Peach Jam prospect breakdowns
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PEACH JAM
North Augusta, S.C.-The recent addition of 16-under play has added another dimension of excitement to the NIKE Peach Jam. In one of the toughest fought games so far in the event, Boo Williams, behind its frontline, took down 2010 stud Jeremy Tyler and his California Supreme squad in 16-under play.
Tyler was the top prospect on the court, but he couldn't match the combined frontline play of Deshawn Painter, Marshawn Powell and Donte Hill as Boo Williams came away with a 77-66 win in pool play. Here is a breakdown on the top prospect in that game along with other underclassmen in the event.
Marshawn Powell- He might not have the upside that longer prospects Painter and Tyler have, but Powell is a productive force every time he hits the floor. Against California Supreme, he put up a game high 22 points on eight of ten shooting from the field and added seven rebounds. Quick off the floor and with a finishers mentality, Powell has both the ability to score over taller opponents and use his quickness to get past defenders for scores.
Deshawn Painter- Started out the game as the dominant player on the court, racking up ten points and six rebounds in the first half. For the game he finished with 14 points on 5 of 9 shooting and seven rebounds. Long and extremely active, Painter continues to improve every time we see him on the court. He has always chased down rebounds outside his area and today he was converting them into buckets. In the process of developing a reliable jump hook off a quick pivot, Painter is establishing himself as a five-star prospect in the post summer rankings.
Donte Hill- The left handed, 6-foot-4 wing was the stabilizing force for Boo Williams throughout the hotly contested game. He helped handle the ball against California Supreme's pressure defense, knocked down timely jumpers and snagged some tough rebounds. He added 15 points for the winners, and with only an offer from Virginia Tech, expect Hill's recruitment to take off after strong performances in his first two outings at the Peach Jam.
Jeremy Tyler- The elite big man struggled in the first half only scoring two points against the inspired team defense of Boo Williams. In the second half he got untracked and scored 13 points for the game to go along with seven rebounds. He only missed one field goal the entire game but just didn't get the number of touches he needed to put a winning imprint on the game. Nonetheless, so far this summer, Tyler is making a strong argument for the No. 1 spot in the 2010 class.
Demarcus Cousins- In a disappointing 75-59 loss to the Tennessee YOMCA squad, Cousins dominated his smaller opponents to the tune of 32 points. Cousins gathered his points on bruising drives to the basket and strong offensive rebounding and post up work. He also delivered some impressive passes in the process of strong moves to the basket, but the elite 2009 prospect just didn't get the help that he needed from his supporting cast.
John Jenkins- A long 6-foot-4 shooting guard, Jenkins put his quick and high release jumper to good use, lighting up the Birmingham Storm for 30 points in Tennessee YOMCA's win. Not the niftiest ball handler nor an explosive athlete, Jenkins is still a destructive offensive force with his ability to knock down off balance shots and get defenders up in the air with his shot fake. He doesn't need much time to make a slack defender pay. Defensively, he uses his smarts and length to adequately defend and rebound. Jenkins, who is a certain high-major prospect, will thrive in a cerebral system where he receives screens and in a system based more on position defense versus pressure defense.
17-under Action
Kendall Marshall- The Boo Williams 2010 point guard prospect is an underclassmen, but he dominated a hotly contested 17-under match up against the Metro Hawks. Marshall exploded for a game high 28 points in the 64-63 Boo Williams win, but more importantly, he controlled the game. Playing at a speed no faster than he ever needs to play, Marshall has the ability to slow his team down and get them on the same page. If there is a better 2010 point guard in the country, we haven't seen him yet.
Samardo Samuels- The bruising, yet athletic post player went to work for 21 points against Boo Williams to Ed Davis' eight points. Samuels scored on bruising post up moves inside, but once again, his most impressive work came from the midrange. Forced off the block by double and triple teams, Samuels faced up his defender and wheeled and dealed on spin and fake spin moves and finished multiple times off one foot.
Willie Warren & Rotnei Clarke- Finding their Team Texas squad down 52-38 midway through the second half against the Houston Hoops, the duo went on an rampage going on a 20 to four run and then closing out the game for a 69-62 win. Clarke scored 16 points for the game with the majority of those points coming during the 20 to four scoring run. Three of his three-pointers came off penetrate and pitches from Warren, who has played nothing short of inspired ball in North Augustus. After adequate performances, but sub par for Warren's standards, at the USA Basketball Festival and the LeBron James US Skills Camp, it appears that Warren is at his best when the ball is in his hands and it is his team. Warren finished with 24 points in the game.
Greg Monroe- After working primarily in the post at the USA Basketball Festival and the LeBron James US Skills Camp, Monroe is back on the perimeter with his travel team. Against the Georgia Blazers, he had a lot of success facing the basket. Monroe drove into the lane from the wing in the half court and also repeatedly streaked down the lane with strong left handed drives in open court situations.
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