Next Up Recruits Camp: Mike’s 2024 Standouts
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The Next Up Recruits Camp brought over a hundred players to Lexington to compete with prospects from all grades in high school competing. In this article we’ll break down the rising senior prospects who caught our eye at the event.…
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Continue ReadingThe Next Up Recruits Camp brought over a hundred players to Lexington to compete with prospects from all grades in high school competing. In this article we’ll break down the rising senior prospects who caught our eye at the event.
Jimmy Lohembe
Jimmy Lohembe
Lohembe is doing a post grad year in Florida and should be on the radar of low to mid major programs based on what I saw at the camp. One of the most athletic players at the event, Lohembe was throwing down some crazy dunks in transition and had a couple coast to coast takes off the bounce that resulted in dunks. His most impressive half-court move came when he pump faked in the corner, took two dribbles before exploding for a slam dunk. Combine his athleticism with some shooting flashes from the perimeter and you have a very intriguing forward prospect. A camp setting isn’t the best evaluation setting for half-court execution, but I think that would be a primary focus during a post grad year for Lohembe down in Florida.
One of the top prospects at the camp, Unseld once again showed why he’s regarded as one of the top prospects in Kentucky. An elite shooter from the perimeter, Unseld hit some crazy shots from 3-point range on Saturday. A high IQ player who impacts winning, the feel for the game and IQ really stands out at a camp setting where many players are focused on getting their own buckets. After an impressive week at peach jam with Mokan Elite in July, expect more low to mid major programs to come calling about Unseld, UIC, Ball State, Duquesne and Arkansas State have all offered Unseld since July.
Another one of the top athletes at the event, Bateman had a full highlight reel of dunks on Saturday with his explosiveness off the ground. A power wing athlete who looked to get all the way to the rim, Bateman is tough to stop with a head of steam. Already holding offers from Kentucky Christian, Georgetown, Campbellsville and Columbia State, Bateman looked like a scholarship level athlete on Saturday.
Another power wing who used his athleticism to get above the rim, Hand was one of the more productive players at the camp. With a high motor and relentless aggression to attack the rim, Hand was scoring at will in the paint. The lefty seemed comfortable going up with either hand at the rim and liked using his right hand to throw down dunks when he got enough space to explode. Defensively, Hand had numerous blocks on drives to the rim by using his length and timing to swat layups away. A dual sport athlete, Hand excels on both the hardwood and the diamond for Holy Cross and should have college interest for whatever sport he chooses.
Morrison stood out near the end of the event when most players were running on fumes, Morrison was still attacking the rim and getting to the basket. I liked how Morrison used his right hand on the left side to avoid shot blockers at the rim. A capable shooter from the outside as well, Morrison was making shots as well from the perimeter. I enjoyed watching Morrison compete on Saturday.