Flyin' To The Hoop Takeaways

February 17, 2023 by Max Feldman

GARWEY DUAL

Southern California Academy | 2023 | Providence

Within a matter of a few weeks since my previous viewing at the Tarkanian Classic, Garwey Dual has shifted into a primary on-ball role and mightily impressed doing so while in Dayton. Loaded with quick-twitch at 6-6, the future Friar has no issues to turning the corner and shedding the first line of defense. The steady growth as a shooter demands hard closeouts, opening up further opportunity where he's proven to be dynamic. Slithering through the lane to finish with either hand, finding slick drop offs in the paint and flaring it out to open shooters after collapsing the defense. High level movement skills to go with off-kilter pace, quick burst and extensive length have shown to be a handful to bottle up for point of attack defenders. The game is evidently beginning to slow down and this on-ball role certainly kicks the intrigue up another level looking ahead. Defensively, Dual continues to be one of my favorite long-term bets, blending length, twitch, toughness, ground coverage, budding instincts and a motor that never seems to let up. Few high profile senior's altered their long-term outlook this season as much as Dual for me thus far.

DORIAN JONES

Richmond Heights (OH) | 2025

Loaded with enticing physical tools and movement skills, Jones jumped out through the summer with All Ohio and showed further progression at FTTH. A wire thin 6-5 wing with quick twitch, plus length and a soft touch stroke, Jones' two-way foundation lends plenty of optimism looking ahead. While slender and in the early stages in terms of physical maturation, the feel for carving out drive lanes and attacking gaps was palpable. The Ohio native continues to prove to be a natural playmaker on the defensive end of the floor. Quick hands, advanced instincts, explosiveness to close gaps and plus length allow Jones to rectify wrongs in rotation and generate deflections at a high level. On the offensive end, Jones confidently serves as a floor spacer firing with fluidity and touch off the catch. Best basketball is far ahead of him, but the outlines of a high level swingman are ever-present.

CARMELO ADKINS

Western Reserve Academy (OH) | 2023 

On a WRA roster with numerous prospects who've garnered buzz over the last few months, it was the 6-5 guard who opened some eyes with his scoring outburst against SoCal Academy. Shifty and fluid with versatility on or off the ball, Adkins filled it up from range on a large diet of pull-ups and firing off movement. Feathery touch with an easy, quick-trigger stroke from beyond the arc. Smooth feel, craft getting to his spots and creativity at the rim. Skilled shot-makers who play with an edge don't go unnoticed for long. The Dominican guard transferred in from Texas prior to his junior season and looks sure to demand more attention on the recruiting trail before long, as high majors are kicking the tires. 

DARRYN PETERSON

CVCA (OH) | 2025

While Peterson can often be the one to get lost in the shuffle in what is a loaded elite tier in 2025, the Ohio guard continues to display very high level offensive polish at an early stage. While dealing with early foul trouble and a box & 1 from the Africentric defense, Peterson's added strength and poised scoring approach stood out. While the advanced set of counters to create advantages was on full display through the summer, the 6-5 guard has added strength since and plays at a range of speeds very few 15 year olds do with the ball in their hands. Shedding contact to get to his spots, controlling tempo, creating space in a myriad of manners and getting to his ambidextrous float game and short range jumper with relative ease. While no offense look came without being met by quick help, Peterson showed further juice on the defensive end and on the glass to spark quick offense. The added strength goes a long way, but there was also a subtle aggression guarding on ball forcing turnovers on quick strips on digs. Came in defeat, but the five-star sophomore demonstrated numerous areas of development outside of the cool 19 points it seems he can cobble together no matter the defensive coverage.

DEANDRE JONES

Garfield Heights (OH) | 2024

The 6-9 big strung together a stock-rising weekend and looks like a strong bet to see his recruitment take a leap. A high level run & jump athlete with an impressive motor and plus length that was undoubtedly felt from the tip. Filled with pop and competitiveness, Jones was impactful defending the rim and challenged numerous shots that appeared well outside of his range. On the offensive end, the toolsy big was extremely comfortable firing out of the pick and pop, connecting on multiple attempts. While raw in some facets, it appears the dots are connecting and the allure is there as a high-wired rim runner with budding skill. South Carolina State, Jacksonville and Detroit-Mercy have offered, but it shouldn't be long till they have company.

JORDAN MCCULLUM

Huntington Prep (WV) | 2024

It was hard to miss McCullum, the 6-8 springy forward out of Tennessee, as he's proven to be one of those guy's whose simply always around the ball. Long and quick to assert himself physically, the Huntington Prep big runs the floor extremely hard and generated easy offense for himself and his teammates by crashing the lane and drawing quick rotations in semi-transition. Creating second chance opportunities, finishing lobs, drawing fouls and disrupting opposing rim attempts in rotation. Advanced ball skills and a big time motor to go with a variety of shooting indicators make it easy to see why McCullum is steadily becoming a priority recruit in 2024.

TJ CRUMBLE

Lutheran East (OH) | 2026

Early offers began to file in for the freshman through the early part of the season, and for due reason. Rangy, quick off the floor, loaded with length at 6-7+ to go with plenty of energy, Crumble's versatile impact and assortment of tools leapt out as advanced given his youth. Came away impressed with the dexterity finishing around the rim, fluid movement skills, physicality on the glass and a crafty go-to push shot attacking downhill. Virginia Tech, LSU, Ole Miss and Mizzou are among those to come with offers early on for what looks to be a potential top 50 or so freshman nationally.

LAWRENT RICE

Wayne (OH) | 2023 | Murray State

The Racers have a high level bucket-getter on the way, and it shouldn't be long till his impact is felt at the next level. Loaded with juice off the dribble and inherent playmaking feel, the 6-3 guard poured in a loud 32 points in a narrow defeat. Wired to put the ball in the bucket, Rice had no issue manipulating each line of defense and converted a variety of tough pull-up looks. Twitchy, explosive, high-wired and oozing with confidence, Rice should provide a real scoring boost next year in the OVC before long.

En route to Dayton, I stopped in for a Hoosier State battle between Brownsburg and Fishers.

While five-star sophomore Jalen Haralson draws plenty of eyes, it was the fast-rising Brownsburg wing who backed the recent buzz regarding his development. Kanon Catchings, the nephew of WNBA legend Tamika Catchings, quietly looks like a five-star prospect and an early steal for Matt Painter and Purdue. Over the summer with Indy Heat, the then 6-6 wing stunted upside as a skilled floor spacer and closeout creator, but now a few months later, closing in on 6-9, the flashes are rapidly materializing. The 17 year old had the opposing Fishers' defense fully tilted his way from tip given his gravity as a shooter, but steadily countered over the course of the game by making an impact in other areas outside of scoring. Fighting defensively, switching up and down the line, leveraging his gravity to make plays for others as a passer and continuously making the timely rotations on the defensive end. While lacking in strength at this early stage, Catchings utilizes a massive pivot to create space and get to his spots in the mid-range. While Jalen Haralson suffered an injury to his hand/wrist just minutes into the game, his group battled to keep it close, but Catchings iced the game late on a set designed to get him isolated in the mid-post. A quick catch, turn, pivot and drive to utilize length and finish through contact.  While it wasn't quite the same scoring outing as a week prior, dropping 39 points against Flory Bidunga, it certainly appears time to reframe the lens on Catchings as he looks squarely among 2024's elite.