| NMDC underclassmen wrap up
2009 Prospects
DeMarcus Cousins (Birmingham Storm) Every time we watched DeMarcus Cousins perform, he had at least five plays per game that had NBA written all over them. Whether it was a hop back three-pointer or a spin move from the high post resulting in a dunk, the simple conclusion is that DeMarcus Cousins is awfully talented with the ball in his hands. And he is not just talented as a scorer. His best attribute might just be his passing ability.
Avery Bradley (Portland Elite Legends) Playing in the 17-under division, Bradley demonstrated why he was such a prolific scorer during his sophomore high school season. Athletic and with length, Bradley has a smooth shooting stroke from deep and can knock down shots off the dribble. Play his jumper too strongly and he will attack the rim as well.
Donte Hill (Boo Williams) A 6-foot-4 left handed power guard, Hill repeatedly worked his way deep into the paint. When the game got chaotic, Hill had the composure and strength with the basketball to take over the game for Boo Williams. Along with his productive slashing to the basket, Hill also made positive plays with his rebounding.
Deshawn Painter (Boo Williams) Painter is a post player with a big time upside. He wasn't as productive as his teammate Marshawn Powell (whom we wrote about in our NMDC Eye Catchers report), but Painter does have impressive length and athleticism. For a young post player with such a strong motor, we only expect his skill game to improve as his body continues to develop.
John Jenkins (YOMCA Tennessee Tigers) At 6-foot-4, Jenkins has the length and scoring ability of a high-major shooting guard. With a smooth, although unorthodox release, Jenkins can stretch the defense with his shooting range as well as hit the mid-range jumper off curl screens. He also can score off the dribble, but his ball handling does have room for improvement.
2010 Prospects
Rashad Perkins (Jackson Tigers) Playing on a loaded 15-under Jackson Tigers squad, Perkins stood out as the most productive wing player on the team. Due to his physical strength and intensity level, Perkins was strong on the glass and got to the rim off the dribble. He is only in his second year of playing basketball, so how much room for improvement he has is an intriguing question.
Doron Lamb (New York Gauchos) Lamb was the go-to guy for the Gauchos in their inspiring semifinal match up against the Jackson Tigers. At 6-foot-3, Lamb handled the point guard position for much of the game and proved very difficult to defend off the dribble.
Shane Southwell (New York Gauchos) A well built 6-foot-5 wing prospect, Southwall did not do as much with the basketball as Lamb did, but he certainly displayed the tools to develop into an attractive prospect.
Okaro White (Team Florida) Bouncy and 6-foot-7, White is an intriguing prospect with his ability to make plays around the basket as well along with his ability to face the basket and be productive on the perimeter.
Emmanuel Andrews (Tennessee Travelers) Both speedy and crafty with the basketball, Andrews is a scoring machine from his lead guard position. Andrews isn't shy about letting a three-pointer fly, but he looked most dangerous putting the ball on the floor and then getting separation off his quick pull up jumper.
Andre Dawkins (Boo Williams) As with Jenkins of the Tennessee Travelers, Dawkins at 6-foot-4 has the height for his shooting guard position. Dawkins consistently stroked shots from deep and also handled the ball with composure. Still not sure as to how athletic Dawkins is, but there is no doubt that he is a very promising shooting guard prospect.
Phil Pressey (BABC) Playing up in the 16-under division, Pressey looked like the second coming of Jai Lucas as he ran the point for BABC. With a NBA pedigree (father is Paul Pressey) like Lucas, Pressey plays very fast with the ball, can shoot the three and has a penchant for making tough mid to short range shots on the move.
2011 Prospects
Mychal Ammons (Jackson Tigers) A smooth looking wing prospect at 6-foot-5, Ammons has a chance to be an elite prospect. He has an advanced feel for the game, handles the ball well and has an ability to score in the midrange.
Johnny O'Bryant (Jackson Tigers) O'Bryant has folks in the Jackson Tigers program talking about the next Al Jefferson. Playing varsity as an eighth grader this past season, O'Bryant is already an athletic competitor at 6-foot-7. He runs the floor, rebounds hard and has the ability to score with a jump hook off back to the basket moves
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