Over this past weekend I had the chance to assist with showcasing some of the top talent from the 252 and surrounding area codes. The #252Invitational brought some of the top teams and talent from the east side of the state to Snow Hill, NC, where they battle for the illustrious first title in event history. Over the next couple of days I will be dropping selections for top performers/all tournament teams.
-Side note, 16U consisted of 6 teams
2024 6’3 Tyler Barnes, Rocky Mount HS, Team Trezz Since returning from an ACL injury, suffered in the early stages of the 2021 AAU season, Tyler Barnes has been next level. Tyler walked away with MVP of the 16U A division and it was almost unanimously. Barnes scored the ball in a variety of ways, from pull-up jumpers, to slashing of the dribble, throwing down some nice lobs off back door, and transition finishes. Tyler finished the event averaging 14pts, 5rebs, and 3ast.
2024 5’7 Jah’Kelvin Rascoe, Bertie HS, Big Business Ballers Jah’Kelvin Rascoe walked into the 252Invitational as one of the smallest players in attendance. Rascoe, who stands about 5’7 in height, led Big Business Ballers to the pool B title and was named MVP of the division. He set up his teammates and himself all weekend with nifty handles, and continuously knocked down tough jumpers in the face of the defenders. Rascoe finished the event averaging 18pts and 3ast.
2024 5’10 Jordan Vick, Southern Nash HS, Team Trezz Team Trezz came into the invitational labeled as the “most exciting team in the 252”. In large, Jordan Vick is a major reason why. You don’t find many top 100 guys who defers to his teammates the way Jordan did over the weekend. In their 3 games, 2 of whom were at least a 20 point blowout, Vick averaged roughly 9pts, 4rebs, and 4asts. He also had a couple of nice blocks.
2024 6’3 Keveon Rodgers, Hertford County High School, Big Business Ballers Keveon Rodgers stepped into the 252Invitational with a bit of a chip on his shoulder, and it showed. The big bodied Rodgers stepped on the floor and immediately went to work banging on the block and battling for boards, while also doing his usual work on the perimeter. Rodgers finished the weekend averaging 14pts, 7rebs, and 2ast.
2024 6’2 Randall King, Northern Nash HS, Team Trezz I don’t know if there has been a prospect that has improved his stock over this year’s AAU season, quite like Randall King. While at the #252Invitational this past weekend it continued. King is a freak like athlete in the open floor and does a good job overall in contributing to every single aspect to help a team win. He had multiple dunks and blocks that wowed the fans, while also defending and rebounding at a high rate. King finished the weekend averaging 11pts, 5rebs, 2stls,and 1blk per game.
2024 6’5 Carlos Vasquez, Wayne Country Day School, EC Phenomz Every once in awhile you come across a prospect who just checks all the boxes, Vasquez is one of those guys. Standing at a sturdy 6’5 (roughly 215 pounds) he has the unique ability to bang in the paint on defense and run the point on offense. Carlos repeatedly makes the right read when attacking the defense, which leads to a lot of easy buckets for his teammates. Vasquez finished the weekend averaging 11pts, 8rebs, and 4ast.
2024 6’7 Kayleb Coles, Wayne Country Day, EC Phenomz Coles like his counterpart mentioned above is one of the players whose game translates to AAU very well. Kayleb is a long active defender on one end and a 6’7 3 point marksman on the other. In 3 games over the weekend Kayleb averaged about 11pts 7rebs and knocked down 7 3 pointers.
2024 6’3 Ben Sherman, Swansboro HS, East Coast Allstars If I had to choose one prospect to be the glue guy of my team it would be Ben Sherman. Sherman consistently knocked down jumpers and used a variety of moves and finishes while attacking the rim. He also easily led his team in rebounds and in most games, drew the assignment of guarding the top wing on the opposing team. Sherman averaged 16pts, 6rebs, and 2stls.
2024 5’7 Savion Pepper, Northside HS (JAX), East Coast Allstars Savion Pepper had his best and brightest performances when his team needed him most. While down 27 in a game against EC Phenomz he was the guy that hit big shot, after big shot to take the lead down the stretch. Then in a tough back and fourth battle with Heels Elite he was the guy who hit the go ahead shot late in the 2nd half. Pepper averaged 13pts and knocked down 8 3 pointers during the weekend.
2024 5’10 Tyler Whitehurst, Riverside HS (Martin), Warriors Life Elite Over the last couple of weeks Tyler Whitehurst has shot the ball as well as anyone I’ve seen. At the #252Invitational it continued in a very good way. Whitehurst led Warriors Life Elite in scoring in 2 of the 3 games and ended the event in a Dame Lillard like walk off three pointer from the volley ball line. Whitehurst averaged 11pts per game and knocked down 6 3pointers.
2024 6’4 Jadakis Daniels, Farmville Central, Warriors Life Elite Much like he is for his HS team Jadakis Daniels is the energy and heart of this Warriors Life Elite team. He leads by example and doesn’t mind getting in the paint and doing the dirty work. Daniels had an overall solid weekend averaging about 12pts 6rebs 2ast 1blk per game.
2024 5’9 Jerai Davenport, Washington HS, Heels Elite Pool B of the 252 Invitational featured some of the better backcourt battles of the weekend. Heels Elite were led by the combo of Jaylen Lampkins and Jerai Davenport of Washington High School. Davenport the scorer of the two, had 2 very impressive games in which he shot the ball well, while getting his teammates involved. Davenport averaged 10pts per game during the weekend.
2024 5’10 Jaylen Lampkins, Washington HS, Heels Elite Like mentioned above Jaylen Lampkins is more of the point guard in the Heels Elite backcourt. He had multiple eye popping passes and blocks that had the crowd buzzing. In a tough nail bitter Vs East Coast Allstars the ‘24 guard even knocked down a couple of 3 pointers off the dribble. Lampkins averaged 13pts and knocked down 9 3pointers on the weekend.