Southern Jamfest 16U Standouts (Part 1)
It’s that time of year that we all wait for in the state of VA, as the top independent AAU tournament on the east coast came back to Hampton. The Hoop Group Southern Jamfest features some of the top shoe…
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Continue ReadingIt’s that time of year that we all wait for in the state of VA, as the top independent AAU tournament on the east coast came back to Hampton. The Hoop Group Southern Jamfest features some of the top shoe company and independent teams in the country, and is loaded with talent throughout the field.
Here’s a look at part one of some of the standouts in the 16U division.
Kenard Wyche Jr | 5’8” PG | Team Loaded VA 2024
Wyche continues to improve after his breakout junior season where he helped lead Varina to a state championship, and while he’s a small guard he does all oft he things you want a small guard to do. He puts pressure on the ball the length of the floor and can turn ball handlers and turn them over, he gets in the lane and is able to use either hand to finish over taller defenders and he continues to improve as a shooter. He’s a true floor general who impacts the game in winning ways on both ends of the floor.
Tyler Bailey Tyler Bailey 6'3" | PG Oak Hill Academy | 2024 VA | 6’3” WG | Team Loaded VA 2024
Bailey is the best scoring threat on this Loaded VA team, and when he turns it on he’s very difficult to guard and stop as he can ring off buckets in bunches. He’s a strong guard who can get downhill and find his way to the free throw line, he’s able to light it up from deep with his shooting ability and he gets hot quickly and can take over games with his scoring ability. He stays aggressive throughout the game and isn’t afraid to take and make bigs shots on a regular basis.
Eli DeLaurier Eli DeLaurier 6'8" | C Miller School | 2024 #173 Nation VA | 6’8” PF | Team Loaded VA 2024
DeLaurier continues to improve and it’s easy to see why high major coaches are on him already and if he continues this way there’s going to be more and more as well. The 6’8” big is very versatile and plays with a chip, he can get out in transition and run the floor and finish above the rim, he can step out in the half court and knock down threes and he can challenge shots at the rim and rebounds well in traffic. He exudes a lot of toughness playing through bumps and bruises and isn’t afraid to get physical when he needs to.
Shanon Simango Shanon Simango 6'6" | PF Blue Ridge | 2024 State #301 Nation VA | 6’7” PF | Team Loaded VA 2024
Simango is sometimes the forgotten guy on this team, but what he does on the glass and on the defensive end can’t be understated. He’s a monster of a rebounder that pursues the basketball in and out of his area and uses his strength to outmuscle guys for 50-50 balls, he can run the floor and has become more explosive off of two feet around the basket and he finished above the rim regularly and he showed soft touch as well. He’s developing at a rapid pace and could be the next Blue Ridge big that college coaches will love to get involved with.
Brian Ndjonga | 6’8” PF | DC Premier 2024
Ndjonga was a new addition to this Premier team, and the 6’8” forward brings versatility, size and athleticism to this team as well as a lot of long term upside when you look ahead. He’s apparently Joel Embiid’s cousin, and the way he plays can remind you of him a little bit with his ability to run the floor, stretch the floor and his impact on both ends of the floor. He still has a lot of room to improve but his physical and athletic traits make him very intriguing moving forward.
Tay Barbour | 6’4” WG | DC Premier 2024
Barbour is a new name to keep an eye on in the 2024 class as the Osbourne High School product is an emerging elite shooter with good size and he put on a clinic in the win over Team Rio that I watched. Barbour finished with 21 points, hitting 6 three-pointers in the win and showing the ability to get hot and ring off shots consecutively. He has deep range and a quick release, and is very confident in his ability to let it fly and knock them down.