"Battle in The Bluff 2" Standouts

The field was loaded, there was no shortage of talent and elite prospects on the floor. So much so that I had to go beyond the normal "All-Tournament" team breakdown. I had an extremely difficult time limiting my standouts to 30 and could easily add 10 more names to this list but for the sake of time and space I will keep it limited to that. Here are the players who caught my eye during "Battle in The Bluff 2" and should be at the top of your list moving forward.

Nick Smith Jr. (North Little Rock-AR) ESPN #6 in 2022 signed with Arkansas

Nick Smith was dominant in North Little Rock’s victory over Richardson. He effortlessly got to his spot’s and knew what to do when he got there. Nick scored at will and was able to break down the defense to get to the basket. Smith scored at all 3 levels (8-15 fg’s & 3-6 from 3pt range) and was 100% from the free throw line (9-9) for a total of 30 points in a 14-point victory over one of the best teams in the country. More impressive than this on the court performance was the way he carried himself post-game which I titled “Pro Behavior.” Nick Smith Jr. is SPECIAL and I’m sure the Arkansas staff, supporters and fans are anxiously awaiting his arrival in Fayetteville.

“PRO BEHAVIOR”

We all know how insanely talented he is. We know he can score at will. We know he has a high basketball IQ and is a willing and capable defender. There’s nothing I can add to any of that. At the end of the game before he even celebrated with his teammates, Nick Smith Jr. walked over and shook each of the referee’s hands and told them thank you! PRO BEHAVIOR

Cason Wallace (Richardson-TX) ESPN #9 in 2022 signed with Kentucky

Long before Cason Wallace was a house-hold name, Kellen Buffington @TheTB5Reports told anyone who would listen that he was a special player. When Buff talks, the basketball world listens and once again he was spot on with his evaluation of Wallace. When I think of a “Top-10” ranked player I expect them to not only be an elite performer, but also consistently compete at an elite level and show up in big games.

 Wallace did not disappoint at “Battle in The Bluff.” In Richardson’s first game vs. Kenwood he scored 23 points on (6-11 fg’s). He contributed in every way imaginable; 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks in a 65-59 win. In their second game, a much-anticipated matchup vs. North Little Rock & ESPN #6 ranked player Nick Smith, he scored 20 points had 4 rebounds and 4 assists while picking up the defensive assignment of Smith. Cason Wallace is a playmaker who impacts the game in every way.

Brandon Miller (Cane Ridge-TN) ESPN #13 in 2022 signed with Alabama

Cane Ridge High School (TN) had a tough matchup facing a Kenwood Academy squad who had just dropped a close game to Richardson High School. It was clear that whatever post game speech Coach Mike Irvin delivered worked as Kenwood came out and was dominant from start to finish. But there was a bright spot for Cane Ridge and it came from the 13^th ranked player in the Nation, Brandon Miller. The Alabama signee poured in 26 points and added 13 rebounds, was 8-9 from the Free-Throw line and he competed from opening tip to the final horn. He showed an ability to knock down the outside shot, was a dominant force around the basket as well as a capable ball handler. He used his size and vision to find open players and was extremely effective attacking down-hill.

Yohan Traore (Dream City Christian-AZ) ESPN #29 in 2022 unsigned

Yohan had an injury early in the second half of their matchup vs. West Oaks (FL). Prior to that he was dominant on both ends of the floor. He controlled the offensive and defensive glass and had 18 points (6-10 fg’s & 5-5 ft’s). I was impressed with his overall skillset. He stretches the floor and knocks down the outside shot, can put the ball on the floor and plays with a high motor at all times. When posting up he has a wide catch radius and makes it easy for guards to get him the ball. Whichever university ends up winning the “Yohan Traore Lottery” will be getting a special talent. 

Kamari Lands (Hillcrest Prep-AZ) ESPN #34 in 2022 unsigned

Kamari Lands recently announced that he was down to two potential college choices, Louisville & Arizona State. Both of them should be pleased with the way he’s been playing lately. In Hillcrest’s first game at “Battle in The Bluff” against Tennessee Prep he scored 27 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in a 91-64 win. He was 3 for 5 from deep and attacked the basket at will. He had his finishing ability on full display and was 100% (10-10) from the free throw line. He has demonstrated an ability to play on and off ball for Hillcrest and can score at all 3 levels. In their second game, a 79-69 loss to Combine Academy, he went for 16 points and showed leadership, poise & maturity. I’ve evaluated Kamari a lot over the years dating back to his time at La Lumiere and it’s been great to see his game grow and evolve. He has improved his perimeter shooting, can score in a multitude of ways and is a leader on and off the floor.

Kel'el Ware (North Little Rock-AR) ESPN #39 in 2022 signed with Oregon

The thing I love the most about the class of 2022 is the depth of the big’s. Kel’el Ware is one of those special big men who has an extremely versatile game. He is dominates the glass on both ends of the floor, protects the rim like his life depends it and runs the floor like a gazelle. Rim protecting and rim running are just a part of his skillset. His touch is continuously improving and not only around the rim, he extends the floor and knocks down the perimeter shot with impressive form.. He went 2-2 from three vs. Richardson and finished with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 7 blocks. I thought I was going to witness the rare Point, Rebound, Block triple double for a while. In a class full of talented big men, Oregon is getting one of the best!

Jaxon Kohler (Southern California Academy-CA) ESPN #40 in 2022 signed with Michigan State

Jaxon Kohler is an elite big man with exceptional footwork. He has a post-game which is reminiscent of 80’s style NBA basketball and because of that he is one of my favorite players. The thing that stands out the most to me is his endurance. He has played nearly every minute of every game that I have watched. He runs the floor, dominates the glass and takes control of the game. When you think of the ball flowing through a big man you typically assume paint touches, that’s not the case with Jaxon Kohler. Although he has a deep post game bag, he also will give you mid-post buckets and knock down the deep 3. In their game one blowout vs. Memphis Mitchell he went for 28 points & 10 rebounds and while saddled with foul trouble against a talented and deep Combine Academy he had 13 points and 8 rebounds. The East Lansing faithful are excited about Kohler’s impending arrival and I can clearly see why.

Amarr Knox (Bartlett High School-TN) ESPN #67 in 2022 unsigned

I was excited to see Amarr Knox compete on his home floor and he did not disappoint. In their first game vs. Christian Brothers High School, he had 25 points and 8 rebounds. He led the team in every way imaginable while also playing extremely suffocating defense. Against Dream City Christian he led all scorers with 27 points along with 6 rebounds and 3 assists. He showed an ability to get to the basket and finish around the rim with both hands. It’s going to be interesting to see where he ends up after decomitting from the hometown Memphis Tigers in late October.

Rylan Griffin (Richardson-TX) ESPN #72 in 2022 signed with Alabama

Richardson is an impressive team. They have a 3-man attack of Cason Wallace, Timmie Jordan & Rylan Griffin. Griffin is headed to Tuscaloosa to play for Nate Oats and there’s a lot for Crimson Tide fans to be excited about. Rylan Griffin is a capable and confident shooter who can also put the ball on the floor and make something happen off the bounce. He attacks downhill efficiently and effectively and understands the game at a high level. He takes what the defense gives him without forcing a lot, knowing that he has competent help on the offensive end that can knock down open shots so there’s no need to shoot bad shots. He’s a willing and capable defender and rebounds well for a guard. I really like his game and can see if translating well to the next level. Griffin is another one of those players Kellen Buffington told us about early on and as I’ve said before; Buff doesn’t miss on his evaluations.

Jayden Epps (Combine Academy-NC) ESPN #94 in 2022 signed with Illinois

Combine Academy is another one of those impressive teams with multiple players that you can spotlight and talk about after every game. In their first contest they defeated an extremely talented Southern California Academy squad 67-58 and in the second game they outpaced an equally talented Hillcrest Prep squad 79-69. One of the major difference makers was Jayden Epps and his consistent production. He scored at all 3 levels, ran the offense/facilitated, picked up the other team’s best player and showed that he possesses the ability to erupt offensively at any given time with his 29-point performance vs. Hillcrest. It’s not so much the amount of points that Epps scored but the way in which he scored. He never seemed hurried or flustered and always was in control of the game. In game 1 when he couldn’t get the outside shot to fall he never got frustrated, just put his head down and got to the basket and subsequently the free throw line where he went 5-6. I always love to see games immediately after a player has a “not so great” shooting performance. How they respond is a great indicator to me, and Jayden Epps responded exceptionally well. He knocked down 3 three pointers in the victory but also focused on the thing that made his successful in game one, attacking the basket and getting to the free-throw line. He was 14-15 from the line. It’s hard to be a team when their point guard is getting the free-throw line like that and even harder when he’s converted those trips to the line into points.

Brian “BJ” Edwards (Knoxville Catholic High School-TN) signed with Tennessee

BJ Edwards seems to always play with a chip on his shoulder. He impacts the game from multiple dimensions and is an electric and exciting player to watch. In a Game 1 loss to Memphis East he had 14 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. In a Game 2 thriller he finished with 17 points & 5 rebounds. He attacked down-hill and got to the free-throw line at will. He was 100% (6-6) from the line and a major part of the 48-45 victory for Knoxville Catholic. At 6’3, Edwards is an impressive rebounder for his size which shows his competitiveness and the amount of effort he brings to the game. A tough defender that will pick you up 94 feet and harass you the length of the court, BJ Edwards leaves his imprint on the game from start to finish.

Patrick Wessler (Combine Academy-NC) signed with Virginia Tech

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a fan of 80’s basketball. I enjoy seeing true post players compete. This event had some of the best “big’s” in the country and it was great to evaluate them. You can’t talk about elite 2022 Big Men and not, at the very minimum, mention Patrick Wessler’s name. The Virginia Tech Commit was phenomenal at Battle in The Bluff 2. I loved to see him play and compete. He has a great motor, a wide catch radius, and can finish with both hands around the basket. Beyond that, he is extremely adaptable. I saw numerous passes hit him near or around the ankle/knee area and not only did he not complain once, he took those mis-directed passes and converted them into points. He controlled the glass on both ends of the floor and was a walking double-double machine! His presence inside caused foul trouble for the opposition and his ability to make free throws made him nearly impossible to defend (6-7 FT’s in game & 5-6 in game 2). With Jayden Epps & Preston Murphy Jr. in the backcourt and Wessler patrolling the paint, Combine Academy is one of the best teams in the country.

Oziah Sellers (Southern California Academy-CA) signed with University of Southern California

Oziah Sellers is one of the best shooters in the class of 2022. He doesn’t need much space and as soon as he checks into the game, he’s in range! Defenders need to know where he’s at on the court at all times and better have a hand up when they are closing out. Sellers knocked down 7 Three-Pointers in two games and every shot that left his hand looked good. He stretched the floor for Jaxon Kohler and provided him with plenty of room to work because if the double came they know a deep three would soon follow from either Sellers or Cowherd. Oziah has a high basketball I.Q. and makes the right reads on the floor. With his strong shooting ability you’d expect to see him force more shots up but he lets the game come to him and is patient with his shot selection.

Trey Pettigrew (Kenwood Academy-IL) signed with Nevada

Trey Pettigrew is efficient and scores at a high percentage. He has the ability to impact the game and can effortlessly score at all 3 levels. This Kenwood team has 5 legit weapons; Pettigrew, Darrin Ames, Darius Robinson, and Calvin Robins can all score and when clicking on all cylinders this Kenwood team is tough to beat. I like to see Trey playing in an offense where he doesn’t have to singularly carry the load. He plays with great pace and understanding of when to be aggressive and attack. He registered 15 points (3-6 from 3) in a Game 1 loss to Richardson & 17 points in a Game 2 blowout win over Cane Ridge. The versatile guard should be a great fit in Reno next year for Coach Steve Alford.

Shawn Phillips (Dream City Christian-AZ) signed with NC State

It’s been great to watch the evolution of Dream City Christian big man Shawn Phillips. Dating back to his time at Dayton Belmont, Shawn has been one of those players with an upside only eclipsed by his physical prowess. As he’s developed and toned his larger than life frame his endurance has improved and so has his footwork. Seeing him in tandem with Yohan Traore in their lopsided victory over West Oaks (FL) showed glimpses of what this team will look like as they compete into March. Phillips is a dominant rebounder and does a great job of using his body for leverage around the basket. There’s still much upside for him but he is showing solid touch, not only around the basket but also out to the free throw line extended mid-range area. His free-throw shooting has improved as well, he went 4-7 en route to a 13 point & 9 rebound performance. NC State has a bright future and Kevin Keatts has to be enjoying the maturation of his future Center.

Chandler Jackson (Christian Brothers-TN) signed with Florida State University

Chandler Jackson is a strong addition to the "New Bloods" of Florida State University. He put his scoring prowess on display against Bartlett (21 points & 7 rebounds) and NSU University School (19 points (3-6 from three), 10 rebounds). I love his size and physicality. He has a great build and uses his size, strength and athleticism to makes plays in traffic. He was a more than capable ball handler who played with great pace and was never sped up. He was great off the dribble but also demonstrated his ability to knock down shots of the dribble as well. Jackson ran the offense and showcased his knack for facilitating as well as rebounding and pushing the tempo. He will fit in well in Tallahassee.

Corey Washington (North Little Rock High School-AR) unsigned

There’s “Glue Guys” and then there’s Corey Washington! He put on a phenomenal performance vs. Richardson High School and was ultimately the difference maker in that competition. I was impressed in his abilities from start to finish in a much-anticipated matchup. Big time players step up in games of the magnitude and Corey Washington for sure made his presence felt. He finished with 24 points and 6 rebounds as he completed the 3 headed monster that consists of him, Smith & Ware. He got to the basket at will and finished on both sides of the rim and not to forget his ability to play well above the rim as well. He finished 14-16 from the free throw line and made it difficult for the defense to help on Nick Smith Jr. or Kel’el Ware. I was impressed with Washington’s ability to take advantage of the moment and know whichever school gets him will be just as impressed.

Amaree Abram (Southern California Academy-CA) unsigned

I’ve had the pleasure of evaluating Amaree Abram a lot this season. Each time I’ve been impressed with the way he commands the offense and makes sure things flow smoothly. I’ve seen him be a facilitator and make sure teammates get the ball in positions to score. I’ve also seen that he can score at will, rebound and push the tempo. I really like the versatility of Amaree’s game and his ability to unselfishly be productive and keep his team in positive situations. Abram has a high basketball IQ and is great at picking his spots to score while also making sure all around him are getting adequate touches and shots. Playing alongside Kohler, Sellers, Cowhers, Thompson, etc. is preparing him for the next level where he will share space on the floor with multiple elite level talents. After a strong showing in Battle in The Bluff 2 Abram picked up an offer from Maryland. He is currently being courted by Maryland, Ole Miss, Xavier, St. Johns, and others.

Elijah Bailey (Tennessee Prep-TN) unsigned

I hate the term underrated. I even more hate when players complain that they are underrated and overlooked. That’s why I like Elijah Bailey. He never talks about being overlooked or under-recruited, he just plays basketball. Elijah leaves his heart on the court every single game. I’ve had the opportunity to watch him play several times this year and each time I walk away impressed. Elijah has a high basketball I.Q. and runs the offense well for Coach Rayford’s Tennessee Prep squad. He can be a scoring threat when necessary or a pass first facilitator. He is a very solid ball player whose defensive tenacity reminds you that he’s originally from New York. Elijah is definitely a player to watch who will continue to grow and develop and use the experience of playing against top competition at elite events to prepare him for the future.

Jeffery Brazziel (Dream City Christian-AZ) unsigned

Dream City Christian has a new addition and it’s been a special one. Jeffery Brazziel has settled in well for DCC. In a win over Bartlett High School he was the leading scorer for a well-rounded offensive attack. It’s going to be interesting to see how this team looks as the continue to gel. I like the unselfishness and of Brazziel and how that impacts the team. I really enjoyed what I saw from him and am looking forward to seeing more as the Milwaukee native continues to integrate to the team.

Jaylen Drane (Simeon Career Academy-IL) unsigned

Saying Jaylen Drane was impressive in a win over Milwaukee Academy of Science is an understatement. He scored 23 points on 9-12 shooting (2-4 from 3). He efficiently scored at all 3 levels and provided relentless ball pressure against one of the best guards in the country finishing with 3 steals. I always love to see defensive minded guards but I even more love guards that turn defense into offense and compete at a high level. Drane did a great job getting his big man Miles Rubin the ball in the right place at the right time and finished with 4 assists. He is definitely a player to keep your eyes on moving forward.

Rob Martin III (Christian Brothers College High School-MO) unsigned

Rob Martin is an elite scorer. In each game that I’ve watched him play he’s scored at a high clip. Beyond his scoring ability he’s one of the best rebounding guards I’ve seen in a while. He has a knack for finding the ball and then quickly pushing the pace. In a win over Memphis East he led CBC with 26 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. I really like Rob’s ability to impact the game in multiple ways and like Christian Brothers College’s chances to win another State Championship. 

Class of 2023/2024 Standouts: It’s easy to lose sight of the underclassmen in a field loaded with elite seniors. The “Battle in The Bluff 2” featured some of the most talented up and coming players in the country.

Darrin “Dai Dai” Ames (Kenwood Academy-IL) ESPN #55 in 2023

Darrin Ames was outstanding against one of the best teams in the country. He scored 26 points (2-3 from three) in a close loss to Richardson while scoring in a variety of ways. He was perfect from the free-throw line and made a demonstrative statement that he is one of the best guards in the country, regardless of class. He followed up that performance with 22 points in a big win over Cane Ridge. Ames can score at will against the best in the country and is steadily improving his game. Keep an eye on Darrin Ames over the next 8 months, as his stock will definitely rise. He has a large array of high major suitors vying for his talents and recently picked up an offer from Notre Dame following his performance at Battle in The Bluff 2.

Tim Jordan Jr. (Richardson High School-TX) 2023

Timmie Jordan was impressive for Richardson. He was efficient in his scoring. He registered16 points and 5 rebounds vs. Kenwood & 11 points and 5 rebounds vs. North Little Rock. He has great size, is a capable scorer and rebounder who I’ve seen play in the past in Michigan and am impressed with the maturation of his game. As he continues to work on his perimeter game he will be a force to be reckoned with. Richardson is one of the top teams in the country and the experience/exposure will help Tim Jordan Jr.’s overall development in the future.

Blue Cain (Knoxville Catholic High School-TN) 2023

Blue Cain had a great showing in both games including a game winning shot at the buzzer against Memphis University School. He was impressive with his finishing abilities and scored at all 3 levels. He is a competitor who scores, rebound and defends. Blue Cain is a winner and raises his level as the lights get brighter. He tallied 26 points and 7 rebounds against Memphis East and 15 points and 6 rebounds vs. Memphis University School. In a guard heavy 2023 class, Blue can compete with the best of them.

Jason Asemota (Hillcrest Prep-AZ) 2024

For a long time, I’ve said that Jason Asemota is one of the most talented prospects in the country. The 6’9 G/F has a rare combination of Size, Speed, Athleticism and Elite Shooting Ability. He’s a matchup problem for defenses and with his tenacity on the defensive end he causes problems for other offenses. He knocked down 7 three's (7-12) in the two games, rebounded and blocked shots. He uses his length well, has good lateral agility and consistently exceeds expectations. Asemota can block shots on one end, grab the rebound and push it the length of the court effortlessly. He's a legit 6'9 with guard skills that are steadily improving. By the time it’s all said and done I project him to be a top 10 talent in the country. 

R’Chaun King (Memphis University School-TN) 2024

This was my first time seeing R’Chaun King live and I was impressed. He was an absolute monster in the post and finished with 14 points and 14 rebounds. It’s hard to evaluate a prospect off of just one showing but I really think R’Chaun has an opportunity to be special. It’s not often that you find post players who are content with being big men. You typically see them wanting to float around the perimeter as young players, so when you locate a F/C who wants to be dominant in the post you have to take notice. If R’Chaun continues to grow, develop and harness his abilities I can see him being one of the best bigs in his class.

Tayshawn Bridges (Milwaukee Academy of Science-WI) 2024

Tayshawn Bridges has long been considered one of the best players in the Class of 2024. Rankings change like Michigan weather; frequently, without warning and with little explanation. I don’t put too much stock in them and that’s why even though a lot of recruiting sites dropped him from their rankings, I still stand by my first sentence… Tayshawn Bridges is one of the best players in the Class of 2024. He is a competitor that gets to the basket and finishes through traffic/contact. He is athletic and plays with lots of heart and passion. He reminds me of a Point Guard in the class of 2019 whose name I will withhold publicly comparing him to for the risk of setting unfair expectations. What I am going to say is, Tayshawn Bridges is the real deal. He is a special player who has high upside and plenty of time to achieve it. Soon I expect to see his name back where it belongs, near the top of the Class of 2024 rankings!

Alijah Curry (Memphis East-TN) 2024

I always go into events excited to see who is going to catch my eye for the first time. At this event it was Alijah Curry. The Memphis East Sophomore showed up and showed out vs. Knoxville Catholic. East battled back from a 10-point half-time deficit and Curry had 22 points and 12 rebounds in a 64-59 victory. He was impressive and went 4-5 from the FT line in a game where every possession and every point mattered. If you didn’t know he his age/class coming into the game, you would have sworn he was a senior the way he put the team on his back and willed them to victory. I expect to see Alijah Curry’s name spoken about nationally very soon.

John Bol (Christian Brothers College High School-MO) 2024

I’ve evaluated John Bol in a few games this season and his 17 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in a 67-65 win over Memphis East was the best I’ve seen the 7’0+ big man play. CBC made an intentional effort to play inside out and that game plan worked perfectly. Bol used his size to dominate the block on both ends of the floor. I’ve seen potential in him and knew he had the ability to be a special player, but also know that centers tend to develop late. John has great hands, nice touch and obviously great size and length. As the raw potential starts to turn into production, Bol will be a dominant big man in the years to come.