MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- West Virginia University played host to the Triple S Harley Davidson Hoop Group Jam Fest, which allowed players from all over the country and even Canada to display their talents in this highly-competitive event. Over 300 coaches from all levels were on hand to check out the terrific talent at tournament director Rob Engemann's organized first class event.
Standout players
Ricardo Ledo (Providence, R.I./ South Kent School)
2012, SG, 6-foot-5, 180 pounds | Team: Expressions Elite
The long, athletic wing was aggressive right from the opening tip, rebounding and pushing the ball on the break. He attacked the rim with spin moves and terrific body control as he finished in traffic or drew the foul. Ledo displayed the ability to get the ball to an open teammate and hit deep jumpers in transition or when he received kick outs off dribble penetration. He must add strength, but Ledo is a lethal offensive threat from anywhere on the floor. When he gets into a scoring groove, he can make the defense seem invisible.
Durand Johnson (Baltimore, Md./ Notre Dame Prep )
2011, SG, 6-7, 190 pounds | Team: Cecil Kirk
Great size and the ability to shoot the ball from deep with ease make Johnson special. He has a quick trigger and is an above-the-rim finisher on the break. In transition, Johnson sprints the outside lane. Plus, he can knock down jumpers over smaller defenders, hit pull-up jumpers and post up to take advantage of his size. Johnson is also a decent passer when the defense surrounds him. His length and athletic ability makes him capable of defending both wing positions as well. Johnson played with toughness and was fun to watch compete. He is being recruited by Pittsburgh, Marshall, UConn, Virginia Tech and Seton Hall.
Jabarie Hinds (Mt. Vernon, N.Y./ Mt. Vernon)
2011, PG, 6-0, 165 pounds | Team: Westchester Hawks
He was in attack mode, especially on the fast break, where he got to the rim at will. Hinds is a tough, physical lefty that welcomed contact, finished with either hand and displayed excellent hang time. He also had a strong handle as he weaved in and out of defenders and kicked out passes to open teammates, showing his court vision. Hinds is a streaky shooter, but can go on scoring tears at any time when he is in rhythm. He is receiving strong looks from West Virginia, Virginia, Oklahoma State, Wake Forest, Villanova and UNLV, among others.
Cam Anderson (Charlottesville, Va./ Blue Ridge)
2011, PF, 6-8, 210 pounds | Team: East Coast Fusion
The much-improved power forward has a terrific motor and plays with great energy. Anderson, who can score inside and out, takes advantage of his nice back-to-the-basket scoring package. He really does a great job of using angles to score and has the ability to step out and slash to the basket or hit the 17-foot jumper with time and space. Anderson also rebounds on both ends and will be a matchup problem for most defenders. He is being recruited by George Mason, Virginia, Richmond and Northeastern, to name a few.
Surprise player
Denny McDonald (Toronto, Can./ Brehm Prep)
2011, PF, 6-6, 190 pounds | Team: Team Takeover
He is an undersized power forward that is a terrific athlete. McDonald affects the game with his ability to rebound, defend and finish above the rim. He runs the floor like a deer and competes every second he is on the floor. McDonald is difficult to box out, has the ability to rebound at rim level and is capable of defending both forward positions. He must work to hone his skills, but he is the type of player that does all the dirty work to help his team be successful.
Player to watch
Aaron Roundtree (Wilson, N.C./ Beddingfield)
2011, SF, 6-8, 185 pounds | Team: Carolina Elite
He is a very versatile player with great size and matching skill. Roundtree is a terrific ballhandler, passer and rebounder where he is a threat to take it coast to coast. He can escape pressure with his crossover and changing speeds. Roundtree has excellent court vision and can get in the lane, where he can knock down floaters over defenders with his great touch and length. He is also great at getting others involved as he breaks down the defense. Roundtree is a good shot blocker and is capable of defending multiple positions. Roundtree needs to add strength and give his jump shot immediate attention to take his game to the next level, but he can stuff the stat sheet in many other important areas. Roundtree says he may reclassify into the Class of 2012 and will start to form a school list at the end of the July evaluation period.
Notes
• Rising junior center Daniel Ochefu (Westtown, Pa./Westtown) has great size (6-10, 215 pounds) and off-the-charts upside. His ability to score, rebound and block shots has all the high majors drooling and he draws comparisons to Greg Oden. West Virginia, Kentucky, Georgetown, Villanova, Rutgers, Temple and James Madison are in the mix for Ochefu with the Mountaineers leading at this early stage according to Ochefu.
• Khem Birch (Winchendon, Mass./Winchendon) is a 6-9 long and very athletic forward that controlled the glass on both ends of the floor. Birch had numerous offensive rebound put-backs and a ton of blocked shots. He has unbelievable timing, athletic ability and a knack for blocking shots on or away from the ball. Some coaches have compared Birch to Kenyon Martin.
• Class of 2012 combo forward Alex Murphy (Southborough, Mass./Southborough) was as aggressive as I have seen him. On a fast break, he even had a big-time dunk over a defender for an and one. Murphy also displayed great skill with baseline drives and pull-up jumpers.
• Andre Washington (Roanoke, Va./Roanoke), who could possible reclassify to the Class of 2012, is an extra long and lean post that can block shots and rebound. The 6-10 post has off-the-charts upside and is one to watch.
Reggie Rankin was an assistant coach at seven schools for 13 seasons, most recently at Dayton. He played at Ohio University from 1986 to '90 and was an All-MAC first-teamer in his senior season.