Vegas: Roach, Odomes stand out
LAS VEGAS -- Day two of Vegas week started out with a game at the Fab 48 and before we headed over to spend the bulk of the day at the Adidas Super 64. It was a day for relatively off-the-radar prospects as rising senior guard Kerwin Roach sent waves through Vegas with his play at the Fab 48 and the Super 64 boasted several players who don't yet have much fanfare.
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Roach a high-major talent
Back in March, Rivals.com had a chance to see 6-foot-4 guard Kerwin Roach with his Houston North Shore squad at the Texas state final four. At the time, the class of 2015 product showed off his athleticism and proved to be a ferocious defender, but we didn't have enough time to get a good read on him.
Over the past few weeks, word out of Texas has been that the combo guard is developing into a big-time player and after seeing him with the Houston Rockstarz, the hype is very much justified.
Not only is Roach a state champion basketball player, he is a state champion in the triple jump and is a speedy athlete who plays the game all out. He is a good ball-handler, thrives in transition, makes deep jumpers and has the tools to be a big-time defender. At times he made some mistakes because he was playing too fast or lacked the strength to finish, but what matters is that he looks to make the correct basketball play more often than not and he plays with aggression.
During Thursday morning's game, Roach was watched by the head coaches of Colorado, Creighton, Kansas State, Texas, TCU, Temple, Wichita State, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M along with assistants from Baylor, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Marquette. He has offers from Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech, among others.
"My game has gone to a new level," Roach said. "I've gotten a lot more polished and explosive in everything that I do."
Currently an unranked three-star prospect, Roach is a lock to make the post summer Rivals150 for his class and it is only question of how high he will enter. College coaches don't care about his ranking, they just care about his game and getting him on campus.
"They like the way that I handle ball and make energy plays," said Roach. "I can score all around the perimeter too."
For now, Roach is planning to get through this week and then see what his options are before meeting with his family to set visits. He's also enjoying the newfound attention.
"It's been pretty crazy," said Roach. "Maybe not overwhelming, but all of this new attention this month has been crazy."
Odomes making moves
Given the way he played and the types of plays that he made down the stretch, versatile rising senior guard Rashard Odomes would have felt a lot better about his day had his Texas D1 Ambassadors walked away with a win over the Michigan Mustangs. However, a loss shouldn't take away from what the 6-foot-5 product of Copperas Cove (Tex.) High did.
A three-star prospect who narrowly missed the cut the last time the Rivals150 was updated, Odomes is very much going to be in the conversation post-summer.
He is a true utility wing who does a little bit of everything. He can handle the ball, is an alert passer, finishes at the rim with athleticism and makes enough jumpers to keep defenders honest. Where he shines, though, is in transition and as a defender. He moves his feet, gets deflections and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.
"Coaches like the way I drive the ball," Odomes said. "I go up strong and I just play hard on both ends. That's just how I've always been.
"Now I'm getting more exposure."
Odomes recently set his first official visit for Oklahoma the weekend of Aug. 30. The Sooners have offered along with Baylor, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Tulsa, Marquette and Creighton.
Dream Vision 16's loaded with talent
The Dream Vision 16-and-under program is going to be watched very closely by programs all across the country for the next few years. The group features lots of lengthy and athletic talent. Even with their highest ranked player -- four-star power forward Zach Collins -- sitting out with injury, they are loaded with intriguing talent.
Though he's not yet ranked, 6-foot-7 wing Brendan Bailey is going to find his way into the next rankings, and in four-star territory. Long and slim, he is the son of former NBA'er Thurl Bailey and he has loads of potential. A skilled scorer, he is a very good jump-shooter off either the catch or dribble and he looks like he still has a lot of growing to do. He already has offers from BYU, Tulsa and Southern Utah while Gonzaga, California, Oregon State, Utah, N.C. State (where his father played), UCLA, Washington and Colorado have shown interest.
Also impressing was 6-foot-7 small forward Daron Henson. A four-star prospect who is nicknamed Blackberry, Henson is a shooter with a beautiful jump shot. He is fluid athletically, can put the ball on the floor a bit and has extreme upside. Henson listed offers from USC, UTEP, Tulsa and Northern Arizona and he's heard from Arizona State, California, San Diego State, UCLA and Arizona.
Others who showed impressive signs for Dream Vision included 6-foot-4 scorer Christian Terrell and athletic 6-foot-7 power forward Tyler Bey.
The New York Rens 16U team features a big man to keep an eye on in Rojaye CampbellClick Rising senior point guard Damontrae JeffersonClick Keep an eye out for Jaire GrayerClick Heading into the Super 64, 6-foot-6 wing Dominic GreenClick While Thursday was a day for lesser-known prospects to shine, two of the best known prospects at the Adidas Super 64 put on a show. Thon MakerClick News and notesHere to view this Link. of Team Loaded Virginia and Jalen AdamsClick News and notesHere to view this Link. of Mass Rivals were both sensational in their own rights. A top three player in the class of 2016, Maker was all over the floor on Thursday. He played way above the rim, was active on the glass, swatted one shot after another and sprinted the floor. On the other side, Adams was unguardable from the perimeter. He bombed home deep jumpers, drove the rim with reckless abandon and did everything he could to carry his team as they came up just short. Each guy exceeded his lofty status with Maker scoring 26 points and grabbing 14 rebounds while Adams scored 25 while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out seven assists.Here to view this Link. from Seattle Hazen didn't have any offers. Playing wit the Avery Bradley Northwest Panthers, the smooth shooting wing has already attracted offers from Montana and Portland. More are on the way and there's a very good chance that some of them are from high-major programs. He can handle the ball some, will be a good defender and showed that he is willing to stick his nose in the mix to grab rebounds. He finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds and is being evaluated by Arizona StateClick While Thursday was a day for lesser-known prospects to shine, two of the best known prospects at the Adidas Super 64 put on a show. Thon MakerClick News and notesHere to view this Link. of Team Loaded Virginia and Jalen AdamsClick News and notesHere to view this Link. of Mass Rivals were both sensational in their own rights. A top three player in the class of 2016, Maker was all over the floor on Thursday. He played way above the rim, was active on the glass, swatted one shot after another and sprinted the floor. On the other side, Adams was unguardable from the perimeter. He bombed home deep jumpers, drove the rim with reckless abandon and did everything he could to carry his team as they came up just short. Each guy exceeded his lofty status with Maker scoring 26 points and grabbing 14 rebounds while Adams scored 25 while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out seven assists.Here to view this Link., Nevada, Marquette, Washington StateClick While Thursday was a day for lesser-known prospects to shine, two of the best known prospects at the Adidas Super 64 put on a show. Thon MakerClick News and notesHere to view this Link. of Team Loaded Virginia and Jalen AdamsClick News and notesHere to view this Link. of Mass Rivals were both sensational in their own rights. A top three player in the class of 2016, Maker was all over the floor on Thursday. He played way above the rim, was active on the glass, swatted one shot after another and sprinted the floor. On the other side, Adams was unguardable from the perimeter. He bombed home deep jumpers, drove the rim with reckless abandon and did everything he could to carry his team as they came up just short. Each guy exceeded his lofty status with Maker scoring 26 points and grabbing 14 rebounds while Adams scored 25 while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out seven assists.Here to view this Link. and Gonzaga among others.Here to view this Link. in the class of 2015. An off guard from Detroit, he was very good during the Michigan Mustangs win over the Texas D1 Ambassadors. He hit some timely jumpers, grabbed some surprisingly tough contested rebounds and made one solid play after another down the stretch. Grayer listed offers from Oakland, Eastern Michigan, Cleveland State, UT Arlington, Detroit and Buffalo.Here to view this Link. was doing his thing on Thursday. The 5-foot-7 (tops) floor general was all over the place and pretty much unguardable. He made some deep threes, got to the rim at will and showcased his freakish athleticism with a couple of very impressive dunks in transition.It wasn't his best shooting outing, but he got to the free throw line consistently while finishing with 29 points, three rebounds and three assists. Jefferson's game may not be for everybody, but credit has to be given for how he consistently puts up huge numbers and his team seems to win a lot more than they lose.Here to view this Link.. A native of Jamaica who attends Long Island Lutheran in New York, he is a big and strong kid who has pretty good hands and good mobility. It was just a quick look at him so he needs to be evaluated more down the road, but he is definitely on the radar. Campbell has early offers from George Mason, Towson and Drexel with interest from MiamiClick Rising senior point guard Damontrae JeffersonClick Keep an eye out for Jaire GrayerClick Heading into the Super 64, 6-foot-6 wing Dominic GreenClick While Thursday was a day for lesser-known prospects to shine, two of the best known prospects at the Adidas Super 64 put on a show. Thon MakerClick News and notesHere to view this Link. of Team Loaded Virginia and Jalen AdamsClick News and notesHere to view this Link. of Mass Rivals were both sensational in their own rights. A top three player in the class of 2016, Maker was all over the floor on Thursday. He played way above the rim, was active on the glass, swatted one shot after another and sprinted the floor. On the other side, Adams was unguardable from the perimeter. He bombed home deep jumpers, drove the rim with reckless abandon and did everything he could to carry his team as they came up just short. Each guy exceeded his lofty status with Maker scoring 26 points and grabbing 14 rebounds while Adams scored 25 while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out seven assists.Here to view this Link. from Seattle Hazen didn't have any offers. Playing wit the Avery Bradley Northwest Panthers, the smooth shooting wing has already attracted offers from Montana and Portland. More are on the way and there's a very good chance that some of them are from high-major programs. He can handle the ball some, will be a good defender and showed that he is willing to stick his nose in the mix to grab rebounds. He finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds and is being evaluated by Arizona StateClick While Thursday was a day for lesser-known prospects to shine, two of the best known prospects at the Adidas Super 64 put on a show. Thon MakerClick News and notesHere to view this Link. of Team Loaded Virginia and Jalen AdamsClick News and notesHere to view this Link. of Mass Rivals were both sensational in their own rights. A top three player in the class of 2016, Maker was all over the floor on Thursday. He played way above the rim, was active on the glass, swatted one shot after another and sprinted the floor. On the other side, Adams was unguardable from the perimeter. He bombed home deep jumpers, drove the rim with reckless abandon and did everything he could to carry his team as they came up just short. Each guy exceeded his lofty status with Maker scoring 26 points and grabbing 14 rebounds while Adams scored 25 while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out seven assists.Here to view this Link., Nevada, Marquette, Washington StateClick While Thursday was a day for lesser-known prospects to shine, two of the best known prospects at the Adidas Super 64 put on a show. Thon MakerClick News and notesHere to view this Link. of Team Loaded Virginia and Jalen AdamsClick News and notesHere to view this Link. of Mass Rivals were both sensational in their own rights. A top three player in the class of 2016, Maker was all over the floor on Thursday. He played way above the rim, was active on the glass, swatted one shot after another and sprinted the floor. On the other side, Adams was unguardable from the perimeter. He bombed home deep jumpers, drove the rim with reckless abandon and did everything he could to carry his team as they came up just short. Each guy exceeded his lofty status with Maker scoring 26 points and grabbing 14 rebounds while Adams scored 25 while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out seven assists.Here to view this Link. and Gonzaga among others.Here to view this Link. in the class of 2015. An off guard from Detroit, he was very good during the Michigan Mustangs win over the Texas D1 Ambassadors. He hit some timely jumpers, grabbed some surprisingly tough contested rebounds and made one solid play after another down the stretch. Grayer listed offers from Oakland, Eastern Michigan, Cleveland State, UT Arlington, Detroit and Buffalo.Here to view this Link. was doing his thing on Thursday. The 5-foot-7 (tops) floor general was all over the place and pretty much unguardable. He made some deep threes, got to the rim at will and showcased his freakish athleticism with a couple of very impressive dunks in transition.It wasn't his best shooting outing, but he got to the free throw line consistently while finishing with 29 points, three rebounds and three assists. Jefferson's game may not be for everybody, but credit has to be given for how he consistently puts up huge numbers and his team seems to win a lot more than they lose.Here to view this Link., Providence, ConnecticutClick Rising senior point guard Damontrae JeffersonClick Keep an eye out for Jaire GrayerClick Heading into the Super 64, 6-foot-6 wing Dominic GreenClick While Thursday was a day for lesser-known prospects to shine, two of the best known prospects at the Adidas Super 64 put on a show. Thon MakerClick News and notesHere to view this Link. of Team Loaded Virginia and Jalen AdamsClick News and notesHere to view this Link. of Mass Rivals were both sensational in their own rights. A top three player in the class of 2016, Maker was all over the floor on Thursday. He played way above the rim, was active on the glass, swatted one shot after another and sprinted the floor. On the other side, Adams was unguardable from the perimeter. He bombed home deep jumpers, drove the rim with reckless abandon and did everything he could to carry his team as they came up just short. Each guy exceeded his lofty status with Maker scoring 26 points and grabbing 14 rebounds while Adams scored 25 while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out seven assists.Here to view this Link. from Seattle Hazen didn't have any offers. Playing wit the Avery Bradley Northwest Panthers, the smooth shooting wing has already attracted offers from Montana and Portland. More are on the way and there's a very good chance that some of them are from high-major programs. He can handle the ball some, will be a good defender and showed that he is willing to stick his nose in the mix to grab rebounds. He finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds and is being evaluated by Arizona StateClick While Thursday was a day for lesser-known prospects to shine, two of the best known prospects at the Adidas Super 64 put on a show. Thon MakerClick News and notesHere to view this Link. of Team Loaded Virginia and Jalen AdamsClick News and notesHere to view this Link. of Mass Rivals were both sensational in their own rights. A top three player in the class of 2016, Maker was all over the floor on Thursday. He played way above the rim, was active on the glass, swatted one shot after another and sprinted the floor. On the other side, Adams was unguardable from the perimeter. He bombed home deep jumpers, drove the rim with reckless abandon and did everything he could to carry his team as they came up just short. Each guy exceeded his lofty status with Maker scoring 26 points and grabbing 14 rebounds while Adams scored 25 while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out seven assists.Here to view this Link., Nevada, Marquette, Washington StateClick While Thursday was a day for lesser-known prospects to shine, two of the best known prospects at the Adidas Super 64 put on a show. Thon MakerClick News and notesHere to view this Link. of Team Loaded Virginia and Jalen AdamsClick News and notesHere to view this Link. of Mass Rivals were both sensational in their own rights. A top three player in the class of 2016, Maker was all over the floor on Thursday. He played way above the rim, was active on the glass, swatted one shot after another and sprinted the floor. On the other side, Adams was unguardable from the perimeter. He bombed home deep jumpers, drove the rim with reckless abandon and did everything he could to carry his team as they came up just short. Each guy exceeded his lofty status with Maker scoring 26 points and grabbing 14 rebounds while Adams scored 25 while grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out seven assists.Here to view this Link. and Gonzaga among others.Here to view this Link. in the class of 2015. An off guard from Detroit, he was very good during the Michigan Mustangs win over the Texas D1 Ambassadors. He hit some timely jumpers, grabbed some surprisingly tough contested rebounds and made one solid play after another down the stretch. Grayer listed offers from Oakland, Eastern Michigan, Cleveland State, UT Arlington, Detroit and Buffalo.Here to view this Link. was doing his thing on Thursday. The 5-foot-7 (tops) floor general was all over the place and pretty much unguardable. He made some deep threes, got to the rim at will and showcased his freakish athleticism with a couple of very impressive dunks in transition.It wasn't his best shooting outing, but he got to the free throw line consistently while finishing with 29 points, three rebounds and three assists. Jefferson's game may not be for everybody, but credit has to be given for how he consistently puts up huge numbers and his team seems to win a lot more than they lose.Here to view this Link. and Fairfield.
Eric Bossi is the national basketball recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. You can click here to follow him on Twitter.
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