Slam Dunk to the Beach 2017
The Slam Dunk to the Beach showcase in Lewes, Delaware is one of the most anticipated basketball tournaments in the country. Every year the tournament brings together some high powered competition from around the country. The tournament has consistently drawn teams featuring some of the top high school prospects to Lewes. This year was no different as solid High School programs such as The Westtown School, Vermont Academy, Roselle Catholic, Archbishop Wood and John Carroll competed in the three days of basketball festivities. This tournament has drawn more than 30,000 fans to Lewes over the past three years. The iconic tournament has hosted many future NBA and college superstars over the years, including Carmelo Anthony (2000), LeBron James (2001), Kevin Durant (2003) and Dwight Howard (2003).
There were some high profile players in attendance such as Westtown’s Star tandem Cam Reddish (Duke Commit) and Jake Forrester (Indiana Commit), John Carroll’s star guard Immanuel Quickley (Kentucky Commit), Roselle Catholic’s star big man Naz Reid (LSU Commit) and Vermont Academy workhorse Simi Shittu. These players are all ranked on ESPN top 100 list and known to do damage at the high school level. The Cape Henlopen High School gymnasium was filled to capacity each day for a glimpse of these future NBA prospects. They all performed at a high level and gave the crowd the show they came for.
Each day of the showcase was action packed, and the teams were all very well coached. There were plenty of division 1 talent playing and check out some of the players who stood out from the rest.
All Things Hoops standouts
Jalen Carey of Immaculate Conception will be attending Syracuse University next year. Photo Johnnie Photography
Jalen Carey (Immaculate Conception – Class of 2018) is a hard nosed guard headed to Syracuse next year. He can dominate a game on both ends of the floor and takes pride in making an impact on a game. He dominated during his 3 days at Slam Dunk to the Beach and was selected to the All Tournament Team. He is aggressive with the ball and knows how to get to the free throw line. He always plays under control and will play a key role next year as the Orange attempts to make a dent in the ACC, one of the strongest conferences in the country.
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Naz Reid can do just about anything on the court. The big man will be attending LSU in the fall. Photo Johnnie Photography
Naz Reid (Roselle Catholic – Class of 2018) has been dominating for a few years now. He has natural abilities that when mixed with his size and strength makes Naz practically unstoppable. He’s on his way to LSU next year where he will attempt to follow in the footsteps of Shaq and Ben Simmons and go to the NBA after one year of college. He dominated Slam Dunk to the Beach and was a walking double double. He was selected to the All Tournament Team. Some criticism that I’ve heard is that Naz doesn’t play hard every play, and solely gets by by using his natural ability. Next year he will be tested at the collegiate level because there will be players who can match his ability. I believe Naz will surpass expectations and shine in college. I’m looking forward to it. Click HERE to see highlights from Slam Dunk to the Beach.
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Cam Reddish of Westtown is the #3 ranked player in the country according to ESPN. He will be at Duke next year. Photo Johnnie Photography
Cam Reddish (Westtown – Class of 2018) was probably the highest profile player at Slam Dunk to the Beach this year. Headed to Duke next year Reddish has been killing the competition with his dominant play. At 6’9 with point guard skills Reddish is a match-up nightmare for anybody in the country. Although he put up big numbers during his time at Slam Dunk to the Beach, he was able to get these numbers by getting to the charity stripe and converting on his free throw attempts. He did have some highlight dunks and showed why he was ranked #3 on ESPN’s top 100 list. I look forward to seeing Reddish at the next level and eventually the NBA. Click HERE to see Cam Reddish Highlights from Slam Dunk to the Beach.
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Forrester has been putting together a really nice senior season at the Westtown School in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Photo Johnnie Photography
Jake Forrester (Westtown – Class of 2018). Forrester is the real deal. A workhorse type of player who thrives from his high motor, Forrester will be an Indiana Hoosier next year. The Big Ten will challenge him to not only play physical but to get used to a high level of competition. At the Slam Dunk to the Beach showcase Forrester showed up big time with quality play, including a few highlight dunks. He had a great touch around the rim and can get to the rim effortlessly. The tandem of Forrester and Reddish should be illegal. They compliment each other well and seem to have great chemistry as they have been teammates for a few years. Looking forward to seeing how his game develops at the next level.
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Juwan Gary class of 2019 of Grays Collegiate has been making a name for himself at Slam Dunk to the Beach. Photo Johnnie Photography
Juwan Gary (Gray Collegiate Academy – Class of 2019). Gary is a special type of player. The 6-6 small forward is an elite athlete who is deadly in transition. He runs the floor well and can finish around the rim. He is being recruited by many of the country’s best programs including Kansas and Duke. At Slam Dunk to the Beach Gary filled up the stat sheet over the three days and compiled 58 points, 20 boards and 5 steals. He finishes well around the rim and can step out and hit the jumper when needed. He can defend multiple positions and will be an asset to whatever program he chooses to attend.
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Simi Shittu of Vermont Academy is a workhorse. He simply gets it done on both ends of the floor. He will be attending Vanderbilt next year. Photo Johnnie Photography
Simi Shittu (Vermont Academy – Class of 2018). Simi is one of those old school type of players who goes 110% on every play. He scores at will because of his relentlessness around the rim and simply refuses to be stopped. He rebounds at a pro level and can defend exceptionally well. He will be attending Vanderbilt next year as he committed to them over UNC and others. Right now he is ranked as the number 1 Power Forward in his class and capable of playing and guarding multiple positions. At Slam Dunk to the Beach he was selected to the All Tournament Team . This kid is destined for greatness and I’m glad I got a chance to be a witness early on.
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Khalil Whitney, a Chicago native, showed up in a major way at Slam Dunk to the Beach this year. Extremely athletic and versatile, Whitney is a force for Roselle Catholic. Photo Johnnie Photography
Khalil Whitney (Roselle Catholic – Class of 2019) Whitney probably should have been on the All Tournament Team in my opinion. He was Roselle’s go to player down the stretch and came through for them in epic proportions. He is a freakish athlete who can jump out the gym and will dunk on a defenders head if given the slightest bit of space. He’s a special player who will be at the top of everyone’s list next year.
Honorable Mention
Caleb Mathews (Smyrna – Class of 2018). Mathews made history at the Slam Dunk to the Beach Showcase. He is the only player in the history of the tournament to record a triple double. He can flat out shoot the ball. If left open he is pretty much automatic. He moves well off the ball and knows how to pick his spots well. He will need to work on his ball handling and becoming stronger as there will be bigger, stronger and better defenders guarding him at the next level.
Immanuel Quickley (John Carroll – Class of 2018) Quickley is a physicially strong point guard who can score and defend at a high level. During his time at Slam Dunk to the Beach he didn’t meet my expectations of a player who is going to a high level program like Kentucky. I’ve been hearing about this kid for months and I finally got a chance to watch him play. This being my first time seeing him play I think he may have just had a bad week. I’m looking forward to seeing how he develops and how his time at Kentucky helps to develop his game.
Mason Hooks (Havard Westlake – Class of 2020) With standout guard Johnny Juzang fighting an illness during the tournament Hooks picked up the slack and was a walking double double. He showed promise as a player who is versatile enough to fight for rebounds and play strong on the block and also step out and hit a mid-range jumpshot. He will be a strong player for years to come if he continues to develop his shooting range and can consistently hit the three point shot.
Justin Winston (Immaculate Conception Class of 2018) Winston is a player who can do a little bit of everything on the court. He can score, defends well and does all the intangible things that it takes to win. With his team full of talent (Carey and Hutchins-Everett) Winston has to make sure he’s consistent with his play. He’s talented enough to be the first or second option on his team but disappears at times. He’s gotten interest from some big programs and will be successful. Looking forward to seeing more from him.