JR. PHENOM BASKETBALL CAMP HIGHLIGHTS AND ANALYSIS BY CLARK FRANCIS

Highlights & Analysis of Top Players from this Year’s JR Phenom Camp

By Clark Francis

 

Picking the MVP's in the 6th Grade and 7th Grader Divisions was a lot easier, as 5'2 6th Grader Everton Browne from Middletown, NY and 5'5 7th Grader Jackie Johnson from Wichita, KS both totally took over in these respective all-star games.  The former is an athletic wing who had 17 points and three 3-pointers in a 67-63 winning effort in the 6th Grader All-Star Game.  And, in addition to being able to beat you with his outside shooting, Browne also has great speed, quickness, and anticipation, which allows him to come up with more than his share of steals in the open court, and he's very explosive to the basket.  The latter finished with 19 points and he's not bashful with regard to pulling the trigger, as is evident the fact that he had five 3-pointers in the 7th Grader All-Star Game.  He also can be described as a point/forward due to the fact that he can play anywhere on the court from the point guard spot to the power forward spot.

 

The two players ranked ahead of Johnson in the 7th Grade Division are 6'0 7th Grader Malik Thomas from Rancho Cucamonga, CA and 4'11 7th Grader Lorenzo Washington from Middletown, NY and, quite honestly, we would have given the nod for top players honors in this age group to Washington, if he had not totally disappeared in the 7th Grade All-Star Game.  We're talking about a super quick point guard who was clearly the best pick pocket in camp and he made a living turning all of those steals into baskets off transition at the other end.  Thomas solidified the top spot in this age group with 11 points in the 7th All-Star Game and he can also be a bull on the boards with great combination of strength and athleticism.  He also has great hands, can step out and shoot the three, and go strong to the basket.  We also want to to give special mention to 5'3 7th Grader William Richardson from Englewood, NJ, 5'5 7th Grader Dasonte Brown from Boston, MA, and 5'11 7th Grader John Christofilis from Seattle, WA.  Richardson is an athletic 2-guard who can both slash and shoot.  Bowen is a multi-dimensional athletic wing with good enough ball handling and passing skills to play some at the point, but what he does best is go strong to the basket.  Christofilis is not that athletic, but he handles well for his size, is an excellent rebounder, and was one of the best 3-point shooters in camp.