Blue, Tokoto shine at UW Advanced Camp
posted by Mark Miller at 6/16/2009
By Mark Miller Wishoops.net Editor Observations from the University of Wisconsin Advanced Camp held Monday and Tuesday in Madison:
* Madison Memorial senior Vander Blue was impressive during skill workouts and pool play Tuesday. The athletic 6-foot-3 wing guard worked hard throughout the stations in the morning and then carried over that intensity to the games in the afternoon. Blue was nearly unstoppable as he was able to hit perimeter jump shots as well as finish at the rim. Blue, of course, had verbally committed to play at Wisconsin in the spring of 2008 before officially re-opening his recruitment via a press conference last month. Things have been quiet on the Blue front the past several weeks, but his participation in the UW Advanced Camp is definitely a positive sign for the Badgers.
* Besides Blue, the other can’t-miss high-major NCAA Division I prospect in camp was sophomore J.P. Tokoto, the athletic 6-5 wing forward from Menomonee Falls who received a scholarship offer from Wisconsin last month. Tokoto scored on pull-up jump shots, off of offensive rebounds and on impressive and athletic drives to the basket. Once he gets down his perimeter jump shot, Tokoto will be virtually unstoppable. Tokoto has met with coaches from Kansas and Marquette since receiving the UW offer. Look for many, many more high-major programs to get involved with this highly impressive player in coming months.
* Another class of 2012 prospect who stood out at camp was Cameron Harvey, a physically strong and skilled 6-3 wing guard from Westchester, Ill., St. Joseph’s. Harvey made shots off the dribble and defended well and has a chance to be a special player for legendary St. Joseph’s coach Gene Pingatore.
* Devon Hodges, a 6-7 forward from Romeoville High School in Illinois, took part in the morning station workouts, but did not play in the afternoon session after turning an ankle. Hodges gave UW coach Bo Ryan a verbal commitment to play for the Badgers earlier this year.
* Merrill junior Paul Jesperson and Brodhead junior J.J. Panoske each performed well at camp and continue to be solid prospects for the next level. The 6-6 Jesperson had a couple of dunks during the games and continues to be one of the state’s elite perimeter shooters, while the 6-9 Panoske appears to still be growing and uses his length to block and alter shots.
* Milwaukee Lutheran senior Chim Kadima had trouble getting his shots to fall Tuesday afternoon, but he was able to get around defenders and get to the basket. The 6-3 combination guard re-opened his recruitment earlier this year after giving Iowa State a verbal commitment to play for the Cyclones in the summer of 2008.
* Seymour junior Phil Romback has excellent ball handling and shooting skills for a 6-7 forward. Still recovering from surgery a few months ago, Romback is an intriguing prospect for the next level because of his combination of skill and size.
* Mukwonago junior Derek Hasanoglu (6-4) used his impressive leaping ability to throw down a couple of impressive dunks Tuesday afternoon. A left-handed wing forward, Hasanoglu has good strength and a very quick first step to the basket.
* Onalaska sophomore Nick Arenz (6-8) showed the ability to make mid-range jump shots while Milwaukee Rufus King sophomore Nick Stokes (5-9) made several pull-back jump shots.
* Look for incoming Sun Prairie freshman Nick Fuller (6-2) to be a four-year varsity player for the Cardinals. A poised and physically strong point guard, Fuller can make perimeter jump shots and get to the basket.
* Madison Memorial sophomore Jamar Morris (6-4) competed as hard as any other player in camp. Morris played on the JV squad as a freshman at Memorial, but figures to contend for a starting spot on the varsity squad in 2009-10.
* Eau Claire Memorial sophomore Wally Ellenson (6-4) played well throughout the spring on the grassroots circuit and he showed well at the UW Camp as well. Ellenson flashed an ability to finish above the rim as well as make long-distance jump shots.
* Out-of-state players who played well in addition to Harvey and Hodges included Jake White, a 6-6 junior from Chaska, Minnesota; Jordan Smith, a 6-2 junior from Orono, Minnesota; Aaron White, a 6-8 junior from Strongsville, Ohio; Austin Davis, a 6-6 senior from Freeport, Illinois; and Nathan Wells, a 6-10 sophomore from Davenport, Iowa.
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