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NBA TOP 100 CAMP REVIEW (PART II)

by RON BAILEY

June 24, 2009 – In NBA Top 100 Camp Review (Part 1), four high school-aged student athletes being recruited by Big East schools were presented. Part 2 picks up where its sibling left off, including discussing guys well known and introducing a player not presently a household name.

Joe Jackson – 5’11″, 165 pound, Class of 2010 guard, Memphis, TN – Physically a point guard, Jackson has the mentality of a scorer; he is in perpetual bucket-making mode, whether attacking the rim or pulling up, both in half court and open floor settings. He’s capable of scoring in all areas, including finishing in traffic, over bigger players (which he did during Top 100 play).

Joe Jackson attacks the cup at NBA Top 100 camp

Sometimes when a player is a scoring savant, other aspects of his game can suffer, and in this case it’s passing; Jackson is an electric performer, but many times seems to ignore passing. It’s not that he can’t pass, as when forced to Joe does so well. He just doesn’t choose to drop off or kick off to teammates consistently, something given his size will be a boon, if not necessity, in college. Upgrading his on-ball pressure will help also, as will changing speeds offensively.

Jackson has received big time collegiate interest, and indicated Syracuse, along with Memphis, Texas and Kansas could be official visit destinations of his.

Jelan Kendrick – 6’6″, 190 pound, Class of 2010 Guard/Forward, College Park, GA – Kendrick came in with the reputation as a scorer capable of dishing the rock, and did nothing but enhance that belief; pound for pound, he was the best ball distributor amongst the Camp’s swingmen. This penchant for finding people extended to half and full court situations, with Jelan generally making good basketball decisions. Kendrick readily said “I take pride in my passing”.

A young man extremely proud of his ‘Hotlanta’ roots, it is known that the likes of Georgia Tech and Georgia have long been recruiting him, with offers being tendered. From a B-East perspective, Georgetown and Cincinnati are interested; the Hoyas being one of his estimated “32 offers”.

In terms of development Kendrick must continue to get stronger, and focus on not getting hung up, essentially passing when his shot has been taken away. Doing so will mesh nicely with his ability to shoot and drive. Defensively, Jelan uses his length to hound foes, but could also become more aggressive on the rock.

Tobias Harris – 6’7″, 210 pound, Class of 2010 Forward, Long Island, NY – Long a target of Big East schools, Tobias has slimmed down and toned up physically, revealing an athlete who can compete inside and out, one capable of shooting and finishing. His spin, to behind the back, to left hand layup move speaks to such skill level.

Though lengthy, Harris must continue to get stronger, thereby ensuring his ability to battle inside during college. Also he can also improve his lateral quickness.

Where might Harris, a resident of ‘Strong Island’ attend college? Many suitors exist, The Big East’s Syracuse, Louisville, the Domers of Notre Dame and Rutgers are all in play. Tennessee, along with Connecticut and West Virginia might be forming a leading trio. Georgetown, according to Tobias’ dad, Torrel, is still being evaluated.

According to the elder Harris, a man who responded with a twinkle in his eye “I taught him a few things” upon being asked if he tutored his son in the game, schematic-wise, the winning school will “like to get up and down…When they have to play halfcourt, they will run sets of course, but to me when you have an opportunity to run, you do that”.

Justin Coleman – 6’6″, 205 pound, Class of 2010 swingman, Richmond, VA – Most people at the Top 100 are known entities, players that have been scouted on the travel team circuit for years, many times longer than they’ve been in high school. Recruiters and recruitniks have a wealth of information on these kids.

Justin Coleman pops from the outside in Top 100 camp action

Then you have guys like Justin Coleman, who only recently started receiving major recruiting attention.

“This is one of the biggest camps, well, the only camp I’ve ever been to” said Coleman of the Top 100, an University of Virginia-based shindig.

What? How can somebody who shared a recruiting list of “Florida, Maryland, Duke, Memphis, Indiana, Marquette. Xavier recently offered me. Boston College, Oregon” and others, never have attended a camp period, much less one with the Top 100′s prestige?

“I just recently got on the map about a month ago” confided Coleman. “I sat out my whole tenth grade year and half my 11th grade year”. That respite from hoops was due to friction with the coach at his previous high school, Louisa. This year, after moving, he transferred to Henrico.

The result of the change, which occurred halfway through the year can’t be denied. “I led them to the (Virginia playoff) Regional Final Four” recalled the well spoken Coleman, who later noted his grades “have been picking up…I only got a couple of C’s” after the transfer.

Nevertheless, schools were still lukewarm to him after high school, as Justin said “I got a couple of calls, but it still wasn’t much. Then I started getting involved with the AAU and some of the more competitive tournaments, and that’s when I really started to shine”.

A proud member of Petersburg Elite, coached by Ty White, Coleman has no thoughts of leaving that organization. Going forward, gaining experience will be key for him, including the understanding of picking his spots – essentially knowing when to do what. As a player who can drive, shoot, and finish, that will round out his package.

So will playing better “Defense”, a need Justin embraces. Specifically he noted “Fundamental skill”, such as keeping a low center of gravity and focusing on lateral movement as the necessary work in strapping he has engaged.

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