National Prep Championship Standouts (Part 3)

The 16th annual National Prep Championship took place again this year, this time at Clark University in Worcester, MA, and brought together 16 of the top post graduate programs in the country to name an outright national champion. Hundreds of college coaches attended the event which has always been one of the best tournaments to recruit at, and this year was no different.   Putnam Science Academy (CT) came away as the national champs in thrilling fashion, winning their third straight championship and 4 of the last 5.   Here's a look at part three of the standouts from the many New England programs in attendance.   If you're looking to replay any of the games, they are available for playback on the <a href="http://cbglivenetwork.com">CBG Live Network</a>.   [player_tooltip player_id='1582976' first='Elmarko' last='Jackson'] | 6'3” PG | South Kent '23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/05/Elmarko-Jackson-crop-3013x1978-1627953482-crop-640x420-1635208540.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/05/Elmarko-Jackson-crop-3013x1978-1627953482-crop-640x420-1635208540.jpg?w=639" alt="" class="wp-image-1315951" /></a></figure>   The Kansas commit and McDonalds All-American led South Kent to a NEPSAC AAA Championship and the #2 seed in the NPC, and though they fell to Sunrise in the second round he still showed why he's on elf the top guards in the country. Jackson is built to play the game as he's a strong and super athletic guard can take contact when he gets downhill, he changes speeds and directions well to create space and he's a good playmaker and finisher in the paint too. His physical and athletic tools are some of the most impressive you'll find, and as he continues to polish moving forward he'll be very well known around college basketball.   [player_tooltip player_id='1203898' first='Papa' last='Kante'] | 6'8” PF | South Kent '23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/image1-rotated.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/image1-rotated.jpeg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1490911" /></a></figure>   The Michigan commit is another player that will be well known at the highest level of college basketball, as he will be a mismatch in the Big 10 that typically has more throwback style bigs compared to him. He showed his ability to run the floor and get out in transition with guards, his long arms and athleticism makes him a big time finisher and rim protector too and he showed the ability to step out and stretch the defense too. He plays with a solid motor and gets after it on both ends, and he has a ton of potential to continue to get better too.   Jalen Cox | 6'3” CG | South Kent '23   Cox may get overshadowed at times playing in the same backcourt as Jackson, but he's another two way impact guard who has a bright future moving forward. He has good size at the combo guard position and is a big time athlete who can sky for rebounds and finish over bigger defenders, he knocks down shots and moves well off the ball to get open and he can break down defenders off the bounce in late shot clock situations too. He's a good on ball defender who can use his length to bother ball handlers and moves his feet laterally to stay in front too.   [player_tooltip player_id='1489288' first='Nate' last='Guerengomba'] | 6'4” WG | South Kent '24   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/11/Guerengomba-Nate.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/11/Guerengomba-Nate.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1333868" /></a></figure>   Guerengomba was their spark off the bench for the last half of the season when he returned to South Kent, and the 6'4” guard played very well for them even when the team wasn't playing well. He's a well built and strong guard with an all-around scoring package that includes the ability to knock it down from deep, get to spots in the midrange off the bounce and get downhill where he can use his strength to finish around the rim. He already holds an impressive offer list and it will only grow this summer.   [player_tooltip player_id='1231821' first='Luke' last='McEldon'] | 6'8” C | Cushing '23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/McEldon-Luke-Cushing.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/McEldon-Luke-Cushing.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1408425" /></a></figure>   Cushing got in with the last spot and ended up taking down top seed Hargrave who was without multiple starters and half of their top 8, but McEldon would have gave their top guys a run too with his ability to dominate in the paint. The 6'8” center is a load when he gets within 10 feet and he can clear out space to finish or rebound, he has excellent footwork and utilizes fakes to get defenders off balance and he is explosive and strong when he gets close to the rim to finish above the rim with authority. If he wasn't hard enough to guard in the paint as is, he can also step out where he has good touch on the perimeter and is an excellent free throw shooter too.   [player_tooltip player_id='1464583' first='Adrian' last='Uchidiuno'] | 6'3” WG | Cushing '23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Uchidiuno-Adrian.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/Uchidiuno-Adrian.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1847627" /></a></figure>   Uchidiuno is one of the best two way guards you'll come across in the New England area, and Brown looks like they got an absolute steal in him the way he's played this year. He's a natural athlete who has good burst with the ball in his hands and is a big time finisher above the rim, he can knock down shots and gets hot quickly from behind the arc and he is an excellent defender both on the ball and in help side as well. He also plays with a high motor and does all the dirty work, and with his blend of athleticism and skill that makes him even more productive.   [player_tooltip player_id='1081817' first='Marvin' last='Musiime-Kamali'] | 6'5” WF | Cushing '23   Musiime-Kamali is exactly like Uchidiuno, which makes the two of them an absolute nightmare to matchup with. He's a big wing who is a freak athlete who is good for at least one highlight reel play a game with his finishing ability, he is a big time defender who can guard the other team's best player and he rebounds and brings great energy to his team as well. He'll head to Akron next year where he'll fit in perfectly in the MAC.   Nigel James | 5'10” PG | Cushing '25   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/James-Nigel-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/James-Nigel-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1673552" /></a></figure>   James is one of the best underclassmen you'll find in New England, and he's going to be a big time prospect when it's all said and done. While he isn't the biggest guard, he plays with terrific pace and feel that's well beyond his years, he can create space off the bounce and score it from all three levels and he is strong enough when he gets downhill that he can take contact and finish over bigger defenders too. He's a natural scoring guard that can also make plays for others and put up some big numbers against the best teams in the country.

The 16th annual National Prep Championship took place again this year, this time at Clark University in Worcester, MA, and brought together 16 of the top post graduate programs in the country to name an outright national champion. Hundreds of college coaches attended the event which has always been one of the best tournaments to recruit at, and this year was no different.