by Alex Schwartz of Northstar Basketball

Day three of Hoop Group Junior Elite Camp has come and gone, and all that is left is today’s playoffs, awards ceremony, and all-star games. On Tuesday I spent much of the day checking out the youngsters in the NCAA division, and was able to see all but two of the teams—I also watched a team twice and saw a team again that I watched Monday—along with watching one NBA game.  Some of the action on this day was intense and there were some great games. Which players stepped up on day three as elite performers? (Players with stars after the name are in the NCAA)

5’3 Tyrell Alexander ’15, Rippowan (CT)*
5’6 Allen Anderson ’13, Lower Merion (PA)
5’5 Kobe Ancrum ’15, Geraldine Johnson (CT)*
6’0 Nick Angeli ’14, Satz (NJ)*
6’4 Brandon Austin ’14, Carnell (PA)
5’5 Jihad Barnes ’15, Girard College (PA)*
5’3 Jake Berkowitz ’14, Birch Wathen Lenox (NY)*
6’2 Gene Bilbao ’14, Governor Mifflin (PA)*
5’2 Zackary Boczar ’14, Birch Wathen Lenox (NY)*
5’5 Aaron Briggs ’14, Bullis School (MD)*
4’11 Torrey Brittingham ’16, Steven Decatuuer (MD)*
5’7 Naz Chew ’14, Trenton Catholic (NJ)
5’7 Chris Coston ’14, Middle River (MD)*
5’0 Billy Clark ’14, JHS 13 (NY)*
5’4 Steve Denby ’14, Northwood Charter (PA)*
5’0 Mikey Dixon ’15, Thomas Edison Charter (DE)*
4’10 Tony Ellington ’15, Hainesport (NJ)*
5’8 Joshua Gills ’14, Kingsview (MD)*
5’8 Langston Glaude ’14, Princeton Day School (NJ)*
4’11 Marquis Irizarry ’15, St. Patrick’s Academy (NJ)*
5’2 Michael Jolaoso ’15, Episcopal Academy (PA)*
5’11 Rasheed Jordan ’13, Imhotep Charter (PA)
5’0 Steve Jordan ’15, Girard College (PA)*
5’10 Antonio Kellem ’15, Freedom (PA)*
5’8 Levon Kelsey ’14, Daniel Boone (PA)*
5’5 Keenan Krause ’15, Butler (PA)*
5’1 Jeremiah Livingston ’15, Cloonan (CT)*
5’11 Rashann London ’14, Holy Cross (PA)
6’2 Josh Marquez ’13, DePaul Catholic (NJ)
5’2 Daiquan Martin ’15, unknown*
5’7 Mike Martin ’15, St. Catherine (NJ)*
4’10 Bryon McMillian ’14, St. Augustine (DC)*
5’8 Steven Milhaven ’14, Weber (NY)*
5’5 Sam Norton ’15, Wyndcroft (PA)*
4’11 Jimmy Panzini ’15, HW Mountz (NJ)*
5’8 Matthew Penecale ’15, Abington (PA)*
5’6 Gary Stewart ’14, Oxon Hills (MD)*
5’7 Isiah Taylor ’15, Montgomery (NJ)*
5’6 Samir Taylor ’15, The Philadelphia School (PA)*
5’7 Tyrell Thomas ’14, St. Jerome (MD)*
5’7 Christopher Warren ’14, Sacred Heart (PA)*

There was one player in each division who truly stood out above the rest on Tuesday. In the NBA, it was arguably the camp’s brightest prospect, in 6’4 Brandon Austin ’14. Despite being in eighth grade, when most kids his size are down low on the blocks, Austin is a pass-first point guard. “When I was younger, I just used to practice in the mirror how to dribble the ball. I look up to Allen Iverson. . . . He’s my idol, . . . so I used to try to follow what he did,” said Austin on why he is a point guard despite his height. The lanky City of Brotherly Love star did a very good job scoring the ball Tuesday, while also getting teammate involved, leading his team to a double overtime victory. Austin knocked in some tough jumpers, while also finishing around the rim, playing very good defense at times, rebounding the ball on offense, and showing off a great handle. Billy Clark ’14 is only 5’0, but he can flat-out play ball, and he does so with a tough New Yorker’s mentality. A quick and elusive guard, Clark gets to the hoop with ease and scores once there. The rising eighth grader can also knock down shots from behind the arc, which makes him a nightmare for defenses.

During the day, I chatted with several players and asked them a few questions. Have a look:

6’4 Brandon Austin ’14, Carnell (PA)
Dream School: Villanova
Strongest Points: “My handle and my height.”
Weakest Point: “Defense.”

6’2 Gene Bilbao ’14, Governor Mifflin (PA)
Dream Schools: Bucknell and Siena
Strongest Points: “My inside moves and my rebounding.”
Weakest Point: “I’d have to say [playing on] the outside.”

5’6 Gary Stewart ’14, Oxon Hills (MD)
Dream Schools: Duke, UCLA, and Dartmouth
Strongest Points: “Three-point shooting, handles, and if I have a mismatch, I can post someone up.”
Weakest Point: “I need to get back in shape. I need to run more, get out on the track, and do a bit more exercise.”

5’3 Tyrell Alexander ’15, Rippowan (CT)
Dream School: North Carolina
Strongest Points: “My shot, and being able to depend on my teammates.”
Weakest Point: “My handle.”

5’0 Mikey Dixon ’15, Thomas Edison Charter (DE)
Dream School: Memphis
Strongest Points: “My dribbling, and in the lane shooting floaters.”
Weakest Point: “I think I got to start hustling more . . . if I don’t have the ball in my hands.”

5’2 Michael Jolaoso ’15, Episcopal Academy (PA)
Dream School: Syracuse
Strongest Point: “My penetration.”
Weakest Point: “I’d say I have to work on my jumpshot a bit more.”

With one day left, there is still time for players to make names for themselves. Who will step up? Who will be The Hoop Group Junior Elite Camp all-stars?

For more from The Hoop Group, the leader in grassroots basketball events, check out http://hoopgroup.com/hoopgroup/index.php.