In the Lab with the John Lucas Future of Game (East) Camp Seeing Future Talent Today

The John Lucas Future of the Game (EAST) was held June 25th and 26th at the Boo Williams Sports Complex in Hampton, VA. Hosted by the Legendary John Lucas; who throughout the weekend consistently drove home the importance of playing the right way, training the right way, the value of spacing and court awareness. Noting that all of the aforementioned should be attacked with a hunger, thirst, and desire unknown to mankind.

With his team of high level trainers and coaches John Lucas demanded consistent effort and energy; spoke positively of the player’s unselfishness in Saturday’s game session and advised them to come back ready on Sunday for more of the same. After a prayer session Sunday his team put the talented group again through its paces and back into game action.

In what was one of the most personal, honest, and sincere efforts to communicate the tangible elements of the game of basketball we have seen in a camp setting. John Lucas left a piece of himself and his vast and many years of knowledge with kids, players, and on lookers alike.

From Left to Right: J. Starling, J. Bradley, R.Hardy

With a number of talented players in the gym; a few immediately jump to mind when you speak of standout performers. Jaden Bradley (NC-2022) had his way all weekend long dominating in drills while putting up big numbers during the game portion of the event. He was an equally great teammate sharing the ball and was impactful on the defensive end. Seeing both Johnathan Sterling (NY-2022) and Rolijah Hardy (FL-2023) for the first time we were extremely impressed with their performances. Sterling shot the leather off the ball, finished well around the basket, and showed proved he is a player deserving of being in the national conversation – an pure 2-Guard and a high end scorer. Rolijah was dynamic in his drill and game play showing an advanced IQ and playing with pace well beyond his years he picked his spots and scored while shooting a high percentage – picked his spots and defended every possession.

Kamal Francis (MD)

Caleb Boyd (SC-2022) handle and wiggle impressed; very creative with the rock in his hand, solid mechanics on this shot and great vison with a willingness to pass and he was a Rottweiler on defense playing both ends of the floor. Khari Butler (MD-2022) showed a great motor has good length, blocks a lot of shots and finishes well close to the bucket looks more comfortable closer to the basket but showed the ability to put the rock on the deck and press the paint.  has good length, blocks a lot of shots and finishes well close to the bucket looks more comfortable closer to the basket but showed the ability to put the rock on the deck and press the paint.  A player to watch is Kamal Francis 5’9 WING (MD-2022) who has a chance to star down the road but is raw in areas kid runs the floor well and finishes well in the paint. Francis is not just productive around the cup, but his shot looks good and he defends the perimeter very well.  Not only did Francis create a buzz in the gym with aggressive play in drills; he created an interesting player to watch develop.  

 

Jerry Easter (OH)

If you are talking about future star potential you must bring up a pair of 2024 talents Jerry Easter Jr. (OH) and Jaden Colzie (NJ) Easter is a natural floor general from Toledo – possessing a next level handle, feel, and court presence he is fearless in his play and poised in his approach add to that he can score from 3 levels and you have the making of a player that must be tracked due to his already high ceiling.  Colzie is player that looks to make things happen and can score or set up a teammate with equal effectiveness.  Darryl Simmons II has a lot of tricks in his bag and has a style borne in the mid-atlantic region he likes the ball in his hands is confident in ability and is definition of a lead guard who can score it as well. A smaller point man that already possesses the skills and IQ required of an elite PG. The future looks bright for this young guy.  

 Brandon Nelson Jr.(NC-2022) was one of the players that many were saying to take a look at and we saw while a natural shooter/scorer with a great stroke; able to space the floor a with his shooting he wasn’t afraid to put the ball on the floor and attack the basket.  Was adept at drawing contract getting to the line and converting for points.   Tyler Csintyan (MI-2022) looks like he is a player that will continue to stretch out and his size and ball skill allows him to play multiple positions his defensive aggression also allow him to guard multiple positions while being a match-up problem on the floor.  Louis Hutchinson (MD-2022) with solid bloodlines is a growth spirt away from making a big impact.  Cameran Oates (NC-2022) was very effective using his body never allowing his defender to relax.  These two player are players you can buy low now who will have excellent returns later.  David Dalancy (FL-2023)  plays the game very erect but once he learns to drop his hips and is more fluid in his floor running the size/skill package for the lefty is a nice foundation from which to build he uses his body well both offensively and defensively and has potential stamped all over him. 

William Otto (NC)

2023’s William Otto (NC) Whit Altmyer (MS) were basketball twins who showed great shot mechanics, moxy, and confidence and shooters/scorers both we aggressive and stuck there nose in making plays with and without the ball at both ends.  They moved well and there potential talent was clear especially as catch and shoot guys.  We would be remiss to not mention Efrain Devilla (NY-2022), #106 not listed on the roster, and Chandler Davis (FL-2023) who showed some great flashes in the times we saw them.   

Special congratulations must also go out to Rolijah Hardy who earned an invitation to the Middle School All-American game based on his camp performance as well as Jaden Bradley, Johnathan Starling, and Kamal Francis who were voted in previously – this will give the John Lucas 5^th/6^th Futures of the Game Camp 4 participants in the most competitive All-star game in the country schedule for August 26^th 2016 in Washington, DC.  Lastly we would like to thank John Lucas and his team for the hospitality professionalism they showed us in our first visit to the Lucas Lab – needless to say we were immensely impressed.

	P2BBall FOGE Top 20
1	Jaden Bradley	2022	Concord, NC
2	Johnathan Starling	2022	Syracuse, NY
3	Caleb Byrd	2022	Mauldin, SC
3	Rolijah Hardy	2023	Lakeland, FL
5	Kamal Francis	2022	Upper Marlboro, MD
6	Khari Butler	2022	Potomac, MD
7	Darryl Simmons II	2022	Norwich, CT
8	Brandon Nelson Jr	2022	Charlotte, NC
9	#106
10	Tyler Csintyan	2022	Flint, MI
11	Cameran Oats	2022	Fayerreville, NC
12	Jerry Easter Jr.	2024	Maumee, OH
13	Efrain Davila	2022	Bronx, NY
14	Larison LaMette	2022	Cypress, TX
15	Jaden Colzie	2024	Philadelphia, PA
16	William Otto	2023	Raleigh, NC
17	David Dealancy	2023	Miami Gardens, FL
18	Whit Altmyer	2023	Starkville, MS
19	Louis Hutchinson	2022	Upper Marlboro, MD
20	Chandler Davis	2023	Tampa, FL