by Alex Schwartz 

A handful of players have already begun to make a name for themselves here at The College of New Jersey through their play at The Hoop Group Junior Elite Camp. With two leagues, the NBA and the NCAA, there is equal opportunity for players of all classes and sizes to showcase their abilities. It’s great to watch the youngsters run around and enjoy basketball, as that’s how it really should be. These are the type of kids who make you remember why basketball is such a great sport. It’s not all fun and games, though. There are a number of ultra-talented young ballers here. The following campers stood out to me on Sunday: 

5′10 Jamal Adu-Peasah ‘13, Baumont MS (KY)
6′6 Matt Banas ‘12, Hershey HS (PA)
6′4 Damien Williams ‘12, Plymouth Whitemarsh HS (PA)
5′8 Luke Moyer ‘12, Souderton Area HS (PA)
6′2 Brandon Austin ‘14, Carnell MS (PA)
5′2 Malcolm Robinson ‘12, Bayonne HS (NJ)
5′9 Cody Combs ‘12, Holy Spirit HS (NJ)
5′11 Steven Parr ‘12, East Catholic HS (CT)
5′4 Austin Malone-Mitchell ‘13, Sherwood Intermediate School (WI)
5′4 Mark Granville ‘12, Solebury Prep (PA)
6′2 Larry Morton ‘13, Baumont MS (KY)
6′0 Nafis Brown ‘12, Harrisburg HS (PA)
5′10 Marcus Carter ‘12, Union HS (NJ)
5′10 Daniel Decker ‘12, Timothy Christian (PA)
6′0 Eli Thomas ‘12, John Harris HS (PA)
6′4 Ryan Morris ‘12, Barnegat MS (NJ)
5′6 Christopher Banks ‘12, West Windsor-Plainsboro HS North (NJ)
5′10 Britton Lee ‘13, Wilson MS (PA)
5′4 Tristen Newman ‘14, Coulson Tough Elementary (TX)
5′5 Bryan Rivers ‘13, Grover MS (NJ)
Ryan Spengler ‘14, Unknown
5′8 Floyd Preito ‘13, Greenfield MS (PA)
5′2 Trey Lowe ‘15, Fisher MS (NJ)
5′8 Stephen Vasturia ‘13, St. Mary of Lakes (NJ)
6′1 Bobby Ahearn ‘13, Furnace Brook MS (MA)
4′10 ShaQuan Worthy ‘14, Gregory School (NJ)
5′1 Langston Glaude ‘14, Princeton Day School (NJ)
5′4 Billy Maltz ‘13, George Washington MS (NJ)
5′6 Kadar Holloman ‘13, Springside MS (NJ)
5′5 Malik Smith ‘14, Feltonville School of Arts and Sciences (PA) 

Many of these names may seem familiar, as some of the same players were dominant on both day one and day two. Thus, they are on the list for both days. Kids such as Brandon Austin, Larry Morton, and Britton Lee, have a shot at making the list all four days. The top-of-the-line young guns really stand out, as they play well above what their age would indicate. There were seven guys who I would say were day two’s premiere performers: Kadar Holloman, Malik Smith, Bobby Ahearn, Matt Banas, Billy Maltz, Luke Moyer, and Damien Williams. Holloman is a solid all-around player with solid size for his age. Smith has a great handle and gets to the hoop well.  The rising seventh grader is quite talented already. Bobby Ahearn may have been the most impressive player in camp today. He is an absolute beast. Ahearn is a force down low and just destroys kids with his size and natural ability. Matt Banas is another big man with talent. At 6′6, Banas is the tallest camper at TCNJ. He can not only score in large bunches in the paint; he runs the floor well too. Luke Moyer has a great jump-shot and can also drive to the rim. His bread and butter is certainly his jumper, and he utilizes it well. Damien Williams is a load in the low post. He is really athletic, has great length, and has some nice moves. Williams is almost unstoppable. 

DREAM SCHOOLS- 

6′6 Matt Banas ‘12, Hershey HS (PA): Duke 

6′2 Larry Morton ‘13, Baumont MS (KY): “probably Texas” 

5′6 Christopher Banks ‘12, West Windsor-Plainsboro HS North: Kansas 

5′5 Malik Smith ‘14, Feltonville School of Arts and Sciences (PA): Florida 

The camp has been a joy so far for everyone involved, especially the players. The kids get solid coaching from their quality camp coaches. The kids seem to be having fun, and that’s great, but the coaching that they are getting is just as important. Stay tuned for more from The Hoop Group Junior Elite Camp.