Tufts Elite Camp First-Team

Yesterday, August 22nd, I attended and was on staff for Tufts Elite Camp at their facility in Medford, MA. Around 35 players were present for skills and drills, 3v3, and 5v5 games.   Below is my first-team from yesterday's action.    Bergquist was arguably the best player at camp yesterday and was totally dominant for large portions of the day. The 6-foot-4 point-forward was carving up the defense with his handle and then bulldozing through defenders on his way to the front of the cup—guys were scared to get in front of him because of his combination of speed and size—but then he effectively slowed down his body and finished with control and finesse are the hoop. When the defense collapsed, he made simple spray-out passes to teammates, too. Bergquist also shut down guys when he wanted to on the defensive end and was aggressive on the boards. He strikes me as a super high-level D3 player who could certainly get on the radar of scholarship coaches if he shows that he can consistently knock down shots from three.     Duke rivaled Bergquist for the most physically imposing player in the gym. The 6-foot-3 wing showcased incredible power and speed on his takes to the rim and totally discarded defenders who tried to hang on his hip or contest him at the rim. When the paint was clogged, the rising senior also hit a good number of outside shots and was content to make simple passes to his teammates. Duke travelled all the way from Missouri to come to camp, and he made a good decision—I don't see how he isn't a high-level D3 player, and he seems relatively ready to make an impact at that level right now as a result of his athletic and physical profile.     I hadn't seen Brainis play before Saturday, but he was one of the best guards in the gym and had a number of pretty remarkable plays. The most electric part of his game is his ability to get into the teeth of the defense and still find a way to finish with both hands—he really understands angles and timing and has a knack for getting his shot off against shot-blockers. The rising junior from Ontario can also get tons of elevation on his pull-up jumper and can knock down shots from three, though a more consistent jumper could be the difference in his D3 recruitment. He should get some time for Williston-Northampton this season.     Yesterday was pretty easily the best I've ever seen Lyons play. The 6-foot guard was the quickest player in the gym and got into the paint at will because of his first-step explosiveness and tight handle. Once he got there, he converted on his pull-up jumper at a higher rate than I've seen in the past and also showcased some really special finishes at the cup with both hands. The three-point shot and table-setting ability still needs to come along, but the rising senior can get to WHEREVER he wants on the court and is impossible to stay in front of. I thought high D3 was a stretch for Lyons, but a big-time season at Newton North could change that.     Peabody was the hardest-working, highest-motor, best-conditioned player in the entire gym. The 6-foot-4 wing probably got about 0.75 offensive rebounds per possession and was completely impossible to keep off of the offensive glass as a result of his length, size, and effort level—he never stops moving, and he has phenomenal instincts and timing in terms of judging the ball off the rim. Peabody also drives closeouts effectively and plays with solid power and explosiveness, though he needs to slow down at times and improve his outside shot. Good news is that he has two years to work on those things and clearly has an excellent attitude when it comes to improving and working hard. Bright future ahead.

Yesterday, August 22nd, I attended and was on staff for Tufts Elite Camp at their facility in Medford, MA. Around 35 players were present for skills and drills, 3v3, and 5v5 games.