#OTRHoopsReport: Hoop Hall Classic – Bolden & Coleman – Jan. 30, 2014

Springfield, Mass. – Whether the players were signed to play at a top 25 program next year or still deciding on which school they will call home, the competition was terrific. Everyone had to execute in order to get a victory. In this recap we look at two prospects who impacted their team for a victory in their respective games.

By: @JLHemingwayPSB

Jonah Bolden (New South Wales, Australia.) – Brewster – 2014

Bolden put up one of the most interesting performances of the entire weekend. Although the 6-9 forward did not score double digits in a winning effort over Wilbraham and Monson he did demonstrate a number of tools that excited his future coach, Steve Alford, at UCLA. In fact, Alford flew in just to show his support of the Aussie in the Hoop Hall Classic. While playing the ‘4’ position for this team, he showed skills that lend itself to playing on the wing or even as a distributor within the half-court offense. His length on the defensive end allows him to alter shots while also being able to guard multiple positions. Currently Bolden works well in the pick-n-pop system that allows him to stroke jumpers from deep. In addition to this skill he has the vision to be one of the better passing big men in the country at his position. Watch the development of Bolden on the West Coast next year, he could become one of the bigger names to arise from the Hoop Hall Classic.

Jalen Coleman (Indianapolis, Ind.) – La Lumiere School – 2015

In evenly matched games, such as the La Lumiere vs. Our Savior game on Sunday evening, the winner is often decided by who can make more jumpers. Fortunately for the Lakers out of Indianapolis, they had the 6-3 sharp shooter in Jalen Coleman in uniform. His eight three-pointers proved to be the difference for his team. When looking at Coleman’s game, it reminds us of University of Alabama signee Devin Mitchell’s style. The lanky shooting guard can stretch the defense from well beyond the arc, but can also kill the defense in the midrange off of the one-dribble pull-up. What Coleman has going for him more than Mitchell is that Coleman is more filled out physically and ready for college competition. Coleman recently picked up an offer from Vanderbilt this week while already holding offers from from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State plus others. The picture becomes clear that his days of torching the nets are only beginning.

Prospect Evaluation/Exposure Options

***Designed for DII, III, NAIA & JUCO exposure. These events average 25 to 30 schools on hand to watch the showcase participants.

OnTheRadarHoops Spring Showcase (March 22)
OnTheRadarHoops Fall Showcase (Sept.)

Elite Basketball Academy Series

***Designed for evaluation purposes, these are great opportunities for upperclassmen and underclassmen alike to get valuable game broadcasts that can be sent to college coaches with a single email message. For underclassmen, it also serves as the gateway for prospects with remaining high school eligibility to play in front of the OnTheRadarHoops.com staff.

March 9th – EBA Top 40 Spring Workout
March 15th – CoachHemi.com Showcase

Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. He is also the owner of Coach Hemingway Basketball. 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