#OTRHoopsReport SC Raptors – Program Review – August 4, 2014

Evans established himself as arguably the nation’s top true point guard in the class of 2015. He fueled the Raptors to an incredibly successful spring and summer.

One of the hottest 17U teams in the country this year were the South Carolina Raptors.  They finished the season as the third ranked team in the country and finished the travel season with a 50-3 record.  Program director Lamont Simmons put together a talented group of players who played aggressively on both ends of the floor. The strength of this group lays in their ability to pressure opponents into making poor decisions while constantly attacking the rim with the dribble.

By: @JLHemingwayPSB

By: @OntheRadarHoops

PROGRAM REVIEW: SC RAPTORS

The Raptors attack is spear-headed by Juwan Evans of Dallas, Texas, who split time living in South Carolina at times during the school year. The 5-foot-11 point guard made a case this year as the nation’s top point guard with consistent play throughout the spring and summer months. Evans is terrific at attacking the rim in transition and although undersized, he finds ways to score around longer defenders. His recruitment is unclear at this moment as he has picked up dozens of offers from around the nation. However, schools such as Clemson, Illinois, Oklahoma State and Tennessee have been mentioned most often.

Evans is joined in the back court by Gage Ellis of Greenville, S.C., provides size and athleticism from the wing. At 6-4, he is a tough match-up because he is aggressive with the drive and uses his size to score over smaller wing players. He also demonstrated a nice mid range jumper, which put several mid-major schools such as UNC-Asheville and Winthrop recruiting him going into the July evaluation period.

While Evans is the obvious threat from the point position, the Raptors brought waves of guards that provide problems for opponents. Point guard Tyler Hooker of Greenville, S.C., is a pest on the defensive end who turns deflections into steals. Offensively, he is one of those quick defenders that is constantly putting pressure on the lane with the dribble. Complementing Hooker is the talented shooter of Trevor Anderson of Gastonia, N.C. The 6-foot combo guard shoots it well from beyond the arc, but can overpower defenders with the dribble. Jermel Taylor of Anderson, S.C., provided the interior presence needed for the team from the Palmetto State. The 6-6 forward is active on the glass and showed he could attack the rim from the high post.

Exposure and Showcase Opportunities:

August 30, 2014 – On the Radar Hoops Rising Star Camp 
September 13/14 – EBA All-American Camp
September 20 – On the Radar Hoops Fall Showcase 
October 11 – CoachHemi.com Fall Workout
Jonathan HemingwayJonathan 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

 

Shun_Williams_OTRHoopsShun 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 and Power 24


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