7/19/2013 football Edit

Local star Stone shines at Summer Jam

Eric Bossi

Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting Analyst

MORE SUMMER JAM: Day 1 Notebook

MEQUON, Wisc. -- Under Armour's Summer Jam presented by NY2LA Sports rolled through a second day at Homestead High in the Milwaukee suburbs. The schedule allowed for watching plenty of action in both the 17- and 16-and-under divisions. Among the group of rising juniors on display was five-star hometown product Diamond Stone, who did his city proud.

Stone impresses in hometown

He didn't get to play on his home floor, but the nation's class of 2015 No. 5 player Diamond Stone sure looked at home just a few exits up I-43 from Whitefish Bay (Wisc.) Dominican. Playing for the Young Legends in the 16-and-under division, the 6-foot-10 center was clearly the best player on the floor during a pair of solid performances as his team went 1-1 on the day.

A bit of a throwback player, Stone plays a game that is based not upon athleticism and aggression but skill and patience. That isn't to say that Stone doesn't have athleticism, because he has worked hard to change his body; as a result, he's got some lift around the rim and runs very well.

But what drew coaches such as Roy Williams, Buzz Williams, Bo Ryan, John Groce and assistants from Duke, Kansas, Michigan State, Kentucky and more is Stone's ability to score the rock with skill.

Because he's got some strength, Stone can usually get position on the block, and he did that on Thursday. When he got deep position he went to a trusty jump hook or spun to the bucket. He has superior hands and presents a strong target to guards looking to throw post entry passes. Along with his scoring down low, Stone hit some medium-range jumpers and even stepped out to the three-point line.

Stone isn't yet in a hurry to cut down his list and will continue to be a high-priority target for programs at the highest level.

Grantham set with decision to attend prep

The No. 73 player in the class of 2014, 6-foot-8 forward Donte Grantham is in a great position. A 2013 graduate who was the player of the year in West Virginia, Grantham is a full qualifier who could enroll at a Division-I school in the fall. Instead, Grantham is going to take a prep school year at Chatham (Va.) Hargrave in hopes of boosting a recruitment that has started to take off even more.

On Thursday against the high-octane Team Thad, Grantham looked very comfortable and like an easy high-major. He scored at the rim, hit some jumpers and was active on the glass in a 19-point, eight-rebound effort.

Grantham says that the decision to prep has been a good one.

"It's going good because I'm getting new offers, playing against better players and getting good experience," Grantham said. "I just got offers from Texas, Rutgers and VCU. Before the summer I had West Virginia and Clemson, that's it."

Because of his size and skill, Grantham can play at both the small forward and power forward slots. He prefers to play one, but just wants to get on the floor.

"The best matchup is best for me," said Grantham. "Anyway I can get on the floor I'll play, but I see myself as a small forward.

"My biggest strength is getting to the rim and finishing. My weakness is that I still need more strength."

Wilson looking to stay healthy

The last player into the 2014 Rivals150 at No. 150, D.J. Wilson has been sidelined by injuries for most of the past six months. Finally healthy, the 6-foot-8 combo forward from Sacramento (Calif.) Capital Christian is starting to show some things.

Wilson's Team Superstar didn't have the best day, but against the Las Vegas Prospects during an earlier game he showed plenty of promise.

What jumps out immediately about Wilson is his ability to stroke deep jump shots and the ease with which things seem to come to him on the offensive end. Because of his size and skill, he plays as a both a plus-sized wing or a face-up four who can stretch defenses and knock down shots.

Because of his injury and turnover in some of the staffs that have been recruiting him, exactly which college offers still stand are a bit up in the air. So Wilson is looking at his recruitment as if it is just starting. Cal State Northridge, Portland and Cal Poly offered recently, and schools such as Colorado (head coach Tad Boyle watched) California, Stanford, Harvard, Boston College, USC, Boise State, Santa Clara and Pepperdine are looking closely.

Click Here to view this Link.

[rl]