Difference Maker Elite Sessions: August Standouts

[caption id="attachment_1279574" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Difference-Maker-2021.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1279574 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Difference-Maker-2021-300x180.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="180" /></a> Julian Dunkley providing instruction at a recent DM Elite session. Photo: @differencemakers1[/caption] When the summer grassroots circuit concludes at the end of July, prospects from the Philadelphia area and beyond go looking for high level skill training and controlled runs. In the last few years, many of them have learned that crossing the river into Cherry Hill, New Jersey is the right move. That’s where former Temple / Maine college standout, Euro-baller and Jamaican National team member Julian Dunkley and his Difference Maker program host their elite training sessions and scrimmages. Area hoops heads know, and social media has confirmed, that the competition at the DM Elite sessions in Cherry Hill is second to none. Yesterday we connected with Dunkley to discuss which area prospects impressed at the Difference Maker Elite sessions during August. Below is a review of those names accompanied by an insight or two from Dunkley. [player_tooltip player_id="991197" first="Jaheim" last="Bethea"] – 6’0” / Senior / Math Civics & Sciences / Team Final EYBL / Point Guard: A high basketball IQ lead guard, Bethea was a huge part of MCS run to the PIAA state semifinals and he continued to impress this summer. Bethea can score at all three levels but has great feel for when to distribute the rock to an open teammate. He excels at pushing the ball on the fast break, but he is very capable of orchestrating a team’s half court sets. After a string of standout performances in July and August, the offers should come pouring in for this prospect. Dunkley says: A pure point guard who can really score it. He is set for a huge season this winter. [player_tooltip player_id="991188" first="Jameel" last="Brown"] – 6’4’ / Senior / Westtown School / Team Final EYBL / Combo Guard: This 2020-21 1st Team All-State selection (at Haverford School) owns elite long-range shooting as well as a high basketball IQ and off-the-charts athleticism. As a bonus, Brown does outstanding work on the boards. For years now he has displayed the ability to take over a game without forcing the action or playing hero ball. This past summer Brown ran with the deep and talented Team Final EYBL 17U team (Jalen Duren; [player_tooltip player_id="991185" first="Dereck" last="Lively II"]; [player_tooltip player_id="991189" first="Justice" last="Williams"]; etc.) and he still managed to turn heads. In late August Brown committed to Penn State and he was a program defining “get” for the Nittany Lions. Dunkley says: Superb combo guard who competes every possession. He can really fill it up from the perimeter. [caption id="attachment_1208063" align="alignleft" width="257"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Edwards-Justin-crop-3226x2118-1622819996.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1208063" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Edwards-Justin-crop-3226x2118-1622819996-300x197.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id=" width="257" height="169" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="991341" first="Justin" last="Edwards"] of Imhotep and Team Final EYBL.[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="991341" first="Justin" last="Edwards"] – 6’7’ / Junior / Imhotep Charter / Team Final EYBL / Wing: Edwards had arguably the best July of any 2023 prospect in the area and according to Dunkley, he continued to play extremely well in August. His attacking style applies constant pressure on opponents. If a defender sags off to prevent Edwards from getting to the rim, he will use that space to knock down threes off the dribble. Edwards has excellent court vision and passing instincts so distributing the ball comes naturally. He’s also been known to throw down highlight reel dunks on people’s heads. Dunkley says: This lefty is a scorer with a great stroke. Has also displayed great leadership skills. [player_tooltip player_id="933733" first="Darrien" last="Grady"] – 5’10’ / Junior / Shipley School / We R1 UAA / Point Guard: When Grady isn’t hitting stand still threes from way downtown, he is scoring off the dribble in the mid-range or at the cup. Basically, he is a walking bucket. Grady is ultra-quick and has a high basketball IQ. When you combine all those items you get a filthy lead guard prospect. Keep a close eye on this prospect during the fall/winter seasons. Dunkley says: Can’t forget Grady. He’s a high-level shooter who really knows how to run a team. [player_tooltip player_id="991425" first="Moses" last="Hipps"] – 6’1’ / Sophomore / Archbishop Carroll / Team Final EYBL / Combo Guard: Widely regarded as one of the automatic 3-point shooters in the region, this summer Hipps put his crafty ball handling and precise distribution skills on full display proving that he is one of the best all-around guards in Pennsylvania. His offensive skills are complimented by great instincts for the game and a willingness to play tenacious defense. Basically, Hipps is the complete package. We’d argue he is one of the top guards in the country. Dunkley says: Best shooter in the state of Pennsylvania. Major DI prospect. Unlimited potential. [caption id="attachment_1256732" align="alignleft" width="240"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Elmarko-Jackson-crop-3013x1978-1627953482.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1256732" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Elmarko-Jackson-crop-3013x1978-1627953482-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="159" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1119147" first="Elmarko" last="Jackson"] of ANC and WeR1.[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="1119147" first="Elmarko" last="Jackson"] – 6’3’ / Junior / Academy of the New Church / We R1 UAA / Point Guard: Jackson is a unique guard who many have compared to Russell Westbrook -- only with a much better jump shot. He plays a lightening quick, downhill style of basketball. In the last year, his jump shot has improved significantly, and he is now a legitimate three-point threat. Despite his abundance of scoring abilities, Jackson always figures out how to get his teammates involved. Holds offers from VCU, Maryland, Minnesota, Miami, Penn State, St. John’s, and others. Dunkley says: Special ability to run the point. Has great mid-range shooting. [player_tooltip player_id="1119136" first="Trey" last="O’Neil"] – 6’3’ / Sophomore / Hill School / NJ Scholars Elite / Point Guard: O’Neil is a combo guard whose ability to create scoring opportunities for himself or teammates is next level. He possesses silky smooth shooting mechanics and a soft touch. Thus he can knock down threes, mid-range jumpers and floaters. O’Neil has also displayed a high basketball IQ and remarkable dribbling skills. Dunkley says: Hill School’s version of Trae Young. This kid is for real. He has a special skill set. Wisler Sanon, II – 6’3” / Post Grad / Phelps School / Philly Pride National UAA / Combo Guard: This name should come as no surprise as Sanon was tremendous for Philly Pride on the July circuit. He can splash home threes or use his handles to weave through traffic with for buckets in the paint. The growth in his game over the last year has been amazing to witness. As a result of his superb play this summer, Sanon picked up several DI offers. Dunkley says: Wisler is the best on ball defender in the area. He is also great shooting the 3-ball off the dribble. Landon Shivers – 6’9” / Senior / Life Center Academy (NJ) / Team Final Black / Center: If a prospect from Jersey is mentioned in this article, it’s because he really earned it. Shivers’ stock rose significantly during July / August and he shows no signs of leveling off. Right now, Shivers is classified as a center and there’s no doubt he can play on the inside. Still, because of his ability operate on the perimeter -- either by stroking threes at a high percentage or using a head fake to set up a drive to the cup -- we think he projects as a stretch-4 at the next level. Either way, some college program is getting one hell of a player. Dunkley says: He competes at a high level. Finishes off plays with dunks against any level of competition.