#OTRHoopsReport: Hoop Hall Shining Stars – January 26, 2015
Dwayne Bacon of Oak Hill Academy proved to be one of the nation’s ELITE scoring wings and picked up a Naismith Trophy Award Nomination at the Hoop Hall Classic.
Photo cred – Robert Blachard RJBsports
Springfield, Mass., – The Hoop Hall Classic is a destination on the calendar for many of the country’s top high school programs for a reason. This is one of the best evaluation weekends of the year because we get to see nationally ranked teams and individuals face off against one another in this setting. Here is a look back at which players stood above the rest on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.
Stars Shining
By: @JLHemingwayPSB
Jalen Adams – Brewster Academy (Ashburnham, Mass.), – 2015
Jalen Adams Photo: RJBsports
Brewster Academy is a loaded program that features five players that are ranked within the BrandonClayScouting.com ELITE 100 in the class of 2015. Adams led the way on Sunday morning scoring 23 points in a convincing victory over Montverde Academy Prep. Connecticut fans are ecstatic about the signing of Adams and for good reason. Coach Kevin Ollie is still searching for back court scoring after Shabazz Napier graduated last season. While the 6-foot-2 Adams does not project as a primary ball handler for the Huskies, he certainly will bring a scoring punch that will translate instantly to the American Athletic Conference.
Dwayne Bacon – Oak Hill Academy (Lakeland, Fla.), – 2015
Dwayne Bacon Photo: Davide de Pas
For many fans in outside of the southeast, the name Dwayne Bacon may not be the household name that other top 20 players are at this moment. Expect that to change after the Florida State signee’s performance with Oak Hill last weekend. The 6-6 wing put up 33 points in exciting fashion as he powered his team past Carlton Bragg’s Villa Angela St. Joseph squad. Bacon is an explosive scorer with range beyond the arc. He will be a player that projects to be very productive in his first season in the ACC next year.
Derrick Jones – Archbishop Carroll (Philadelphia, Penn.), – 2015
Derrick Jones Photo: RJBsports
The UNLV bound forward let everyone in the gym know he came for business in the first quarter in a match-up versus Simeon High School. He lit up the scoreboard with 17 points in the opening stanza and cruised to a solid 31 point, 14 rebound 3 block shot game. Jones is a versatile player who projects a combo-forward at the next level, because of his perimeter skill and activity in the lane. What make Jones a difficult match-up is his ability to anticipate rebounds around the rim. A superb athlete at 6-7, his timing makes him one of the elite forwards nationally.
Ivan Rabb – Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, Calif.), – 2015
Ivan Rabb Photo: RJBsports
Rabb is one of the nation’s top uncommitted prospects. Standing at 6-11, the 5-star post took control of a match-up versus Wheeler High School on Monday afternoon and led his team to victory. His effectiveness on both ends of the floor is reflected in his stat line of 24 points, 12 rebounds and 5 block shots. His efficient 11 of 15 shooting from the field shows why schools such as Arizona, California, Kansas, Kentucky and UCLA are all on his list of college choices. Perhaps the most impressive part of Rabb’s game is his soft touch with either hand with his back to the basket. Combine that high level skill with elite athleticism and a face up jumper near to the arc and one can understand why he earned my Naismith Trophy nomination this year.
Ben Simmons – Montverde Academy (Melbourne, Aus.), – 2015
Ben Simmons Photo: RJBsports
It never gets old watching great players play. What separates the ELITE from the great is that rarely fail to live up the hype. Simmons in a match-up versus two ELITE 25 post players in Stephen Zimmerman and Chase Jeter, elevated himself as clearly the best player on the floor and led his team to a twenty point victory all the while being broadcasted on ESPNU. We have documented Simmons as a versatile player who can score the ball effectively in the paint, while also being able to handle the ball as a lead guard. He put up a game high 36 points on 15 of 23 shooting while adding nine rebounds versus Bishop Gorman. After three days in the gym watching many great players play, what stuck out about the future LSU Tiger is soft touch in traffic. That small detail makes a huge difference in comparison to others in same conversation.
Exposure & Showcase Opportunities
OTR Spring Showcase March 21, 2015
Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. 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
