What We're Looking For
Phenom's High School Jamboree
By Jamie Shaw
This is Phenom's 5th'Annual High School Jamboree, the region's premier pre-season hoops jamboree filled with talent, scouts and college coaches. Every year baselines full of college coaches have attended with the last two years bringing in 60-70 college coaches from around the region.
With that many coaches and scouts in tow, it is a given this event has kickstarted players recruitments. This event was the first time Columbia saw their (now) starting center Patrick Tape in 2015, Davidson saw (now) starting forward Dusan Kovacevic for the first time in 2014 and the same with Jay Huff and Virginia in 2014. There have been many other instances of this, but it is safe to say that if you perform well in this event, your recruitment can spring board.
Let's take a look at some of the 2018 prospects in this year's event we expect to have their recruitment take off.
6'3' 2018 Tomas Butkus
Rabun Gap School (Rabun Gap, GA)
Butkus carries some of the best vision around as he is one of (if not the very best) passer in our Mid-Atlantic Region. He seemingly has eyes in the back of his head with his ability to see 2 plays ahead and create the right angle to put on each pass. A big bodies point guard, Butkus has range that extends beyond the 3 line, the tight handle and quickness to get into the paint at will and the toughness to be a pesky on the ball defender for 94 feet. Butkus makes his team better. The Lithuanian is tucked away in tiny Rabun Gap, Georgia and did not play travel ball this past summer. He is a sure fire D1 player, one coaches will love once the put eyes on him.
6'5' 2018 Stephen Edoka
Concord 1st'Assembly (Concord, NC)
Edoka is a strong and explosive wing player who resembles a pass rushing linebacker. He is a natural wing who is at his best getting to the basket, but you can also see him with the comfort playing on the ball as a secondary ball handler. He is a strong rebounder and a lengthy/athletic defender and is a player who just produces, in multiple categories, each time he steps on the floor. He is a sure fire D1 prospect and one who should expect multiple offers.
6'7' 2018 Ben Uloko
West Forsyth (Clemons, NC)
Uloko stands 6'7' with a 6'10' wing span and a strong 245 pound frame. Has your interest been piqued yet'Add in that he is has massive, passer friendly hands, good feet and patience on the block and is a strong 2-handed area rebounder D1s ears perk up even more. He is a good academic student and a great kid. Wait, what'He has no D1 offers'! Yeah, it is crazy'we agree. Uloko does all the things big guys should do, he rebounds, he has multiple go-to moves on the block, he sets great screens, he is big and he is a great kid'D1s need to be sitting courtside for all 3 of his games this weekend and offers should be coming soon there after.
6'6''2018 BJ Fitzgerald
Carlisle School (Martinsville, VA)
Fitzgerald is a high caliber scorer with great size and touch that extends well beyond the 3-point arc. What is not to like about a player like that' He comes from solid basketball stock as his dad is his travel ball coach and his sister is a rising senior for the UNC-Asheville women's team. Expect Fitzgerald to put up some HUGE scoring games this season, with his size, ball handling and ability to score at 3-levels he can go out and get buckets. D1s need to court side for all 3 of his games.
6'5' 2018 Travon Mayo
Piedmont Classical (Greensboro, NC)
Mayo is a strong and active wing. He is very athletic and gets to the basket driving in straight lines. Mayo can shoot the mid range ball well but his calling card comes in doing the tough guy stuff. He is his conference's reigning Player of the Year and made 2nd'team All-County last season ' Expect Mayo to build on that success for a big senior year. He claims and offer from NC A&T, expect more to come at that level.
6'4 2018 Strah Rajic
Concord 1st'Assembly (Concord, NC)
Rajic is a point guard who plays with flair and a non-stop motor. He is able to get into the teeth of the defense with a flashy handle and delivers good passes both in the half court and in transition. Rajic, a lefty, can shoot the ball with range and he is a hound on defense, giving maximum effort throughout the game. He is a leader in the sense he expects everyone on his team to give the same effort as him and he plays fast. Scholarship eyes should be on him this weekend.