High School Spotlight: 2023 Saint James MLK Classic Eye-Catchers (Part One)
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The 2023 St. James MLK Classic showcased some of the nation’s top players and programs in an action packed holiday weekend. Located in Springfield, Virginia, inside of a gorgeous, state of the art complex, the event drew visits from coaches from multiple levels and offered competitive matchups alongside meaningful off the court messages.
As a part of the experience, players received a private tour of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and visited the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and heard from motivational speakers imparting life lessons. Overall and as expected, it was another tremendous event and experience organized by the Saint James team that the players, coaches and programs won’t forget.
It was a difficult task to narrow down a list of eye catchers because of the plethora of talent in the gym, but here is part one of my recap of some of the players that caught my eye.
Carlton Carrington (Guard, St. Frances Academy, 2023)
The Pittsburgh commit scorched the nets for a MLK classic record 42 points on 14-of-22 shooting while draining 7-of-12 from three and all seven of his free throw attempts. From catch-and-shoot and movement threes, multi-level pull-up jumpers, rim attacks and a monster one-hand dunk, Carrington had everything going.
While his 42 points should be the headline, Carrington was a quality defender and active on the glass while showing his playmaking by dropping seven assists. He left no doubt about why he is one of the best players in the DMV and an underrated member of the 2023 class. He could be a sneaky ACC freshman of the year candidate next season.
Aden Holloway (Guard, Prolific Prep, 2023)
In Prolific Prep’s only game in the event before heading to Springfield, Massachusetts for Hoophall, Holloway showed why he was recently awarded his five star rating in their win over Wasatch Academy. The guard poured in 28 points including a pair of back-to-back threes late in the fourth quarter with the game tied at 60.
He constantly put pressure on the defense with his mix of quickness, craft handle, skilled shotmaking and shooting gravity. His pick-and-roll behind the back split into an off hand floater was one of my favorite plays of the weekend and rightfully had the crowd buzzing.
Considering the freedom Bruce Pearl gives his guards, I’m excited about Holloway’s fit at Auburn and the opportunity he'll have to contribute immediately as one of the better guards and shooters in the 2023 class.
Collin Murray-Boyles (Big, Wasatch Academy, 2023)
Murray-Boyles is having a strong start to his season as one of the best players in the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference (NIBC) and did not slow down during his two game MLK classic slate. With a stout 6-foot-7 frame, the lefty possesses a college ready frame plus underrated ball skills that made him a tough matchup.
CMB showcased a soft touch around the rim with hooks and floaters/flip shots while knocking down a couple of mid range jumpers and finishing plays below and above the rim. He was active as a shot block and as a rebounder in and out of his area while playing with an overall high effort level. His connective passes like his one hand cross court skip to find an open teammate popped. It has me excited about how South Carolina could weaponize his passing and playmaking.
It feels like his three star rating is too low and I wouldn't be surprised to see him outplay it. CMB has the talent to be an impact player for his hometown Gamecocks for multiple seasons and develop into an All-SEC player.
Jermaine O’Neal Jr. (Wing, Dynamic Prep, 2025)
The words smooth, poised and feel kept coming to mind while watching the long, 6-foot-5 wing. He possesses a quiet confidence to his game and impacts winning on both ends of the floor.
O’Neal Jr. knocked down multiple trees with a fluid and easy stroke, displayed his athleticism at the rim with a couple of dunks and just always seemed to be in the right place at the right time whether it was filling open spots correctly for good shots, rotating defensively or directing his teammates to spots.
His presence defensively was felt in both games. O’Neal Jr. utilized his length to block shots at the rim and effectively contest shots while competing in the post when switching on to bigs.
His physical tools, approach, advanced feel and blooming skillset give him tremendous upside as a two-way wing. Considering his father is 6-foot-11, it’s not out of the question that O’Neal Jr’ isn't done growing and could develop into a big wing with ball skills.
Jaden Toombs (Big, Dynamic Prep, 2025)
At 6-foot-10 and 215 pounds, Toombs was an imposing paint presence with his scoring, rim protection and rebounding. He flashed fluid footwork and touch both at and around the rim including a jump hook and a short corner jumper.
I love the edge and chip he plays with alongside the “little things” that he does well from posting and reposting hard, demanding the ball, and timely post kick outs. Toombs led Dynamic Prep to a perfect 2-0 trip, earning game MVP honors in each.
Mike Williams (Guard, Bishop Walsh, 2023)
Williams is a shot creator and tough shotmaker that gave defenses problems with his quick first step, ability to generate paint touches and his go to pull up jumper. Defensively, Williams had impressive moments, swiping steals on and off the ball including a remarkable on ball two hand snatch of a BLOB pass by the inbounder.
It’s easy to envision Williams becoming a leading scorer for LSU within his first couple seasons. As he prepares to enter college, the next step in Williams’ development is understanding how to leverage his scoring gravity into shot opportunities for others. If he can tap more into his playmaking upside, he will develop into an even scarier offensive threat.
Stay tuned for part two later this week.
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