Prep Stars invade RI, ready for the future
Wednesday, February 05, 2014
The annual National Prep School Invitational (NPSI) took place this past weekend at Rhode Island College in Providence. While there was no obvious future NBA top-three draft pick at this year’s event, there was still plenty of high major talent on hand.
Once again, several colleges sent coaches to the NPSI to watch the action including Providence College (the entire staff), University of Rhode Island (Preston Murphy), Virginia Commonwealth (Shakka Smart), Creighton, Maryland, Boston College and many others. Listed below are capsule reports on some of the uncommitted players who stood out during the tournament:
Devonte’ Graham
Graham and his Brewster Academy team only played one game in the tournament, but he was the tournament MVP in these eyes. Devonte’ possesses that rare combination of elite point guard skills combined with a smooth outside shooting touch. Unfortunately for Graham, he is in a kind of NCAA limbo as he won’t be eligible to play at a major college in 2014 unless he is released from the Letter of Intent he originally signed with Appalachian State. Still, Providence College along with several other top programs would love to add Graham to their rosters whether it be in 2014 or 2015.
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Jalen Adams
Adams has slowly but surely developed into one of the elite prospects in the 2015 class. Whether it be through his passing ability or his clutch outside shooting he just seems to find ways to win in pressure situations. Adams was recently listed for the first time in the ESPN Top 60 for the 2015 class and he should keep climbing up the rankings as he continues to improve. Originally thought of as a combo/shooting guard, Adams has shown that he will have no problem playing the point guard position for a high major program. His pass to win Cushing’s game against West Oaks Academy beating the buzzer was a thing of beauty. Adams was outstanding in the two games Cushing played at the tournament and won the NPSI tournament MVP. Most of the national programs are now aware of him and he will be a tough get for whoever lands him. Providence College was in on him early and continue to remain in the hunt for 6’2" point guard.
Donovan Mitchell
Mitchell is probably PC’s number one recruiting target in the 2015 class and wherever he and his Brewster team plays there is sure to be a member of the Friar staff watching. This past Sunday was no exception as the entire PC staff was on hand to watch Mitchell and his Brewster teammates take on Vermont Academy. The 6’3" shooting guard did not have a great game but still filled up the stat sheet with eight points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. Mitchell is an incredible athlete who once or twice a game has a “Did you see that?” moment. He needs to work on his outside shot but has the type of work ethic where this will not be a problem. With his incredible athletic ability and natural feel for the game, Mitchell could have more upside than anyone else at the tournament.
Anas Osama
It is very rare for a player to make his debut in the ESPN Top 100 this late in his senior year, but that is what West Oaks Academy’s Osama just did, coming in at 69 in the latest ESPN rankings. Throw in the fact that he is 7’1" and possesses all of the basketball tools and it is even more incredible. Osama can pass, shoot the three, handle the ball, and protect the rim on the defensive end. Against Cushing Academy he did a little of everything while amazing the crowd with his unbelievable coordination for someone his size. His natural position in college may be as a three or a stretch four. Osama may have only recently come on the scene but high major programs are aware of him and Louisville may have the inside track at this point in his recruitment. Look for interest to continue to grow as he is one of the few 2014 uncommitted ESPN Top 100 players left on the board.
Jarred Reuter
The 6’8" power forward from Brewster Academy continues to impresswith his low post moves and general basketball awareness on the court. Reuter is the “big body with the wide backside” type of player that PC’s Ed Cooley really loves. He had a very nice game against Vermont Academy scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, and was a force underneath the entire game. Not bad at all for someone coming off the bench for Brewster. The Friar staff will continue to recruit Reuter throughout the season.
Jarvis Garrett
The 5’11" point guard had a very solid tournament as he filled up the stat sheet in all three games he played as his Notre Dame Prep team went undefeated. Garrett’s best game was on Thursday when he had 24 points (six three pointers), six assists, four rebounds, and two steals leading Notre Dame Prep to a 63-57 victory over Zion Academy. What is more important however, is that Garrett announced that the final two schools he is considering are URI and Marquette and that he will make a decision on which school he will attend next year on February 9th. Garrett would be a very nice addition to the Rams' backcourt next year.
Aaron Falzon
Falzon, a 6’8" power forward from Northfield Mount Hermon, continues to impress everyone with his outside shot, but over the summer he has added more weapons to his offensive arsenal and is now a more well-rounded player, not just an outside shooter. He is going to be a stretch four at the next level who will also be able to do some damage underneath and will also provide you with five or six rebounds a game. The PC staff has been recruiting Falzon for a long time and they should be a factor as he narrows down the list of schools that he is considering.
Jonathan Joseph
Joseph, a 2015 point guard for Tilton, ran the point very nicely in Tilton’s game against Northfield Mount Hermon, finishing with 17 points and nine assists. The 5’9" Joseph could play for a high major program and be a valuable contributor as long as you don’t ask him to do too much.
Terrance Mann
The 6’5" small forward from Tilton is an elite athlete who is absolutely fantastic in the open court. He is going to need to improve his outside shot at the next level but will be a nice catch for whoever lands him. At this point it looks like he is Georgetown’s to lose.
Matt Cimino
Cimino had a very nice tournament for Worcester Academy including a 14 point 10 rebound performance in a victory against Tabor Academy. He continued to show his deadly outside shot which makes him a hot commodity for high major programs looking for a 6’10" stretch four. During the summer, Cimino also added some nice low post moves to his game which will help him at the next level.
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