Jabari Brown (PG/SG, 6’3″, 2011) is a special player.
This is, of course, not news to fans of several colleges that have offered Jabari, which he is still considering, and it’s the reason we featured an interview with him just a few days ago.
The scouting report for Jabari is that he’s got great size for a guard and definitely has the ball handling ability to play point or shooting guard. He also is very smooth, very polished and handled the exhausting ball handling drills at the Chris Paul Elite Guard camp exceedingly well.
He looks very comfortable with his dribble, can slash effectively and has a deadly jump shot.
His jump shot is equally strong from both outside the arc and mid range. He’s a dangerous offensive player that has a very fluid game and a high basketball IQ.
But all of that doesn’t really describe the ease and charismatic nature that Brown brings to the court.
It’s immediately obvious that Brown is grounded and competitive, but he’s so smooth with his play that it’s almost easy to forget that he can explode past the defense with the dribble and throw it down. Jabari Brown is without question a player that has the intangibles that, when combined with great athletic ability, could make him a star.
Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to see Jabari working in any defensive drills, but he’s a player that will make an impact at the college level and if he continues to work and improve on his already solid game, will be a High School All American.
Jabari had a visit at Wake Forest immediately following the camp and intends to take all five of his visits before making a decision. He also says that college coaches have told him that he needs to continue to work on being a multi-positional player, which Jabari has definitely taken to heart.
Summary
+ Multi positional player
+ Scorer
+ Perimeter Shot
+ Slasher
+ Athletic
+ Poise
+ Excellent ball handler
Although my focus at the CP3 guard camp was primarily to see the high school players, it’s hard not to pay attention when players like Harrison Barnes, Kyle Singler and Brandon Triche are also participating. In general, the college guys are bigger, stronger and work harder in all of the drills. This is to be expected after a year in the crucible of the college game.
As such, two things should be noted:
1) Kendall Marshall and Harrison Barnes were working out with the college players even though they technically haven’t played in college yet; however, both players has the look and work ethic of college players.
2) This is a skills camp, not a game. The players are working to improve, not show off their skills. It’s not open to the public, and it shouldn’t be. But that also means that players should be allowed to work on areas they need to improve on without being completely assessed based on that workout.
Watching Kendall Marshall play live again was a little different than what I’ve seen before in that I watched some drills, some one on one, and specifically, a couple of times going against Chris Paul.
I have heard a knock on Marshall as not being quick enough or having an ability to finish. I came to the conclusion after seeing him practice with USA basketball in the Northeast that because of his height and his ‘stand-up’ style of play, it’s deceptive. He moves his feet well on defense and is definitely an ‘eyes up’ dribbler. He absolutely has an ability to change speed with the ball that get him looks, is very fluid and is a excellent pass-first guard, however every time I’ve seen him, he can score. I think he needs more strength, because he sometimes has to rely on a fadeaway shot when his change in speed doesn’t get him an open shot at the rim.
In going one-on-one against Chris Paul, he moved his feet and cut Paul off, preventing Paul from scoring. Although the exchange was brief, I think the idea that he is slow is still a misconception. If he can defend effectively against possibly the best PG in the NBA, then he’s a serious player.
He’s a poised point guard with a ton of skills, great size and understands the game from a point guard’s perspective. He’s not a shooting guard or SF trying to move to PG, he’s definitely a 1 guard all of the way.
The camp did not give much outside shooting during the two workout sessions I attended, so I did not get much chance to review his shot.
Tyler Harris (SG/SF, 6’8″, 2011) talks about his brother, his recruitment and the competition at the EYBL in Los Angeles. Tyler is from Dix Hills, NY and works out with the ‘Ice Man’, George Gervin.
Tyler has the abilities right now to play the 2,3 or 4 at the college level, with good ball handling. He’s kind of under the radar because he’s Tobias Harris’ younger brother, but he has a lot of great skills and with his size will be a match up problem at the college level.
Tyler recently got new offers from NC State, UConn and Seton Hall. As he stated in the video, he’s also considering several other schools including Tennessee.
PJ Hairston (SG/SF, 6’6″, 2011) is one of several forwards who attended the Chris Paul Elite Guard camp in Winston-Salem in an attempt to improve their chances at playing multiple positions at the college or pro level.
PJ is the biggest of any of the high school players in attendance, so he has to use his size on occasion to make up ground on smaller players. During the second day of camp, he did surprisingly well in the ball handling drills, and he goes hard to the basket when slashing. He finished one drive with a left handed dunk.
Hairston has an NBA ready body, although he fades sometimes on his jumper, he has a good high floater. PJ says he hopes to improve his ball handling this weekend – he knows he is a big 2G but needs to improve his handles and take the ball the length of the court so he is ready when Coach Williams needs him to run PG.
He is working out with two days a week strictly focused on ball handling. He is going to be attending the NBA top 100 camp in the coming weeks.
He said he made the switch to Hargrave from Dudley because he feels Hargrave will better prepare him for the next level and the fact that they will have him eating right, which is something he feels is important. He also thinks the Boston Celtics will win the NBA Finals, but the series will go to seven games.
This gym is not full of cheering fans, with an announcer chiming in over the loudspeaker with a play by play.
As the mass of bodies push each other, literally across the gym floor, Chris Paul’s purple workout shirt stands out among the wrestling players. The drill is to grab your opponent by the shoulders and try to push him across the gym. The problem of course, is that he’s trying to stop you.
It’s an exercise is power, will and endurance. It’s exhausting.
And it’s only the beginning.
The players crowd the floor from one side to the other, strong players who are used to the power needed to play college basketball and elite high school basketball. This drill of exertion is one of the first of the Chris Paul Elite Guard Camp, a camp put together by NBA star point guard Paul and Position Sports to focus on one clear objective: build better point guards.
The drills are completely focused on being a point guard, with wave after wave of intensive ball handling drills. The coaches have split the gym into three floors, with high school players taking up two courts and college players taking up the other. The coaches shout the drills – two ball dribble around the cones, then two ball dribble with one ball in a behind the back move around the cones, and so on. The drills are rapid fire, changing every couple of minutes. The players grunt and push themselves, trying to master each intensive set of instructions. If you want to be at your peak performance, it won’t hurt to know that testosterone supplements can help you build muscle.
Chris throws himself into the camp, which takes place in his hometown of Winston-Salem, and engages in the drills along with the players. As he works on one handed catch-and-pass drills with incoming UNC freshman Harrison Barnes, you would not know that Chris Paul is the big star that all of the players admire. Tonight, he’s more than a mentor, more than a star player to emulate.
Tonight, he’s a teammate.
The camp is filled with some of the top talent in both the college ranks and high school, with Duke stars Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith and incoming transfer Seth Curry all working their way through the drills. Kyle Singler and Harrison Barnes are forwards taking on a point guard skills camp, an attempt to constantly improve and push themselves. Singler works doggedly through the drills, exerting an effort that would set an example to the high school players just across the gym – if they weren’t so focused on surviving the drills themselves.
Scoop Jardine is in attendance along with fellow Syracuse guard Brandon Triche. Following the first workout, Jardine would tell his Twitter followers that the camp was ‘hard as hell’.
It’s not an understatement.
Kemba Walker of UConn, incoming freshman point guard Kendall Marshall of UNC, and Wake Forest rising sophomores Ari Stewart and CJ Harris are also going through the camp, along with Chris Wright of Georgetown, Durand Scott of Miami and several more.
For the high schoolers, the drills are intended to show them how to master their ball handling skills and how an elite guard positions and defends, which is key for power players like Dezmine Wells, a 6’4″ small forward from the class of 2011. Dezmine is taking on smaller, sometimes quicker players, but he works like mad, pouring himself into every drill. He uses his size to defend, as guard Marquis Rankin gets an inside step and flashes under him, he quickly adjusts in midair and cleanly blocks the ball at the last second.
Later, as Dezmine pulls off a great jab step and blasts past his defender, he turns his head to rafters and screams angrily in obvious frustration as his shot clangs off the rim. The coaches rush in and tell him emphatically, “There was nothing wrong with that play! You did everything right!” It’s a good teaching moment. The coaches have been harping on the players for not following instructions all night, but Dezmine is obviously paying attention. He might not be getting the result he wants, but he is listening. And that makes coaches happy.
There are so many talented guards in the camp, such as rising phenom Rodney Purvis (PG, 6’3″, 2013), Jabari Brown (G, 6’3″, 2011) and Jamal Branch (PG, 6’3″, 2011). Bishop Daniels (PG, 6’2″, 2011) does extremely well in the ball handling drills, and PJ Hairston (SG/SF, 6’5″, 2011), another UNC commit, works his size to make up ground against the guards.
Quinn Cook (PG, 6’1″, 2011), sits out on the sidelines with a tweaked ankle. “I hurt it last night in a summer league game,” he says, but he sits with ice on it, hoping to participate the next day.
At the end of the first night’s workout, the players load up on a bus and head back to the hotel, ready to collapse. Chris Paul is giving them a hard training in being an elite NBA point guard, and these players are ready for the challenge.
Incoming Kansas basketball recruit has had a minor setback as he has suffered a broken left hand and will require anywhere from four to six weeks to fully recover. This shouldn’t affect his upcoming freshman year playing for Kansas Jayhawks, and coach Bill Self described the injury as ‘not major’.
Selby is looking to fill some of the gaps in Kansas roster after the Jayhawks lost Xavier Henry and Cole Aldrich to this year’s draft. Selby, a a high octane offensive scoring combo guard, will have plenty of opportunity to get on the floor and show his ability to put the ball in the basket.
Brandon Ashley isn’t your typical sophomore in high school. Standing at 6-foot-8, this young, athletic man is developing his game for the next level. At Bishop O’Dowd in California, Ashley is striving at a very young age.
While playing with both Bishop O’Dowd, as well as his AAU team the Oakland Soldiers, Brandon is bound for a big summer. Slam.com ranks him as the seventh best prospect in the class of 2012. This summer he will attend events at the Nike Hoop Jamboree in St. Louis, Peach Jam and Las Vegas. Along with that, Ashley is on the US National team and will attend tryouts very soon.
While his game is still developing, Ashley competes with the ranks of big men in his class like Jamesville-Dewitt’s DaJuan Coleman and Andre Drummond of St. Thomas Moore. While Ashley has not received as much hype as he deserves he will get there soon. His game is progressing along the way. “My game is developing right now,” said the 6’8 Power Forward. “I have a pretty good inside game and am currently working on my outside game. I have a solid jumper and my handle is progressing.” It may be progressing but colleges are already taking note.
That being said, Ashley is drawing plenty of interest from different schools. West Coast schools have primarily noticed his abilities so far. “California, Washington, Arizona, UCLA and Stanford have offered me,” said the California native. “There are no early favorites right now. I am still open to all schools.” Ashley is taking the recruiting process slow and is in no hurry whatsoever. “I haven’t really visited any schools yet. I have been in Stanford and Cal’s gyms but that is about it so far.” Look for more offers to roll in this summer for Brandon.
On a final interesting note, North Carolina recently got in contact with Brandon and expressed some interest in him. “UNC will always be a great school but at the moment they aren’t any higher on my list than any other school,” stated Ashley.
From the looks of it, Brandon will take his recruitment slowly. He has a long way to go in developing his game to the next level but he is bound for greatness sometime soon. Check him out on the west coast sometime and for people on the east coast he will be at the Peach Jam ready to do work!
When Jabari Brown decided to leave national powerhouse Findlay Prep in January of 2010, critics believed it was the wrong decision. Brown, not only rose to the occasion, but jumped in the rankings and took his game to another level.
While the 6-foot-3 shooting guard (Class of 2011) returned to his hometown of Oakland, California, he would enroll at Oakland High School. The junior averaged over 23 points per contest as he helped lead his squad to a winning record. Through that and his jump in the world of AAU helped lift his recruiting to new levels.
Brown, who plays with the Oakland Soldiers, is part of one of the most talented teams in the country. The Soliders consist of players like Findlay Prep’s Nick Johnson and Jesuit’s Kyle Wiltjer, both top 50 players in the class of 2011. While playing in the top tournaments around the country this summer, Brown is attracting coaches’ eyes towards him.
The California golden boy currently has offers from Georgia Tech, Washington, Arizona State, California, Maryland, UNLV, Wake Forest and Next Mexico. Two ACC schools, Wake Forest and Georgia Tech, were the most recent to offer Jabari. Another ACC squad, Maryland, has also become involved.
While the distance on paper from California to the East Coast doesn’t seem like one most players are willing to take, “distance is not a factor” for the sharp-shooter. Maryland appeals to Jabari due to their, “tradition, conference and Head Coach Gary Williams is a great coach.” He likes Georgia Tech because, “they have had so many good guards, their conference, and Head Coach Paul Hewitt.” Wake Forest is also a school he enjoys because of, “the feel that I have gotten from the new coaching staff, along with their style of play.” Despite the departure of Head Coach Dino Gaudio from Wake Forest, his replacement, Jeff Bzdelik of Colorado, has done an excellent job. “I think Coach Bzdelik is a good coach who would put me in the position to flourish from style of play,” said Brown. As of now, Brown has no favorites and is nowhere close to making a decision on where he will commit.
If you break down Jabari Brown’s game, it is simple, yet deadly. Jabari puts it best when he says, “I’m a guard that can score from anywhere on the court, as well as get my teammates involved.” He also said, “I’m a leader who hates losing.” He is simply deadly.
So far, Brown’s spring season of AAU with the Soldiers has gone well. They have been one of the top ranked teams in the country. Scout.com’s Evan Daniels even called them the best AAU team of the spring. Brown will take his talent to Chris Paul camp, Paul Pierce’s Skills Academy and LeBron’s Skills Academy.
Watch out for Jabari Brown this summer as he looks to explode onto the AAU scene even more. He has already been ranked as one of the top 15 players in the country by Scout.com and looks to go higher on the list. Just like his shot, this kid is nothing but net.
Adonis Thomas, a 6’6″ SF from Tennessee is an athletic wing that a lot of schools are interested in, and from this clip you can see that he’s got an explosive game, and he continues to improve his ball handling.
Thomas is a versatile player who is still taking his time in the recruiting process.
Photo Source: NationofBlue.com Rodney Purvis, 2013 star PG and interested in NC State Wolfpack.
More from scout James Blackburn and the 2010 Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions, with the 2012 classes and one player from 2013, Rodney Purvis.
Class of 2013edit-Rodney has since reclassified to 2012.
Rodney Purvis (PG, 6’2″, 165) Player Highlights
Upper Room Christian Academy
Raleigh, NC
AAU team- CP3 All-Stars
Scouting Report
Good size, athletic, ball handling, different finishing moves
College Interest
NC State
Interview
He is going to be going to the 15u super showcase with his AAU team, the CP3 All-Stars later this summer in FL. He is going to be working on his jumper a lot this summer with his HS coach.
Class of 2012
Andre Drummond (C, 6’11”, 265) Player Highlights
St. Thomas More HS
Oakdale, CT
AAU team- Connecticut Basketball Club
Scouting Report
#1 Center in his class according to www.scout.com. Very good shot blocker, can hit the mid range, good athlete. Strong rebounder.
College Interest
Offers from UConn, Syracuse, Louisville, Texas, West Virginia, Georgetown, Mass, and Rutgers.
Interview
Very young player who is enjoying the recruiting scene- does not have any favorites so far- is trying to lay low according to his coach. He has taken an un-official visit to Providence. He is just trying to continually work on develop a all-around game. Wants to be a mix between Lebron James and Dwight Howard.
Scouting Report
Determined defender and solid 3-point shooter
College Interest
Unknown
Peter Jurkin (C, 7’0″, 220) Player Highlights
United Faith Christian Academy
Charlotte, NC
AAU team- Indiana Elite/Team Indiana
Scouting Report
Very long and athletic- tries to block everything and either blocks or influences every shot that is put up in paint
College Interest
Indiana- they have offered
Quayshad Williams
Greensboro Day School Power Forward / 6-7/ 240
Greensboro, NC
AAU- Greensboro Gators
Scouting Report: Good hands, good touch around the rim
College Interest:
Grant Jerrett (F, 6’8″, 210)
Lutheran HS
La Verne, CA
AAU team- Belmont Shore
Scouting Report
Very long, big/wide shoulders, Runs the floor and can shoot the 3
College Interest
Has offers from Arizona, UNLV, USC, Washington, and UCLA. Is also receiving interest from Gonzaga and Arizona St.
