NBPA Day two: Hamilton progressing

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- On the second day of the NBPA Top 100 Camp, class of 2018 four-star small forward Jairus Hamilton showed off his steadily progressing game and talked about his long list of suitors. Fellow rising juniors Khavon Moore and Bol Bol -- both five-star prospects -- also came to life.

Already ranked No. 54 in the class of 2018, four-star small forward Jairus Hamilton has established that he's no slouch. But, the 6-foot-6 product of the Concord (N.C.) Cannon School wants to prove that he belongs among the top players in his class.

Because of that, having a good showing at the NBPA Top 100 Camp was very important to Hamilton.

"I love the competition and the players and it was fun to meet new players that are the same level as me and go at them," said Hamilton. "I was looking to come out here and be dominant and show that I'm a force and looking to get better each game."

Through two days, Hamilton has proven that he belongs. A powerful wing who finished through contact, rebounds, draws fouls at the rim and hits mid-range jumpers, he's not satisfied with his game and wants to keep progressing.

"I'm working on a lot of ball-handling and my stroke from outside," said Hamilton. "I'm just trying to be better at everything."

With offers from top programs all over the country, Hamilton mentioned Baylor, North Carolina, West Virginia, Maryland and South Carolina as programs that have been in touch recently. He also offered up Miami, Kentucky and Kansas as schools that have showed interest.

As a North Carolina native who holds offers from Roy Williams and the Tar Heels, Hamilton said that he doesn't feel any pressure to jump on a UNC offer and that he doesn't think there is any risk of the Heels cooling on him.

"I have a great relationship with them and they understand how I feel and what I'm trying to do," said Hamilton. "They really just contact me every day and ask me how I'm doing and they don't try to pressure me."

The No. 8 overall ranking that is attached to Khavon Moore's name in the class of 2018 is impressive. So is the 6-foot-7 small forward's game.

On Thursday, he got going a bit with aggressive drives, medium range jumpers and activity on the glass.

Recently, he's stopped by the campuses of programs like Florida, Georgia Tech and Auburn.

Through three and a half rounds of games, 2018 five-star big man Bol Bol had been quiet.

During the second half of Thursday's nightcap, though, the No. 10 player in the rising junior class woke up on both ends of the floor. He blocked everything from floaters to three-pointers on the defensive end and on the offensive end he worked his way to the hoop, kept his hand up for a target and found himself the beneficiary of passes for easy dunks.

At the end of the day, that's the key for Bol. When he's active he makes things happen in ways few others in his class can. Since schools could start contacting class of 2018 players directly on Wednesday, Bol said that he's heard from places that have offered him scholarships like St. John's, Kansas, South Carolina and Creighton and that North Carolina and Notre Dame have texted to say they'll be in touch after camp finishes.

It's not often that players enter the NBPA Top 100 camp as unknowns, but that's pretty much what happened with DeAndre Bradshaw, or "Pedro" if you are close to him. The 6-foot-5 wing has shown well and proved that he belongs with his activity in transition, motor and upside.

We will likely cover him more before the week is over, but it needs to be said that class of 2019 big man Charles Bassey has looked like the best prospect in camp through two days. The 6-foot-10 sophomore-to-be is an incredible rebounder who is leading the camp at 9.8 per contest while also averaging 11.5 points per game. At this point, he's the favorite to claim the No. 1 spot in the first 2019 rankings after the summer.

His game and body type don't fit conventional position slots, but 2018 Zion Williamson continues to play outstanding basketball. His move to five-star status is all but certain after two terrific days that have left him the leading scorer in camp. He's surprisingly explosive, fast and he's nobody's punk when it comes to getting physical. Think of him as an even mix between the Lakers' Julius Randle and Butler star Roosevelt Jones.

Another who is among the toughest dudes in the building is Rivals150 power forward Hasahn French. Depending on how early and often he would like to make an impact, he's the kind of kid that could play -- and should be welcomed by -- almost any program in America. He's a bit undersized at 6-foot-6, but he's an around the rim enforcer who loves to compete. Arizona State, UMass, Saint Louis, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Seton Hall and many others have offered.

Exactly where he fits in on the next level and what roll he plays is left to be determined, but make no mistake, Evan Battey has game. A 6-foot-6, 270-pounder, Battey has a sweet jump shot, bounces off defenders and uses his skill and long arms to offset that he's not a high flyer. He's the classic kid with "old man" game. Utah State, Nevada, Loyola Marymount and others have offered but without many West Coast big man options, Pac-12 types are going to have to evaluate him closely.

Four-star point guard Davion Mitchell looks like a potential four year starter for Auburn. He's athletic, tough and likes to share the sugar ... Rivals150 guard Alex Barcello looks more and more like a natural two guard. He can play some point and is a good passer, but he's at his best running off of screens and spotting for deep jumpers ... Illinois Rivals150 small forward Justin Smith continues a nice spring. He finishes way above the rim when he can but continues to show more floor game ... Then there is four-star Rayshaun Hammonds. The Georgia native has been very aggressive on the offensive end and the 6-foot-7 forward can play as a stretch four or a big wing.