All American Jamboree Notebook (Part I)

On Friday and Saturday, I made the familiar drive out to the Big House Sports complex to watch the All-American Jamboree. Like most events Scott Golden and Hoop Exchange puts on, this event was packed with some of America’s most talented players. These are some notes that I took on Montverde Academy, Central Point Christian, and Orlando Christian Prep.   Montverde Academy When discussing who is the top high school program in the country one name that has been and will continue to be in the mix is Montverde Academy. Every single year the Eagles send several players to the high major level and this year is no different. [player_tooltip player_id="594553" first="Langston" last="Love"] Ι 6-4 Ι Montverde Academy 2021 Combo Guard [player_tooltip player_id="594553" first="Langston" last="Love"] will be one of those players as he has already committed to Baylor. Last year on a team that will likely go down as one of the best high school teams of all time, Love came off the bench. This year the senior has moved into a bigger role and seems to be more than ready for the challenge. Against The Rock School a very tough SIAA team from Gainesville Love was scoring all over the court and locking down defensively finishing the game with 16 points. In the second game against another SIAA powerhouse Central Pointe Christian the dynamic guard exploded for 25. After waiting in the wings last season it seems as if Loves time is finally hear and I would not be the least bit surprised if he finds his way onto the court early in his career at Baylor. [player_tooltip player_id="712102" first="Caleb" last="Houstan"] Ι 6-8 Ι Montverde Academy 2021 SF [player_tooltip player_id="712102" first="Caleb" last="Houstan"] has one of the smoothest jumpers in high school basketball and the size to get it off. Unlike a lot of the players that I saw this weekend Houstan still looks like a high school player which could mean that he still has an inch or two left to grow. With long arms and smooth feet, the native of Canada is a fluid athlete who will only get better as he continues to fill out. Houstan has recently cut his list down to Duke, Virginia, Alabama, and Michigan. [player_tooltip player_id="1062409" first="Jalen" last="Duren"] Ι 6-10 Ι Montverde Academy 2022 C [player_tooltip player_id="1062409" first="Jalen" last="Duren"] already has the body of an NBA player standing at 6-10 and weighing in at a lean 260 pounds. In the first game against The Rock School the big man was virtually unstoppable around the basket, scoring 19 points, most of them off dunks. Duren does and excellent job of using his strength to seal off defenders in the post, and uses his length to block shots and grab rebounds. If he adds a mid-range jump shot it’s scary to think of how good he could be two years from now. After a strong weekend Kentucky decided to offer adding another blue blood school to the juniors long list. Central Pointe Christian Playing without star player RJ Melendez, Central Pointe Christian was a bit short handed this weekend however, this did offer an opportunity for his teammates to stand out more. [player_tooltip player_id="1069401" first="David" last="Hermes"] Ι 6-10 Ι Central Pointe Christian One player I was finally to get a look at was 6-10 F/C [player_tooltip player_id="1069401" first="David" last="Hermes"]. Although he got hurt in their second game of the weekend the native of Sweden showed some flashes of what is to come. While not the best run and jump athlete Hermes has a classic skilled European game that includes a lot of fakes, and foot work in the post. The big man showed the ability to stretch the floor showing a decent stroke from beyond the 3-point line. With a large frame that will add muscle easily, it will be interesting to see what he is capable of when he adjusts to the speed and physicality of the American game. [player_tooltip player_id="1062412" first="Pape" last="Lamine Niang"] Ι 6-10 Ι Central Pointe Christian Another big man 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1062412" first="Pape" last="Lamine Niang"] (6-10) also showed some promise this weekend. Only having played the game for a few years Niang seems to be improving every time he steps on the floor. Right now he does his best work around the rim getting put backs, and scoring off of post-ups. Adding muscle will not be a problem with his junior season just about to get under way and the big fella runs the floor very well. Two other players in the class of 2021 who had their moments this weekend for CPCA were 6-7 Forward [player_tooltip player_id="1068771" first="Nolan" last="Wells"] and 6-6 G/F Cherriff Kanoute. Wells is a player who can stretch the floor scoring off the stand still 3-pointer and is excellent in pick and pop situations. Kanoute is a multi-positional defender who hustles hard and can score inside and out. Orlando Christian Prep The reigning class 2A state champions picked up right where they left off last season. With several rotation players returning and a few more transferring in from other schools, Orlando Christian Prep should again be the favorite to win the class 2A state championship. In the two games I watched they subbed five guys in at a time and won both games by over 30 points. [player_tooltip player_id="546193" first="AJ" last="Brown"] Ι 6-4 Ι Orlando Christian Prep 6-4 [player_tooltip player_id="546193" first="AJ" last="Brown"](2022) showed flashes of his potential this weekend against Riverview scoring 14 points including two threes, and a cringe-worth two-handed put back dunk that made everyone in the gym turn their heads. With a wingspan that I would project to be much longer than his height, Brown looks to be adding muscle onto his long frame. With two seasons left, expect college coaches to start flying in to see him. The big guard already holds offers from Alabama,USF, Hofstra, Stetson, and FGCU. [player_tooltip player_id="709236" first="Jayden" last="Hastings"] Ι 6-9 Ι Orlando Christian Prep 6-9 [player_tooltip player_id="709236" first="Jayden" last="Hastings"] (2023) has improved tremendously as a player over the last seven months. After watching him play Saturday it appears that he has grown into his body a little more. With a developing post game the big man runs the floor well rebounds, protects the rim, and scores in close. Hastings hasn’t even come close to scratching the surface of what he could be.