The 2024 John Lucas Be Elite Invitational, held on September 14 and 15 in Houston, TX, has a historical past of elevating unranked gamers to extremely regarded NBA prospects. Notable examples embody 2024 projected prime 5 NBA choose VJ Edgecombe and 2025 prospect Chris Cenac, who rose from unranked standing to grow to be the top-ranked middle in his class. Recognizing the camp’s worth, the NBA sanctioned it for NBA scouts, attracting a number of extremely ranked gamers, together with the extremely regarded ahead CJ Rosser. There was spectacular expertise on show, and I’ve recognized a number of gamers who warrant analysis as potential high-level faculty {and professional} prospects within the coming years.
CJ Rosser 6’9 F (Northern Nash Excessive) Rocky Mountain, NC, Class of 2025
The participant producing probably the most anticipation and pleasure amongst scouts and analysts is CJ. His fast ascent up the rankings has been nothing wanting outstanding. At his final recorded measurements, he stood at a formidable 6’8.75″ with a wingspan of seven′. There are indications that he could have skilled extra progress, doubtlessly including one other half inch or extra to his peak. Whereas his offensive efficiency on the primary day left room for enchancment, it was evident that the stress of the rankings and the encompassing hype have been affecting his play. Though he didn’t carry out poorly, his contributions have been considerably restricted. Nonetheless, the second day led to a outstanding transformation. One among CJ’s standout qualities is his distinctive persistence each with and with out the ball. He demonstrates a eager understanding of his strengths and works diligently to place himself in areas the place he can function most successfully. He actually was efficient within the 15-foot vary. He was efficient at placing the ball on the ground, navigating within the paint, and ending on both facet of the basket. Within the open court docket, he was energetic, filling the lane and ending on the basket with authority. Despite the fact that he didn’t knock down many from three, he didn’t look uncomfortable taking pictures them. On protection, he confirmed the power to dam pictures and alter many extra. When caught on the change with perimeter gamers, he didn’t look uncomfortable sitting down and defending. Now, physicality is the place he struggles. He has actual issues defending true, bodily put up gamers. At occasions on protection, he appears to grow to be disinterested and never play with the identical depth on a regular basis. His general outlook and upside are excellent. Despite the fact that he has lots to work on, his expertise can’t be dismissed.
Martay Barnes 6’2 CG (The Academy of Central Florida) Orlando, FL, Class of 2027
Coming off an ideal summer time, I used to be very excited to see how his sport has improved. He’s 6’2″ and is likely one of the most electrical guards in his class. The very first thing that was obvious was his power from the beginning of camp. He’s not overly constructed, however the very first thing you discover is his athleticism and willingness to play bodily He appeared to stand up and down the court docket as rapidly with the ball as with out it. He performed downhill and when within the paint completed in quite a lot of methods. He confirmed he may harm you from behind the three-point arc, nevertheless it needed to be in rhythm. When he requested to play extra on the level, which when all is claimed and carried out will probably be his true place, he needed to be taught to be extra affected person and management the tempo to the advantage of his teammates. He has the court docket imaginative and prescient and unselfishness to grow to be a real level guard. The place he separates himself from quite a lot of his counterparts in his class is on the defensive finish. He performs bodily protection and may lock you down together with his quickness. He guards 94 toes and it’s actually guarding, not token protection. His soccer instincts present up on the court docket when he’s taking part in the lanes and when the ball’s within the air. The factor I’ve in all probability been most impressed with watching him over time is the management qualities. He talks and encourages on the court docket and is the primary one to assist off the bench.
King Gibson 6’5 SG (The Burlington College) Greensboro, NC, Class of 2027
He’s been on the nationwide scene for years, which implies he has a goal on his again. Watching how he got here into camp, together with his power and enthusiasm, confirmed me he got here to only ball. After all, the very first thing that jumps out at you is his athleticism, however digging deep into his sport, he brings much more. He’s a manner higher ball handler than I assumed. I used to be stunned together with his court docket imaginative and prescient and willingness to hit the open man. One among his Achilles’ heels has been being constant outdoors the arc. It nonetheless wants work, however he regarded extra comfy taking pictures it and was in a position to knock down a number of. Now, when he pulled up from mid-range, he regarded a lot extra comfy. Now, when he’s probably the most harmful, is within the open court docket. He could have you in your heels, and for those who let him get downhill and all the way in which to the basket, he can end with dramatic authority. What he brings to the defensive finish is size for his place, power, and athleticism. He’s in a position to guard a number of positions. He has no downside holding his personal when switched onto a put up participant. To be so proficient, there’s a lot extra room for his sport to develop that the sky’s the restrict on his potential.
Dooney Johnson 6’5 SG/WF (Milwaukee Juneau) Milwaukee, WI, Class of 2027
He could have been probably the most intriguing prospect in camp. He’s 6’5 and actually performs the one, two, and the three. I first noticed him at a camp in New Orleans, and I noticed at that time there can’t be 20 gamers higher than him in his class. He performs with nice persistence and reveals an ideal understanding of the sport. He managed the tempo of sure video games and went off on scoring tears in others. He can rating in any respect three ranges, and his shot from three is spectacular. He performs with a business-like method. Identical to on the offensive facet, he’s extra spectacular on the defensive facet and confirmed he may guard 4 positions. His potential to protect smaller, faster guards within the open court docket was very spectacular. He has superb timing blocking pictures within the paint for a wing participant. His physicality at his dimension is what makes him totally different and what’s so spectacular. The best way he performs the sport, he can’t assist however stand out in a camp setting.
Tyrone Jamison Jr.’6′ PG (Calvary Baptist Academy) Shreveport, LA, Class of 2027
The younger athlete gained nationwide recognition within the seventh grade and has persistently ranked among the many prime three level guards in his class. In the course of the camp, he showcased the fascinating qualities of a high-level level guard. He demonstrated glorious tempo and ball-handling abilities, together with spectacular court docket imaginative and prescient. His potential to survey your complete court docket was outstanding. When driving to the basket within the open court docket, he posed a big problem to opponents and persistently capitalized on their drawback all through the weekend. His pull-up and sudden cease have been significantly spectacular. His leap shot vary has noticeably improved, and he seems extra assured in taking pictures and making pictures from behind the arc. Whereas his peak of 6 toes raises questions on his final suitability for the skilled degree, he at present maintains management of the sport and may successfully navigate the court docket. On protection, his perimeter protection was extremely commendable. Nonetheless, he confronted difficulties when bigger gamers caught him within the put up. To totally make the most of his skills, he would profit from a system that emphasizes steady stress on the ball.
Marcus Spears 6’7 F (Dynamic Prep) Frisco, TX, Class of 2028
The very first thing that caught my consideration was Marcus’s unrefined but energetic and tenacious model of play. His athleticism and agility permit him to make a big influence on the sport, significantly across the basket. He demonstrates outstanding tenacity on each ends of the court docket, particularly in relation to rebounding. Marcus has additionally showcased his potential to drive to the basket and rating, with a desire for attacking from the left facet. Moreover, he has evidently been honing his leap shot, as evidenced by his profitable mid-range makes an attempt. Nonetheless, his most notable contribution at present lies in his defensive prowess. Marcus possesses glorious timing for shot-blocking and may successfully change and guard a number of positions. What actually excites me about his potential is the huge room for progress and growth that he nonetheless possesses. It might not shock me if, by his senior yr, he emerges as a consensus prime 25 participant throughout the board.
Malachi Booker 6’6 WF (St. John’s College) Cypress, TX, Class of 2027
He was one other participant who caught my eye together with his size and flexibility. He began off a bit slowly and wasn’t as aggressive as I anticipated. He was taking part in in spurts and wasn’t being constant. Midway by means of the sport, he began to choose it up, and I used to be beginning to get impressed. He was dealing with the ball with guard-like abilities, and his unselfishness confirmed with pinpoint passing to his teammates. His offensive abilities have been spectacular. He was good within the paint, scoring across the basket. His mid-range shot was on level, however his three-point taking pictures was streaky. His aggressiveness when attacking the rim was him making a powerful assertion. You’ll be able to inform that offensively, he’s simply tapping into his potential, and when he begins placing all of it collectively, he’ll put his title within the combine as one of the crucial dynamic gamers within the nation. On the defensive facet is the place he excels. He has no downside getting bodily within the paint with put up gamers. His athleticism and timing make him a wonderful shot-blocker. He additionally confirmed that he may guard on the perimeter. When he’s aggressive on each ends, he’s a big-time game-changer.
