TDP Underclassmen Showcase Recap

James “Beetle” Bolden

After the Unsigned Senior Showcase had ended on Sunday at Cincinnati Hughes HS, college coaches and talent evaluators stayed to watch the next generation show off their abilities during the Triple Double Prospects Underclassmen Showcase. Forty players from all over Ohio and Kentucky participated in the event, with some of the region’s most talented players making appearances as well. Here’s a rundown of the top performers from the inaugural version of the event…

• James Bolden – ’15 Covington Holmes (KY) PG: There’s no denying that “Beetle” was definitely the most well known of the one hundred players that played between the two showcases on Sunday. The lightning quick, scoring minded point guard had a big reputation to defend in Cincinnati, and he definitely crossed the Ohio river with a clear level of focus. “Beetle” put on quite the offensive display against a variety of defenders, using his speed and skill to blow by players or create separation for his smooth jumpshot. The top point guard prospect in Kentucky, and a potential high major player, Bolden is being recruited by Xavier, Ohio University, Cincinnati, Kentucky and Southern Mississippi, among others, right now, however that list likely will grow when he makes his second appearance on the Nike EYBL circuit later this month with the Kentucky Travelers. Already having proven that he can be dominant in high school competition in Kentucky, look for Bolden to be among the frontrunners for Mr. Basketball in the Bluegrass State next season.

• Kameron Moore – ’16 Cincinnati Aiken PF: While it was Bolden who was best among the guards in attendance, Moore was the most established big man at the gym. The 6’6 power forward has a chiseled frame and good leaping ability, and on Sunday he finished with the type of aggressiveness and consistency that we would love to see from him every time out. Moore is capable of doing a few different things offensively, however, he’s definitely best as a hard-hat big man who can control the boards and get out and run. Already being recruited at the mid major level, Moore should continue to be listed among the top power forwards in a very good group of 2016 Ohio front-court players.

• Evan Duncan – ’15 Dublin Coffman SF: We had a chance to see Duncan a couple of times during Coffman’s season, however, he has never looked as impressive as he did on Sunday. Playing with confidence and a lot of offensive freedom, Duncan took over with the ball in his hands, setting up plays with good decision making, timely shooting and some deceptive dribble moves. A skilled player with size and length, Duncan is the type of versatile wing forward that TDP loves to evaluate. Still somewhat under the radar among Columbus area juniors, if Duncan continues to play on that level he’ll have a breakout senior season in our opinion.

• Jalen Avery – ’15 Cincinnati Shroder PG: Over a month ago we wrote an article introducing fans outside of Cincinnati to the talent that is Jalen Avery. On Sunday, Avery put that talent on display, all while hardly attempting a single shot. One of the purest passers in all of basketball, Avery has speed bursts that allow him to get where he wants with the dribble, while also possessing the strength to ward defenders off. He’s a good shooter, finisher and handler, but really thrives as a decision maker as he simply makes guys better without taking unnecessary risks. Avery doesn’t have a D1 offer yet, however, he’s getting more and more interest by the day, and after a couple of years off he’ll be re-entering the travel circuit again later in April.

• Assante Patterson – ’15 Dayton Thurgood Marshall SG: Patterson wasn’t one of the heralded guys on Thurgood Marshall’s run to the State Tournament, however, the 6’4 slashing athlete is still a very talented player, and really looks to be putting the pieces together right now to be a breakout performer in his senior season. A scoring minded player who is best in the open court, Patterson showed good vision in finding lanes to attack, while having the physical tools to effectively finish in the open court. He’s a long-armed player who can get deflections and rebound, and also showed more willingness as a distributor. Patterson’s jumper can still be a little streaky, but he has the ability to turn some heads on the AAU circuit this upcoming season.

• Terrence Gholston – ’15 Cincinnati Aiken SF: Gholston has always been one of the more talented prospects in the Southwest Ohio area in 2015; however, he has lacked consistency and production at times. Sunday the Aiken junior had the whole package going, however, as he scored as efficiently and in high quantity as anyone in attendance. The lefty has a strong build, can handle the ball driving to his dominant hand, but really shot the outside jumper well on the day, proving to be a dual threat on every catch at the three-point line. Capable of physically controlling most forwards, Gholston is your throwback forward that can play inside and outside from the three-man spot, while also providing you with enough shooting to keep the defense honest, making him a versatile and intriguing prospect.

• Spencer Cline – ’16 Mason PF: The sophomore from the Northern suburbs of Cincinnati turned heads at times with his play this season with the Comets, however, until Sunday we did not know that Cline could do some of the things that he showed at Hughes. A 6’6 power forward who could project as a combo forward down the road, Cline is fairly nimble with the basketball, while also showing the ability to step out and hit the mid-range shot with confidence and consistency. Playing in a very structured high school system, Cline knows how to position himself, and gets shots within the flow of the offense. He still has some developing to do, but we’ve changed our opinion, and now consider Cline to be one of the sleepers in Southwest Ohio in the 2016 class.

Other top performers: Elijah Pughsley (’15 Cincinnati Hughes PG/SG), Phillip Hawkins (’15 Cooper/KY C), Vonny Irvin (’15 Cincinnati Aiken PG), Israel Griffin (’16 Cincinnati Hughes SG), Carlik Jones (’16 Cincinnati Aiken PG), Justin Johnson (’15 Fairfield PF), Jordan Gaines (’16 Cincinnati Clark SG), Jaylin Bannerman (’16 Pickerington Central SF/PF), Damion King (’15 Clark County/KY PG), DJ Harris (’15 Cincinnati Aiken SG), Kalib Younger (’16 Columbus Walnut Ridge SG), Bryce Butler (’16 Finneytown PG)