All Academic Camp - Beyond New England
Waltham, MA – At New England Recruiting Report we usually put most of our focus as a recruiting network on the prospects from our region, hence the name. However, each year at the Hoop Mountain All-Academic Camp held at Brandeis we have the opportunity to evaluate some of the country’s best student-athletes. This year was no different as many of the camp’s attendees come from outside the New England region. So we have decided to have one central write-up to recognize the very best of that we have seen from out of region this week at camp.
Jake Budde (Lake Travis HS, TX) - Budde plays the game at his own pace, which allows him and his teammates to take their time and get good shots on the offensive end. However, don’t get this control and discipline confused with lack of athletic ability because, as Budde has showcased multiple times, he is an explosive athlete who can play above the rim. He has good body control that allows him to adjust in mid-air, and has also been shooting the ball well from the three point arc.
Evan Davis (Summit Country Day, KY) - Davis continued his long-range shooting exploits and caught the attention of many coaches in attendance. His range has seemed to increase as the camp has progressed and he is making shots at an extremely high clip.
JD Levine (Poly Prep, NYC) – He has been one of the better kept secrets at camp this week, but people are starting to take notice of who Levine is. Yes, he is only 5’8”, but this player really knows how to play the game. He has a text book shot, is great in pick-n-roll action, gets others involved, and is a pest on defense. All in all, he is just a really fun player to watch and he has made some noise with college coaches regardless of his size.
Brendan Laing (Babylon HS, NY) - The 6'8” rising senior works hard in the post, and is proficient in resealing his man after passing out of the post. Look for big things from him this upcoming winter down on Long Island.
Eric Johnson (Passaic County Technical, NJ) – He is one of the best athletes at camp. This, combined with his natural physical attributes, makes him an intriguing prospect. Johnson has a good looking jump shot, and could end up developing into a talented collegiate wing.
Cooper Griffin (Charles Wright Academy, WA) – Griffin has been one of the best surprises thus far at camp. A true shot maker who has a great feel, and he makes a ton of plays for himself and others. Griffin is still developing into his body and is slow footed and undersized right now, but he could end up being a late bloomer physically who we look back on in five years and say he turned out to be one of the best players in the field.
Beau Williams (West Oak Academy, FL) - The Florida native has great footwork and takes a patient approach to his game. He catches the ball on his inside foot, and showed an influential haircut.
Uri Rahimi (Elev8 Sports Institute, FL) – Rahimi is a smart point guard who plays angles well and is often able to find his way into the teeth of the defense. The Florida native is a playmaker who has proven his ability to get to the rim early and often.
Dan Shoham (Encino HS, CA) – A crafty California lead guard who changes speeds well and does a good job of getting his teammates involved.
Harrison Dunne-Polite (Trinity-Pawling School, NY) - A great athlete, Dunne-Polite excels in transition and can finish at the rim with the best of them. While he is an NYC native and goes to school in New York, New England fans will recognize him due to the fact that Trinity-Pawling competes in the NEPSAC.
Dylan Kim (Mira Costa HS, CA) - Kim is quick and can score the ball. His handle is proficient, and his polished game indicates an easy transition to the next level.
Amanie Craddock (Don Bosco Prep, NJ) - Craddock resembles a running back breaking past the line of scrimmage when he is driving to the hoop. His strength causes problems for defenders trying to detach the ball, and he is a good passer when help defense arrives.
Dino Braduric (St. Mary's HS) - Braduric has long arms, allowing him to be disruptive on the defensive end. He catches and shoots in rhythm on the break.
Michael Hayon (Westlake HS, CA) – The unorthodox lefty has an unusual way of being productive on the low block. He utilizes up-fakes and angles well to score over taller, more athletic defenders around the rim.
John “Buzz” Watson (Archbishop Walsh Academy, NY) – The skilled and versatile 6’6” forward has been hurting defenses by trailing plays for 3’s as well as pick-and-popping. He is a good passer, and is comfortable on the perimeter, but can hold his own defensively against bigger players.
Justin Reid (Cardinal Gibbons, NC) - The North Carolina native has a smooth game with a quick release on his jump shot. He keeps his dribble low on his 1-dribble pull-up jumper.
Miles Hopkins (Bellarmine-Jefferson HS, CA) – The lightning quick, undersized guard is a tough player who can pick up opposing point guards in the full court and turn them. He has the build of a running back, and has been a tough cover through two days.
Juwan Trotter (Sierra Canyon HS, CA) – A hard-nosed defender who takes a lot of pride on the defensive end, Trotter has been a great energy guy thus far.
Jason Cam (Collegiate School) & Rodrigue Marthone (Dwight School) – The two New York City natives are a couple of 2016’s to look out for going forward. Cam is more of pure scorer who is proving he can score in all three areas, while Marthone fits the prototypical NYC point guard with a tight handle and good quickness.
Mitchell Dame (Niskayuna HS, NY) - The 6'5” forward showed promise on the interior with several nice moves, including a textbook up-and-under.
Ryan Hiepler (Oaks Christian School, CA) – Hiepler is a good shooter who has been hot from behind the three-point arc since camp started.