Recardo Gaddy

After wrapping up the Hoop Group Elite Camp on Tuesday, the College of New Jersey and the Hoop Group hosted the team camp.  Many of the top programs from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland were in attendance.  CAA Insider was on hand for the strong evening session.  Here is a look at some of the top players.

Good Counsel 

Recardo Gaddy (2009, 6-2 SG)
Recardo isn't even the most well known player on his team, but that didn't stop him from putting on a show.  The talented guard proved to be a fabulous shooter as he drained three pointer after three pointer.  He actually wound up burying 5 shots from beyond the arc.  He seems most comfortable as a catch and shoot player, but Recardo can create his own shot a little bit too.  He handles the ball fairly well and often got into the lane.  Recardo had a nice drive and spin move before finishing one play.  He also finished with a finger roll plus the foul on another play. He can drive in either direction off of the dribble.  Recardo proved to be a very solid passer.  He had a couple assists after breaking down the defense.  He finished with a game high 34 points in the victory.  It was a strong day for Recardo and with many coaches looking on, he should see his interest really increase.

Ben Hazel (2010, 6-4 SG)
This lefty also showed some deadly range for Good Counsel. He hit numerous shots from deep. Ben has a smooth stroke and some nice size to go along with it. Ben can handle the ball and get into the lane. He had a nice drive and kick out on one play. He did struggle to convert while attacking the rim though. Ben has likely seen better days in that department.

North Mecklenburg

Andre Marhold (2009, 6-7 PF)
It's too bad Andre's teammates at the Elite Camp didn't recognize what a player they had on their hands.  When we saw him at that event, he was as silent as can be.  Playing in the comforts of his high school system and teammates that he is familiar with, Andre was dominant.  He is a very talented forward who completely controlled the post.  He is very comfortable handling the ball, no matter whether it's on the wing or in the post.  Andre first caught our attention with a drive from the three point line where he drew a foul.  He then went to work in the paint.  He'll often catch the ball away from the basket, with his back to the basket and take a few dribbles before going to the hoop.  He's comfortable doing this in either direction and he showed that he can finish with either hand.  He'll often use spin moves in the post and Andre really seems to know where he's at and which shots to take.  His many post baskets included a few dunks, some finishes with contact, hook shot and few short fade away post jumpers.  He'll often attack towards the middle and either shoot over the defender or spin back in the other direction.  He does have outstanding footwork.  Andre really uses all of the lane to score inside.  While he has some muscle definition, he isn't the strongest player.  He showed that he can handle contact though.  Andre could work on getting better positioning inside, but he makes up for that with his quickness and array of moves.  He is also pretty athletic as he displayed on a thunderous offensive rebound put back.  Andre missed on a face up jumper in this one too.  He is a very talented player who really showed that he can hold his own.  Expect some more Big East schools to get involved before Andre is through. 

Kyle Gaillard (2009, 6-7 SG/SF)
Kyle continues to be one of our favorite players from the week. We’ve seen him three times and he’s been impressive every time out. The big and skilled lefty dropped 24 points, including 3 from beyond the arc in the tough loss. Kyle is just so versatile. He can shoot, drive, pass, create off the dribble and even post up a little. He has an outstanding feel for the game and rarely makes a bad decision. He opened with a drive and scoop play. He does an outstanding job of using his size to finish around the hoop. Kyle had a beautiful up and under move with contact that he converted into a three point play. He showed a nice mid range game with a pull up jumper. He likes to take that shot off of spin moves. He made several good passes. Kyle even showed some athletic ability with a steal and dunk as well as blocking a shot. He also loves to push the ball after grabbing rebounds. He does a good job of dribbling low to the ground to get where he wants to go and to protect the ball. Kyle has been hearing from a lot of the Ivy League schools and Southern Conference programs. With his strong week and all the CAA and Atlantic 10 programs in the building, look for the interest to rise for this North Carolina prospect.

Bishop McNamara

Rashad Whack (2009, 6-2 SG)
Rashad is an extremely talented guard. He’s a superb shooter with a deft touch from the outside. He loves to shoot off the dribble and hit several fall away jumpers which are impossible to defend. Rashad also bring a quick handle with him to the table. He can get into the lane and change directions. He showed he can make explosive full court plays too. Rashad was behind a player on the other team but outraced him for a loose ball, sped up the court, and had a terrific left handed finish plus a foul. He also had a nice drive to the hook and kick out. Rashad is a terrific player who is on the fringe between mid major and high major and hoping this month will take his game to the next level.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Lasan Kormah (2009, 6-4 SG)
We only got a little taste of Lasan’s game at the Elite Camp, but the rest of it was on full displayed during this team camp. Lasan is very smooth and quick with the ball in his hands. He can get to the lane with ease and runs the floor well. He could often be found attacking to the left. Lasan really lit it up from the perimeter where he has a smooth stroke. He is very active. He also possesses great hands and pulled down a number of rebounds (often looking to push). He was a little streaky from the perimeter. Lasan is a terrific talent though and it’s no surprise he made the Top 20 game at the regular session of camp. 

Francis Ashe (2009, 6-2 PG/SG)
Not quite as strong of a game as the other day, but Francis still made some nice plays. He handles the ball fairly well and can get into the lane. He’s unselfish and will distribute the ball. Francis had a nice drive and left handed finish, but he really struggled with converting on runners. That was the staple of his strong play the other day. He also missed on his lone jumper. It was a solid, but not spectacular outing for Francis.

Roman Catholic

Rakeem Brookins (2010, 5-10 PG)
Rakeem can do a quite a few things, but the jump shot is what makes all the difference for him. When it’s on, he looks fantastic and everything is clicking. When it’s off, he can be rather quiet. We saw each of those in one game during the evening session. Early on, he was missing jumpers, runners and was even blocked twice when going to the hoop. Rakeem did have a nice drive and bank shot that might’ve finally got him going, but it was the jumper that made all the difference. By our count, he hit on four shots from beyond the arc in a short span. He hit another pull up jumper and then scored a couple transition baskets (including a left handed finish). Rakeem also threw a nice pass, as he’ll do from time to time. He’s certainly a score first guard though and score he sure did in the second half. 

Aaron Brown (2011, 6-5 SF/PF)
Aaron had his moments in this one, but it was far from his best. In the post, he converted on a short hook and had an offensive rebound put back. He also converted a lay-in with contact. Aaron also grabbed an offensive rebound, drove to the hoop and finished with a foul. He pulled down several rebounds too. Aaron was inconsistent finishing in this contest. He also badly missed on a three pointer on one of his lone outside shots. Aaron was still productive though. 

Anthony Mayo (2010, 6-7 PF)
This young player has some upside. He’s a long and developing post product. Anthony had most of his impact on the glass at both ends of the floor. He converted on a couple put backs. He’s pretty athletic as he showed with a blocked shot. Anthony even flashed a nice little hook shot in the post on one occasion. He’s definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Imhotep Charter

Will Adams (2009, 6-3 SG)
Will put together a solid game. The talented guard hit a three pointer from the outside. He also converted on a tough floater in traffic with a foul. Will was injured in the contest, but bounced back and made several more plays. He had a steal and lay-up and a couple other transition buckets.