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Caribana Classic Camp Recap

Published by CROWN staff on August 21, 2009

Taking place at Hoop Dome (Toronto,ON) this prestigious basketball camp featured 128 high school, prep school and junior college prospects in North America. This intensive two-day event brought over 65 of top Division1 NCAA coaches to scout talent, including those from powerhouses Connecticut, Syracuse, Memphis, Oklahoma and Marquette. Sponsored by CIA Bounce (Team Takeover Canada) and hosted by Tony McIntyre and Mike George, the 2009 Caribana Classic was ran successfully and proved just how bright the future is for Canadian basketball.

Among these 128 players, there were several that CROWN took special notice of. While every player at the camp was noteworthy, the following are ones we felt stood out the most.

Standouts

Matthew Wright 6’3” SG/ School- Martingrove C.I.

courtesy Big Shot Images

No player at the Caribana Classic raised his stock more than this 6’3 shooting guard. Wright put on a show in the Top 20 Game by drilling nine 3s, and had all the coaches talking about him. A smooth operator with great range, Wright could benefit from further work on his slashing game as well as improving his strength. Nonetheless, it’s apparent that he is one of the premier talents in his 2010 class.

Jabs Newby 6’1” PG/ School- Mountain State University Academy
A super-athletic point guard representing the class of 2010, Newby is a 6’1 point guard who brings great energy and tenacity to both ends of the floor. This sometimes causes him to play out of control, as such explosiveness is difficult to harness. However, he should improve this aspect of his play in the near future. Newby had a long list of colleges interested in him. New Mexico State, Nebraska, Tennessee, St Bonaventure and Buffalo extended offers, but he recently gave a commitment to Eastern Kentucky.

Melvin Ejim 6’6” SF/2010/ School- Brewster Academy

courtesy Big Shot Images

This small forward has good length and athleticism, can hit outside shots, but can also create for himself off the dribble. His aggressiveness is one of the keys to his effectiveness as a player. Ejim must improve his jumper off the dribble to get to the next level as a player, and should also learn to use his length more effectively at the defensive end of the floor. Iowa State has already extended an offer to Ejim, as well as Xavier, Baylor, Wake Forest, New Mexico, Virginia Tech, Michigan, St. Bonaventure, and Maryland are also in the running before he graduates in 2010.

Maurice Walker 6’10” C/ School- Brewster Academy
The 6’10 big man has made big improvements to his overall game by improving his mobility and agility. Already possessing a great touch around the basket and excellent post moves, Walker is an intriguing prospect. He is not a great shot blocker but is good at using his large frame to body opponents, hit the glass and alter easy looks in the paint. Walker will play prep this upcoming season at the prestigious Brewster Academy, where he should continue to improve his game. Pittsburgh, Georgetown, and Texas A&M have already extended offers.

Anthony Bennett 6’7” SF-PF/ School- Huntington
A legitimate prospect, Bennett is a 6’7 forward from the class of 2012, and already has an offer from Oklahoma Sooners. With a great build and tremendous length and athleticism, there are few weak points in Bennett’s game. He plays with a lot of heart and aggression, has a good shot and can create for himself or his teammates. Bennett has a good basketball IQ and uses it to influence the tempo of the game. He is also a solid rebounder. If anything, he should continue developing his ball handling to become the total package Bennett turned a lot of heads on the AAU circuit this summer, and should continue to impress for years to come.

Kadeem Green 6’8” SF-PF/ School- United Faith Christian Academy
A 6’8 forward from the class of 2010, Green has eye-popping length. He uses his aggressive playing style to bang down low and slash to the bucket with great effectiveness. One area he must improve is his ball handling, which he has a tendency to get sloppy with when trying to create from the outside. Iowa State, South Carolina, Virginia Commonwealth and Wake Forest are interested to name a few.

Dylan Ennis 6’0” PG/ School-Lake Forest Academy
This 6’0 point guard from the class of 2011 has the makings of a pure point guard. Ennis possess good passing skills, a high basketball IQ and good patience, and great composure. His weaknesses are his thin body and the fact that he is not a very explosive player, but makes up for it by his outstanding 3 point shot. He is a true leader on the floor. Has drawn interest from Michigan, USC, Washington State, Stanford, St Johns, Fordham and an offer from Akron. Ennis is currently undergoing a transfer from Wings Academy, New York, to attend Lake Forest Academy in Chicago.

Donnelle Munda 6’3” SF/ School-Pickering H.S.
Only 14 years old, Munda is a rising prospect from the class of 2013. This 6’3 guard-forward impressed several coaches at the Caribana Classic with his inside-outside game which is reminiscent of Carmelo Anthony’s. A big-bodied guard, Munda can rebound and go coast-to-coast with ease. His inexperience sometimes shows when it comes to sticking to defensive assignments and making split-second decisions. Nonetheless, Donnelle Munda is a player that you should be hearing about over the next while.

Tyler Ennis 5’11” PG/ School- Father Henry Carr
Ennis is a young point guard representing the class of 2013. An excellent prospect who is great in the open court, Ennis is a smooth and intelligent guard who can hit open shots, run the point smoothly, and make plays for his teammates. At 5’11 and still growing, Ennis is considered one of the best prospects in the class of 2013. This was made apparent throughout the Caribana Classic as he held his own against older and stronger competition. To get to the next level, Ennis must continue to improve his jumper off the dribble.

Jordan Clennon 6’1” PG/ School-St. Edmund Campion
A 6’1 point guard from the class of 2010, Clennon is a solid ball player who has good speed, tight handles, and can shoot the 3 when he gets an open look. He is also an excellent defender.

Jordan Robinson 6’7” PF/ School- Galloway Elementary
Only 13 years old, this 6’7 prodigy really made waves at the Caribana Classic. Representing the class of 2014, Robinson was a one-man dunking machine who also showed off a nice touch around the basket as well as a penchant for blocking shots. He has really good length and size for his age, and his aggressiveness on the court always keeps him playing at a high level. Despite his age, many Division1 schools have already taken note of this up-and-coming star.

-CROWNscout-

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