Over 60 prospects from Georgia, Tennessee, and Mississippi competed at the CoachHemi.com Spring Showcase in March. Photo cred – Nakita Hemingway
Lead trainer – Christian Simmons @WeWorkHoops
LEBANON, Tenn., – In the second year of running, the CoachHemi.com Spring Showcase became the place for prospects in Middle Tennessee and surrounding areas to put their talents on display. Over 60 players came and competed at Wilson Central High School and played on a stage to be evaluated by OTRHoopsReport.com, which is a national scouting service. Prospects played at least one game on TheSUVtv.com and trained with some of the region’s top trainers. Here is a recap on the players at the camp.
PLAYER EVALUATIONS:
Evals added daily and pictures added when available.
Zach Harrison (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) Blackman HS – 2018
Harrison is a guard with several skills and good athleticism to match. He played off of the ball today, but we see that he could develop into a full-time point guard. Learning to play lower in a stance on both ends of the floor should translate to him to making plays more consistently.
AJ Bowers (Nashville, Tenn.) MLK HS – 2017
Bowers is a well-built forward who was a productive force at the camp all day long. He has a motor that pushes him to get loose balls, rebounds and make plays on either end of the floor. We really like how he played relentlessly in the lane and played consistently all day long. While we did not see range on his jumper in this viewing, he did show quick powerful dribble moves in the open court. He projects to a quality wing player in the future.
Nema Taylor (Nashville, Tenn.) MLK HS – 2017
Taylor is a sophomore guard who showed a number of tools at the camp in March. He hit a couple of jumpers and slashed into the lane with the bounce consistently as well. With a few years still left in front of him in high school, he has room to polish his game and become more consistent in all areas. Figuring out what his specialty will be the first of his challenges, but having the skill set that he has puts him on the right track.
Walter Monroe (Atlanta, Ga.) Tri-Cities HS – 2017
Monroe is a versatile wing who showed his willingness to mix it up and get hustle points at the camp. Although he has perimeter skills and the quickness to defend away from the basket, he proved that he is willing to do whatever it takes to get his team to win. His blue collar attitude gained the attention and respect of many within the camp. We will be anxious to track his progress in future evaluations.
Syverio Pollard (Memphis, Tenn.) Soulsville Charter HS – 2015
Pollard has the ability to heat up from long range FAST! He hit three straight 3-point jumpers in game play at the camp. His tight footwork and high follow through allow him to be a heat-check shooter in game play. Although he can pack in the offensive fire power, he showed great heart on the defensive end as well. He has strength and heart that allow him to impact on both ends.
Jayden Byabato (Olive Branch, Miss.) Center Hill MS – 2019
Byabato is a young player with a developing skill set. His long term projection is to be a point guard, but he played primarily off of the ball here today. It is too early to tell what his specialty will be and maturity physically and skill-wise will be important for his development.
Dion Glass (Jonesboro, Ga.) Mundy’s Mill HS – 2016
Glass is a left-handed guard who heated up quickly in game play on the @SUVtv. His quick trigger on his jump shot allowed him to get jumpers out fast over defenders. His ability to handle the ball and score buckets make him a legitimate combo-guard threat in this setting. We will look for Glass to make an impact this spring and summer on the travel circuit.
Ryan Dortch (Olive Branch, Miss.), Desoto Central HS – 2019
Dortch is a young point guard with a lot of promise. He showed poise while handling the basketball and displayed a high IQ during camp games. He uses both hands well with the ball in his hands and keeps his head up to pass. What impressed us with Dortch’s game is that he never tried to do too much, but still made an impact without making a flashy play. We will keep tabs on Dortch as he continues to mature.
Ishmael Hicks (Olive Branch, Miss.), Desoto Central HS – 2017
Hicks is quick, active guard who projects to be a play-maker from the point guard position. He uses his quickness very well to set up passes for his teammates as well as harassing the opposing ball handlers. While only standing at 5-6, he has exceptional leaping ability that allows him to play bigger than he is at times. If he can develop a consistent 3-point jumper, expect his productivity to increase as well.
Bryce Williams (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), Blackman HS – 2017
Williams is a versatile forward with terrific athleticism. He is player that continues to grow and develop with each viewing. He has the springs in his legs to finish above the rim, but he has the ball handling to be able to face the basket as well. These traits make Williams a player that can affect the game on either end of the floor in multiple ways. Standing at 6-3 he is the type of player that can be a high level complementary player. However, if he continues to add pieces to his game we can all expect Williams to develop into a go-to player in years to come.
Dennis Stallings (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.), Wilson Central HS – 2018
Stallings made a great impression upon our staff at the March Showcase. The 6′ guard is a skilled lefty that plays with toughness. That combination of characteristics is not found often at the prep level. His quick, easy release from beyond the arc allows him to knock down the open jumper at a high rate. Yet he is strong enough to put the ball on the floor create plays going to the basket. Look for Stallings to make an impact for coach Troy Bond at Wilson Central in years to come.
Brandon Vann (Nashville, Tenn.), Lighthouse Christian School – 2017
Vann played a shooting guard position at the camp, but we believe from our short evaluation that the 6′ guard has point guard potential. He is a good athlete with active feet and hands on both ends of the floor. Although he did not have the most productive day on the offensive end, we definitely saw the talent that should lead to success in the future. Vann will be a player to watch as he develops in the next two years of high school.
Justin Bone (Smithville, Tenn.), DeKalb County HS – 2015
Bone is a high energy wing-forward that specializes in being efficient at a little bit of everything. At 6-3 he has the size to affect the game on the interior, but has the skill to face the basket. As he showed at the Showcase in March, he was a willing defender and rebounder who was very effective at playing with energy. We appreciated his unselfishness with the basketball as he made the extra pass and found open teammates.
Kevin Wright (Collierville, Tenn.), Schilling Farms MS – 2019
Still in Middle School, Wright is a guard with a bright future. He showed his quick trigger jump shot this weekend and proved that he hit the open jump shot with just a glimpse at the rim. Although he is young, he skill set allowed him to stay competitive in this setting. He played primarily a shooting guard position during the camp. Long-term projection, Wright will need to prove that he can be a full time handler in the future.
Terrance Vaughn (Memphis, Tenn.), Carver HS – 2015
Vaughn showed poise and good ball handling ability at the showcase. While he has speed and quickness, he was careful not to get out of control. He generally made good decisions to share the basketball or to hit the pull-up jump shot. At 6-1 he has good size for the position coupled with solid ball skill.
Justin Flakes (Olive Branch, Miss.), Desoto Central – 2016
The 6-1 guard exploded onto the showcase scene with numerous finishes within the first minutes of game. His live, active legs allow him to get to the paint with ease. He showed the ability to elevate and hang in the air to finish. Flakes is more than an athlete as showed good basketball IQ by directing traffic in the half court. His willingness to pass the basketball make him a solid prospect at the point guard position.
Desmond Simpson (Cleveland, Tenn.), Walker Valley High School – 2018
Simpson steadily improves from each time we see him in each camp. We had a chance to see Simpson first at the EBA All-American Camp last September. Today the freshman guard showed his touch on his jumper and connected on several 3-point jumpers while playing on the wing. He continues to add confidence with ball handling while always playing with tenacity on the defensive end. As he matures physically, his skill set should flourish.
Jaellan White (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), Blackman HS – 2017
White is a quick, strong guard who showed his specialty of slashing to the basket here today. The aggressive minded guard projects as a point guard in the long-term, however he showed that he can be a scoring guard as well at the camp. His ability to attack the lane brings scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
Jamvis Ponder (Newman, Ga.), Northgate HS – 2017
Ponder is a great athlete as a forward. He showed his ability to run the floor and finish on the move. He is a high energy player who does a good job of finishing around the basket. He has good size at 6-5 and he uses that size to affect the game on the defensive end as well. Polishing out his ball skill will be key for him to become more versatile in future years.
Connor Tharpe (Franklin, Tenn.), Heritage Middle School – 2020
Tharpe showed promise in this showcase setting my playing his role on the wing. He showed basketball IQ by playing good position defense and moving without the basketball. Although he was playing with prospects who were several years his elder, he proved that he could hold his own. The challenge for Tharpe in years to come will be to develop a specialty that he will be able to count on each time he takes the court to affect the game in a positive manner.
Jeremiah Winfield (Atlanta, Ga.), Tri-Cities – 2018
Winfield showed a lot of promise at the Showcase in March. As a freshman he played with energy and hustled at either end of the floor. Although he played primarily as a shooting guard today, we believe that he will develop into a lead handler in the future. His ability to read plays and move without the basketball allowed him to make plays even though he was one of the smaller players on the court. We look for Winfield to develop into a solid player as he matures physically.
Trey Davis (Memphis, Tenn.), – Saint Benedict – 2018
Davis is a talented point guard who has the ability to handle and knock down the open jumper. At 5-11 he has quick hands and feet that allow him to make plays at either end of the floor. He started his game on the SUVtv with a flurry as he hit jumpers and led the break effectively. His willingness to dump off passes to teammates in transition makes him a fun player to play with. Look for him to continue to develop as he has a skill set that is ready to grow.
Chris Brown (Kennesaw, Ga.), – Harrison HS – 2017
Brown is a point guard with a solid skill set. He showed his ability to lead the break by keeping his head up to pass and find the open teammate. Although he is point guard by nature, he played some shooting guard effectively at the Showcase. His ability to move without the basketball and read the defense allowed him to find space for jumpers. It is still early in Brown’s development, more hours in the gym and the weight room will only enhance his effectiveness on the court.
Derrick Williams (Atlanta, Ga.), – Tri Cities HS – 2016
Williams showed himself to be a combo guard during game play. He showed handling ability and the ability to make plays away from the ball as well. The 6-1 guard thrived in transition where he finished a number of plays at the rim. However, we see Williams long term value as a defender and energy player. If continues to play with that type of passion, he will contribute for his teams for years to come.
Quintavious Mitchell (Atlanta, Ga.), – Tri Cities HS – 2018
Mitchell is a player with a very high ceiling. Listed at 6-6 he has inside-outside ability. The Atlanta native is versatile and mobile as he can run the floor and finish in transition. However, Mitchell’s immediate contributions on the floor stem from his ability to rebound and play in the high post. His willingness to pass, set screens and be a good teammate all point to a bright future.
Drew Roberts (Spencer, Tenn.), – Van Buren HS – 2016
Roberts is a skilled perimeter player who plays with a high motor. He is a willing defender and rebounder from his position. Long term we see his value as a player who can hit the reversal jumper and a ball handler versus pressure. His length as a shooting guard gives him the versatility at this level to defend the back court or the front line effectively. He will be a player that we will keep an eye for development.
Brogan Brewer (Bartlett, Tenn.), – Arlington HS – 2018
Brewer is a solid guard with ball handling skills and the ability to shoot the jumper from long range. At 6-2 he has the advantage over most smaller guards because he can see over the top of him. What we really liked about Brewer’s game at the camp was his footwork and ability to pick and choose his spots. He is a willing passer and screener in a camp setting. Nevertheless he proved he could hit the tough shots in traffic as well.
Preston Moore (Brentwood, Tenn.), – Brentwood Middle School – 2019
Usually the toughest players on the court are the smallest. This is because it takes courage and resilience to play against bigger athletes. Moore exemplifies this principal 100%. The young guard came to the showcase and proved that he could make plays and affect the game just as much as the next guard on the court. As Moore matures physically the game will become easier and the skill that he already has will be seen consistently.
Jack Gregory (Nashville, Tenn.), – Christ Presbyterian Academy – 2019
Gregory is a hard working guard who blends a blue collar attitude with a solid skill set. In the showcase games he showed the ability to hit the open jumper while also keeping his head up to find the open player. He played primarily off the ball as a shooting guard in the camp, but he has the ball skill to be a lead handler in the long term. At 6-foot tall as an eighth grader, we project that Gregory will continue to stretch out to become a back court player with good size.
Quinton Byrd (Murfressboro, Tenn.), – Siegel HS – 2018
Byrd proved to be an effective player in this camp setting. He made plays in transition and he finished several “and one” plays by taking contact and finishing. The 5-11 point guard used his skill and energy to get his name called several times on the SUVtv broadcast. As he matures and adds experience to his game, we expect to see much more from Byrd in future years.
William Ramsey (Hampton, Ga.), – Dutchtown HS – 2017
Ramsey is a wing that has a number of tools that make him a productive player. The 6-3 athlete ran the floor and got buckets simply by hustling. His ability to hustle, play defense and hit the open shot made him a name that we called often on the SUVtv broadcast. He is really good in transition where he has space to maneuver and create plays. As he adds confidence in his ball handling and develops counter moves in the half-court, look for him to become a consistent performer in future years.
Choncie Banks (Memphis, Tenn.), – The Soulsville Charter School – 2015
The 6-foot-4 forward made a name for himself at the camp by working hard, rebounding and do many of the dirty jobs on the court. Because of that willingness to work, Banks turned out one of the most productive performances at the camp. He scored multiple buckets and snagged rebounds consistently
Issac Beck Team 2 (Smithville, Tenn.), – DeKalb County HS – 2015
The senior point guard came into the camp and earned himself a the title of “best distributor.” The 5-11 lead guard played with energy and poise in the camp games. He is a player who embraces setting up his teammates with the pass. However, he is also a guy who can get into the lane and make plays for himself when called upon.
Ardarryl Clay Jr. Team 1 (Chattanooga, Tenn.), – The McCallie School – 2018
Clay showed himself to be a combo guard with a number of tools that will help him be a productive player moving forward. He works hard in a stance on the defensive end. However, he drew our attention with his ability to finish on the move through contact.
Julien Martin (Murfreesboro, Tenn.), – Blackman HS – 2016
A player that made a big splash at the Showcase was this 5-8 point guard. He made big shot after big shot in his camp game on TheSUVtv.com. He showed the ability to connect on long range daggers while also handling ball handling responsibilities for his team. The shifty ball handler also showed that he could get into the lane and make plays for himself and others. After first seeing Martin last spring, we feel confident in saying that he has made large steps as a prospect.
Demarco Jackson (Nashville, Tenn.), – LEAD Academy – 2016
We heard about the 6-5 wing who had earned District Player of the Year honors before coming to the Showcase. He showed the skill and athleticism to us that earned those accolades his junior year. He is a great rebounder and terrific finisher at the basket. Few players in the gym on this day could keep Jackson from doing what he wanted to do in game play. The next step for Jackson will be to continue to add consistency on his jumper. If he can put it all together, he is on track to become one of Nashville’s top prospects.
Caden Mills (Nashville, Tenn.), – Van Buren County – 2018
A young player that we will track in years to come is the 6-3 Mills. He played his role very well in camp games as a rebounder and solid interior player. He has lanky arms and a frame that will continue to fill out as he gets older. Mills showed soft touch in the paint and understood spacing on the offensive role. As he matures and works to add pieces to his skill set he projects to be a productive player in future years.
Austin Carey (Nashville, Tenn.), – Hunters Lane HS – 2015
Carey was an unsigned senior who showed up to the showcase and made the most of his opportunity. The 5-10 point guard is quick ball handler that can make plays from the lead guard position. He was also good defending the ball in the open court. His ability to slash into the lane makes him a prospect to give a look at for many local coaches.
Dallan “Deebo” Coleman (Memphis, Tenn.), American Way MS – 2020
Of the younger players at the camp, Coleman made as big of an impression as any. The young guard hit numerous shots in the camp’s opening game that opening the eyes of our staff. While Coleman still has plenty of work and development in front of him, he showed a good base of skill and basketball IQ that will translate well in future years.
Arcavius Goodman (Columbia, Tenn.), – Whitthorne MS – 2019
You could hardly tell that Goodman was a middle school player playing against experienced high school prospects in this setting. The quick, athletic lead handler made plays and fit right into the showcase from the beginning. Standing at 5-9 he has an athletic stature and a quick first step. With physical maturity and experience, we should be hearing from Goodman in future years.
DeMarco Riley (East Point, Ga.), – Tri-Cities HS – 2018
The 6-3 wing showed his talents very well at the showcase in March. He is a lanky athlete that is able to use his length to score in the lane while also disrupting on the defensive end. He has a number of tools that he will be able to work with in future years. However, he has not developed a given specialty as of yet. That is both a positive and a negative for the time being. This is good because he has talent and athleticism to develop. However, he will need to sharpen his skills to make a consistent impact.
Kendrick Bogan (Collierville, Tenn.), – First Assembly HS – 2015
Bogan is a well built shooting guard who showed his value as a prospect working away from the basketball. He used screens very well showing the awareness needed to be a threat even when he does not have the ball in his hands. His ability to hit open shots in the mid-range and play solid defense on the other end made him one of the more productive players at the Showcase.
Nicholas Turner (Goodlettesville, Tenn.), Hunters Lane HS – 2015
One of the ways to get noticed in a showcase setting is to work hard on the defensive end and share the ball. That is exactly what the 5-9 Turner did in these camp games. He pitched ahead on the break and put the ball in the hands of teammates in the right spot at the right time. Turner has a good first step that allows him to make plays off of the bounce.
Tavares McGlaun (Southaven, Miss.), Desoto Central HS – 2016
We like McGlaun’s strength and athleticism as a 5-10 point guard. He showed a very strong first step that allowed him to get downhill to the bucket. His ability to create space for his own shot or to find others with the pass will make him a valuable prospect in the next 12 months.
Trevor Gaines-Perry (Old Hickory, Tenn.), Cheatham County HS – 2016
Gaines is a workhorse interior player who really showed his talent well at the Showcase. He battled in the paint and finished several shots around the rim. The solidly built combo post player was productive and proved to be one of the better interior players at the camp.
Johnathon “JC” Clausi (Franklin, Tenn.), Father Ryan HS – 2018
Clausi is a promising prospect as he showed a versatile skill set at the camp. His ability to handle, move without the basketball and defend all point to greater things in the future. He showed confidence and IQ on the court all while standing at 6-3 with perimeter skill. In a showcase setting where players have to learn on the fly how to play with one another, Clausi truly showed to be an important glue piece on the court. That type of skill at a young age cannot be overstated.
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Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport.com. He is also on the Board of Selectors for the Naismith Trophy. He is the publisher of CoachHemi.com. He has been involved in the community since 1996 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him via email at JonathanHemingway@PeachStateBasketball.com and follow him on twitter @JLHemingwayPSB
