In the latest edition of ‘P.I. Pulse’, Pro Insight contributor Alex Walulik provides analysis after spending a long weekend covering the National Prep Showcase earlier this month at Albertus Magnus College:
The National Prep Showcase marks the unofficial kickoff to the prep school season, so when the mid-November dates were set, it was time to plan a trip to New Haven. With three full days of competition and games running from early morning into the late evening, it was a nonstop, action-packed basketball weekend. We've also included C-RAM scores for many prospects, courtesy of our stats partner Cerebro Sports (if you haven't already, create your free account today, or for 10% off a paid Cerebro subscription, use code PROINSIGHT22). With that being said, here are six storylines that stood out:
Power lights it up
The demand for a 6’9” highly versatile shooter is perpetually high regardless of the level. Shrewsbury, Massachusetts native TJ Power (C-RAM: 13.3 - Gold Badge - #1 overall in the event) is just that. His combination of perimeter shooting and size is tailor-made for modern basketball. Playing with Worcester Academy (MA) has allowed him to develop as an initiator and playmaker next to Tre Norman, Kayvaun Mulready and Parker Jones. Throughout the game, Power was able to hit shots from NBA range and finish in the lane through contact despite dealing with physicality on the perimeter. NBA scouts were in attendance for the Duke commit’s game on Sunday, as he is one of the premier perimeter shooters in the country.
Dailey puts on a show
Eric Dailey, Jr. (C-RAM: 8.1 - Bronze Badge) arrived in New Haven with a ton of buzz, given his long list of high-major offers and his 2023 NBA draft eligibility. The talented forward has been busy these past few months since deciding to go the post-grad route — aside from continuing to hone his craft, Dailey has recently cut down his list to eight schools, gone on official visits, played on the Nike EYBL circuit, and competed with the U18 National squad with USA Basketball. He showed out at NPS as a physical combo-forward with a solid perimeter shot, a high-level motor, an advanced feel, and strong passing acumen. If he chooses to go the college route, he is expected to choose between Kansas, Memphis, Florida State, TCU, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Michigan, and Kentucky.
Sanon has next
On the fourth game on Friday, attendees got to watch one of the brightest prospects from New England in Joson Sanon (C-RAM: 11.5 - Gold Badge - #3 overall in the event). The 16-year-old wasted no time getting right to work for Vermont Academy on their business trip to New Haven. The 6’6” guard who plays AAU with BABC (MA) has a rare combination of physical gifts and natural talent, which very few players in the country his age can claim. He can get to his spots, pull-up from the mid-range, create for himself off the bounce, finish around the rim, and operate in the pick-and-roll. Sanon is already drawing high-major interest, and the sophomore is just getting started.
Teng continues to rise
Bradford Christian Academy (MA) is a program defined by their offense and Kur Teng (C-RAM: 9.6 - Silver Badge) is the primary scorer on a team full of them. He emerged as a national name playing up on the Adidas 3SSB circuit and he backed it up in New Haven. On a roster full of highly-touted teammates, Teng has consistently demonstrated that he’s the best of the bunch and a future high-major difference-maker. Teng is listed at 6’4” and plays within the flow of the offense, thanks to a slippery movement style, ability to stay on balance and great composure. He thrives in transition as a catch-and-shoot threat and does a nice job moving without the ball. In the half-court, Teng has become a true three-level scorer who can really create off the dribble. Once the weekend in New Haven concluded, Teng had a lot of people talking — not just whether he would be impactful at the high-major level, but beyond.
The Brewster Academy powerhouse
Brewster Academy (NH) has put together yet another loaded roster of elite talent this season, and things seem to be clicking early for Coach Jason Smith’s squad. Despite a ton of individual talent all over the court, Tennessee commit JP Estrella (C-RAM: 9.7 - Silver Badge), Florida State commit Taylor Bowen (C-RAM: 8.3 - Bronze Badge), Xavier commit Reid Ducharme (C-RAM: 8.9 - Silver Badge), Wake Forest commit Aaron Clark (C-RAM: 4.8), and Penn State commit Carey Booth (C-RAM: 8.2 - Bronze Badge) have all been able to coexist and share the spotlight, depending on who has the hot hand any given possession, half, or game.
Estrella is a modern-day big. He has the ability to both stretch the floor and finish inside with excellent footwork and soft touch on his jump hook. Estrella’s frontcourt partner Taylor Bowen put together one of the most impressive defensive performances on Friday afternoon, limiting Florida-bound Thomas Haugh to 5-15 from the field. He has some work to do offensively, but the flashes are special: full-court transition finishes, isolation mid-range pull-ups and high-flying putbacks. Reid Ducharme is a long guard with legitimate perimeter shooting prowess. He loves coming off screens, where he can square his feet and flip his hips into his fluid jumper. In the open court, Ducharme has the burst to finish at the rim after filling the lane. The potential with his frame and touch is evident, and the next developmental step for Ducharme is to support his catch-and-shoot ability with more of an off the bounce attack in the half-court. Aaron Clark is a big, modern combo guard and had some very impressive moments during the showcase after returning to action for the first time since the spring. He brings positional length, versatility, fluidity, and shooting — something Wake Forest is certainly looking forward to. Lastly, 6’9” Carey Booth flashed a developing hybrid-forward skillset with good hands, soft touch, shooting upside, and a high IQ. Booth, one of the youngest high school seniors in the country, still has time to develop his strength and physicality and is a smart long-term investment by Penn State.
Dioubate, the latest PSA great
Putnam Science Academy (CT) has been a basketball factory in the Northeast over the past decade, in which they have produced a variety of high-major and pro prospects. Based on his recent play, Mouhamed Dioubate (C-RAM: 10.0 - Gold Badge - #10 overall in the event) is next up. A physical and strong player standing at 6’7”, Dioubate still somehow seems under-the-radar despite his four-star status, and as a prospect he still has a great deal of upside. A combo-forward who plays hard, can finish above the rim and rebound at a high level on both ends, Dioubate also uses his physicality and strength to switch up and down lineups as a multi-positional defender. The playmaking and ball-handling are still in development, but the Queens, New York product continues to showcase plenty of exciting flashes, making his potential in Nate Oats’ system at Alabama very intriguing.
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