#OTRHoopsReport: Summer Takeaways – Aug. 20, 2018
College Coaches packed gyms this summer at our On the Radar Hoops Tournaments.
Atlanta, Ga– We all know the summer live periods are the premier stage set in front of college coaches for players to make their names for their future. This Elite 32, Super 6 Sessions I & II, & Power 24 served as the proving grounds for prospects to collect offers to seal their future. Here is the first list of names from all three live periods that caught my eye:
2019 guard Demarcus Johnson-South Fulton Lions
Johnson has been a strong lead guard for South Fulton Lions over the last couple of travel seasons. He has improved his handle and is now a more consistent attacker in the lane. He is shifty and changes pace to freeze defenders before attacking the painted area. Size in the lane doesn’t deter him from attacking the rim as he hit big men in the chest repeatedly putting them in basket. He is a fearless competitor who can go on scoring runs by himself at times and doesn’t give any hedge way on the defensive end. He will be the lead guard on a yet again talented Tri Cities team looking to build on their playoff run last year and end with a State title.
2020 guard Jayden Stone-Team Carroll
This last live period was my first time getting to see Jaden Stone live and in person, and I must say he didn’t disappoint. Already holding multiple HM offers, Stone is strong guard who can play on or off the ball. He uses his hesitations and athleticism to get by defenders and attack the lane where he caught bodies over poor defenders standing under the rim. Stone can create his own in transition or the half court set off the dribble putting pressure on defenses and opposing teams. Stone is an above average athlete who makes defenders pay for giving him space to gather. He can finish through contact as displayed and is a willing passer who always looks to find teammates when open. Stone can break down defenders in isolation and get to the midrange pull up instead of over penetrating and forcing the issue. Out of Alabama, Stone is one of the premier 2020 guards who is sure to keep racking up offers heading into his Junior season.
Central Park Christian school G Jayden Stone has a ton of skill to go along with his elite athleticism. Can play either guard spot & make plays at the rim or hit the sweet midrange. Versatile scoring guard for @Teamcarroll2020 pic.twitter.com/z41hsivAl1
— Kennedy Mccarty (@OTRH_knows) July 27, 2018
2020 guard Marcus Niblack- E1T1
Niblack is on a team with rising stars in E1T1 but makes his impression to be next up. Niblack is a tough, physical, guard that is impressive making plays going downhill. On the attack in the open floor he has quick moves in traffic and nifty finishes with either hand around the rim. He is a sneaky good athlete who can finish above the rim in space and aw the crowd with his finishing ability in the open floor. In the half court, Niblack can keep the defense honest with his ability to shoot the 3 from anywhere on the court and he’s an impressive passer. He attacks the rim but always sees plays happening in the flow of the game.
2019 wing Jalen Cincore – Tennessee Panthers
Cincore was another hot name in the month of July for coaches. Cincore ended the summer with offers from Georgia Southern, UNC Asheville, TTU, UL-Monroe, and a host of other schools. Cincore is a strong “3 & D” who checks a lot of boxes off physically. He’s about 6’5 with long arms and a great defender with good feet and quickness. On the offensive end, he can shoot the 3 with comfort and make plays off the bounce to get to the rim. He is a efficient finisher inside and draws contact for easy free throws. Cincore can handle the ball up the floor against pressure and initiate offense or be the recipient of screens and slash to the rim and score. His progression and development were big for his recruitment showing coaches could he lead a tough hardnosed Tennessee Panthers ball club to some big wins.
Tennessee Panthers @tnpanthershoops wing Jalen Cincore @IamJalenCincore plays with a ton of energy at both ends of the floor and he has the ability/savvy to affect the game in multiple ways pic.twitter.com/UwbX84iAG9
— Shun Williams (@OntheRadarHoops) July 26, 2018
2020 wing Demetrius Rives- Infinite Skillz
Rives is another standout from the Infinite Skillz 16U ball club on the wing. At 6’5, he can do a bunch of things on the perimeter and move inside versus smaller posts. He’s strong and can handle the ball in the open floor and hit the long ball when open. Demetrius got out in the open floor and punished defenders trying to block his dunks with nasty poster dunks the last weekend of July. He is strong in the air and doesn’t shy away from contact once in the painted area. He has to continue to improve his handle in the half court, but he can get where he wants to on the floor & already has the midrange jumper in his back pocket. Rives will be an interesting wing prospect in the 2020 class from South Atlanta
2019 guard Joshua Guilford- Georgia ManUp
Before having to cut his summer short due to injury, Joshua Guilford was beginning to make a wave for himself. A senior at Heritage HS, Guillford is a gifted scorer who can put points up in a variety of ways on all levels. Not the biggest at 6’0, Josh has a deceptive handle and fast first step to beat first defenders to the paint. Once inside Guilford has an array of floaters with either hand that make him hard to contain at times along with his ability to shoot the 3 off the catch or bounce. He had a game totaling 30 points this summer before being injured. Guilford will be the number 1 option for a Heritage team coming off a Final 4 run last season looking to make it all the way to the top this season.
2019 wing Jermontae Hill – Team AJ Bouye
A high-level athlete with good size, length, and skill. Hill has break-away speed and bouncy athleticism which allows him to finish in transition and in the half court. He gets to the rim with no wasted motion, putting his head down and being efficient with each bounce. He has improved his jump shot so that he is a capable three-point shooter when in rhythm and can score from the mid-range area as well.
2019 guard Brent Kelly – Team AJ Bouye
This fearless lead guard can get to the rim and score with floaters or pull up jumpers. He can penetrate and kick and has good court vision especially when working off of ball screens. He can knock down open perimeter shots when he has time. Kelly can break intense ball pressure on offense and apply good on the ball pressure defensively.
Willie Evans is a contributor to On the Radar Hoops
