By NICK MEDLINE
Special to ZAGSBLOG
CHICAGO — Coaches and media members flocked to Chicago from Thursday to Sunday.
Adidas held its “Unrivaled Camp” over the weekend, with several top-100 players in attendance. It even ended with an All-Star game that pitted the best young players against one another. Several 2015, 2016, and even 2017 prospects added to their stock with great performances. Here’s what stood out.
— There’s no choice but to begin with 2015 prospect Brandon Ingram. The 6-foot-8 five-star small forward from Kinston (N.C.) picked up an offer from Kentucky on the heels of a dominant performances.
Evan Daniels of Scout.com referred to his “scoring arsenal,” which includes shots from all over the court. Ingram was better than his Rivals.com No. 25 ranking, and should become even more of a priority for teams as the July evaluation period progresses.
As previously reported, Ingram already held offers from North Carolina, Duke, Minnesota, N.C. State, Clemson, VCU, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Clemson and Louisville.
— Some 2016 prospects also excelled. The first was Kobi Simmons, a five-star point guard from Alpharetta (GA). Simmons validated his ranking with terrific play throughout the weekend. He was among the tournament’s leading scorers. He showed his burst and attacked the rim — dominating the 2016/2017 All-Star game. Simmons holds early offers from schools including Memphis and N.C. State.
— New York product Rawle Alkins continued his ascent with another great showing. He was solid throughout the four-day tournament, consistently finishing despite contact. He was one of the hottest names this weekend, and drew old and new interest from coaches. Mainstays who have offered — including Indiana and Cincinnati — watched him play. Jamie Dixon of Pitt also became the newest coach to see the impressive guard.
“The coaches all say the same things,” Alkins told SNY.tv. “They say I’m a great athlete with a high motor, and I look like I have a work ethic.”
— The most surprising result: Fort Mill (SC) point guard Damontrae Jefferson was the most exciting player in the 2015 All-Star game. He has critics, but might have forced some away. Jeff Borzello of CBS Sports said there are criticisms of his on-court “attitude” and off-the-court “behavior” but Jefferson appeared focused and ready to attract more interest. Still ranked No. 49 in his class by Rivals.com, Jefferson told Krossover.com that he’s heard from SEC schools including Auburn and Tennessee.
— As for important individual games, Chase Jeter might have won. The top-10 star scored 18 points and added six rebounds in front of Duke’s Coach K, Jon Scheyer and Jeff Capel. It’s no secret that Duke wants to land the 7-foot center to add to its frontcourt. This was reassuring for both schools. Duke must have been thrilled by his game — against Carlton Bragg, no less — and Jeter called it “an honor” to have the Duke contingent attend his game.
“I’m just running the floor, blocking shots, getting rebounds and being a high-motor guy. I did a better job of that [Friday],” Jeter to SNY.tv
— Carlton Bragg, meanwhile, never quite established his game consistently. He still looked the part of a top-10 player. Watching Bragg in action, coaches must love his intensity. Bragg stands for most of the game, giving some vocal leadership. This was even in an AAU tournament filled with players he doesn’t know. It was a good look for a player with great potential. Bragg told SNY.tv that he’s cutting his list down to five on September 1. Illinois, Kansas and Kentucky are certain to make it, he said, with the other two spots up for grabs.
“Coach Cal at this point is talking about our relationship, about trying to do better as a player and as a person,” Bragg told SNY.tv. “He just told me to keep working hard. They’re going to recruit me hard because they need me and they want me.”
— Some other notes from the class of 2015: 7-foot center Josh Sharma imposed his will on the interior at times. He’s going to fit well into some team’s up-tempo offense. Small forward Deng Adel impressed with his all-around game. Louisville monitored Adel especially closely, hoping to land a top-25 talent. One crucial sleeper: Eau Claire (WI) small forward Billy Wampler. He only holds mid-major offers, but that might change given how well he played up to the competition.
— Some other notes from the classes of 2016 and 2017: Point guard Payton Pritchard holds lofty offers including Wisconsin, Oregon and Indiana. They’re deserved. He was effective all weekend. 2017 power forward Billy Preston, meanwhile, dominated the glass and should eventually earn a high ranking for his class. T.J. Leaf sat out the All-Star with reported tendonitis but earned rave reviews from just about everyone in attendance.
— In news outside of Chicago, 2015 Brewster (N.H.) Academy point guard Donovan Mitchell confirmed to SNY.tv he will take officials to Louisville and Indiana. The news was first reported by Terrence Payne of NBC Sports. Mitchell excelled this week in Philadelphia at the Reebok Classic Breakout, and added offers from Louisville, Memphis and USF.
“I had talked to them prior to the offers that I would be interested in the school, not just for basketball,” he told SNY.tv.
— Omari Spellman, a 2016 forward from Team Scan and the MacDuffie (Mass.) School, added offers from Ohio State and St. John’s.
— Christ Koumadje, a 7-foot-3 big man originally from Chad in Africa, added a Georgia Tech offer. He plans to visit UConn and Florida State. For more, read this feature.
— Justin Jackson, a 2016 wing from Findlay Prep and Canada Elite, has received an offer from Louisville, according to NorthPolehoops.com.
(Adam Zagoria contributed)
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