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HOOP GROUP WV JAM FEST RECRUITING NOTES - DAY 1

By Lauren Kirschman

The first of two 10-day evaluation periods for the month of July come to a close today. One of the top annual events each year to close the period is the Hoop Group’s West Virginia Jam Fest, predominately help in the Morgantown (WV) area. With recent NCAA legislation preventing the games to be held on the WVU campus local high schools hosted contests as well as other sporting centers, including a local ice rink.

On day one of the event there was a large crowd of assistant coaches tracking down Amile Jefferson at University High School for an evening game and, as usual, the Team Final 16U club had their share of coaches on hand when they played. Below are some recruiting notes from the day’s action on Semaj Christon, Melvin Johnson, Rondae Jefferson, Dashawn Suber and more…

Semaj Christon (Cincinnati Knights)

Since reclassing to 2012, 6-foot-4 guard Semaj Christon has caught the attention of Big East schools in Providence, Georgetown and West Virginia.

“I liked the coaching staffs and the players a lot, too,” he said.

When asked what he liked about Georgetown, Christon replied that it’s “just Georgetown,” a nod to the school’s tradition. He said the Providence coaches treated him like a son.

Christon, who will attend prep school at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire, is fast and has excellent court vision which he uses to set up his teammates.

He said he needs to work on his jump shot and getting stronger during the rest of the summer and his year of prep school.

As for where he’ll end up after that, Christon said he’s looking for a place where he can come in and play right away. He also wants to get along with the coaching staff and players.

Christon’s not looking for any particular playing style.

“I can fit in anywhere,” he said. “I just have to like the coaching staff.”

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Melvin Johnson (New York Gauchos)

Melvin Johnson lists Hofstra, Villanova, Arizona, Boston University and Albany among the schools that have shown interest.

But when asked for a favorite, he quickly spouted off Syracuse.

Although Syracuse, the university the class of 2012 guard refers to as his “dream school” has yet to come calling, Johnson said he wants to wear Orange.

He’s focusing on becoming a pure point guard, knocking down shots, passing the ball better and getting quicker in order to catch the attention of one of the Big East’s top schools.

Johnson already attracted another of the conference’s best programs in Villanova. He said he’s drawn to the Wildcats’ up tempo style.

“It’s a tough conference,” he said. “They play to win…Jay Wright is a great coach.”

Johnson, a big guard in his own right, said he’s drawn to the Big East because of the strong “big time guards.”

At the West Virginia Jamfest, Johnson said he’s focused on showing the coaches in attendance that he could play at the highest level.

“It’s a great experience,” he said of playing in front of college coaches. “You just have to play hard.”

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Dashawn Suber (New York Gauchos)

Dashawn Suber hasn’t caught the attention of any high major schools yet, but he’s staying focused on performing well in front of the coaches this summer.

“I play hard all the time,” he said. “Coaches like point guards that play hard, get their teammates the ball and run their team.”

The class of 2012 guard enjoys the opportunity to prove himself in front of college coaches during the summer.

“During the season, they really don’t get to come out and see us so we have to put our talents out during the summer,” he said.

So far, most of the interest in Suber has come at the mid-major level from Central Florida, Temple, Quinnipiac, Western Kentucky and San Diego State.

Suber is planning to visit Central Florida next week and Western Kentucky in August. He doesn’t have any favorites yet.

As he prepares to tale his game to the next level, Suber is working on his defense. He has a solid jump shot, but he’s focusing on pulling up and changing speeds.

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Rondae Jefferson (Team Final)

Class of 2013 prospect Rondae Jefferson didn’t play with Team Final at Jamfest due to tendonitis in his elbow, but he did make the trip.

Jefferson’s inability to play in the event likely disappointed several college coaches as Temple, La Salle, St. Joe’s, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Cincinnati and Syracuse have all shown interest.

Although Jefferson has no early favorites, he said he’s looking for a good environment and people he enjoys being around.

He might also be looking for a school that will let him play point guard. Listed as a small forward, Jefferson is interested in playing point guard in college.

Right now, St. Joe’s is the only school the 6’7″ Jefferson named that is showing interest in him for that position.

A good quality for a point guard, Jefferson counts controlling the tempo among his strengths. He said he needs to work on his strength and his jump shot.

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Jaquan Newton (Team Final)

Class of 2014 guard Jaquan Newton is playing in front of college coaches for the first time this summer.

But he doesn’t feel any added pressure.

“It’s a good experience for me,” he said. “It just motivates me to play better.”

Rutgers, Syracuse, Villanova, Temple, St. Joe’s and Kansas are already interested in the 6’3″ guard who said attacking the basket is his greatest strength.

“That’s my biggest strength: scoring, just scoring,” Newton said. “I like to score the basketball.”

Despite his ability to get to the basket and score, Newton said he spends everyday in the gym working on his jumpshot in order to improve his game for the collegiate level.

Although Newton has plenty of time to decide where he’ll take that next step, he already knows he’s looking for a team that plays high tempo.

“I like to run and gun,” he said.

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