PHILADELPHIA – Though it was a short opening night at the Under Armour All-America Camp, there was plenty of action and a few moments.
Eighty-two of the nation’s top schoolboy players were on display at Philadelphia University’s Gallagher Center, highlighting the second live observation period. There was a who’s who of coaches in attendance plus several on-air personalities from the major sports networks.
The camp runs thru Friday with Day 2 (Thursday) a busy day with eight games, starting at 9 o’clock. Players will also practice with their teams and run through game situations.
My main emphasis tonight was Court 1, which is actually Herb Magee Court (named after the Naismith Hall of Fame coach from Philly U), where two of the four games were played. There were a handful of outstanding performances with one lopsided game result and another decided on a clutch last-second shot.
The top individual play of the evening on Court 1 was rising junior Cassius Stanley’s emphatic, flying slam-dunk off in the second quarter. The 6-foot-6 Stanley, who recently transferred to Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, Calif., is a gifted, athletic wing-guard with an explosive game.
However, Wednesday night’s top performers included:
Scottie Lewis, 6-5, 2019, Ranney School (Tinton Falls, N.J.): With the game on the line, Lewis drilled a stepback 3-pointer with a man in his face. The winner with 4.8 seconds left propelled his team to a 61-58 win. Lewis is an explosive athletic wing, who is afraid to attack the rim but ultimately he’s a finisher and a high-major recruit.
Moses Brown, 7-1, 2018, Archbishop Molloy (Briarwood, N.Y.): The long, slender post is a franchise player. That’s likely means one-and-done. He is the complete package and all the high-major coaches in the building were courtside dialed in.
Keyshawn Embery, 6-3, Midwest City (Okla.): Embery defends on every possession and quality 1-guard. He’s able to create his own shot and performed well when there was a hand in his face. Seems like Creighton, Tulsa, Houston, Purdue and Nebraska on closing in.
Precious Achiuwa, 6-9, 2019, St. Benedict’s (Newark, N.J.): The Bronx native is an athletic forward who’s game just keeps getting better this summer. Achiuwa looks comfortable on the perimeter, especially from beyond the arm, with long arms and a high release. His foot work is splendid, adding to his positive traits.
Solomon Uyaelunmo, 6-8, 2018, Calvary Christian (Miami, Fla.): He’s a stretch-4 or a big wing that can knock a three and attack the rim with ease. Quick feet and the ability to defend four positions (1 thru 4) give him a special skill set. Louisville, Georgetown and Memphis are a few that have offered the rising senior.
Jermaine Harris, 6-9, 2018, Rock Creek Christian (Upper Marlboro, Md.): Harris can attack from the wing and showed he can drop in a long jumper. He’s a bouncy forward on defense, utilizing quick feet and instincts.
Jabri Abdur-Rahim, 6-6, 2020, Seton Hall Prep (West Orange, N.J.): He’s only a rising sophomore and the son of a former NBA player. He attends one of the top schools in New Jersey and has great bloodlines. Abdur-Rahim is a still growing and has a quick first step. He looked comfortable on the wing with a quick rising shot. Already a high-major prospect.
Michael Durr, 6-11, 2018, Oldsmar (Fla.) Christian: Durr is from Atlanta and a physical forward who sets road block screens and would thrive in an up-tempo, NBA-type offense. He cleans up on the glass and battles on every play—a coach’s dream. He has interest from DePaul, Texas Tech, Memphis, Pittsburgh and South Florida to name a few.
Roll Call
To give you an idea of the talent level, here are the rosters by camp team, with several rising sophomores on the list:
Drive: Nico Mannion, 6-2, Pinnacle (Scottsdale, Ariz.); Aaron Wiggins, 6-6, Wesleyan Christian (N.C.); Erik Stevenson, 6-6, Timberline (Lacey, Wash.); Jahvon Quinerly, 6-2, Hudson Catholic (Jersey City, N.J.); DeAvion Washington, 6-3, South Vigo (Terre Haute, Ind.); Scottie Lewis, 6-5, Ranney School (Tinton Falls, N.J.); Jaiden Delaire, 6-8, Loomis-Chaffee School (Conn.); Justin Lewis, 6-7, Calvert Hall (Baltimore); Moses Brown, 7-1, Archbishop Molloy (Briarwood, N.Y.); Immanuel Bates, 6-10, Northwood Temple Academy (N.C.).
Charged: Keyshawn, 6-3, Midwest City (Okla.); Donovan Totley, 5-8, Riverdale Baptist School (Upper Marlboro, Md.); Jack Clark, 6-7, Cheltenham (Wyncote, Pa.); Justin Ahrens, 6-6, Versailles, Ohio; Prentiss Hubb, 6-3, Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.); Bryan Antoine, 6-5, Ranney School (N.J.); Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, 6-9, Bishop Miege (Shawnee Mission, Kan.); Gibson Jimerson, 6-5, St. Christopher’s (Richmond, Va.); Brandon Martin, 6-5, Woodstock Academy (Conn.); Jacobi Gordon, 6-7, Home School (Houston); Akeem Odusipe, 6-8, Knoxville (Tenn.) Christian.
Will: Noah Farrakhan, 6-1, St. Benedict’s (Newark, N.J.); Anfernee Simons, 6-4, Edgewater (Orlando, Fla.); Jaden Springer, 6-4, Rocky Rover (Charlotte, N.C.); Rodgerick Brown, 6-7, Cordova (Memphis, Tenn.); Eric Ayala, 6-5, Putnam Science Academy (Conn.); Precious Achiuwa, 6-9, St. Benedict’s (N.J.); Jermaine Harris, 6-9, Rock Creek Christian (Upper Marlboro, Md.); Donta Scott, 6-7, Imhotep (Philadelphia); Ian Steere, 6-8, Wesleyan Christian (N.C.); Solomon Uyaelunmo, 6-8, Calvary Christian (Miami).
Clutch: Cashius McNeilly, 6-4, Thornlea Secondary (Thornhill, Ontario, Canada); Devon Dotson, 6-2, Providence Day (Charlotte, N.C.); Miller Kopp, 6-7, Houston (Texas) Christian; LJ Owens, 6-3, Severn School (Severna Park, Md.); Cassius Stanley, 6-6, Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.); David Singleton, 6-5, Bishop Montgomery (Torrance, Calif.); Darius Days, 6-8, The Rock School (Gainesville, Fla.); Jabri Abdur-Rahim, 6-6, Seton Hall Prep (West Orange, N.J.); Makhi Mitchell, 6-10, Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.); Michael Durr, 6-11, Oldsmar Christian (Fla.).
Humble: James Bishop, 6-3, Mount St. Joseph (Baltimore); Jared Bynum, 5-11, Georgetown Prep (North Bethesda, Md.); Tyronn Mosley, 6-5, Orr (Chicago); Josh Green, 6-5, Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix); Jahmius Ramsey, 6-5, Mansfield Summit (Texas); Maichel Mitchell, 6-10, Bishop McNamara (Md.); Tavin Lovan*, 6-4, Hargrave Military Academy (Chatham, Va.); Joseph Baker, 6-8, Trinity Christian (Fayetteville, N.C.); Emmanuel Dowuona, 6-11, Westwood Christian (Fla.); Naz Reid, 6-10, Roselle (N.J.) Catholic.
Hungry: Zach Harvey, 6-5, Hudson Catholic (N.J.); PJ Byrd, 6-1, George Bush (Texas); Anthony Edwards, 6-3, Holy Spirit Prep (Atlanta); Jalen Suggs, 6-3, Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis); Tyrese Martin*, 6-6, William Allen (Allentown, Pa.); Saddiq Bey, 6-7, Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.); Lamar Norman, 6-3, Godwin Heights (Minn.); Jalen Johnson, 6-6, Sun Prairie (Wis.); Javian Fleming, 6-9, Canton (Miss.); Eric Dixon, 6-8, Abington (Pa.); Jaycson, 6-7, Booker T. Washington (Tulsa, Okla.).
Passion: Jalen Gaffney, 6-3, Westtown (West Chester, Pa.); Jamal Mashburn Jr., 6-1, Gulliver Prep (Miami); Emmitt Matthews Jr., 6-7, Wilson (Tacoma, Wash.); Jordan McCabe, 6-0, Kaukauna (Hawaii); Marvin Price, 6-4, Patterson (Baltimore); Isaiah Wong, 6-3, Notre Dame (Lawrenceville, N.J.); Micah Peavy, 6-6, Dekaney (Spring, Texas); Joshua Leblanc, 6-7, Madison Prep (Baton Rouge, La.); Morris Udeze*, 6-9, Fort Bend Travis (Missouri City, Texas); Riley Battin, 6-10,cOak Park (Calif.).
Energy: Tyler Harris, 5-10, Cordova (Tenn.); Atiba Taylor, 6-0, Hackensack (N.J.); Elijah Weaver, 6-5, Oldsmar Christian (Fla.); Seth Lundy, 6-6, Roman Catholic (Philadelphia); Alex Klatsky, 6-4, Ranney School (N.J.); Jyarec Davis, 6-6, Sanford School (Hockessin, Del.); Khavon Moore, 6-8, Westside (Macon, Ga.); Miles Norris, 6-10, Helix (San Diego); Russell Barlow, 6-9, Berkner (Texas); Michael Uchendu*, 6-9, Sao Paolo, Brazil.
* Player is from the Class of 2017; likely to do a post-graduate year
Senior Writer and national analyst for Blue Media and compiles the Blue Star Elite 25 national boys and girls high school basketball and football rankings during the season. Lawlor, an award-winning writer, is a voting committee member and advisor for several national high school events, including the McDonald’s All-American Games. He previously wrote for USA TODAY and ESPN.com, where he was the national preps writer, while compiling the national rankings in four sports.