Hazelton Camp - Event Recap

New England Recruiting Report | Monday, August 11th, 2014

The New England Recruiting Report made our annual trip to the Scott Hazelton Basketball Camp for what has become an event that attracts top talent from all across the region.  Here’s who impressed:

Jalen Adams (2015) – With two NEPSAC titles and a commitment to UConn already in the books, the dynamic scoring guard announced that he will be transferring to Brewster Academy this fall for a post graduate year.  Adams showed why he is widely regarded as one of the most talented guards in country as he was making shots, shifting defenders and attacking the basket, and then showing impressive floor vision by drawing a help defender and delivering an exceptional pass.  

Chris Baldwin (2015) - Coming off an impressive July where Baldwin wowed the crowd with several high level dunks and blocks, he continued his aggressive play here by rebounding above the rim, leading transition, and finish at the rim with both finesse and explosiveness.   

Rob OBrien (2015) - The high IQ combo guard will attend Cushing Academy for a post-graduate year.  O’Brien was very effective in camp as he knocked down several threes and was able to get into the lane off the bounce and score as well as create for others.  

Kareem Davis (2015)- The smooth playmaking point guard used a combination of quickness and slick ball handling to get into the paint and make plays. He was effective in transition as well as by varying his speeds and scoring points as quickly as any guard in the field other than Adams.  

Oumaru Kante (2015) - The athletic playmaker was hard at work beating opponents to 50/50 balls, penetrating and finishing at the rim, and providing easy buckets for his teammates as a result of his ability to pass off the dribble.  

Saul Phiri (2016) – He’s coming off a big summer that resulted in multiple new offers and it’s not hard to see why.  He’s highly versatile with size, length, athleticism, strength, and intelligence.  He used his length and size to rebound and defend, knocked down shots from different spots on the floor, and penetrated the heart of the defense to facilitate for others.  

Wenyen Gabriel (2016) – His rapid improvement over the last year led to a breakout AAU season and it was more of the same here as he shot the ball extremely well from the perimeter, used his length to rebound, challenged shots at the rim, and scored over smaller defenders.  His stock is only likely to continue to rise as his frame fills out.  

Arkel Ager (2016) – He was among the most intriguing prospects at camp thanks to his college ready body, high level athleticism, unselfishness, and improving skill set.  He knocked down several long range threes along with an equal amount of explosive drives and big dunks.  If his game continues to evolve at this pace, his recruitment should see new levels as well.   

Tyonne Malone (2016) - The Springfield product continued to score the ball in high volume, mixing crafty finishes in transition with an improved three-point stroke while also attacking the glass and utilizing his physical tools on the defensive end.    

Wabissa Bede (2016) -  He was the breakout performer during the first week of July and continued to show his great feel for the game and ability to dictate pace here.  He’s an old fashioned point guard who changes speed to get in the middle of the defense, looks to get his teammates involved first, but can still consistently knock down open shots.

Mark Gasperini (2016) - Gasperini is a 6’10 center who has an array of back to the basket moves, as he made several hook shots over both shoulders. He also showed pure shooting form and was able to face up and knock down several shots, including a few threes.

David Watkins (2016) – A versatile 6’8 forward who continues to expand his ability to handle and shoot the ball, Watkins was able to attack bigger defenders off the dribble while also knocking down multiple shots from behind the arc.

Greg Kuakumensah (2016) –  Kuakumensah displayed a high level off athleticism, including a couple of chase down blocks off the backboard and his trademark lefty dunk in transition. The southpaw also showed off an improved offensive skill set, making a few nice moves and finishes off the catch.  

AJ Pettway (2016)-  The Central Catholic junior plays the game with flow and grace.  The long and smooth guard showed his ability to knock down the three-ball as well as penetrate and create off the dribble and was a difficult cover from start to finish as a result.

Isaiah Fontaine (2016) – The athletic 6’8” forward who has just reclassified to Williston Northampton showed a lot of raw skills this week including his ability to run lanes, finish at the rim, and contest shots.  He’s someone whose progress over the next year will be worth following.

Nate Tenaglia (2016) - A crafty point guard full of winning intangibles, Tenaglia was aggressive defensively, able to knock down open threes, and willing to do all the little things to win games.  His motor was his most noticeable asset as he was all over the place tracking down loose balls, pressuring his opponent and making multiple hustle plays.  

Alec  Buresh (2016) – The talented combo guard showed that he can both knock down the three ball and has the wherewithal to be the table setter for his teammates.  He was equally diligent defensively showing a solid two-way floor game.  

Tamenang Choh (2017) - The long and athletic six-foot-five small forward impressed with a few possessions in which he played well aboe the rim while also showing signs of development to his perimeter game, knocking down a couple of shots and putting the ball on the floor.

Azar Swain (2017) – He’s well known for his high I.Q. and shot-making ability, but he’s also earned a reputation for his ability to make big shots.  He did that again on Monday, leading his team to a 2-0 record during the morning session while making shots off the catch and the dribble.  Most impressive was his ability to make multiple reads and intelligent decisions off of the pick and roll.  

Tshiefu Ngalakulondi (2017)-  One of the elite athletes at the camp, Ngalakulondi had his fellow campers buzzing about the put-back dunk he had over on his opponent.  He’s long, versatile, six-foot-five, and able to defend and rebound with players at various positions.  

Javon Taylor (2017)- Fresh off his commitment to Providence on Saturday, Taylor’s upside was still on display 48 hours later.  While he shares both his brothers’ length, Javon is most comfortable on the perimeter and has exceptional vision with the ball and the ability to see the game more than one pass at a time, all of which could ultimately allow him to develop into a big point guard.  

Jakigh Dottin (2017) - An aggressive and physical attacking guard, Dottin was relentless in his hunt of the rim. He also showed tools to be a true floor general, playing hard, being vocal, and displaying a contagious competitive spirit.  

EJ Perry (2017) – One of the most feared scorers in the Merrimack Valley as just a freshman, Andover’s rising sophomore has an innate scorer’s mentality and a great nose for the ball.  Perry got on a couple of those rolls here, scoring in a multitude of ways and on multiple possessions in a row.

Kevin Fernandez (2017) – He differentiated himself with a throwback style mid-range game as he continuously created space of the dribble and knocked down shots.  Fernandez also has a powerful body and used it on several occasions to get to the rim and finish.

Geo Baker (2017) –  A high level ball-handler with a smooth game, Baker used crossovers and inside-out dribbles alike to both get into the paint where he made drive and kick passes and floaters alike to spread the points around.  

Navien Cruz (2017) –  Cruz is an athletic guard who was one of the  best defenders at the Hazelton Camp.  Besides his ability to lock up on the defensive end, Cruz used his quickness to blow by his opponents and finish at the rim.

Avery Cerow (2017) – His length and athleticism makes him one to watch.  The 6’2” guard showed that he can both score and handle the basketball.  Cerow’s best quality during the camp was his ability to utilize his length to get to loose balls and deflections while also defending the perimeter.  

AJ Reeves (2018) - Reeves was very productive at camp as he showed his versatility as a long guard whose greatest attribute is that he really understands how to create space off the dribble and did that on several occasions.  Reeves also showed the ability to knock down shots and score around the rim with his soft touch.  This young guard has huge upside and star potential.