Kennesaw State Team Camp
Analysis

Kennesaw State Team Camp: Standout Seniors

2022 6-7 W Jerry Deng – Norcross
Jerry Deng made a strong first impression. He’s a big wing with a pretty shot. Deng can shoot over defenders on closeouts and is accurate behind the arc. He isn’t overly explosive when getting to the basket, but he does have a strong enough frame to convert around the rim. Deng drilled 3 threes and finished with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 1 steal.

2022 5-10 PG Lidon Pate – Tri-Cities
Back at Tri-Cities after a sabbatical at Banneker, Lidon Pate will bring a scoring punch to the Bulldog backcourt. He was tough as nails in a chippy 42-41 overtime win against Norcross. Pate relies on a deadly jump shot to torch the defense. He has three-point range and is comfortable getting run off the line to pull-up from 15. The lefty can get crafty when attacking the hoop, finishing without getting his shot blocked. Though on the smaller side, Pate is a feisty defender. He finished with a game-high 19 points, 1 assist and 3 steals. His stock is on the rise.

2022 6-1 PG Simeon Cottle – Tri-Cities
Unflappable Simeon Cottle got the last laugh in Tri-Cities’ win over Norcross both literally and figuratively. When the Blue Devil bench tried to get in his ear, Cottle responded with clutch bucket after clutch bucket, scoring 13 of his 18 points in the second half as he scored at all three levels. Cottle has been a key cog in the Tri-Cities machine since his freshman year and has gone through all the wars, making him one of the most battle-tested seniors in the state. The smooth playmaker will have an opportunity to score the ball even more in his final season.

2022 6-3 G Dylan Cambridge – Kell
Dylan Cambridge is the prototype for Jermaine Sellers coached teams. A high motor athlete that completes on both ends of the floor non-stop. Cambridge plays bigger than his size, using his bounce to attack the hoop. He’s got a strong first step and a quick second leap when cleaning up misses. Dylan has a knack for scoring at the rim. Cambridge is a very good rebounder for his size. He’s capable of playing multiple positions and is an impactful defender.

2022 6-5 W Dylan Gary – North Gwinnett
Dylan Gary caught my eye with his size and versatility. He can play either forward position and is equally comfortable playing outside as he is on the block. Gary provides activity in the paint, crashing the offensive glass hard and earning second chance points. He’s a good athlete with long arms. Gary can cause mismatches when stretching the floor. He can knock down the three and can beat defenders off the dribble. I like his switchability on defense, able to guard different spots.

2022 6-7 F Wade Kahl – Centennial
A throwback post presence with some modern stretch capabilities, Wade Kahl brought his hard hat as he battled Delrecco Gillespie inside and was paramount in securing a come from behind 48-46 win over East Coweta. Kahl is an aggressive rebounder that uses his length to his advantage. While he may not be able to outjump some of the more athletic players, Kahl gets his work done early on block outs and fights his way into rebounding positions. Wade is tough to stop on the low block once he gets into a groove. If you let him seal too deep, his hook shot off the glass is automatic. He finished with drop steps in traffic and had a drive from the perimeter. Kahl totaled 13 points, 12 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block. The high academic big man should be a hot target among D-II and D-III programs. I’m a big fan of his game.

2022 6-1 PG Eric Howard – South Cobb
Making the jump from Marietta to South Cobb, Eric Howard will provide electricity in the backcourt. Howard plays extremely hard, flying all over the floor to make an impact with his motor. He swoops in for offensive rebounds using his elite leaping ability to steal possessions. Howard has a lightning quick crossover that gets him into the lane in a blur. Defensively, he can overwhelm slower guards with his speed. Howard finished with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals.

2022 6-7 F Mike Kinnard – South Cobb
Mike Kinnard follows Hollis Bethea to South Cobb from Douglas County. Kinnard shined in the two-man game with Eric Howard against an outmanned Woodstock team. Kinnard posted up hard and took advantage of his size, scoring with either hand down low. Mike displayed deft footwork with his back to the basket, scoring with a hook shot and a drop step spin baseline. Kinnard posted 16 points and 4 rebounds. He could be a focal point of the offense for a retooling South Cobb roster.

2022 6-7 F Delrecco Gillespie – East Coweta
A big body with skills to boot, Delrecco Gillespie is one of the state’s best big men. He looks quicker from when I last saw him during the high school season. He is able to space the floor and take his man to the basket. On post ups, he’s a physical presence that throws his weight around and has good body control to finish through defenders. Gillespie demands attention from the perimeter with his soft touch. Delrecco finished with 12 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 blocks.