Louisiana Top 250 Expo: Scouting Reports
The first Top 250 Expo of the summer for Prep Hoops came to a close yesterday evening and it was a great one. As you’ve already seen in videos being posted, there were plenty of big time plays being made and even more talent in the gym. The next few days will hold plenty of recaps and information regarding the camp.
These are some of the players that really separated themselves from the crowd, which is tough when there was that much talent in the building.
2017
Raylon Hardy (6’0 G, Hahnville) Hardy is continuing his fantastic summer. He was able to get to the rim at will and either finished or kicked out the the open shooter. I had the opportunity to coach Raylon for one of his games, and when the game got close towards the end, he scored 12 straight for his team, including a stepback three and an acrobatic layup around three defenders, which lead to a big win for his team.
Ashton Austad (5’10 G, FTCA) Austad is a high IQ guard that was just as comfortable playing off the ball as with the ball in his hands. Had three to four assists per game, and when he was off the ball he was comfortable getting himself open and scoring some easy ones. Knocked down the open jumper, and was a capable defender
Darius McCord (6’5 F/C, FTCA) McCord has a big body, and is athletic enough to anchor a defense. He had lots of success operating from the top of the key, and running an offense through him. As a teammate with Austad, Faith Training should have success with McCord with the ball and finding cutters around him. More than capable of knocking down the 3 from college line and beyond.
Terique Daley (5’10 G, St. Amant) Daley has impressive handles and seemed to be able to get to the rim whenever he wanted, although he struggled finishing around the rim with contact. Offset that deficiency by finding shooters when going to the goal.
Jonathon Moss (5’8 G, Mckinley) This was my first time seeing Moss play, and I was impressed with that I saw. He was able to make up with his lack of elite athleticism with a high IQ as well as an array of hesitation dribbles. Made those around him better.
Trenton Guidry (6’6 F/C, Hathaway) Guidry was one of the more impressive big men at the camp, and really opened some college coaches eyes about his abilities. He is a prototypical stretch 4, small ball 5, as he is able to knock down the open jumper from three, or pump fake and drive to the rim. Although all of his drives were in a straight line, he was able to use his big body to get to his spot.
Blake Turner (5’10 G, North Vermillion) Turner is a lead guard that plays his best with the ball in his hand. He looked very comfortable in the pick and roll, making the correct decision the majority of the time. Showed off some deep range when he did play off ball, knocking down threes from 4-5 feet behind the three point line.
Michael Young (6’8 C, Salmen) Young is a big, long work in progress. He is able to affect shots at the rim as well as grab rebounds at a high rate. On the offensive end, he is still rough around the edges, and can really only be relied on to get putbacks. However, he was one of the posts, along with Trenton Guidry, that college coaches were discussing about giving an offer to.
2018
Jalen Dalcourt (6’2 G/F, Lafayette) Dalcourt is a long, athletic wing that plays his best game off-ball and in transition. He is very successful off ball, catching lobs off of backdoor cuts and knocking down open shots. Able to use length to be a big asset on that side of the ball. Looked good deflecting passes and shots, and getting out in transition where he was able to throw down some big dunks.
Ly’John Denis (5’8 G, St. Aug) I didn’t get a chance to see much of game action from Denis, but what I did see was impressive, especially from an undersized guard. During the one-on-one drill, he had one of the more notable plays, crossing over his defender at the top of the key, driving by him, pump-faking at the rim and sending the defender tripping over himself into the stands. During games, he took on more of a facilitator role, finding shooters and cutters when making moves to the goal. Made those around him better.
2019
Kalil Thomas (6’3 G, Holy Cross) Thomas was one of the best 2019 prospects in the gym. Big guard for his age, which makes his handles and hesitation moves all the more impressive. He is long enough to develop into a real defensive stopper. He had a solid form and soft touch, able to routinely knock down the open three.
Deiondre Williams (6’3 F, David Thibodaux) Williams is a long 6’3 wing that did most of his work on the offensive end. He was a dead-eye shooter, knocking down a three, four possessions in a row, all from the corner. Not comfortable with contact at the rim yet, but as he puts on weight and gets stronger, look for him to expand his game.
MVP
DeVaughn Thomas (6’6 G, Comeaux) When he is being aggressive, he is a top 7 prospect in Louisiana for 2018, and DeVaughn was aggressive from the moment he stepped in the building, taking defenders off the dribble and throwing down some monstrous dunks in the process. From beyond the arc, he is knock-down, even with a defender on him. With his size, he can simply just shoot over the defender. The biggest key for Thomas is developing the consistency game in and game out to be aggressive from tip-off, not just when he feels it’s needed.