He played high school ball at Thurgood Marshall Academy in Harlem, NY, and then in college at SUNY-Canton in upstate New York. After graduating, he worked at downtown apparel boutique AllSaints in SoHo and then as an elementary school program coordinator, before turning his attention full-time to music earlier this year.

That decision coincided, perhaps serendipitously, with another decision: that of LeBron James’ free agency.

“I’ve always been a huge LeBron James fan,” Khaliente says. “So when he signed with the Lakers, my block and my friends were like, ‘Oh you gonna be a Lakers fan now,’ and I jokingly said I’ve always been a Lakers fan. I ran with it and started calling myself ‘Big Laker.’”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq3Od7sAKTm/

Two of those aforementioned friends are names any fan of hoops, rap or both will recognize: Isaiah Washington and Sheck Wes.

Washington—the most prominent face of the JellyFam movement and now a sophomore point guard at the University of Minnesota—and Khaliente (whose real name is Khalid) have known each other since the latter was 15 years old, and collaborated to curate the 2018 Jelly Day event in Harlem over the summer.

Wes, meanwhile, is another young artist from Harlem who himself rode the wave of an NBA-inspired song (“Mo Bamba”) to newfound fame in 2018. Khaliente says they’ve been friends for three years now, and lists Wes among the artists who inspire him most, along with Drake, Tupac and YG.

In fact, the inspiration for “Big Laker” the song, produced by Fly Melodies, was sparked one night backstage at a Sheck Wes concert. “Sheck is a huge Kevin Durant fan,” Khaliente explains. “He was trying to argue that Kevin Durant is better than LeBron. Him and Ballo (Sheck’s childhood friend and current assistant) both started double-teaming me, so then I told them that I’mma make a Laker song and put they names in it. I wrote it that night.”

The track itself is an all-out LakeShow anthem. If nothing else, this song deserves to ring out at Staples Center for as long as the Lakers’ season lasts in 2019. At one point, he raps: “Like Javale McGee, I go stupid on this beat. And like I’m Ron Artest, how I gave the World Peace.”

Khaliente goes on to shout out not only current Lakers like Rajon Rondo, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Lance Stephenson, Michael Beasley and (of course) LeBron James, but also a handful of Laker legends, including Lamar Odom, Phil Jackson, Wilt Chamberlain, Magic Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal—with the familiar “I been ballin’ like a Big Laker” refrain throughout. That the song is centered around one of the most legendary franchises in NBA history is no accident. Khaliente holds himself to the same gold standard when it comes to his music.

“I want to be one of the greats when it’s all said and done,” insists Khaliente, who promises that a full mixtape is coming Spring 2019, with more singles on the way even sooner. “But what’s most important to me is being able to give back to my community and inspire the youth.”

For more from Khaliente, follow him on SoundCloud and Instagram.

—

Abe Schwadron is the Managing Editor at numberFire and a former Senior Editor at SLAM. Follow him on Twitter @abe_squad.

The post ‘Big Laker’: Rapper Khaliente’s New Track Is the LakeShow Anthem of 2019 🔊 appeared first on SLAM.

Among this young core of rising prospects is Jahvon Quinerly, a 6-1 point guard who has already given a verbal commitment to Arizona. A prototypical playmaker who makes the right pass but can also get his own bucket at will, the New Jersey (Hudson Catholic HS) native is ranked among the top 25 prospects in the senior class. Peep his latest highlight mixtape above, courtesy of Hoop Diamonds.

The post JellyFam’s Next Stud: Jahvon Quinerly Is One Of The Top PGs In The Country appeared first on SLAM.

Washington was among the founding members of the JellyFam movement a few years ago. Because he and his friends couldn’t dunk with ease, they wanted to come up with their own signature moves. They gravitated to the finger roll but gave it a modern update, instead calling it the “Jelly.”

Their movement gained hundreds of thousands of followers on social media and the Fam began to grow, with Quinerly and Leondre Washington coming on board.

To be part of JellyFam, you have to Jelly three times in one game, in front of a current member of the Fam.

Watch the video above to see all of Dyckman lose their collective minds after Jordan Walker’s back-to-back scoop shots. Kevin Durant didn’t have Dyckman this lit.

https://youtu.be/J8F7xPV5jd8

Related
Steph Curry Teams Up With JellyFam At SC30 Select Camp
JellyFam is Giving NYC Basketball New Life 

h/t NJ Hoop Recruit 

The post JellyDay Had New York City’s Dyckman Park Going Crazy appeared first on SLAM.

One face-off that emerged at this year’s showcase could be found in the backcourt between NYC PG Isaiah “JellyFam Dimes” Washington and Maryland guard Chris Lykes. Washington, a 6-1 senior committed to Minnesota and co-founder of the Jelly Fam basketball movement, and Lykes, a gritty 5-7 PG signed to Miami, clashed in Long Beach.

Peep the video above to catch them in action.

The post WATCH: Electrifying Senior Guards Isaiah Washington & Chris Lykes Face Off appeared first on SLAM.

While the St. Raymond Ravens (NY) ran out of gas down the stretch and got bumped from the CHSAA playoffs early, Washington cemented his status as one of the top players in NYC all season long. Check his highlights above via Courtside Films and be on the lookout for Dimes in the Big Ten next season.

Related
The SLAM Podcast Feat. @NJHoopRecruit

The post WATCH: Minnesota Commit Isaiah Washington’s Senior Season Mixtape appeared first on SLAM.

Once a prideful city that seemingly produced top prospects on a regular basis, specifically at the guard positions, New York City became the subject of ‘what went wrong?’ articles in recent years as the number of top prospects it put out drastically decreased. Historically known for producing some of the grittiest and most talented hoopers, all of a sudden calling it the “Mecca of Basketball” seemed like an outdated term that more accurately referred to the an era from the previous century, particularly the ’60s through ’90s, when Bernard King, Nate “Tiny” Archibald, Connie Hawkins, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, among a long list of other accomplished ballers, put the Empire State in a lane of its own. The city was quite simply no longer producing the same batches of prospects, with the same kind of buzz at the same rate it once did.

But then 2016 happened.

SLAM readers may have noticed that NYC prospects have been profiled a lot more often in recent months than in years past. This past spring, Arizona freshman Rawle Alkins made a statement by heading off to college as a top-25 recruit after being unranked just two years earlier. NYC has two of their own ranked in the top-10 nationally for the Class of 2017 in Mohamed Bamba and Hamidou Diallo. Then there’s Jose Alvarado, who will be following in the footsteps of Kenny Anderson and Stephon Marbury, as the next city point guard that makes the move to Georgia Tech from NYC for college.

And it doesn’t stop with this class. The junior class features Moses Brown, a 6-10 center at Archbishop Molloy in Queens, who is ranked top-20 in the Class of 2018. And then there’s Cole Anthony, son of former NBAer Greg Anthony, who is ranked top-20 in the Class of 2019.

Yet, no one this year had the same impact culturally the way Minnesota-bound Isaiah Washington did. The 6-1 PG out of Harlem, famously known as Jellyfam Dimes, started a movement of his own, as he explains in the video above, when he and a group of local basketball players decided to form their own basketball fraternity—with a specific initiation process and requirements, a consistent hashtag and an impeccable social media strategy, that would school any MBA candidate on marketing and brand visibility.

The Jelly Fam movement, which Washington says actually started in 8th grade with friend Ja’Quaye James, currently a high school junior at Teaneck High in New Jersey, picked up steam as the AAU season went from spring to summer in 2016. Playing with the New Heights AAU program in the Under Armour Association grassroots circuit, he quickly became one of the premier prospects this summer as the weekend sessions went from New York to Indiana to Los Angeles and then on to Georgia. He finished top-3 in assists in the league with 5.1 dimes while averaging 12.9 ppg in a summer that saw him go from unranked to now being listed nationally as high as in the 60s.

But what made him a star in the NYC community wasn’t necessarily his performance at national tournaments. It was his constant appearances at Dyckman, Rucker, Kingdome and similar local playgrounds in summer tourneys throughout the city. It was similar to how it all started for playground legends of past generations, like Pee Wee Kirkland and Rafer “Skip to my Lou” Alston.

The crafty handles off the dribble, the smooth finish at the rim, it was these moves caught on tape that made their way through the social media sphere—and with “Jellyfam” clearly visible in his Twitter and Instagram handle, the hoops community began to take notice. Along with Washington’s growing notoriety was the growth in Jelly Fam members. Top-40 junior prospect Jahvon Quinerly, a 6-1 PG at Hudson Catholic in Jersey City, NJ, joined the movement. Washington’s former teammate at St. Raymond HS in the Bronx, Sidney Wilson, a 6-7 wing with offers from Indiana, Louisville, UConn and UNLV, among many others, is also Jelly Fam certified. Leondre Washington, a 6-foot guard at Roselle (NJ) Catholic, with offers from a few mid-major programs also gained membership.

In total, today there are now eight elite members of the exclusive Jelly Fam society spread across three states—all highly touted recruits with enough cumulative social media followers to spread the movement even further, constantly using the #jellyfam hashtag in postings and in shout outs.

How do you become eligible to join the crew? One must do three finger-rolls on someone in one game in order to earn an invitation. And of course, one of the members of Jelly Fam has to be in attendance or there has to be footage of it.

Scroll through social media and you’ll find an array of users (not official members of Jelly Fam but admirers and supporters alike) using the Jelly Fam name in their handles or in hashtags. The movement has even transcended the digital world and infiltrated the game of basketball itself.

Kids at every level are now looking to finish at the rim with a finger roll more than ever before, some even opting to do so over throwing down a dunk. The crowd at the Elite 24 Game in Brooklyn, for example, would go more nuts after a simple finger-roll from Washington than after a rim-rattling jam.

There’s Jelly Fam t-shirts now. Kyrie Irving, just yesterday, revealed a Jelly Fam-inspired Nike shoe. Once a cult-like following seems to have transformed into a basketball cultural phenomenon.

“I just gotta keep up the reputation that New York has of bringing out great guards,” says Washington of the expectations that have come from his newfound fame and the rise of what he refers to as a “basketball social group.”

“We just want to be role models to the kids and put them in the right path.”

—

The post 2016: The Year NYC Basketball Was Resuscitated appeared first on SLAM.

https://twitter.com/Jellyfam_Dimes/status/774988566833221632

“I enjoyed the school very much,” Washington told the Star Tribune. “I feel like it’s one big family here. I just wanted to be a part of that. My expectations are to get to the (NCAA) tournament when I get here. I’m a pass-first point guard who can score when my teammates need me to. I want to make a huge impact.”

A 6-0, 160 point guard, Washington will be a senior at Bronx’s St. Raymond’s High School.

Related
Respect the Game: The SLAM Podcast Feat. @NJHoopRecruit
Isaiah Washington Shows Out at Dyckman Park (VIDEO)

The post NYC Guard Isaiah Washington Commits to Minnesota appeared first on SLAM.

Check out some of the best plays from Isaiah’s summer via Courtside Films.

Related
Respect the Game: The SLAM Podcast Feat. @NJHoopRecruit
Isaiah Washington Shows Out at Dyckman Park (VIDEO)

The post WATCH: NYC Point Guard Isaiah Washington’s Summer Mixtape appeared first on SLAM.

Follow @NJHoopRecruit on Twitter and Instagram. Follow SLAM’s High School Twitter @SLAMonline_HS.

Subscribe and rate on iTunes

Follow us on SoundCloud

Listen to recent podcasts:
Jadakiss
Lang Whitaker
Pelicans Guard Langston Galloway

The post Respect the Game: The SLAM Podcast Episode 20 Feat. @NJHoopRecruit appeared first on SLAM.

Maybe it has something to do with the games being played in the Empire State, with the home crowd cheering their every move, or the fact that such games against the nation’s top recruits offer the opportunity to quiet critics that claim NYC doesn’t produce the same kind of high-level prospects it once did. But as the Under Armour prestigious summer all-star game turned the page into a new decade this past weekend, the results for New York guards remained the same.

This time it was another NYC-bred guard named Isaiah that took home MVP honors after scoring 36 points, just two points shy of Stephenson’s all-time event record of 38 points. Isaiah Washington, who wasn’t even listed on the rosters when the 24 selected participants were initially revealed, was a last-minute addition after being brought on board just a couple of days prior to Saturday’s nationally-televised game.

With a chip on his shoulder and the #jellyfam supporters seemingly making up for about half of the people sitting in the stands, Washington put together a memorable night that brought back memories to the 2013 E24 edition under the Brooklyn Bridge, which saw Brooklyn guard Whitehead and Denver Nuggets PG Emmanuel Mudiay battle it out one-one-one for multiple consecutive possessions, as the crowd instigated the back-and-forth action. In that game, it was the hometown guard against the number one guard in the country (Mudiay). This year’s game, it was Washington (above, white), who has emerged this summer as a local online sensation and hometown favorite, against the top ranked guard in the nation, Trevon Duval (above, black). The Delaware native, known for his explosiveness and agility, hooped at Advanced Prep International last year but has said he will transfer to a different school (still to be determined) for his senior year.

Both caught each other with off-the-dribble moves to the rim, with Washington usually shaking Duval off with his superb ball-handling skills while Duval created space by using his superior athleticism and speed over Washington. In the end, Duval would respond to Washington’s 36 points with 25 of his own to go along with a game-high of 9 assists.

This year’s showcase also marked the first time in its 11 years of existence that the game ended up going to overtime. Alums like Will Barton and Mudiay returned as assistant coaches, while participants from last year’s game like incoming Kansas freshman Josh Jackson and incoming Washington freshman Markelle Fultz took in the action from courtside.

One of the most impressive performers in this year’s game was Zion Williamson (above), a 6-7 forward out of Spartanburg (SC) Day School, who went a perfect 10-for-10 from the field on Saturday night, making it look easy on his way to 23 points, six rebounds and the co-MVP hardware.

Only a rising junior, Williamson capped off a strong summer that saw him win MVP at the NBPA Top 100 Camp in June and many in the circuit now consider him a candidate for the top spot in the Class of 2018.

Another NYC guard in attendance was Hamidou Diallo, a 6-5 shooting guard from Corona, Queens, who’s a rising senior at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut. The high-flying, five-star recruit is highly regarded for his explosiveness and speed. He finished Saturday night with 22 points, six rebounds, 4 steals and a whole lot of dunks.

Auburn-commit Austin Wiley (above), whose both parents hooped for the Tigers in the 1990s, posted the only double-double of the night with 22 points and 12 rebounds. His mother, Vickie Orr, represented Team USA in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, where the American squad took home the bronze medal. His father, Aubrey, led the SEC in rebounding in 1994 and has coached at Lawson State Community College for over a decade.

Bol Bol, son of the late Manute Bol, a 7-7 former NBA shot-blocking machine and renowned humanitarian activist, went a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor, finishing with 10 points.

From a defensive perspective, no one was more impressive than MJ Walker. The two-sport standout, who has collected collegiate offers in both football and basketball, could care less that it was an all-star game, refusing to give up any easy baskets throughout the night – all visible in the stat sheet, where he finished with game-highs in steals (6) and fouls (6) to accompany his 15 points and four assists. The 6-5 shooting guard out of Jonesboro in Georgia led the UA Association in scoring with 20.7 points per game this summer.

UNC-commit Jalek Felton, nephew of LA Clippers guard and UA endorser Raymond Felton, chipped in 16 points and four assists.

Photo Credit: Kelly Kline/Under Armour 

The post 2016 Under Armour Elite 24 Recap appeared first on SLAM.

The point guard is just 6-1, but plays with NYC’s trademark toughness. The rising senior recently took to courts at Dyckman Park in his home borough of Harlem, and showed why his game is just as nice on the streets as it is on the hardwood.

Related:
Brad Miller Lookalike Lights Up Dyckman Park

The post Isaiah Washington aka JellyFam Shows Out At Dyckman Park (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.

Points Per Game
Lionel “LJ” Figueroa 26.0
Kris Wilkes 23.5
Nathaniel Pierre-Louis 22.0
Myles Cale 22.0
Trevon Duval 19.5

Rebounds Per Game
Bourama Sibide 12.5
Ruot Monyyong 10.2
Josip Vrankic 9.5
Ira Lee 8.2
Cameron Krutwig 8.2

Assists Per Game
Cameron Mack 7.8
Paul Scruggs 6.0
Isaiah Washington 6.0
Prentiss Hubb 5.8
Jacob Gilyard 4.8

Steals Per Game
Lionel “LJ” Figueroa 2.5
Jalek Felton 2.2
David Nickleberry 2.2

Blocks Per Game
Ruot Monyyong 3.2
Bourama Sidibe 2.8
Nate Watson 2.2
Emmanuel Dowuona 2.2
Christopher Sodom 2.0
Moses Brown 2.0

The post Under Armour Association NYC Session (PHOTOS) appeared first on SLAM.

Over a three day period, over 12,000 fans assembled at Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes, Delaware for the Slam Dunk to the Beach showcase. Hosted by the Delaware Sports Commission, the event attracted some of the nation’s best high school basketball talent. With this being the second year of its return, the commission ramped up the talent pool by locking five schools listed in MaxPreps Xcellent 25. Here are a few of the players that stood out.

Isaiah Washington 6-0 PG St. Raymond (NY) 2017

Basketball purists say that point guards are born, not created. During his two games at Slam Dunk to the Beach, Isaiah Washington played as if he was well aware of his birthright. In his team’s win over Friendship Collegiate, Washington notched 17 points, 7 boards and 8 steals in a highly anticipated matchup with Temple-commit Alani Moore. He also finished with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 steals in a loss to St. Elizabeth. Washington’s playing style is reminiscent of a throwback, New York City point guard with exceptional ball-handling and slick passing ability. The Harlem native played with a calm demeanor, handled pressure well, scored and dished to open teammates. Washington’s list of suitors may increase if he limits his turnovers and improves his shooting efficiency.

Sidney Wilson 6-7, SF, St. Raymond (NY), 2017

Wilson is a highly energetic, supremely athletic, versatile forward who is at his best when he attacks the basket. The junior forward went ballistic against Friendship Collegiate’s bigger frontline by scoring 31 points, and followed up with 21 points, 17 rebounds, and 4 assists in a losing effort to St. Elizabeth. Wilson was amazing in transition, but also operated well in the high post, and short corners. Defensively, he proved to be a great weak-side defender as he displayed great timing when blocking shots. While he is currently more of a face-up forward, with continued development and added strength, Wilson should make a smooth transition to the wing. Wilson is currently receiving interest from several programs in the American Athletic Conference, Big Ten, and Big East.

Luke Garza, 6-10, PF, Maret (D.C.), 2017    

Garza set the tournament ablaze with back-to-back 32-point performances. The first came in an overtime win against Appoqiminimink (DE), where he shot 75 percent from the field. The second was in a lopsided defeat to nationally ranked Roman Catholic (PA). Garza is not overly athletic, but he compensates for it with his high basketball I.Q., and an endless array of scoring moves around the basket. Garza also demonstrated excellent footwork and body control by executing a Euro-step while driving to avoid a defender, and craftily pivoting around his defenders to improve his scoring position. This low post technician also has good form on his jump shot and can knock down three-point shots. Garza’s skill set will attract the interest of mid to high major programs when it’s all said and done.

V.J. King, 6-7, SF, Paul VI (VA), 2016 (above)   

V.J. King got our vote for the most outstanding player of the event. He played remarkably as he scored 16 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, and then erupted for 28 and 10 to lead his team to two wins over Top 25 programs, Neumann-Goretti (PA) and Roselle Catholic (NJ). King is an extraordinary athlete who can shine in transition or a half court setting. His size and athleticism are perfect for slashing to the basket or elevating over defenders while draining mid-range jump shots. King also demonstrated an exceptional ability to make good decisions out of pick and roll scenarios. The senior possesses the intangibles, such as mental toughness and leadership that should allow him to make an immediate impact at Louisville next season.

David Beatty, 6-3, SG, St. Benedict’s (NJ), 2017

Beatty was once considered an athletic guard whose main strengths were driving to the basket or finishing in transition. While he still possesses those qualities, Beatty has developed his jump shot to the point where his offensive arsenal has become almost lethal. Beatty dropped 19 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals versus a talent-rich Westtown School on the opening night of the tournament. He followed that performance with 23 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in a win over USA Today #3 ranked team La Lumiere. The Philly guard showed tremendous growth by consistently making shots at all three levels. What was most impressive was his knack for creating space from defenders and making mid and long range shots. Beatty is also a good perimeter defender. Sharpening his decision making skills will help him in the long run. Beatty currently has offers from several mid to high major programs.

Mikey Dixon, 6-2 PG, Sanford (DE), 2016

The hometown hero put on quite a performance as he set the single game scoring record for Slam Dunk to the Beach by exploding for 39 points versus in-state rival, Dover. To prove his first performance was no fluke, Dixon led his team with 25 points and 10 rebounds in a thrilling overtime loss against nationally ranked La Lumiere. As a combo guard, he can get by his defender at will and can score from all three levels. Like most good scorers, Dixon is proficient at drawing fouls and converting from the charity stripe. Aside from his skill, what stands out the most is how passionately he plays. His energy was contagious. A great off-season strength program will prepare him for the rigors of college basketball. Look for Dixon to step in right away and contribute at Quinnipiac.

Best of the Rest

Matt Bullock, 6’4, SG, Roselle Catholic (NJ), 2016:

He’s built like a linebacker but is a crafty scorer with sneaky athleticism. Mid major at the very least.

Makhi Mitchell, 6’9, F, Bishop McNamara (MD), 2019:

He’s only a freshman but Mitchell has moves on the block and also protects the paint.

Photo courtesy of Slam Dunk to the Beach

The post 2015 Slam Dunk to the Beach Recap appeared first on SLAM.

“This national camp has served as a coming out party for many top and past HS All-Americans as well as a showcase for national sleepers,” said camp director and founder, Dinos Trigonis.

An array of talent has come through the PAACamp in the past 13 years. Alumni include John Wall, James Harden, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook along with many others.

Campers were evaluated individually all weekend through 5-on-5 games and then the top campers were selected to participate in the “Cream of the Crop” Top 30 and 60 All-Star Games.

SLAM was in attendance to check out some hoop. Here are some of the top performers from this past weekend:

Isaiah Washington, 6-0, PG, 2017, St. Raymond HS (NY)

Washington showed his insane dribbling ability and flare that comes with New York-bred guards and put on a show this whole weekend when he was on the court. He matched up well with other top guards and tried to put everyone who was trying to stick him in a blender. His vision was superb as he threw numerous no-look dimes to teammates all weekend. Said he’s heard comparisons of John Stockton, and no disrespect to the legend, but the flare and handle reminded me of Sebastian Telfair.

Trae Young, 6-2, PG, 2017, Norman HS (OK)

Young possesses a high IQ and understanding of the game. He’s very unselfish and gets others involved from the moment the ball is tipped. He’s deadly in the open court and can get to the rack and finish or dish off to a teammate for an easy bucket. Young is also excellent in pick-and-roll situations and a good shooter from distance. He’ll also lock up after he buries one in your face.

Spencer Freedman, 6-0, PG, 2018, Santa Monica HS (CA)

Freedman has, if not already, made a case as being one of the top guards on the West Coast. He’s a pass-first guard that makes those around him better. His IQ is second to none and his ability to see the play before it happens is amazing. Freedman is an excellent ball hander who plays north and south and counters off defenders’ mistakes. He’s also good at reading the pick and roll and can knock down the 3-ball consistently.

Terrance Ferguson, 6-6, G/F, 2016, Prime Prep HS (TX)

As expected, Ferguson showed why his nickname is 2K with this video-game-like dunk as he prepared to play his first game on Friday night. And that’s just one of the many highlights of the weekend from Ferguson—just peep the recap from BallIsLife. He also showed his ability shooting from the mid-range to behind the arc.

Ethan Thompson, 6-4, G, 2017, Bishop Montgomery HS (CA)

Ethan is stepping out of the little brother shadow and is showing that his older brother, Stevie Thompson Jr., who’s headed to Oregon State, isn’t the only one that’s smoother than the other side of the pillow. He makes getting to the rim look effortless, plays at his own speed and finishes well through contact. He also allows the game to come to him and is very deadly from the 3-point line. If he’s left open on a kick out, there’s no doubt that it’s going in; If the defender goes under the screen, by the time he recovers, the sharp shooter is trotting back after hearing the sound of the ball swish through the net.

T.J. Leaf, 6-9, F, 2016, Foothills Christian HS (CA)

The future Arizona Wildcat is going to be a problem once he gets to the Pac-12. Leaf’s skill is second to none and he does it all—from shooting the 3-ball, defending, attacking slower defenders. He’s equipped with a nonstop motor and really outplays his opponents.

Billy Preston, 6-9, F, 2017, Prime Prep HS (TX)

Preston continues to be a special prospect coming out of his class. His size and skillset is unique and gives him the advantage to overpower smaller guards down low or take true centers off the dribble. And he also works well from mid-range to 3-point land with his jumper.

Cassius Stanley, 6-4, G, 2019, Sierra Canyon HS (CA)

Only one of three players in the class of 2019, Stanley proved that age was just a number. With DeMar Derozan-like comparisons, he shined amongst the campers and was the only one in his class to be selected to participate in the Top 60 game where he dropped 17 points earning MVP honors. Stanley got into the teeth of defenses for buckets and soared in transition for double-clutching layups or effortless dunks.

Mustapha Heron, 6-5, G/F, 2016, Sacred Heart (CT)

Heron caught his first victim in transition for the facial just a few minutes after camp games began. He then became a fan favorite to spectators and everyone watched to see who was next to get dunked on. This lefty is just a flat-out bucket getter and deadly in the open court. He gets to the cup at will and is finishes well through contact. Heron’s also very unselfish with excellent court vision. His tremendous play earned Co-MVP honors, respectively.

Omari Spellman, 6-8, F/C, 2016, MacDuffie HS (MA)

Spellman is built like an offensive lineman with a bag of post moves. He uses every ounce on that 270-pound frame to muscle defenders in the post as one defender fell victim to a two-dribble drop step that let to a ferocious dunk. The Villanova commit is also very versatile, as he likes to play both inside and out and extend to as far as the 3-point line.

Nate Morris, 6-10, F/C, 2016, Lancaster HS (TX)

Despite sitting out on the final day due to a shoulder injury, Morris was successful on the court both nights he suited up. He’s another high-motor kid that doesn’t stop till the clock hits zero and never takes a play off. Runs run to rim extremely well, is effective around the basket and finishes with authority when is dished the rock. His offensive game is coming along, but his awareness and ability to alter shots creates offense.

Sam Cunliffe, 6-7, 2016, Rainier Beach HS (WA)

Another elite player to come from the Seattle area and Jamal Crawford’s Alma Mater is Cunliffe. He has a high IQ and understanding of the game that allows him to be successful offensively. Can create for himself off the dribble or let it fly from behind the arc. The future Arizona State Sun Devil also takes pride in guarding whomever regardless of size or position.

Mohammed Bamba, 6-10, C, 2017, Westtown HS (PA)

This big man is a problem on both ends of the floor and going to be a problem throughout his career. Defensively, it’s nearly impossible for guards to get a shot over that outstretched wingspan, while offensively his soft touch allows him to finish well around the rim. After corralling a rebound off a missed shot, he showed he could handle the rock like a guard as he hit a defender with an in-n-out dribble at half court before traveling the length of the floor for the dunk. He moves great for someone his size and comes with a nice form on his jump shot after nailing a few trail 3s.

Lamar Peters, 6-1, 2016, Landry-Walker HS (LA)

Peters was amongst the discussion of elite point guards to step through the doors this weekend. He has a bounce to his step and killer handle that allows him to blow past defenders or break ‘em down. He also has a nice jump shot and is effective from all spots on the floor.

Rawle Alkins, 6-5, G/F, 2016, Christ the King HS (NY)

Alkins joined Mustapha Heron as Co-MVP of the camp although he left the Top 30 game at halftime and headed to the airport to catch his flight back to New York. Both with similar build and game, Alkins was considered the top performer all weekend. Another scoring machine that got to the basket whenever he wanted to and used his size against his defenders to his advantage.

Ira Lee, 6-8, 2017, F, Sierra Canyon HS (CA)

Lee is another stretch four who knows nothing less than 110 percent who can jump out of the gym. He’s dominant going to the left and likes to shoot that 15-footer from the top of the key.

Mario Kegler, 6-7, F, 2016, Arlington Country Day HS (FL)

Kegler is versatile and is great at reading defenses in the open court to put himself in a perfect position to score. He uses his lanky build to pull up from mid-range to attacking the rim when a smaller guard is placed in front of him.

Shamorie Ponds, 6-1, PG, 2016, Jefferson HS (NY)

Ponds was another New York guard who showed out during his time in California. The lefty reads pick-and-roll situations good and slices through defenses in the paint. He’s also deadly from 3-point range.

Bryce Aiken, 5-9, PG, 2016, St. Patrick (NJ)

Aiken held his own when matched up against other top guards despite his height. He has great handle and is deadly in the open court. He’s also very quick turning the corner off the pick and roll.

The post 2015 Pangos All-American Camp Top Performers (VIDEO) appeared first on SLAM.