The Prep Ball Report

Day 2 News and Notes following Day Two of the U of D Mercy Team Shootout

AM

2017 Amauri Hardy 6’0″ guard Southfield- Hardy is starting to prove himself as one of the top 2017 guard prospects in the state.  With size, speed, and strength at such a young age, Hardy is particularly hard to handle in the open floor.  With an aggressive left hand dribble and attack mentality, Amauri always looks to attack the basket and absorb contact when he gets to the lane.  He can play either guard position, and can fill it up from anywhere on the court.  With an improving consistent jump shot from the perimeter, Hardy is primed for a big July with The Family 15u.

2015 Jerald Booker 6’0″ point guard Walled Lake Western- There is no more underrated point guard in the state than Booker.  If you’re a D2 school in the GLIAC right now, you should be all over this kid.  He has a knack for taking games over when his team needs him the most.  He is dangerous both on the perimeter and in the lane, creating and taking defenders off the bounce, Booker loves driving to the hole, but his jump shot is what keeps defenders honest.  He is also an exceptional attacker of the basket for his size, and crafty finisher with either hand to go along with it.  Booker always seems to be one step ahead of the defender, reading their tendencies and attacking their weaknesses.  His size limits him a bit defensively, but can defend guards with equal physical tools and traits.

2015 Khary Fanning 6’5″ wing Southfield- Few in the state are better true athletes than Khary Fanning.  He is truly a spring machine in basketball shoes.  Fanning has exceptional hops that allow him to get off the floor quick and glide easily.  Combined with his athleticism, Fanning doesn’t shy away from contact.  When he’s not dunking on you, he’s looking for and-one opportunity going right through defender to the basket.  He can also rebound the ball well both offensively and defensively for his position.  What would make Fanning truly dangerous if he developed a consistent jump shot, at least a midrange game to keep defenders guessing whenever he gets the ball.  But with his size and strength, Khary is an interesting prospect to keep tabs on for the Class of 2015.

PM

2016 Kamari Newman 6’2″ guard East English Village- Newman is one of the fast rising soon to be juniors in the state.  If Newman can continue his performance he had at the U of D Mercy camp, he will no doubt be in consideration for a top 5 player in the state.  With the Bulldogs starting point guard not playing, Newman was forced to handle the ball and facilitate The Ville’s offensive attack, and there where no let downs.  Known primarily as a shooter coming off screens and spotting up in the high school season, Kamari has developed a nice off-the bounce game this Spring.  Newman was able to use his length combined with ball handling to create space to to do what he does best shoot the three ball, but he was also dangerous in the mid-range game, finishing a few nice step backs on defenders to indicate the day was his.  He was also efficient running the point at times for EEVP, whipping some nice passes into the lane, and getting fellow guards involved from around the floor.

2016 Justin Turner 6’3″ point guard Detroit Renaissance- It’s hard to both the teams leading scorer and facilitate the game, but that is what Justin Turner does.  Turner is a wizard at creating his own offense, as he can both slash to the basket off the bounce and get to the lane or create space on the perimeter.  He was feeling it from the three point line all day, which kept his team alive in the championship game.  But what makes him unique is that he’s unselfish with the ball.  It feels as if he looks to create shots for others first before he does for himself.  He’s come along way as a defender on the perimeter, so there’s really nothing he can’t do on the basketball court.  Turner came away with U of D Mercy offer as soon as the camp was over.

2015 Joeviair Kennedy 6’3″ wing Muskegon- With the absence of big man Deyonta Davis, Kennedy showed that he is no slouch to be a team’s leading scorer.  He’s mid-range game really stood out, primarily off the catch from the wing and than facing up.  Kennedy also created offense for himself, slashing to the basket and using his length and agility  to finish around taller defenders.  He’s a good rebounder for his position, and is certainly beginning to play as a scholarship player as the Spring/Summer moves on.

2016 Cassius Winston 6’1″ point guard U of D Jesuit– One of the hardest to guard individually in the state regardless of class.  The game just comes so easy to him.  Winston gets around the floor so easily it looks as if the defense is in slow-motion.  His consistent three point jump shot really stood out the day, regardless of either off the catch or the bounce, its just another weapon at his disposal for a talented guard already.

2016 Jaylin McFadden 6’3″ wing East English Village- Yet another weapon for the already stacked Bulldogs, McFadden comes to EEVP via Southfield Bradford Academy.  McFadden is a high energy scoring with athleticism and length.  He did most of his damage in the paint, finishing around the rim against taller defenders.  His guard/ball skills are still developing, but at times during the day he set a high ball-screen and dove to the rim like a 6’8″ forward to perfection.  McFadden will also bring rebounding to and undersized Bulldog front line.

Tags: U of D Mercy

Summer League is what you make of it, and at the U of D Mercy Team Shootout, the two sessions revealed some indication of what this upcoming season will turn out to be for some of the top teams, and players in the state.

AM Standouts

2015 Antonio Capaldi 6’5″ wing Bishop Foley- Capaldi was one of the more versatile players at the camp.  With the ideal size for the wing, Capaldi can play and guard both guard positions as well.  He can serve as both his team’s primary scorer or facilitate and create for his teammates.  Very good rhythm shooter from the 20ft and in, just needs to see one and get his confidence up.

2015 Demarco Dickerson 6’2″ guard Detroit Loyola– Dickerson is the classic version of a combo guard.  When he has the ball in his hands, he looks to get his teammates involved from all areas of the floor.  But throughout the day, he played more of an off-the-ball role.  He likes to takes defenders off the dribble and slash to the basket, either finishing or getting to the line.  Demarco also made his presence felt on defense.  When the Bulldogs went to a half-court trap, Dickerson was at the top causing havoc for opposing ball handlers with quick hands, footwork, and length, creating steals and deflection which resulted in easy run-outs for his team.

2015 Mykel Tyson 6’6″ forward Detroit Consortium- Tyson is undersized for the power forward position, but with a big-body and workman like attitude, Mykel still finds ways the affect the game.  He’s a very physical inside presence on either side of the floor, battling for rebounds and using his size to create space.  Offensively, he has a decent touch around the basket with a left or right hand, and even ran the high-low well sometimes sealing defenders and allowing his fellow forward a wide open area to pass.  Still working on a back to the basket/post-up game.

PM

2015 Josh Davis 6’5″ wing Detroit Henry Ford- Josh was no doubt one of if not the best players in the gym throughout the whole day regardless of AM or PM.  Davis has a reputation for being a knock-down shooter on the perimeter, as he still did, but what caught the attention of Calihan Hall was the thunderous dunks the young man provided.  One a back-door alley-oop which brought the whole court to their feet, as well as a few momentum swinging baseline dunks off the dribble.  Just another reason as to why he has seven offers currently and high major interest on the way.

2016 James Towns 5’10” point guard Detroit Henry Ford- What Towns lacks in height or weight, he makes up for with heart and gritty determination, a true competitor on the floor.  As a point guard, James is a solid decision maker on the offensive side of the floor, he can run a half-court offense efficiently, but at times can create plays an scoring opportunities individually.  Despite his size, Towns is an exceptional leaper, as he pounded one down with his dominant left-hand beating his defender off the dribble.  But where Towns likes to leave his presence felt is on defense.  He’s a lockdown defender.  In the championship game, Towns made the game winning scoop and score to give his Trojans the w, but that is not to say he did not apply ball pressure and high intensity throughout the afternoon.

2016 Devon Daniels 6’4″ guard Kalamazoo Central– Very skilled offensive player at the two guard position.  Can create his own shot off the dribble, and was primarily effective in the mid-range section of his game throughout the day.  He is the type of player that a team can run an offense through and receive quality contributions.

2015 Arlington Hambright 6’4″ forward Belleville- On a team predicated on guard play, Hambright was a pleasant surprise for the Tigers.  Hambright is undersized for his role on the team, power forward, however, his big body and high motor give opposing teams problems.  Hambright did the dirty work for Belleville, playing physical down low, rebound, and get loose balls.  What caught the attention of Hambright offensively was the times when he got the ball on the elbow, faced up, and knock-down a contested jumper on the opposing teams forward.  He didn’t just do it once, Hambright did it at least five times.  It will be interesting to track Hambright’s development as the Summer moves on and what type of player he will become by the Fall.

Tags: U of D Mercy