Who: Aaron McGlone and Jazyere Thompson
What: John Lucas Be Elite Camp
Where: Houston, TX
When: September 13-14, 2024

As the Athletic Director, I recently had the pleasure of attending the John Lucas Be Elite Camp in Houston, Texas with Aaron McGlone and Jazyere Thompson, and I’m excited to share our experience. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was charged with energy and enthusiasm, thanks to the presence of numerous basketball legends. Among them was Hakeem Olajuwon, a two-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer, setting an inspiring tone for the weekend.

The Opportunity

The camp was a fantastic opportunity for our homegrown athletes to compete with top high school talent from across the country. They not only showcased their skills but also learned from esteemed coaches. National high school basketball analyst, Van Johnson, serves on the prestigious McDonald’s All-American committee along with the NBPA top 100 committee. He has been covering the John Lucas Be Elite Camp for nearly a decade and has evaluated some of the best high school players in the world of basketball. Johnson emphasized the significance of such camps, stating, “At this event, kids get an opportunity to compete on a national level.” There are three-hundred and sixty-eight (368) Division I schools in the country and many of them rely on these types of events to learn more about prospective student athletes. This year was a historic accomplishment because among the one-hundred and sixty (160) participants at the camp, were two of our own SMCA student-athletes representing the DMV region.

Our pair of talented basketball players, the athletic point guard Aaron McGlone, is a 6 ‘1 explosive lefty that is a proven shot maker that plays with good pace on both ends of the floor. His close friend and teammate, Jazyere Thompson, a 6 ‘4 dynamic wing that scores the basketball well in transition and often plays through contact. Thompson is an elite athlete that is very effective on the defensive side of the court and routinely finishes above the rim, dunking the ball with ease. Entering this season, McGlone has already received multiple offers to play at the NCAA Division II level. However, this pair of teammates are starting to attract considerable interest from several NCAA Division I programs and are emerging as scholarship prospects throughout the region. The pair played together over the past two summers with Team BISS, a formerly independent local AAU program that recently joined the Prelude 32 travel circuit affiliated with the New Balance shoe company. The two were very productive over the past two summers as they have been playing 17U when they were as young as 14-years old. Both names are beginning to ring on the radar of several NCAA D1 schools.

The Camp Structure

Structured like a professional basketball combine, the camp ran from approximately 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturday, filled with intense drills led by experienced coaches, many were recognizable former NCAA Division 1 college basketball coaches. Notable figures like current ESPN college basketball analyst, Tom Crean, former head coach at Marquette and Indiana, provided insightful feedback, such as encouraging McGlone to be more vocal on the court. These interactions were invaluable for player development, with Van Johnson praising Thompson’s competitive spirit, saying, “I like that about him.”

After a rigorous morning, campers enjoyed a catered lunch before engaging in live play for the rest of the day. The only thing tougher than the Saturday morning drills and play was probably getting the boys the invite to the camp. This is where Team BISS Director and 17U coach Lou White advocated for the boys to be invited. “There is not a contact that won’t be utilized for deserving kids putting in constant work,” says White. A former professional basketball player in the NBA G-league, he traveled throughout the world including stints as a Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA) player, coach, and front office executive. White brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the youth that he mentors weekly. Under his tutelage the boys have traveled throughout the country including stops in major cities like: Las Vegas (NV), Phoenix (AZ), Miami (FL), Indianapolis (IN), and Augusta (GA). This latest visit to Houston was a life changing experience that resulted from White’s persistence and dedication to his players. “I’m definitely appreciative and thankful for all of the efforts that Team BISS have made to get me invited.” says Thompson.

Throughout the camp, campers received motivational advice from former professional coaches and athletes, including John Lucas himself, who emphasized the importance of hard work and perseverance. John Lucas is the man that the camp is named after, former University of Maryland two-sport All-American in basketball and tennis. After college, he was selected the number one overall pick in the 1976 National Basketball Association (NBA) draft. After his fourteen year playing career, that included stops in Houston, Golden State, Washington, Milwaukee, and Seattle, Lucas carved out an impressive coaching career and ultimately served as GM/Vice President for the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Testing

The camp included a series of tests measuring height, weight, wingspan, vertical jump, lane agility, and sprinting speed. McGlone impressed by finishing in the top 22% overall and achieving 15th in vertical jump, a testament to his hard work. His metrics placed him thirty-five overall throughout the camp. “Being one of the younger and smaller players in the camp it felt good knowing that I ranked that high in the group,” said McGlone, “I felt good about the vertical testing because I work on jumping quite a bit.” Thompson, experiencing this type of testing for the first time, still placed in the top 25% for sprinting, demonstrating his potential and commitment to improvement. “I feel like this experience will definitely prepare me and it gives me an idea on some things that I need to work on as I look to compete at higher levels,” said Thompson. “I feel like I did pretty well as it was my first time doing this and I’m committed to keep training so that I will be better the next time.”

What’s Next

Today’s youth sports landscape demands more than local recognition; players must participate in travel circuits to gain exposure. The next stop for these teammates is the Paul Biancardi (ESPN’s National Director of Recruiting) College style practice and recruiting seminar in Charlotte, NC the weekend of October 26th. McGlone expressed pride in representing “the little guys that are often overlooked,” highlighting the camp’s impact on his journey.

Conclusion

Our experience at the John Lucas Be Elite Camp was not just memorable; it was transformative. The legends we met and the skills we honed left us inspired and motivated. As Aaron and Jazyere return to the SMCA community, they carry with them a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm, ready to uplift their teammates and pave the way for future SMCA student-athletes.

-Coach McGlone, SMCA Athletic Director