GREENVILLE, SC (Mar 1, 2010) – South Carolina has long been known as a football state. Well, things may be changing. The boys regional SC Jr All-American Camp was held February 27-28 in Greenville at the brand-new beautiful Imagine Center. This was the perfect venue with its three gleaming wood courts side-by-side and a huge high-end fitness area equipped with lots of high-tech treadmills and flat screen TVs, felt like an NBA practice facility or luxury health club. Lamont Simmons is the new Jr All-American franchisee for South Carolina. He is also founder of the Carolina Raptors basketball program and a fixture in the Greenville basketball community. He has helped hundreds of kids succeed in life and hoops over the years. His teams win whether it’s big-time travel tournaments or local AAU and other events in the Palmetto state. He also runs some of the biggest and most popular tournaments himself. Now he can add another big success to his resume’. Along with his Raptors partner Mike Alexander, the well-liked Simmons put together one of the best regional camps Jr All-American has ever had with 90 kids grades 4th-9th coming out to ball! Simmons and Alexander showed that there are players everywhere! And further, that regional Jr All-American events are the best way to discover them, provide massive exposure while promoting your state’s basketball talent!

The camp was very well organized. Printed copies of the camp schedule and rosters were available to all parents, coaches and spectators! Games started on time. The camp staff was terrific including the coaches, support personnel at the entrance and merchandise table. Simmons and Alexander took care of their staff with lunch each day. The players and parents could eat at the wonderful café deli located right off the courts to the side. Coaches working the camp provided great instruction during the stations sessions each day. Participants were grouped by grade and team and rotated to different baskets every six minutes to learn or work on a new skill or fundamental. For many, this was the first skill/exposure camp they had been to. It was a totally new experience for most of the South Carolina kids and parents since this kind of camp, particularly for middle school players, had never been held in Greenville…and maybe in the state! Tim Valentine, a college coach and well-known Nike SPARQ-certified trainer, handled the dynamic flex warm-up each morning to prepare the players for the long days. He had great energy and got the kids excited about training and taking care of their bodies.

Special guest speaker Justin Dotson, an ESPN Top 100 nationally-ranked 2013 guard from nearby Central (SC) Daniel High School spoke in front of the entire camp about his rapid rise to stardom after attending the Freshman All-American Camp last summer at the University of Kentucky where he came in unknown, but finished the camp ranked #8 overall among all of the best in the class who were there! Dotson showed up early Sunday morning, day 2 of the camp, still glowing after just hours earlier leading his Daniel team as a freshman into the state championship with a blow-out victory on Saturday, against Lower Richland from Columbia.

Dotson said, “I came to (Fab Frosh Camp) and no one knew who I was. I just played hard and was determined to be one of the best players there. And I was in the end. I learned a lot at the camp. Now I’m getting recruited by a lot of top colleges…Clemson, South Carolina, Oklahoma and many others.” He told the campers it can happen for them too.

Dotson should follow a rich tradition of great players from SC that has included Devan Downey at South Carolina, Trevor Booker and 2009 McDonald’s All-American Milton Jennings (Clemson) plus the Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen and Raymond Felton of UNC and the Charlotte Bobcats.

Scouts at the camp included Will Gunter of ESPN and Palmetto Scouting, jrScout, reps from Jr All-American Camp plus coverage from Elite75Prep.com and AllMetroSports.com. Perhaps what was most surprising was that the camp drew players not just from South Carolina but North Carolina, Tennessee and even Texas and Missouri!

Jr All-American president Clay Dade made the short drive from the company’s offices in Atlanta to check out the camp. He was very pleased with the turnout and with his company’s new franchise. “All of the credit goes to Lamont Simmons and Mike Alexander! They are the perfect partners! Coachable. Organized. They possess great leadership qualities. Marketing skills. They have an eye for talent. They want to promote basketball and exposure in their home state. And they’re good people. They deserve the success they’ve had here this weekend. We look forward to more Jr All-American events in SC to come.” Dade went on to say, “Like all our franchisees, including Roger Brewster in Alabama, who was a big help to Lamont and his group, we appreciate their help in growing the Jr All-American brand. We’re glad they’re on our team!”

TOP PERFORMERS

2013 / 9th-Grade

Dante Buford, Hillcrest – Long, rangy 6’6 athlete was unknown coming in. By Sunday afternoon everyone knew who he was. Huge upside potential. Active. Bouncy. Tried to dunk everything. He was voted Best Defender.

Wesley Jordan, Wareshoals – Might have been the hardest-playing player in the camp! Several thunderous dunks throughout the weekend. Strong, physical athlete. He got the Mr Hustle award along with Boyd and Daniels.

Alex Mills, Laurens – Very impressive floor leader who can score and distribute. Pushes the ball well. Head always up looking for open teammates or scoring opportunities for himself. Smart. Competes. Doesn’t turn it over. Knocks down open shots. Great shot selection and recognition. Voted co-most outstanding player.

Micheal Williams, Lake Marion – Lefty looked great at times with his versatility and varied skill set. He has an above-average handle and shoots it decent. Was a little reckless sometimes. With more coaching and development could turn out to be one of the state’s best sooner than later. Very stylish with his headband. Led his team to championship. Won co-outstanding player along with Mills.

Honorable Mention: Alex Quillen, Davrius Hampton, Jordan Phillips, *Celendeiz Boyd, Desmond Beasly-Jones, *Marice Daniels, Cortlin Walton

*co-winners of Mr Hustle award

2014 / 8th Grade

TOP PERFORMERS

Vic Wharton, Sacred Heart MS (TN) – Savvy left-handed point guard took on all comers and was exceptional the entire weekend. He hit tough shots, slashed to the basket on quick explosive drives, made several dazzling no-look passes and other entertaining assists that led to scores.

Marquis Anderson – Long 6’6 center replaced a no-show and emerged to be the second-best 8th-grader as he battled against the older 9th-graders. Raw right now but in time could develop into a big-time talent.

Most Outstanding Player: Vic Wharton

Best Defense Award: Deavin Rencher, Lakeside MS

Mr Hustle Award: Joe Jackson, Bryson MS

Honorable Mention: Xavier Kelly, Jeremiah West, Derek Barnes, Deven Gregg, Jackson and Rencher

2015 / 7th Grade

TOP PERFORMERS

Jawan Evans, Hillcrest MS – Exciting scoring guard who’s always pushing the ball. Physical finisher at the basket. Dominated his peers all weekend. Played up with 8th and 9th graders and continued to flourish. He is definitely one to watch. Bright future.

Rashaad Robinson, Alica Drive MS – Like his older brother Shaheed, who played at the Fab Frosh Camp, he competes really hard. He showed toughness with his ability to score inside.

Derrick Wilson, Camden MS – One of the more surprising 7th-graders. Long and athletic.

Deandre Nathaniel, Hopkins MS – If not for Evans, this multi-skilled all-around talent would have stole the show and the most outstanding award. Watch out for him in the future! He does it all: handles, shoots, rebounds.

Tyler Hooker, Hillcrest MS – Heady player who was always in control. Scrappy too. Made the most of a tough situation on a team that was often out-talented. He stood out with his poised mature play, consistent perimeter shooting, and good leadership. Nice player.

Joseph Mealing, EL Wright – Just a player. Not the most skilled. Played with tremendous energy and spirit.

Kelly Bryant, Wright MS – Very strong for his age. Tough inside at almost 6’2. Great defender. Will get better.

Immanuel Banks, Irmo MS – Another high-energy guy with above-average skill. Playmaker.

Xavier Davis, Rockingham – Plays extremely hard. Made a number of tough, difficult baskets with contact.

Anthony Jones, Irmo MS – Can really score. Hit threes and also scores off crafty layups. Very good for little guy.

Most Outstanding Player: Jawan Evans

Best Defense: Kelly Bryant

Mr Hustle: Ty Hooker and Xavier Davis

Honorable Mention:  Will Smith, Malik Timmons

2016 / 6th Grade

TOP PERFORMERS

Nijal Pearson, Dr Martin (TX) – Came all the way from Texas! He didn’t waste the trip. He was one of the biggest surprises…unknown coming in…impressed everyone with his length and defensive range plus variety of skills. He handles like a guard although 5-foot-8. Scores well. Takes good shots. Creates for teammates with nifty passes that lead to layups. Unselfish. Special. Plays the right way.

Darien Rencher, Lakeside MS – Man among boys. Dominated his fellow 6th-graders and the 7th-graders and even later excelled playing up with the big boys, 2013s and ‘14s!! Strong with the ball, on the dribble. Takes good care of it. Can score layups in bunches. Has football player-sized calves and a very well-developed lower body for just a 6th-grader. When he applies himself, few at this age can pressure the ball like him. His tenacious attitude, competitiveness, talent, physical maturity and winner’s mentality project a very bright future ahead.

Preston Parks, League – Well-known for his long-range bombing, he didn’t disappoint once he got it going on the second and final day. Solid team player, shows good fundamentals. He’ll have to work at his quickness, foot speed, and conditioning to keep up with quicker, more athletic players as he develops. Could be a big-time shooter.

Malik Moore, Northside MS – If one can be a “hustling” scorer then it’s Moore. He has a knack for getting his shot off and seems to be in great physical condition. Always moving. He’s a tireless worker. He can really score. An opportunist. The 6th-grade southpaw showed a fearless ability to get buckets among many bigger, older 7th-graders.

Most Outstanding Player: Darien Rencher

Best Defense: Nijal Pearson

Mr Hustle: Malik Moore

2017 / 5th Grade

Most Outstanding Player: Shakel Robinson

Best Defense: Kannor Lansford

Mr Hustle: Nicholas Claxton

Honorable Mention: Wells Hoag (2018)

Congratulations to all the participants at the boys South Carolina Jr All-American Camp!

Adrian Butler

Alex Mills

Alex Quillen

Alexander Kinlaw

Andre Garner

Anthnoy Jones

Anthony Willis

Aundreius Oglesby

Avery Green

Barron Gantt

Blake Nicholson

Brandon Agnew

Cameron Simmons

Cameron Smith

Carlandis Keese

Celendeiz Boyd

Chey Washington

Cortlin Walton

Dale Anderson

Daniel Alo

Dante Buford

Darien Rencher

Darius Moore

David Whitmire

Davrius Hampton

Deandre Nathaniel

Deavin Rencher

Derek Barnes

Derrick Wilson

Desmond Beasly-Jones

Deven Gregg

Dextor Foster

Dezmond Scott

Dillon Lollis

Drekevies Trebble

Drequwan Wages

Ferrell Thomas

Gage Ellis

Garrett Sutherland

Grady Austin

Immanuel Banks

Immanuel Polston

Isiah Jackson

Jamel Taylor

Jared Wallace

Jawan Evans

Jeremiah West

Joe Jackson

John Jackson

John Walters

Jordan Phillips

Joseph Mealing

Justin McAdams

Kadeem Ramsey

Kammeron Valentine

Kannor Lansford

Keith Workman Jr

Kelly Bryant

Lucas Hediger

Malik Moore

Malik Timmons

Marice Daniels

Micheal Williams

Montrell Tillman

Nicolas Claxton

Nijal Pearson

Preston Parks

Quincy Nolan

Rashaad Robinson

Rashad Griffith

Samron Hillie

Shakel Robinson

Shane Harris

Sir Sutton

Steven Clark

Terrance James

Torrance Wright

Tyler Hooker

Vic Wharton

Vincent Hicklin

Wesley Jordan Jr

Will Smith

Xavier Davis

Xavier Hill

Xavier Hill

Xavier Kelly

Zack Tidmore