The University of Alabama-Huntsville kicked off its first Elite basketball camp of the summer last Sunday, and it was a pleasure to be invited back to this great event.

Head Coach John Shulman has provided a stage for players to work on their skills and give them the opportunity to get hands-on training from other college coaches and players. 

The energy inside this gym was unmatched, and every player showed up ready to go. Coach Shulman put these guys to work from start to finish, and these guys were up for the challenge. The UAH staff provided top-notch circuits to put those skills to the test, shooting drills, dribbling, and closed out with 5-on-5 matchups.

Here are some key standouts from the 1st Elite Camp.

Adam Barksdale was one of my favorite young guys at the camp. He’s a 6-foot-3 guard playing for Vestavia Hills and definitely has the potential to be a top Alabama talent for the class of ‘25. Barksdale is a slashing guard that can create his own shot and plays with a lot of intensity.

6-foot guard Jonah Williams from Crossville, Alabama, was one of the best shooters from the camp. During the shooting drills and 3-on-3 scrimmages, Williams was locked in from the three. He is a master at shaking the defender for open looks and plays hard on both sides of the floor. 

Knox Chase, a 6-foot-4 guard from Auburn, Alabama was another player that had an outstanding showcase. He plays hard and has a quick trigger with his smooth pull-up jumper. Something that stood out major to me about Chase was the way he competed; he strikes me as a player who wants to win and will do all the little things to make it happen.

2025 Tyler Ashley was a smaller guard that packed a lot of punch on the court. He was one of the first players to catch my eye and was a joy to watch throughout the day. Ashley competed really hard and wasn’t shy about crashing the boards. He has a nice shot with his great fadeaway and uses his speed perfectly to get to the rim. 

Ernest Emanuel Johnson was a kid that snuck during the 5-on-5 scrimmages, which is the best time to show up at an elite camp. He went on a scoring rampage, getting to the basket with ease on multiple occasions. Johnson played with a lot of intensity and had amazing quick hands on defense.

2023 forward Patten Curington has been on my radar for quite some time after his incredible junior season playing with Northridge High in Tuscaloosa, Al. Curington has a nice feel for the game and does a great job getting past defenders. He’s very solid scoring in transition and has a great shot from around the perimeter. Curington's rebounding is solid; he’s always in the right spots for the cleanup around the rim and he can also be a threat in the post with his great footwork.

Other Key Standouts

Jack Carter

Paul Dixon

Kelvin Lusk II

John Walker 

Grant Stubbs

Carter Pollastro

Ahmad Johnson 

Drew Winegarden

Conner Berthiaume

Reid Conley