LaMelo Ball creates unique experience at 1 of 1 Academy; they got players too
I walked into the gym about ten minutes late; it is always tricky maneuvering Charlotte traffic, and coaches from SMU and Old Dominion were already there, seated courtside. The players at Charlotte (NC) 1 of 1 Academy were running through shell drills. Head coach Jermaine Jackson was really putting an emphasis on rotations and doing your work early.
The practice was upbeat; the players did not stop moving throughout the two-hour session. The first thirty or so minutes were teaching, and then they played. The game was to 200. They played for about 40 minutes, and that was half-time; the score was 124 to 110. Then they turned the clock off and the first team to 200 won.
This gym was filled with new faces for me. I came to put an updated set of eyes on 6-foot-6 unsigned senior Jakwon Moore. Immediately after walking in, I saw Moore was nursing a slight injury, but a long and lanky 6-foot-10 guy who was dunking EVERYthing caught my eye (I will talk more about Tai Hamilton later). It was good to see them get a sweat going and how they worked on the fundamentals.
Toward the tail end of the drills workout, I got a tap on my shoulder. LaMelo Ball walked in, and he went by and shook the hands of everyone there, myself included. 1 of 1 Academy is LaMelo Ball’s program; while it is run by Jermaine Jackson, 1 of 1 is Ball’s brand with Puma basketball. That said, we were not expecting him to show up.
Ball walked in by himself, said hey to everyone in the gym, sat over on the side, and laced up his shoes. The NBA All-Star hopped on the floor, and they all started playing. Ball knew every player’s name; he was talking back and forth with them, helping them on the floor, and overall enjoying the process. It was a unique experience.
While Ball was clearly the best player on the floor, the 1 of 1 Academy roster was filled with talent. Let’s go through some of the notables that college coaches, and fans, should familiarize themselves with.
6-9 C Gevonte Ware
Gevonte Ware will be a national recruit. The class of 2025 post player’s feel for the game is advanced. Standing 6-foot-9 and weighing in around 235 pounds, people have already started to talk about Ware’s archetype in the same light as Kennedy Meeks. There are distinct physical similarities, but what draws that comparison is the long arms and the soft hands.
Gevontae Ware is a good area rebounder. The ball seems to fall into his hands, especially on the defensive end of the floor, no matter who he is up against. Playing with LaMelo Ball as his point guard, Ware showed great hands, receiving no-look passes delivered from all over the floor. He is also skilled.
Ware knocked down multiple threes off the catch. He scored with his back to the basket, left shoulder, and right shoulder. There is a go-to move in place, and he has counters to play off it. The post plays with toughness and a work ethic, and he is in a program that pushes him to be his best.
Watching him perform, it was hard to believe he was only a sophomore. It was even harder to believe he had no offers, but that will change soon.
6-10 PF Tai Hamilton
Tai Hamilton was the lanky 6-10 player who immediately caught my eye. The height and the length are legit, but what is fascinating about him is the way he moves. He runs the floor like a deer, smooth, fluid, and fast. At 6-10, he is explosive around the basket, getting his elbows to the rim. He also moves laterally like a wing, which is why everyone who was watching eyes opened.
Hamilton has only been playing basketball for a year. He is a high academic high schooler with an eye toward finance. During his first season playing basketball last year, Hamilton averaged 7.7 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game. He is a natural rim protector. His timing is impeccable as he does not wildly leap to block shots; he simply jumps to affect the shot. When you look at his elite rim protection to his ability to slide his feet on the perimeter, all of a sudden, your eyes light up. Hamilton oftentimes was guarding Ball during this workout.
Hamilton is still raw; he is still largely unknown to college coaches; however, Charlotte, Radford, William and Mary, and Elon have all offered during the Fall live evaluation period.
Others to watch
LJ Rush – The class of 2025 has a special handle and floor vision. In fact, outside of being 5-foot-10, there are really no holes in his game. With three years left of high school, he will put on a show with all the craft you can handle.
Sebastian Akins – The class of 2024 point guard has deep range and a slick handle. At 6-foot-2, he was 8-for-10 from three in the scrimmages this session. He also has a quick and crafty handle that gets him to his spots. Another player on this roster not many know; however, the buzz will start building as college coaches start coming into the gym.