VA SHOWDOWN
Nigel Johnson
Legacy Hoops
At 5’8” Nigel Johnson was a completely dominant force at this past weekend’s VA Showcase for Legacy Hoops.
In the 12u age, you’re looking for your big man to do the simple things on the floor and understand how to navigate the lane without stopping the offense. Nigel not only excelled at the little things (boxing out, making outlet passes, etc.), at his size he was a match up problem for all of the teams in his division. Nigel has areas to improve as far as working on his hands, increasing his mobility, and staying disciplined on defense.
His upside includes the ability to space the floor by adding a consistent jumpshot. With continued work on his touch, Nigel will be a force for years to come.
Taileak Holloman
Legacy Hoops
Taileak Holloman was one of the most fun players to watch last weekend regardless of age. Taileak is a pass first point guard who sees the floor incredibly well.
The game seemed to move slow for him, like he could see the next two plays ahead before they happened. He displayed this by making an array of flashy passes for assists to his teammates. The first four minutes I watched Taileak he managed to rack up 4 assists, two of which were no-look dump offs to cutting teammates for easy layups.
Understandably, the one critique would be valuing the ball more on each possession. There were some flashy pass attempts that were slightly off target or a teammate was not prepared for the ball which resulted in turnovers. Overall, Taileak used an array of floaters, coupled with his ability to pass to create winning opportunities for his team.
GeKobe Bell
Team Richmond
GeKobe Bell from Team Richmond was a one-man wrecking crew this weekend. The thing that stuck out about his play the most was his maturity and leadership on the floor. It’s not common to have a vocal leader on a 12u team, but GeKobe Bell was calling out defensive assignments, demanding his team stayed disciplined to the gameplan and led by example. Often diving for loose balls and attacking both the offensive and defensive glass.
In addition to his attitude, GeKobe showcased an array of moves from 15 feet and in. He had several moves out of the mid-post that were advanced beyond his years. One that stuck out the most was an up-and-under move where the defender didn’t bite on either of the ball fakes. Rather than throw up a low-percentage look off one foot, GeKobe reverse pivoted giving him a better angle to the rim. Bell has a mixture of skill, athleticism, and maturity that will serve him well in the future.
CJ Ronase
wave basketball club
CJ Ronase was a standout this weekend in the 13u division for WBC 2028 Griffin. To say he shot the ball well would be an understatement. CJ is a bigger guard with excellent handle and ball control and he utilized his dribble to hit shots from beyond the arc & mid-range.
The greatest tool CJ Ronase possesses on the floor is his elite jumpshot. His mechanics are textbook. He also has a quick trigger, something you often don’t see from kids until later HS years but it’s evident CJ spends a lot of time working on the details on his game which will pay off in HS and beyond. See in the gif below how CJ is already loaded into his shot before the ball finds him. By the time the ball is in his hands he’s locked into the rim.
CJ has to continue to work on his footspeed and understanding how to use his body to his advantage on the defensive end, but overall he’s a prospect to watch in the 757 as he enters his 8th grade year into the catholic school system.
Johnny Wilson
coast 2 coast
Another hybrid big that caught my eye this weekend was Coast 2 Coast’s (New York) Johnny Wilson. Not super strong, quick, or nimble but Johnny was able to use his length and iQ to find the bottom of the net plenty at ETC’s VA Showdown.
Johnny Wilson showcased his shot making ability all weekend, including a go-ahead “Dirk-esque” fadeaway over his left shoulder in his second game this weekend. Even with a tighter frame, Johnny Wilson was banging down low and battling for extra possessions for his team. He initiated DHO actions and was highly effective when he caught the ball out of short rolls, able to find teammates for open shots and had a mixture of spin moves, eurosteps, and ball fakes to get his shot off.
Cyrus Cowings
coast 2 coast
Not too often do you think of 8th graders being five tool players, but Cyrus Cowings showed off all the tricks of the trade last weekend.
Despite playing inside, Cyrus showed an x-factor for his team that was contagious. He’s a fearless competitor, willing to take on any defensive assignment for his team while continuing to carry most of the offensive load as well. Cyrus Cowings could play at a high level as an incredible glue guy, guaranteed to outwork his match up and sacrifice for the greater good of the team. I say all of that while acknowledging Cyrus average 15ppg for his team this weekend so he is also a very capable scorer. His tenacity and athletic prowess will be what keeps him successful on the floor. If he’s able to add so much as a knock down catch and shoot jumper from deep, he will have a complete game and be an effective piece on a winning team.
Tabren Hawkins
loaded 757
Tabren Hawkins from Team Loaded 757 is one of Hampton Roads’ most intriguing rising freshmen. In ‘22-’23 Tabren saw a lot of success playing JV in 8th grade for his Churchland HS squad and this weekend at VA Showdown he showed that his success has not left him satisfied as he’s added even more moves to his growing arsenal.
Tabren was the most effective PG this weekend as far as it pertains to reading pick and roll coverage. More times than not he made the right reads off his defender and it resulted in a basket. Oftentimes kids/coaches will overcomplicate how to be successful as a ball handler in the pick and roll but Tabren made the simple read. When defenders went over the screens, he penetrated and used his dribble to find teammates for spot up shots or hit his roller. When defenders went under screens, he simply knocked down a three. His creativity with the ball and shot making ability make him a legit threat going into his freshman year.
Carter Burnes
team attack blue 2027
Team Attack was my favorite team to watch this weekend. In an age where the term “high basketball iQ” is thrown around too much, Team Attack at the very least played a selfless brand of basketball. The player that most embodied this style of play was 2027 Carter Burnes. Carter was a do-it-all player for Team Attack in their run to the VA Showdown 14u championship.
Carter has a solid frame and was able to use that frame in the mid-post effectively; however, he was just as deadly out of the high post where his team utilized him in split actions where he made the right reads to his teammates or found a shot attacking downhill. The continuity this team played with allowed for easy buckets for all, but Carter’s understanding of defenses made it so he found an easy look for himself on almost every play.
Noah Blubaugh
team attack blue 2027
Another major key for Team Attack’s success at ETC’s VA Showdown was the play of their lead guard Noah Blubaugh. Not only was Noah able to find success in the flow of the offense, he was incredibly effective making jump shots off the dribble. Over the weekend I saw him hit transition threes, two move dribble pull ups, and a ton of catch and shoot jumpers. This combination of moves made his team even more deadly in the halfcourt. He also did a good job of getting the ball to his teammates in position to score.
Noah has to continue to work on his ball speed and foot speed so he can compete at the highest levels given he will be a smaller PG throughout his career. The overall takeaway from watching Noah Blubaugh, Carter Burnes, and this Team Attack Blue 2027 team is that basketball blesses those that play it the right way.
Caleb Allen
next Level Ballers
Caleb Allen displayed a variety of skills enroute to a championship in the 15u division of last weekend’s VA Showdown. At 6’2”, Caleb is a combo guard who is active on both ends of the floor.
What stood out most about Caleb’s play over the weekend was his level of conditioning and athleticism. The moment I stopped to check him out in the first game of the tournament, Caleb had back to back steals leading to breakaway dunks. He was a bolt of energy for his team throughout their championship run, making plays on the defensive end getting them out in transition early and often. Caleb also initiated offense late in games when his team needed buckets to seal wins.
Caleb Allen showcased his basketball instincts in a major way. He has a nose for the ball and plays with a combination of skill & basketball iQ. With continued work on his handle, he will be a legit threat from the wing in the class of 2026.
Masiah Stevens
woodside
Lead guard of defending state champions Woodside HS Masiah Stevens was on a tear all weekend long. A consummate competitor who gets what he wants on the offensive end and controls the pace of the game for his Woodside squad.
Masiah Stevens embodies what it means to play for head coach Stef Welsh. To play tough, smart, selfless basketball. The team flows through what Masiah Stevens does on both sides of the ball. He’s a hard-nosed defender who has no problem defending the entire length of the floor. On the offensive end, he uses his athleticism for all kinds of cup action and has the ability to finish (way) above the rim.
Masiah can pass, dribble, shoot. He plays soundly off two feet and is incredibly active on the defensive end. He also possess that “it” factor that you see in high level guys. With Trevor Smith & Sayquon Welsh moving on, Masiah has a chance to cement himself in alongside a lineage of D1 guards to come through Woodside.
Ray Baugh
va elite
One of the few 2023s in action at ETC’s last event, Ray Baugh was a highlight machine over the weekend. From 360 dunks to windmills, Ray displayed a next level amount of athleticism at VA Showdown.
Ray Baugh is a 6’6” athlete with a game-changing level of athleticism. Ray is a versatile defender, able to defend 1s through 4s. He is suited for a high paced game where he can get out in transition to display his athleticism. Ray can play the passing lanes and is a good weak side defender who often can alter or block shots with his reach & athleticism.
Being that it’s June, playing AAU as an undecided 2023 is an uphill battle. Speaking with Ray last weekend he said he has been communicating with several JUCOs including local Bryant & Stratton and VPCC. If you’re a JUCO/prep school looking to finalize your roster with an athletic wing who can defend multiple positions, Ray Baugh would be an excellent fit.
Tim Uzochukwu
VA Elite
In similar fashion to Ray Baugh, 2023 Tim Uzochukwu of VA Elite put on a show all weekend at VA Showdown. Tim’s combination of size at 6’7” and skill make him an effective threat from all areas of the floor.
Tim Uzochukwu is a prototypical “tweener” build. Tim is 6’7” which allows him to score easily out of the post and get jumpers off on the perimeter. His high release point being a major asset to his game. Also with a decent handle, he’s able to attack close outs to create his own shot. He finished above the rim in the half court plenty of times over the weekend either off lob passes, dump offs or his own spin moves.
Tim has a ton of skill and his biggest upside is he has room in his game to improve in the form of his strength and consistent mechanics on his jumpshot. As a 2023, high level D2s and D1 JUCOs should be calling about Tim asap. He has not peaked as a basketball player and if you have a year or two to allow him to develop, he will be a steal in the class of 2023.
My’kel Jenkins
woodside
The most impressive college prospect at ETC’s VA Showdown was Woodside HS 2024 My’kel Jenkins. A 6’7” guard with the ability to finish above the rim and a legit handle, My’kel is one of VA’s best in the class of 2024.
My’kel Jenkins showcased almost every tool in the toolkit last weekend in Woodside’s undefeated run at VA Showdown. My’kel was able to hit shots on catch and shoots, off the dribble, playing on & off the ball, you name it. My’kel was used as both the ball handler and roller in Woodside’s offense. He is also incredibly dangerous in transition. He can either run the lane as a lob threat or he can push the ball himself to find a teammate or hit a walk up three. In the championship game, My’kel had a three minute span where he hit a side-step three, scored off an offensive rebound put back, and performed a windmill dunk on a breakaway dunk after a steal.
My’kel Jenkins has a rare combination of handle, jump shot making ability, & athleticism to make him one of the hottest commodities in VA’s 2024 class. He currently holds offers from Ohio University & LIU Brooklyn and has interests from a handful of MMs. With one high school live period and two AAU live periods left, I expect My’kel to receive major attraction from MM and potentially some HM.
