The 2024 John Lucas Be Elite Invitational, held on September 14 and 15 in Houston, TX, has a historical past of elevating unranked gamers to extremely regarded NBA prospects. Notable examples embrace 2024 projected high 5 NBA choose VJ Edgecombe and 2025 prospect Chris Cenac, who rose from unranked standing to turn into the top-ranked heart in his class. Recognizing the camp’s worth, the NBA sanctioned it for NBA scouts, attracting a number of extremely ranked gamers, together with the extremely regarded ahead CJ Rosser. There was spectacular expertise on show, and I’ve recognized a number of gamers who warrant analysis as potential high-level school {and professional} prospects within the coming years.
CJ Rosser 6’9 F (Northern Nash Excessive) Rocky Mountain, NC, Class of 2025
The participant producing probably the most anticipation and pleasure amongst scouts and analysts is CJ. His speedy ascent up the rankings has been nothing wanting outstanding. At his final recorded measurements, he stood at a powerful 6’8.75″ with a wingspan of seven′. There are indications that he might have skilled extra progress, doubtlessly including one other half inch or extra to his top. Whereas his offensive efficiency on the primary day left room for enchancment, it was evident that the strain of the rankings and the encircling hype had been affecting his play. Though he didn’t carry out poorly, his contributions had been considerably restricted. Nonetheless, the second day led to a outstanding transformation. Certainly one of CJ’s standout qualities is his distinctive endurance each with and with out the ball. He demonstrates a eager understanding of his strengths and works diligently to place himself in areas the place he can function most successfully.  He actually was efficient within the 15-foot vary. He was efficient at placing the ball on the ground, navigating within the paint, and ending on both facet of the basket. Within the open courtroom, he was lively, filling the lane and ending on the basket with authority. Though he didn’t knock down many from three, he didn’t look uncomfortable taking pictures them. On protection, he confirmed the flexibility to dam photographs and alter many extra. When caught on the change with perimeter gamers, he didn’t look uncomfortable sitting down and defending. Now, physicality is the place he struggles. He has actual issues defending true, bodily put up gamers. At occasions on protection, he appears to turn into disinterested and never play with the identical depth on a regular basis. His total outlook and upside are excellent. Though he has lots to work on, his expertise can’t be dismissed.
Martay Barnes 6’2 CG (The Academy of Central Florida) Orlando, FL, Class of 2027
Coming off an excellent summer time, I used to be very excited to see how his recreation has improved. He’s 6’2″ and is without doubt one of the most electrical guards in his class. The very first thing that was obvious was his vitality from the beginning of camp. He’s not overly constructed, however the very first thing you discover is his athleticism and willingness to play bodily He appeared to rise up and down the courtroom as shortly with the ball as with out it. He performed downhill and when within the paint completed in quite a lot of methods. He confirmed he may harm you from behind the three-point arc, nevertheless it needed to be in rhythm. When he requested to play extra on the level, which when all is alleged and accomplished shall be his true place, he needed to study to be extra affected person and management the tempo to the good thing about his teammates. He has the courtroom imaginative and prescient and unselfishness to turn into a real level guard. The place he separates himself from plenty of his counterparts in his class is on the defensive finish. He performs bodily protection and might lock you down together with his quickness. He guards 94 ft and it’s actually guarding, not token protection. His soccer instincts present up on the courtroom when he’s taking part in the lanes and when the ball’s within the air. The factor I’ve in all probability been most impressed with watching him through the years is the management qualities. He talks and encourages on the courtroom and is the primary one to assist off the bench.Â
King Gibson 6’5 SG (The Burlington College) Greensboro, NC, Class of 2027
He’s been on the nationwide scene for years, which suggests he has a goal on his again. Watching how he got here into camp, together with his vitality and enthusiasm, confirmed me he got here to simply ball. After all, the very first thing that jumps out at you is his athleticism, however digging deep into his recreation, he brings much more. He’s a means higher ball handler than I believed. I used to be shocked together with his courtroom imaginative and prescient and willingness to hit the open man. Certainly one of his Achilles’ heels has been being constant outdoors the arc. It nonetheless wants work, however he appeared extra comfy taking pictures it and was capable of knock down just a few. Now, when he pulled up from mid-range, he appeared a lot extra comfy. Now, when he’s probably the most harmful, is within the open courtroom. He could have you in your heels, and in the event you let him get downhill and all the best way to the basket, he can end with dramatic authority. What he brings to the defensive finish is size for his place, vitality, and athleticism. He’s capable of guard a number of positions. He has no drawback holding his personal when switched onto a put up participant. To be so gifted, there’s a lot extra room for his recreation to develop that the sky’s the restrict on his potential.
Dooney Johnson 6’5 SG/WF (Milwaukee Juneau) Milwaukee, WI, Class of 2027
He might have been probably the most intriguing prospect in camp. He’s 6’5 and actually performs the one, two, and the three. I first noticed him at a camp in New Orleans, and I noticed at that time there can’t be 20 gamers higher than him in his class. He performs with nice endurance and exhibits an excellent understanding of the sport. He managed the tempo of sure video games and went off on scoring tears in others. He can rating in any respect three ranges, and his shot from three is spectacular. He performs with a business-like strategy. Identical to on the offensive facet, he’s extra spectacular on the defensive facet and confirmed he may guard 4 positions. His capability to protect smaller, faster guards within the open courtroom was very spectacular. He has superb timing blocking photographs within the paint for a wing participant. His physicality at his measurement is what makes him totally different and what’s so spectacular. The best way he performs the sport, he can’t assist however stand out in a camp setting.
Tyrone Jamison Jr.’6′ PG (Calvary Baptist Academy) Shreveport, LA, Class of 2027
The younger athlete gained nationwide recognition within the seventh grade and has constantly ranked among the many high three level guards in his class. In the course of the camp, he showcased the fascinating qualities of a high-level level guard. He demonstrated wonderful tempo and ball-handling expertise, together with spectacular courtroom imaginative and prescient. His capability to survey the complete courtroom was outstanding. When driving to the basket within the open courtroom, he posed a major problem to opponents and constantly capitalized on their drawback all through the weekend. His pull-up and sudden cease had been notably spectacular. His leap shot vary has noticeably improved, and he seems extra assured in taking pictures and making photographs from behind the arc. Whereas his top of 6 ft raises questions on his final suitability for the skilled stage, he presently maintains management of the sport and might successfully navigate the courtroom. On protection, his perimeter protection was extremely commendable. Nonetheless, he confronted difficulties when bigger gamers caught him within the put up. To totally make the most of his skills, he would profit from a system that emphasizes steady strain on the ball.
Marcus Spears 6’7 F (Dynamic Prep) Frisco, TX, Class of 2028
The very first thing that caught my consideration was Marcus’s unrefined but energetic and tenacious fashion of play. His athleticism and agility permit him to make a major affect on the sport, notably across the basket. He demonstrates outstanding tenacity on each ends of the courtroom, particularly in relation to rebounding. Marcus has additionally showcased his capability to drive to the basket and rating, with a choice for attacking from the left facet. Moreover, he has evidently been honing his leap shot, as evidenced by his profitable mid-range makes an attempt. Nonetheless, his most notable contribution presently lies in his defensive prowess. Marcus possesses wonderful timing for shot-blocking and might successfully change and guard a number of positions. What actually excites me about his potential is the huge room for progress and growth that he nonetheless possesses. It will not shock me if, by his senior yr, he emerges as a consensus high 25 participant throughout the board.
Malachi Booker 6’6 WF (St. John’s College) Cypress, TX, Class of 2027
He was one other participant who caught my eye together with his size and flexibility. He began off slightly slowly and wasn’t as aggressive as I anticipated. He was taking part in in spurts and wasn’t being constant. Midway by means of the sport, he began to select it up, and I used to be beginning to get impressed. He was dealing with the ball with guard-like expertise, and his unselfishness confirmed with pinpoint passing to his teammates. His offensive expertise had been spectacular. He was good within the paint, scoring across the basket. His mid-range shot was on level, however his three-point taking pictures was streaky. His aggressiveness when attacking the rim was him making a robust assertion. You may inform that offensively, he’s simply tapping into his potential, and when he begins placing all of it collectively, he’ll put his title within the combine as some of the dynamic gamers within the nation. On the defensive facet is the place he excels. He has no drawback getting bodily within the paint with put up gamers. His athleticism and timing make him a wonderful shot-blocker. He additionally confirmed that he may guard on the perimeter. When he’s aggressive on each ends, he’s a big-time game-changer.Â
