Although Clay Dade’s vision of a national camp full of elite rising freshmen was very ambitious, especially since the idea had already been successfully developed and implemented, the general consensus from everybody I talked to was that the Inaugural Fab Frosh All-American Camp was an outstanding success!

The first year event was held at the beautiful and state of the art Hoop Magic facility located in Chantilly, Virginia.  The facility had six high school regulation sized courts and a NBA sized main court, all of which were very well maintained. 

The format of the camp offered several novel ideas including a panel discussion between college coaches, players and parents, which resulted in some very good dialogue. Also, Clay Dade gave a seminar about the NCAA First Team program for prospective college student athletes. During the seminar, the importance of education and the dos and don’ts of recruiting were discussed. Also, NC State’s Pete Strickland did a phenomenal job as camp director.  Not only did Coach Strickland keep the camp flowing and on time, he offered great instruction and words of wisdom through out the camp.

Each day of the camp began with a dynamic stretching program that flowed right into station work with the college and high school coaches. Each camper played three games on each of the first two days and one game on the last day of the event.  The camp culminated with Top 40 All-American and Top 20 All-American Games, with the Top 20 game being the more prestigious of the two games.

In terms of media coverage, in addition to the Buckeye Prep Report, Hoop Scoop’s Clark Francis and Generation Next’s Spencer Pulliam were on hand to cover the event. 

One of the unique features of the Fab Frosh camp was the presence of the twenty D-I college coaches who were on hand to coach and instruct the players.  Not only did the coach’s presences represent an excellent developmental opportunity, but the exposure aspects were significant as well.  Add the fact that Clay Dade assembled an impressive list of high school coaches and it is easy to see why this camp was special.

In watching the college coaches during the instructional drills, it was clear that they were working on various fundamental aspects of the game.  It was equally clear that although most of these players were elite players, not all of them have been exposed to some of the basic fundamentals of the game. But of course, that’s part of what this camp was all about.

The following is a list of college coaches who attended the event: Pete Strickland (NC State), Bill Courtney, (Virginia), Matt McCall & Rob Lanier (Florida), George White (Stanford), Andy Enfield (Florida State), Chris Pompey (N.M. State), David Cox (Georgetown), Chris Caputo (George Mason), Chris Cheeks (Charlotte), Stacey Palmore (Virginia Tech), Shaka Smart (Clemson), Steve Forbes (Tennessee), Dalonta Hill (Kansas State), Larry Harrison (West Virginia), Paul Mills & Jerome Tang (Baylor), Antown Jackson (William & Mary), Roshown Mcleod (Kentucky), Shake Smart (Clemson), Brian Merritt (Texas A & M Corpus Christi) and Sam Brand (Morgan State).

In terms of talent, many of the roughly 120 campers arrived at the event with a national reputation and ranking.  In fact, the following players were nationally ranked by the Hoop Scoop going into the camp: Ramon Eaton (#2), Michael Gilchrist (#12), Stevie Taylor (#20), Sterling Gibbs (#24), Julian Royal (#27), Eric Moody (#35), Corey Blackwell (#38), Christopher Martin (#43), Shaquille Stokes (#47), Myles Mack (#53), Tyrone Johnson (#71), Thomas Gipson III (#84), Quinn Cook (#104), Shai Fields (#108), Shannon Scott (#112), Algee Key (#117), Takwail Bailey (#145), Scott Wilkeben (#168), Quayshad Williams (#177), Ricky Johnson (#181), Frankie Smalls (# 182 ), Rodney Hood (#189), Darius Nelson (#190), Tyler Hubbard (#198), Brandon Ford (#224), Juwan Moody (#231), Peter Alexis (#238), Daniel Greives (#263), DeVante Moore (#279) and Tracy Abrams (#334).

Two of the top day one performances was turned by former Team Phenom teammates, Stevie Taylor and Michael Gilchrist.  In the first game of the session on the number 1 court, Taylor and Gilchrist put on a dunking and 3 point shooting clinic accounting for 34 total points.  In the game, Taylor went off from beyond the arch, hitting 7 treys for a total of 25 points, while Gilchrist went to work in the paint where he was seen dunking on people and in traffic.  That game clearly set the tone for the remainder of the camp.  In addition, Canadian Grandy Glaze a 6'5, 185 pound forward from Brampton, Ontario, logged in a solid performance as well.  Glaze was active both offensively and defensively and was a rebounding machine.  Glaze also has a nice little mid range game to kind of complement what he can do in the paint.  He also plays with a great deal of energy and runs the floor well while finishing in transition. 

One of the best games on day two pitted the Tar Heels and Wildcats who were both 3-0 at the end of Day One.  This game featured a lot of talented players on the same court at the same time including Shaquille Stokes, Brandon Ford, Quinn Cook, Ricky Johnson Jr. and Cory Blackwell, all nationally ranked players. In that game you had very competitive match ups against Shaquille Stokes and Quinn Cook, both highly respected point guards.  It was clear from the way the two went at each other that they understood the significance of the match-up.  By the time the clock showed zeros, the Tar Heels pulled out 101-95 victory. 

Possibly the best game of Day Two pitted the Michael Gilchrist led Terps against an Eric Moody led Jay Hawks team.   Although the Terps trailed by double figures late in the contest, the Terps dug down deep, turned up the heat, and ended up pulling out a close victory.  In that game, Michael Gilchrist flipped the switch on his game and instead of putting on a dunk fest, he showed that he could shoot from the perimeter.  Crucial in that turn around was Illinois Kwai Pearson who turned up the defensive intensity, and Ohio’s Stevie Taylor who scored 3 straight crucial buckets to help close the gap.  Leading scorers in the game for the Terps were Michael Gilchrist with 13 points, Kwai Pearson with 13 points and DeVante Moore with 17 points.  For the Jay Hawks, Tyler Adams gave his team the early lead and was virtually un-guardable in the post.  It was a very impressive showing for Adams who finished with 15 points.  Frankie Smalls was also a big time contributor in that game and he finished with 17 points. 

First day scoring leaders were: Grandy Glaze - 69 points; Stevie Taylor - 56 points; Will Bond - 56 points; Frankie Smalls - 49 points; Cory Blackwell  - 49 points; Juwan Moody - 49 points; Sterling Gibbs - 49 points; Shaquille Stokes - 49 points; Miles Mack - 46 points; Tracy Abraham - 40 points; Rayshawn Rasheed  - 40 points; Kevin Thomas - 39 points; Kyle Wiltjer - 38 points; Jordan Shanklin  - 38 points; Anthony Anderson - 39 points; Quinn Cook - 37 points; Kentrell Brothers - 37 points; Quayshawn Williams - 36 points; Tyler Adams - 36 points;  Julian Royal  - 35 points;  Brandon Ford -33 points and Darius Singleton - 33 points.  As you can see from the above day one scoring leaders, the camp was full with kids who could put the ball in the basket.

 

           Top 20 All-American Teams                     Top 40 All-American Teams   

                           (Game Scores)                                                    (Game Scores)

 

Blue                            White                          Blue                            White             

 

Stevie Taylor (10)       Quinn Cook (10)         Anthony Penny (7)     Sterling Gibbs (10)

Shaquille Stokes (11)  Tyrone Johnson (15)   Deante Sanders (14)   Ricky Johnson (5)      

Juwan Moody (0)        Myles Mack (10)         Desmond Hubert (4)    Jordan Shaklin (15)

Julian Royal (5)           Matej Delinac  (11)      Chris Martin (7)           Michael Ammons (4)

Deng Leek (1)             Lavon Harper (5)        Anthony Anderson (12)    Timmy Knipp (11)

Johnny O’Bryant (5)   Frankie Smalls (12)     Damien Leonard (2)    Tracy Abrams (0)       

Kyle Wiltjer (13)         Kevin Thomas (2)       Darius Singleton (2)    Dominique Williams 11

Ramon Eaton (6)         Grandy Glaze (4)        Anthony Williams (4) Quayshad Williams (7)

Darius Nelson (10)      Cory Blackwell (6)      DeVante Moore (9)     Darious Washington (8)

Rodney Hood (3)        Tyler Adams (6)          Marvin Singleton (2)   Peter Alexis (11)

                                                                                                            

Note: There were several players who were selected for one of the two All-American Games but were unable to participate due to injury.  Those players included Michael Gilchrist (Top 20 Game), Kwai Pearson, Tracy Abrams and Derrick Gordon (Top 40 Game). Also, for the record, the White team won the Top 20 Game while the Blue team won the Top 40 Game.

All-Defensive Team
 

RANK	NAME	HT.	POS.	HOMETOWN (ST) SCHOOL
NR	Tyrell Corbin	5’9	PG	Salt Lake City (UT) Hammond School
NR	Shannon Scott	6’1	PG	Norcross (GA) Lovett
NR	Justin Anderson	6’5	WF	Spotsylvania (VA) Spotslvania
NR	David Rucker	6’1	WG	Atlantic City (NJ) Undecided
NR	Marcus Hutchins	6’5	C	De Soto (TX) De Soto

 

 

Top Twenty Five Performers

RANK	NAME		HT.		POS.		HOMETOWN (ST) SCHOOL
NR	Tyler Adams		6’9		C		Brandon (MS) Brandon
NR	Anthony Anderson		6’4		WG		Baca Raton (FL) Boca
NR	Cory Blackwell		6’3		WF		Duluth (GA) Peachtree Ridge
NR	Quinn Cook		5’10		PG		Bowie (MD) Dematha
NR	Ramon Eaton		6’8		WF		Sacramento (CA) Sheldon
NR	Grandy Glaze		6’5		WF		Brampton (ON) Campion
MVP	Michael Gilchrist		6’7		WF		Somerdale (NJ) St. Patrick
NR	Lavon Harper		6’8		PF		Danville (VA) George Washington
NR	Rodney Hood		6’5		WG		Meridian (MS) Kate Griffin JHS
NR	Desmond Hubert		6’8		PF		New Egypt (NJ) New Egypt
NR	Ricky Johnson Jr.		5’7		PG		Akron (OH) St Vincent St. Mary
NR	Tyrone Johnson		6’1		PG		Plainfield (NJ) Plainfield
NR	Deng Leek		6’11		C		Laurel (MD) Undecided
NR	Damien Leonard		6’3		WF		Greenville (SC) JL Mann
NR	Myles Mack		5’7		PG		Paterson (NJ) Paterson Catholic
NR	Juwan Moody		5’7		PG		Auburn Hills (MI) St. Mary’s
NR	Darius Nelson		6’3		WG		Sacramento (CA) Sheldon
NR	Johnny O’ Bryant	6’8		PF		Cleveland (MS) Eastside
NR	Julian Royal	6’8		C		Alpharbetta (GA) Milton
NR	Jordan Shanklin		5’11		PG		Bowling Green (KY) Warren Central
NR	Frankie Smalls		6’3		WF		Pennsauken (NJ) Paul VI
NR	Shaquille Stokes		6’0		PG		New York (NY) St. Patrick
NR	Stevie Taylor		5’8		PG		Gahanna (OH) Lincoln
NR	Kevin Thomas		6’7		PF		Brampton (ON) Henry Carr
NR	Kyle Wiltjer		6’7		WF		Portland (OR) Jesuit

 
 

Top Performer Notes

Michael Gilchrist, a 6'7 wing forward, Somerdale, NJ (St. Patrick HS), was simply amazing.  On day one of the camp, Gilchrist quickly established himself as one of the top players in the building.  Gilchrist has good bounce in his game and he can dunk in traffic.  Gilchrist also handles the ball well for his size and possesses the ability to shoot the 3 ball.  Also Gilchrist has the ability to guard smaller quicker players on the perimeter. One of the most impressive things about Gilchrist during the camp was his ability to beat his man off the dribble and to finish with a dunk. 

Grandy Glaze, a 6'5 wing forward from Brampton, Ontario (Campion HS), proved that Canadians can produce top talent as well.  Glaze showed good athleticism, was very active both offensively and defensively, and rebounded the ball well.  He flashed a nice mid range shot and the ability to finish with his left hand.  I plan to keep an eye on this player.  Glaze is a major D-I prospect.

Stevie Taylor, a 5'8 point guard from Gahanna, Ohio (Gahanna Lincoln HS), was arguably the top point guard at the camp.  Taylor was without a doubt the quickest guard in the camp.  Not only does Taylor get easy separation from his defender, he’s a deadly scorer and was one of the camp’s top shooters.  In the first game of the camp, Taylor exploded for 25 points, which included seven treys. Taylor shoots with range and he has both a midrange shot and a floater.  With his sold handle and quickness, Taylor can create his own shot.  Although many want to peg him as a shooting guard, Taylor does a good job of leading his team and distributing the rock with precision.  Taylor has a high basketball IQ as well as an infectious personality.  If he continues to grow and develop, Taylor has high major potential.

Johnny O’Bryant, a 6'8 power forward from Cleveland, MS (Eastside HS), was one of the most impressive big men at the camp.  Although I didn’t pay much attention to him early, by the time the camp was over, O’Bryant had played his way not only into the top 20 All-American Game, but a high national ranking as well.  This kid has a nice body, he is extremely strong, super athletic, he rebounds the ball aggressively and he is very active in the paint.  I am telling you now, O’Bryant is a sure fire high major college prospect if he continues to develop.

Ramon Eaton, a 6'8 wing forward from Sacramento, CA (Sheldon HS), logged in an impressive performance as well.  Eaton is bouncy with good size, he is super smooth and appears to be comfortable both in the post and on the perimeter.  During the 3-day event, Eaton showed his athleticism as well as his ability to step outside and knock down the 3 ball. Once he tightens up his handle a little bit, look for Eaton to remain a legitimate high major D-I prospect going forward.

Prior to the camp there were a couple of players who I intended to take a close look at.  One of those players was 6'1 wing guard Tyrone Johnson from Plainfield, NJ (Plainfield HS).  I had heard that Johnson was extremely talented but I did not appreciate just how talented he was until I had a chance to watch him play for several days.  The first thing that strikes you about Johnson is the fact that he is super smooth, super skilled and has a real good feel for the game.  Johnson has the ability to beat his man one-on- one with a solid handle, and he can also knock down the trey if left open.  As I stated, Johnson has a real good feel for the game and does a good job in getting out in transition and scoring.  Johnson is one of the best guard prospects at the camp and has definite high major potential.

Miles Mack, a 5'7 point guard from Patterson, NJ (Catholic School), is a scoring point guard who excels with dribble penetration and finishing at the bucket.  He’s got a nice little pull up J and he does a lot of his scoring in transition. In the Top 20 All-American Game, Mack proved he could also run a team as well as score.  From what I hear, there were several college coaches at the camp who were very impressed with Mack’s game and almost ready to make him a scholarship offer. Mack is a likely high major prospect.

Shaquille Stokes, a 5’9 point guard from New York, NY (St. Patrick HS), has long been considered one of the elite point guards in the nation in his class, and his performance this weekend did nothing to change that perception.  Stokes is a scoring guard who uses dribble penetration as his primary weapon.  Although he can get to the cup as well as anyone in this class, he’ll also show signs that he can hit the perimeter shot.  Stokes is strong, aggressive to the bucket, finishes well in traffic and has a nice transition game to boot.  When Stokes develops a consistent perimeter game watch out. I expect to see Stokes playing in the Big East or ACC in a few years.

Tyler Adams, a 6'9 center from Brandon, MS (Brandon HS), was dominant in one of the games I watched.  Adams is a big body who works hard to establish position in the low post.  One of the best match ups in the camp was Adams vs. Julian Royal, where Adams was virtually unstoppable.  Adams should be a good-looking post prospect going forward.

Julian Royal, a 6'6 center from Alpharetta, GA (Milton HS), put up big numbers during the camp.  Despite his size, Royal was more effective from the perimeter, and showed that he can consistently knock down shots from the elbow out to the 3-point line.  However, Royal’s future is in the paint where he will need to concentrate a little more on his lost post game. As Royal gets stronger and more aggressive down low, his stock will continue to rise.  Looking at Royal’s body, he still appears very young with plenty of room for at least a few more inches of growth.  Look for Royal to be a good-looking long-term post prospect.

Frankie Smalls, a 6'3 wing foward from Pennsauken, NJ (Paul VI), was quietly one of the top players on his team.  Frankie Smalls is strong with a sold frame which he uses to go hard to the bucket where he finishes more times than not.  Not only can he get to the rack, Smalls appears to have developed a perimeter game as well.  He appears comfortable putting the ball on the floor as well as getting it done in the low post.  Smalls is a bit undersized for his position so he will need to continue working on his perimeter game.

Juwan Moody, a 5'8 wing guard from Auburn Hills, MI  (St. Mary’s HS), re-established himself as an elite player on the national scene.  Over the course of the 3 days, Moody was one of the best 3-point shooters in the camp. In several games I watched Moody got hot and hit multiple 3 pointers.  As Moody gets stronger and develops the ability to get to the rack, look for his stock to rise.

One of the best things about these types of exposure camps is the opportunity they provide for un-discovered players to gain recognition.  Kyle Wiltjer, a 6'7 center from West Linn, Oregon (Jesuit HS), made a statement during the week with his ability to shoot from the perimeter.  What’s most impressive about Wiltjer is the fact that he already has good size at 6'7 but he still appears to be a baby with significant room to grow.  In talking with his mother, his father is about 6’11 and was an athlete at a young age.  What does this mean you ask, it means that Kyle Wiltjer may get to seven feet and is likely to be a high major prospect if he continues to grow and develop.

Sterling Gibbs, a 5'7 point guard from Scotch Plains, NJ (HS undecided), logged in a respectable camp and played his way into the top 40 All-American Game.  Like most New York City guards, Gibbs’ game centers around dribble penetration.  Gibbs is crafty with the ball, he has a solid handle but he does not appear to take a lot of perimeter shots. As Gibbs concentrates a little bit more on play making, his game will become more complete. Gibbs performed well in the All-American Game finishing with 10 points.

One of the best players in the camp without a national reputation was 6'3 wing forward Damien Leonard from Greenville, SC.  It was clear very early that Leonard has been logging major time in the gym with his fundamental play.  Leonard appears to have an advanced skill set including the ability to shoot off the pass or bounce. Leonard’s game is silky smooth and polished and ready for the high school level. Another D-I prospect if he stays on track.

Deng Leek, a 6'11 center from Laurel, MD (HS undecided), has as much upside as any player in this camp.  He possesses great hands, he rebounds well and he has nice athleticism for his size.  He also exhibited some quality post moves in the paint and he showed an impressive ability to catch and finish and to block shots. Leek plays hard and aggressive and could be one of the top post players in this class by the end of the day.  In addition to his stellar post play, I actually saw Leek pull up for a 3 pointer and knock it down.  Leek is a good-looking prospect with loads of talent. 

Darius Nelson, a 6'5 wing guard from Sacramento, CA (Sheldon HS), logged in an impressive camp.  Despite his size and football build, Nelson is quite nimble.  Nelson is aggressive to the bucket and finishes well in traffic.  In the Top 20 All-American Game, Nelson was impressive and finished with a respectable 10 points.  Look for Nelson to follow in his brother’s footsteps at the major D-I level.

 

Elite Fifty Performers
 

RANK	NAME	HT.	POS.	HOMETOWN (ST) SCHOOL
NR	Tracy Abrams	6’1	WG	Chicago (IL) Mt. Carmel
NR	Jordan Akwerake	6’4	WG	Portland (OR) Unknown
NR	Peter Alexis	6’11	C	Hanover Twp (PA) Hanover
NR	Mychal Ammons	6’4	WF	Vicksburg (MI) Vicksburg
NR	Justin Anderson (2012)	6’5	WF	Spotsylvania (VA) Spotslvania
NR	Jaquan Bray Sportsmanship Award	6’0	PG	La Grange (GA) Calloway
NR	Brandon Ford	6’0	WF	Clinton (MD) Undecided
NR	Sterling Gibbs	5’7	PG	Scotch (NJ) Undecided
NR	Derrick Gordon	6’3	WG	Plainfield (NJ) Plainfield
NR