SC Top 80 Breakout Performers – Part 1
Whenever you bring together a grouping of the best players in an area people will play at their best, the true competitor comes out in people. The South Carolina Top 80 was no different this year. We had kids that were known who showed up and showed out during the event. However, there were also some breakout performers who enhanced their stock with their play against the best.
Here are some of the players whose names you need to start tracking asap.
Jalen Cameron 6’4 2017 (Pictured Above)
West Florence HS (Florence)
Cameron came in with some buzz, he has a Townson offer, but not many people were really talking about him. That will now change. Cameron was second in the entire camp in scoring with a 20.3 average. He scored at all 3 levels with consistency. Always a competitor, the jump shot is falling and the athleticism leads to a versatile defender. Look for a bump in the rankings here and his recruitment to follow suit.
AJ Oliver 6’5” 2017
Daniel HS (Central)
Oliver, whose mom is the head women’s basketball coach at Clemson University, has some local buzz with offers from schools that are close by. That will soon change as Oliver’s game has diversified enough to become a Top 100 player in the country. He has great size for his position and a skill set with handle and deep range. Look for Oliver’s recruitment to take a more regional to national approach with many high major schools looking in.
Frankie Johnson 5’7” 2016 (Pictured Right)
Darlington HS (Darlington)
Johnson has that “it factor” that you just cannot take your eyes off him when he is on the floor. Of course the first thing you notice is his size, small but long and very strong. Once he starts playing you see a guard that defends 94’ in your face. You see a guard who can shoot the cover off the ball. You see a guard who runs a team with extremely high court vision. With the success smaller guards have had in the big south with Winthrop’s Keon Clark and Charleston Southern’s Saah Nimley there is no reason that whole conference (and adjacent ones) shouldn’t be looking at Johnson.
Tommy Bruner 6’ 2019
Spring Valley HS (Columbia)
Bruner has great bloodlines with a brother, 6’9” 2016 Jordan Bruner, who is a top 100 player in his class and a sister, 6’1” Ashley, who was a former All-SEC performer and current pro. Bruner is a great player in his own right. He is quick and confident with the ball, but also has soft touch with deep range. Bruner is still growing but his skill set is already top quality. Bruner is a Top 50 type prospect in his class, with upside for more.
Keith Matthews 6’6” 2017
Blythewood HS (Blythewood)
Matthews has experienced a kick start to his recruitment recently picking up his first three offers, Winthrop, Coastal Carolina, and Charleston Southern. Those schools are on to something, and it makes sense that every school that is in to see the kid offers. Matthews is a lengthy wing, who is a multi-positional defender. However, what sets Matthews apart is he passes like a point guard and shoots like a shooting guard. Matthews is just learning how to play, but his upside is through the roof. He is a but now prospect that will make coaches look very smart once he suits up for the program. He doesn’t even know how good he could be, that’s scary.
Sam Tyner-Tarhouni 6’7” 2018
Easley HS (Easley)
Perhaps not a tougher kid in the entire event. Tyner-Tarhouni was an around the basket kid, but his motor and second jump led to him averaging 15 points and 9 boards for the event. As a sophomore, Tyner-Tarhouni backed down from no one, in fact he seemed to play better as the play got more physical. Look for him to jump in the rankings.
Ladarius Williams 6’8” 2016
Laurens HS (Laurens)
Williams made a quick impression on the scouts and coaches in attendance. I am sure you will see plenty of Williams’ high lights on the Ball is Life mix tape. Williams is a long 6’8”, he makes his presence known around the rim on both ends. He shot the ball a great clip, with range beyond the arc. He also handled the ball well from the wing. While raw, Williams is a D1 player. Coaches take note on him, his recruitment should take off soon.
Quinterious Jones 6’7” 2016
TL Hanna HS (Anderson)
People know about Bud, he carries a Hampton offer. However, but came out to make a point in this event and we feel he did. Bud has a huge frame, looking more like a tight end. He carries a 7’5” wing span and hands that scratch your elbow when you shake his hands. In this event, Jones showed great footwork an hips. He finished close to the basket against both size and length, pinning his man and sitting on the block. Jones also showed 15’ touch off the catch. This recruitment should pick up, his stamina is right and his frame is college ready. Hampton gave a great evaluation, but look for more D1s to join the fray.
Justin Busby 6’1” 2017
Waccamaw HS (Murrells Inlet)
Busby is the son of former College of Charleston star Marion Busby. Justin came into this event with little fan fare, but showed he is a player. Busby carries a quick release to go along with deep range, both reminiscent of his father. He is a true combo guard in the fact he has the handle and ability to get his team into sets, but he is wired to score the ball. Busby averaged 11.7 points per game, and did so with an array of deep threes and confident 15’ pull ups. While not playing on a major circuit or in a talent rich area, Busby is a player and will see a bump in the rankings.
Jason Cudd 7’ 2017
Socastee HS (Myrtle Beach)
The old adage goes, you cannot teach size and Cudd carries legit 7’ size. Going along with his size, he showed the want to be a big guy and very passer friendly hands both on the move and posted on the block. So what you have is a legit 7 footer, with great hands, who positions himself in the post. His athleticism and game are improving every time out, and is someone that schools should really take serious in recruiting. He may be a couple years away, but he is far from a finished product.