#ThrowBackThursday: Coach K Combine

On this #ThrowBackThursday, I am going to dive into a few standouts that were at the Coach K Combine in Nashville, TN, last month.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/PH-Cortez-Graham-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/PH-Cortez-Graham-C-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1664787" width="256" height="256"/></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1259396' first='Cortez' last='Graham'] Howard (6'4/PG/'25/Hillsboro HS)   Instagram: iamcortezgrahamh   Twitter: @cgraham1251   I have put ink on Cortez before, and I have to admit that his game has grown tremendously. He has really evolved into a prolific scorer that has good positional size. He is a high-volume threat from the perimeter as he shoots the rock well and is a difficult cover off the bounce. The part of Cortez's game that has coaches at the next level starting to take a lot more notice is his versatility and ability to defend multiple positions. He is a do it all type of player when on the floor that can fill up the stat sheet. I spoke with Cortez about how the season is going so far, and he feels the team is off to a good start.      <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color"> I have put ink on Cortez before, and I have to admit that his game has grown tremendously. <cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/PH-Kaleb-Jeffries-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/PH-Kaleb-Jeffries-C-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1664788" width="256" height="256"/></a></figure>   Kaleb Jeffries (6'0/G|F/'25/Germantown HS)   Instagram: kalebjeffries_1   Twitter: @kalebjeffries_1   Kaleb is listed as a G|F, but some will question that as he continues his journey in the game. One thing we cannot question is his ability to score the rock and his ability to do it at all levels. There is nothing flashy about his game; he just handles each possession with a business-minded approach. He goes out and does whatever it takes to get the job done. He is a force off the bounce, as he was consistently in attack mode throughout camp. At the time of this article, Germantown has played only one game, and Kaleb mentioned that the team is still adjusting to their new coach. He feels as though he has been playing well and has to continue to play his role, be a facilitator, knock down open shots and be a solid on-ball defender to help his team reach their season goals.   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color"> One thing we cannot question is his ability to score the rock and his ability to do it at all levels. <cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/PH-Sam-Parson-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/PH-Sam-Parson-C-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1664789" width="256" height="256"/></a></figure>   Sam Parson (6'2/SG/'25/Grundy County HS)   Instagram: Sam_parson15   Twitter: @Sam03120894   Sam was highly active and aggressive at camp. He was scoring the rock in a variety of ways but was at his best when he was out in transition and getting to the cup. He is a crafty finisher in the paint and at the rim and had an overall solid day at camp. He showed his range with an efficient shooting day. As a '25 kid that is skilled, with a good IQ, and a lot of promise, he is going to be an invaluable piece of the puzzle for Grundy this year. At the time of this article, Grundy has played only one game, and Sam went for 29pts in the contest.        <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color"> Sam was highly active and aggressive at camp. <cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/PH-Treyton-Terry-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/PH-Treyton-Terry-C-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1664790" width="256" height="256"/></a></figure>   Treyton Terry (5'8/PG/'24/Warren County HS)   Instagram: tr3y.terry   Twitter: @TherealTrey14   Treyton is a small PG but is lightning-quick with the rock in his hands. His end-to-end speed was by far the best at camp. He is a pass-first PG who likes to get his teammates involved. He is a heady lead guard that has a great understanding of the game and is really unselfish. He has good vision, and if you are open, he will find you. He controlled the pace of the games throughout the day and showed all in attendance not to sleep on him because of his size. Warren County has played two games at the time of this article, and they find themselves 2-0 to start the season. Treyton had two solid outings, and as he showed in camp his focus on getting his teammates involved, he demonstrated in the two early season games. For Warren County to accomplish their goals this year, they will need the unselfish playmaker to keep the team on track.        <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color"> Treyton is a small PG but is lightning-quick with the rock in his hands. <cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/PH-Brendan-Martin-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/PH-Brendan-Martin-C-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1664791" width="256" height="256"/></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1601815' first='Brendan' last='martin'] (6'6/G|F/'24/Grissom HS)   Instagram: Brendanmartin12   Brendan plays on a team that is loaded with talent, and as a result, he is often the player that is often overlooked. He is a highly versatile player that brings a lot to the floor, as he showed at camp. He has positional size and can play multiple positions. He impacts the game on both ends of the floor and makes his presence felt in all aspects of the game. Offensively, he can put it on the floor, get to the cup, pull for the mid-range J, and shoot the trey ball well. Defensively, he defends multiple positions, and when it comes to the glass, he is a fighter on the boards. At the time of this article, Brendan feels he has played well but can be doing more. Grissom is a contender, and they will need Brendan to be more physical and be the blue-collar caliber player who does all the dirty work. His scoring will come as it will be needed down the stretch, but as for now, he needs to be the player that brings a level of toughness to the court for Grissom.         <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color"> He is a highly versatile player that brings a lot to the floor, as he showed at camp. <cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/PH-Casey-Williams-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/PH-Casey-Williams-C-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1664792" width="256" height="256"/></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1140747' first='Casey' last='Williams'] (6'7/SF/'24/Oakland HS)   Instagram: Imm_casey   Twitter: @[player_tooltip player_id='1140747' first='Casey' last='Williams']15   Casey is an athletic playmaker with difference-making length. He has a quick first step off the bounce, and then he takes long strides that allow him to cover a lot of territory when attacking off the bounce. He has no problem with rising up and throwing it down, even if there is a lot of traffic in the area, so consider yourself warned. Some people scoff when a person is labeled a two-way player, saying that a player is supposed to play both ends of the floor. However, the truth is some players simply don't play both ends, and those around the game know this to be true. I mention that because Casey is a two-way player who can score the rock on offense and protect the rim and guard the perimeter on defense. At the time of the article, Oakland had not played their first game, but Casey believes that if he can hold himself and his teammates accountable off and on the floor, especially in practice, then Oakland will have a chance to accomplish their season goals.        <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color"> Casey is an athletic playmaker with difference-making length. <cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/PH-Daunte-White-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/PH-Daunte-White-C-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1664793" width="256" height="256"/></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1563745' first='Daunte' last='White'] (6'6/SF/'24/LaVergne HS)   Instagram: Daunte__W   Twitter: @DaunteWhite21   Daunte has good positional size standing 6'6, and his length causes a lot of problems for opponents on both ends of the floor. Daunte is starting to become one of the most frustrating covers in the game because of his offensive skill set. He can put the ball on the floor and get to his spots, where he often just shoots over smaller defenders. In addition, the most impressive part of his game at camp was his stroke from beyond the arc. He shot the ball exceptionally well, and as he develops his all-around game and gets stronger and nastier in the paint, he will see his stock rise more. At the time of the release of this article, LaVergne has played only one game and won by a lopsided number. Daunte believes that if he can continue to be a leader on and off the court and be the all-around player he knows he can be, LaVergne will have a chance to have a good season.     <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color"> Daunte is starting to become one of the most frustrating covers in the game because of his offensive skill set. <cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote>

On this #ThrowBackThursday, I am going to dive into a few standouts that were at the Coach K Combine in Nashville, TN, last month.