REVIEWING HOLIDAY HOOPSGIVING
By: Gregory Kopanezos
Here are the standout performances from the games I covered at Hoopsgiving.
Rob Dillingham- (2023 G- Donda Academy)
Donda Academy’s offense is centered around the the playmaking ability of Dillingham. The nation’s #1 ranked guard had a big time showing at Hoopsgiving in front of college coaches. Dillingham’s handle combined with his ability to create his own shot makes him nearly impossible to guard. He scored 23 of his team’s 45 on Friday night, and followed it up with another strong performance Saturday night against TSF. Even more impressive than his highlight making ability was his willingness to create open shots for his teammates.
Jerry Easter II
Easter is the youngest of the standouts on the list from the weekend. The 2025 (YES 2025!), guard had a great game against the Lovett School Friday. The physical intangibles jump out right away but I was left impressed with his composure and leadership at his age. Easter never seems to let the size of the moment get to him.
Zion Cruz- (2022 G- Donda Academy)
It is no secret to why so many high majors are all over the Donda Academy guard. His ability to put the ball in the hoop was one of the best at the entire event. Cruz may not have had his best shooting performance on Friday but he followed it up with a 25 point performance while shooting an astounding 85% from the field. Cruz’s silky smooth offensive of game will translate well to the next level. Finding out whether he is better as a primary ball-handler or playing off the ball will be an important question going forward. Tremendous upside.
Isaiah Collier- (2023 G- Wheeler)
Collier is starting to draw the national recognition that people within the Georgia grassroots scene knew he was deserving of. There is not a player with better playmaking ability in the 2023 class. He matched up well with the top guards at Montverde Academy. Showing that his name should be mentioned in the conversation of top point guard. Collier has improved his strength and explosiveness at the rim as well as his leadership ability as an upperclassmen. He goes for a three-peat with Wheeler this year.
Juvon Gamory- (2022 G- Wheeler)
Recruiters have been hesitant to pursue Gamory because of his height. However, Saturday night he proved he could handle the toughest competition at this level. Gamory like usual was able to fill it up in a hurry. His quickness and craftiness with the ball was on full display and he was able to get his shots off over taller defenders. Another impressive piece of Gamory’s weekend performance was his defensive display. He answered any questions of ‘mismatches’ on that end of the ball. Limiting 4 and 5 star guards. Expect a big senior season.
Dariq Whitehead- (2022 G- Montverde)
Whitehead has been one of my favorite players in the 2022 class for awhile now. This weekend only reaffirmed my belief that he is on path to be a standout performer next season at Duke and a lottery pick in the draft shortly after that. Whitehead is versatile. He can guard 1-5 at the high school level and 1-3 at the college level. He has stepped up in his leadership role with Montverde this season and will carry them to a national championship run this upcoming season. He is most effective in transition and going down hill. If his jumper becomes a little more consistent and he cuts out a few mistakes his game will be unstoppable.
Jalen Hood-Schifino (2022 G- Montverde)
This was my first time seeing Hood-Schifino in person. It’s no secret to why the Indiana staff is so excited to have him on campus soon. He had a huge showing at Peach Jam last August and that momentum has carried into the high school season. He does so many things on the basketball court well. First off, he is a team player. He can control the offense and with a big 6’5 frame that’s a frightening sight for a defense. He can get to the basket when he wants and he is dangerous in transition. When he gets the ball the game seems to almost slow down. His confidence and poise is a rarity for his age. With Hood-Schifino and Kaleb Banks in the 2022 class and Jakai Newton and Gabe Cupps in 2023, Mike Woodson and his staff are cooking up something special in Bloomington.
Josh Reed (2022 F- Pace)
The Cincinnati commit seems to get better each and every time he touches the floor. It’s evident he has spent a lot of time becoming more consistent from beyond the arc and he looked smooth against Norcross. Reed’s strength and athleticism has always been his strength and once he gets in the lane there is no stopping him. He continues to add muscle to his 6’7 frame making him an even more imposing threat to defenses. With the departures of Matt Cleveland, Madison Durr, and Cole Middleton, Pace is going to need Reed to step up to content for the 1A private championship at the end of the season.
London Johnson (2023 G- Norcross)
Johnson plays in control. His ability to read a defense and get to his spots is well beyond his years. Johnson proved that he can still get the job done with defenses keying in on him. His impressive 27 point performance against Pace was one of the highest tallies of the weekend. High majors have been all over Johnson and his recruitment is an intriguing one to follow. The Georgia 2023 guard pool is stacked but Johnson deserves to be in that conversation.
Jerry Deng (2022? F- Norcross)
Deng is such a smart player. The game seems to slow down for him. His ability to stretch the floor and knock down shots from the outside so consistently at 6’7 jumps out at anyone watching him. If there is not a hand in his face the ball is going to be at the bottom of the net. He is smooth with the ball and passes it very well. He is going to need to step up in a big way for Norcross to be competitive with the top teams in 7A. I expect to see more recruiting buzz around Deng as the season progresses. Still need to see him add some explosiveness and be more assertive in the paint in situations.
Jaxon Kohler (2023- F/C SCA)
Kohler is more fundamentally sound than any player at the high school level. His ability to score from post positions is so rare to see in today’s age of basketball. It is refreshing to see a player play the way Kohler does and I can see why Michigan State fans were ecstatic to land his commitment. Each and every time I have had the chance to see Kohler he has dominated the competition he has gone up against. Kohler is a special player and knows just how to capitalize on the weaknesses of the defender on him.
Kam Craft
Craft is the real deal. Hoopsgiving was also my first time getting the chance to see him in person. I can attest that everything scouts/evaluators have been raving about proved to be true. He’s a smooth scorer and he only needs an inch of space to knock down his shot from the outside. He will continue to improve at TSF and get even more comfortable leading the offense against top competition. Another player who does all the little things right.
