Local stars get the chance to play against nation’s best
Guards for Kings Fork, Landstown attend elite camp
King’s Fork guard Jayden Epps and Landstown guard Donald “DJ” Hand Jr. thought they were going to use the spring and summer to boost their recruiting. But COVID-19 prevented that from happening as most recruiting opportunities and events were canceled.
But the two did get an opportunity last week to show off their skills when they participated in the invitation-only Coach Wootten’s Top 150 Basketball Camp in Dallas, Texas.
The top 100 seniors, top 50 juniors and a handful of the top 15 sophomores — for both boys and girls — participated in two days of skill work and games. Players were given a questionnaire that had to be filled out by their parents to participate. The players signed it at the gym.
“It was pretty cool because only a select group of people got selected to go to that camp,” said Epps, who was the 2020 All-Tidewater Player of the Year. “So, it was pretty cool to be selected to go.”
“To be recognized as one of the top 50 juniors means something to me because of all the hard work I put in,” said Hand, a two-time All-Tidewater selection. “It showed me that the hard work has really paid off.”
Hand and Epps got a chance to go against some of the nation’s top play
ers. They included: Ole Miss commit Daeshun Ruffin, a four-star point guard from Mississippi who is rated the No. 47 senior in the nation; Purdue commit Caleb Furst, a 6-foot-8 power forward from Indiana who is rated No. 45 nationally; Iowa State commit Tyrese Hunter, a four-star point guard from Wisconsin who is rated the No. 56 player in the nation; and Memphis commit Jordan Nesbitt, a 6-6 small forward from Missouri.
Epps and Hand brought their own credentials.
Epps, a 6-1 guard, is rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports and the No. 64 junior in the nation and No. 4 junior in Virginia. He is rated the No. 53 player in the nation by Rivals. He has numerous scholarship offers, including from Arkansas, N.C. State, Texas A&M and Florida.
Hand, a 6-5 guard, is rated a fourstar prospect by Rivals and the No. 89 junior in the nation. He is rated the No. 7 junior in Virginia by 247Sports. He has numerous offers, including Maryland, Clemson, Connecticut, Penn State and LSU.
Both said playing against such talent will really help their game.
“There was a lot of talent,” Hand said.
“Everyone was a high-flyer. Everybody is quick. You really had to do the little things to stand out.”
“It was an adjustment to play with them,” Epps said. “Everybody had a different skill set. But playing against the top competition is something that I wanted to do, so it was a cool experience.”
The event was streamed for college coaches and fans. Both players felt they did well but realized there were some areas they needed to work on to be better.
“Coaches gave me feedback on what I did, but I thought I played pretty well down there playing against some of the top guys,” Epps said. “I think I need to work on finding the open man more than I usually do.”
Added Hand: “I think I did really well. I made the right reads, hit open shots, got to my spots and played defense. I was really proud of myself of how I did. What I need to work on is my communication. Talking on defense and talking on offense. Just really being a vocal leader.”
Last season, Epps helped lead King’s Fork to a share of the Class 4 state title and the outright Class 4 Region A championship.
Many thought Epps would move on to a high-profile high school program like Oak Hill Academy or IMG Academy in Florida.
But he says he’s staying at King’s Fork this season.
“King’s Fork is a great school and we’re starting to get some national recognition,” said Epps, who averaged 26 points, six rebounds, six assists and four steals last season.
“And we’re going to be invited to some national tournaments and play against some national teams. And then with all of the COVID things going on, we didn’t really know what other schools were doing, so I decided to stay home at King’s Fork.”
Basketball practices are scheduled to begin Dec. 7, with games beginning Dec. 21.
Both players think this camp will help them this season.
“It gives me a lot of confidence because I played against the top players in the country. It really showed me that I’m one of the top players in the country,” said Hand, the Class 6 Region A Player of the Year, who averaged 19.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and four assists last season. “I can’t wait to get out there and practice. I’m really excited for this season to start.”
Added Epps: “It just shows me where I’m at, how much better I’m getting, and tells me what I need to go back and work on.”