#OTRHoopsReport: Adidas Memorial Day Standouts – June 9, 2016

Team South Carolina guard Ja Morant recruitment has taken off since the Spring.

Cartersville, Ga. – The Adidas Memorial Day Tournament is one of the better events in the month of May. The event attracted elite travel teams from across the country who competed in pool play and a single game playoff. Here are a number of prospects that caught our eye.

Reggie Perry – (Thomasville, Ga) – Arkansas Hawks – 2018

One of the most exciting players that we saw over Memorial Day weekend was the 6-foot-8 forward from South Georgia. Perry is a forward that can post up and score inside or step to the wing and knock down shots on the perimeter. He used the ability to pin down his defender on the low block and score on the left side of the lane over his right shoulder.  He was almost unstoppable once he gets the ball scoring position where he can attack or find teammates for the easy basket.

Nicholas Claxton – (Greenville, SC) – Team South Carolina – 2017

Claxton is one of the hottest prospects in the country; he has picked up recent offers from Memphis, Maryland, and Notre Dame. He is a prototypical face up forward with an inside-out skill set. He has a good mid-range pull up and does a good job on the offensive glass as well. He sprints in from the perimeter with good speed and quickness and gets his share of tip-in’s. Claxton was unstoppable knocking down multiple three pointers and scoring on the low block.

Andrew Taylor – (Lexington, KY) – Hoop Dreams – 2018

This saavy young guard is the anchor on a loaded Hoop Dreams team. Taylor is terrific at hitting pull up jumpers after one or two rhythm dribbles or off the catch with smooth and confident stroke. He can knock down open threes off the catch or dribble. He broke down defenders and either finished at the rim or delivered a pinpoint pass to an open teammate.

Elias Harden – (Mableton, GA) – Game Elite – 2017

Harden does a good job of moving without the ball, finding open holes in the defense where he took advantage and made open shots. He has a good basketball IQ and recognizes when he has an advantage. He does not hesitate to post smaller perimeter players and use his size and strength to get the ball to the rim.

Ethan Henderson – (Little Rock, AR) – Arkansas Hawks – 2018

He is a great length along with quick hops that makes him an effective finisher on the break and a good shot blocker on the defensive end. He is an athlete with good lateral speed that can defend multiple positions. He gets after it on the offensive glass and had a couple of spectacular plays at the rim in transition and in the half court.

On the Radar

Omar Payne – (Orlando, FL) – CP25 Southeast Elite – 2019

Payne showed why is considered one of the top post prospects in the Southeast, United States. Payne runs the court well and uses his athleticism to finish a number of plays above the rim on the break. He changes ends very well and looks very comfortable in transition. He does a good job of altering/ blocking shots on the defensive end of the floor.

Keyshawn Bryant – (Winter Haven, FL) – Showtime Ballers – 2018

Bryant plays with very good intensity and energy, especially on the offensive end of the floor. When he receives the ball on the wing, he wants to utilize his quick first-step to get by the defender and into the paint. From a defensive standpoint, he anticipates the passing lane well, which leads to offensive transition baskets. He does a good job on the defensive boards.

Temetrius Ja Morant – (Sumter, SC) – Team South Carolina – 2017

Morant is a pure point guard who excels at pushing the ball down the court, penetrating and hitting open teammates with on-target passes. He has good acceleration, including an overdrive gear, which he utilizes to explode to the hoop. He is a good passer who can penetrate, draw help and dish to open teammates.

Xavier Jones – (Savannah, GA) – Smyrna Stars – 2017

This 6-foot-6 athletic forward always plays in attack mode. He finishes above the rim with power in transition and on the low block. He uses his body well to drive by defenders to score mostly going to his right to get to the rim from the high post or short corner. Jones does a good job of rebounding in his area and providing help side defense.

Daviyon Dennis – (Tuscaloosa, AL) – Georgia United Stars – 2018

Dennis has good athleticism and quickness, which allows him to get to the rim almost at will. Once at the rim, he uses his decent amount of strength and good body control to take contact in the paint and finish. He is a good defensive player who contains the dribble, can guard bigger players in a pinch, and even block shots from the weakside of the floor.

Shun Williams is the owner of On the Radar Hoops, Inc. The On the Radar Hoops Report is picked up by Division I and II colleges and universities across the country. He serves as the director of the On the Radar Hoops Fall Showcase, On the Radar Hoops Spring Showcase, On the Radar Hoops Invitational, Elite 32 Session I, Elite 32 Session II, Power 24, and Super 6 Showcase Session I & II