Top prospects on display in Tulsa

A group of nearly 120 of the top junior college sophomores from across the country gathered for Jerry Mullen's Annual JUCO Camp in Tulsa, Okla. this past weekend.

Two gyms full of non-stop action over the two days gave collegiate coaches an up-close and personal look at some major talent this weekend.

The talent on hand did not fail to impress.

Winging It

There was no shortage of athletic perimeter players this weekend. Chipola (Florida) College put two of their best on display with Mario Little taking the spotlight as one of the most impressive players in the entire camp. His ability to take the ball to the basket combined with his ball-handling and passing skills left many coaches talking amongst themselves about the talented wing man.

An undersized shooting guard, Skyler Williams joined his Chipola teammate in Tulsa this weekend. He will likely receive some mid-major attention over the next year.

A new man on the scene was Wallace (Ala.) State small forward Cory Cooperwood. He and Josh Guillory were both considered two of the top wings on display over the weekend.

Motlow State Community College brought sophomore Isreal Kirk to the event this weekend. While he played in the post much of the time he could be a strong option for some D-1 colleges on the wing. Mt. San Jacinto (Calif.) wing DeJuan Flowers falls under a similar description.

Talented guard Chris Rhymes was one of the top players at Redlands Community College last season, but he has followed new Cowley (Kansas) College head coach Steve Eck to become his premier guard as Eck builds the Tigers basketball program.

Presence in the Post

While there were plenty of faces on the wing, the strongest talent may have been found in the paint. Highland (Ill.) College Robert Eppinger showed his strong post skills in the paint all weekend. Minnesota head coach Tubby Smith was seen jogging from one court to another after hearing Eppinger was on the court. He was definitely a player many coaches were keeping their eyes on this weekend. He showed a strong ability to rebound and had a few impressive post moves. He remains a bit undersized, but he was impressive against taller defenders.

Lee College had two of their top players on display over the weekend in Dominique Keller and Demetrius Proby. Both displayed some strong athletic ability and did not hurt their status as two of the top prospects in the junior college ranks.

Kenya native and Jacksonville (TX) College Martin Ombok arrived in the United States a year ago, but he made a mark at the event this weekend. While he did nothing to blow away onlookers he showed great athleticism and a high ceiling for potential.

New Homes

Former Oklahoma State wing Gary Flowers made an appearance in Tulsa this weekend with seven of his Chipola (Florida) Junior College teammates. Flowers has shown the same athleticism which made him one of the top players in the 2006 recruiting class out of high school. After being dismissed from the Oklahoma State basketball team last October he has tried to get his game back on track.

From the same state, recently dismissed Oklahoma point guard Bobby Maze made an appearance at the camp this weekend. He showed the quickness and athleticism which propelled him into the starting point guard position late in the Sooners 2006-07 season. He will play at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas next season.

After being caught in the middle of a campus scandal at Niagara University, Javonte Clanton is looking for a fresh start this year at Blinn (Texas) College. He was one of the more impressive point guards on display this weekend and one would think he would get a strong look from several mid-majors over the next year.

Coaches on Campus

West Virginia, LSU, Arkansas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Ohio State all had assistants in attendence this weekend. Tubby Smith was the most noteworthy coach present this weekend, but newly named South Florida head coach Stan Heath also made an appearance at JUCO event hustling from court to court.