs says: “He is a big time talent with a workman’s attitude. The bigger the game, the better he gets. Has provided a key boost coming off with the second unit and finishes most games for us as a closer.” [caption id="attachment_1054710" align="alignleft" width="195"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Difference-Maker-1-Simmons.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1054710 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Difference-Maker-1-Simmons-195x300.jpg" alt="" width="195" height="300" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="991338" first="Shawn" last="Simmons"] (C/O 2023) from Life Center Academy (NJ).[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="991338" first="Shawn" last="Simmons"] – 6’5” / Sophomore / Life Center Academy (NJ) / Wing: The former Friends Central standout (10 ppg in 2019-20) continues to score from all three levels and play above the rim. Additionally he has begun to show 3-point range on his jumper. Because of his athleticism, incredible length and vertical Simmons remains an elite defender and a force on the glass. Simmons is averaging 12.9 pts and 3.3 boards per night for Life Center. His key game so far this season came against Trenton Catholic during which Simmons posted 22 points in a win for LCA. Additionally vs. previously undefeated St. Thomas Aquinas (then ranked #10 in New Jersey), Simmons pushed LCA to a huge upset with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 dimes. Life Center assistant coach Jamil Hawes says: “He is a very good defender and very Athletic (can jump out the gym). Shawn finishes everything at the rim mostly by dunks but if not strong layups. He is a team player, good teammate and very coachable.” [player_tooltip player_id="991189" first="Justice" last="Williams"] – 6’3” / Junior / Montverde Academy (FL) / Point Guard: After the 2019-20 season this super smooth guard (19 ppg. at Roman Catholic last season) was a 1st Team Philadelphia All-City selection and was listed on several sophomore All-America teams. His physical gifts -- length, speed, tremendous athleticism -- are amazing. His skills -- ability to score the ball off the dribble, handles for days and a filthy mid-range game – are elite. In short, Williams high level prospect. However, playing at Montverde, a top ranked national program, is a totally different animal. So, Williams is adjusting to being a role player on a team that is loaded with returning DI prospects. But the adjustment seems to be going smoothly. According to the coaching staff at Montverde, Williams’s game at both ends is developing nicely. He has slid into more of a traditional point guard role and is averaging 5.4 ppg. He posted a season high 11 points in a win over perennial national title contender Oak Hill Academy (VA); 10 points vs. North Florida Educational Institute and 9 against Wasatch Academy (UT). Montverde Head Coach Kevin Boyle says: “He’s come off the bench because we have 3 guards that have been here for two years. Where he has been really impressive is that he has had an incredible attitude and his work ethic is at the next level. He now really understands that he could be and is starting to be an elite defender. He can guard the one, two or three. He is an elite defender at those positions with great lateral quickness, great length and toughness. I think next year he’s going to be a key guy for us, a McDonald’s All-American and I think he has a great chance to be a pro. I am incredibly happy with where he is at and where he is going.”