NBPA Top 100 Camp: NY and NJ standouts

After a busy day of action on Thursday at the annual NBPA Top 100 camp in Rock Hill, see below for a recap of some of the top New York and New Jersey-based prospects in attendance for the prestigious event.    Mingo had the gym buzzing from start to finish, putting on a show from one game to the next on his way to obvious Camp MVP honors. Getting to showcase his extensive ball-in-hand ability after years of taking a back seat in high school, he averaged nearly 24/7/7 across four games while running a clinic on pick-and-roll operation. Mingo routinely used his size and handle to work into the middle of the floor where he could score in any number of ways or pick the defense apart as a passer. A consistent standout on the defensive end, he's also continued to show growth as a shooter, knocking down 6 of his 17 attempts from long range while displaying comfort in the midrange pullup game and converting 17-of-22 (77%) at the line. His performance had college coaches and NBA scouts alike reconsidering the Long Island native's place in the conversation among the nation's truly elite long-term prospects.     Camps are often dominated by guards and Rippey used the setting to continue staking his claim as perhaps the nation's premier floor general. There weren't many (if any) more advanced operators off the dribble in attendance, as Rippey used his punishing handle and explosive first step to consistently generate paint touches before either finishing athletically or spraying out to shooters. He made advanced reads from the perimeter in pick-and-roll to hit his bigs for easy finishes while also showing his instincts in the floor game both defensively and on the glass. Rippey was able to keep things honest from the perimeter, knocking down 5 of his 16 attempts from deep, but that continues to be the key area of progression worth tracking in his game as he moves up in levels.     He wasn't one of the splashiest overall performers at the camp, but we saw by far Hodge's best game of the week on Thursday which provided a showcase into his IQ, athleticism, and versatility. A native of Belgium who's been in Jersey since the start of high school, Hodge got loose for 20 points on Thursday morning on an efficient 9-for-13 from the floor, routinely finding his way to the cup for smooth finishes whether off the dribble, cutting to the rim, or streaking ahead in transition. He showed confidence in his jumper while knocking down half of his four attempts from deep, the key area of perceived weakness in his game up until this point. When he has the jumper falling, there aren't many better wing guards nationally in the rising senior class.     One of the more versatile and instinctive guards in his class, the camp setting was a good one for Derkack to show his ability to consistently find ways to impact the game no matter who's alongside him or what he's asked to do on the floor. Averaging double figures despite an atypical 0-point performance in one of his five games, he contributed across the stat sheet, showcasing his athleticism in the open floor whether making plays for himself or teammates. Known as an inconsistent shooter, he showed his progress in that regard while knocking down 9-for-23 (39.1%) from deep on the week highlighted by a 4-for-5 effort in his best game on Wednesday night. Derkack continues to track among the elite wing guards in the country.     One of just a few rising junior guards in the entire camp who really made their presence felt, Gordon had stretches of brilliance with the ball in his hands while showcasing his airtight skill level and evolving athletic package. As pure a floor general as you'll find, he picked his spots pristinely as a scorer and playmaker, getting to his spots off the bounce with ease. He took good care of the ball with 16 assists to just six turnovers, also showing his ability to be a pest on the defensive end. There were some learning moments when it comes to finishing against elite length, but Gordon's performance served to further solidify himself among the top rising junior lead guards in the country.     Camps like this can be a tough setting for rising juniors, but drawing on his experience fitting into a condensed role with LuHi this winter, Kamissoko was able to consistently contribute while finding ways to make an impact across the board. A true Swiss-army knife at the forward position, he showed his ability to toggle seamlessly between responsibilities on the perimeter and closer to the basket. He brings a blend of size/length, skill, IQ, and motor that allows him to make his presence felt without extensive touches or dribbles. He's shown high-level flashes as a shooter in the past, but looks to be in the process of regaining comfort in his mechanics coming off a stretch of consistent physical growth over the past year or so. The ceiling is limitless for Kamissoko if that part of his game begins to come back with any consistency.

After a busy day of action on Thursday at the annual NBPA Top 100 camp in Rock Hill, see below for a recap of some of the top New York and New Jersey-based prospects in attendance for the prestigious event.