Post by Phoenix Phil on Jul 18, 2008 22:17:52 GMT -5
Day 91, 2008
Hundres of the top high school players in the nation came to Charlottesvile, Virginia to display their skills in front of college and pro scouts. We came away very impressed by some great performances.
The surprise of the camp might have been the emergence of Harold Bratton. Bratton, a surprise invitee to the camp, is a 6'6" SF from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Hailing from an area not necessarily known as a hotbed of basketball, this was his case to show what he could do against elite competition, and he did not disappoint. Bratton used his stocky 258 lb frame to post up against smaller players. He's not a one-dimensional offensive player, as he showed he could step outside and hit a college 3 with relative ease, and when matched up against bigger players he took them off the dribble and created his own shot. Bratton shouldn't have much a problem adjusting to the college game, but expect him to run into difficulties if he ever reaches the professional game, as he will struggle offensively against the longer SF's that will typically be matched up against him. Bratton is currently a high school senior, and has just recently been attention from high level Division 1 teams. The University of Maryland seems very high on him... look for them to offer him a scholarship very soon.
Comparison:A rich man's Ryan Gomes
Joseph Smock got a standing ovation from the Virginia crowd when he entered John Paul Jones Arena. Smock, a 6'3" UVA recruit, showed an uncanny ability to put the ball in the basket at times, dominate games offensively for long stretches. He displayed a great desire to play defense, something often not seen in young kids like himself. The downside to Smock is that he dominates the ball at times, going into a chucking mode. His .424 FG% backs up that statement.
Smock's currently a high school junior.
Comparison: a better defending Ben Gordon
The best rebounder and shotblocker of the showcase was White Swan, Washington's own Raul Lemley. The 6'9" high school junior dominated the glass, pulling down close to 13 rebounds a game in the camp, which included a 20 rebound performance in camp's championship game. He's not supremely athletic, but he was by far the strongest camper. Lemley's already committed to the University of Maryland.
Comparison: Ben Wallace
More profiles to come...
Hundres of the top high school players in the nation came to Charlottesvile, Virginia to display their skills in front of college and pro scouts. We came away very impressed by some great performances.
The surprise of the camp might have been the emergence of Harold Bratton. Bratton, a surprise invitee to the camp, is a 6'6" SF from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Hailing from an area not necessarily known as a hotbed of basketball, this was his case to show what he could do against elite competition, and he did not disappoint. Bratton used his stocky 258 lb frame to post up against smaller players. He's not a one-dimensional offensive player, as he showed he could step outside and hit a college 3 with relative ease, and when matched up against bigger players he took them off the dribble and created his own shot. Bratton shouldn't have much a problem adjusting to the college game, but expect him to run into difficulties if he ever reaches the professional game, as he will struggle offensively against the longer SF's that will typically be matched up against him. Bratton is currently a high school senior, and has just recently been attention from high level Division 1 teams. The University of Maryland seems very high on him... look for them to offer him a scholarship very soon.
Comparison:A rich man's Ryan Gomes
Joseph Smock got a standing ovation from the Virginia crowd when he entered John Paul Jones Arena. Smock, a 6'3" UVA recruit, showed an uncanny ability to put the ball in the basket at times, dominate games offensively for long stretches. He displayed a great desire to play defense, something often not seen in young kids like himself. The downside to Smock is that he dominates the ball at times, going into a chucking mode. His .424 FG% backs up that statement.
Smock's currently a high school junior.
Comparison: a better defending Ben Gordon
The best rebounder and shotblocker of the showcase was White Swan, Washington's own Raul Lemley. The 6'9" high school junior dominated the glass, pulling down close to 13 rebounds a game in the camp, which included a 20 rebound performance in camp's championship game. He's not supremely athletic, but he was by far the strongest camper. Lemley's already committed to the University of Maryland.
Comparison: Ben Wallace
More profiles to come...
