The Fall Preview: Top 2015 performers
What a day Sunday was at The Fall Preview. In today's breakdown, we go through the class of 2015 and look at the top players from the senior class.
Marquez Abernathy, PG, North Clayton - In a camp setting, it is hard to quickly gauge the overall skill set of your teammates. Point guards that do usually end up having a good camp because they involve the pieces around. Abernathy did just that. He was a great facilitator and played with great strength.
Cedric Council, PF, North Cobb - College coaches, no matter the level, are always in pursuit of a big man. Always. So when the notes come back on this 6-foot-7 post that read "Long, rangy, good rim protector, does a good job of running the middle, needs post game polish but finished around the rim..." you tend to take notice. Division II schools should put him on their watch list.
Nathan Curtis, SG/SF, Warner Robins - One of Middle Georgia's best sleepers, the 6-foot-4 wing prospect did what he does well - produce from the outside and in. Curtis is a fine slasher with good basketball length that can handle it, pass well in the halfcourt and plays with end to end intensity. As coaches build their gotta-watch-him-in-the-high-school-season list, Curtis needs to not only be on that list, he needs to be high on it.
Garrick DeBowles, PF, Pope - All gas, no brake. Time and time again, the 6-foot-4 power forward plays with unmatched effort in the post. He drew praise from his coach and opposing coaches for his energy and hustle. DeBowles is good on the glass, good in transition, good on defense and on good teams. See a theme here?
Devin Derry, SF, Furtah Prep - When it comes to bounce, the 6-foot-3 wing has plenty of it. He was terrific in transition and strong to the iron. His shooting was servicable. Improved ball-handling could help his game moving forward.
Jaylon Gamble, SF/PF, Alpharetta - The 6-foot-7 combo forward continues to intrigue with his size and length. He's a versatile player that continues to slowly get better. Gamble played well at Georgia State's team camp in June, had good moments with the Atlanta Select program in July and had coaches asking "who is that Gamble kid" time and time again at The Fall Preview. Alpharetta returns key pieces to the team and Gamble could be in store for a big final year at the North Fulton school.
Jeremiah Gill, PG, Cherokee - Control. The 6-foot-2 guard plays with a good slice of it. He's tough and challenges the opposition on both sides of the ball with that mentality. Gill has a good understanding of the game and can play in both half court and full court at various speeds. There's a steady balance to his game that comes from a foundation of good coaching. He's a quality non Division I guard to watch this season.
Antwain Johnson, SF/SG, Malone (FL) - "Hey, who is that guy?" People asked that question time and time again watching the hard-playing, active and athletic guard. He's built like a college prospect. He rebounds like one, too. Never afraid to go one-on-one with a defender, Johnson seemed to shine in individual match-ups. He was a fun guy to watch and one to watch for low-majors this high school season.
Daniel Kinchen, SG, Stephenson - Dekalb County always seems to have a senior sleeper that rises up and puts together a great final high school season. The 6-foot-3 guard could be that guy. The slim and lanky perimeter threat can score with confidence on the wing and doesn't shy away from taking the big shot. It wouldn't come as a big surprise to see him average 16-plus at Stephenson this season.
Paul Miller, SG, Mt. Zion - The strong 6-foot-2 slasher/shooter did a fine job of scoring in transition. He's good from end to end and came into camp with a big stamp of approval from his coaches. We see it. He was one of the better physical defenders in camp.
Jovan Morris, SF, Cherokee - No shortage of hustle and activity. The 6-foot-3 free safety look-alike was good in transition, played in players on defense. He was active and in every play. Very coachable.
Maleek Taylor, SF, Drew - A veteran of The Preview series, Taylor is one of the toughest players to defend in our camps. He's strong with the ball, attacks with power and knows how and where to be productive. Taylor doesn't shy away from contact or bigger players. He always seems to find a way to get the job done. He earned praise from our coaches with his effort and uniqueness. One of Georgia's most productive players in 2015.
Ethan Weathers, PG, Harrison - Speed. He plays with it and uses his wheels to his advantage. The 5-foot-11, 160-pound point guard has enjoyed good moments at the HoopSeen Fall League at Suwanee Sports Academy Cobb this season and he strung together a nice trio of games on Sunday. He can shoot and attack the rim with ease.
Phillip Venson, SG, McIntosh - We've always enjoyed watching Venson play. He continues to get better, too. The 6-foot, 175-pound athletic guard hit threes and was good off the dribble on Sunday. Venson is an important piece to a talented McIntosh team. He's entering his senior year on the upswing.
Tim Cameron and Kam Calhoun - both 2015 players - made the top performers list from camp. You can read that full story here.