HEA Elite Week 2013 featured a stellar class of 2018 prospects, which led the way for our Junior Division. A number of our younger prospects showed why there is no shortage of talented young basketball players in the New England region.  Lets take a look at who stood out.

David Dukes – 5’7″, Guard, Paul Cuffee School – Dukes had a tremendous session, taking home Most Outstanding Underclassman, awarded to the top player in the Junior Division.  Dukes is a smooth combo guard, who can slash to the hoop, handle the ball, and has a knack for scoring the ball.  Dukes led his team to a camp championship.

Jonathan Cenescar – 6’1″, Forward, Cambridge Street Upper School – Cenescar is a bruising forward, and was the most dominant player in the Junior Division, imposing his will on both ends of the floor.  Cenescar has a superior athleticism and strength, rebounds, block shots, and can throw down powerful dunks on the break.

Dana Tate – 6’2″, Forward, St. Sebastian’s School – Tate displayed tremendous versatility throughout the session, and can play both in the post and on the wing.  Tate took home Most Outstanding Defender for his shot blocking prowess.  Tate is also a very skilled offensive player, can handle the ball, and face up to slash to the hoop.

Sho Kinugawa – 5’3″, Guard, Wilson Middle School – Steady floor general, Kinugawa consistently made the right play with the ball in his hands throughout the sessions.  Kinugawa has great pace to his game, can handle the ball, and displayed the ability to hit the floater over larger defenders with both hands.  Kinugawa has an even keeled demeanor, which is a great characteristic for a young point guard to possess.

Julian Howell – 5’11”, Guard, Leadership Academy – Howell is a superior athlete, who possesses tremendous speed, strength, and leaping ability.  Howell is a lead guard in the making, who got into the paint at will, where he can absorb contact and finish with either hand.  Howell is a dominant defender, and played lockdown on ball defense throughout the session.

Aidan Keefer – 5’9″, Guard, Vassal Lane Upper School – Keefer is a bouncy combo guard, who has tremendous athleticism and speed out of the backcourt.  Keefer has a versatile offensive game, where he can knock down midrange jumpers, or slash to the hoop for easy buckets.  Keefer is also an outstanding defender.

DeVrae Burns – 5’7″, Guard, Leadership Academy – Burns is a silky smooth guard, who can play the 1 or 2 with tremendous efficiency.  Burns has a tight handle, and can consistently break his defender down off the dribble.  Burns also displayed deep range, where he can consistently knock down shots off of the catch and dribble.

Kyle Mercado – 5’9″, Guard, Rindge Ave Upper School – Mercado is a power guard, who was one of the most efficient offensive players at camp.  His length and power for a wing prospect caused serious matchup problems, as he constantly exploited smaller defenders to get to the hoop.  Mercado has a tight handle, showed to be a strong on ball defender, and willing rebounder.

Elias Perez – 5’3″, Guard, Keith Middle School – Perez is a spark plug guard, who is at his best in the open court, where he can utilize his tremendous ball handling ability to break his defender down and get to the hoop.  Perez is also a willing distributor, and consistently got his teammates open shots.

Justin Pramas – 5’7″, Guard, Butler Middle School – Pramas is a tough wing player, who displayed the ability to knock down jumpers on a consistent basis.  Pramas played tremendous on ball defense throughout the session.

Brendan Grant – 5’10”, Forward, Putnam Ave Upper School – Grant is a versatile forward who can play both in the post and on the wing.  Grant displayed a consistent ability to finish at the rim off dump offs, can rebound the ball on both ends of the floor, and can defend multiple positions.

Kani Glover – 5’7″, Guard, Catholic Memorial – Glover is the consummate team player who displayed the ability to knock down shots on a consistent basis, handle the ball, and play either guard spot.  Glover possesses a high basketball IQ, and uses his quick feet to stay in front of the ball handler on defense.

Mohamed Traore – 5’7″, Guard, CCSC – Traore is a lead guard who made an immediate splash at camp with his tight handle, and ability to get to the hoop.  Traore displayed a high basketball IQ, and consistently made good decisions with the ball in his hand.

Ore Ojo – 5’9″, Forward, Academy of the Pacific Rim – Ojo is a strong, athletic forward, who brings his football toughness on the basketball court.  Ojo is a versatile defender, who can guard multiple positions on the court, and uses his high-level motor to dominate on the glass.

Adam Deese – 5’5″, Guard, Chenery Middle School – Deese is a hard-nosed guard, who displayed a steady handle, and ability to knock down shots.  Deese displayed a tremendous work ethic throughout the session.

Tyrese Joseph – 6’0″, Forward, Leadership Academy – Joseph is an athletic forward, who displayed a high-level motor throughout the 3-day session.  Joseph crashes the boards on both ends of the floor, and uses his athleticism to get out on the break for easy buckets in transition.

Daman Tate – 5’10”, Guard, Orchard Gardens – Tate is a strong, athletic wing who displayed the ability to consistently slash to the hoop and finish through contact.  Tate is a tremendous on ball defender, and willing rebounder out of the backcourt.

Duane Binns – 6’0″, Guard, Leadership Academy – Binns is a wing prospect who possess tremendous speed and athleticism.  Binns displayed the ability to get out on the break and consistently finish in transition.  Binns is a versatile defender, willing rebounder, and displayed the ability to knock down midrange jumpers throughout the sessions.

Malik Rogers – 5’7″, Guard, Plouffe Academy – Rogers is an athletic guard, who uses his speed and strength to get to the rim and finish through contact.  Rogers is a tremendous defender, and willing rebounder out of the backcourt.