By: Zain Motani
The fifth annual Jay Bilas Skills Camp took place in Charlotte, NC from June 8th – June 10th. Held on the beautiful Levine Center of Queens University, the camp featured almost 120 participants representing 23 states.
You can read a detailed Jay Bilas Camp recap here!
There were a plethora of college-bound prospects at the camp, and below are some of the players who stood out to the PSB crew!
2018 Jay Bilas Skills Camp Player Standouts
Best Player (Guard): Myles Tate (2020), 6’0 165lbs, Dorman High School
Tate dazzled at the point guard position all weekend, particularly in the 5v5 scrimmaging. Tate has crisp handles and a reliable, high arching jump shot all the way out to the three-point line.
Tate’s spin move and ability to hang in the air and finish on either side of the basket compensates for his somewhat diminutive size. Tate shot well off of the pass and off of the dribble and is a sneaky offensive rebounder and is very calculated about how/when he attacks the offensive glass. Tate didn’t get out in the open court much this weekend but still demonstrated terrific speed in semi-transition opportunities.
Tate is the reigning Player of the Year in SC and holds offers from Presbyterian, Coastal Carolina, College of Charleston and Wofford and is hearing from some Power Five Schools as well.
Best Player (Forward): Brice Williams (2019), 6’7 202lbs, Hopewell High School
Williams size and strength proved to be overpowering for other players at the camp as he led his Hawks team to a championship in 5v5. Williams demonstrated an ability to get to the basket and find creases in half-court sets to create his own shot.
His mid-range jump shot was solid all weekend but didn’t consistently extend to the three-point line. His scoring seemed effortless as he used his size and strength to create space and elevate over the outstretched arms of smaller defenders.
Williams holds offers from Charlotte and Lafayette.
Best Rebounder: Robbie Beran (2019), 6’9 210lbs, Collegiate High School
Beran gobbled up rebounds all weekend and despite a relatively thin frame always managed to create space after securing the board to deter any offensive rebound attempts. Beran also can grab a rebound and head straight up the floor himself to create transition opportunities and showcased solid ball handling for a post who is every bit of 6’9.
Robbie has offers from schools like American, Columbia, and James Madison and recently schools in the Big Ten and Big 12 have reached out to express interest.
Best Passer: BJ Mack (2019), 6’8 250lbs, Oak Hill Academy
Mack was one of the most dominant offensive players throughout the camp and began getting double teamed throughout the camp when he caught the ball in the post. He consistently kept his head up and made smart passes out of the double team to cutters and teammates on the opposite side of the court.
Also one of the best rebounders at the camp, Mack consistently started fast breaks by himself and made the right pass ahead to his cutting guards who didn’t need to come back to Mack to get an outlet pass.
Mack who decommited from Virginia Tech in December recently picked up offers from Ole Miss, James Madison, and App State after strong showings at the Nike EYBL with Team CP3.
Best Athlete: Calvin Felder (2019), 6’7 220lbs, Sumter High School
Felder has a Division I ready body and athleticism now. Felder elevated in traffic all weekend to finish with dunks off of one and two feet. Felder has an above average second jump off of missed shots around the basket.
Felder holds offers from Auburn, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, and a slew of other Power Five programs.
Best Shotblocker: Ben Beeker (2019), 6’9 215lbs, Hendersonville High School
Beeker is very skilled on offense with his jump shot and his post game but won’t blow you away with his athleticism. He did impress many this weekend with his ability to contest and block shots.
Beeker’s timing was close to impeccable and he astutely read the body language and tendencies of opponents all weekend to get a hand on their shot attempts without needing to jump incredibly high.
Best Shooter: Adam Cottrell (2019), 6’3 195lbs, Lakeview Academy
Cottrell was a knockdown shooter all weekend. His offensive repertoire is sound and seemed to always have the ball in triple threat position. His form never wavered even as legs got tired and always acknowledged his teammates who set him up with open shots.
Best Defender: Ryan Clements (2019), 6’3 165lbs, Heritage High School (GA)
Clements had the best motor and energy throughout the weekend and was also the fastest player without the ball in the camp. He has good length, a wiry strong frame, and the tenacity to want to be a lockdown perimeter defender.
Clements consistently accepted the challenge of guarding the other team’s best guard and played solid and stingy defense on Tate in the finals of the 5v5 competition.
Best Teammate: Redford Dunton (2021), 6’5 175lbs, Heritage High School (NC)
Dunton is just a rising sophomore (this last year he started on his school’s varsity team that made it to the 4A state finals in NC) but plays the game with a poise and maturity well beyond his years. He is a terrific athlete, has nice length, and is a relentless but under control attacker to the basket.
When he did drive to the basket, he was a willing passer and consistently made great dishes to his teammates after help defenders collapsed on him. His jump shot is a bit unorthodox and as he begins to knock this down more consistently it will free up more space in the lane for him to slash and attack.
Dunton’s team lost its 6’11 post player after the first day and he did a valiant job matching up with post players 2-5 inches taller than him in the scrimmages on the second and third night. He appropriately won the award for Best Teammate at the camp.
Ok that’s it! We can’t wait until the 2019 Jay Bilas Skills Camp!
Are you interested in a similar type of camp between now then?
Well then make sure to check out the Paul Biancardi Camps schedule here!
