Wootten Camp Notes: Southwest Edition

One other journey to the West Coast for me as I attended the Wootten High 150 Camp final weekend. It was a camp with a number of expertise and a superb quantity of southern taste. On this recap, I consider the gamers from the South that have been in attendance.

Nic Codie Has Added Muscle

It was my first time seeing 2024 Nic Codie play because the NCAA July dwell viewing interval, and he appears stronger. He performed stronger as effectively, whereas taking part in via contact to garner a rebound and on drives, he embraced contact higher to get to his spots to complete. Now he isn’t fully out-muscling guys, however the added energy positively helps him. Appreciated his motor and consistency at Wootten.

2024 Evals

Jalen Shelley, 6’8 Wing – Hyperlink Yr Academy (MO): Coming from Frisco, Texas, Shelley was good at Wootten Camp. Lefty that confirmed his scoring prowess. Snug attending to the mid-range and taking pictures, however total, he appeared to be extra snug taking pictures off the bounce. A flexible scoring menace, that when scorching, could make pictures in bunches.

David Castillo, 6’1 PG – Dawn Christian (KS): From Oklahoma, the Okay-State pledge performed effectively at Wootten Camp. Was scorching from deep, confirmed prolonged vary and since he was such a menace from 3-point land, he was capable of get to the rim and end robust.

Micah Robinson, 6’6 Wing – Oak Hill (VA): Additionally coming from the DFW, I assumed the TCU commit was stable. Performed the best approach, moved the ball and made threes off the catch. Wasn’t very assertive, however he made the best basketball play and labored inside the stream of the sport. An influence wing that’s a reliable 3-point shooter and makes use of his physique on drives.

Dillon Battie, 6’7 PF – Lancaster (TX): Speak about energy, Dillon performs with a number of it. Strongly constructed, performs very effectively off of two ft and confirmed an improved jumper. Dillon’s engine continues to go and when he finds his excellent mix of inside-out scoring, he generally is a matchup downside on the subsequent degree. Has official visits arrange with Washington and Washington State.

The 2026’s Shined

Thought it was a superb displaying for the 2026 prospects from the Southwest Area. Jacob Lanier (Maumelle, AR) out of Arkansas actually confirmed his playmaking. He acquired to spots, made the best learn persistently and shot it effectively off the catch. Somebody that’s impactful taking part in on and off the ball. Will hear his identify amongst the higher tier of that class nationally till he graduates. Loads of upside with this one.

JJ Andrews (Little Rock Christian Academy, AR) made an impression particularly in transition. An influence athlete that was incredible in transition, as he displayed his athleticism. He was a robust driver to the rim, absorbing contact effectively and flashing his taking pictures when the protection performed off of him. Confirmed why he’s nationally identified and persevering with to rise.

From Texas, I used to be impressed with Dakari Spear (The Colony, TX). A 6’4 combo that exhibits ample shot making talents. Doesn’t have loopy blow by pace however he’s artful, makes use of physique to generate separation and holds good elevation on his pull-up jumper. Trent Perry (Frisco Lone Star, TX) made his presence referred to as effectively. Athletic however makes use of go-go gadget arms to complete over taller defenders. Like his upside as a defender, his shot mechanics look cleaner and he appears extra snug taking pictures from 3-point land. Alex Barther (Jap Hills, TX) is an enormous wing that performs with power on this ambiance. He’s versatile, I used to be taken with seeing how he could be versus the older guys and I assumed he was simply positive. He regarded snug attending to the mid-range, competing on the defensive finish. Positively assume he’s a plus workforce defender that communicates. I do know what Barther can do offensively, however it’s the opposite stuff that impressed me. Can impression video games with out the scoring.

Hudson Greer Continues To Carry out

Regardless of the occasion, 2025 Hudson Greer appears to be productive. Pangos Camps, heard nice issues at USA Basketball, fall league video games, and now right here at Wootten 150 Camp. An athletic wing that is an opportunistic scorer. Assaults the rim on closeouts and when receiving a hand-off, finds the ball on missed pictures and places it again with slams, working the ground and ending transition performs. His taking pictures is coming alongside and he makes open threes. Higher shooter off the catch, however his total off the dribble taking pictures has seen an up-tick as effectively. He’s placing himself within the class as a possible McDonald’s All American for 2025. It’s early, there’s a number of basketball to be performed, however he’s serving to himself quite a bit.

2025 Evals

Jaden Toombs, 6’9 C – Dynamic Prep (TX): Jaden was very stable. He is aware of the best way to play and he has nice contact across the rim. He additionally flashed his 3-point taking pictures as a pop man. He is dedication to enhancing his physique, increasing his sport, however not floating and settling.

Leroy Kelly IV, 6’2 2/1 CG – Dynamic Prep (TX): It’s an enormous 12 months for Leroy. In years previous, he primarily performed off the ball however he’s transitioning on taking part in extra of a main ball-handler function. I consider he’s a greater choice maker than he was a 12 months in the past so I feel the transition goes positive however he hasn’t discovered the best way to mix all of it collectively but. When he’s assured in his jumper, he’s a tough cowl as a result of he’s a flexible shooter. Mixed that with improved passer really feel and abilities, he can put a number of stress on the protection.

Jermaine O’Neal, 6’5 Wing – Dynamic Prep (TX): Actually confirmed his mid-range scoring prowess. Jermaine takes pictures you in all probability wouldn’t need others to take however they go in. Contested one-legged fades, pull-up jumpers with a hand in his face, O’Neal isn’t fazed by the defender and places the ball within the gap.

Kayden Edwards, 6’2 2/1 CG – Duncanville (TX): A lefty scoring guard with supreme confidence. Made pictures from deep, has a brief reminiscence and is quick with the ball. Love his upside as a scorer and playmaker.

Dorian Hayes, 6’4 SG – Ridgepoint (TX): I like Hayes’ upside. A scoring guard that has his finest basketball is forward of him. He makes use of his size on the offensive finish as a shooter. Extending over the competition, Hayes makes use of minimal dribbles to create house and generate shot alternatives. Doesn’t get talked a lot on this class however he’s one to maintain tabs on.

King Grace, 6’4 2/1 CG – Waxahachie (TX): A scoring guard that has improved as a dwell dribble passer. I do know he can rating the ball however I needed to see how he’s improved as a passer and total choice maker. It’s positively higher than it was previously, however there’s nonetheless occasions he places himself in no-win alternatives on offense. Shot appears cleaner as effectively and he’s a assured scorer that may fill it up fast.

David Iweze, 6’8 PF/C – Ischool (TX): David has made massive strides since April and is taking part in with extra confidence. Grabs rebounds and initiates transition breaks. A great passer however a dangerous one at that so he’ll have goofy turnovers. He’s a flexible offensive menace with a superb really feel of the sport. When his motor is on, he’s uber efficient.

Cam Smith, 6’6 SF – Duncanville (TX): Cam continues to develop on me. First noticed him in Atlanta in the summertime and he was good, however he’s improved since March. Enjoying extra in management and with higher stability. He made athletic finishes in transition, confirmed a extra useful deal with and has improved as an total shooter. Excessive upside with this one, resembling Dorian Hayes, is nice now however shall be actually good later.

Outdoors The Area Observations

I’ve many notes from prospects even exterior the Southwest and I got here away very impressed with 2026 Chris Washington (The Villages, FL). A giant wing-forward with lengthy arms. He could make pictures with house, assertive on the glass and is a rim deterrent. He has some rawness to him offensively, as he can get uncontrolled at occasions however his upside is super. Shall be ranked excessive in his class all through his highschool profession.

Extra Notes

Donnie Freeman, 2025 6’9 PF – IMG (FL): Motor was repeatedly working and was making pictures as a path, pop or spot up man. Combined power, effort, toughness and perimeter taking pictures effectively and was one of many high performers there.

Moustapha Thiam, 2025 7’ C – DME Academy (FL): Has gotten stronger and is taking part in via contact higher. Confronted up and scored, had a superb quantity of offensive rebounding makes an attempt and confirmed upside as a man that may house the ground down the highway.

Nikolas Khamenia, 2025 6’7 PF/SF – Harvard Westlake (CA): Talent and really feel. That instantly stands out when watching Nikolas performs. Terrific footwork, taking pictures contact and is artful. Understands angles very effectively and retains the protection guessing. What helps him out as effectively is his passing really feel. He hits the open goal or the man in stride which then opens up his scoring alternatives.