Hoop Group Summer Jam Fest Standouts (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hoop Group Summer Jam Fest took place at Spooky Nook in Lancaster, PA this weekend as one of the top independent events in the country. It featured teams from California to Maine, and plenty of teams from Virginia. Here's a look at part one of the many standouts from the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1494114' first='David' last='Miller'] | 6'6” PF | Team Loaded 757 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1605058,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Miller-David-CBG-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Miller-David-CBG-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1605058" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller was his usual productive self throughout the weekend, putting up big numbers across the board and being a walking mismatch with his physicality and all-around skillset. He has a great nose for the ball and is able to use his size to clear out space on the glass, he showed touch both in the paint and when stepping out to the midrange and he showcased his passing ability on kick outs and when finding cutters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2242389' first='Will' last='Hopkins'] | 6'2” CG | Team Loaded 757 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hopkins has quietly been one of the best guards in the Richmond area at Hanover the last few years, and he recently transferred to John Marshall where he'll add even more firepower to an already stacked team. The 6'2” guard has long arms and is a good athlete who moves well laterally on the defensive end, the smooth lefty can knock it down at a high clip from deep and he can touch the paint where he's both a good finisher and playmaker too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2571731' first='Jaylen' last='Wynn'] | 6'5” WF | Team Loaded 757 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wynn is one of the most underrated players in the 757 and has had a great summer proving that with a big senior season coming at Peninsula Catholic this year. The 6'5” wing checks all the boxes physically and athletically with long arms and a basketball frame, he plays with a great motor on the defensive end and attacking the glass and his ball skills are much improved with his ability to handle and create shots at multiple levels.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jordan Clayton | 6'0” PG | Team Richmond 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2446866,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageR8FL8X.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImageR8FL8X.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2446866" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clayton continues his strong summer that has seen him have big games over and over again in the HGSL, and he's set up to have a strong post grad season at Fork Union in the EPL. The 6'0” lead guard just exudes toughness in the way he plays as he attacks the rim relentlessly, finishes well through contact and in traffic and he sets the tone defensively as well. He had a very impressive game against another HGSL foe in Hawks Elite, where he scored 20 of his game high 30 in the second half including the game winning shot in their come from behind victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2451966' first='Cole' last='Hoffman'] | 6'8” C | Team Richmond 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hoffman is an up and coming big man to keep an eye on, as he's improved quite a bit over the last year or so and just gets better and better every time we watch him play this summer. He was very efficient and productive throughout the weekend using his size to clear out space to finish and rebound, he showed good back-to-the-basket moves and soft touch, while also showing a good motor on the defensive end too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1767550' first='Andrew' last='Maria'] | 6'5” CG | Washington Warriors 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2448639,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImagevar5tG.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/05/tempImagevar5tG.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2448639" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maria recently announced that he will be transferring to Bethel Academy and reclassifying to the 2026 class, which makes him very intriguing as he's been super impressive all summer on the HGSL. He's a big guard who uses his size to make contested shots in the midrange, he is super crafty off the bounce and can get in the lane to make plays for others and he has a great IQ on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1956075' first='Mason' last='Patrick'] | 6'4” WF | [program_tooltip program_id='2078813' first='VA' last='Premier'] 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2220802,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Patrick-Mason.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Patrick-Mason.jpg?w=726" alt="" class="wp-image-2220802" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Patrick is another guy who's had a breakout summer and has been very impressive on the HGSL and is set up to have a big senior season as one of the go-to guys at Trinity Episcopal this year. He's a big and strong wing that thrives with his ability to get downhill and finish through contact, he can post smaller defenders and finish over the top and he can play and guard multiple positions as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1595768' first='Wade' last='Bland'] | 6'1” PG | [program_tooltip program_id='2078813' first='VA' last='Premier'] 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1603921,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-26-at-2.38.35-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Screen-Shot-2022-09-26-at-2.38.35-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1603921" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bland announced on Twitter after the event that he will be transferring to Stuart Hall and reclassifying to the 2026 class, and that was coming off an impressive event where he ran the show very well. He handled pressure and got them into their sets as the primary ball handler, he made the right decision consistently, he made good reads when he touched the paint and he made open shots when he got his chance to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->