Difference Maker Elite Sessions: September Standouts
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Julian Dunkley working with prospects at his DME sessions. Photo: Difference Maker Elite As you know by now, when prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania and beyond go looking for high level skill training and controlled runs, they head across the river…
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Continue ReadingAs you know by now, when prospects from southeastern Pennsylvania and beyond go looking for high level skill training and controlled runs, they head across the river to Cherry Hill, New Jersey. There former Temple standout, Euro-baller and Jamaican National team member Julian Dunkley is hosting his Difference Maker Elite training sessions and scrimmages.
But Difference Maker Elite runs in September hit a little different.
“With the high school season approaching, I have been incorporating significantly more strength and conditioning work with our strength coach Royce Castro,” Dunkley told me. “We have always emphasized game intensity in all our drills, but that focus is especially important now to prepare the guys for their upcoming seasons,” Dunkley continued.
In our conversation Dunkley and I discussed which area prospects impressed at the Difference Maker Elite sessions during September. Below is a review of six prospects who stood out last month accompanied by an insight or two from Dunkley.
Dean Coleman-Newsome Dean Coleman-Newsome 6'2" | PG Archbishop Carroll | 2023 State PA – 6’4” / Junior / Archbishop Carroll / Team Final EYBL / Combo Guard: Coleman-Newsome is fully recovered from a knee injury that caused him to miss nearly all the 2020-21 season. His return is good news for Carroll and bad news for opposing defenders. Late this past summer and into the fall, Coleman-Newsome reminded everyone that his unique combination of highly efficient 3-point shooting and creative dribbling skills is exceedingly difficult to stop. There is no doubt that Coleman-Newsome can score, but his advanced basketball IQ and his willingness to make the extra pass add a valuable facilitator element to his skill set. A vastly underrated part of Coleman-Newsome’s game is that he is an excellent rebounding guard who can absorb contact and convert on second chance opportunities. To top it all off, Coleman-Newsome used the time he spent rehabbing his knee to add significant muscle to his frame. Fall ball opponents are having a challenging time dealing with his newfound physicality.
Dunkley says: Great first step. As a PG he can really run the show. Puts points on the board when needed. Great finisher.
Khalil Farmer Khalil Farmer PG Roman Catholic | 2022 State PA – 6’4” / Senior / Roman Catholic / Philly Pride National UAA / Shooting Guard: One of the most sought-after shooting guards in Pennsylvania (Nearly 43% on 3PAs this winter; 1st Team All PCL; 2nd Team 6A All-State selection), Farmer has continued to show his filthy scoring abilities this past summer and fall. Farmer is a tremendous offensive player who can get buckets at the rim, in the mid-range or from deep. Just give him the pill and clear out. A nationally ranked player since he was in seventh grade, Farmer is a bigger, more physical style of backcourt player. However, he is still smooth enough to blow by a defender and score off the bounce. Obviously given his before mentioned shooting stats, this prospect can splash the jumper from anywhere on the court. Farmer holds multiple DI offers.
Dunkley says: Consistent mid-range shoot who can knock down threes with the best of them. He shoots the same shot every time, which I love.
Kenny Jackson Kenny Jackson 6'3" | PG #23 Nation PA – 6’4’ / Junior / Academy of the New Church / We R1 UAA / Point Guard: Jackson is a nationally ranked player whose unique guard skills many scouts have compared to Russell Westbrook — only with a much better jump shot. He plays a lightening quick, attacking style of basketball. In the last year, his jump shot has improved significantly, and he is now a legitimate three-point threat. In July at the UA Association Finals Jackson was one of the most talked about scoring guards at that high caliber national event. Despite his abundant scoring abilities, Jackson always figures out how to get his teammates involved. Holds offers from VCU, Maryland, Minnesota, Miami, Penn State, St. John’s, Seton Hall and others.
Dunkley says: Plays downhill with the best of them in the country. Also has a great pull up game.
Carlos Lopez – 6’3’ / Senior / Egg Harbor Township (NJ) / Team Final Black / Point Guard: Lopez (27 ppg. in 2020-21) still has senior season to play at EHT, but he is already committed to Phelps School for a post graduate year in 2022-23. Phelps is getting a superb scoring floor general who uses his filthy handles to get to his spots for easy buckets. Additionally, this lefty can stroke the three pointer all the way out to the NBA line. Lopez can do more than just put points on the scoreboard. When the personnel/defensive scheme warrants it, Lopez will adjust his game and become a distributor who sets up teammates.
Dunkley says: Elite scoring PG. Possesses sneaky athleticism and a great feel for the game.
Shemar Wilbanks-Acqui Shemar Wilbanks-Acqui 6'0" | CG West Catholic | 2023 State PA – 6’2” / Junior / West Catholic / K-Low Elite / Combo Guard: If you witnessed Wilbank-Acqui play last winter for Sankofa Freedom AC or this summer at the Philly HS Live event, then you know this lefty backcourt prospect’s ability to wreck a defense with the dribble drive is second to none. Once Wilbank-Acqui has penetrated the paint and drawn the weak side help, he is extremely creative at distributing the rock to the open teammate. However, if the defensive slide is late, Wilbank-Acqui will not hesitate to lay the ball in. He has flashed the ability to hit from behind the arc, especially via the pull up. In 2020-21 he averaged 11 points and 4.5 rebounds per game for Sankofa.
Dunkley says: Three level scorer. Plays with a high IQ and a ton of heart on both ends of floor.
Matthew Williams – 6’6” / Senior / Lincoln / Philly Pride National UAA / Wing: In 2020-21 Williams was a starter and reliable scoring threat (11 ppg.) for the Railsplitters. But from June through September, he proved that his level of play had jumped up several notches. So, we are expecting substantial contributions from him this winter. Williams is an extremely unique prospect. He possesses tremendous length, good quickness, and the ability to finish over defenders. That trifecta allows him to play as a scoring wing. Yet he also owns the handles, court vision and IQ to burn at the point guard spot for stretches. At the other end, he is a high-level defender who can guard 1 through 4.
Dunkley says: Silky smooth slasher with great mid-range game and developing three-point shot