FSU Team Camp 2023: Top Wings & Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 Leonard Hamilton FSU Team camp was loaded with some of the best talent in Florida and Georgia. The class of 2024 &amp; 25 Wings and Forwards took over the weekend. With length, athleticism and skill being displayed throughout the Camp. I will be highlighting and breaking down some of the talent that caught my attention and should garner more attention come July. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1131775' first='Derrion' last='Reid'] | 6'7 | Wing | 2024 | Grovetown HS (GA) </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1990693,"width":156,"height":102,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-14-at-10.26.09-AM-crop-1713x1125-1686753227.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-14-at-10.26.09-AM-crop-1713x1125-1686753227.png?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1990693" width="156" height="102" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Derrion was the best player this weekend in my opinion, the 6'7 wing man from Georgia is one of the top wings in the country for a reason. He has a SEC ready body with extremely Long arms and fluent hips that help him change directions smoothly while on the offensive and defensive end. He was the primary ball handler in multiple games. Showing his ability to create for himself and others. Did not mind playing off ball sets hard screens and finding open spots to convert easy buckets. He kept it simple when choosing to be aggressive depending on who was guarding him. Punishing smaller defenders and longer ones he went around them. His shooting stroke is smooth and consistent knocking down CS three pointers and off the dribble pull ups consistently. One of his best attributes was his vision and touch finding open teammates at the right time. A "yes sir or no sir" Young man that goes about his business the right way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Offers: Florida state, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Missouri, Indiana, Cincinnati, Florida, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, LSU, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech and Xavier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1306060' first='Ibrahima' last='Traore'] | 6'9 | Forward | 2024 | West Oaks Academy </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":1990694,"width":142,"height":142,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-14-at-10.26.27-AM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-14-at-10.26.27-AM.png?w=1020" alt="" class="wp-image-1990694" width="142" height="142" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'9 forward played like a grown man all weekend leading his team to a 5-0 record. He has a division one body, with elite athleticism, long arms, soft hands and a V8 motor that does not stop. Traore controlled everything in the paint rebounding and displaying a quick second jump converting tip-ins. His offensive impact came from the free throw line down, showing a soft touch around the rim preferably going to his right jump hook. He knocked down an occasional 5 to 7 foot jumper when his feet were set. Easily the best rim runner at the camp, one of the best I've seen this spring. Putting the ball on the floor only in SLD opportunities free throw line down. Religiously finished off two feet when around the rim. With his body, motor and feel for the game I can see Mid Majors coming into play in July. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Offers: Long Beach State, NJIT, Samford, Jacksonville (JU), Southeastern Louisiana </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bertran Walthour | 6'4 | Wing | 2025 | Mater Lakes </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was my first time seeing Walthour and he became one of my favorite players from the weekend. You couldn't tell if he came off the bench or started the game because he finished the game when it mattered. His demeanor and feel for the game stood out the most this weekend. Extremely skilled young man that made the right play every time I watched him. He has a shooting stroke that will translate to the next level. Does not get much lift off the ground but is efficient and goes in from all 3 levels. Goes at his own pace and was rarely sped up when the defense applied pressure. Defended all positions fairly well, playing angles to cut off ball-handlers and using his body against bigger opponents. Big frame and still shedding baby fat with extremely pointy knees. Strength and conditioning should be his focus this summer. I'm looking forward to following him in July and this upcoming season. He is one to watch for in the class of 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Offers: None</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2197292' first='Jalen' last='Lee'] | 6'6 | Wing | 2024 | West Oaks Academy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":2021337,"width":106,"height":112,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-12.03.43-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-15-at-12.03.43-PM.png?w=967" alt="" class="wp-image-2021337" width="106" height="112" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I understood after watching Jalen play for the first time why the entire court was packed to watch him and his west oaks team go 5-0 over the weekend. A long rangy athlete that plays with a certain level of aggression that applies pressure all game. He stayed in attack mode getting downhill with both hands either dropping it off to his big man or finishing off two feet consistently above the rim. Tight handle with a second gear getting north and south of his defender consistently. He did not have much trouble getting defenders on his hip and getting where he wanted on the floor. He defended positions 1 through 4 and rebounded the ball at a high level. With his size and speed he took care of the ball in tight spaces and in traffic throughout the weekend. When his feet were set and had time he knocked down open jumpers with consistency. A two foot finisher that has great balance and footwork pivoting in the paint. He is a High Major prospect that will demand that type of attention in July. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color"><strong>Offers: Auburn, FSU, LSU, St. Joseph's, Tennessee State, UCF</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->