Next Up Recruits Camp: 2020 Standouts
180 players from 16 states descended on Luce Gymnasium at Asbury University on Saturday. Campers went through station work for 2 hours then played 3 games of 5 on 5 over the course of the afternoon. When the dust settled, the Top 40 and Top 20 all star game rosters were announced and a tired group of kids struggled through a sloppy all star game full of dunks and devoid of defense before heading home. Here are some of the 2020 standouts from the Next Up Recruits Camp.
JJ Traynor, Bardstown (The Ville) – Traynor has as much or more potential than anyone in the 2020 class and he appears to be turning the corner. JJ played above the rim all day at camp, finishing everything with 2 hands and showing some range on his jump shot. JJ made the Top 20 game at camp.
Dayvion McKnight, Collins (M.A.T.T.S. Mustangs) – McKnight joined JJ in the Top 20 All Star Game. Dayvion pushed the pace all day with the ball in his hands. McKnight continues to improves as a shooter and has a high ceiling as a prospect.
Marcellus Vail, Collins (M.A.T.T.S. Mustangs) – Another Junior who made the Top 20 All Star Game. Vail hit shots all day long from all over the floor. In addition to showing the range on his jump shot, Marcellus was able to get to the rim and score the ball as well as anyone at camp, especially through contact.
Rashad Bishop, Ballard (The Ville) – Bishop is long and athletic and finished well around the rim all day at camp. Rashad played with a motor and showed some skill. Apparently he is a big time football recruit at the wide receiver position and that makes sense with his length and athleticism.
Trent Findley, Male (Hoop Dreams) – In my first time seeing Findlay, he played hard and flashed some solid ball handling. Trent plays low to the ground and that helped him to burst past the defense. Male has a loaded Junior class and Findlay looks like another solid piece that should help Male contend for the 7th region title next season.
Kenny White, Madisonville-North Hopkins (Hoop Dreams) – Kenny is one of the most frustrating players to watch because he shows flashes of BIG time potential like when he had sequence where he hit a step back three then got a steal and took it in for a dunk. But the next game he didn’t do much of anything. If White ever puts it all together, he can be a high major level player. White was selected to the Top 20 game.
Joe Meador, Franklin County (Cky Magic – Robinson) – Meador was a kid who came out of nowhere to put on a dunk contest by himself. Joe is pushing 6’8 and is very bouncy. He was dunking everything and doing it with two hands for emphasis. Meador shows a ton of upside for a kid who only saw the floor in 2 varsity games as a sophomore this year.
Rodrell Dryden, Dunbar (CKy Magic – Robinson) – Dryden made the Top 40 All Star Game by playing with a big time motor. Rodrell used his length and aggressiveness to put down several dunks over the course of the day. With that length and athleticism he could be an impact player in the 11th region next season.