Vegas: Top Friday performers
LAS VEGAS -- We saw plenty of great performances from top players at the
Fab 48 on Friday, but the three best players we saw today came from guards out
of Louisiana. The Bayou State natives weren't alone as several talented
prospects around the country impressed coaches and scouts.
1. Lamar Peters - Mississippi State's Ben Howland must be thrilled with the way his first pledge in the 2016 class
played on Friday afternoon. The four-star guard finished with 27 points and
seven assists in a tough loss to the Atlanta Celtics, but did everything he
could to keep his New Orleans Elite team alive. Peters has some swagger to his
game too, and isn't afraid to do some talking after he does his work. He'll be a
really good player in the SEC.
2. Javonte Smart - It was the last game of the night,
but the stud 2018 guard showed why some think he just might be the best guard in
his class. With great size at 6-foot-5, he's got a strong frame and can bully
his way to the rim whenever he wants. He's got a super tight handle and shake
defenders loose with ease as well. What made him impossible to guard on Friday
have put in offers already.
3. DeJon Jarreau - He got off to a slow start, but
once he got going in the second half against California Supreme, he was a tough
man to check. Long and lanky at 6-foot-5, the four-star guard has a quick first
step to get him going towards the rim and is a crafty finisher in traffic.
4. Tyson Carter - He's been one of the biggest risers
of this travel season. The 6-foot-5 Mississippi native was an unknown to most
coming into the travel season, but his ability to score the ball and play both
guard spots has a lot of coaches excited about him. Murray State was the first
school to recruit him, but they are now joined by Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Memphis, Louisiana Tech, UNLV, N.C. State, Iowa State and Arizona State.
5. Edrice Adebayo - He's staking his claim as one of the
very best big men in the country. The five-star post player is dominant in the
paint at both ends.
6. Frank Jackson - He may not have a ton of support
around him, but it isn't hard to see why coaches are so excited about him. He's
a big time athlete and catches lobs at the rim with little problem. He's a
knockdown shooter and he's smooth with the ball going off the dribble. Mike Krzyzewski and Johnny Dawkins will be fighting it out for this
one, and both were on hand to watch him on Friday afternoon.
7. Brandon McCoy - The 7-footer may be a raw, but his
upside is sky-high. The California native has great hands and works hard for the
ball on the block. His post moves look great, but he struggled to finish on
to check him out.
8. De'Riante Jenkins - The 6-foot-6 wing has rounded
out his game well and become a high-level scorer to go along with being very
good athlete. His perimeter stroke looks as good as it ever has and it has made
him a much tougher man to guard.
9. Kamar Baldwin - He's a bit of a forgotten man on a
loaded Atlanta Celtics team, but the 6-foot guard is productive in the playing
time he does get. He's a very good shooter and a high level athlete. Butler,
Clemson and Ole Miss make up his top three currently, and each had
coaches following him on Friday. Providence recently stepped with an offer.
10. Joshua Langford - Physically, there aren't many
guards in the high school ranks that look like Langford. He's strong as they
come and a very good athlete. All that combined with a great skill-set and a
motor that never stops makes for an elite prospect. Tom Izzo will be a
very happy man coaching him at the next level.
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