PrepHoopsTN Combine Evaluations: Part I
In this article:
The final June Sunday always ushers in the PrepHoopsTN Combine. The gym hosted high energy. Read about several of the campers with their evaluations from the day. All measurements/times are listed in the linked article.
John Martin | PG | Grace Christian | 2026
How did he measure against the competition?
- Class of 2026
- 5’8″ PG
- Camp Ranking — #29
As a freshman, John Martin dressed varsity for the Grace Rams (14-12). Improving his sprint speed is a priority. He recorded a 4.0 and a 4.1 in the 3/4-court sprint. Typically, Class of 2026 guys were getting in the 3.8 range. Explosion off of the ground is an area of need. With his dribbling he created a little space, but the defender was able to recover a touch if John didn’t elevate well. Plyometrics is a wonderful workout to improve speed and agility. Lane agility was a strength though (11.95, 11.48). More quick than fast apparently. Crafty with the dribble. He already has a couple of go-to moves when he is attacking one-on-one. He looked creative in the one-on-one dribbling drill with Coach Darius.
PrepHoopsTN Combine: The Measurements – Prep Hoops
Chris Alford
Chris
Alford
6'3" | SG
Sweetwater | 2024
State
TN
| SG | Sweetwater | 2024
How did he measure against the competition?
- Class of 2024
- 6’2.5″ SG
- @PrepHoopsTN Combine All-Star
- Camp Ranking — #5
- State Ranking — Top 120
Really strong push with the feet. Chris is quick at 6’3″? [Measured 6’2.5″] He can get the puppies moving pretty well. Powerful build. Right-handed shooter. Impressive times in the 3/4 sprint (3.36, 3.45). He runs really well at a taller height than most of the campers. It must be mentioned that he was a year older than many competitors. Can score in a variety of ways. Alford is already an adept perimeter defender. He can even take another small step there and Alford should make sure he is rebounding with consistent tenacity. Overall, Alford is a very balanced player with few weaknesses.
PrepHoopsTN Combine: The Measurements – Prep Hoops
Maxwell Blake
Maxwell
Blake
5'11" | PG
Rockvale | 2024
TN
| PG | Rockvale | 2024
How did he measure against the competition?
- Class of 2024
- 5’11” PG
- Camp Ranking — #20
Soft shooting touch. He might want it to come out a touch quicker. With taller guards often around, Blake will be better served if he can get the ball through the shooting zone more rapidly. He is strong shooting from the corners. Perimeter defense was hit-and-miss. Blake is more assured of himself in the lane than last year. He can still put on a bit of muscle, but mentally he is confident absorbing contact.
PrepHoopsTN Combine: The Measurements – Prep Hoops
Elijah Lussier
Elijah
Lussier
6'9" | PF
Jackson State CC | 2024
State
TN
| PF | Collierville | 2024
How did he measure against the competition?
- Class of 2024
- 6’7″ PF
- @PrepHoopsTN Combine All-Star
- Camp Ranking — #6
- State Ranking — Top 100
Elijah showed really good quicks, not just for a forward. He was moving super well for a high school player in general during the lane agility (11.68, 11.38). Lussier’s 11.38 was the best of the entire event, an event replete with guards! Lussier’s first sprint time (3.43) was a Top 10 time, as well. Much improved back-to-basket player. His agility really startled. There is a lot to like. Of course, he is a senior-to-be, so the 17u AAU season and his senior season remain his last opportunities for recruitment. His time is now.
PrepHoopsTN Combine: The Measurements – Prep Hoops
Dorien Lyles
Dorien
Lyles
6'3" | SG
Blackman | 2026
State
TN
| PG/SG | Siegel | 2026
How did he measure against the competition?
- Class of 2026
- 6’0″ PG/SG
- Camp Ranking — #13
- State Ranking — Top 60
Shooting looks a little herky-jerky from deep. A bull going towards the basket. Remarkable strength for his age and grade. Fantastic Lane Agility time (11.73). Dorien comes and goes on defense. His posture on that side is just whatever. He needs to invest more consistently defensively away from the basketball and stay sharp with active hands. A tank of a guard. Slashing at an above average level for a 2026 and backs down from no man. Outside shot was not in evidence Sunday. Dorien should be able to defend 3-positions at the high school level and 2 beyond, and it looks likely. 4-on-4 Semifinalist
Tae’Shawn Shelton
Tae’Shawn
Shelton
6'6" | PF
Shelbyville Central | 2026
State
TN
| PF | Shelbyville Central | 2026
How did he measure against the competition?
- Class of 2026
- 6’5″ PF
- Camp Ranking — #22
- State Ranking — Top 75
Insanely gifted athlete. He might have been the best in the combine-only portion. What a joy to watch him compete in the lane agility (11.93, 11.78) at 6-foot-5. Currently, his basketball-specific skills are very raw. If he plans to be a faceup-four or wing, then he needs to work a lot on his jumper, the touch, and his handle. A lot. Shelton’s physical gifts and apparent willingness to compete are wonderful starting points. Now the work needs to begin in earnest. High ceiling. He can run and jump at an elite level and he is already very tall as a sophomore-to-be. Wildly athletic. For us, Shelton was a complete unknown entering the event. Jumps out of the gym. Faster than a deer. Tall, long legs. He is built like a high jumper.
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