Sam Alamutu, Jayden Clayton Earn Junoir NPH Showcase MVP
In a packed gym of about 100+ everyone observed in silence.
1984 Canadian Olympian Anthony Simms had the crowds attention.
[contentblock id=9]
Simms narrated his journey to the top of the basketball world, including struggles with poverty as an immigrant, his fight with racism, and the dream to buy his mother a house.
The crowd was captivated. Attendees sat, wide eyed. They stared at someone who they could all relate to. And someone who they wanted to become.
The Junior NPH Showcase was held at Crescent school in Toronto this past weekend where over 100 prospects were in attendance from all over Ontario, including players from Alberta and Nova Scotia!
Through seminars, speeches, and basketball games prospects were taught how to develop and compete.
Talent was around every corner at the Jr NPH showcase too, and here are some names that stuck out throughout the weekend.
Avery Mellor (2021) from the London, Ontario had a very good showing at the showcase. He is crafty guard, with a good handle and has the ability to hit the open three. His game is comparable to Mike L’Africain.
Five-foot-one inch Michael Caissie was the top leader at the camp in many coaches eyes. The 80 pound seventh grade point guard was the most vocal camper. He directed traffic both on the court and when going through drills. A confident, young man, who is on the right path for success in basketball and life with his attitude.
Malachi Smith (2022) form team Breakdown shot the ball extremely well at camp. This PG played with good pace, and as he keep developing his motor his game will also expand.
PG Kion Stewart (2021) for S-Elite showed off his talents through a combination of his handles, step backs jumper, and his eagerness to learn and compete.
Lefty Theo Parent (2021) represented the Scarborough Blues with a variety of three point shooting, tough rebounding and play in the paint. Standing at 5’8, and continuing to learn how to attack the rim and finish, Parent turned heads.
Andrew Zezela (2021) from UPlay Canada played with toughness inside, and also showed off a good touch from outside. As the five-foot-ten inch forward continues perimeter game to his arsenal, he will be a prospect to keep tabs on.
Tyresse Leotaud, Joshua Marquez, Jackson Upshaw, and Janz Amon Kavcic round out the 2021 prospects that impressed at the showcase.
Marquez and Leotaud had good physicals in size, athleticism and length. Upshaw and Kavcic showed good strength and touch around the rim.
Top Prospects Game
The rosters went as follows:
| Team White | Hometown | Team Blue | Hometown |
| Nijayen Simmonds | Calgary, Alberta (Gensis) | Kordell Charles | Caledon, Ontario (Durham City) |
| Cameron Brown | Toronto, Ontario (Cory Joseph Elite) | Rowan Steele | Caledon, Ontario (CIA Bounce) |
| Jaidon Martin | Toronto, Ontario (Cory Joseph Elite) | Jonah Mosher | Halifax (YMCA) |
| Marcus Moore | Toronto, Ontario (21 Hoops) | Tramell Sutherland | Toronto, Ontario (YAAACE) |
| Ayden Miller | Toronto, Ontario (21 Hoops) | Jevaughn Boothe | Toronto, Ontario (YAAACE) |
| Noah Ngamba | Vaughan, Ontario (Vaughan Panthers) | Alex Vreeken | Kingston, Ontario (Impact) |
| Muon Heath | Ottawa, Ontario (OYBA) | Paolo Rivera | Mississauga, Ontrio (K-Elite) |
| Jayden Jack | Toronto, Ontario (YAAACE) | Amando Clayton | Toronto, Ontario (Motion) |
| Sam Alamutu | Toronto, Ontario (Cory Joseph Elite) | Jahlil Scott | Ajax, Ontario (Cory Joesph Elite) |
| Jayden Clayton | Whitby, Ontario (Durham City) | Kole Scott | Toronto, Ontario (Cory Joesph Elite) |
| Kevonne Marshall | Toronto, Ontario (Grassroots) | Cameron Harris | Brampton, Ontario (CIA Bounce) |
| Curtis Cunningham | Ottawa, Ontario (OYBA) | Daren Clarke | Hamilton, Ontario (UPlay) |
| Deven Randhawa | Ajax, Ontario (Durham) | Jaden Langley-Thomas | Whitby, Ontario (Marksmen) |
| Patrick Rivera | Mississauga, Ontario (K-Eite ) |
Breakdown
The cuts were made, the dust was settled, and the players in the final prospects game were ready to go at it.
After a 50-to-50 deadlock at halftime team White, behind MVP Sam Alamutu’s double-double, were able to pull away 102-80.
Alamutu put up 10 points and 10 rebounds while dishing 2 assists and snagging 3 steals. The CJE product showed a high motor, good work in the low block, and great defence all throughout the camp.
Kevonne Marshall scored a game high 17 points, adding 7 rebounds as well. Marshall is a scorer in every sense of the word, as the lefty uses his body, jumpshot, and footwork against any defence.
Jayden Jack added 14, as the lefty imposed his scoring prowess all weekend long. From the outside, or attacking the rim, Jack showed good upside.
Nijayen Simmonds score 10 points, and has some very good tools moving forward. He can get to the rim and finish through contact all the while still being able to shoot the three. Here is a prospect that represented Calgary to the fullest.
Underclassmen MVP Jayden Clayton looked very comfortable out on the court, registering 8 points, 4 assist, and 1 steal. Clayton plays with great pace, IQ, enthusiasm and energy.
Muon Heath also potted 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 blocks, proving to be a menace on the defensive end. Heath is still developing offensively, which is okay because he is dialled in on the other end. His potential is through the roof.
The blue team was led by Rowan Steele and Jonah Mosher who each chipped in 12 points.
Steele played solid inside, using both hands, and an array of post moves to go along with his 6’4 frame. He also added 5 rebounds.
Jonah Mosher was the most passionate camper at the Jr NPH Showcase. The Halifax native brought fire and spunk into every game he was apart of. Hard defender and good shooter, he won over the crowd indefinitely.
Guards Tramell Sutherland, Darren Clarke and young gun Jaden Langley-Thomas all chipped in with 10 points apiece.
Sutherland is relentless in his probing in and around the paint. He uses his quick first step and body control to finish around the rim while absorbing contact.
Clarke has a lightning quick and smooth step to accompany his good shooting ability. At 5’8 Clarke achieves a lot from the perimeter at his size. Reminiscent of another UPlay product, Shai Alexander, committed to Florida.
And last but not least Jaden Langley-Thomas. Of all the prospects, Langley-Thomas showed the best motor in the skill training. He was relentless in his work ethic, and his skill is very impressive.
The list of players who performed well goes on between 20-30 names. For coaches that are interested in learning more through our in depth scouting reports, subscribe to NPH National Scouting Service for comprehensive coverage on Canada’s top prospects.
Contact info@northpolehoops for more information.
Next stop for the NPH Showcase National camp circuit is the Tri-City May 20-22!
Follow @NPHShowcase on Twitter for the latest camp updates!
