Southern Jamfest 17U Standouts
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…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
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 some of the DMV and NC standouts in the 17U division.
Jamie Kaiser Jamie Kaiser 6'6" | SF IMG Academy | 2023 State #67 Nation FL | 6’5” WG | New World 2023
There may not be a hotter prospect on the east coast, or in the country, in the 2023 class than Kaiser who seems to pick up new offers on a daily basis and this weekend he showed why. The 6’5” wing is wired to go and has no problem going and getting it as he has a great jump shot with beautiful form and consistent shooting from deep, he can put it on the deck and score it in the midrange and he’s an athletic finisher around the rim as well. While he’s a scorer at heart, he also plays with a great motor on both ends of the floor and he did it this weekend against the best of the best in the country.
Baba Mbengue | 7’0” C | New World 2023
Mbengue is one of the most underrated and best unknown big man prospects in the country, as you won’t find many guys with his size that move as well and are as athletic as he is. He did a great job defensively protecting the rim and walling up in the post, he can move off the ball to get open and catch and finish above the rim in the paint and he runs the floor as well as any big his size you will find. He has tons of potential moving forward and has tools many other players just don’t.
Jaeden Mustaf Jaeden Mustaf 6'4" | SG OTE | 2024 #51 Nation GA | 6’3” PG | New World 2024
Mustaf continues to impress this summer and show that he’s one of the top young guards in his class, and he just seems to keep getting better and better every time I watch him. He’s a strong and dynamic guard who gets in the paint at will to make plays, he’s an explosive athlete who can play above the rim when he gets downhill and he puts pressure on the defense and creates off the bounce effortlessly. He has huge two way potential moving forward and will be heavily recruited over the next couple of years.
Khani Rooths Khani Rooths 6'7" | SF IMG Academy | 2024 State #16 Nation FL | 6’7” WF | New World 2024
Rooths continues to show all the potential he has moving forward with his size and skillset at his young age, and he’s starting to find more and more ways to be productive on both ends of the floor. The 6’7” wing has great physical tools and a nice frame that translates to the next level, he can put it on the deck and get to spots to make plays and he can knock down shots from multiple levels and finish at the rim. As he becomes more consistently productive on both ends of the floor he should continue to see his stock rise.
Isaiah Coleman Isaiah Coleman 6'5" | SF Word of God | 2023 State #59 Nation NC | 6’5” WF | Team Loaded NC 2023
Coleman joined this Loaded NC team this weekend and with their star guard Freddie Dilione Freddie Dilione 6'6" | SG Word of God | 2023 #37 Nation NC out with an injury, he was a big addition that helped them to the semifinals before falling to Team Loaded VA. The 6’5” wing from Fredericksburg is one of the top scorers in the area, as he has a smooth jumper both off the catch and off the bounce, he can get to spots and use his size to score over other defenders and he has great confidence to take and make shots throughout the game and in big situations. He filled it up with versatility and from all three levels and put on a scoring display throughout the weekend.
Truman Claytor Truman Claytor 6'6" | SF New Life Christian | 2023 State NC | 6’5” WF | Team Loaded NC 2023
Claytor was another new addition to this Loaded NC team and played with them last year on their 16U team, and he came in and made an immediate impact on the wing as a shot maker and defender. He has good size and a quick release and deep range, he is consistent from deep and can attack closeouts and finish and he has good feel and confidence on both ends of the floor. He will be a welcome addition with his shooting, especially when Dilione comes back from injury.
James Scott James Scott 6'9" | PF EE Smith | 2023 State NC | 6’11” C | Team Loaded NC 2023
When it comes to big men to watch moving forward, Scott is one of the top in the state of NC as he has developed a lot over the past few years and has very intriguing tools. He has good length and size and moves well in the open floor, he can catch and finish above the rim and he’s a good rim protector and moves well laterally on switches. He has a lot of room to continue to get better and will be coveted by division one schools moving forward.