By: DeAjai Dawkins
Sunday is my favorite day in an AAU tournament’s schedule. The last day of a tournament is the most crucial. This is where players are most fatigued, fighting for last-minute evaluations, and most importantly last-minute wins. Here are a few players who stuck out on Gladiator Day.
2023 De’Mahjae Clark (2021 Garner Road WV)
De’Mahjae Clark stuck out all weekend, but his Sunday performance solidified his weekend. De’Mahjae is a 15-year-old guard graduating in the class of 2023. Despite playing 2 years above his age group, Clark dominated for his squad this weekend. He won MVP honors all 4 games for his team and displayed a consistent ability to score the ball both slashing and from the perimeter. His mentality is what impressed me just as much as his game, as he’s vastly underrated and doesn’t let it bother him. Rather than complaining about a lack of attention, Clark is more focused on making the necessary adjustments to gain the attention he deserves. Not one to complain or whine, rather put his head down and work. With the proper attention, Clark’s recruitment should begin to pick up speed
5’10 2024 Nas Beamon (Charlotte Supreme 14U)
Nas is an incredibly strong wing with a stocky frame and mobility. He overpowers his opponent, once literally ripping the ball from the arms of an offensive plays for a steal that converted into a quick layup. He’s a tough, physical player that will push you around all day if you let him, while still playing within the rules of the game. To compete with a player like Beamon, you need an unwavering level of toughness from start to finish. This is a player that will capitalize on any mental weakness he senses from you, and this leads to easy productivity at the basket on his end.
2024 Jaxon Prunter (Team Magic 15U)
2024 Jaxon Prunter provided an extremely useful offensive boost for Team Magic 15U. Playing up in age, Prunter quickly involved himself in the offense through a series of floaters. Prunter possesses a very soft touch and decent mobility for his size, as he’s currently tall and slender. He’s capable of shooting the ball but he’s currently more comfortable being able to use his length in order to get points. Playing up in age for a new team, you can tell that Prunter wasn’t able to get involved in the offense the same way he would if he
2024 6’9 Issiah Sutherland (Charlotte Supreme 14U)
Issiah is an undeniable post presence that serves as an imposing force all game. Not even 2 minutes into his contest against Garner Road WV 2024, he positioned himself on the block and drop stopped for a nasty one-handed slam. Sutherland’s current physical presence along with his physique leads me to believe he’ll continue growing and further his dominance. If necessary, his team is able to feed him in the post for an almost guaranteed 2 points against an average defender. Another element of Sutherland’s game that I appreciate is his comfortability handling the ball. I wouldn’t call Sutherland a ball-handler, but he’s someone capable of dribbling the length of the floor under moderate pressure and finishing at the rim.
2024 6’4 Jahseem Felton (Charlotte Supreme 14U)
If you’ve had your ears open, you’ve heard the name at least once this weekend. Widely considered one of the top rising freshmen in the country, Jahseem Felton displayed his dominance almost effortlessly in Charlotte Supreme’s contest against Garner Road WV 2024. Felton has the athletic build of a grown man at his age and possesses an impressive wingspan to go along with his massive size at the point guard position. It would be easier to tell you what Felton doesn’t do well, but then again no it wouldn’t be. He possesses poise and maturity far beyond his age, can score from all 3 levels, facilitate, rebounds, plays good defense when motivated, and even places himself in prime positions off-ball to take the pressure off of his team. I see 82 game seasons in Felton’s future.