Born 2 Ball All-American Camp Immediate Takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The Born 2 Ball All-American camp had talent from across the country, and many young players showed that the game has some bright young players coming up through the ranks. Let me just say that when it comes to this age group and caliber camp, all the kids that attended need to continue to work on the fundamentals of the game and improve their knowledge of the game. Here are my immediate takeaways…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2231823,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/PHN-Keegan-Keeton-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/PHN-Keegan-Keeton-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2231823" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194997' first='Keegan' last='Keeton']&nbsp;</strong>(5'9/CG/'28/Carbon Hill)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: keetonkeegan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X/Twitter: @keegankeeton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Keegan was at it again as he was absolutely dynamic, shooting the rock from deep. He has proven and made his mark as being one of the top shooters in his class across the country. He started off a little slow, but when he got going, there was nothing else to be said. He won the 3-pt shootout contest as he was the favorite going into it. He still has to work on his handles, creating his shot off the bounce, and getting to areas where he can score when he is run off the line. If he can get his handles on a string, watch out, as it will be very difficult to defend him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2231824,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/PHN-Keylon-Thomas-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/PHN-Keylon-Thomas-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2231824" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Keylon Thomas</strong> (5'0/CG/'34/Stewart Creek) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: keylonthomas24_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">One of the brightest young players that I saw at camp was Keylon. He has a brilliant floor game for his age, and I normally would not put that description on a kid his age, but he can absolutely go. He is skilled with the rock in his hands, is a multi-level scorer, and showed that he was hands down the best in his division. I would have loved to have seen him play up throughout camp as he dominated his grade division. He has a quick first step, good lateral movements, and dynamic speed with the rock in his hands. Players were already on their heels when guarding him, and it only got worse as camp progressed. He is ball-dominant, and an area of growth is learning how to use his scoring ability to create open scoring opportunities for teammates. I also encourage him to be mindful of his body language when things do not go his way as he continues on his journey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2231825,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/PHN-King-Araujo-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/PHN-King-Araujo-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2231825" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>King Araujo</strong> (5'10/CG/'28/GA Connections Academy) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: K55araujo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">King had an impressive camp and was consistent in every game I saw him play. He was often at the lead guard spot, giving defenses problems possession after possession. He shot the ball well from deep off the bounce, did a good job at creating for his teammates, and brought a lot of energy to the court that was very contagious. King is a good ball handler who can get to his spots and gets good separation on his perimeter jumpers. He does a good job setting up defenders as he is very good at changing speeds, as he was one of the best when it came to accelerating and getting to the cup.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2231826,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/PHN-Jacori-Thompson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/PHN-Jacori-Thompson-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2231826" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Jacori Thompson </strong>(6'4/F/'29/Baycreek MS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Jacorigetsbuckets</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jacori has good positional size and is very versatile. He showed his ability to stretch the floor with his ability to shoot the ball from deep, he manufactured points by being active on the offensive glass and getting putbacks, and he showed his ability to put the ball on the floor and score off the bounce. Defensively, he did a good job guarding in space and was a shot-blocking threat around the rim. One thing is sure about Jacori: he knows how to get his shot off, whether being tightly guarded and having to just raise up over the top of defenders or using jabs to create space and get his shot off.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2231828,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/PHN-Jamez-Slaughter-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/PHN-Jamez-Slaughter-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2231828" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Jamez Slaughter</strong> (5'3/CG/'30/North Brook MS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: mezzy.19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jamez shot the rock exceptionally well from deep, forcing defenders to adjust where they picked him up as he crossed half-court. The problem is that when they picked up too high, he showed off his handles and ability to get by defenders and get to the paint. He finished well with floaters and runners and showed a nice touch in the paint. Jamez was tough in the open court as he has open-court speed, body control, and burst off the dribble. Right now, he is a defender's nightmare, as he is lethal from behind the arc, and when he is out in transition and slashing to the rim in the half-court, he is almost unguardable.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2231829,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/PHN-Keisean-Roberts-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/PHN-Keisean-Roberts-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2231829" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Keisean Roberts</strong> (5'2/PG/'30/Chaple Hill MS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: kei_2tuff</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Keisean was a wizard with the rock and a magician when making passes. He was probably the best floor general in the gym throughout camp. He made some passes that left everyone watching him speechless and in awe. He's a crafty little guard who plays under great control while orchestrating the offense. He is a dynamic playmaker who is very reliable with the rock in his hands. Keisean has very little problem getting where he wants to on the court, even when turning the corner against ball hedges or traps when coming off ball-screens. He did a great job pressuring the defense with his burst and speed and lived in the paint throughout camp.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2231830,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/PHN-Bryson-Jatta-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/10/PHN-Bryson-Jatta-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2231830" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2210997' first='Bryson' last='Jatta']</strong> (5'10/SG/'28/Harvester Christian Academy) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Brysonjatta</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X/Twitter: @Brysonjatta1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Bryson is a big guard who played very physically throughout camp. He showed his ability to score at multiple levels but was at his best when getting downhill and getting to the cup. As mentioned, he was very physical and played bully ball at times, but I was also impressed with the finesse he showed when scoring in the paint. He was active on the glass and often secured the defensive board and started the break. Bryson has good strength and a frame ready to be developed for play at the next level. He is skilled with the rock in his hands, can score in bunches, and can create his own offense, whether using ball screens or getting to his spots in isolation.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Elijah Ross</strong>&nbsp;(5'3/PG/'29/Griffin MS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Shift3li</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I really liked watching Elijah play because he is a heady PG with a good feel and understanding of the game. His PG IQ is impressive, and his game was like that of a coach on the floor. He has a quick first step, does a good job shifting gears on drives, and is effective using hesitations, change of direction, and change of speed dribbles to generate space. Elijah is a spicy playmaker when he is in isolation and pick-and-roll situations. He is young but already has a feel for drawing in defenders to open up opportunities for teammates, and he showed his high-level passing skills when getting the rock to his teammates. He is mentally tough and is an unselfish player who lets the game come to him. He is small but had a huge camp.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->