MANSFIELD, Texas — Many of the nation’s best high school basketball players, mostly in the Class of 2023 but also some 2024 and even 2025 prospects, traveled to the Wootten 150 camp near Dallas last weekend. Joe Wootten, chairman of the McDonald’s All-American game, ran the event with several of the voting committee in attendance.
The camp setup made it easy for each player to showcase his talent in hopes of getting an invitation to the prestigious all-star game. Many stood out, but these are seven up-and-coming prospects college basketball fans should know for the near future.
The MVPs
Stephon Castle
• 6-foot-7, wing, Newton HS (Ga.)
• Class of 2023
• Ranked No. 20 in 247Sports Composite
• Committed to UConn
Castle was the best and most consistent player throughout the weekend by far. From the opening drills, he made it apparent that was the case. At 6-foot-7 and 217 pounds, with the mindset of a point guard to control the pace of a game, he presents a lot of challenges for opposing defenders, and his outside jumper has improved from a year ago. He really impressed me in the three-on-three and five-on-five segments of the camp, as he consistently made the right play for himself and others.
Throughout the weekend, Castle proved to be college-ready and made the biggest impression on me and several of those on the voting committee. If you needed a bucket in late-game scenarios, Castle was your man. He headlines a five-man UConn class that includes four four-star prospects. They should have the Huskies’ Gampel Pavilion roaring.
Ron Holland
• 6-foot-9, forward, Duncanville HS (Texas)
• Class of 2023
• Ranked No. 10 in 247Sports Composite
• Uncommitted
Ron Holland could go down as the most accomplished high school basketball player in Texas state history. At 17, he has three state championships (and is going for his fourth), owns two gold medals playing for Team USA and will likely make the McDonald’s All-American game.
He started day one slow, but as the weekend progressed, he turned it up a few notches. Holland won the King of the Court tournament by displaying his ability to knock down shots and score from all areas on the floor. His ability to guard multiple positions, rebound and compete at a high level is why Kentucky, Texas, Arkansas and G League Ignite are all trying to bring him aboard.
By day two the middle court was flooded with fans, media, and scouts as Castle and Holland played one-on-one and teamed up for the three-on-three showdown. Although they didn’t win it all, they advanced to the Final Four and made spectacular plays along the way.
Here’s a few clips of Ron Holland (@ron2kholland) & Stephon Castle (@StephonCastle) getting buckets today at #Wootten150 @Wootten_Camp @TheAthleticCBB pic.twitter.com/bblffJjveZ
— Tobias Bass (@tobias_bass) October 2, 2022
Future Big 12 matchup
Ja’Kobe Walter
• 6-foot-5, shooting guard, Link Academy (Mo.)
• Class of 2023
• Ranked No. 17 in 247Sports Composite
• Committed to Baylor
RJ Jones
• 6-foot-3, combo guard, Wasatch Academy (Utah)
• Class of 2023
• Ranked No. 57 in 247Sports Composite
• Committed to Kansas State
The three-on-three portion of the camp was the most intriguing as I could evaluate how prospects read and reacted to different scenarios.
Walter, a Baylor commit, and Jones, headed to Kansas State, had the best matchup of the entire camp as they went shot-for-shot for over 20 minutes. Neither Walter nor Jones missed more than six shots in that time span. They put on a show as they displayed their full offensive arsenal and showed they are two of the best scorers in the country.
Both prospects are from the Dallas-Fort Worth area but decided to go to prep school before heading off to college. This formidable offensive duel is one we could see for years to come starting next fall.
A future Big-12 matchup between @BaylorMBB commit Ja’Kobe Walter (@JaKobeWalter1) vs. @KStateMBB commit RJ Jones (@RJJones2023)#Wootten150 @TheAthleticCBB pic.twitter.com/y2DChhbg7W
— Tobias Bass (@tobias_bass) October 2, 2022
The most intriguing
Sam Walters
• 6-foot-8, forward, Village Charter School (Fla.)
• Class of 2023
• Ranked No. 109 in 247Sports Composite
• Committed to Alabama
This was my first time seeing Walters play in person, and I was blown away by his versatility on the offensive end. His ability to stretch the floor, make shots and put the ball on the floor as a power forward was impressive and will translate immediately at the next level.
On day one of the five-on-five portion of the camp, he was the best shooter on the court and proved to be complementary alongside Castle and Butler commit Finley Bizjack in the pick-and-pop. Walters committed to Alabama back in early June, and coach Nate Oats should be thoroughly excited to find a way to use him in his scheme.
Really really impressed with Sam Walters (@SamWalters2023) game
Can really shoot it from three, plays with a high-IQ and is underrated as a slasher/finisher around the rim
Will be successful @AlabamaMBB They have a good one on the way
@TheAthleticCBB #Wootten150 pic.twitter.com/34B0TYTwF2
— Tobias Bass (@tobias_bass) October 1, 2022
Jinup Dobuol
• 6-foot-8, forward, Minnesota Prep (Minn.)
• Class of 2024
• Unranked
• Uncommitted
Not many people had heard of or seen Jinup Dobuol play before the Wootten 150, but he left a lasting first impression. Dobuol currently holds three college offers — Wichita State, Bethune-Cookman and Ole Miss. That number will increase in the coming months.
On day one of the camp during the five-on-five games, he was draining 3s from all over the floor, creating off the dribble and effectively guarding multiple positions. He raised so many eyebrows this weekend.
Landren Blocker
• 6-foot-4, wing, Little Rock Christian Academy (Ark.)
• Class of 2024
• Unranked
• Uncommitted
Blocker made several highlight plays throughout the weekend, whether he was blocking shots or throwing down dunks. With his strong frame and athleticism, he has the potential to be a lockdown defender, impactful rebounder and effective finisher around the rim at the next level. He holds offers from Creighton, Missouri, Ole Miss, St. John’s, TCU and a few other programs.
The Blocker family shared a special moment as both of their sons (Layden, a five-star 2023 prospect, is an Arkansas commit) attended the camp, had a chance to guard each other during five-on-five sessions, and broke down each other’s games for the media.
Another standout at the #Wootten150
Is Landren Blocker (@Landrwin)Big time athlete that gets things done on both ends. He’s an underrated prospect in the 2024 class but holds a few HM offers. He’s a name to watch for the next two years @TheAthleticCBB @ebosshoops @Cassidy_Rob pic.twitter.com/7HFRp4XOQP
— Tobias Bass (@tobias_bass) October 1, 2022
(Top photo of RJ Jones: Courtesy of Extra Eyes Media)
