#PrepHoopsLiveATL 10 Hidden Gems Without An Offer Yet
There were a lot of ’23 players at #PrepHoopsLiveATL powered by @PUMA and @hibbettsports looking to get on a college coach’s radar and hopefully get the offers rolling in. There were a lot of hidden gems hoping to be found,…
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Continue ReadingThere were a lot of ’23 players at #PrepHoopsLiveATL powered by @PUMA and @hibbettsports looking to get on a college coach’s radar and hopefully get the offers rolling in. There were a lot of hidden gems hoping to be found, and just in case you are wondering about a few, let me introduce you to ten players who showed promise and potential for the next level, but they do not have any offers yet. Let me say that these players indicated that they did not currently have any offers when they completed the player profile form. Are you ready to learn about these gems… LET’S GO!
Team: New Mexico D1 2023
Instagram: Prashantchouhan08
Twitter: N/A
Prashant was a workhorse in the contest against NEBC ’23. He outworked NEBC post players in every aspect of the game. He posted hard on the low-block, and on his post catches, he was incredibly patient. He waited to see if defenders were doubling and if teammates were cutting. When he saw he was operating one on one, he went to work showing good footwork in the paint. After giving up a double-digit lead, New Mexico went to the man in the middle down the stretch and rode him to a 56-53 victory. Prashant not only scored off the low block as he was given room to work, but he eagerly hit the boards, especially on the offensive end, and got easy put-backs keeping his team out in front late.
He is the epitome of a player that takes no plays off and has the intangibles to go along with an intense passion for going hard every minute he is on the court.
For college coaches looking for a player that can be an impact in the paint, look no further than Prashant.
Here is where he is currently with his grades and testing:
GPA: 3.7
SAT: 1200
Shedrach Makanjuola (6’6/SF/’24)
Team: HBSA 2023
Instagram: Aji_shed
Twitter: @Smakanjuola59
I have put ink on Shedrach before, and his play has remained consistent. He is a player that can do damage on the low block and from the perimeter. He impacts the stat sheet in all areas and is a dominant force in the scoring column. He has a toolbox loaded with tools along with positional size that makes him difficult to defend. He is aggressive no matter what area of the floor he touches the rock as he is looking to get to the rack. He was one of the toughest iso scorers that knew how to utilize his jab step to get defenders to change their stance, and once he had the advantage, he had a quick first step to get by his defender.
He has the size, developing skillset, and court savvy to find his way to a program at the next level.
Shedrach has to continue developing his understanding of spacing and moving without the ball. Being a player that operates most of the game with the ball in his hand, he is rarely required to get open off his cuts. He finished with 19pts in a 38-46 loss to Minnesota Heat ’23.
Regarding his grades and testing, feel free to email me at: terry@prephoopsnext.com.
GPA: N/A
ACT/SAT: N/A
Jordan Edwards Jordan Edwards 6'0" | PG Helena | 2024 AL (6’4/PG)
Team: Mid-Ohio Pumas Price 2023
Instagram: jordan.edwards5
Twitter: @jordanedwards1_
Jordan is a stout guard that plays a physical brand of basketball. In the match-up against Athletes of Influence, he was physically too big and strong for their guards. He is a PG that plays with tremendous confidence and allows the game to come to him while he sets the table for his teammates. He is a pass-first PG with excellent court vision with the ability to make on-time and on-target passes consistently. In the second half of the match-up against AOI, he was more assertive off the bounce looking for his shot, as he had worn down the AOI guards.
When he is in attacking mode and looking for his offense, he has excellent body control in the paint and at the rim.
He did not show a consistent jumper, and that is not to say he does not have one, but when he did take a perimeter shot, he showed good fundamentals in his shot and a release speed that is ok but can be better. He has to continue to work on his handles as he continues working his way to getting eyes from the next level on his game.
Regarding his grades and testing, feel free to email me at: terry@prephoopsnext.com.
GPA: N/A
ACT/SAT: N/A
Team: Athletes of Influence 2024
Instagram: Chris_jamil
Twitter: @Jamil_chris
Chris and his 2024 squad were playing up, and Chris took advantage of the stage and showed his ability to flat-out score the rock. He is a dynamic scorer with very few holes in his game. The question about his ability to shoot the trey ball crossed my mind, but only seeing him once would not be fair to say that he does not have it in his toolbox. He displayed his versatility, athleticism, length, wingspan, and ability to finish at and above the rim, all attributes that college coaches look for in filling out their roster.
He is an iron-willed competitor that is tough off the bounce and lives low on his drives.
He is a player that plays both ends of the court, as he contests shots in the paint, and he is quick off his feet with great shot-blocking timing. At times, Chris is the screener in ball screen action, but he does not roll or pop hard or move into space. There is still some development that has to take place, but Chris is on a good trajectory and should see the offers coming sooner than later.
Here is where he is currently with his grades and testing:
GPA: 3.6
ACT/SAT: N/A
Team: Full Package White 2023
Instagram: dillon_schmidt33
Twitter: @DillonSchmidt10
If you sneak a peek at Dillon’s GPA, you can see that we are talking about an intelligent youngster, and as clever as he is in the classroom, he is just as bright on the court. He has a high IQ, an excellent feel for the game, an understanding of time and score, as well as what is needed for his team possession after possession. During the first half of his team’s game against Just Play Elite ’23, you would have settled that D was just a facilitating PG that is a terrific passer with set-up ability. He plays like a coach on the floor that seems to play a step ahead of his opponent.
He is calm under pressure and was never rattled no matter how aggressive defenders tried to pressure him with their on-ball defense.
He has slick ball-handling skills, one of the best hesi moves I saw the entire weekend, and he took care of the ball, having very few turnovers. As I said earlier, had I not witnessed the second half of this contest, I would have left thinking Dillon was just an outstanding floor general. However, in a close-fought game with his team needing scoring, Dillon took advantage of his scoring opportunities. He dropped 12pts in the second half, finishing the game with 16pts in the 68-57 win. He is definitely a prospect whose stock rose at #PrepHoopsLiveATL.
Here is where he is currently with his grades and testing:
GPA: 4.14
ACT/SAT: Preparing To Take Fall ’22
Team: ENG United 2023
Instagram: Jaytooshifty3
Twitter: @Jayquan_nelson3
ENG had a dynamic starting backcourt with all-around good guard play from most of their guards. Leading the pack was Jay’Quan, an athletic guard who plays more like a shooting guard but is undersized for that particular position. He has great tools in the toolbox and showed his all-around game in the match-up against All In Warriors ’23. His playmaking ability was among the best of all the PGs I saw throughout the weekend. He made some exciting yet tough plays, passes, and shots throughout the contest, showing just how much promise he has for interested college coaches.
He can play on or off the ball and knock down the trey ball, but he is at his best when he breaks down defenders and creates for himself or his teammates.
Despite being 6’0, he has vertical explosion and can get off the floor, which helps with his ability to finish against bigger players in the paint. Being 6’0 requires a greater commitment on the defensive end of the floor from Jay’Quan as he has to be a dog when it comes to his on-ball defense, especially for the next level. He finished with 13pts in a 54-33 win over All In Warriors.
Here is where he is currently with his grades and testing:
GPA: 3.0
ACT/SAT: N/A
Team: IBA Illinois Stars Rogers 2023
Instagram: N/A
Twitter: N/A
Kharon is an athletic up-tempo guard that can score the rock. He is a CG that is a big-time playmaker and makes life easy for his teammates, who often find themselves the recipient of shootable passes from Kharon and open looks because of the level of attention he demands when the ball is in his hands. There is a lot to like about his game, as he has a toolbox loaded with tools at his disposal. He can use either hand in traffic, is a tough iso scorer, especially when he gets going downhill with the type of speed that he possesses, and he just has a knack for knowing how to score the rock in numerous ways.
He has burst, bounce, and speed in his game and can also beat you with his smarts, but make no mistake about it; he is the ultimate bucket-getter.
At the next level, he lacks positional size for the shooting guard spot. Still, with his ability to score and facilitate, it makes him intriguing to have a PG that is a threat to score, especially late in the shot clock, having to create most often in ball-screen action. He finished with 17pts in a 74-60 win over WSM 48ers ’23.
Here is where he is currently with his grades and testing:
GPA: 3.5
ACT: 22
Team: IBA Illinois Stars Rogers 2023
Instagram: N/A
Twitter: @AlexMiller1025
It was just about impossible for me to leave Alex out of this article, even though I just talked about his backcourt partner Kharon Cotton. One thing of immediate importance is that Alex has positional size and is a swingman that can attack inside and out. He is a high-level shot maker that is at his best when doing damage from the perimeter, either from behind the arc or with his mid-range. Despite having a teammate that can share the burden of scoring, Alex, if necessary, can carry a team with his offensive ability. He finished with 29pts in the 74-60 win over WSM 48ers ’23. Alex is a heady player with good basketball instincts and feel for the game. He plays with a lot of confidence and poise, and maybe his skill set gives him the confidence he possesses.
When you know you got ’it,’ there isn’t much that others can do to cause you to doubt, and no matter what WSM threw at Alex, he had an answer.
I know college coaches want to know can he work himself open, and the answer is yes, as he moves well without the ball, knows how to come off screens, and understands how to get enough space to get his shot off on the catch. He has to continue working on his on-ball defense and creating space off the bounce to get his shot off, and I mean this from the perspective of playing at the next level against faster, stronger, and more athletic players than he saw in the match-up I watched him play. Looking for a scorer? Alex is your guy.
Here is where he is currently with his grades and testing:
GPA: 4.4
ACT/SAT: N/A
Team: World Hoops Elite 2023
Instagram: Jamisenyoung
Twitter: @Jamisenyoung0
When it comes to Jamisen, it is simple, blink once, and he is already by you. He has a quick first step and burst off the bounce. He is a playmaker off the bounce that was difficult to contain. He is a PG that balances well his role of facilitating and ability to score. He is tough off the bounce as he keeps defenders off-balance with his change of speed dribble and magician-like handles. He shot the trey ball and made tough shots off the bounce. Whether it is an up-tempo pace or action in the half-court, Jamisen’s instincts are what separates him from others I saw at the same position throughout the weekend.
His intangibles make him a player that will be a reliable floor general and leader at the next level.
In the 69-73 loss to RevUp All-Stars, he finished with 12pts (9pts from behind the arc).
Here is where he is currently with his grades and testing:
GPA: 3.0
ACT/SAT: N/A
Team: Top 1 Basketball Club 2023
Instagram: brendanphillipz
Twitter: N/A
Brendan is a combo guard that can absolutely stroke the rock and has a very good shot selection to go along with his elite shooting ability. Against Savannah Select, he poured in 13 first-half points, with 9 coming from behind the arc. Savannah Select quickly made adjustments, and everywhere BP went, he had a defender in his face. They ran him off the line, and as disruptive as defenders were trying to be, Brendan stayed poised, adjusted his game, and began attacking off the bounce. He went from shooting it from deep to putting the ball on the floor, breaking down defenders, and either hitting open teammates, finishing in the paint, or drawing fouls and getting the line.
He demands so much attention because of his ability to score from deep that lanes are wide open for ball-handlers looking to create off the bounce.
He still has to continue working on his foot speed and play on the defensive end of the floor. Top 1 played a lot of zone due to having only six players, which hid their players from showing what they can do in man defense, but the defensive side of the floor, like many at this age, can be a place of continued growth. At the end of the day, BP is the type of player that teammates love to play with because he is tough and makes life easy for them on the offensive end of the floor.
Here is where he is currently with his grades and testing:
GPA: 3.2
ACT/SAT: N/A