Samford Elite Camp Immediate Takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Coach Bucky McMillan and his staff put on their first elite camp of the year, and players from across the southeast gathered to display their talents. Here are my immediate takeaways…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1980630,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/PH-Devin-Barksdale-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/PH-Devin-Barksdale-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1980630" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599936' first='Devin' last='Barksdale']</strong>&nbsp;(6'0/CG/'25/Jacksonville HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">School: Jacksonville HS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: @devinbarksdale1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">A lot of eyes were on Devin, and a lot of sideline conversation was being held regarding his play. Those who saw his performance in the Final Four know that he is a dynamic player and that when he gets it going, it is very difficult to contain him. It would be wise to give him the ball and let him facilitate every offensive possession, but the intriguing part about his game is that he doesn't need the ball in his hands to impact the game positively. Devin got a little banged up at the camp, but prior to that, he showed quickness on both ends of the floor, scoring know-how, and clever passing and processing speed. He is a very cerebral player with a bright future ahead of him at the next level.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1980632,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/PH-Adam-Barksdale-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/PH-Adam-Barksdale-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1980632" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1398778' first='Adam' last='Barksdale']</strong>&nbsp;(6'5/PG/'25/Vestavia Hills HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Adam.barksdale_13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @barksdale_adam</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Adam is a big lead guard that was looking to create off the bounce. He showed what many thought would be a key piece to his play on his high school team: his lead guard IQ. However, he settled into a more c&amp;s role last season, but he looked very comfortable with the ball in his hands at camp playing the lead guard position. He got to his spots on the floor and was very productive with the mid-range pull-up. He distributed the rock and scored throughout the day. He has come up throughout the years playing with the ball in his hands, and he is having to make significant adjustments when it comes to his role at school compared to what he shows in AAU and as he did at camp.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1980634,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/PH-TJ-Lamar-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/PH-TJ-Lamar-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1980634" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>TJ Lamar</strong>&nbsp;(6'6/PF/'24/Spain Park HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: lilterry31</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Lilterry31</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">TJ really helped his stock with his play at camp. He is known for being a high-energy guy who rebounds, plays defense, runs the floor, and does a lot of things that do not show up in the stat sheet. What caught my eye was his offensive development. He played with a lot of confidence, putting the ball on the floor and attacking off the bounce. He made plays on both ends of the floor. He made his presence felt and had a lot of people on the sidelines mentioning his name.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1980636,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/PH-Ben-Evans-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/PH-Ben-Evans-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1980636" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1574393' first='Ben' last='Evans']&nbsp;</strong>(6'4/G|F/Vestavia Hills HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: ben_evans44</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Ben_Evans1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ben continues to develop, and from what I saw at camp, he could be the alpha male on his high school squad next season. He was one of the more versatile and athletic players at camp. He is skilled and competes on every play. Nothing about Ben's game demands center staging, as he can fit in and adjust to just about any situation. He dazzles on both ends of the floor and across positions. His offensive repertoire is being added to as I saw him put on display more than I see when he is with his high school team. He is probably the most valuable player on his team and will be an added piece to a program at the next level.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1980638,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/PH-Josh-Kavel-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/PH-Josh-Kavel-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1980638" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Josh Kavel&nbsp;</strong>(6'2/PG/'24/Wesleyan School)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: @joshkavel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @joshkavel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Josh is not a flashy player, but he was one of the most productive players on the offensive end of the floor. He isn't the quickest off the bounce but clever in getting to the paint. He is a crafty finisher in the paint and at the rim. He scored the rock in volumes and never let up. He has scoring instincts and knows how to keep defenders off balance. You could tell he is an experienced player with a brilliant floor game. He plays at a nice pace and keeps his game in a nice rhythm. He is a prolific scorer with good vision and passing skills that lead to easy buckets. His play makes everyone around him better, and we will have our eyes on him during his senior campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1980640,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/PH-WhitAltmyer-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/PH-WhitAltmyer-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1980640" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Whit Altmyer&nbsp;</strong>(6'1/PG/'24/Heritage Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: whit_altmyer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @altmyerwhit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Whit is a skilled lead guard that could be considered a pass 1st PG. He has good vision and made tough, very creative passes off the bounce. He looked to create every time the ball got into his hands. His teammates finally adjusted to his style and began to be shot-ready at all times. He is very tough in iso situations which puts pressure on the other four defenders, as they must be ready to help when he is attacking. The problem comes when defenders have to completely commit, as Whit did not miss open shooters. Any coach would be thrilled to have Whit at the lead guard spot because he is a trustworthy talent that can control the offense and set the tempo.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->