All-Academic Camp – Recap I

by Harry Rafferty | Thursday, July 11th, 2013

WALTHAM, MA – The annual Hoop Mountain All-Academic Camp got underway Wednesday night at Brandeis University, and played host to some of the top academic basketball players from around the country. With more than 100 different college coaches from some of the best colleges and universities in the country watching the action, the gym had great energy throughout Wednesday night and Thursday.
While there will be another recap after the camp ends tomorrow, here are the players that have impressed so far:

Ian Sistare –Fresh off his visits to Duke and Stanford, Sistare looked great in his morning game.  He was the floor general alongside many of his NMH and Rhode Island Hawk teammates, and did a great job of running his team.  More impressive than any particular sequence or play is Sistare’s overall court demeanor and unsung toughness. He is the type of player that every coach wants on his team, and his maturity at such a young age is one of the main reasons why he is such a highly recruited player.

Collin McManus – He has made great strides since the last time we saw him, and is starting to put it together. He played very well in the afternoon game consistently scoring inside off of easy put-backs and the rare post touch. Also hit a couple of elbow jump shots which was impressive for a player of his size.

Lionel Owana – The Maryland product was a beast down low physically punishing many different defenders who tried to challenge him around the rim. He is incredibly mobile, has a great motor, and brings great energy to the floor. Receiving a lot of Ivy League interest, and rightfully so.

Connor Morelli – While his game is a little unorthodox, he was effective Wednesday night and was equally as good today. He brings energy to the floor and has a knack for being in the right place at the right time.

Mike Leblanc – As usual, he shot it very well which, at his height, is what makes him the intriguing prospect he is. However, while most know him as just a great shooter, his versatility and ability to do a number of different things is underrated. He rebounded the ball in high volume and has the ability to defend a number of different positions with his length and athleticism.

Tom Hunt – Another guy who is a shot maker opposed to being just a shot taker, Hunt continued his hot shooting that he has had thus far this summer. He is able to play bigger than he is because of his strength, and does a great job of moving without the ball and spacing the floor.  

Mike McDevitt – The Maine native was very productive inside, and has the ability to mix it up outside with a smooth perimeter jumper as well. He is efficient, and is a great effort guy who plays hard every second he is on the court. He will be running with Carl Parker’s Maine MAC program this summer and should have a steady dose of college coaches following him.

Daniel Chung – The heady, skilled guard was hitting shots from all over the floor Wednesday night, and then Thursday was getting into the paint often and making great decisions once there in terms of finding his teammates. While Chung may not pass the first glance eye test, his game does more than enough to make up for what he may lack physically.

Connor Panzner – The crafty lead guard did a great job of pushing the tempo, setting up his teammates for easy shots, and finishing around the rim when he needed to. He has a good feel for the game and did a very good job of not giving up his dribble in the paint.

Alexander Kaslander – His versatility at the wing is his best asset as he matched up against a number of different positions over the two games we saw him. Kaslander has a good shooting stroke and also found ways to score inside here and there.  

Everett Dayton – The unorthodox guard found ways to score and be effective both Wednesday and Thursday. While he certainly does not do it in the typical manner, the California native had coaches talking about his production and feel for the game.

Sean McNally – He shot the ball well and did a good job of keeping plays alive around the rim. He will be heading to Choate Rosemary Hall next season, and with added strength could be a very good wing defender at the next level.  

Jack Winston – Another versatile wing, Winston did a good job of running the floor and scoring in transition Wednesday night.  

Aaron Swenson – The Middlesex School guard loves contact and found ways to score the ball consistently. He bounces off defenders in the paint, plays hard all of the time, and is a gritty on-ball defender.

Chris Stowell – The incoming Tilton Post-Graduate has a very long frame and has some surprising athleticism that allows him to score a good amount around the rim.  

Tom Horvat – The rising Providence Country Day senior hit a number of shots on Thursday, and did a great job of making plays for others as well.