Van Treese is the Best of the Bunch
at the 2006 Pangos All-Midwest Frosh/Soph Camp
by Dinos Trigonis
The inaugural Pangos All-Midwest Frosh/Soph Camp was held at Sports of All Sorts (Indianapolis IN) this past weekend (October 21-22), featuring top 2009, 2010 and 2011 players from Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Missouri and Wisconsin. Sports of All Sorts is a brand new state-of-the-art multi-sport facility with 4 basketball courts (with future expansion to 8 courts).
While 6’9” super soph Stephan Van Treese (Lawrence North/Indianapolis IN) clearly stood out as the best of the bunch and is a legitimate Top 10 national Class of 2009 prospect, there were several other quality players (including a handful of outstanding 8th graders) as well which should keep the area being fertile soil for college recruiters for the foreseeable future. Media/scouts present here included event director Dinos Trigonis (Fullcourt Press), John Stoval (Prep Spotlight), Alvin Boutte (Hoosier Prep Report), Rob Taylor (Buckeye Prep Report) and David Dixon (The Next Level I).
Below are the Top 30 players/prospects at this event who made a lasting impression:
Stephan Van Treese 6’9” So. Lawrence North (Indianapolis IN)
Big time talent has all the physical and mental tools to play with anybody in the county! Although it is well known that Van Treese is an extremely mobile big man that runs the floor with most and is dangerous in transition, it was his ballhandling skills and improved perimeter shooting that was impressive here. Indiana, Ohio State, Notre Dame and a long list of schools covet this outstanding prospect.
DJ Byrd 6’5” So. North Montgomery (Crawford IN)
Athletic scorer with a strong physique (205 lbs.) is equally adept knocking down shots off the dribble or coming hard off a screen. Terrific student (4.0 GPA) is a Matt Lottich-type player (former Stanford off-guard) that is a bonafide winner and competitor!
Anali Okoloji 6’7” So. Banneker (Brooklyn NY)
Very skilled wing forward with size has sweet ballhandling skills and the ability to score in bunches. 2009 NYC sleeper has a big time body (215 lbs.) and is a “B” student. Anali has a terrific work ethic, attitude and the passion to be great (took a 19 hour Greyhound bus ride to attend this camp). High-major potential.
Kyree Jones 6’2” So. Julian (Chicago IL)
Crafty combo-guard led team here to camp championship – hitting big shot after big shot to carry his squad to win after win. Former Indiana native is a clever ballhandler and underrated passer.
Austin Hefley 6’6” So. Angola (Angola IN)
Very physical player does not mind mixing it up inside. Good rebounder can finish down low in paint.
Kelsey Barlow 6’4” So. Cathedral (Indianapolis IN)
Athletic swingman has ability to get to the basket and finish. Intriguing potential.
Justin Martin 6’5” Fr. Lawrence North (Indianapolis IN)
Outstanding prospect has all the ingredients to be another Lawrence North star. Martin is athletic, long, agile, skilled and has a knack for the ball which allows him to be a force on the offensive end. Martin’s physical skills and upside project him to also be a potential fearsome defender as well.
Jan Maehlen 6’10” Fr. Lawrence North (Indianapolis IN)
Mammoth giant (300 lbs) is surprisingly skilled for grade with a nice touch inside and a good feel for the game. Excellent student too!
Ryan Pierson 6’8” Fr. Christian Bros (St. Louis MO)
Young postman with quality size impressed as the camp went along. Nice touch in the paint with an accurate turn around jump shot allow him to be an offensive factor.
DeLance Minney 5’11” So. North Central (Indianapolis IN)
Smooth point has solid handle and a nice stroke from the 3-point arc.
Kyle Speckman 6’3” So. Lawrence Central (Indianapolis IN)
Very good shooter has a nice basketball IQ.
Deveron Crews 5’7” So. Marshall (Madison WI)
Very solid ballhandler is a capable lead guard.
Jarrett Hamilton 5’8” So. Cathedral (Indianapolis IN)
Strong point can create own shot and take defenders off the dribble.
Austin Whitted 6’4” So. Columbus East (Columbus IN)
“A” student is a tough competitor and underrated scorer.
Julian Boatner 5’10” Fr. Bloomington North (Bloomington IN)
Savvy lead guard has nice feel for the game. Excellent student (3.7 GPA).
Sean Duff 6’1” So. Westminster Christian (Chesterfield MO)
Quick combo-guard has impressive ability to beat defenders off the dribble. Good student (3.2 GPA).
Jordan Hulls 5’11” So. Bloomington South (Bloomington IN)
Scrappy lead guard knows how to run a team.
Jordan Manuel 6’7” Fr. TC Howe (Indianapolis IN)
Long and athletic forward runs the floor well and has plenty of upside. One to watch!
Chandler Thomas 6’4” 8th Pike (Indianapolis IN)
Athletic lefty has nice perimeter shot and real potential to be a high-major swingman.
Stevie Taylor 5’6” 8th Gahanna OH
Impressive point guard is only a growth spurt away from being a very strong D-I playmaker prospect. Great basketball IQ, attitude, leadership skills and the knack to make big plays (even at his present size) bode well for his future development. Reminds me of Wesley Stokes (Missouri/San Diego State) and AJ Diggs (Cal): small guards who overachieved and found a way to be starting point guards at the high-major level.
Alvin Boutte Jr. 5’6” 8th TC Howe (Indianapolis IN)
Like his good friend Stevie Taylor, Boutte is small at the moment, but boy is he a great floor general! Alvin is a terrific communicator, has a great work ethic, is an extension of the coach on the floor and has a passion for the game. Those qualities along with nice poise and confidence under pressure make him one to track over the next few years!
JaRob McCollum 6’0” So. Marion IN (Marian IN)
“Cool as ice” combo-guard hit a 3-point shot to send camp championship game into OT. Dependable ballhandler has nice scoring ability.
Isiah Hill 6’9” 8th TC Howe (Indianapolis IN)
Sky’s the limit for this huge center who is nowhere close to scratching the surface of his immense potential. “Big Daddy” has improved his agility over the past year and with hard work, could be a major recruit.
Damone Eubank 5’10” So. TC Howe (Indianapolis IN)
Excellent defender and slashing scorer.
Ramone Eubank 5’10” So. TC Howe (Indianapolis IN)
Like twin brother Damone, Ramone is athletic and runs the floor well.
Damarkis Bridgewater 6’2” 8th Lawrence North (Indianapolis IN)
Strong and physical wing has nice scoring skills.
Gerald Bridges 6’5” So. Univ. of Detroit Jesuit (Detroit MI)
Agile swingman is an effective slashing scorer.
Marcus Ramey 6’0” So. Perry Meridian (Indianapolis IN)
Good passer sees the floor well.
Patrick Kennedy 6’0” So. Bishop Chatard (Indianapolis IN)
“Tough as nails” combo-guard has nice handle. Very good student (3.75 GPA).
Jeremiah Davis 6’1” 8th Muncie IN
Cerebral combo-guard is a scorer with plenty of promise.
