2016 NATIONAL 5th Grade
5th grade top 20 all stars
#121 LA Hayes- LA is no stranger to NEO, he has been putting in work ever since he was in the 2nd grade playing against older kids. LA dominated all weekend, NO ONE could stop him from doing what he wanted to do. LA has been working on his body too, putting a little muscle on has helped him take bumps and get to the basket and finish. He's an elite player.
#88 Adisa Molton- was so hard to stop this weekend that teams started double teaming him when he got the ball. One game we watched-he scored 24 points and they were all mostly to the basket. Adisa had it going so much that he was calling for clear outs and isolations. He didn't slow it down on defense either, he'd pick up his man at half court and did a great job at keeping them in front. He is a big time scorer that knows how (and when) to score.
#80 Noah Cutler- handles were ridiculous for his age, he had the ball on the string that nobody could even imagine. Had a 1,2 crossover that he went to every time- but nobody could stop it. When he didn't have the ball in his hands he did a good job moving with out the ball and always had his hands ready to let it fly. On defense he wasn't having it, no one could score on him and he made it his business to live by it.
#63 Kellon Smith- Like a true competitor, Kellon knows how to play both ends of the floor. He is tough and is an amazing slasher who can get to the basket and play multiple positions on the floor. It obvious that he is working on his game because he gets better every year. The NEO coaches commented multiple times that he was just a "joy" to watch. No doubt this kid has a bright future.
#122 Jaiden Vital- held his own on block all weekend. There were many kids that did not want to play the post -but not Jaiden, he demanded the ball when he had a smaller defender on him and when he got the ball be just turned around and made easy shots. He has to continue to keep playing hard the whole time, and when he figures out that he can be a beast all the time, look out!
#161 Devin Sanford- if there was a rebound that was needed you could always count on Devin to either get it or make an attempt to get it. He had some key rebounds and put backs that helped his team win games. He was awesome on defense, changing shots blocking shots and staying solid on his man. He was smart in the post and didn't force up shots. If he was doubled he kicked the ball out for open shots.
#12 Jyles Brandon- Jyles isn't a stranger around NEO, he has been a consistent player with the will to win. Jyles has a great feel for the game with a very high basketball IQ. His shot was on point but some of his passes made you look like "how did he see him?". His quickness hasn't caught up with his height yet but when it does, he will be in the talks of the best guard around.
#104 Grady Whitt- was a big that did the dirty work, like dive on the floor for loose balls and try to do Lebron chase down blocks. He was a force in the middle that got to the free throw line a lot. Whenever he went there you can count on that basket being counted. Hit a couple outside shots but made his money rebounding and getting easy put back points.
#35 Karl Burroughs- for his size you would think he was a post but Karl can do it all. He made shots from outside and inside, an on defense he guarded every position. Was really impressed with how he rebounded the ball kept it high and went back up for layups. His outlet passes from the post got his team a lot of easy points in transition that also helped them win games.
#32 Zachary Lekna- it's always a joy to watch a kid that just never takes plays off, Zach was one. What he brings to the game you just can't teach, and that's a motor that just doesn't stop running. He was all over the floor all weekend, from running the floor to rebound and even getting on the floor going after loose balls. Zach is the epitome of a "hard worker."
#5 Roddy Gaymon- everything that came from Roddy this weekend was all from the paint. Roddy knew his role and he played it well. He made easy shots in the paint from just being at the right place at the right time. Shots that didn't go in from his teammates could always count on Roddy either getting a offensive rebound and a put back or his hands on the ball keeping it away from the other team.
#155 Jakhary Towns- at times Jakhary looked like the best player on the floor, and then there were times he looked like the best player in his class in the nation! Towns did it all and I mean all, scored off the dribble, made tough layups in traffic, knocked down open three's and even though he could score when he wanted too he shared the ball with his teammates and spread the love. Towns didn't talk much but his game did the talking for him. Silent killer.
#93 Aden Holloway- Aden must put in a lot of work in the mid range area because anything he threw up went in. There were times he had wide open looks for a three but took a dribble or two inside where he knew it was automatic. He also was able to finish tough shots in the paint with multiple defenders on him. Has a good feel for the game with a great attitude to go along with it.
#4 Tommie Benn- anytime there was a stop needed- coach knew there was at least one person who was going to step up and give it his all - Tommie. A true definition of a lockdown defender. His speed, quickness ,and toughness is what helps him get big stops in big moments. Tommie's offense is his defense, he get a lot of points off steals from his physical play on defense.
#162 Jujuan Ray- you don't see too many kids at this age with big huge hands. Ray has hands like a grown man and it showed. He snagged rebounds with one hand made outlet passes the high schoolers probably couldn't make. No matter what type of pass came his way he was catching it. He would make a great wide receiver,but, I think he will be just find on the basketball court too.
#135 Caelan Wright- was a joy to just sit and watch and really watch how the game is supposed to be played- especially on defense, Caelan knew where to be and when to be there on the floor. He kept his head on the swivel seeing his man and the ball at all times, and what really had us like wow; he was talking on defense. When I mean talking, he talked! He screamed out when screens where coming, put his hand up when shots where up screaming out shot! Did all the little things-winning things.
#164 Matt Charney- if this was a dog fight and we could captain up I would die for first pick just go pick Matt. He was one of the toughest meanest kids on the floor and we loved every minute of it. There was no one that was going to out work him, if they did on that play, best believe Matt didn't forgot about it. True warrior and will do anything for his team to win.
#169 Caleb Walker- his coach told us that Caleb had the best play of camp and nobody noticed it but him, we asked what did he do. Coached looked at us and said "took a charge" it was funny but we had to think, no one wants to take charges in all star camps. Caleb did. He stood there and took like a man smiled and pointed to his team, in my book it has to be one of the best plays of camp. Not just a good play but a winning play.
#18 Adam Williams- if there was a top defender award in camp, Adam would definitely be in the talks to getting that award. I think Adam loved being on defense more then offense, he passed up on some shots that he could have shot, but, seemed like he only did it so he could get a head start back on defense and do what he do best and that's lock down defenders.
#22 Bryce Epps-was a sleeper coming into camp, by the end of the camp Bryce had coaches asking his name and where he was from. Bryce made some plays that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. You can see a lot of potential in him. If Bryce stays working hard and staying focused he will definitely be the one to beat.
#110 Shaun Chandler- Not too many guards can lead a team like Chandler. He excelled at seeing the floor, making great passes and zipping past his defenders. He has an unbelievable feel for the game, high basketball IQ and was outstanding at getting to the basket and getting to the rim and making plays for others. The sky is the limit for this kid.
5th Grade Top Performers
http://www.bballspotlight.com/2016/06/neo-national-showcase-class-of-2023-top.html
#121 LA Hayes- LA is no stranger to NEO, he has been putting in work ever since he was in the 2nd grade playing against older kids. LA dominated all weekend, NO ONE could stop him from doing what he wanted to do. LA has been working on his body too, putting a little muscle on has helped him take bumps and get to the basket and finish. He's an elite player.
#88 Adisa Molton- was so hard to stop this weekend that teams started double teaming him when he got the ball. One game we watched-he scored 24 points and they were all mostly to the basket. Adisa had it going so much that he was calling for clear outs and isolations. He didn't slow it down on defense either, he'd pick up his man at half court and did a great job at keeping them in front. He is a big time scorer that knows how (and when) to score.
#80 Noah Cutler- handles were ridiculous for his age, he had the ball on the string that nobody could even imagine. Had a 1,2 crossover that he went to every time- but nobody could stop it. When he didn't have the ball in his hands he did a good job moving with out the ball and always had his hands ready to let it fly. On defense he wasn't having it, no one could score on him and he made it his business to live by it.
#63 Kellon Smith- Like a true competitor, Kellon knows how to play both ends of the floor. He is tough and is an amazing slasher who can get to the basket and play multiple positions on the floor. It obvious that he is working on his game because he gets better every year. The NEO coaches commented multiple times that he was just a "joy" to watch. No doubt this kid has a bright future.
#122 Jaiden Vital- held his own on block all weekend. There were many kids that did not want to play the post -but not Jaiden, he demanded the ball when he had a smaller defender on him and when he got the ball be just turned around and made easy shots. He has to continue to keep playing hard the whole time, and when he figures out that he can be a beast all the time, look out!
#161 Devin Sanford- if there was a rebound that was needed you could always count on Devin to either get it or make an attempt to get it. He had some key rebounds and put backs that helped his team win games. He was awesome on defense, changing shots blocking shots and staying solid on his man. He was smart in the post and didn't force up shots. If he was doubled he kicked the ball out for open shots.
#12 Jyles Brandon- Jyles isn't a stranger around NEO, he has been a consistent player with the will to win. Jyles has a great feel for the game with a very high basketball IQ. His shot was on point but some of his passes made you look like "how did he see him?". His quickness hasn't caught up with his height yet but when it does, he will be in the talks of the best guard around.
#104 Grady Whitt- was a big that did the dirty work, like dive on the floor for loose balls and try to do Lebron chase down blocks. He was a force in the middle that got to the free throw line a lot. Whenever he went there you can count on that basket being counted. Hit a couple outside shots but made his money rebounding and getting easy put back points.
#35 Karl Burroughs- for his size you would think he was a post but Karl can do it all. He made shots from outside and inside, an on defense he guarded every position. Was really impressed with how he rebounded the ball kept it high and went back up for layups. His outlet passes from the post got his team a lot of easy points in transition that also helped them win games.
#32 Zachary Lekna- it's always a joy to watch a kid that just never takes plays off, Zach was one. What he brings to the game you just can't teach, and that's a motor that just doesn't stop running. He was all over the floor all weekend, from running the floor to rebound and even getting on the floor going after loose balls. Zach is the epitome of a "hard worker."
#5 Roddy Gaymon- everything that came from Roddy this weekend was all from the paint. Roddy knew his role and he played it well. He made easy shots in the paint from just being at the right place at the right time. Shots that didn't go in from his teammates could always count on Roddy either getting a offensive rebound and a put back or his hands on the ball keeping it away from the other team.
#155 Jakhary Towns- at times Jakhary looked like the best player on the floor, and then there were times he looked like the best player in his class in the nation! Towns did it all and I mean all, scored off the dribble, made tough layups in traffic, knocked down open three's and even though he could score when he wanted too he shared the ball with his teammates and spread the love. Towns didn't talk much but his game did the talking for him. Silent killer.
#93 Aden Holloway- Aden must put in a lot of work in the mid range area because anything he threw up went in. There were times he had wide open looks for a three but took a dribble or two inside where he knew it was automatic. He also was able to finish tough shots in the paint with multiple defenders on him. Has a good feel for the game with a great attitude to go along with it.
#4 Tommie Benn- anytime there was a stop needed- coach knew there was at least one person who was going to step up and give it his all - Tommie. A true definition of a lockdown defender. His speed, quickness ,and toughness is what helps him get big stops in big moments. Tommie's offense is his defense, he get a lot of points off steals from his physical play on defense.
#162 Jujuan Ray- you don't see too many kids at this age with big huge hands. Ray has hands like a grown man and it showed. He snagged rebounds with one hand made outlet passes the high schoolers probably couldn't make. No matter what type of pass came his way he was catching it. He would make a great wide receiver,but, I think he will be just find on the basketball court too.
#135 Caelan Wright- was a joy to just sit and watch and really watch how the game is supposed to be played- especially on defense, Caelan knew where to be and when to be there on the floor. He kept his head on the swivel seeing his man and the ball at all times, and what really had us like wow; he was talking on defense. When I mean talking, he talked! He screamed out when screens where coming, put his hand up when shots where up screaming out shot! Did all the little things-winning things.
#164 Matt Charney- if this was a dog fight and we could captain up I would die for first pick just go pick Matt. He was one of the toughest meanest kids on the floor and we loved every minute of it. There was no one that was going to out work him, if they did on that play, best believe Matt didn't forgot about it. True warrior and will do anything for his team to win.
#169 Caleb Walker- his coach told us that Caleb had the best play of camp and nobody noticed it but him, we asked what did he do. Coached looked at us and said "took a charge" it was funny but we had to think, no one wants to take charges in all star camps. Caleb did. He stood there and took like a man smiled and pointed to his team, in my book it has to be one of the best plays of camp. Not just a good play but a winning play.
#18 Adam Williams- if there was a top defender award in camp, Adam would definitely be in the talks to getting that award. I think Adam loved being on defense more then offense, he passed up on some shots that he could have shot, but, seemed like he only did it so he could get a head start back on defense and do what he do best and that's lock down defenders.
#22 Bryce Epps-was a sleeper coming into camp, by the end of the camp Bryce had coaches asking his name and where he was from. Bryce made some plays that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. You can see a lot of potential in him. If Bryce stays working hard and staying focused he will definitely be the one to beat.
#110 Shaun Chandler- Not too many guards can lead a team like Chandler. He excelled at seeing the floor, making great passes and zipping past his defenders. He has an unbelievable feel for the game, high basketball IQ and was outstanding at getting to the basket and getting to the rim and making plays for others. The sky is the limit for this kid.
5th Grade Top Performers
http://www.bballspotlight.com/2016/06/neo-national-showcase-class-of-2023-top.html