HBCU Elite 100 – Intriguing Big Guys
ATLANTA, GA – Chris Cameron and his Connect Hoops group were back at Core4 for a fall version of their HBCU Elite 100 Camp, and after a successful weekend back during the summer, another excellent turnout was there to play before a group of HBCU coaches from the region.
There was a strong group of size on hand, some standout big guys from the day:
By: Keith Agran
Joah Chappelle | 6-6 | SF | Dutchtown | 2024 (pictured at top)
The Dawgs had a whole bunch of guys on hand many of whom will be featured in these wrap-ups, Chappelle has been slowly emerging onto college radars off a good travel season with GAA and an evolving game which simply always creates chatter on the sidelines, the sleek lefty needs to add some weight but the game is difficult to match up with particularly in the mid-range where he uses a good handle to create space and then shoot over smaller defenders with a soft touch, a much-improved 3-point shooting game has added to the difficulties, an excellent finisher as he learns the necessary toughness level inside to be a true multi-level threat his profile should increase as next spring could be massive for him.
Jalen Colbert | 6-7 | PF | Langston Hughes | 2023
Comes over from SACA to join what was already going to be another really good and always well-schooled LHS bunch in ’22-23, the lion’s share of his work occurred right around the basket but his movement and natural athletic ability were noticeable as a contributor at both ends, will join Jelani Thurman & John McQueen and others in a serious frontcourt group that will have the yearly contending Panthers surely among the 6A favorites.
Jaden Gaines | 6-6 | SF | Creekside Christian | 2023
The activity level and hustle up and down the floor immediately popped as he was among the hardest workers even as the day waned, his length makes him seem like a 6-9 guy out there and he uses that well as a defensive disruptor and aggressive rebounder, finds most of his catches inside 15 feet and is athletic and slithery as a finisher, intriguing guy whose best days may be ahead at the next level as his game and body mature.
Aaron Jones | 6-9 | C | Veterans | 2023
Has clearly put in the work since I first saw him last fall down at the Hypesouth unsigned camp, looks much more comfortable on the catch with surer hands and improved footwork that places him in better positions to score without turning it over, a terrific shot-blocker that has been his staple as I’ve watched him over the last year, like a lot of big guys the upside and certainly the big frame means he is a great fit for a program that can bring him along because in a couple more years it could really be something.
Terrell Wright | 6-9 | PF | Columbia | 2023
It wasn’t until late in the day that I got a chance to sit tight and look in at Wright’s play after folks were buzzing all afternoon about him, there’s certainly a lot to like as he is a terror with his movement eating shots and gazelle-ing up the floor for easy buckets in transition, has a good feel in the post and will finish with some flourish and that can get even more polished with drilling, didn’t see a ton of shooting beyond 10 or 12 feet so that is likely something with room to grow as well, this is another guy with the great measurables and explosive movement who while a lot to handle now when he gets to the next level can blossom into a real force.
OTHERS WHO IMPRESSED: Austin Fortune (Dutchtown, 6-7, 2023), Darius Reynolds (Cedar Grove, 6-5, 2023), Ethan Sams (Lakeside-DeKalb, 6-5, 2023), Caden Totten (6-6, McDonough, 2024)
Keith Agran has lived in Georgia since 2011 and joined OTR as a National Evaluator in 2021. He previously scouted for Prep Hoops dating back to 2019 and has both a championship-coaching background on the HS-level and daily newspaper writing experience, both from New Jersey. You can reach him at keithagran1@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @BracketSage.
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