Brandon’s Vision is Impressive

Jules Brandon-2023-Garfield Heights

From what we saw in a recent Middle School Hoops TV Camp highlight video, Jyles Brandon (5’2/CG/2023/Garfield Heights) embraces the role playmaker.  The video clearly reflects Brandon’s ability and willingness to deliver passes on time and on target, a rare skill for young players.  It’s also rare to see a young guy master the art of the bounce pass. That’s not all, although Brandon is proficient at finding open teammates for easy buckets, Brandon has to be guarded, as he can get his own shot as well. Brandon is crafty, handles the rock with ease, shots the ball well out to the 3-point line, but can also get his shot off the bounce.  Moreover, despite his slim build, Brandon finds away to get to and finish at the cup, often despite contact.  Also, Brandon appears to have under gone a recent growth spurt and seems a little longer.

His new highlight video only confirms what we already knew about Brandon; the kid can play! Exhibit No. 1, Brandon played his way into the Sunday all-star game at the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase last September when the competition level was at its best.  In addition, Brandon made the cut for the Ohio North vs South all-star game a few months ago, was selected as Fifth Team All-State last season, and is currently ranked among the top 15-20 players in the state.  We’ve also seen Brandon excel at other elite events as well, which illistrates his consistency. 

This winter, Brandon is running with Antwon Williams' Garfield Heights team in a local winter league and is one the team's 3 leading scorers along with Sam Brown (5'7/PF/Cleveland) and Adam Williams (5'3/CG/Hudson).  The trio is averaging about 13-14 points per game.  Because Williams also coaches Hardwork Basketball, Brandon's AAU team, he is very familiar with  Brandon's talent.  "Brandon's biggest improvement over the last year is his willingness to compete. Now that he has improved on his defense this last year, he [Brandon] has become more of a complete player," said Williams. "He's not only a fierce competitor, he's one of those kids who loves the game and enjoys his teammates," continued Williams.

Brandon is not just a basketball player; he’s well rounded student athlete who is serious about his academics.  In fact, because he’s a straight A student, we selected him to our First Team All Academic Team last season.  In addition, Brandon is a peer leader at his elementary school, where he is currently participating in an anti-bullying campaign.  Moreover, Brandon will be playing the role of Former President Barrack Obama in an upcoming school program. 

There's a lot of talent located in northeast Ohio in the class of 2023, and in terms of the top tier, there are guys like Jayvion Moore, Desh Molton, Cody Head, LA Hayes and Marlon Barnes.  Brandon has a chance to join that group with continued growth and development   In fact, Brandon's upside potential is worth noting. We look forward to getting another look at Brandon at our March 4^th elite showcase and at our Buckeye Prep Invitational Tournament March 31st-April 2nd..

Highlight Video

Prospectors Take Opening Session of Michigan League

Lansing Prospectors-7th Grade Champions GLBC

The Lansing Prospectors finished 4-0 last Saturday in the first of 3 sessions of the Great Lakes Basketball Circuit (GLBC) in Rochester, MI.  The Prospectors’ trek to the session No. 1 championship included wins over OE Harris (75-23), Michigan Heat (78-18), MC Thunder (75-40) and OE Ford (50-47) in the 7^th grade championship game. Mason Docks took home MVP honors, and was supported by the stellar play of Alex Watters, Jacob Wallace, Ethan Dunn, Max Burton and Carson Sanders. We recently profiled Docks in an earlier piece, and we recall that Watters, Carson, and Dunn all made all-star games at our September elite showcase. 

The Prospectors will return to GLBC play February 11^th in Lansing.  For the record, Motorcity Bad Boys Black won the 8^th grade title with a 63-52 win over an Emoni Bates-led Bates Fundamental squad (2022), and the Michigan Heat won the 6^th grade division with a 47-45 victory over Big Dogs.  You can catch the Prospectors in a action at the Buckeye Prep Invitational Tournament at the end of March.  Congrats to Coach Docks, his players and fans for a job well done!

Wenger Paces Undefeated Middle School Squad

Jalen Wenger-2022 Dalton

Jalen Wenger (6’0/WF/2022/Dalton) currently has his Dalton Middle School team undefeated at 12-0 and is poised to enter the Wayne County Athletic League post season tournament as the No. 1 seed. According to Dean Clark, Wenger’s middle school coach, Wenger is the leading scorer (averaging over 20 points per game) and rebounder on his team and is considered one of the team’s leaders.  “With his skills and level of play, Jalen is looked to by his teammates [for leadership],” said Clark. “Jalen is a great perimeter shooter and slasher, and because of his length, he leads us in rebounding,” continued Clark.

We know Wenger well, as we’ve been following him for a while and know that he’s a prolific score; sometimes dropping 40 plus points in a single game for his father’s EBA Hoops team.  We know he has good length for his age; can shoot the heck out of the rock and is able to get to and finish near the rim.  Because he does not play for one of the more high profile teams in the state, Wenger does not get the recognition and respect his talent deserves.  In our opinion, he’s one of those kids who tends come on late and seems to materialize from nowhere and dominate.

We were so impressed with Wenger’s game that we invited him to play in the prestigious Ohio North vs South all-star game last September; selected him as Forth Team All-State last season; and currently have him ranked among the top 20 seventh graders in the state.  In 2017, Wenger will be playing with his father’s Dawg Days Basketball squad.  We look forward to getting another look at Wenger and his new team at our Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase on March 4^th, and our invitational tournament March 31^st-April 2^nd.  We would like to wish Wenger and his Dalton teammates much success in their next 4 games and tournament run.

Lori Exhibits Early Leadership

Bed Lori-2023 WF-Caldwell

It can sometimes be rare for young players to exhibit leadership traits; however, Bedi Lori (5’8/WF/2023/Caldwell) is doing just for Scott Bradley’s 2023 New Birth Warriors squad.  Lori, according to Coach Bradley, leads the Warriors, one of the most talented 6th grade teams in the state.  “Bedi is the leading score on my team and one of my leaders,” said Bradley. He’s not just a leader; Lori is skilled; is an excellent shooter; and attacks the glass with true conviction.  “He [Lori] works the glass well; plays hard; has a good attitude, and can run the point when we need him to,” continued Bradley.  Lori has recently experienced a growth spurt, and at his size and skill set, he’s versatile and able him to play multiple positions.

During the spring and summer AAU season, Lori is a key piece on Drew Lavender’s All-Ohio Red squad, where he’s surrounded by even more talent, but still manages to stand out. Of course we are very familiar with Lori’s talent, as we’ve seen him ball on several occasions, both on the summer circuit as well as at our Buckeye Prep Elite Showcases.  In fact, we think so highly of Lori that we invited him to participate in the prestigious Ohio North vs South All-Star game in September, and selected him as Third Team All-Ohio last season.  Moreover, we have Lori listed among our top 10-15 plauers in the state in his class.

Lori is already preparing himself for future success, as he currently practices with players from his local high school near Caldwell.  In addition, Lori is projected to skip 7^th grade middle school ball all together next year and go directly to the 8^th grade team.  Speaking of middle school, Lori has already demonstrated that he takes his education seriously, as he’s packing an impressive 4.0 GPA, and was selected to Buckeye Prep’s All-Academic Team last season.  You can catch Lori in action at our March 4^th elite showcase.

NEO Showcase Nearing

Little has a Chance to be Really Good

Sellers Little III-2022 Trotwood

Any discussion about elite 2022 point guards should include Dayton’s Sellers Little III (5’1/PG/2022). Little first caught our attention at our Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase last April, when his outstanding play led to an all-star appearance and a Top 5 Award. As proof that his April performance was no fluke, in September, at our biggest and most competitive showcase, Little again balled his way into the final all-star game on Sunday.  We were so impressed with what we saw with Little that we invited him to participate in the Ohio North vs South All-Star game, and selected him as Second Team All-Ohio last season.

In terms of his talent, Little is a quick, crafty PG who does well in either a scorer or playmaking role.  He is highly skilled, which includes a tight handle, great passing skills and solid court vision.  In addition, he’s dynamic, plays hard on both ends of the court and is fun to watch.  According to Treyshon Jones, Little’s Trotwood Middle School coach, Little is not only a key contributor to his team, but one of the leaders and primary scorers.  In addition, Little is described as “strong-minded and a good all-around player,” who is hard to rattle and easily handles defensive pressure.  We look forward to getting another look at Little at our March 4^th elite showcase.