The Prep Ball Report

Saturday Night

Jermaine Jackson Jr. 5’6″ guard Michigan Mustangs-Allison 15u

The only glaring weakness in Jackson’s game is his size.  However, Jackson used his size to his advantage against opponents.  Jermaine contributed 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists in the quarterfinal gold bracket victory.  He’s quick with the ball in hands, comfortable going either way, and gets into the lane whenever he pleases finding ways to finish or get to the free-throw line.  Jackson is also able to facilitate the game as a true point guard, finding teammates via penetration or drive and dish.  He’s developing into a knockdown shooter on the perimeter from the three-point line, with a consistent fluid release off the dribble or catch.  Because he’s so low to the ground, Jackson is also a threat to guards on the defensive end with a weak handle with his quick hands and IQ for the game.

Xavier Tillman 6’6″ forward Michigan Mustangs-Allison 15u

At 6’6″ 220 pounds, Tillman possesses the body and strength most rising sophomores do not have.  Aside from just physical attributes, Xavier has a very high IQ and motor for the game.  He never took plays off throughout the weekend, rebounding at a high level on both sides of the floor, not shying away from contact against opposing forwards.  He’s a consistent athletic above the rim finisher with skill and a back to the basket type game.  He does a nice job of sealing his defender, allowing a easy entry pass into the post for his teammates to find him, and feeling out which to attack the basket.  Tillman also runs the floor well for a big, and is an underrated passer from the post position.  Several midwestern MAC schools and a few Big Ten teams were on hand to check out Xavier’s games throughout the tournament.

Josh Stamps 6’5″ guard/wing Team Rose 17u

The best pure shooter in Cincinnati was Josh Stamps of Chicago Curie High School.  He has the ability to get into a rhythm from all over the three point line quickly and then the next thing you knows he’s hit two or three on you.  Stamps never changed his shot in any situation, whether he was wide open, or a defender was in front of him, he’s always going to use the same lift and mechanics.  He moves well without the ball coming off screens, but also can put in on the floor and create plays.  He never hurried or forced the issue for Team Rose, and is a good passer for a wing.  Stamps has a variety of mid-major offers from the Illinois area.

Sunday

Austin Davis 6’10” center Michigan Mustangs-Carson 16u

Davis turned in the best performance I have seen from him this AAU circuit on Sunday vs. Nova Village in the 16u Gold Bracket Semi-final, going for 20 points and 14 rebounds.  With ideal size, length, IQ, and footwork, Austin went about his game with a workman like approach, battling for every rebound, creating second-and even third opportunities for his team to score.  He’s got a decent skill set down low, finishing from either side of the basket, and even with defenders draped all over him.  On defense, he also blocked two shots, and rarely gives up an easy looks to opponents.  Illinois was in full-staff to watch Austin on Sunday, and Davis concluded the weekend with an offer coming from Kent State immediately following the tournament.

Devon Daniels 6’4″ guard/wing Michigan Mustangs-Brown 17u

Devon is developing into a complete scoring weapon on the offensive side of the floor.  He showed his versatility in the silver championship victory vs. the Michigan Playmakers.  He scored on all three levels, hitting a couple threes on the wing or in the corner, slashing to the basket off the dribble, or playing in the middle against a 3-2 zone, and driving to the basket using his body to shield shot blockers.  Combined with his high-motor, competitiveness, and athleticism, Devon is a 2016 prospect schools in the midwest should track during his junior season.

Other Standouts on the Day:

5’10” guard Brandon Allen (Michigan Mustangs-Carson 16u)

5’11” guard Armani Cheney (Team Rose 17u)

6’3″ wing Jaire Grayer (Michigan Mustangs-Brown 17u)

5’10” guard Elmelik Martin (Michigan Playmakers 17u)

6’7″ forward Jeron Rogers (Michigan Mustangs-Brown 17u)

Tags: Adidas All In Classic

Coaches from all across the country were at hand in the queen city to take in talent the midwest has to offer at the Adidas All In Classic.

Friday

Antonio Capaldi 6’5″ wing Michigan Playmakers 17U

Capaldi turned in his best performance of the AAU season on Friday night. He came off the bench hitting his first four shots of the game, including two threes, to give his team early momentum which would be used to gain separation in the route win over Who Got Game. He just needed to see one go through to get into a rhythm. He put the ball on the floor and pulled up in the mid-range game, came off a screen or two in the lane, or spotted up on the perimeter for a few threes. Also a quarterback on Madison Heights Bishop Foley’s football team, Capaldi showed he can take a hit or two, converting on two and-ones in the game. He’s got quick feet in the team’s 3-2 zone, and his length at times is hard to get around for opposing ball-handlers.

Ted McCree 6’3″ guard Michigan Playmakers 17u

McCree was solid over the two pool games for 17u on the day. He came out shooting in the first game, going 3-3 from three pointers in the first half. However, he showed more of a complete game in the second game on the day, putting the ball on the floor, getting past his defender, finishing at the rim, and hitting some pull up jump shots in the lane. But Ted is more than just a scorer, he handled the ball a little bit as a point guard creating and finding teammates, getting steals and playing defense, and rebounded well in spots over the course of the day. Besides just basketball ability, his IQ and understanding for the game set him apart from most high school guards at this level. He seems to never get rattled or frustrated on the court, and keeps an even demeanor even through rough parts of a game.

Antwan Carter 6’3″ forward Michigan Playmakers 16U

Carter is an athlete. He probably has the highest vertical on the team, and he isn’t even the tallest player. He used his athletic ability to rebound the ball both offensively and defensively on the day. Carter is still polishing up individual skills such as shooting and creating offense for himself, but the potential is there to be a decent prospect over the course of the next two years.

Saturday Morning

Kyle Woodruff 6’2″ guard Michigan Mustangs-Woodruff 16u

Handled more of a scoring role for the Mustangs in the team’s game vs. SMAC Primetime, coming out and getting 12 of the team’s first 15 points in the game, hitting a couple threes, and contested finishes in the lane.  Competes with an impressive IQ for the game, as to be expected because his dad is the coach of the team, making a few nice passes or cuts to get easy baskets.  Real good shooter when playing off-the ball, especially when he gets a clean look.

Andrae Powell 6’6″ forward Michigan Playmakers 17u

A bit of a tweener between a small forward and power forward, Powell proved he can do a bit of both and be effective.  Powell impressed coaches in the victory vs. Ohio Elite with 17 points and hauling down seven rebounds.  He’s got a nice touch from 15 feet and in that can be extended to the three point line at times, and can take his man off the face up, and get to the lane with his left hand.  Good athlete, decent leaper off the floor, and length all give Powell the potential to become a promising prospect at both ends of the floor if he continues to work on polishing his game up.

Tags: Adidas All In Classic