MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – Inside the gym at Montgomery Catholic Saturday, was a group of hungry, determined players.
50 players laced up to participate in the fifth-ever Rod Scott Unsigned Senior Showcase.
Jeff Johnson is the organizer of the event. Having coached at multiple Montgomery-area high schools, he knows the importance of getting high school players in front of scouts.
“There are some talented guys that under normal circumstances, would already be signed but because of the transfer portal, high school kids are the last ones to get looked at now,” said Johnson.
In the first four years of the event, all of which were before COVID, Johnson said he has seen 75 players sign scholarships, giving hope to guys that took the court Saturday.
“I had to sit out for half of the season, so no college coaches were really on me like that,” said JAG senior Jamicah Adair. “With this event, every college coach got to see me, talk to me and it’s really helped me.”
You know the adrenaline was a little higher for guys on the court, with not just coaches, but some of the best former players from the Gump were watching as well.
“We most definitely have some diamonds in the rough here. I think a lot of people sleep on Montgomery, Alabama,” said UCF guard and former Carver player Jaylin Sellers. “I feel like there’s a lot of players that come through here as well.”
For Johnson, this event comes full circle helping out the current youth, while paying tribute to former St. Jude and Lee standout Rod Scott who passed away in 2016.
“When he had the accident, it just popped in my mind one day and I wanted to change the event to the Rod Scott unsigned senior event. I wanted to do something in his name,” said Johnson.
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