Wootten Camp Notes: Southwest Edition

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One other journey to the West Coast for me as I attended the Wootten High 150 Camp final weekend. It was a camp with quite a lot of expertise and quantity of southern taste. On this recap, I consider the gamers from the South that have been in attendance.

Nic Codie Has Added Muscle

It was my first time seeing 2024 Nic Codie play because the NCAA July reside viewing interval, and he seems stronger. He performed stronger as nicely, whereas enjoying by contact to garner a rebound and on drives, he embraced contact higher to get to his spots to complete. Now he isn’t utterly out-muscling guys, however the added power undoubtedly helps him. Preferred his motor and consistency at Wootten.

2024 Evals

Jalen Shelley, 6’8 Wing – Hyperlink Yr Academy (MO): Coming from Frisco, Texas, Shelley was good at Wootten Camp. Lefty that confirmed his scoring prowess. Comfy attending to the mid-range and capturing, however general, he appeared to be extra comfy capturing off the bounce. A flexible scoring risk, that when sizzling, could make photographs in bunches.

David Castillo, 6’1 PG – Dawn Christian (KS): From Oklahoma, the Okay-State pledge performed nicely at Wootten Camp. Was sizzling from deep, confirmed prolonged vary and since he was such a risk from 3-point land, he was capable of get to the rim and end sturdy.

Micah Robinson, 6’6 Wing – Oak Hill (VA): Additionally coming from the DFW, I believed the TCU commit was strong. Performed the suitable means, moved the ball and made threes off the catch. Wasn’t very assertive, however he made the suitable basketball play and labored throughout the circulate of the sport. An influence wing that’s a reliable 3-point shooter and makes use of his physique on drives.

Dillon Battie, 6’7 PF – Lancaster (TX): Discuss energy, Dillon performs with quite a lot of it. Strongly constructed, performs very nicely off of two ft and confirmed an improved jumper. Dillon’s engine continues to go and when he finds his good mix of inside-out scoring, he is usually a matchup downside on the subsequent stage. Has official visits arrange with Washington and Washington State.

The 2026’s Shined

Thought it was displaying for the 2026 prospects from the Southwest Area. Jacob Lanier (Maumelle, AR) out of Arkansas actually confirmed his playmaking. He received to spots, made the suitable learn persistently and shot it nicely off the catch. Somebody that’s impactful enjoying on and off the ball. Will hear his identify amongst the higher tier of that class nationally till he graduates. Quite a lot of upside with this one.

JJ Andrews (Little Rock Christian Academy, AR) made an affect particularly in transition. An influence athlete that was improbable in transition, as he displayed his athleticism. He was a powerful driver to the rim, absorbing contact nicely and flashing his capturing when the protection performed off of him. Confirmed why he’s nationally identified and persevering with to rise.

From Texas, I used to be impressed with Dakari Spear (The Colony, TX). A 6’4 combo that exhibits sufficient shot making skills. Doesn’t have loopy blow by pace however he’s artful, makes use of physique to generate separation and holds good elevation on his pull-up jumper. Trent Perry (Frisco Lone Star, TX) made his presence often known as nicely. Athletic however makes use of go-go gadget arms to complete over taller defenders. Like his upside as a defender, his shot mechanics look cleaner and he appears extra comfy capturing from 3-point land. Alex Barther (Jap Hills, TX) is an enormous wing that performs with vitality on this ambiance. He’s versatile, I used to be curious about seeing how he could be versus the older guys and I believed he was simply wonderful. He seemed comfy attending to the mid-range, competing on the defensive finish. Undoubtedly suppose he’s a plus group defender that communicates. I do know what Barther can do offensively, however it’s the opposite stuff that impressed me. Can affect video games with out the scoring.

Hudson Greer Continues To Carry out

Regardless of the occasion, 2025 Hudson Greer appears to be productive. Pangos Camps, heard nice issues at USA Basketball, fall league video games, and now right here at Wootten 150 Camp. An athletic wing that is an opportunistic scorer. Assaults the rim on closeouts and when receiving a hand-off, finds the ball on missed photographs and places it again with slams, operating the ground and ending transition performs. His capturing is coming alongside and he makes open threes. Higher shooter off the catch, however his general off the dribble capturing has seen an up-tick as nicely. He’s placing himself within the class as a possible McDonald’s All American for 2025. It’s early, there’s quite a lot of basketball to be performed, however he’s serving to himself loads.

2025 Evals

Jaden Toombs, 6’9 C – Dynamic Prep (TX): Jaden was very strong. He is aware of learn how to play and he has nice contact across the rim. He additionally flashed his 3-point capturing as a pop man. He is dedication to bettering his physique, increasing his sport, however not floating and settling.

Leroy Kelly IV, 6’2 2/1 CG – Dynamic Prep (TX): It’s an enormous yr for Leroy. In years previous, he primarily performed off the ball however he’s transitioning on enjoying extra of a major ball-handler function. I imagine he’s a greater resolution maker than he was a yr in the past so I feel the transition goes wonderful however he hasn’t discovered learn how to mix all of it collectively but. When he’s assured in his jumper, he’s a tough cowl as a result of he’s a flexible shooter. Mixed that with improved passer really feel and abilities, he can put quite a lot of strain on the protection.

Jermaine O’Neal, 6’5 Wing – Dynamic Prep (TX): Actually confirmed his mid-range scoring prowess. Jermaine takes photographs you in all probability wouldn’t need others to take however they go in. Contested one-legged fades, pull-up jumpers with a hand in his face, O’Neal isn’t fazed by the defender and places the ball within the gap.

Kayden Edwards, 6’2 2/1 CG – Duncanville (TX): A lefty scoring guard with supreme confidence. Made photographs from deep, has a brief reminiscence and is quick with the ball. Love his upside as a scorer and playmaker.

Dorian Hayes, 6’4 SG – Ridgepoint (TX): I like Hayes’ upside. A scoring guard that has his finest basketball is forward of him. He makes use of his size on the offensive finish as a shooter. Extending over the competition, Hayes makes use of minimal dribbles to create area and generate shot alternatives. Doesn’t get talked a lot on this class however he’s one to maintain tabs on.

King Grace, 6’4 2/1 CG – Waxahachie (TX): A scoring guard that has improved as a reside dribble passer. I do know he can rating the ball however I wished to see how he’s improved as a passer and general resolution maker. It’s undoubtedly higher than it was previously, however there’s nonetheless occasions he places himself in no-win alternatives on offense. Shot seems cleaner as nicely and he’s a assured scorer that may fill it up fast.

David Iweze, 6’8 PF/C – Ischool (TX): David has made huge strides since April and is enjoying with extra confidence. Grabs rebounds and initiates transition breaks. A very good passer however a dangerous one at that so he’ll have goofy turnovers. He’s a flexible offensive risk with really feel of the sport. When his motor is on, he’s uber efficient.

Cam Smith, 6’6 SF – Duncanville (TX): Cam continues to develop on me. First noticed him in Atlanta in the summertime and he was good, however he’s improved since March. Taking part in extra in management and with higher steadiness. He made athletic finishes in transition, confirmed a extra useful deal with and has improved as an general shooter. Excessive upside with this one, akin to Dorian Hayes, is sweet now however will likely be actually good later.

Exterior The Area Observations

I’ve many notes from prospects even outdoors the Southwest and I got here away very impressed with 2026 Chris Washington (The Villages, FL). A giant wing-forward with lengthy arms. He could make photographs with area, assertive on the glass and is a rim deterrent. He has some rawness to him offensively, as he can get uncontrolled at occasions however his upside is large. Might be ranked excessive in his class all through his highschool profession.

Extra Notes

Donnie Freeman, 2025 6’9 PF – IMG (FL): Motor was constantly operating and was making photographs as a path, pop or spot up man. Combined vitality, effort, toughness and perimeter capturing nicely and was one of many high performers there.

Moustapha Thiam, 2025 7’ C – DME Academy (FL): Has gotten stronger and is enjoying by contact higher. Confronted up and scored, had quantity of offensive rebounding makes an attempt and confirmed upside as a man that may area the ground down the street.

Nikolas Khamenia, 2025 6’7 PF/SF – Harvard Westlake (CA): Ability and really feel. That instantly stands out when watching Nikolas performs. Terrific footwork, capturing contact and is artful. Understands angles very nicely and retains the protection guessing. What helps him out as nicely is his passing really feel. He hits the open goal or the man in stride which then opens up his scoring alternatives.