ATLANTA, GA - In the midst of high school live period events lies one event that produces more offers and interests than any other: the All-American JUCO Showcase Invitational. The yearly event brings together the top junior college players from around the country, each one of them hungry to prove to the more than 300 coaches in attendance that they have what it takes to make the leap from JUCO to a four-year institution. This year, more than 180 of the best JUCO talents in the country were able to show up and show out. While we can’t include all of the top performers due to the amount of talent in the gym, here are a few more notable prospects who performed well over the weekend in our second All-American JUCO Showcase Recap. 

Here is Part 1 of our JUCO Showcase Recap in case you missed it. 

HIGH OCTANE GUARDS

JUCO is known for producing some of the most electric guards at the Division 1 level. This event showed us how! One of the most outstanding guards of the event was Western Texas 2024 Tazir Smith. Smith plays with elevated intensity at all times and plays defense with pride and intensity. He’s an electric scorer as well and can do his damage both at the rim and from distance. He could develop into a 3-and-D guard with good ball skills at the right school.  South Plains transfer guard Jermahri Hill (Pearl River 15ppg) showed why he was one of the most sought-after transfers on the juco market this spring.  He has the ability to score from almost every spot on the floor and is creative in iso situations. He will have the chance to prove himself in a very tough Region 5 this season.  6’5 AJ Hopkins of Florida Southwestern lit Morrow HS on fire from 3pt land and came away with several offers of his own.  The wing connected on several 3-pointers in the Top 40 game, both off screens and in transition.  With the strong guard play that FSW will have this year, Hopkins should see plenty of opportunities to knock down shots for the Bucs.   Shooting guard/wing Dez Lindsay from Florida Southwestern showed his relentless scoring abilities and his athleticism throughout the weekend. The 2024 guard is an electric downhill threat with reliable defensive skills. 

Western Oklahoma showcased 6’2 brothers Jack Hoth (19ppg, 42% 3PT)  & Chang Hoth (22ppg, 44% 3PT), two names that came into the summer with quite the reputation after putting up video game-like numbers in their freshman season.  Both guards play with great pace and have lethal perimeter jump shots.  With 3 PT shooting being at all time premium in today's market, both Hoth brothers playing both on & off the ball and should bring plenty of college coaches to Altus, OK.  

6’5 Trae Clayton of Navarro College was one of the more intriguing physical guard/wing combos in Atlanta.  Clayton spent most of the year playing the forward position for Navarro but showed the ability to play just about anywhere on the floor.  In the Top 20 game, Clayton was relentless in attacking the rim and finding angles to score.  His strength makes him D1-ready, and as his skill develops he should be a top player in Region 14 next season. 

Ellsworth RS Freshman 6’6 F Mobi Ikegwuruka has been an intriguing prospect in recruiting circles all summer after sitting out after Christmas for Coach Bryan Bender last season.  It didn’t take long for the coaches to see the athleticism seen on film.  Mobi is as quick off the floor as anyone in junior college.  He has a legitimate 7’ wingspan and could be an elite defender.  He will be even more effective in a controlled setting than a showcase. He will need to continue to develop his offensive toolbox, but when/if he does, Ikegwuruka has as high of a ceiling as anyone. 

CALI JUCO Prospects Impress

This event had many impressive JUCO prospects out of the state of California. The highlight of the weekend was West LA College’s Marland Harris, a 6-9 athletic big whose strength and length made him seem much larger than his opponents. With great rim instincts, a capable motor, and a leaping ability fit for the next level, Harris was an active body bag threat on any given possession. CJ Hardy, Harris’ teammate at West LA, showed why he walked out of the weekend with Radford and South Carolina State. The long and shifty guard can score in a multitude of ways and is a reliable combo guard. He can lead your offense, or be it, depending on what you need. Under the radar guard Tytan Newton showed his intensity on the defensive end and his ability to pass and shoot well. The Alan Hancock guard struggled to stay healthy during his one year in Cali but used this opportunity to show that he’s more than capable of competing on JUCO’s biggest stage. San Jose City’s Malcolm Steadman made his mark with his dynamic athleticism and length, which aided him as a high-motor, inside-out defender as well as a high-level rim running threat. East LA College’s Daniel Jackson turned heads and was nominated for the event’s Top 40 game after showing his smooth handle and relentless rim attack. The 6-5 guard is as tough as they come and plays at 100% every time he touches the floor.  Dual sport HS athlete 6’3 Noah Thomas from Chabot College raised plenty of eyebrows with his shooting ability, but as the weekend went on also displayed the vision & court awareness to also play on the ball.  The transfer from Oregon Tech competed as a relatively unknown in the event and made sure that his name was circulating by Sunday’s end.  

BIG TIME BIG MEN

This particular camp boasted an abundance of interior players that will likely be playing Division 1 basketball a year from now.  Panola big man 6’8 Yaphet Moundi showed off a variety of post moves, using a high motor & multiple efforts on the glass to dominate throughout the weekend.  He picked up multiple MM offers at the event's conclusion, and should expect to see no shortage of suitors moving into the Fall. . 6’8 F Israel Momodu from South Georgia Tech (transfer from Shawnee CC) played with a motor, communicated, and even made open 3’s in the Top 40 game.  His offense was on full display against the other top big men from camp, and he came away as a major stock riser.  Fray Nguimbi of Polk State College is a versatile big with a strong post-game and the physical tools to defend at the next level. Jacquez Shuler was one of the tournament’s most intriguing prospects. The 7-footer had a magnificent passing instinct, the ability to shoot it from three, and the length and size to be a traditional big man. The 2024 JUCO available walked away from the event with not only wondering who he was, but how he was able to do so much on the floor. Deng Majak used this chance to show that he’s developed a lot since starting a year ago at Indian River State College. The 6-10 big was one of the most efficient big men around the cup and showed that he can extend out to the three-point line when needed. He’s a two-way big man with a reliable shot-blocking instinct and a general understanding of the game. He’s no doubt one of the most underrated bigs in JUCO right now.

Daytona State’s Breylin Garcia is a big-time 4/3 man whose physical stature overshadows his height. The 2024 prospect from the Dominican Republic  is gifted at handling contact and finishing in the lane, while also showing that he does not shy away from the big moments, hitting one of the event’s many game winners