Written by Stephen Bell
September 24th, 2014
MVP Jerry Ben 6-9 Jr New Haven
A Ben Wallace type all-energy raw 4 man who out worked and out jumped others to the ball all day. He doesn't have the skill of Deyonta Davis, but does similar athleticism, length and timing. Pursued rebounds well outside his area and had a quicker second jump than any forward at camp. Teams are going to have a real dilemma getting off shots against New Haven this winter, between Ben and 6-11 junior Innocent Nwoko, another camp standout.
"Worker; learner," said a coach. "Al Horford/Moses Malone/Dennis Rodman basics. Raw right now but may have the highest upside in the camp. I absolutely loved him. Great teammate, great attitude and exponential talent going forward. Wow!"
"Similar to Innocent in athleticism, attitude and personality, but not as skilled," said another. "Back-to-the-basket game is non-existent and needs a lot of work. Doesn't handle it well enough to be a stretch 4, so developing in the post is essential. Plays very hard on both ends, but needs to show more patience on the offensive end. Dominant on the defensive ends with both his ability to block shots and rebound. One of the best defensive rebounders at the camp. You can't teach what he has, so his work ethic will be the key dictator of where his potential takes him."
Innocent Nwoko 6-11 Jr New Haven
He's the first 2016 prospect to commit, the week before camp to Central Michigan. The Chippewas may have gotten a steal in this raw but impressive center.
"Awesome personality and very coachable," said one coach. "He is very active on the glass and does a great job protecting the rim. Displayed a nice seal and a very strong based on post catches, which are the first steps to developing that back-to-the-basket game so he is definitely on his way. Runs the floor like a deer and finishes way above the rim. Obviously needs to continue to develop offensively, but the future is bright as he has that intangible of hard work that paired with his God-given gifts are a dangerous combination."
Braden Burke 6-9 Jr Stevensville Lakeshore
Yet another talented, coached up Lakeshore forward, though if anything Burke plays like a more finesse version of Marc Larson (Mattawan/Bowling Green). Slight build was sometimes exploited in station work by the true centers like Seth Dugan and Innocent Nwoko, then Burke thrived against similarly sized opponents in the afternoon. Runs well, and can be a presence on both rims.
"Looked OK in the drills, but looked great in the games," a coach said. "Showed range all the way to the 3 line and could also knock down the mid-range. Very good footwork in the post when he caught with his back to the basket and had a really nice looking hook shot over his left shoulder. Needs to be more physical before the catch and create a bigger target. Defensively he is athletic enough to guard just about any 4 man out to the three-point line. He also does a nice job in help defense coming over and blocking shots."
Cody Kegley 6-0 Jr Yale
True point guard with good size for the position. Looked first to deliver the ball and made the game easy for teammates running the lanes. Shot it well which just opened up the floor for his playmaking. Wingspan, quick hands and motor provided a defensive presence. Will need a pull-up game in the lane.
"Plays hard all the time," one coach said. "Very crafty guard who understands what to do when he gets into the lane. Can finish if he has the angle to the rim and always seemed to find the open man if that was the better option. In the half-court he looked very good in the pick-and-roll game. Set up his man well, exploded off the ball screen and hit the J if the defender went under and hit the big on switches. Deflected a ton of passes. Needs to continue to get quicker and stronger to take his game to the next level."
Spencer Littleson 6-3 Jr Rochester Adams
One of the steadiest, most confident and productive guards in the state, as few have his combination of size, shot and point guard skills. Plays heads up pushing the ball, threads the needle on the move. He can also beat you with the dribble when he gets a defender on his hip and uses his size to force whistles at the rim. Very high percentage shooter because Littleson shoots his 3s in rhythm. He'll be a popular target next spring for MAC, Patriot, GLIAC, Horizon and Ivy League programs.
"Smart and tough guard who does everything pretty well," said a coach. "He reminds me of a more offensively skilled version of Grant Smith. He has a very efficient game all the way around and makes few mistakes on the court. Can knock down the open shot and finish through contact. Hard-nosed defender who doesn't back down to anyone. Hits the glass on both ends of the floor. Continued work on his speed and quickness will expand his ceiling as a college player."
Kyle Woodruff 6-2 Jr Holly
He can get his three-point shot off from various angles and over bigger defenders because he has such a deep shot pocket. Better true basketball player than often given credit for, but the J will always be Woodruff's signature. Getting stronger and bouncier, though wasn't in game shape so that new-found edge was largely neutralized.
"Shooter!," said a coach. "This was one of the best showings that I've seen Kyle have. Knocked down open jumpers like they were layups. Improved athleticism was also evident in drills, where he showed the ability to change direction with fluidity that he lacked in the past. Game is becoming more complete overall, but needs to take advantage of improved athleticism and play harder defensively."
September 24th, 2014
MVP Jerry Ben 6-9 Jr New Haven
A Ben Wallace type all-energy raw 4 man who out worked and out jumped others to the ball all day. He doesn't have the skill of Deyonta Davis, but does similar athleticism, length and timing. Pursued rebounds well outside his area and had a quicker second jump than any forward at camp. Teams are going to have a real dilemma getting off shots against New Haven this winter, between Ben and 6-11 junior Innocent Nwoko, another camp standout.
"Worker; learner," said a coach. "Al Horford/Moses Malone/Dennis Rodman basics. Raw right now but may have the highest upside in the camp. I absolutely loved him. Great teammate, great attitude and exponential talent going forward. Wow!"
"Similar to Innocent in athleticism, attitude and personality, but not as skilled," said another. "Back-to-the-basket game is non-existent and needs a lot of work. Doesn't handle it well enough to be a stretch 4, so developing in the post is essential. Plays very hard on both ends, but needs to show more patience on the offensive end. Dominant on the defensive ends with both his ability to block shots and rebound. One of the best defensive rebounders at the camp. You can't teach what he has, so his work ethic will be the key dictator of where his potential takes him."
Innocent Nwoko 6-11 Jr New Haven
He's the first 2016 prospect to commit, the week before camp to Central Michigan. The Chippewas may have gotten a steal in this raw but impressive center.
"Awesome personality and very coachable," said one coach. "He is very active on the glass and does a great job protecting the rim. Displayed a nice seal and a very strong based on post catches, which are the first steps to developing that back-to-the-basket game so he is definitely on his way. Runs the floor like a deer and finishes way above the rim. Obviously needs to continue to develop offensively, but the future is bright as he has that intangible of hard work that paired with his God-given gifts are a dangerous combination."
Braden Burke 6-9 Jr Stevensville Lakeshore
Yet another talented, coached up Lakeshore forward, though if anything Burke plays like a more finesse version of Marc Larson (Mattawan/Bowling Green). Slight build was sometimes exploited in station work by the true centers like Seth Dugan and Innocent Nwoko, then Burke thrived against similarly sized opponents in the afternoon. Runs well, and can be a presence on both rims.
"Looked OK in the drills, but looked great in the games," a coach said. "Showed range all the way to the 3 line and could also knock down the mid-range. Very good footwork in the post when he caught with his back to the basket and had a really nice looking hook shot over his left shoulder. Needs to be more physical before the catch and create a bigger target. Defensively he is athletic enough to guard just about any 4 man out to the three-point line. He also does a nice job in help defense coming over and blocking shots."
Cody Kegley 6-0 Jr Yale
True point guard with good size for the position. Looked first to deliver the ball and made the game easy for teammates running the lanes. Shot it well which just opened up the floor for his playmaking. Wingspan, quick hands and motor provided a defensive presence. Will need a pull-up game in the lane.
"Plays hard all the time," one coach said. "Very crafty guard who understands what to do when he gets into the lane. Can finish if he has the angle to the rim and always seemed to find the open man if that was the better option. In the half-court he looked very good in the pick-and-roll game. Set up his man well, exploded off the ball screen and hit the J if the defender went under and hit the big on switches. Deflected a ton of passes. Needs to continue to get quicker and stronger to take his game to the next level."
Spencer Littleson 6-3 Jr Rochester Adams
One of the steadiest, most confident and productive guards in the state, as few have his combination of size, shot and point guard skills. Plays heads up pushing the ball, threads the needle on the move. He can also beat you with the dribble when he gets a defender on his hip and uses his size to force whistles at the rim. Very high percentage shooter because Littleson shoots his 3s in rhythm. He'll be a popular target next spring for MAC, Patriot, GLIAC, Horizon and Ivy League programs.
"Smart and tough guard who does everything pretty well," said a coach. "He reminds me of a more offensively skilled version of Grant Smith. He has a very efficient game all the way around and makes few mistakes on the court. Can knock down the open shot and finish through contact. Hard-nosed defender who doesn't back down to anyone. Hits the glass on both ends of the floor. Continued work on his speed and quickness will expand his ceiling as a college player."
Kyle Woodruff 6-2 Jr Holly
He can get his three-point shot off from various angles and over bigger defenders because he has such a deep shot pocket. Better true basketball player than often given credit for, but the J will always be Woodruff's signature. Getting stronger and bouncier, though wasn't in game shape so that new-found edge was largely neutralized.
"Shooter!," said a coach. "This was one of the best showings that I've seen Kyle have. Knocked down open jumpers like they were layups. Improved athleticism was also evident in drills, where he showed the ability to change direction with fluidity that he lacked in the past. Game is becoming more complete overall, but needs to take advantage of improved athleticism and play harder defensively."
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