Brandon Huntley-Hatfield is a supremely talented basketball player that’s no secret to anybody involved with high school or grassroots basketball. He’s In The Gym Hoops #3 ranked player in the 2022 class, 247 Sports #4, Rivals #6 and ESPN #8. Bobby Maze whose the director of the Under Armour sponsored B Maze Elite AAU team Brandon plays for and a former star guard at the University of Tennessee didn’t hesitate when I asked him what NBA player he compared Brandon’s game to. Lebron James. While any high school player has a ways to go to feel Lebron’s shoes the fact someone can legitimately make that comparison between the two tells you how gifted Brandon is. Maze gushes about Huntley-Hatfield’s ability to rebound, guard 1-5, his underrated passing skills, his high level IQ and ability to score, but calls him very unselfish. Admit it those descriptions quickly bring James to mind don’t they? Those attributes along with Brandon’s 6’10 230 pound frame and skill set make you wonder if he could measure up to Lebron one day. 

Brandon tells us he’s still open, but when asked about any early favorites he named Kentucky, Ole Miss, Baylor, Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia Tech. He’s visited Ole Miss and Memphis and has been to Kentucky for a game. While some rumors are out there about a reclass to the 2021 class he tells me as of right now he’s staying  in the 2022 class. One thing seems certain a long list of star studded coaches are sure to blaze a trail to watch him play the next several years. 

When asked how COVID-19 has effected gym times and workouts he and his AAU coach both agreed it’s actually helped him because he’s in the gym now more than ever. He’s been in Knoxville the last 3 months where his B Maze AAU team has access to there own gym and he’s already reaping those benefits as he shined this past weekend at the On the Radar Hoops event in Atlanta area. Maze tells me Brandon was working out up to the day before the event began. 

Brandon named Paul George, Kevin Durant, Jason Tatum as some of his favorite NBA players he patterns his game after. He also included Kyrie Irving and point forwards type of players he likes to watch. Another name he threw at me? Tracy McGrady. Brandon was roughly 9 years old when Tracy retired which means he must have watched and studied video or YouTube clips. But that wouldn’t surprise us one bit. 

It shouldn’t be surprising the first time I called to talk to Jaden Bradley our #4 player in the country in the 2022 class that I missed him. Why you ask? He was at the gym working on his game. You can feel the passion and energy Jaden has for the game of basketball even in a simple phone conversation. Bradley used that passion and a supreme skill set to lead Cannon School ( Concord, N.C.) to a state championship in route to averaging 23.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists and picking up the North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year. 

Moving to IMG for Jaden is about taking his game to another level. No days off at IMG Jaden’s father Nathan Bradley tells us. IMG is the reigning Geico National champions and one can only imagine that adding a player the caliber of Bradley would make there practices probably more competitive than 99% of the high school games you will see over the course of a season. This decision was Jaden, but his mother and father both told us there behind him 100%. Nathan told me that Jaden put a big board together of positives and negatives which helped him select IMG. That gives you insight to the intellect of Jaden and his family in the decision making process. 

June 15th was the first day coaches could officially contact members of the 2022 class. Nathan tells us his son had 30 plus calls and he estimates 12-13 of those were head coaches. Jaden listed Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke, Louisville, Auburn, Clemson, Michigan as some of the schools that contacted him. N.C. State and UCLA offered him. He’s been on campus at Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Wake Forest. While its early Jaden has no early leaders, but tells us relationship with the coach and fitting to his style of play, which he describes as getting up and down, ball screens and ball movement as important factors when he decides to pick a school. 

COVID-19 like with most of the country has forced Jaden to outside courts to keep developing his game. Jaden has been locked into workouts in his backyard with his older brother Nathan Bradley Jr who has 4 years of Division 1 basketball under his belt and is looking at opportunities to play professionally overseas.  Jaden’s developmental plan for this summer includes getting stronger, more mobility, expanding his range and playing threw contact. One other very interesting note is Jaden tells me he’s made the move to the EYBL circuit and will suit up with powerhouse CP3. 

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