We had another successful Alabama Elite Preview camp on Saturday, as some of the top players in the state converged at Pleasant Grove Middle School to participate in the exclusive, invite-only camp. We already polled our coaching staff and team of evaluators about the top 10 performers, but here are some additional storylines that I saw take place over the weekend…

HERB JONES IS A TOP 100 PLAYER

If 2017 Hale County (AL) wing Herb Jones isn’t a top 100 player, I don’t know what is. The 6-foot-6 wing had a productive high school season and is primed for a big spring on the travel circuit with the Alabama Challenge. He has a mixture of size, length, and versatility that a lot of players at his position don’t have. Jones can guard anywhere from the 1-3 and has value with his ability to play multiple positions. The junior does a little bit of everything on the court and will have a busy couple of weeks once the spring evaluation period comes around. Mark it down – this kid is going to blow up and be a top 100 guy when it’s all said and done.

Jones was my top prospect at camp. Auburn and UAB have extended scholarship offers, while Alabama, Kansas State, Florida, Missouri and a host of other schools are also involved.

MOTORS, MOTORS, MOTORS

I was really impressed with the intensity all the campers brought to the table from the beginning. 2018 Holt (AL) Josh Strozier accepted the challenge and made a name for himself by diving on the floor and jumping into bleachers for loose balls. He was one of the top 3 consensus guys at camp, and a lot of that was because of his motor. If you play hard, good things will happen. Just ask Strozier – he received his first scholarship offer from Alcorn State Sunday evening.

Another guy that really helped himself by playing hard was 2017 Glenwood Academy (AL) forward Trip Day. In the first set of games, Day was all over the floor and his demeanor rubbed off on his teammates. He competed around the rim and showed his relentless attitude, along with converting a couple of 3’s each game. Day has received a lot of interest as a stretch 4 guy at the next level, and he backed up that assumption on Saturday. Western Carolina has offered him, while a host of other schools are involved.

I’ve been a big fan of 2017 Ramsay (AL) power forward Kobe McClain for a while now. He plays hard and makes plays on the defensive side of the floor. His motor allows him to be a versatile defender and rim protector. On the offensive side, he’s starting to get it. McClain showed a couple of baby hooks over both shoulders. Once he gets consistent and comfortable with his offensive arsenal, he’s going to be scary. College coaches, put McClain on your watch lists going into the spring.

2017 West Limestone (AL) point guard Matt Bozeman wasn’t the best player in the gym, but he made an impact on camp because of his warrior-like mentality. He was scrappy and battled all day along amongst bigger players. Bozeman never backed down from the challenge and made his trip worthwhile. He created shots for himself and teammates with his motor, and he was a pest for opposing players on the defensive end.

A PROMISING FUTURE

2019 Lee-Huntsville (AL) wing Mason Ellison had to sit out this season due to transfer rules, but the bouncy wing quickly showed our staff what everyone around the state had missed over the past few months.

Ellison, a 6-foot-6 wing, is smooth with the ball in his hands and excels at attacking the rim. Despite being one of the youngest players in attendance, the freshman did a great job of fitting in with the older players, as well as standing out. He played above the rim, hit some shots, and rebounded – just a little bit of everything in each facet. I want to see him some more in the future, but it’s not a far-fetched statement to have him as a potential high-major guy in a few years.

THE YEAR OF THE LEFTY

Typically, with a bunch of players in a gym, there will be some southpaws sprinkled in here and there. That wasn’t the case on Saturday. In fact, in one game, there were more lefties on the floor than right-handed players.

We had several talented left-handed player showcase their game on Saturday. Au’Diese Toney, Herb Jones, Josh Strozier, Payton Stovall, Tavarus Hall, Collin Blanchard, Deonte Jones, Lakeldrick Gardner, and Shawn Barnes were all standouts that were lefties.

It may be a weird storyline, but it’s something I find interesting. We went against the grain.