2010 NCA Classic Selected Player Evals
Ron Bailey, Publisher
The 2010 NCA Classic presented top talent.
February 20, 2010 - Friday and Saturday, the 2010 NCA Classic Maryland vs North Carolina Challenge occurred, and succeed in its goal of providing talented players at high schools in Maryland and North Carolina a platform to display their ability. To that end, following are several brief player evaluations. For the record, the Free State bested their Tarheel brethren, 4-2.
Krestel Heights (NC public charter school)
Khalil Alford, 6'4"+, 185 pound junior swingman - Georgetown and Seton Hall have previously, joining other schools of varied basketball levels in showing Alford interest, as the former power forward is now moving out to the perimeter, where he can post and shoot. Ball handling can be developed further. Plays on the travel circuit for VA Assault, and is efficient.
Traeveon Leonard wheels and deals.
Traevon Leonard, 6'9", 300 pound junior center - All the SEC schools outside of Kentucky covet Traeveon - Miss State, South Carolina and Ole Miss have offered; he averages 15 points and 8-9 rebounds a game. Obviously a big player, Leonard is light on his feet, has solid balance, and will mix it up inside. Has a decent mid-range game, and likes to back opponents down. Likely needs to get stronger/lose some weight to maximize his talent in college.
Darius Leonard, 6'8", 180 pound senior forward - Athletic and mobile, the older brother of Traevon is also a smart player who displays leadership and polish. Marquette, Iona, Tulane and VCU, per his coaches have offered, with Iona leading. Darius paces Krestel Heights in rebounding and shot blocking, and likely will be a roaming four man in college. Could stand to get stronger.
Martel Baines - 6'6", 210 pound senior forward - A solid all-around tweaner, Baines is getting recruited by Hampton and Campbell, as he can work around the rim offensively and defensively, while also canning mid-range to three point land jumpers. Ball handling work is necessary.
Mount Zion (NC private school)
Cleanthony Early - 6'6", 200 pound senior forward - Possibly headed to junior college, Early is active, defends, can rebound and scores around the rim. The New Yorker needs to concentrate on patting the rock and moving away from the rim, where smaller players will find him a problem.
Cleo Early snags a board.
Christian Faith Academy (NC private school)
Kevin Thomas - 6'8", 185 pound junior forward - Long and active, this lefty can finish. He's not a true swingman right now - ball handling must be improved - but Thomas could flourish in a situation where he can get to the rim with two, three dribbles. Also hits outside shots. Canuck will be a big time recruit, as Arkansas, NC State and UCLA are interested, and Marquette has offered.
Kevin Thomas on the move.
Braeden Anderson - 6'8", 220 pound senior forward - Anderson is an activity guy, a player that's successful by outworking opponnents. Must develop his shot and dribbling further. Miami has offered, as have Charlotte and Wake Forest, while NC State, Texas and Florida State are interested. Native of Canada.
Byron Rhymes - 5'10", 160 pound senior point guard - Though this fully qualified Canadian only likes to go right, UC Riverside, Weber State and Division II schools are interested; it makes sense, given he's heady, knows the game and loves to find teammates for easy scores.
National Christian Academy (MD private school)
Jarell Briggs - 6'1", 180 pound junior combo guard - Briggs is very athletic, and provides minutes at both guard positions. Mid-major schools are sniffing, and the more Jarell embraces a point guard mindset, more schools will line up.
Javon Moore - 6'2", 180 pound junior combo guard - Javon displays excellent chemistry with Briggs and vice versa, and like his backcourt mate does some of everything. Moore just seems to get points via jumpers, drives and fastbreak opportunities, and loves to strap up. Must decide to be more of a lead guard.
Deji Egbeyemi and Javon Moore go after a ball.
Ayodeji Egbeyemi - 6'4" 190 pound junior swingman - Having bounced back from a injury, Egbeyimi is now attacking the rims once again, while also hitting three point jumpers when shooting in stride. His handle has improved, which will facilitate success in college, though the work must continue. Charlotte has recruited Egbeyemi, as have schools like Loyola Marymount and Marquette. The last school no longer seems to be in the mix, and Marymount may be out front presently.
Progressive Christian Academy (MD private school)
Jordan Goodman - 6'9", 190 pound sophomore swingman - Long known to recruiters, Goodman played well Saturday, as he punished rims in addition to displaying his silky jumpshot. Goodman, who is getting Big East, ACC and Big 12 looks, must continue to play hard consistently and further his ball handling.
Jordan Goodman finds a teammate.
Moses Abraham - 6'9", 210 pound senior forward/center - Moses cleaned the glass and scored down low, showing why this recent arrival from Nigeria is coveted by Georgetown, Maryland, Seton Hall, Miami, Marquette, Virginia Tech and Kansas State, who amongst others, have tendered scholarship offers. Long (7 foot plus wingspan) and willing to bang down low, Moses must develop his footwork and various shots more fully.
Ibrahima Dijinde - 6'8", 200 pound junior forward - Currently unrecruited, the saavy college coach will get on him now, as once Ibrahima, a native of Chad (Africa) hits the travel team circuit, his recruitment will take off. Dijinde already has a solid mid range shot, posts, rebounds and block shots. He also has a solid feel for the game, though Dijinde must advance his ball handling skills to maximize it.
Kervin Rameau - 6'4", 165 pound junior swingman - Likely the most consistent defender in this event, Rameau not only straps up in half court settings, but also sprints back on defense, frequently breaking up fast breaks. Kervin, who actually hails from Planet Brooklyn (NY) also attacks the rim, and must strengthen his body and jumpshot for college ball. Mid-majors are starting to evaluate him.
Princeton Day Academy
Stephane Manga - 6'5", 200 pound senior swingman - A Parisian, Manga loves to attack the tin, finishing hard and with a vengeance. Manga is presently slept on by colleges, and will round out his game when he trusts this jumper - though it has improved.
Chris Thomas - 6'4", 160 pound freshman point guard - Thomas is a wunderkind, in that he can get shots from the perimeter and at the rim, fairly at will. Going forward, to maximize his potential, Thomas must embrace more of a team focus, running a squad. Consistently, Chris, a Denver native, must also defend and learn to maximize his talents. He is tracked to be a top recruit as a senior.
Stephane Manga shooting.
Isaac Fullwood - 6'2, 200 pound senior guard - Fullwood is a combo guard that is likely more at home at the 'two', but can slide over for point guard work. Isaac needs to likely get in better shape, which will allow him to penetrate and handle ball pressure better. NC Central (DII), Marshall and E. Washington have expressed interest.