Pitt Jamfest Preview: HGSL Prospects

The Hoop Group Pitt Jamfest is one of the oldest and most popular live period events in grassroots basketball, and it's back this weekend! College coaches of all levels will flock to the Bridge City to watch some of the top independent teams in the country.   The HGSL, which is Hoop Group's circuit, features some of the top teams from across the country, with an endless amount of prospects for all levels.   Here's a look at some of the HGSL Prospects to keep an eye on from NJ teams in attendance.   [player_tooltip player_id='1406993' first='Anthony' last='Akande'] | 6'5” CG | [program_tooltip program_id='2078569' first='Jersey' last='Force']   Akande is a fast rising prospect in Jersey as he had a great junior season and now will turn heads in front of coaches with his positional size and just overall game. At 6'5” he's a force to reckon with when he gets downhill as he can draw contact and finish through it relatively easily, he can move off the ball where he works well with cuts and fades to get open to get easy buckets and he is a versatile defender who can guard multiple positions.   [player_tooltip player_id='1153987' first='London' last='Carson'] | 6'4” CG | [program_tooltip program_id='2078569' first='Jersey' last='Force']   These two are going to be a handful to deal with in the backcourt on the HGSL this year, as Carson is also a big combo guard who is a talented scorer with the ball in his hands. He's extremely efficient from the midrange where he has great footwork and uses his size to rise over defenders and hit tough shots, he can knock it down from deep off the bounce and is good in pick-and-rolls and he can get downhill where he's an explosive and strong finisher.   [player_tooltip player_id='1050401' first='Andrew' last='Buck'] | 6'3” SG | [program_tooltip program_id='2078569' first='Jersey' last='Force']   Buck is coming off a breakout junior season with Ranney School where he emerged as a two way impact player at the 2 guard spot and should continue that momentum into the AAU season. Buck is a smart player off the ball as he moves well to get open and sets his feet quickly and has great rhythm as a shooter, he attacks closeouts and can finish at the rim or in the midrange and he's a gritty and gutsy defender who competes on that end of the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='1153968' first='Alex' last='Konov'] | 6'7” PF | NJ Shoreshots   Konov is coming off a good junior season at Manasquan and should turn heads with his perimeter skill set at his size. The 6'7” forward is a classic stretch four that can step out and drill shots from deep, he gets hot quickly and is excellent in pick-and-pops and he's a smart defender who can challenge shots in the paint and on the perimeter.   Jackson Bleecker | 6'4” WG | NJ Panthers   Bleecker had a big senior season at Hotchkiss and will look to take a post grad year to get more exposure and continue to develop his all-around game. He's a very high IQ and fundamental wing that uses his dribble with purpose to get to spots, he moves well off the ball to get open and sets his feet quickly as a knock down shooter and he makes good reads with the ball in his hands too.   [player_tooltip player_id='1153956' first='Jeremy' last='Clayville'] | 6'1” PG | All In Beasts   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/20220716_192315.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/07/20220716_192315.jpg?w=790" alt="" class="wp-image-1514325" /></a></figure>   Clayville is a hot prospect right now after picking up his first offer from St. Francis (PA), and he's had a great start to the summer so far. The lead guard is crafty off the bounce with the ability to break down defenders in isolation or pick-and-roll situations. He's a knock down shooter who can move off the ball and works to get open with effortless range and a quick release. He's a high IQ guard who makes great decisions with the ball in his hands.   [player_tooltip player_id='1407084' first='Amir' last='Abdullah'] | 6'1” PG | NJ Roadrunners   Abdullah has had a great start to the AAU season for this talented Roadrunners team, and he has shown great tools as a smaller guard. The lefty changes speeds and uses hesitations to rock defenders to sleep, and he can rise up on the hesi to get into his shot quickly. He drills shots from deep off the catch or off the bounce, and he has good shift and playmaking ability off the bounce.

The Hoop Group Pitt Jamfest is one of the oldest and most popular live period events in grassroots basketball, and it's back this weekend! College coaches of all levels will flock to the Bridge City to watch some of the top independent teams in the country.