2024 Up Next Elite Camp

by Darnell Johnson

 August 17-18, 2024       –        New Orleans, LA

I had the pleasure of covering a well run camp with very good talent in attendance. They did a great job of teaching on and off the court. They had the support of some of the NBA hottest young stars with Ja Morant leading the way blessing the kids with his experiences and one of the most respected players in the NBA CJ McCullum dropping knowledge on the kids. NBA basketball trainer Jonathan Thomas and his trainer partners did a great job of selecting talent. They selected a little over 60 kids and quite a few drew my attention.

Below are some of the standouts in attendance:

2027 Dooney Johnson 6’5 SG (Juneau) Milwaukee , WI

Coming into the camp, I heard a lot of good things about the young man and after watching him perform it was all warranted. For a young age he has the complete package. He can beat you inside out. He has some back to the basket footwork, but his strength is facing up and beating you off the dribble. He showed he could knock down the three point shot with consistency. When engaged he showed he can be a lock down defender. Towards the end of camp he seemed to get bored and i would love to see him engaged all the way through next time.

2027 Darrell Davis 5’11 PG (Archbishop John Carroll) Wayne, PA

I’ve seen this young kid play on quite a few a occasions and one thing i can say, he always comes to play and he always brings a flair with his game. He has outstanding handles and handles the ball on a string. He has an incredible feel for such a young age for navigating through traffic and not becoming rattled. He always looking up and he can see the whole court. I enjoyed watching him make his teammates better. Im real impressed with his work ethic because every time I watch him play his long distance shooting seems to be more consistent. On the defensive end I was very impressed with his instinct. He showed when he wanted to he could guard 94 feet and be a problem for the opposing team. 

2027 Nathalio Gray Jr. 5’11 PG (The Branson School) Pinole, CA

This was first time getting a chance to lay eyes on Natahlio and some people had informed me that he’s a combo guard. Thats far from the truth, this young mans a true PG. He’s always looking up. He find the open teammate and his handles are outstanding. He plays with a very good pace and his IQ and toughness is off the charts. I’ve heard he’s a little under the radar on the west coast. If it’s up to me all thats going to change. he can straight out ball and his game translates to being a big impact early in his high school career. He’s not just one of the best PG’s I’ve seen on the west coast in his class he’s’ one of the best in the country.

2028 DJ Okoth 6’5 WF (Bartlet) Memphis, TN

Without even knowing where he’s from, by watching him play, I saw Memphis all over his game. He’s a tough you slasher that loves to get to the rim and can finish i a variety of ways. He’s very bouncy and athletic. He competed in every aspect of the camp. He was tuned in during film session, he went a 110 in drill work and in the games he competed from start to finish. He showed at times he could knock down the three ball, but i like to see him become more consistent from long range. The way that it looks how his body is developing he still may have a large growth sport in his future. 

2028 Marceles Duncan 6’6 WF/PF (Range View) Aurora, CA

This summer he made a statement with his game that he is one of the best wings in the 2028 class in the country. He’s physical and explosive. He fills the lane with speed and power. He understands his length, strength and athleticism is his strength and he using them to his full advantage. He consistently knocked down the mid-range jumper along with some occasional 3 pointers. He knows when he’s playing downhill and attacking the basketball that in his class theres not many out there that contest him. He was tenacious on the glass on both ends. He has a brother thats 6’10 and if even gets close to that height he could become very special.

2027 Kellen Brewer 6’4 SG (Country Day) LA

I was informed after the camp, that this mans father is former college and NBA star Corey Brewer. After reflecting on his play, I can say he has a lot of his father’s attributes. He first set the tone on the defensive end with his play. He was all over the place. He was locking down 94 feet and playing the passing lane. His defensive effort was incredible. Now with that being said he was also balling on the offensive end. At times he would get loose with the ball and I mentioned it to him and I like how he made an effort to correct on the spot. He was creative getting to the basket and finishing. He was impressive when the game became erratic on how he thrived. His jump shot wasn’t pretty but it was fairly effective.

2027 Heath French 6’5 SG/WF (St Patrick-St. Vincent) Vallejo, CA

He was by far one of the most physical and athletic kids in camp. He was punishing going to the basket. He had numerous and ones. His energy is one of the things that really stood out to me. He seemed to be in on every play. He played like this camp was a business trip. He surprised me with his outside touch. On the defensive end he physical in the paint and dominant on the glass. 

I like poised he plays on both ends. I know he had a good high school season last year but this year i look for his game to explode. His name is starting to ring nationally, I feel by the end of the school year his name will singing nationally.

2028 Tre Pittman 5’10 CG (Pelham) Pelham, AL

The improvement of his game over the past few years has been tremendous. He scores so efficiently and for his age that is very rare. His patience to get to where he wants and when he wants is fun to watch. He was guarded by taller, stronger and faster players and didn’t seem to deter him from getting the shots he wants.  I would love to see him get his teammates involved and become more of a facilitator. It’s sometimes hard for players wired to score to change their game. He showed at times on defensive end that he can disrupt the defense by playing the lanes. I would’ve liked to see him more aggressive when playing on ball defense. I definitely see his minutes going up dramatically at Pelham this year.

2027 Jesse Brown 6’5 WF (St George’s) TN

His length and athleticism is the first thing that catches your eye, but his motor is his best attribute. You can’t teach energy. Most his damage was done on the break filling the lane are attacking and being aggressive on the offensive glass. He set the tone in every game by being aggressive on the defensive end. He blocked and changed numerous shots. He showed that he can guard multiple positions which was very impressive. When his offensive package expands and catches up to his defensive package his game will take off to another level.

2027 Aaron Miles Jr. 5’6 PG New Orleans, LA

This diminutive dynamo was fun to watch all weekend. You can tell by his energy and smile he loves the game. He had no problem getting in the lane and attacking players almost a foot taller than him. He knows how to get open and get to the spots he likes to get the shot he wants. One thing you can’t measure in size and weight is heart and he definitely has that.

2028 Brielen Craft 5’9 G (Pace Academy) Atlanta, GA

For a young player he has a lot of patience with his game. He plays with a nice pace and scores at all 3 levels. You can tell he gets a lot of lab work in because all his moves are crisp and to the spot. He never seen to get rattled when the games became hectic. It seemed like every move he made was made with a purpose. When he gets stronger his game will go to even bigger heights.

2027 Zac Borrego 6′ 1″ G (Metairie Park Country Day) Metairie, LA

He plays like a high school vet already. He’s very poised and knows how to play the angles. He’s very patient working the floor. His leadership showed from the start of camp. He was engaged from the start and it showed in his play. He always seemed to be around the ball and more than not made the right plays. He’s not jet quick but he’s very crafty with and without the ball which makes him very hard to guard. Metairie Park is getting a player that should help immediately.

2028 Skyler Garrison WF 6’2 (Donaldsonville High School) LA

He set the tone from game one for his game. He bought straight intensity and physicality. He was punishing in the paint. He’s a little raw on the skill side but more than makes up for it with his effort. He was very active on the glass on both ends. His energy set the tone in drills and in the games.

2028 Christian Clair PG (Archbishop Shaw) LA

He was another player that I left camp very impressed with. He came to compete and make a name and he did that. He continued to play downhill and put pressure on his opponent. He bought the same quickness and intensity on defense. He made it hard for opposing guards to bring the ball up. 

2029 Kai Lowery 5’9 G (Northwestern) SC and 2029 Thomas Grant Pursley  5’9 SG (Northwestern) SC and in the beginning I questioned if the camp would be too much for them, boy was I wrong. Both competed from the door and bought different skills to the table. 

Both can shoot but I really like how Lowery puts the ball on the floor and attacks. He doesn’t care who’s on him, he’s not afraid to go downhill. If left open he can and will knock down the 3 ball.

I like how he competed and can score at all three levels. His  toughness and tenacity showed up all weekend. Now Grant loves to air it out. He lets it fly from NBA range and isn’t shy about it. He knows how to create space and get his shot off. If guarded to close, he can put it on the floor and go by you. I really liked how neither player was intimated and both played like they belong.