#OTRHoopsReport: Indi Hoops TOC Standouts – April 17, 2017
The IndiHoops TOC is a tournament that hosted teams from all over the Southeast in preparation for the upcoming NCAA evaluation weekends.
SUWANEE, Georgia, – Last year Collin Sexton began his case as a top 25 player nationally at the Indi Hoops TOC. This year Indi Hoops was back at Suwanee Sports Academy to host some of the nation’s premier travel teams from throughout the Southeast. Here is a look at some of the important names we tracked down on Saturday.
By: @JLHemingwayPSB
Maurice Calloo (Huntington, West Virginia), Atlanta Celtics – 2018
We live in an age where the teams can use the 4-man as an important pivot on both ends of the floor. Finding a skillful big man who can also enforce the paint can change the complexion of an entire team. This is exactly what Calloo has the potential to bring nightly. He is a 6-foot-8 forward who has face-up skill and the ability to swat shots at the rim. His 3-point shot, although not consistent at the moment, is still a big weapon in his tool box. Add in his willingness to size up defenders and finish at the rim and Calloo has the pieces to be a weapon for at the next level. The Canadian born forward has picked up serious interest from Providence in recent months.
Antwann Jones (Orlando, Florida), E1T1 – 2018
(Photo by Jon Lopez)
Jones made a name for himself last June as a long-range specialist at the Nike Elite 100 Camp. This go around the 6-6 guard established himself as one of the best all-around offensive weapons in the tournament. For a series of possessions Jones played the point and initiated the offense. He then switched over to play at the elbow and post up his smaller defender when the defense adjusted. Jones appears to be a polished prospect ready to handle a full workload on the EYBL circuit this spring and summer.
Naseem Khaalid (Jacksonville, Florida), Showtime Ballers – 2020
On a day where our attention was squarely upon the biggest names in the class of 2018, Khaalid could not help but divert our gaze for more than a few moments. The 6-2 point guard played up with Showtime Ballers 17U team and made a case as the most talented underclassmen in the building over the weekend. He is an incredibly poised and skillful point guard. He probes the defense and can get to his spot rather efficiently. His feel for the game exudes a confidence of a prospect heading to college next rather than one who just finished up his freshman year of high school. His frame and release on his jump shot all check out too. So be ready to hear more from Khaalid in upcoming years.
Showtime Ballers guard Naseem Khaalid skill level off the dribble enables him to get past defenders & get into the lane where he can finish pic.twitter.com/jTzxTV4T7m
— Shun Williams (@OntheRadarHoops) April 15, 2017
Nassir Little (Orlando, Florida), 1Family – 2018
Little has a chance to move into the mold of big, physical wings like Jaylen Brown and Miles Bridges. His skill set showed signs of serious growth on Saturday afternoon. Little will need to continue to grow his game in order to continued to be compared with the likes of the aforementioned. But what we did see was a 6-7 wing-forward who finished with electricity in transition while also showing shot making ability in the half-court. His 3-point shot has a high release point and he hit several step-back jumpers in the mid-range.
Anfernee Simons (Orlando, Florida), Team Breakdown – 2018
Simons is another player who appears to be coming into his own heading into his final season on the circuit. The 6-3 combo guard showed big-time play-making skills to pair up with a silky smooth skill set. He set defenders up with crafty hesitation moves and finished above the rim when he got downhill. The Louisville commit is poised to make himself a household name by the time this spring and summer come and go.
Jordan Walker (New York, New York), Southern Stampede – 2018
Since reclassifying back into the class of 2018, Walker looks like a player with renewed confidence and drive. He exerted his will consistently for the Stampede, which translated with him making plays going downhill and hitting shots. He plays the game with tremendous speed yet plays with terrific control. All those skills together explain why a host of college coaches have been at his doorstep since the end of his high school season at The Patrick School.
See Walker from the Hoop Hall Classic this January below
#HHClassic
The almost game-winner by Jordan Walker from the Patrick School. Push Off foul?@HoophallClassic @OntheRadarHoops pic.twitter.com/XqHHC9NZj0— Jonathan Hemingway (@JLHemingwayPSB) January 16, 2017
Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. Hemingway serves on the Board of Selectors for the Naismith Trophy. He is also 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
