ABCD Camp: Looking to the Future
Expectations and success can lead to disappointment. As scouts, college coaches, NBA personnel, fans, and even Reebok employees arrived at Fairleigh Dickinson University for this year’s installment of the ABCD Camp, no one really knew what you would see. This year, there are no Lebron James’, Sebastian Telfairs’, Dwight Howards’, no big name senior that may take the NBA or college by storm. Has the camp become a disappointment because of its previous success in showcasing future stars? Where’s the hype? Yes, the Class of 2005 might be weaker than previous senior classes, but surely there will be a few diamonds in the rough that will arise. Oh, and don’t worry, the future is bright, because the Class of 2006 and 2007 has a string of pearls waiting for their chance to make your jaw drop in astonishment. So, who were the headliners this year?
Greg Oden (Indianapolis, IN) is probably the name most common fans know. The new “Big O” stands 7 feet, weighs 245 pounds, and has a body like a 25-year old man. He reminds me of a taller Emeka Okafur. He was by far the best defensive large man at camp. If he didn’t block your shot, he was adjusting it. If he didn’t snatch the rebound, he was boxing out 2 guys, so that his teammates could notch a Rodman. I like to call myself a prognosticator. I don’t want to boast, but I’ve done well with this “scouting of talent” thing. Look at a kid’s hands, his feet, listen to his voice, check out where his arms hang to, and you can tell a lot. Greg still has room to grow, both physically and in his game. Mark my words, he will NOT play college basketball, and that’s NOT because he won’t have the grades; he will be a top 5 pick in the draft in 2006.
Daequan Cook (Class of 2006) was a player who blew up this year. A 6-5 wing out of Dayton, OH can do a little bit of everything. He steadily got better as the camp went through its four days, and it all came together when he took home co-MVP honors in the underclass all-star game (21 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists).
O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker (both from North College High in Cincinnati, OH and class of 2007) have silly games. Mayo is about 6-3 or 6-4. His game in one word: bananas! He can shoot, his court vision is impeccable, and he knows how to lead a team. OJ also has a nice deep voice to go along with a muscular physique, which may lead you to believe that he may not grow much more in stature, but his game looks to continue to improve (scary!). Mayo also garnered co-MVP status in the underclass game with an impressive 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. In my opinion, Mayo was the smoothest, and BEST player in camp. Not to be outdone, Walker might have been the best athlete at camp. Just a shade over a year removed from knee surgery, Bill captured the nickname “sky” for his gravity defying leaps towards the rim. He’s not just a leaper, he has a decent mid-range game and plays excellent defense. Many scouts on the scene believe that his ceiling might actually be higher than Mayo since he is already a solid 6-5 and will probably grow a few more inches. Think a young Larry Johnson combined with some Lamar Odom.
Dwayne Collins (Class of 2007, Miami Fl.) may have been the nicest and most well-mannered kid I spoke with this week. He’s soft spoken, but his game is simply nasty. At 6-8 and a sculpted 225 pounds, he’s just plain frightening on the court. He’s got enough offensive moves to make you respect him, but once he gets on the blocks, his hops are what makes him dangerous. He was a human dunking machine. He has a nose for the ball, and (besides Oden) was the best defensive player at ABCD. In the all star game he blew out his cornrows and stepped on the court with his afro flowing. This 6-8 beast suddenly became 6-10. Ben Wallace comparisons that were being whispered all week became a reality. This is another man-child that I highly doubt will ever be seen in college threads. Don’t forget, he’s JUST 16!
Cory Fisher (Class of 2007), point guard out of the Bronx, may steal the streetball nickname “sick wit’ it.” He was one of the most complete point guards at camp. He just did not make mistakes. He’s short (about 5-10), but makes up for it with his New York City grit (he just refused to back down from the trees). His shot will need work, but his pg skills were, dare I say, on point. He played last year at St. Patrick’s High School, but is rumored to be transferring this upcoming year. Keep your eyes and ears to the grind to see who lands this stud.
There’s a new “DC” in town, folks. Derrick Coleman was the number one pick over a decade ago by the New Jersey Nets, but Derrick Caracter (Class of 2006) might want to take his reigns. DC, hails from Fanwood, NJ (St. Patrick’s HS), is a thick 6-9, 282 pounds and has the skills to pay some major bills. He’s nimble, not just a banger. Caracter looks just as comfortable stepping 15-18 feet away from the basket as he is when he’s drop stepping on some sucka. Will he be a future number one pick? Derrick needs to tone that body, and refine those god-given talents he was given, and he just might be the future.
Taylor King (Class of 2007), out of Huntington Beach, CA is a dynamo. His lefty stroke is dangerous and for a lanky (6-8, 200 pounds), almost awkward looking kid, Taylor was able to pogo with the best of them. His game has a resemblance to Tayshaun Prince’s, but his body is not frail. He verballed to UCLA, but rumor is he will renege on that commitment. Expect schools to be begging this kid to come to their campus.
In all seriousness, the future of basketball is at the hands and feet of these young, burgeoning stars and it doesn’t stop with these aforementioned 8 studs. Here are my Top 10 underclassmen that you may not know about just yet, but surely will in the future (in no particular order):
• Keenan Ellis: Class of 2007, 6-10, 185, Indianapolis, IN (Cathedral)
• Curtis Kelly: Class of 2006, 6-8, 215, Bronx, NY (Rice)
• Chase Budinger: Class of 2006, 6-6, 190, Encinitas, CA (La Costa Canyon)
• Robert Thomas: Class of 2006, 6-6, 195 Brooklyn, NY (St. Thomas More)
• Eric Wallace: Class of 2007, 6-6, 180, Winston-Salem, NC (Glenn)
• Edwin Rios: Class of 2007, 6-1, 190, Miami, FL (Miami Sr.)
• J’Covan Brown: Class of 2008, 6-1, 165, Port Arthur, TX (Monsignor Kelly)
• Lance Thomas: Class of 2006, 6-8, 200, Scotch Plains, NJ (Fanwood)
• Mike Conley II: Class of 2006, 6-1, 160 Indianapolis, IN (Lawrence North)
• Tom Herzog: Class of 2006, 6-11, 210, Linden, MI (Powers Catholic)
