NEO Youth Elite Day One Standout Performers

Darryn Peterson, Marcus Johnson, Jerry Easter Jr., Jordan Langford & King Young

On Saturday, we had the opportunity to check out the day one action at the NEO Youth Elite Showcase at Garfield Heights HS near Cleveland, OH.  Once again, Sonny Johnson and his staff attracted a talented field of statewide and national players.  One of the better players we saw all day was Darryn Peterson (5’8”/PG/2026/Canton) who dominated the 5^th grade division. Blessed with great size for his position, Peterson showed the ability to score at 3 levels.  He also handles the ball well, plays with good pace and shoots from beyond the arc at a high rate.  Bottom line, this kid has loads of potential!  Any discussion of domination has to include Marcus Johnson (5’3”/PG/2026/Cleveland), who, although just a 5^th grader, had his way in the 6^th grade division.  A pure score best describes what we saw on Saturday.  Johnson shoots it well, and is strong enough to finish near the cup.  Johnson more than lived up to his hefty national reputation.

The book has long been written on Jerry Easter Jr. (6'0”/PG/2025/Toledo). A nationally know talent for several years, Easter delivered on opening day.  Super skilled with a high basketball IQ is what we saw.  Easter is clearly one of the best players in his class nationally. We were also really impressed with the ball skills of Aidan Enoch (5’2”/PG/2023/Hermitage, PA), who wowed the crowd with his ability to handle the rock and to create space from his defender.  He’s not just a showman with the ball; he can knock down deep treys off the bounce, he’s crafty, and is an able and willing passer. We also saw some good things from Quintin Walton (6’0”/WF/2023/Akron), who has good length, is a fluid athlete, has great court vision and loves to attack the basket.

We spent a lot of our time with the 3^rd/4^th grade division and we were pleased with the depth of talent of the youngest group at the event.  One of the best players we saw was Kamari Roberts (SG/2027/Louisville, KY), who showed an elite skill set and ability to play with pace and poise beyond his years.  Roberts has good size, is already changing speed and direction like a much older player, and exhibited solid ball skills. King Young (4’6”/PG/2027/Maple Heights, OH) was another good young player with advanced skills and understanding of the game. Young is quick, savvy and he already understands how to change speeds.  We plan to keep an eye on Jamar Keyes Jr. (5’3”/PF/2027/Barberton, OH).  Keyes was the biggest player in the division, and he used his great size to dominate the boards.  He also showed the ability to either push the rock in transition or outlet the ball for easy layups.  If he continues to grow and develop, keyes could be a good one.

Other talented 4^th graders included Jordan Langford (4’8”/PG/2027/Perrysburg, OH). Langford has a solid handle and was strong enough to avoid being knocked off the ball.  He also demonstrated the ability to execute the step back jump shot at an early age.  We were also impressed with Darian Shy (4’6”/SG/2027/Louisville, KY), who was one of several standout ballers from the Bluegrass State. Shy was strong with the ball in transition and while driving to the cup, and demonstrated the ability to knock down 3-pointers and hit the midrange shot.  Other young standouts included Abraham Howard (4’11’/PG/2027/Berea, KY), Donovan Ford (4’9”/WF/2028/Bouie, MD), Peyton Howell (4’11’/PG/2027/NEW York, NY). Jeremy Presley (PG/2027/Louisville, KY), Marlon Jackson (PG/2028/Cleveland, Oh). There were a number of day-one standouts that we saw and did not see.  Below is a complete list of the players who separated themselves on opening day.  Tomorrow we will try and get a better look at older players.  Stay tuned.

Day-One Standouts

Name	Grade	Height/Position	City
Darryn Peterson	5th	5’8”/SG	Canton, OH
Marcus Johnson	5th	5’3”/PG	Garfield Heights, OH
Jerry Easter Jr.	6th	6'0”/PG	Toledo, OH
CJ Thomas	6th	4’8”/PG	Chicago, IL
King Young	4th	4’6”/PG	Maple Heights, OH
Jamar Keyes Jr.	4th	5’3”/PF/C	Barberton, OH
Abraham Howard	4th	4’11”/PG	Beria, KY
Donovan Ford	3rd	4’9”/WF	Bouie, MD
Carlos Vaughn Jr.	4th	5’4”/WF	Cleveland, OH
Peyton Howell	4th	4’11”/PG	New York, NY
Jordan Langford	4th	4’8”/PG	Perrysburg, OH
Blake McPherson	4th	4’8”/PG	Chicago, IL
Darian Shy	4th	4’6”/SG	Louisville, KY
Ja’Neal Baker	3rd	4’11”/WF	Akron, OH
Braylon Johnson	7th	6’0”/WF	Painesville, OH
Payton Kemp	8th	5’1”/CG	Clinton Township, OH
Jailen Outlaw	8th	5’4”/PG	Cleveland, OH
TJ Crumble	5th	5’11”/PF	Cleveland, OH
Quinton Walton	8th	6’0”WF	Akron, OH
Aidan Enoch	8th	5’2”/PG	Hermitage, PA
Jeremy Presley	4th	PG	Louisville, KY
Braylon Anderson	4th	PG	Louisville, KY
Kamari Roberts	4th	SG	Louisville, KY
Marlon Jackson	3rd	PG	Cleveland, OH
Jedaiah Pettaway	7th	Unknown	Ohio
Jalen Teamer	6th	Unknown	Ohio
Deontae Macey	7th	Unknown	Michigan