CHICAGO -- The Deron Williams Nike Skills Academy provided high school players a unique opportunity to work with some of the elite coaches and prepare for life on the court as a college basketball player. Every drill and controlled scrimmage provided great preparation for the next level.
Here is a look at three best passers/ball handlers, scorers and defenders at the camp.
Top three passers/ball handlerss
Andrew Harrison (Houston/Travis)
2013, PG, 6-foot-4, 205 pounds
Harrison has great size, strength, vision and feel for the game. He plays with his head and eyes up at all times, and sees over smaller defenders. Harrison is terrific at finding the open man, while attacking his defender and creating help. His passes are on the money and usually lead to an easy basket on the break or in the half-court set. Harrison is also great when the clock is winding down, and often makes a great play out of nothing.
L.J. Rose (Houston/Westbury Christian)
2012, PG, 6-3, 180 pounds
Rose plays with a feel for the game that allows him to see the play before it happens at times. He is terrific at the penetrate-and-kick-out pass to open shooters on the weak or strong side of the floor. He has good size and delivers the ball with either hand. Rose is a pass-first point guard who is unselfish almost to a fault at times, but his basketball IQ and decision-making make him special.
Marcus Paige (Marion, Iowa/Linn-Mar)
2012, PG, 6-1, 160 pounds
College: North Carolina
Paige has a complete feel for his position. He keeps his dribble alive while his head is up, and he's constantly reading the floor. The future Tar Heel is an adept passer in pick-and-roll situations, especially when he makes difficult pocket passes to his teammates. He also has the ability to beat his defender with his quick burst of speed, and the ability to change pace while staying under control.
Top three scorers
Ryan Arcidiacono (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy)
2012, PG, 6-3, 185 pounds
College: Villanova
Arcidiacono is a lead guard that the defense must keep track of at all times. He is a terrific point guard with the ability to score, and was deadly at times from beyond the arc. When he plays off the ball, he can spot up on the break, in the half-court set and off screens. He does a great job of spacing on the side of dribble penetration, and is ready to shoot from a postfeed kickout. The future Wildcat can flat-out knock down open jumpers and can get on a roll very quickly. He does not hesitate to shoot, and simply makes the defense pay.
Montay Brandon (Greensboro, N.C./Wesleyan Christian)
2012, PG, 6-4, 180 pounds
He is a gifted scorer with many physical tools who is a threat on and off the ball. Brandon has a quick first step to the basket, with acceleration and elevation once he gets into the lane. He is a capable standstill 3-point shooter, and can score in the midpost over smaller defenders, often with a half hook. However, he must become a better shooter, and learn to space the floor better and more quickly.
Braxton Ogbueze (Charlotte, N.C./United Faith Christian)
2012, PG, 6-1, 185 pounds
College: Florida
He is a scoring lead guard with an impressive 3-point shot. Ogbueze is always a threat to score because he can stop and drain it from behind the arc. He reads his defender well in pick-and-roll action, and makes the correct decision. The future Gator will shoot it when his man goes under the ball screen, or attack the hedge defender with his dribble if chased over the screen. He is also accurate from midrange as he elevates well into his shot, and is a threat to score at the rim with his strong body.
Top three defenders
Rasheed Sulaimon (Houston/Strake Jesuit)
2012, SG/PG, 6-3, 175 pounds
College: Duke
Sulaimon plays with great energy and urgency. His motor never stops running, and he competes on the defensive end, especially when guarding the ball handler, as he applies constant ball pressure. His active hands and good lateral foot speed allow him to stay eye-to-eye with the ball handler. He also looks to help in the post, while doing a good job of not losing vision. Sulaimon is a terrific athlete who anticipates passing lanes well, where he shoots the gap and finishes with flare on the other end. He should fit in nicely with the Blue Devils' pressure man defense.
Omar Calhoun (Brooklyn/Christ the King)
2012, SG/PG, 6-6, 185 pounds
College: Connecticut
Calhoun can score the ball, but we also thought he was very impressive on the defensive end. He is a terrific athlete who put forth great effort defending the ball in the two-on-two and three-on-three segments. He is long with active hands and good lateral foot speed. Calhoun was also very good away from the ball. He was alert, and anticipated passing lanes well. Overall, Calhoun is a rock-solid perimeter player on both ends, but his defensive presence really stood out at times.
James Robinson (Hyattsville, Md./DeMatha)
2012, PG, 6-3, 195 pounds
Robinson is one of the best all-around point guards in the class. He defends his position with his strong body and low, wide stance. Robinson understands how much room to give his man and closes out under control, allowing him to take away the jumper or anticipate the drive. He also levels dribble penetration by moving his feet and using his body as a barrier. He is alert on the weak side to help, and is always ready to rotate.
Notes
• We were impressed with PG Dominic Artis (Richmond, Calif./Salesian). He displayed quickness, got to the rim well and hit open jumpers with range to the arc. He also attacked defenders and played with a lot of heart.
• PG Terry Rozier (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights) says Illinois, Oklahoma State, West Virginia, Cincinnati, Tennessee and Georgia have a close eye on him. Right now he has offers from Dayton, Kent State, Akron and Cleveland State.
Reggie Rankin was an assistant coach at seven schools for 13 seasons, most recently at Dayton. He played at Ohio University from 1986 to 1990 and was a first-team All-MAC selection his senior season. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter. Paul Biancardi, who has been a head coach and assistant on NCAA tournament teams, is the national director of basketball recruiting. He is also one the voters for the McDonald's All-American Game and Gatorade Player of the Year. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter.