Top 5 Players from the Northwestern State Elite Camp
The Northwestern State Demons held their annual, August elite camp this past weekend in picturesque Natchitoches, Louisiana. Players from near and far spent the day going through drills and playing games showcasing their talent in front of the NSU staff.…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Northwestern State Demons held their annual, August elite camp this past weekend in picturesque Natchitoches, Louisiana. Players from near and far spent the day going through drills and playing games showcasing their talent in front of the NSU staff. By the end of the day, there were five players I think that stood out above the talented group that was assembled. They are my top five players from the NSU elite camp.
Derrick Tezeno / 2021 / 6’4″ / North Central (pictured above)
I had not seen Tezeno since the 1A championship game (where he won Most Outstanding Player). Just as he did in that game, Tezeno stood out amongst his teammates. At 6’4″, he was able to rebound the ball and push the ball on many possessions. On one possession, he gained an offensive rebound, took one step, and emphatically dunked the ball. In that play, he showed his power and athleticism. He also displayed the ability to hit the trey and finish in traffic when necessary. If that was not enough, he took the defensive assignment of guarding the opposite team’s best wing. Tezeno has the all-around skill to influence the game in several ways and he proved it at the NSU elite camp.
Jakemin Abney / 6’3″ / Simsboro / 2020
On Abney’s first offensive possession, Abney drove the lane, rose up and attempted a vicious one-handed dunk. From that point on, he was locked in for the day. Abney was impossible to stop. He showed his ability to be a lead guard by initiating offense. His ability to attack the lane and finish on balance was good to see. I think the best thing about Jakemin’s game was that he attacked defenders all day. No matter who defended him, he either created fouls or finished through (and sometimes around) contact. On the defensive end, he guarded all five positions which showed his defensive versatility. I have always wondered when Abney was going to show everything he can do on the floor. The NSU elite camp was his chance and he definitely took it.
Caleb Robinson / 6’5″ / Core 4 / 2020
The Caleb Robinson I saw early during the grassroots season was not the Caleb Robinson I saw on Saturday. He was more of a slasher and dunker early on. Now, he has expanded his game. Robinson played great man-to-man defense in space. He started off his game on the main court with two steals and breakaway finishes. He was already a good defender so that was not surprising. What was a pleasant sight was the improvement of his jumper and his heightened passing ability. Robinson stepped out to the three point line and knocked down a couple of threes. He also threw a couple of lead passes to teammates at the rim and was able to find shooters after penetration and kick. His play seemed effortless but effective. Robinson definitely used the elite camp to showcase his improvement.
Kentrell Garnett / 6’3″ / Catholic / 2020
Garnett looked as if he had grown two inches from me seeing him during the grassroots season. Coupling those two inches with his game and Garnett had an eye-opening performance at the NSU elite camp. He shot the ball very well from distance. While his release is not conventional, the results are consistently good. Whether it was the top of the key or the wing, he made plenty of jumpers. His handle was impressive as well. Garnett easily got by initial defenders and finished strong around seondary defenders. Garnett was mostly a shooter in the Louisiana Elite offense this summer. The elite camp gave him a chance to display the expansion to his game. Needless to say, he did not disappoint.
Anthony Robinson / 6’5″ / Long Beach (MS) / 2021
During the last game of the day, I saw this player rebound the ball, move up the floor with ease and find his teammates for easy layups. If he did not find a teammate, he was finishing at the rim. Anthony Robinson was that guy. He is a smooth ballhandler who has point guard poise He was not rushed and made plays for himself and his teammates. Robinson attacked the rim and finished through contact repeatedly. With another year under his belt, Robinson may become one of the more talked about guards in the south. He has all the tools to be a big point guard on th next level. With the game he displayed on Saturday, he is definitely on his way.
These five players had very good camps. I can see each one of these players playing on the mid-major or low major DI level. Tezeno and Robinson have another year to improve their game which is alreay very well rounded. Look for these players to be hot names on the recruiting trails as the calendar moves closer to recruiting season.
Other top players from the NSU elite camp:
Hunter Strickland (6’7″) – Weston
Daniel Ortiz (6’1″) – Southwood
Kalep Crane (6’1″) – Simsboro
Corey Dunning (6’8″) – Lafayette
Kendal Coleman (6’8″) – Captain Shreve
Braden Board (6’5″) – Crowley