East Coast Invitational Standouts (Part 1)

The Phenom Hoops East Coast Invitational was the weekend at the Virginia Beach Sportscenter, and there were plenty of teams from Virginia and North Carolina with tons of talent in the building.   Here's a look at part one of the standouts from the VA teams.   Rob Dockery | 6'7” WF | Team Loaded VA 17U   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Dockery-Rob-Loaded.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Dockery-Rob-Loaded.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1903120" /></a></figure>   The Texas A&M commit continues to show that he's one of the best wings in the country, as he was in complete control for a Loaded team that went 2-0 on the weekend. The 6'7” playmaker showed his ability to breakdown defenders off the bounce and make plays for others, he has great footwork and body control to finish around the rim and he is dynamic in transition both with the ball in his hands and without it.    [player_tooltip player_id='1259544' first='Damon' last='Thompson'] | 6'1” PG | Team Loaded VA 17U   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Thompson-Damon-CBG-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1663347102.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Thompson-Damon-CBG-scaled-crop-1920x1261-1663347102.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1589467" /></a></figure>   Thompson had a great junior season at John Marshall this year, and he's a hot commodity with coaches right now that will see more offers his way if he shoots the ball like he did this past weekend. He's a skilled guard who can handle pressure and get them into their sets, he's able to create space off the bounce and make shots from multiple levels and he can move off the ball where he is a good catch-and-shoot player from deep.   Chol Machot | 7'0” C | Team Loaded VA 17U   Machot isn't a finished product yet, but the flashes he shows of athleticism at his size is very intriguing for division one coaches to develop moving forward. At 7'0” he has long arms and moves well as he can get up and down the floor, he's an explosive leaper that can play well above the rim whether it's finishing or challenging shots at the rim and he shows good touch as well out to the three-point line.   [player_tooltip player_id='1117676' first='Josiah' last='Rickards'] | 6'3” CG | Team Loaded 757 17U   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Rickards-Josiah-17.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Rickards-Josiah-17.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1918808" /></a></figure>   Rickards is perhaps the most under recruited player in the 757, as he's consistently been one of the best players for a talented Catholic team and has been successful on the Loaded 757 17U team the last two seasons. The 6'3” combo guard is highly skilled and has a good mentality to him as he doesn't get sped up, he gets to spots and scores it efficiently in different ways and he makes the game look relatively easy too.   [player_tooltip player_id='1259838' first='Paul' last='Jones'] | 6'3” SG | Team Loaded 757 17U   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Jones-Paul-CBG.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Jones-Paul-CBG.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1905515" /></a></figure>   Jones continues his upward trend as a prospect to keep an eye on in the 757, as he has a mix of shot making ability and athleticism that makes him very tough to guard. The lefty shooting guard has deep range and doesn't need a lot of space to get his shot off, he gets downhill and out in transition where he can play well above the rim and he plays at a different pace than most that makes him tough to stay in front of.   Carmelo Baines | 6'7” PF | Team Push 17U   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Baines-Carmelo.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Baines-Carmelo.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1918810" /></a></figure>   Baines has steadily improved over the past few years and had a breakout season at Lake Taylor this year, and he was fantastic for Push this weekend. He's a strong forward who can clear out space in the paint and finish, he's improved in his ability to step out where he can put it on the deck and make shots out to 18 feet and he's always around the ball as a rebounder and gets second chance opportunities.   [player_tooltip player_id='1489075' first='Isaiah' last='Fuhrmann'] | 6'5” SF | Team Push 17U   While Fuhrmann is likely going to be a more highly recruited football player, he showed this weekend he can hoop with the best of them as well. The 6'5” wing is a natural athlete who is explosive and strong as a finisher, he can step out and knock down shots consistently from deep and he's a versatile defender who can guard on the perimeter and in the paint as well.

The Phenom Hoops East Coast Invitational was the weekend at the Virginia Beach Sportscenter, and there were plenty of teams from Virginia and North Carolina with tons of talent in the building.