The SportsInfluencer's NCAA College Basketball Academy South Session 2 Recap
Houston is one of four campus sites offering College Basketball Academy camps this summer, along with Illinois, UConn and Grand Canyon University. Academy participants included promising Division I men’s basketball prospects (seniors, juniors and rising sophomores). The academies were designed to supplement existing recruiting opportunities while giving recruits a glimpse of what they can anticipate as a college student. Each academy included four-day sessions that blend athletics instruction with educational opportunities to prepare recruits for college. There were over 300 prospects overall at Session 2 of the College Basketball Academy and The SportsInfluencer/HeadsUp! Scouting was on the scene all week evaluating. Special thanks to the NCAA and University of Houston Athletics for the Elite hospitality!
Here's the list of standouts who stood out and made some big impressions at Session 2 of the South Regional Academy:
The SportsInfluencer's
NCAA College Basketball Academy South (Session 2)
Top Performers
Wade Taylor IV 6'0 Guard c/o 2021
Duncanville, Texas (Lancaster HS)
Alot of HM eyes were in the building including UNC's Roy Williams and Texas A&M's Buzz Williams, to see the 5th ranked overall prospect and #1 2021 PG in Texas. Taylor proved to be arguably the top backcourt player at the camp. Played at a high level on both ends and made his teammates better as a playmaker. Notched game highs in scoring and assists in 4 of his 5 games played at the camp. Great leader and teammate.
Micaiah Abii
6’7 F c/o 2020
Frisco,Texas (Liberty HS)
Not many prospects helped themselves more than Abii with his play at the camp. Versatile, skilled prospect that can play multiple positions on both sides of the ball. Picked up offers from Air Force, Grambling State, and Lipscomb.
KJ Adams 2021 6’6 F c/o 2021
Austin,Texas (Westlake HS)
The #3 ranked 2021 prospect in Texas was limited in camp after suffering an ankle injury in the opening game with over 100 College Coaches looking on. In the limited time he quickly proved his value as a high major recruit. The athletic forward showcased his ability to finish around the rim, knockdown the midrange jumpshot, and rebound at a high level. The NIKE Peach Jam 16U Champion already holds over a dozen D1 offers
Tai'reon Joseph 6'2 Guard c/o 2020
Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Scotlandville HS)
“Scootah” turned alot of heads at the Academy. Plays with a ton of confidence and can flat out score the ball. One of the better backcourt players at Session 2. Holds offers from Southeast Missouri St and Southern
Kenneth Lofton Jr
6'6 Forward c/o 2020
Port Arthur, Texas (Memorial HS)
Lofton looked like a man amongst boys the way he dominated in the low post. Good combination of size and skill that forces opposing teams to double team him on the block. Charles Barkley mold. Picked up offers from UMass and Texas Southern
Jalen Ricks 6’6 Guard c/o 2021
Sherwood, Arkansas
Big time shooter who proved to be one of the better shotmakers at the camp. Averaged double figures in scoring. One of the top 2021 prospects in Arkansas. Holds an offer from the Razorbacks, TCU, and Texas A&M
Jaden Jones 6'7 Guard c/o 2021
Dallas,Texas (Prolific Prep)
A big 6'7 guard that constantly posed matchups problems for opposing defenses. Scored at all 3 levels. Averaged double figures in scoring throughout camp including a 24pt explosion in game 3. A lot of high major coaches taking notice
Ben Mathurin 6’5 Guard c/o 2021
(NBA Global Academy)
Athletic wing that played with a high motor. Tough, hard nosed blue collar guy who did a lot of the dirty work for his team. Efficient scorer from 15 feet in.
Shamir Bogues 6’3 Guard c/o 2021
Killeen,Texas (Ellison HS)
Combo guard with good size, athleticism, and playmaking ability. Top 20 prospect in the Tx 2021 class. Baby brother of former SFA standout Shannon
Imo Essien 5’10 Guard c/o 2021
Wylie,Texas (Bishop Lynch HS)
One of the more solid floor generals at the session. Facilitated at a high level and made everyone around him better. Also showcased he could score from all 3 level at a high rate. Scored 13pts in game 2 including the game-winning FG at the buzzer. Currently holds an offer from North Texas
Zhuric Phelps 6’3 Guard c/o 2021
Dallas,Texas
Phelps proved he was one of the top point guards at the academy. Facilitated and defended at a high level while averaging double figures in scoring. Athletic guard with good scoring, playmaking ability, IQ and feel for the game. Already holds offers from UT-Arlington, New Mexico and recently picked up offers from UTEP and Sam Houston St
Andrew Laczkowski 6’6 Forward c/o 2020
Dallas, Texas (St Marks School of Texas)
Laczkowski was one of the biggest stockrisers at the camp. Scored from all 3 levels at a high clip. Plays with a high motor and consistently made winning plays to help his team win. Fundamentally sound player with a good basketball IQ
Stephen Murr 6’0 Guard c/o 2020
Athens, Alabama (Lindsay Lane Christian Academy)
Murr came into the Academy as one of the top scoring guards in the state of Alabama and he didn't disappoint. Consistently controlled tempo and excelled in P/R situations. Deadly perimeter shooter that can fill it up quickly when he gets going
Brian "BJ" Francis 5’10 Guard c/o 2020
Waxahachie, Texas (Waxahachie HS)
Francis did a really good job proving himself as a consistent floor general, setting up teammates for easy buckets. Knocked down some perimeter shots at a high rate. Competes on both ends
Sam Youngblood 6’3 Guard c/o 2020
McCalla, Alabama (McAdory HS)
Youngblood is a certified sniper who was arguably the best perimeter shooter at the session. Really shot it well. In the mold of Kyle Guy from UVA, he can really fill it up when he gets going. Created a lot of driving lanes for slashers because the defense couldn't give any help on his side.
Josiah Davis 6'2 Guard c/o 2022
Toronto, Canada (Huran Heights HS)
One of the youngest prospects on the roster, Davis showed well and made some good impressions at the camp. Strong guard with good handles and bball IQ. Loves to compete.
Hobert Grayson IV 6’0 Guard c/o 2020
Gonzales, Louisiana (East Ascension HS)
Strong athletic guard that scored at a high level. Showcased his athleticism with some big time rebounds and several highlight dunks
Ladamien Bradford 6’4 Guard c/o 2020
Jonesboro, Lousiana (Jonesboro HS)
Athletic guard that can play either guard spot. Showcased good playmaking ability and feel for the game. Did a good job of attacking the rim and finishing in traffic. Holds offers from Texas A&M, Tulane, Iowa St, and others
Ali Khalifa 7’0 Center c/o 2020
Houston. Texas (NBA Global Academy)
Versatile, skilled big that can step out and shoot the 3 with consistency. Excels in the Pick n Pop situations
Emareyon McDonald
6'1 Guard c/o 2021
Baton Rouge, La
Crafty guard with good handles and basketball IQ. Really shot it well both off the bounce and off the catch. One of the top backcourt players in the Louisiana 2021 class
The SportsInfluencer's Top Performers List (Session 2) Micaiah Abii ‘20 Frisco, Tx (Liberty HS) KJ Adams ’21 Austin, Tx (Westlake HS) Shamir Bogues ‘21 Killeen, Tx ( Ellison HS) Kenneth Lofton Jr ‘20 Port Arthur, Tx (Memorial HS) Imo Essien ’21 Dallas, Tx (Bishop Lynch HS) Jaden Jones '21 Dallas, Tx (Prolific Prep) Andrew Laczkowski '20 Dallas,Tx (St Marks School of Texas) Derek Luna '20 Duncanville, Tx (Duncanville HS) Ze'rik Onyema '20 San Antonio, Tx (John Jay HS) Zhuric Phelps '21 Dallas, Tx Wade Taylor IV '21 Duncanville, Tx (Lancaster) Austin Garner ’20 Trophy Club, Tx (Byron Nelson HS) Dylan Dawson ’20 Humble, Tx (Atascosita) Austin Lewis '20 Lewisville,Tx (iSchool Entrepreneurial Academy) BJ Francis ‘20 Waxahachie, Tx (Waxahachie HS) Sam Youngblood '20 McCalla,AL (McAdory HS) Davian Coleman '20 Houston, Tx (Jersey Village HS) Ricky Crawford Jr '20 Houston, Tx (Langham Creek HS) Collin Granger '20 Duluth, GA (Lambert HS) Stephen Murr '20 Athens, AL (Lindsay Lane Christian Academy) Ben Mathurin '21 NBA Global Academy Tamar Bates'21 Kansas City, Kansas (Piper HS) Matthew Alexander Moncrieffe '20 Toronto, Ca (Cushing Academy)
