Hoop Group will be providing daily online coverage of Elite camps in the form of “live blogs,” recognizing outstanding achievements at camp, and keeping you informed of all the latest Hoop Group Elite happenings.
In these live blogs, Hoop Group staff will note camp standouts, spectacular plays, daily schedules, and more. While the bulk of updates will be text entries from HoopGroup.com writers, keep an eye out for video highlights and interviews, quotes from players, exclusive photos, and Twitter updates.
7:00 PM– Watching the skills position camps, we see the value of intensive one-on-one training with coaches. Each of these players, some already tall at this young age, some sure to develop in the future, growing as a result of this type of instruction. Here at the “Big Man” training set, coaches are teaching players footwork and moves in the post. The interesting thing about a camp with young players like this is that some kids will go through a growth spurt, making it necessary that they have these post moves later in their high school and possibly college careers. –@DanielJMartin_
6:01 PM - Position camps will be beginning now. In addition to specialized work for guards and big men, a shooting clinic is also being held on the outdoor courts here in Reading. –@pfebbraro
5:08 PM- Rising sophomore Carlton Bragg (Villa Angela-St. Joseph / Cleveland, Ohio) has been a top performer throughout camp. At 6-8, he has elite size and top-line athleticism to go along with it. Off the floor, Bragg has been even more memorable. He’s been one of the most vocal players at camp and an adamant supporter of all players here. He has given tips to younger campers, shared laughs with coaches, and shown a great attitude throughout. Look out for a feature article on Bragg in the near future. –@Edgar_Walker
4:43 PM - Cameron Winston (Rectory School, N.Y./2016) has carried over his strong Day Two showing but taking control of the game being played on Bollman Center court 2. Grabbing rebounds, driving strong to the hole, knocking down free throws, Winston is clearly making his push for all-star recognition. –@pfebbraro
3:46 PM – Games are going down to the wire in the Bollman Center this afternoon! On court two rising freshman Jamal Holloway (Sterling HS/Somerdale, NJ) fought for a rebound and made a clutch put back hook shot as time expired. Having his team 22 defeat team 13 by just two points, 63-61. While on court one, teams 10 fought off team 1 thanks to clutch end of the game team free throws. The lanky 6-foot-4 Franklin Howard (Paul VI/Fairfax, VA) played exceptionally well, even managing point guard duties towards his team’s late game efforts. Howard was especially quick in transition, scoring a late game tying coast-to-coast layup and getting back to defend his opponents’ fast breaks. --@CraigManfra
2:54 PM- Games are going on in Bollman Center, and Team 10 has established a good chemistry. Point guard sensation Isaiah Briscoe (St. Benedict’s Prep / Newark, N.J.) seems to be operating on the same wavelength with 6-5 rising sophomore Kelly Hogan (Seton Hall Prep / West Orange, N.J.) and up-and-coming big man Sammy Friday (Hudson Catholic / Jersey City, N.J.). The group should make a tough run at the camp championship in tomorrow’s playoffs. –@Edgar_Walker
2:14 PM- Chad Babel, an Elite camp director, is presenting the new eligibility standards to players, explaining the requirements to qualify to play college basketball. Babel shared a startling statistic with players; if the new standards (which go into effect for Class of 2016 prospects) were in effect this year, 43% of active NCAA basketball players would be considered ineligible. It’s a mind-boggling piece of information that undoubtedly caught players’ attentions. –@Edgar_Walker
1:35 PM- In about 10 minutes players will report to Bollman Center for a lecture on NCAA recruiting. This lecture will be especially important for campers who are rising freshman and younger because starting with the Class of 2016 new NCAA eligibility standards for prospective student-athletes will go into effect. ESPN goes into more detail on the new eligibility standards. –@pfebbraro
12:36 PM- A quick breakdown of how Future All-American Camp is organized: there are three leagues, and the leagues are determined by player grade level. Rising 10th graders play in the Super Soph league, rising 9th graders play in the Fab Frosh league, and rising 6th-8th graders play in the Jr. Elite division. A small handful of players are playing up an age group as they look to challenge themselves and continue to improve their games. Players will never play down an age group against younger players. –@Edgar_Walker
11:41 AM- The Class of 2016 is extremely well-represented in this camp session, and many of the rising freshmen at camp are playing up an age group against Class of 2015 players. Several have more than held their own, including future Dematha (Md.) teammates Alani Moore and Joe Hampton. Moore is a pure point guard with a great feel for the game and incredible basketball instincts. Hampton is a well-built 6-6 power forward who has great athletic ability and a great presence around the basket. Both players were part of a juggernaut D.C. Assault 14U team that went 81-6 overall this summer, even while playing a number of tournaments at the 15U level. –@Edgar_Walker
11:02 AM- Rising 8th grader Devin Clyburn (Satellite East / Brooklyn, N.Y.) has shown flashes of brilliance this morning. The 6-1 forward is strong for his age with a great frame. He is very active on the glass, plays physical in the paint, and handles the ball well. –@Edgar_Walker
10:27 AM- The first game set is underway and Class of 2015 point guard Lamarr Kimble (Neumann-Goretti / Philadelphia, Pa.) is playing extremely well. In a stellar matchup which pits him against fellow 2015 guard Franklin Howard (Paul VI / Fairfax, Va.), Kimble is showing his toughness and natural feel for the game. He can play at multiple speeds, and has a knack for picking out the right pass. –@Edgar_Walker
9:34 AM- Day Two was a great day at Future All-American, with players stepping up their games and workrates. A select few stood out from the pack, though. Read about them in yesterday’s “Outstanding Performers” article. –@Edgar_Walker
8:35 AM- Although some of the players have tweeted similar thoughts of soreness this morning, the majority appear focused and ready to start another day of getting better. Station work is underway and our coaches are extra lively today to motivate the players to push themselves and execute drills correctly.
Also earlier this morning, the optional Early Bird workout had another great turnout, with over 200 attendees. Great to see the kids taking advantage of everything they can to try and get better at Hoop Group’s last Elite camp of the summer. --@CraigManfra
Follow our digital media team on Twitter for more updates throughout the day:
- Hoop Group (@TheHoopGroup)
- Dan Martin (@DanielJMartin_)
- Craig Manfra (@CraigManfra)
- Peter Febbraro (@PFebbraro)
- Edgar Walker (@Edgar_Walker)
- Dave Krupinski (@DaveKrupinski)
