Hazelton Camp - Event Recap

New England Recruiting Report | Friday, August 12th, 2016

The New England Recruiting Report made its annual trip to the Scott Hazelton Basketball Camp on Thursday and, as usual, was rewarded by a rare August event that puts together loads of top talent.

In accordance with Hazelton Camps of previous years, an alumni team came back to spend the morning scrimmaging against current campers. This year’s alums included the likes of Jalen Adams, Wenyen Gabriel, Kaleb Joseph, Zach August, Saul Phiri, Dmitri Floras, David Watkins, Pat Benzan, Mark Gasperini and numerous others.

The contingent of high school campers included some of New England’s top guards in Makai Ashton-Langford, Wabissa Bede, Geo Baker and Caleb Green among others.

It was Baker who struck first on Thursday, imposing his will in the very first game of the day with a series of tough pull-up jumpers, which has become his trademark of sorts this year.

Bede and Green weren’t far behind. Bede showed his typical competitiveness, challenging Adams on the defensive end, while showing off his tight handle to get into pull-ups of his own as well as some tough finishes.

It was Green though who set the standard when it came to tough finishes. Going head to head with future Holy Cross teammate Benzan, Green showed a great understanding of how to use his body to get into the lane and terrific dexterity making lay-ups with both hands at various angles.

A.J. Reeves, Brimmer & May – There was a two-minute stretch on Thursday where Reeves just took over and showed exactly what he’s capable of. First it was an open three, then it was a hard drive to the basket in which he bounced back up to tap in his own miss and finally it was a tough three where he used his superior perimeter size to drill a tough look over a contesting defender.

Akok Akok, Manchester West – He might have made the biggest impression of anyone in the gym. First, he’s grown a couple of inches since last year. Second, he’s very long (his wingspan was measured at 7’1.5” by NERR’s Mike Yagmin at last week’s Big Strick Classic). Third, he’s a factor on both ends with shooting range to the arc and quick bounce to protect the rim defensively.

Tshiefu Ngalakulondi, Proctor Academy – An athletic wing who has improved his skill set dramatically in recent years, Ngalakulondi continued to show off his shot-making ability and punished defenders every time they played off him to respect his driving ability.

Tamenang Choh, Brooks School – Very rarely is there anything to learn about rising seniors in a setting like this, but for Choh, that wasn’t the case. The Brooks forward looked especially bouncy around the rim and showed some improved handle attacking the basket from the perimeter.

Keigan Kerby, Brooks School – Another Brooks forward, Kerby fits the mold of a face-up four-man. He not only has consistent range to three, but a quick release from long distance. He also showed the ability to catch and finish tough lay-ups on the move with both hands.

David Mitchell, Belmont Hill - The powerful lefty wing continue to stand out by making winning plays on both ends of the floor. He is a man among boys in his own age group and becomes all the more impressive when you watch him against guys who have already been succesful in college.

David Duke, Cushing Academy – There were two things that jumped out at you when watching Duke on Thursday. First, was his bounce around the rim as he finished above the cup with ease. Second, was the quality of his left hand as he both passed and even dunked with his non-dominant hand.

Monytung Maker, Bradford Christian – His motor is his calling card, but his length is equally notable. There was no one in the gym who ran the court harder than Maker, and when it takes you three strides to go from half-court to the rim, that’s pretty impressive.

Tanahj Pettway, Putnam Science – Stylistically, he’s different from many of the other guards in the gym. He may not be big or long, but he’s skilled and very smooth. Pettway can beat you from three, slither himself into the lane and show good touch and instincts in the paint.

Alex Rivera, Lowell – There’s plenty to like – he’s athletic, drilled a couple of threes and has proven his ability to score the ball – what stood out most on Thursday though was just his motor and competitiveness as he’d come right in, operate at full speed and immediately impact both ends.

Jimmy Yfantopulos, St. John’s Prep – The Steve Nash look-alike plays at a similarly high octane tempo. The southpaw is a blur with the ball in his hands, pushes the ball from end to end like few others and yet can still stop on a dime to get off his pull-up.

Colin Bradanese, Central Catholic –  The 6’4 small forward has continued to improve and again showed his versatility during camp as he is willing to get some work done on the inside while stepping away and knocking down the perimeter jumper.  

Ghared Boyce, Everett – The Everett guard who was one of the best scorers in the MIAA in this past season showed why as he knocked down threes off both the catch and dribble and found his way to the rim where he finished on a consistent basis.

Kevin Genao, Nashua South –  An old fashioned guard, Genao gets thing done on both ends of the floor with great competitiveness and a high motor. He shot the three well and was efficient with his dribble, not wasting any bounces from start to finish.

Luigi Derrane, Beverly – He showed why he’s an exceptional 3-pointer shooter with extended range as he knocked down threes throughout camp.  Derrane also has a lightning quick first step. He is also an improved defender with an improving motor.

Eye on the Underclassmen

Taelon Martin, Putnam Tech – As naturally talented as any prospect in the gym, Martin has a great frame with good size in the backcourt, wide shoulders and long arms (+4.5 wingspan per Mike Yagmin). He’s dynamite going north to south with the ball in his hands and is learning to manufacture his own offense east to west.

Chris Camille, Brookline – A young and talented wing, Camille continued to show off all the tools necessary to have a bright future. He has good perimeter size, long arms, is a plus athlete, has good hands and even showed range out to the arc.

Bol Akot, Proctor Academy - He demonstrated his ability to shift defenders, get to the rim and finish while placing the correct touch on the ball. He is also has an advanced understanding on the game and is an exceptional distributer of the basketball.

Marty Silvera, Doherty – He’s a physical guard who showed his ability to initiate and play through contact off the bounce. He also showed advanced stages of a midrange game as well as excellent rotation on the long ball.

Shemar Dennis, St. Peter Marian – He was a frequent starter on his high school team as an 8th grader and it isn't hard to see why. He's a high level athlete who plays above the rim and has a powerful upper body that he uses to create space driving from the perimeter.

Malachi McReed, Bedford – He has a powerful body and often imposed his will in the paint while showing shiftiness on the perimeter as well as the ability to knock down the long ball. The future is bright and he should have a chance to be an impactful player as a freshman.

Tyler Sidney, Somerville - He has the uncanny ability to create space and get to the rim and finish in a variety of ways. Sidney also has a nice floater game and so while he may be another immediate impact high school player, his best years are ahead.

Below are some highlights from the day care of Buzzer Beater on YouTube: