Derek Funderburk Jr.'s AAU team is on an extended break while preparing for July's Nike Peach Jam. Funderburk, however, continued to grind on his own throughout the last month.
The 2016 Buckeye commit spent the third week of June at the NBPA Top 100 Camp on the University of Virginia's campus. One writer in attendance referenced Funderburk's improved face-up abilities, as he embraces a more versatile offensive game:
Solid spurt out of Derek Funderburk. Always intense but never realized how good of a passer the big man is facing the rim #NBPATop100
— Corey Evans (@coreyevans_10) June 19, 2015
He also impressed former NBA coach John Lucas, who is an instructor at the camp:
Derek Funderburk had a cool 17pts on 8/11 FGs. He's efficient. #NBPATop100
— Coach John Lucas (@CoachJohnLucas1) June 20, 2015
As well as he played, Funderburk knows he still has room to improve.
"My ball handling has gotten a lot better, [as well as] my basketball IQ and my vision," he told Scout.com's Jacquie Franciulli. "I just need to work on my shooting and my strength, then I'll be fine."
His next opportunity to display his talents at an open camp environment came this week at the Nike Skills Academy. It gave Funderburk and other attendees the unique opportunity to work with LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant, among other NBA stars. Not only did campers receive on-court instruction from the best players in the planet, but some NBA players studied film with them. James also led a yoga therapy session
Next on Funderburk's itinerary is the Peach Jam, July 8-12, as he competes with the King James Shooting Stars in North Augusta, South Carolina. The following week, he'll travel to Chicago for the Nike Global Challenge.
OSU Still INterested in Simmons
Currently, Funderburk and Micah Potter – who recently announced he'll be transferring from Mentor to Montverde Academy in Florida – will be the only freshmen added to the roster in 2016. In the event a spot opens up, Ohio State will be interested in filling it with Kobi Simmons (Alpharetta, Georgia).
A ton of high-major programs are after the five-star point guard: Arizona, Kentucky, North Carolina and Syracuse, among others. Simmons told Scout.com's Evan Daniels Thad Matta took an in-home visit with him, prior to the beginning of the quiet period and plans on making another visit to Columbus.
"I'm slowing it down a little bit, I start thinking about it as the decision gets closer and closer," he told Scout. "I don't [have a timeframe on a commitment]. Just when I feel like the decision is right."
More Mickey Mitchell Highlights
The 2015 freshman class arrived on campus in mid-June, and the Ohio State training staff is already preparing them for the season.
Point guard A.J. Harris can attest to that:
My body sore as hell
— AJHARRIS12 (@FAMOUS_AMOS12) June 29, 2015
With the highly-touted freshmen putting in work, now is a good time to check out some of their highlights. Plus, I know how much the 11W community loves a good Mickey Mitchell mixtape.
