Phenom Hoops Showcase: Bulldog sleeper

LEWISVILLE, N.C. -- The 2015 Phenom Showcase wrapped in grand style on Saturday at Forsyth Country Day School. Four-star shooting guard Eli Wright capped a great weekend, five-star Sacha Killeya-Jones was excellent and freshman wing Juwan Gary burst onto the scene.

I was impressed by…

The least celebrated of Mississippi State's top-10 2016 recruiting class, four-star shooting guard Eli Wright capped off an outstanding weekend by scoring 16 of his 20 points during the second half to lead 22 Foot Academy to an 18 point comeback win over Oak Hill Academy. The southpaw is athletic, he's got good size pushing 6-foot-4 and he's tough. Wright drove with strength, drained deep jumpers and played with loads of confidence. This was just the first of many weekends that I'll be on the road this year, but he put himself on the stock boosters list early and looks a bit under-ranked at No. 94 nationally.

Takeaway from the weekend in North Carolina, #HailState signee Eli Wright is an explosive 2G. Really nice pickup for them.- Eric Bossi (@ebosshoops) November 15, 2015

On Saturday I overheard a few courtside observers who felt that five-star Sacha Killeya-Jones would be too skinny to ever play at Kentucky. I couldn't disagree more. Yes, Killeya-Jones is skinny, but for the second day in a row he showed a skill level not matched by any other player in the gym. The other thing that jumps out is his nose for the ball. Killeya-Jones is an instinctual rebounder and shot blocker who has size, athleticism and jump shooting that could one day translate to the highest level if he continues to work. Ranked No. 26 in 2016, he backed up his billing as best player in the event.

I was surprised by…

We won't hand out stars and rank the class of 2019 until at least next August, but if Saturday was any indication then 6-foot-5 wing Juwan Gary is going to be very much involved. The freshman at Columbia (S.C.) Gray Collegiate entered the Phenom Showcase with a lofty reputation but he totally blew away expectations. He shot the ball, played outstanding defense, showed the ability to play way above the rim and had an incredible motor. He doesn't have any offers yet, but that won't stay the same for long. South Carolina, Connecticut, Clemson and Virginia have been in to see him while Kansas, North Carolina and Stanford have expressed early interest.

Greensboro (N.C.) Day has a nice looking trio of young wings in junior J.P. Moorman and sophomores Johnny Newman and Will Dillard. At about 6-foot-5, Moorman has long arms, a great frame to build on and a terrific motor. He has to play on the interior a bit but has legit wing skills that have netted early offers from Virginia Tech, UCF, Richmond, Charlotte, College of Charleston, UNC Greensboro, North Carolina A&T and Maryland Eastern Shore. Marquette, VCU, Wake Forest and N.C. State have all expressed interest in the three-star prospect.

Standing 6-foot-4, Newman is a slender lefty who has good quickness and lively legs. He sprinted in transition, saved possessions by tracking down loose balls and hit a couple of good looking pull-up jumpers. He has an offer from Charlotte to go along with interest from Virginia, Wake Forest and Cincinnati. A 6-foot-1 shooting guard, Dillard is the most explosive athlete of trio and he's well put together physically. A southpaw like Newman, Dillard has offers from Charlotte and Wake Forest to go along with interest from East Carolina, N.C. State and Virginia.

Put sophomore guard Coby WhiteClick Mid majors in search of a big man who can stretch the floor could do worse than checking out Bruno SolomunClick PittsburghClick The way things stand, sophomore point guard Devon DotsonClick Other thoughts …Here to view this Link. of Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day has a chance to play his way into the national rankings. He's certainly a legitimate high major prospect. Dotson shoots well from deep, is quick and the 6-foot-1 floor general is ultra competitive. The biggest thing moving forward for Dotson is to be careful not to let his emotions get the best of him and let one mistake to turn into several.Here to view this Link. bound guard Justice KithcartClick The way things stand, sophomore point guard Devon DotsonClick Other thoughts …Here to view this Link. of Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day has a chance to play his way into the national rankings. He's certainly a legitimate high major prospect. Dotson shoots well from deep, is quick and the 6-foot-1 floor general is ultra competitive. The biggest thing moving forward for Dotson is to be careful not to let his emotions get the best of him and let one mistake to turn into several.Here to view this Link. made things official signing his Letter of Intent at the Phenom Showcase. After watching closely for two days, I feel that he's much more of a natural shooting or combo guard than a point guard at this stage in his development. He can score, is aggressive and plays very hard, but I noticed many occasions where he either flat out missed or was late delivering passes to wide open teammates. It wasn't a matter of being selfish, just that he looks more comfortable as a pure scorer than scorer/playmaker at this point.Here to view this Link.. The 6-foot-9 senior from host school Forsyth Country Day has deft touch to the three point line, is a pretty good athlete and plays with a motor. St. Bonaventure and Appalachian State have already offered.Here to view this Link. of Wilson (N.C.) Greenfield down as one that needs a better viewing down the road. He scored 34 on Saturday but I was only able to catch the end of the 6-foot-3 guard's performance.

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