OTR Hoops: Final Run Saturday Standouts – July 27, 2024

WESLEY CHAPEL, Florida, – The month of July concludes with a final stop in the Sunshine State for the On the Radar Circuit. More than 50 teams from around the region, and even a few from as far away as Wisconsin, stopped in to get a closing bump of exposure at the Final Run. Here are some names that caught our attention from the first day.

By: Jonathan Hemingway

Elijah Fermaint – Powerhouse Bulls – 2025

Fermaint is a smooth scorer. He is a surgeon on the court. His ability to change directions and keep the defenders off balance allows him to get clean looks from beyond the arc and on pull-ups in the midrange. The rising senior is more than a shooter. He can score at all areas on the shot chart. His solid ball handling skill prevents him from being sped up and making unforced errors.

Urijah Newkirk – Lakeland Spartans – 2027

Newkirk is a young guard with a youthful look. He still has physical growth and maturity left to attain. His skill set, however, is established and he plays with confidence. The strength of his game centers around his shooting ability. He hunts for shots and is quick to fire when he gets space from beyond the arc. He serves as a lead handler for his team and will create space off the top of the key ball screen. Expect his game to round into form as he adds height and strength in future years.

JJ Page – FOTL – 2027

Page is a lefty lead guard who can push the tempo and set the pace for his team. We were impressed with his ability to explode past the defense with a quick first step and score at the bucket. His body control and touch through traffic are notable as well. Look for Page’s trajectory and reputation to grow as his game blossoms over the next 12 months.

Damarri Young – 904 Elite – 2027

Young is another youthful point guard that emerged on Saturday morning at the Final Run. The lefty combo guard earned our attention with flashes of athleticism in the lane. He is tough to contain when he has the ball in his hands. He can get downhill in a flash and finish above the rim. Young’s jumper should not be ignored either. He can connect on threes to keep the defense honest.

Micah Jarvis – PSB Elite – 2027

Jarvis is a promising wing in the sophomore class. With length and footwork, he can affect the game in the high post as a scorer or passer. He is also a threat to crash the glass as a second chance scorer. He also stepped out to the corner and connected on 3-point jumpers in the match-up we watched. His promising athleticism and skill project him to be a prospect with more in store in upcoming years.

Johnny Lackaff – Austin Rivers SE Elite – 2027

Lackaff was back at draining shots and making plays this weekend. This paralleled what we saw from him back in the spring as an expert shot maker and experienced ball handler. The rising sophomore has a good frame and athleticism that allows him to take bumps from opposing defenders. Lackaff’s cool demeaner will be an asset as he climbs the ranks in the state of Florida and beyond.

Exauce Muamba – Austin Rivers SE Elite – 2027

Muamba could be labeled as a project given his height and age. But the young prospect produces in a manner that is greater than developmental. He is a threat to bend the rim on a pivot and two-hand flush. His long arms allow him to affect the game as a defender. He seems to have good timing as a shot blocker and rebounder as well. There are rough edges with his offensive game that he will iron out soon enough. As it stands now, the 6-10 center should be on recruiting radars immediately.

Jonathan Hemingway has been a National Evaluator for On the Radar Hoops since 2013. He has been involved in the basketball community since 1995 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him at JLHemingway@gmail.com and follow him on twitter @JL_Hemingway.