There was a lot of buzz surrounding Phenom David Rose over this past weekend in Greensboro, mainly due to the numerous headliner teams in attendance. Team Loaded was certainly one of the most exciting programs on display and it was evident from the opening tip. Their 17U team featured Isaiah Todd, one of the most talented prospects in the Class of 2019. That being said, we are interested in evaluating the new Division I prospects that have emerged from the 15U roster, Elijah Jamison and Jalen McDonald. The pairing was beyond impressive this past weekend, which ultimately led to an offer from Ole Miss through their viewing on BallerTV.
In terms of prospects, Ole Miss decided to pursue a couple of the most promising guys in the area. The 6-foot-4 McDonald was on display throughout our events in 2017 with Boo Williams Carolina, and we labeled him as a HM prospect before anyone else. He was more of a combo-forward at the time, but has quickly made the transition to the wing. Now, he’s beginning to discover his true identity as a player, which will become a huge problem for opponents. Still blessed with the same frame and athleticism, McDonald isn’t shy about playing above the rim and frequently looks to do so, which is simply overwhelming for most opposing wings. However, he has made strides as a playmaker and overall shooter, essentially filling the gaps he previously had as a freshman. Everything about McDonald pops off the page to make him a surefire Division I prospect, and yet he’s still so full of upside.
His backcourt mate, Elijah Jamison, made a name for himself within the past year and never looked back. The point guard knows how to run a team exceptionally well, showing terrific poise and scoring chops for a floor general. He makes terrific reads and displays a high IQ when generating shot opportunities. Jamison is knockdown from midrange, quite accurate from three-point territory, and strong enough to absorb contact inside, making him a strong three-level scorer. Like McDonald, Jamison collected his first offer from Ole Miss over the weekend, but is only beginning to scratch the surface of his abilities. The 6-foot-2 guard will be one to keep an eye on and revisit throughout the travel season.
This group brought an electric atmosphere to the games because of their high-flying aerial attack, which was led by these two. They were the toughest 15U squad in attendance, but Jamison and McDonald deserved a lot of credit for the team’s success. Fortunately, Ole Miss felt the same way.