LEBANON, Mo. — The first Future 50 Camp and Showcase brought some of the best talent in the Ozarks to Lebanon, pitting the players head-to-head in a skills and drills portion and players then competed in 5-on-5 scrimmages, allowing players to show their full game. Here are some of the observations made by Jordan Burton throughout the day, broken down by team.
(Note: not all players are listed below … this story is in progress, please check back).
BOYS
White
2 – Jeffrey Lung, 2021, Miller
He’s another scrappy guard that competes well on both ends. Facilitated offense on several occasions and selflessly moved the ball. Also had a knack for getting to the rim and absorbing contact on finishes.
3 – Jackson Bray, 2021, Spokane
Wherever the ball is, Bray is. His motor never stops running. Often, he’d grab a defensive rebound and push the break. Extremely active defensively and one of the camp’s best offensive rebounders despite being a guard. He was willing to mix it up every time he was on the floor.
4 – Race Looney, 2020, Republic
I’ve heard people say he’s the best defender around and he did nothing to hurt that rep in Lebanon. Competes for the duration of the possession, plays angles well and has active hands. Here’s the kicker, he’s much better offensively than he gets credit for; both shooting and facilitating. Plays like a Trevyor Fisher guard.
5 – Owen Brockman, 2021, Ozark
Reminds me of a young Curt Gracey. Had no problem penetrating gaps and when he did, it was with the intent of creating a shot for a teammate. Great vision and excellent delivery on his passes.
6 – Drew Clary, 2020, Alton
Catch and shoot kid. Gets his feet set quickly and moves well without the ball. His relocation on dribble penetration is superb. Also had a few tough transition finishes.
7 – Zach Mann, 2021, Forsyth
He has an old school feel to his game. He’s a back-to-the-basket post, but he also is a great passer from the post, rebounds well and uses his body well. He’s not an over the top athlete, but he makes up for it with a high IQ.
8 – Daniel Abreu, 2020, Willard
Was a man amongst boys all day. He can step out and shoot the perimeter jumper, which makes him a matchup problem because of his broad 6-foot-5 frame. Also proved he can facilitate offense. Great faceup game and great footwork. Abreu was one of two MVPs for the gym on the day.
9 – Elijah Bullock, 2021, Bunker
He’s wirey. Plays with a ton of energy and has a positionless game.
Green
Kadeon Broome, 2021, Clever, Green team
Broome is a very athletic player who has a great frame for a freshman and uses it really well to bully his way to the rim. He is a tough defender and a capable ball handler who is at his best in the open court.
Jake Tennis, 2021, Clever
Tennis is a long athlete with great height and wingspan and could be still growing. Although he is tall, he showed he runs the floor very well, can defend the perimeter with solid footwork, and is a capable ball handler.
2 – Kyle Conkright, 2021, Ellington
Loves to put the ball on the floor and attack the rim, can typically get to wherever he wants on the floor. Great vision.
3 – Vance Mullins, 2021, Strafford
A slick ballhandler with a knack for getting to the rim. Did a great job of making the extra pass, often finding himself in hockey assist situations. Nothing flashy, but has great footwork.
5 – Mason Davis, 2020, Bunker
Rangy kid that wants to rebound and wants to block shots. Great helpside defender and relentless offensive rebounder. As his frame expands his game will only grow.
6 – Ethan Fagre, 2020, Richland
One of the most complete players at the camp offensively. Knocked down perimeter jumpers, got to the paint and created offense for others. He’s a thick guard with a high basketball IQ.
7 – Cale Miller, 2020, Mt Vernon
The smooth lefty has earned a reputation as a shooter but was impressive off the dribble as well. Scores at every level which makes you have to respect every jab and shot fake. Highly skilled player.
9 – Jordan Lewis, 2020, Lebanon
A big body and a wide frame allows him to operate on the block, but Lewis has every skill you want to see from a stretch-4. He can step out and shoot it but also has excellent footwork on the block and makes strong moves. A matchup nightmare.
Carolina Blue
1 – Auston Luna, 2021, Dora
As his name would indicate, he plays extremely hard and is hyper competitive. He was the only kid that took a charge all day. Great on the ball and help defender with active hands and aggressive off the bounce.
5 – Maurice Grayer, 2020, Willard
One of the most dynamic kids at the camp. Excellent in transition, can defend multiple positions and routinely creates offense for himself and others. Physically has every tool you want in a combo guard.
6 – Cannon Cox, 2021, Ozark
Cannon is a fitting name, because the kid can shoot the lights out.
7 – Taylor Harrison, 2021, West Plains
Have to love his full game. Can go inside-out, rebounds, defends and doesn’t believe in taking possessions off.
8 – Nate Woolford, 2020, Republic
Solidly built kid that has an excellent stroke and range for days. Flashed the ability to handle the ball going coast to coast on a few possessions. Has a complete offensive package.
Iron Grey
0 – Alonzo Riwa, 2020, Parkview
He’s a long guard with the ability to hound the ball defensively. His length and quickness allow him to pressure the ball the length of the floor. He’s great off the bounce and getting to the rim. Has no problem finishing. Riwa was one of two MVPs for the gym on the day.
1 – Zane Hodges, 2021, Stoutland
Hodges is shifty with the ball in his hands, but he also shoots it extremely well. You can tell when the ball goes up he feels like it is good. Hit several deep 3s, even a couple off of a step-back dribble. Natural scorer.
3 – Devyn Rains, 2021, Forsyth
Steady point guard that makes savvy plays. Consistently stretched the floor offensively and pressured the ball defensively.
5 – Jayce Haven, 2021, Thayer
Has an array of finishes when attacking the rim. Doesn’t mind contact and is a willing passer. Also displayed a perimeter jumper. Has that SCA grit to his game, but COC skill.
6 – Ethan Christal, 2020, Lebanon
Gets his jumper off quickly and shoots it at a high level. Excelled with teammates that like to drive and kick. Even put down a dunk during warmups, speaking to his underrated athleticism.
7 – Jamen Smith, 2021, Buffalo
Smooth guard with the ball. Likes to put it on the floor, can also facilitate. Had some of the nicest passes of the day.
8 – Tucker Thomas, 2020, Republic
Hit several turnaround mid-range jumpers. Solid footwork and plays hard, also gets on the glass. Very fundamentally sound defensively, very skilled offensively.
9 – Brendan Myers, 2020, Lesterville
The ultimate junk guy. Active on the glass and pursues the ball relentlessly off the rim. Great footwork with moves and counter moves. Loves contact and finishing through it.
Atomic Blue
1 – Mason Ballay, 2021, Mt Vernon
He’s a Mount Vernon kid but has a COC feel to his game. Extremely fundamental. Protects the ball and plays with great IQ. Wouldn’t be shocked if he develops into an elite catch and shoot guy from 3.
2 – Logan Applegate, 2021, Nevada
The game seems to come easy for him. He scores at all three levels, can defend and is excellent at creating offense for others. His expression on the floor never changes, he’s like the Terminator.
3 – Brycen King, 2021, Ellington
Great shooter in terms of results and mechanics. Gets feet and body ready quickly and the ball leaves his hand in a hurry. Has great range.
4 – Buck Sanders, 2021, Forsyth
He’s that kid that’s not afraid to get on the ground for a loose ball. Moved the ball on offense to help keep flow, plays with a great understanding of his game.
5 – Nathan Garrett, 2020, Blue Eye
He’s instant electricity whenever he touches the ball. Extremely quick and excellent at creating space. He puts the ball on the floor well with a great first step.
6 – Quenton Shelton, 2020, Lebanon
The best shooter in the gym regardless of matchup. His range is deep and he has no problem shooting it off the catch or the bounce. Uses the respect defenses give his jumper to get to the rim.
7 – Mason Luna, 2021, Dora
Very much the kid of Rick Luna. He attacks off the dribble, defends, rebounds and has a grit to his game. Also has a great shooting stroke. Very competitive, very active hands.
8 – Zayne Gale, 2021, Spokane
Lives on the glass. Offensive rebounds or defensive rebounds, it doesn’t really matter because he’s going to grab it. Is also a solid rim protector, using his length and great timing.
9 – Colby Kernodle, 2020, Alton
You can see him still processing the game, but his tools are nice. He has a big, long frame with some strength behind it. Did a great job of blocking or altering shots at the rim, as well as fighting for post position. Will be scary once the game catches the frame.
Neon Yellow
Bryce Gelle, 2021, Clever
Gelle is an outstanding shooter with deep range and a quick trigger who handles the ball extremely well. He showed he is a willing passer and has a high basketball IQ. He isn’t very big just yet, and is still working on getting stronger, but doesn’t let his size keep him from attacking pressure and handling the ball.
1 – Isaiah Smith, 2021, Crane
He’s the younger brother of former West Plains guard Zach Flippin and you can see it in his game and build. Short and stocky, the lefty shoots it well from 3 and doesn’t waste much motion with his jumper.
4 – Jace Reinke, 2020, Ozark
He’s a long, athletic wing that shoots it with range and defends multiple positions. Often accepted the challenge of defending the other team’s best player.
5 – Bryson Luna, 2021, Dora
On the first play of his first game, he grabbed an offensive rebound. On the second he got a steal and on the ensuing possession he hit a pullup jumper and yelled “ohhhhh”. That’s the kind of player he is. He impacts a game in every way possible and competed no matter who was in front of him.
6 – Hayden Fender, 2021, Billings
He’s still raw, but he has huge feet and long arms which is a plus. Routinely altered shots and got on the class. He also runs like a deer. Bright future.
8 – Joel Kleeman, 2021, Miller
Showed his full repertoire on a few occasions, snatching defensive rebounds and attacking the length of the floor with the ball, one of which ended with him dropping a dime on the backside. He doesn’t have Class 2 athleticism.
