Adidas Explosion Middle School Camp Recap
When my friend, Chad Groth former Director of Player Personnel for the Harlem Globetrotters calls, I come running. I was at Scottsdale Desert Mountain where he and Etop Udoma hosted the adidas Explosion Middle School Camp today with approximately 60 players in attendance. I’m always careful regarding pumping middle school kids because there are so many variables which will decide where these players will ultimately finish up. There was not a lot of eye popping athleticism at the camp however there were many players who have obviously spent time working on their shots. Several guys definitely stood out. Here’s my Top 10 performers:
Camp MVP: 2016 Daniel Ven Zant of Midland Alamo MS (TX)
It wasn’t even close. The Ven Zant Family drove 10 hours one way from Midland, TX to get here and their son did not squander his opportunity. He’ll be a top lead guard prospect in another couple of years on the national scene with the Texas D1 Ambassadors and once again folks will say, “Where’d this guy come from?” It won’t be any mystery to me as I’ve watched this youngster for 4 years now.
He’s got all the intangibles: work ethic, good academics, humble, coachable and a solid family background. The talent is not too shabby either as L’il Hot Sauce will shake you if you get up in him defensively, drop the long three ball if you back off or use your momentum against you as he pulls up in transition for the mid range. Money! The feel young Ven Zant has for the game is considerably above his grade level. As much as he’s capable of scoring, he is equally interested in penetrating and then dropping the sweet dime to a team mate for a lay up. Congratulations Daniel, your hard work and dedication to the game is paying off and you’re right on schedule to have a great high school career and beyond.
The other players who I thought had a very good day in alphabetical order were:
2016 Kenneth Arrick G 5’8″ Scottsdale Christian (AZ)
Arrick shot the ball well and rarely made a bad decision
2018 Brian Baptiste G 5’1″ Jo Combs MS (AZ)
Baptiste is built like a running back. Quick in a straight line he did a great job of getting to the basket and finishing in transition.
2016 Nick Brewer G 5’11″ Home School (AZ)
Brewer is a nice combo. Had solid handles and was an excellent shooter. Deceptively long and able to slash to the rim.
2018 Kwame Hymes F 5’10″ Teleos Prep (AZ)
Hymes was one of the few potential “bigs” at camp. All arms and legs as a 6th grader, he could easily end up at 6’9″ like his father who played for Pepperdine back in the day.
2016 Carlos Johnson F 6’2″ South Pointe MS (AZ)
Johnson was easily the most physically imposing player in attendance. He’s already built like a man. Explosive, he gets to the rim and tries to dunk everything. Will need to improve handles in case his vertical growth is at it’s peak.
Back Row (l to r.) Dontez Thomas, Jonathan Stevens, Carlos Johnson, Nick Brewer, Kwame Hymes, Kenneth Arrick
Front Row (l to r.) Blaise Threatt, Jacob Ries, Daniel Ven Zant, Brian Baptiste
2017 Jacob Ries G 5’1″ Sheperd MS (AZ)
Ries is one of those guys you want on your squad. He runs the point with little fanfare but has nice court vision and can shoot the ball as well.
2016 Jonathan Stevens F 6’1″ Mountain Side (AZ)
Stevens is raw but intriguing. Has that long, lean basketball body we all seek. Runs the floor extremely well, now needs to zero in on skills.
2016 Dontez Thomas G 5’7″ Highland MS (AZ)
Thomas was the best pure scorer on hand. He finished well in transition, got to the rim and was just “Johnny on the spot” when it came to loose balls and rebounds.
2019 Blaise Threatt F 5’3″ Greyhawk MS (AZ)
Threatt shows great promise for a youngster and has a natural feel for the game. Not necessarily a surprise as he’s the son of former Los Angeles Laker Sedale Threatt.
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