City of Basketball Love

CoBL Staff (@hooplove215)
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The second CoBL College Exposure Camp of 2017 took over the University of Sciences in Philadelphia on Wednesday, as ten dozen rising high school juniors and seniors took to the courts to take part in drills and games under the gaze of coaches from over 60 Division II and Division III programs.

Here’s our staff’s picks for standouts from the camp:

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Pietro Berghella (2018/Germantown Friends, Pa.)
A high-academic post prospect, Berghella has really come along nicely in the past year or so. Standing around 6-foot-8, he plays hard at all times, running the floor with conviction and scrapping for rebounds and loose balls at every opportunity. Berghella’s offensive skillset is also starting to expand, and while he’s still a bit unpolished, he shows signs of being a solid scorer on the low block. Although his shots weren’t falling with much consistency, Berghella is confident stepping out to the 3-point line and has a workable stroke that should only continue to develop at the next level. High-academic D-IIIs should be all over him this summer.

Ahmad Bickley (2018/Cheltenham, Pa.)
Looking at his scoring numbers, one might wonder how Bickley made his way onto this list, having reached double-digits in just one of three games. However, the lightning-quick 5-foot-8 point guard was the best passer in camp throughout the day, setting teammates up left and right for easy look after easy look. Bickley is at his best in transition, where he loves to attack the middle of the floor in order to draw the defense and open up a teammate. He’s also a high-level pick-and-roll player who can make every read on the floor. Right now, Bickley is on the fringe of earning a Division II scholarship and will be running the show for a high-powered Cheltenham squad next season.

Tyrel Bladen (2018/Coatesville, Pa.)
Perhaps the best long-term prospect in attendance was this late-blooming 6-foot-9 post, who has only been playing basketball for a few years now. A tremendous natural athlete, Bladen moves like a wing, running the floor in order to block shots and finish at the rim. His skillset is also starting to catch up to his physical tools, as he’s a reliable finisher around the basket but can also step out for midrange jumpers or put it on the floor for a couple dribbles. Bladen looks like a high-level D-II prospect at this stage, but running with the Nike-backed NJ Playaz, he certainly has the chance to catch the eyes of some D-I coaches this July.

Zafir Brower (2018/Highland Regional, N.J.)
An athletic 6-0 guard from South Jersey, Brower played downhill all afternoon long. His best asset was his ability to get by his defender off the bounce from the wing or baseline, where he could then collapse the defense and kick out to a teammate and get the ball moving -- or score, if the defense let him. He certainly enjoyed bothering his man defensively, forcing a number of steals out of double-teams and traps, with quick hands and a willingness to get on the floor to secure a possession for his team.

Rodney Carson (2018/Cheltenham, Pa.)
One of the more explosive athletes at camp, you’d be hard-pressed to find many guys quicker with the ball in their hands than Carson. While he’s more of an off-guard, the 6-foot-3 slasher uses great speed, a creative handle, and his explosive first step to create consistent offense both in transition and the half-court. Carson can get a bit out of control at times, but his attacking nature puts constant pressure on the defense. He needs to work on improving his perimeter jumper, but is certainly a scholarship-level player due to his energy level and constant drive to attack on both ends of the floor.

Kyle Cassidy (2018/Central Bucks East, Pa.)
Whenever Cassidy put up a shot on Wednesday, it seemed like it found its mark. The 6-0 point guard doesn’t force the issue, but does a great job of taking what the defense gives them and making them pay for it. Whether it was 3-pointers from all over the arc (both catch-and-shoot and pull-up) or a nifty one-dribble pull-up in the mid-range area, Cassidy’s shot has a great arc and rotation on it, so it’s no surprise that he was hitting more often than not over the course of his three games. Blessed with a good basketball IQ, Cassidy knew how to set up his team’s offense and get to the right spots to score.

Travis Elmore (2018/Pocono Mt. West, Pa.)
One of the most athletic players in the camp, Elmore is a lanky 6-6 wing forward with a great ability to control his body. Terrific working out of the high post, the Pocono Mt. West rising senior knows how to use his length to work around defenders and get to the bucket, if not slip off a pass to a teammate for an easy layup. Energetic and engaged defensively, Elmore could guard wings and forwards alike with good lateral movement, and wasn’t afraid to challenge shots and crash the glass. Had perhaps the most impressive individual outing of the camp, scoring 28 points in his first game of the day while adding more than a handful of rebounds and a block or two as well.

Eric Esposito (2018/Conwell-Egan, Pa.)
Esposito came into the camp with a reputation as one of the better knockdown shooters around, but today showed a bit more versatility to his game than in previous viewings. A 6-foot-6 lefty, he displayed an ability to put the ball on the floor in transition and when attacking closeouts, and his touch from the 3-point arc also applies around the basket. Considered a below-average natural athlete, Esposito even rose up for what was nearly a vicious poster dunk, though he was fouled and had the ball slip out of his hands before he was able to throw it down. Nevertheless, his bread is still buttered from beyond the arc, where he knocked down 

Joey Grula (2018/Hazleton Area, Pa.)
A versatile, rugged wing forward, Grula played all five positions for his team at camp, doing everything from handling the ball and running point to patrolling the paint. At 6-5 and 180 pounds, Grula has a strong, athletic frame and uses it to his advantage, muscling his way inside against fellow guards and bigs to get positioning around the hoop; he also showed off some nifty footwork when double-teamed inside to work free for a reverse layup or kick-out. Grula scored in double figures in all three games, including a 20-point effort as his best of the day; even when he wasn’t getting offensive touches, he still found a way to be productive.

Keeshawn Kellman (2018/Allentown Central Catholic, Pa.)
Standing perhaps a shade under 6-4 when he came to camp a year ago, Kellman has grown into an honest 6-6 post player, and he was one of the best defenders at the camp. Even against some of the other top bigs participating, Kellman more than held his own underneath the hoop, using his long arms and solid bounce to make it for difficult for opponents anywhere around the rim. Offensively he didn’t need to do much besides run the floor, catch and finish, but it’s something he did largely without fault

Jared Latane (2018/Haddon Heights, N.J.)
A muscular 5-11 point guard, Latane has been a good competitor and defender for a while. But Wednesday was certainly the best we’ve seen from him in terms of really rounding out his game, playing much more confidently on the offensive end, which was certainly helped out by the fact that his shot was falling. Latane’s jumper looked much improved from before, with a much prettier release and arc, and that really opened up the ability for him to do what he did before -- try to take advantage of his physique as he attacks the rim. Versatile passer as well who likes to give the defense different looks to keep them off-balance.

Dominik London (2018/Octorara Area, Pa.)
If Octorara’s leading scorer and 6-1 shooting guard were a few inches taller, he wouldn’t be at this camp. There’s a lot to like about London, who’s got a college-ready body and game, playing at a great tempo -- not slow, but not overly quick either. London always plays with his head up and makes great decisions off the bounce; when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands, he’s very good at moving to create space and get open, and he’s got a quick catch-and-release as well. With continued strong play like he displayed Wednesday, he’s going to have quite a few scholarship-level suitors.

Ian McCaw (2019/Central Bucks South, Pa.)
Standing at 6-6, McCaw established himself as one of the most smooth and natural players in the post on Wednesday. He displayed an ability to catch the ball both in the high and low post, and finish comfortably with both hands. He was very patient and poised with his back to the basket, both scoring and assisting to open teammates on the perimeter. The rising junior used his lanky frame to dominate on the glass, and cut through the lane to catch passes and finish in traffic.

Patrick Robinson (2018/Conwell-Egan, Pa.)
Robinson proved himself to be one of the best all-around wings at the camp with a dazzling two-way display. His team’s offense ran through him, with the lefty showcasing his shooting ability off the dribble, and easily gliding past defenders en route to the rim. Robinson was most effective in transition, using his speed and athleticism to get free in the open court and slash to the rim. The 6-foot-3 wing scored 22 points in the second round of games, doing most of his damage getting to the hoop; his jump shot can still take a second to get off, so he’s at his best when he can create off the bounce. Does a good job of sticking with shots through second and third-chance opportunities, not afraid to fight for offensive boards to get the job done.

Malik Slay (2018/Downingtown East, Pa.)
It’s always interesting in a camp setting to see which players receive the deference of their teammates to take charge and run the show, and it was clear from the start of gameplay that Slay would be that guy for his squad. A consummate floor general, the 6-foot-2 point guard is one of the best around at setting up his teammates. He’s not flashy, but makes the right pass on seemingly every possession and gets guys the ball in positions to attack. He was rewarded for his strong play with his first offer, from Division II MIllersville, coming a few hours after the camp concluded.

Charles Solomon (2019/St. Augustine Prep, N.J.)
Perhaps the most eye-opening prospect at the camp was Solomon, who impressed in numerous ways from beginning to end. The 6-5 wing forward wasn’t a featured player last year on a St. Augustine squad that featured High Point commit Justyn Mutts, among others, but looks like he’s about to burst onto the South Jersey scene. Solomon is built like a wide receiver, with a long, muscular frame, and he’s got some serious bounce, which he displayed with a big-time lefty throwdown on the break. Certainly looked like a scholarship prospect on Wednesday, and with continued work on his perimeter game and shot, there’s a shot he lands up in Division I territory by his senior year.

Amir Warrick (2018/St. Vincent Pallotti, Md.)
The son of former Coppin State star Fred Warrick and nephew of Hakim Warrick, who starred at Friends’ Central and Syracuse before a 10-year NBA career, Amir came up to University City and made his own name with a strong day. A 6-5, 175-pound shooting guard, Warrick has a smooth, confident perimeter game on both ends of the floor. He’s got the ability to rise up and hit shots off the bounce but likes to take his man off the dribble, capable of attacking with both hands as well as dishing out of the lane when the defense collapses. Certainly looked like a scholarship-level guard today.
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Honorable Mention: Joshua Arruda (2018/Pennsbury, Pa.), Bryce Barrouk (2018/West Chester Rustin, Pa.), Danny Bodine (2018/Neshaminy, Pa.), Darious Brown (2019/Abington, Pa.), Daiquan Copeland (2018/Girard College, Pa.), Karam Cummings (2019/Imhotep Charter, Pa.), Vontangoe Donzo (2018/Penn Wood, Pa.), Tuakerser Douglas (2018/Bensalem, Pa.), Harrison Eichelberger (2018/Westtown School, Pa.), Drew Gallagher (2018/Holy Spirit, N.J.), Jordan Harding (2018/William Penn, Del.), Nick Leski (2018/St. Mark’s, Del.),Bernard Lightsey (2018/Imhotep Charter, Pa.),  Dymir Montague (2018/Neumann-Goretti, Pa.), Lee Mosely (2018/Pocono Mt. West), Chris Nash (2018/Penn Wood, Pa.), Kharon Randolph (2018/Haverford School, Pa.), Garrett Ripp (2018/Cardinal O’Hara, Pa.), Ward Roberts (2018/Bensalem, Pa.), Thomas Sampson (2018/West Deptford, N.J.), Zachary Schade (2018/Council Rock South, Pa.), Sean Simon (2018/La Salle College HS, Pa.), Ja’cor Smith (2019/Neumann-Goretti, Pa.), Noah Warren (2018/Neumann-Goretti, Pa.), Jahmir Williams (2018/Constitution, Pa.)