2022 Bass Pro Tournament of Champions Players to Watch

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By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com) – @thejordanburton

The 37th Annual Bass Pro Tournament of Champions is upon us and after a COVID break in 2021, this field blends national stars with some incredible local talent. The TOC has seen more than 60 future NBA players in its history, with 20 of those coming in the last eight seasons. This year’s field is poised to add to that overall total. Here are some comparisons to previous TOC royalty.

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2022 G Amari Bailey, Sierra Canyon (Ca.)

A lefty with an advanced skill set, big-time athleticism and showtime flare will remind fans of T of C alum and current Los Angeles Laker Malik Monk. Bailey already has a half million followers on IG and has had no shortage of stars at his games. Like Monk – specifically in high school and at Kentucky – Bailey can play on or off the ball, fitting into that elite playmaker role we’ve seen increasingly from big guards over the last decade, but mainly he can put the ball in the basket. The UCLA signee has one-and-done potential, but he’ll have no shortage of NIL opportunities as a Bruin.

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2023 G Kanaan Carlyle, Milton (Ga.)

The thing to remember about Milton is they have three high-level scoring guards and Carlyle is the youngest of the trio. The Stanford commit can get hot in a hurry and there’s not a spot on the floor he can’t get to. He’s a top 25 prospect nationally and his scoring ability will remind fans of how Darius Garland scored 100 points in three days back in 2018.

2022 F AJ Casey, Whitney Young (Ill.)

The 6-foot-8 Miami committed combo forward will remind you of Bobby Portis with his length and athleticism. Casey is great in the post, dynamic in transition and continues to develop a more consistent perimeter game – particularly with his ability to be a playmaker. He will be a fan favorite with his above the rim finishes.

2023 G Kael Combs, Nixa (Mo.)

Matt Bradley made a name for himself as an All-Pac-12 player at Cal. In 2018 he earned All-Tournament honors for Wasatch Academy. The lefty is now at San Diego State, giving the Mountain West fits. Combs is that kind of athlete. The 6-foot-4 guard is a D1 football and basketball prospect. He had another monster summer with MOKAN Elite with shades of Bradley’s ability to get downhill, shoot it with range and finish in traffic. D1s will continue to line up for his services on the gridiron and on the hardwood.

2023 G Dalen Davis, Whitney Young (Ill.)

Chicago is one of the world’s best at producing point guards and Davis is the best 2023 floor general in the city. He has that same blend of Chicago toughness and savvy that guys like Derrick Rose, Zeke and Sherron Collins but his game also reminds me of recent TOC alum Sharife Cooper. Davis isn’t a big guard, but he’s super skilled with phenomenal footwork, great vision and a jumper. He’s constantly keeping defenders on skates.

2024 F Isaiah Elohim, Sierra Canyon (Ca.)

Arguably the nation’s top 2024 prospect, the 6-foot-5 guard made his Sierra Canyon debut in late December and he didn’t disappoint. His game already has a pro feel and he has an advanced frame. The USA Basketball product has some RJ Barrett to his game with his size, physicality and playmaking ability.

2023 DeShawn Harris-Smith, Paul VI (D.C.)

DMV native Josh Reaves was on a loaded Oak Hill team in 2015 and fellow DMV native Harris-Smith has that kind of vibe to his game. Fans will love his athleticism, coaches love how much he’s improved his decision making and perimeter jumper. He’s now a three-level scorer and the nation’s top programs are taking notice. Villanova offered two weeks ago and they won’t be the last. He’ll end up with Blue Bloods hitting his line.

2022 G Zach Howell, Springfield Catholic

Local fans just watched him score his way into the Springfield record book at the Blue and Gold Tournament. Howell can score it with the best of them. He has a solid frame with great footwork and an absolute burner. Kyle Singler is the obvious choice, even down to the same fiery passion. Howell – listed at 6-foot-5 – currently holds offers from Texas Tech and SIU-Edwardsville.

2023 G Bronny James, Sierra Canyon (Ca.)

I’m a firm believer his name is why he’s not considered a consensus 5-star prospect; he’s been in the spotlight since birth, giving more than enough time to nitpick his game and discuss what he’s not. Let’s focus on what he is, which is a combo guard with a great frame, plus athleticism and elite IQ. The growth he’s shown in all facets of his game is scary.

2024 G Jadis Jones, Central Madrid County (Mo.)

Social media loves to glorify flash and sizzle, which is great, but it makes guys like Jadis Jones seem less appealing when ultimately guys that rebound, defend and are efficient win games at the highest levels. That’s who Jones is. He’s a 6-foot-5 athlete with excessive amounts of bounce and motor. You don’t have to look far to find his comp, because it is Aminu Mohammed. He may not score 100 points and grab 52 rebounds like Aminu did in three games (2020), but he will open eyes with how he approaches the game.

2022 G Dug McDaniel, Paul VI (D.C.)

Few programs have churned out great guards like Glenn Farello and McDaniel is up next. The lighting-quick lead guard is just 5-foot-9, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in elite speed. He doesn’t need much space to get into the paint and when he gets there he can finish amongst the trees or get his teammates a great look. He has a lot of Jaelen House to his game. He’s also a TOC veteran, making his second trip to Springfield after playing for Paul VI as a freshman in 2019.

2023 F LT Overton, Milton (Ga.)

Overton isn’t going to the NBA, but I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t play football on Sundays in the not-so-distant future. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound phenom is in the conversation as the top high school football player in his class, which is why football powerhouses like Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Texas and Notre Dame are all in the hunt.

2022 G Colin Ruffin, Nixa (Mo.)

Finding guys that are triple-double threats at the high school is rare and that’s exactly what Ruffin is. The 6-foot-4 point guard is a stat-sheet stuffer. Also a lefty, Ruffin has next-level court vision and the willingness to go rebound the ball off the rim. Think of him as a Lonzo Ball-type point guard that is a willing passer and plus defender, however he can also shoot it. His eight 3’s just a few weeks ago in in the first round of the Blue & Gold Tournament – along with his other gifts – are the reasons more D1s will (and should) become involved.

2022 G Bruce Thornton, Milton (Ga.)

The first thing that you’ll notice about the Ohio State commit is that he’s built like a linebacker, but this combo guard is as skilled as they come with an absolute flame thrower. The most impressive thing about his jumper is his ability to hit tough shots off the bounce. He’s had some monster games already this season, but he could find himself in that 90-point club in just three games. Former ACC Player of the Year and current Indian Pacer Malcolm Brogdon is the comp.

2022 G Elijah Whitley, Parkview (Mo.)

The attention from D1 programs wasn’t enough to keep Whitley from opting to stay home and play for D2 power Drury. That doesn’t change the fact that the 6-foot-2 guard is a bucket getter. He’s nearing 1,000 career points and is a career 42 percent shooter from 3. He has a compact frame and there’s not a spot on the floor he can’t score from. Brad Beal is the comp.

2022 Kijani Wright, Sierra Canyon (Ca.)

Wright isn’t as big as former Helen Cox star Greg Monroe, but that’s what his game feels a little like. The USC-bound big is an elite shot blocker and plays with a great motor. He can also face up and shoot it with impressive range. For as good as he is, Wright’s ceiling is scary. Bailey and Bronny get much of the pub, Wright is quietly the perfect big for that duo.

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