ABU Elite Camp Attendee Na'Elle Simmons Profile

Saturday's ABU Elite Camp saw the arrival of one of Ohio's top prospects for the class of 2019.

Na'Elle Simmons attended the camp in Philippi, and the rising junior brought some impressive play to the camp. The long 6'7" forward came to ABU from Columbus Beechcroft High School (OH) with high credentials and didn't disappoint with his play Saturday. Simmons carries a 3.2 GPA which is encouraging to any college coach looking for prospects to recruit for the future. Battler Beat estimates that the rising junior will continue to grow taller based on his long wingspan. He showed versatility by being able to step out and hit the outside jumper. Na'Elle also went inside several times and displayed nice post up techniques on his defender. Battler Beat also noted that Na'Elle's current strength in his game could be the way he alters an opposing player's shot. Simmons also has an incredible standing vertical jump that is a big asset in rebounding and put backs. 

Zach Fleer, who covers the Columbus-area basketball scene, said this about Na'Elle Simmons from his site 270Hoops: "2019 Beechcroft C Na'elle Simmons has a chance to be special. Long 6'6 forward with arms for days. Sky high rebounder. Lots of potential." Fleer has tagged Simmons as one of the Columbus area 'stock risers". We have linked Na'Elle's highlight videos below. Look for big things from Simmons in the Columbus high school ranks for the next two years.

Na'Elle Simmons Highlights

Battlers Offer R.J. Sunahara Upon Completion of Elite Camp

The Alderson Broaddus men's basketball coaching staff brought in a lot of talented and impressive players for this past weekend's ABU Elite Camp. The staff was able to bring guards, swing players, forwards and centers to the campus of Alderson Broaddus. All of the players were able to show off their skills and abilities on the floor of Rex Pyles Arena. One of the more impressive players did enough to impress the ABU coaching staff and received an offer at the conclusion of the camp. Battler Beat has learned that R.J. Sunahara has received a scholarship offer to play basketball for the ABU men's team. Sunahara attends Bay High School in Bay Villiage, OH. He averaged 24 points and 12.4 rebounds this past season while shooting an incredible 63% from the field . For his efforts, R.J. was one of ten players named to the Associated Press All-Ohio Division II 1st team. 

We were able to talk to R.J. at the conclusion of the Elite Camp. When asked about how the day went, Sunahara responded: "I thought all things went well. It was a good event to be a part of." He measured in at a true 6'7" during the combine testing portion of the camp. "I project myself at the next level to play the three or out on a wing. I can also play the four at this level," stated Sunahara. He noted to Battler Beat that his dad is in his first year as the head volleyball coach at West Virginia University. "He taught me a lot about jumping as we worked at a young age on being able to jump. I know how to jump real well standing off of two feet." said R.J. Even though he is rated high in many  of the circles in the state of Ohio, the elite camp gave him a chance to show off his incredible talents and abilities. "I really enjoyed all the team stuff the camp offered. The team drills and the team play is what I liked. I thought our team played well." said Sunahara.

Battler Beat commented multiple times throughout the day on Sunahara's skill set. During the team drill session in update #1, we noted: 'RJ Sunahara of Bay (OH) has been impressive so far in every drill I have seen. Understands the game. Versatile from the wing but yet a tall player who can take a player off the dribble.' Sunahara was a part of the black shirt team coached by former ABU post player Tobias Dowdell. During the black shirt team's skill set drills, Battler Beat noted in update #2: 'RJ Sunahara of Bay (OH) and Josephi Zini of Trinity (WV) showing excellent ball handling skills.' While Sunahara was impressive in drills and skill-building sets, he took it to another level during team play. Battler Beat noted in update #4: 'RJ Sunahara with a nice flush in the half-court set. He has made four straight.' Sunahara showed a strong ability to attack the rim on transition where he impressed coaches and players alike with countless number of dunks in transition.

The website ohhoops.com has released their 2018 pre-season ranking of players. They rate Sunahara as the 9th best small forward in the state of Ohio. It should be noted that R.J. was a big part in leading Bay HS to a 24-4 record in 2016 and a bid in the Final Four of the Ohio Division II state basketball tournament in Columbus. His play in this weekend's camp caught the eye of Battler Head Coach Greg Zimmerman and Assistant Coach Josh Wamsley. News broke immediately after camp that Sunahara had an offer to become a Battler. We wish R.J. the best this upcoming senior season at Bay HS.  We are linking Sunahara's junior season highlight video below. It is well worth the time it takes to watch:

R.J. Sunahara's Highlight Video for his Junior Season at Bay HS

We thank all the readers that have read our profile stories so far on the players that competed at the ABU Elite Camp. We ask that you stay tuned for more as we will profile each player that attended the event.

ABU Elite Camp Profile: Armani Obringer of Trinity Christian HS (PA)

Our second profile on an ABU Elite Camp attendee goes to Armani Obringer of Trinity Christian HS (PA).  Armani has good size at 6'2" and has the versatility to play a combo guard at both the high school and college level. Armani averaged 17 points and 5 assists this past season for Trinity Christian. At the elite camp, Obringer demonstrated good court vision, good team play, good outside range on his jumper and intensity on defense. He played this past Saturday for the Navy team which was noted overall for excellent team play.

We have linked below the sites for Armani's junior season highlight videos:

Armani Obringer's Highlight Video Package

Armani Obringer's Highlight Video Part 2

AJ Labriola of Bishop Guifoyle (PA) Profile / ABU Elite Camp Attendee

Today starts a series of profiles on all of the players that attended the 2017 ABU Elite Camp held at Rex Pyles Arena on the campus of Alderson Broaddus University. These profiles are in no particular order. The first player's name drawn from the hat is AJ Labriola who attends Bishop Guifoyle HS out of Altoona, PA. Battler Beat projects that Labriola would play primarily on the wing at the college level. He is very versatile at 6'3". AJ showed many offensive talents at yesterday's camp. He has a pure shooting stroke from the wing.  He has the ability to finish strong at the basket when given the ball in transition. He can also take the ball to the basket off of the dribble from the wing position. Labriola then positions and uses his body well in traffic to hit the shot for his team.

Labriola help lead Bishop Guifoyle to a 18-8 record last season and the district 6 runner up trophy while averaging 15 points per game. The junior season highlight video of the 6'3" prospect shows that he has deep range on his outside jumper. He catches the ball releases very quickly on the shot. AJ has the ability to spot and shoot from various positions from beyond the arc. He is canny in finding the open lane so that a teammate using dribble penetration can dish to him for an outside jumper.

AJ played yesterday for former ABU great Josh Allen and his yellow team. He was noted for all of the above attributes but also as being a good team player. Battler Beat wrote yesterday on Labriola during camp update #3: "AJ Labriola of Bishop Guifoyle (PA) with a nice shot on the outside. He is hitting from the wing and the corner. Good form."  These comments were noted during the shooting competition that took place in the morning session. We wish AJ best of luck during his upcoming senior season and will update his senior year progress on the site.

We have linked AJ Labriola's junior season highlight video below:

AJ Labriola's Junior Season Highlight Package

ABU Elite Camp Update #5

For the yellow team, Sean Kelly of Penn Trafford (PA) has looked real good. Josh Whalen of Fort Defiance (VA)  moves well in the post for yellow. Both navy and yellow squads going against each other. Both play well together.

Juan Elmore of Pickerington Central (OH) has a build similar to Richard Lemon. Corey Allison of South Charleston has been doing very well for the Carolina Blue team. He has to show it on both ends of the floor. He has made several nice shots and puts himself in good position.

Alex Heath appeared to tweak an ankle earlier. he is back out there. Levi Macadam of PB with a nice block and makes a strong move to the basket on the other end. Allison with the follow for two.

Two kids from Capital HS are good team players. Figures is tough on both ends. He just flat out hustles. McKinley Mann of James Monroe is a real tall kid with some potential.

ABU Elite Camp Update #4 (team play)

Garrett Tipton was very impressive for the navy team. He understands what to do in transition. He made a ton of shots and made several high basketball IQ moves. He is tall with deep range.

Alex Heath had several good moves. Dalen Solomon had a nice throw down early in the game.

Marcus Dudzenski of Latrobe (PA) has excellent basketball IQ. He doesn't mind screening for his teammate. He rolls correctly.

Tipton going against McMurray in game two. Good matchup. So far Tipton has had the better of it. Augustine Noe of white team has hit an outside jumper and then posted up nicely for two.

RJ Sunahara with a nice flush in the half-court set. He has made four straight.

Tre  Baumgardner and Na'Elle Simmons work a nice two-man game together. Baumgardner puts the ball in the right spot.

McMurray sets a nice pick for Baumgardner and rolls. Tipton played defense on it perfectly.  Some good stuff.

Break in the action.

ABU Elite Camp Update 3 (shooting)

Ryan Bryant of Ironton with a good take on Juan Elmore. Bryant has good size and moves well. He also has great skills against guys his size. Alex Heath is just impressive today. He is really tough to handle on both ends of the floor. He has been relentless.

AJ Labriola of Bishop Guifoyle (PA) with a nice shot on the outside. He is hitting from the wing and the corner. Good form.

The Navy team has good chemistry....a good attribute to see from coaches. They show encouragement to each other.

Darius Dudley from Bedford (OH) is hitting his outside shots. Levi Macadam from Philip Barbour is holding his own.

Tre Baumgardner out of Columbus drills two shots from the wing. He looks poised with the ball. White team has some impressive athletes.

Garrett Tipton has a nice shot. KiJunte Figures hits from the win. Alex Heath and Jevon Powell are nailing their corner shots. Heath with two in a row. Powell hits two in a row as well Powell is a lefty.

Isaiah Howell from Fairland (OH) shows good range. He has a nice shot and form. Bryant, Howell and Sunahara will be a tough matchup in team play.

Elisha Roberts of Cabell Midland shoots well. Augustine Noe of Logan is a big who can step out and hit the outside shot.

Heath continues to hit shots. Mann, Labriola and Council each hit three in a row from the corner.

Ryan Stover of Hampton Roads (VA) has one of the best pure jump shots here. Maybe the best. He elevates well on the jump shot and has excellent technique. I love watching him shoot.

Heath continues to hit the corner shot.

Tipton is a very good player from the wing. He passes well to the open player as well.

Mason McMurray has excellent rotation on his outside jumper. Looks 6'6" too. Joseph Zini from Trinity (WV) has looked good. He hits the jumper from the wing.

That is update after team shooting competition.