SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – A trip to the western part of Massachusetts was in order for the Hall of Fame National Invitational. Traditionally held at the MassMutual Center downtown, this time around it was held primarily at Western New England University and Springfield College, both just a short drive from one another.
Friday night and some of Saturday included some showcase games between some of the event’s top teams, many of whom had a bye in the bracket play and thus would otherwise play their first games much later than everyone else. By Saturday afternoon, bracket play had begun in earnest.
With that, here is a look at some who stood out on Friday and Saturday.
Crew Ainge (6’0″ So. PG, Wellesley (MA) Kimball Union Academy) The simple way to sum him up is that he plays the way you would expect knowing who his father is (Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge). Like his dad, he’s a hard-nosed guard with great instincts and always competes, the latter evidenced by how often he was in a play and that included getting offensive boards inside near the trees.
Isaiah Bess (6’5″ Sr. SF, Lagrange (ME) Penquis Valley HS) While he has some length and is about a plus athlete, the ball skills looked to be lacking and that’s big for his position. He can shoot, which he showed at times, and he has the tools to be a nice defender, and still has some upside, all of which make him a potentially good get for Stonehill, where he has committed.
Christopher Boucher (6’10” Sr. SF-PF, Montreal (Que.) Alma Academy) A very long and athletic forward, he was almost unstoppable in a 35-point outing early on Saturday before adding 22 in a losing effort that evening. While his shooting from deep will impress given his size, most impressive of all is how he uses his length. Add that to his good hands and a good frame that can still fill out, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the JUCO-bound forward has plenty of high-major suitors in a couple of years.
Brian Bowen (6’5″ Fr. SG-SF, Saginaw (MI) Arthur Hill HS) A baby physically, this long wing is athletic and looks to be more of a scorer than a shooter right now. He sliced to the basket for a layup, showed he could handle some and also made a nice block of a jumper at the defensive end.
Elijah Cain (6’5″ Sr. SG-SF, Delanco (NJ) Medford Tech) A long guard with a good body, he has a slight frame that didn’t keep him from being most effective when driving. Although he hit from long range a couple of times, that’s hardly his forte, as he drove often through defenders to get chances close to the basket and went for 20 points in one showcase game.
Aaron Calixte (5’11” Sr. PG, Stoughton (MA) Lee Academy) Although he split the ball-handling duties with a couple of teammates since they often played together, he had a solid couple of days as a playmaker for the team that eventually took home the title. He drove often, at times making passes on the move and one time making a very nice pass to a cutter for a layup, and was enough of a scoring threat to keep defenders honest. Mid-major prospect.
Schadrac Casimir (5’10” Sr. PG, Stamford (CT) South Kent School) He’s always been able to score, so going for 18 points to lead a Saturday night wasn’t a surprise. Noteworthy in the effort was that he helped turn the game around, as his team blew a lead and then took the game over in their press, and he was a big part of that. His body is more mature and he got his teammates going as well, and one time made quite a ball fake that gave him an opening to score over a big man. Mid-major plus prospect.
Pachal Chukwu (7’0″ Sr. C, Westport (CT) Fairfield Prep) It’s unfortunate that he went down on Friday night with both an ankle injury (that he might have been able to play on later) and a cut that required several stitches in his hand, as he has been playing well. His body still has a ways to go and he has to get stronger and add some ball toughness, but you can see the post moves coming and how well he uses his length. High-major prospect.
Eric Crawford (6’4″ Jr. SG-SF, Hartford (CT) Simsbury HS) Lefty wing has a good frame and some scoring ability that was on display in an early Saturday game. While not the most athletic wing, he showed he can knock down some jumpers and find a way to the basket, and his 18 points included the game-winner.
Joshua Davis (6’5″ Jr. SG-SF, Detroit (MI) Henry Ford HS) A long wing, his body has a ways to go but the skill package indicates there’s good potential here. He made four three-pointers and a long two-point shot en route to 18 points in an early Saturday game, and as his body fills out he can surely become a better scorer off the bounce.
Jahman Delancey (6’2″ Sr. SG, Northfield (MA) Redemption Christian Academy) Well-built guard had a big game with 22 points late Saturday night, using his athleticism to drive often. While he knocked down a three-pointer later, he scored much more often on drives, as he finished well and was a factor when his team pressed.
Anthony Durham (6’4″ Sr. SG-SF, Roselyn (PA) Putnam Science Academy) A wing with a good body, he hit the game-winner at the buzzer on Friday night, then scored more on drives in his next game while showing some shooting range to keep a defender honest. In addition, he also got a steal that led to a dunk in a game where he scored 27 points. Mid-major prospect.
Algevon Eichelberger, Jr. (6’6″ So. PF, Saginaw (MI) High) A post player with a wide frame, he got off to a fast start in an early Saturday game and basically controlled the paint for a lot of the game. Not all of his weight is good weight, but he ran the floor well and got a lot of close baskets including stickbacks, as he was active inside.
Devine Eke (6’7″ Sr. SF, Plainfield (NJ) Union Catholic HS) A long and very athletic forward, he has a good frame and was very active, battling inside often. He used his athleticism well at both ends, and offensively is much more of a scorer than a shooter, not having a problem drawing contact to get fouled.
Steven Enoch (6’8″ Jr. PF, Norwalk (CT) High) This post player is a nice combination of current production and potential, as he has a good frame and a body that still has a ways to go while showing some good scoring ability. In a Saturday game, he scored often with a nice jump hook that appears well-honed, used his length on the glass and also made nice outlet passes. His jumper release looked a bit shaky, but that can be corrected and he already has a solid way to score.
Samuel Friday IV (6’7″ Jr. PF, Jersey City (NJ) Hudson Catholic HS) Physically, he looks like he should impact the game since he has some length and a little athleticism to go with his size. At times he looks the part as well, like when he makes a nice face-up pass or scores in a couple of ways. The concern is that he wasn’t the consistent factor he looks like he can be, and that has been the case before, so he looks like more of a “potential” player than anything else.
Jason Ganley (6’4″ Sr. SG, Northbridge (MA) High) Though not the most athletic wing, he showed that he can make shots, and that always has value. Most of those shots, whether from long range or the nice mid-range off-balance shot he hit one time, were off the catch.
Levy Gillespie (6’2″ Sr. PG-SG, Meriden (CT) Capital Prep Magnet School) With his big man out, he came alive, especially from long range as he shot better from deep than he has in a while. That included 18 points with four three-pointers in one game, and he showed his good fundamentals once again to help compensate for a lack of quickness or athleticism.
Tucker Griffin (6’3″ Jr. SG, Red Hook (NY) High) An early Saturday game was a tale of two halves for this shooter, as he got red-hot in the first half from long range and helped his team build up a double-digit lead. He was quiet for a lot of the second half, but hit a late shot to keep his team alive and finished with 19 points.
Khyree Hawkins (6’2″ Sr. PG, Philadelphia (PA) George Washington HS) A point guard with a slight frame and a body that still needs to develop, he was a solid perimeter leader for his team. He drove and finished, hit a couple of jumpers in the flow of the offense and generally ran the show well.
Mustapha Heron (6’4″ So. SG-SF, West Haven (CT) Wilbraham & Monson Academy) Well-built wing has a nice skill set to potentially play all three perimeter positions, although he may be at his best off the ball to create something off the bounce. Prior to getting injured Saturday evening, he took contact often, handled and passed well, scored on drives including one time where he took one dribble and scored, and didn’t shoot often but hit a nice baseline pull-up one time. It all adds up to a prospect worth keeping an eye on over the next couple of years.
Josh Jackson (6’6″ So. SF, Detroit (MI) Consortium HS) One of the best players here, he’s athletic and relentless to go along with having a good frame and a knack for scoring. He went for 20 or more points in each of the three games his team played through Saturday, doing it from long range, in transition, driving and finishing including with contact. Far from a ball hog, he scored in flow and made several good passes, and his ball skills are above average. With some physical upside, he may be an elite prospect in his class when it’s all said and done.
Jaylen Johnson (6’10” Jr. C, Detroit (MI) Ypsilanti HS) A steady presence inside for his team, he has a good frame, some length and his body has a ways to go. While not a featured player, he did score in double figures in each of his team’s first three games, scoring from mid-range, with a nice post move inside and while getting fouled.
Tyrique Jones (6’8″ Jr. SF-PF, Bloomfield (CT) High) A very athletic forward, he wasn’t quite the factor he looks like he can be in an early Saturday game but is also young enough that his potential outweighs his current production. He got on the floor for loose balls and got a couple of stickbacks, including a layup off a free throw miss.
Janeau Joubert (6’1″ Jr. PG, Belleville (MI) Ypsilanti HS) The steady point guard for a stacked team, he helped make them go while not standing out quite so much. He’s a baby physically and showed the ability to be a scoring threat by slicing through the defense and having a little range on the jumper.
Narcisse Kalamba (6’6″ So. SG-SF, Longueuil (Que.) Alma Academy) He opened up the event with a fine shooting performance in the first set of games, going for 26 points with six three-pointers. He also hit shots from mid-range, including off the dribble.
Daniel Knight (6’4″ Sr. SG, Newark (NJ) Patrick School) Although this left-hander is athletic and attacked all game, he didn’t look very fluid when driving with the ball. He has a slight frame and his body has a ways to go, but he drove often and got fouled a few times, and also got a stickback and hit from long range although that’s not his forte. His body language left a little to be desired at times as well.
Levi Londole (6’7″ Jr. PF, Montreal (Que.) Alma Academy) Active forward has some length and a little physical maturity. He also has a good frame that he can fill out more, and he showed a quick post move and got a stickback from being active.
Tyler Lydon (6’9″ Jr. PF, Elizaville (NY) New Hampton School) Playing with a new team, this lanky forward got better as the weekend went along, so you can probably chalk up his so-so first game to feeling out his new teammates. He finished while fouled a couple of times, hit a few jumpers and was aggressive going for the ball off the glass and in transition. There’s a lot to like as he changes schools and has another year of development ahead.
Tyreik McCauley (6’6″ Sr. SF, Worcester (MA) Academy) Athletic wing has a good body that can still develop more, and he looked to be more of a scorer than a shooter as he scored often close to the basket, including once on an alley-oop dunk.
Unique McLean (6’0″ So. SG, Brooklyn (NY) Hoosac HS) A very athletic wing, his body has a ways to go and his game is still a work in progress, but he went for 14 points in an early game and showed a hint of what he could be capable of.
Pat Melly (6’6″ Jr. PF, Lincolndale (NY) Somers HS) An undersized power forward, he won’t wow you with anything in particular but is just solid all around. The lefty has a good frame and could stand to shed some excess weight, showed the ability to score inside and pass when facing the basket, and doesn’t try to be what he isn’t.
Luke Meyer (6’10” Sr. PF-C, Cement City (MI) Addison HS) Post player has a good frame and body with a lot of development still to come. While he can easily be overshadowed by others on his team, he was a constant factor by battling inside, running the floor and finishing some of the chances he had in close. Mid-major plus prospect has committed to Central Michigan.
Robyn Missa (6’9″ Jr. PF, Montverde (FL) Academy) A post player with a big body, he wasn’t a big factor offensively but was a consistent rebounder, in part because he moves well. If the offense comes, his recruitment would surely make a jump.
Obi Momah (6’6″ Sr. PF, Unionville (CT) Farmington HS) A very active and bouncy athlete, this well-built wing struggled to finish in close for some reason in the opening game. Still, he kept battling and making hustle plays, and in the end the stat sheet reflected it as he went for 17 and 19 points in two games as well as a lot of rebounds at both ends.
Anthony Pate (6’3″ Sr. PG-SG, Westbury (NY) New Hampton School) This lefty guard seems to look better every time out, with a nice showing here. While his jumper was inconsistent, he looks more athletic and used that to drive and score more often, and was also a factor in transition. He also defended well and as a result benefited in transition.
Jayvon Pitts-Young (5’11” Sr. PG, Portland (ME) High) With his team’s primary point guard out of action, he stepped up and helped his team pull out a win on Friday night. His body isn’t there yet, but he has a good frame that can fill out more and ran the show for his team. He drove often and scored in close, including with contact, and gave his team a little different dimension.
Joseph Powell (6’7″ Sr. SF, Saginaw (MI) High) As the weekend went on, this very athletic wing got better. He’s still a baby physically and has a good frame, and he was at his best in transition, where he got a lot of dunks and one time tipped in a miss.
Myles Powell (6’1″ So. SG, Willingboro (NJ) Trenton Catholic HS) His shooting prowess was demonstrated early in the spring, and at times he showed it here although not to the same degree. What he showed more of is a game off the bounce, and that had some good results as he used his developing body inside to finish and also passed well, including on the move. The down side is that he’s not the most athletic player, but he could improve that and his offensive gifts are good ones.
Colin Richey (6’1″ Sr. PG, Upton (MA) Choate Rosemary Hall) As competitive as he is, he’s probably still hurting over a couple of missed free throws late in a Saturday game where his team had a chance. It came after he showed some good speed with the ball on his many drives for layups and finished well, and that’s while still needing to get stronger.
Valentine Sangoyomi (6’10” Sr. C, Waterford (PA) Erie First Christian Academy) A wide-bodied post, not all of his weight is good weight and he isn’t the most mobile post player, but he was a solid presence inside for his team. He showed a touch from mid-range, but overall needs to upgrade his skill package. Where he really made his mark is on the glass, as he rebounded well as part of his good effort at both ends.
Omari Spellman (6’7″ So. PF, Middletown (NY) North Royalton HS) A post player with a wide frame, he finished well inside and was a constant force en route to 20 points in an early game. He also showed a little range on his jumper, so teams will have to keep an eye on him if he strays from the post.
Max Twyman (6’5″ Sr. SG, Rye (NY) Brewster Academy) While his shooting would get attention at first, he did more than that although there is a question about how he’ll deal with more athletic players. He cut to the hoop, made some hustle plays and wasn’t a complete non-factor on the boards, complementing his fine shooting here.
Other players who caught our attention:
Tyler Ancrum (5’11” Sr. PG, Bridgeport (CT) Central HS)
Xavier Cochran (6’5″ Jr. SF, Ypsilanti (MI) Ann Arbor Huron HS)
Keandre Fair (6’0″ So. PG, Hartford (CT) Weaver HS)
Sam Ibiezugbe (6’10” So. C, Newington (CT) The Masters School)
Akeem King (5’11” Jr. PG, Philadelphia (PA) Constitution HS)
Aminenye-Jesu Lakoju (6’8″ Sr. PF, New York (NY) St. Luke’s HS)
Antoine Lewis (5’11” Jr. SG, New Rochelle (NY) High)
Cheddi Mosley (6’2″ Sr. PG, Marlboro (NJ) St. Anthony’s)
David Pacheco (6’6″ Jr. SF-PF, Springfield (MA) Putnam Science Academy)
Elijah Pemberton (6’4″ Jr. SG, Middletown (CT) Xavier HS)
Jordyson Telfort (6’5″ Jr. SG-SF, Boucherville (Que.) Alma Academy)
Joel Tshimanga (6’7″ Jr. SF, Montreal (Que.) Alma Academy)
A.J. Turner (6’6″ Jr. SG-SF, Lenox Township (MI) New Hampton School)
James Wagner, Jr. (6’5″ Sr. SG-SF, Bronx (NY) Archbishop Stepinac HS)
Jean Louis Wanya (6’10” Sr. PF-C, Alma (Que.) Academy)
Tremont Waters (6’0″ Fr. PG, New Haven (CT) Green Farms Academy)
Kassoum Yakwe (6’7″ So. PF, Coram (NY) Our Savior New American School)
