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KINGWOOD FEATURES TOP TEAMS
By Rob Harrington
robharrington@prepstars.com
April 22, 2004
In the highly segregated world of grassroots hoops, shoe companies rule. Loyalties run high; in some cases, kids are more loyal to their shoe brand than actual colleges.
So when an event like the Vision Sports Kingwood Classic comes along, a three-day extravaganza that blurs the shoe lines and features many of the very best traveling teams in the country, you have to notice. No, you have to do more than that: If you're a coach or scout or fan living within earshot of Houston, you have to make the trip.
And you can bet everyone will be there. In one pool alone, three of the most ballyhooed big men in the sizzling Class of 2006 will do battle. Spiece Indy Heat will boast Greg Oden; the Boo Williams All-Stars have Vernon Macklin; and the New Jersey will bring wunderkind Derrick Caracter.
Check out this match-up: Saturday afternoon, 12:40. Oden vs. Caracter. You are there.
But if you can't be there, we will be, delivering a full weekend of coverage from what figures to be one of the very best events of the entire spring and summer.
Top Class of 2005 stars expected to be in attendance (as always, subject to change) are Brandon Rush, Tyler Hansbrough, Andre McGee, Louis Williams, Keith Brumbaugh, Greg Paulus, Amir Johnson, Monta Ellis, Josh McRoberts, Luke Zeller, Marcus Ginyard, C.J. Miles, Julian Wright, Tiki Mayben, Byron Eaton, Mario Chalmers, Rashad Chase, Fendi Onobun, Marcus Walker, Jamal Boykin and Rashad Austin.
And that's just a sampling of what the weekend holds.
Games begin at 6:30 Friday night and run almost continuously through Sunday evening.
ACTION HEATS UP IN HOUSTON
By Rob Harrington
robharrington@prepstas.com
April 24, 2004
HOUSTON -- Opening night at the Kingwood Classic featured lots of noteworthy performances, and that's just a sampling of what's in store for the rest of the weekend.
We got our first look this spring at some pretty big names, and several other players emerged as potential high-major targets. A loophole enabled several wise coaches to take in the action on day one, but the college folks won't arrive en masse until Saturday.
Before we get into first-day observations, it's worth pointing out the novelty of seeing flagship Adidas program Atlanta Celtics against Nike stalwart New York Gauchos. These aren't match-ups you'll be reading about the rest of the summer.
That said, let's take a look at the big stories from day one:
BACKING UP THE HYPE
The Atlanta Celtics have issues in the backcourt, which will affect the numbers for Brandon Rush, but the 6-7 WF from Durham (NC) Mt. Zion showed encouraging improvement Friday night. First, Rush has become much stronger in his upper body. He also played with more focus in a losing cause. The bottom line is this: If Rush plays to his potential, he will clearly emerge as the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2005. On this night, as has been the case throughout the career, he didn't completely offer the production needed to claim the top spot. He appears in position to do that now, but will he?
Duke commitment Greg Paulus' day can be interpreted either of two ways. He scored 27 points and knocked in several three-pointers, plus did a masterful job running the break. He's also a steady, hustling floor general who has the proper personality for running the show. The downside to all that is he'll never be a quick player in the ACC, which showed at times Friday as he struggled in his individual match-up against quickster Jannero Pargo.
MORE NOTABLE PERFORMERS
Maybe the most eyebrow-raising performance of the first day was authored by Bobby Frasor, the 6-2 WG/PG from Chicago (IL) Brother Rice. Frasor is a very dangerous three-point shooter, but more than that he's a sly, conniving sort of scorer who finds weaknesses in the defense and exploits them repeatedly. He scores off curls, lures defenders into thinking he can't drive by them (and then drives by them) and makes smart passes in transition. He also handles well enough to play point guard, although right now he's best looking for his own scoring. Regardless, he's very much a high-major prospect.
His body is soft and his feet are, well, not quick, but there's a little spark in the game of Abdul Harerra. The 6-10 South Miami product prefers to face the basket, something we -- and just about all coaches -- don't like, but he frequently makes it work. When uncontested, he's a pretty decent jump shooter. And despite his preference for playing away from the basket, his size alone means he ends up getting some blocks and altering other shots. He's worth watching, at least, despite a lack of physical play and athleticism.
Harrera's Tallahassee teammate, Ryan Reid doesn't mind playing in the paint at all -- in fact, he relishes it. The 6-7 BF from Boyd Anderson is one tough customer on the block; he has the strength and physical style that result in lots of inside buckets and rebounds. We'd like to see more of what he can do in the low post (he didn't get the ball much on offense), but this is a guy who can't go ahead and issue a high-major ticket.
Class of 2006 PG Bryan Mullins from Downers Grove (IL) High impressed with his savvy and clutch play. The 6-0 PG has good instincts on defense and, though not the quickest guy, is effective on penetration. He's a good one to monitor for next year.
One of the harder workers around is Lawrence Hill. Hill, a 6-7 BF from Phoenix (AZ) Deer Valley, consistently fights for position in the post and runs the court for transition baskets. He uses his left hand inside to finish, helping him overcome smallish size. He's also a good leaper, especially with a running start, but his sidespin jump shot is more likely to elicit cringes than swish.
At first glance, Jonathan Huffman strikes you as a big, athletic-looking guy. The 6-11 BF for Louisiana Future Rising Stars also can handle the ball and is capable of hitting medium-range jumpers. He'd be even better, though, if he committed to playing in the post and using his height on the defensive end. He isn't the most explosive player from a standing position, but he's capable of more inside.
Huffman aside, the real excitement around the Rising Stars is over their young players. Perhaps the most promising is Martez Walker, a 6-4 WG at Redemption (LA) Reserve Christian. The southpaw already is quick off the dribble and even hit a stepback 17-footer against pressure. There's no hurry, but file his name away in a safe place.
Braham (MN) High star Isiah Dahlman is on his way to becoming a big-time prospect from the Class of 2006. The 6-6 WG/WF is a southpaw scorer who makes his living putting up points off the dribble. He handles well enough and has the quickness to play as a big wing guard at the next level -- that won't hurt his recruitment, either.
Andray Blatche was the classic tease Friday night. He tantalizes with his dexterity, athleticism and coordination for a big guy, but the 6-10 C headed to South Kent (CT) Prep just hasn't put it together yet. Case in point: He disappeared for much of Syracuse R.A.P.'s triple overtime win, but then he scored on a spinning drive he created for himself to become the hero. He also blocks shots and is quick off the floor for rebounds, all adding up to top-10 potential.
Opening night was more of the same for Louis Williams. The 6-2 PG titillated with one absolutely jaw-dropping alley-oop slam, then proceeded to jack up several ill-advised threes for the Georgia Stars. Here's another case of a big-time, big-time athlete, who hasn't figured out his game just yet. But few have as much potential.
FRASOR HAS HIGH-MAJOR OFFERS
Bobby Frasor's excellent play will come as no surprise to the handful of major programs that have extended early scholarship offers.
"I've been offered by Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Stanford, Wisconsin, DePaul and Marquette," Frasor said. "I don't have any favorites, I'll just take my official visits and then decide."
Frasor will take an official visit to Marquette next weekend, then head to Stanford -- where he already has cleared admissions -- at the end of May.
PERRY TAKES MOMENTUM INTO PREP
Harvey Perry, Jr. technically belongs to the Class of 2004, but he's going to Wolfeboro (NH) Brewster Academy next year for added seasoning and, quite possibly, more scholarship offers.
"I'm going to Brewster no matter what," Perry said, "but Minnesota likes me for next year or the year after. I've also heard from Arkansas and UCLA and have an offer from Utah."
BOYKIN HAS NATIONAL SUITORS
It's interesting to think about the recruitment of BF Jamal Boykin. The Los Angeles (CA) Fairfax star doesn't have all the in-state schools pursuing him, but other major programs over a thousand miles away are making a fullcourt press.
"Illinois, Boston College, Georgia Tech and Louisville have all offered me," Boykin said. "I've always wanted to play in the ACC or Big East, so Georgia Tech and Louisville I'm thinking a lot about right now."
MORE FROM HOUSTON
Prep Stars correspondent Thom Jones said there's a new high-major on the scene: 6-4 WG Courtney Fells of Shannon High in Louisiana. Fells hit eight threes in the Lighthouse All-Stars' game and also showed scoring ability off the dribble. ... The triple overtime contest between the Illinos Fire and Syracuse R.A.P. was less than thrilling, with both teams scoring just one basket each through the first two overtime sessions. ... The three Class of 2006 big men in the same pool -- Greg Oden, Derrick Caracter and Vernon Macklin -- will get it on Saturday. ...
NEW NAMES, FAMILIAR FACES
By Rob Harrington
robharrington@prepstars.com
April 24, 2004
HOUSTON -- Day Two at the Kingwood Classic features more outstanding basketball, even if the day's most anticipated individual showdown -- Greg Oden versus Derrick Caracter -- never really developed.
We've begun today's coverage with a pair of 6-7 forwards who emerged from nowhere to garner high-major looks.
NEW HIGH-MAJOR NAME NO. 1
Trey Hampton of Hoover (AL) High used to live in Pittsburgh, but schools in the Southeast are happy the 6-7 BF made the move south.
"I'd kind of like to stay in the Southeast," Hampton said. "My schools are Ole Miss, UAB, Alabama, Auburn and Penn State."
Blessed with a solid frame and pretty good athleticism, Hampton (playing here for the Keystone Blazers) is a lefty who has a very nice jumpstop he uses to finish nifty drives for short-range jumpers.
He doesn't need to handle the ball too much on the perimeter, but he's capable of dribbling it up the floor and occasionally taking a run at the basket from the wing.
Hampton said he scored a 19 on his first attempt at the ACT.
NEW HIGH-MAJOR NAME NO. 2
Word began to surface Saturday afternoon about a kid named Kovotney Barber, a 6-7 BF at Manchester (GA) High playing for the Smyrna Stars, is a BEAST.
The comparisons tossed about included players like Donnell Harvey. Although that isn't fair at this early stage, but hopefully you get the picture. He's very, very quick off the floor, blocking more shots than he should be able and getting to rebounds before other guys even get off the floor.
Offensively, he isn't the most refined player, but he uses his bounce and strength to finish above and through defenders.
Is he a star? Well, his skills appear to be limited, but at the very least he needs to be tracked any school looking for a tough, athletic rebounder and interior presence. Let the line start here....
BACKING UP THE HYPE
We gave Bobby Frasor a very favorable review after Friday's play, but he was even better on Saturday -- and this time a TON of coaches were on hand to check him out. Frasor already was being recruited by big-time schools, but look for that number to increase if he wants.
Fendi Onobun continues to boast great improvement. The 6-7 BF from Houston (TX) Taylor is an impressive leaper who skies for rebounds and blocks. More than anything, his control on the court and increased shooting range have made him a big threat offensively. He's also an intense, hard-working competitor. He might even be able to spend some time on the wing, but he lacks the ball-handling to do that right now. This early commitment is looking better all the time for Arizona.
People in Texas has been lauding Gerald Green for a long time, and Saturday he backed up that hype. The 6-7 WF at Houston (TX) Gulf Shores is very explosive and has a quick-release, in-your-eye stroke from downtown. When he isn't drilling smooth threes, he'll take you off the dribble and slam it. If there's a knock, it's that he forces the issue and doesn't have as good a feel for the game as, say, a C.J. Miles. But he's a top-40 prospect with the potential to do even better.
After his dud of a game against Greg Oden, there's now way Derrick Caracter would've made his way into this section. When you observe that he's gained more unnecessary weight, that's even more than case. But then against the Boo Williams All-Stars, the 6-8 rising junior BF showed all the things that have earned him such a big reputation. He's an exquisite passer for a big guy and a capable scorer in the low post. He also can put the ball on the floor and use his agile feet to get around defenders. All the skills are there, in fact, if he'll play within himself and keep an eye on his shape and conditioning.
He didn't make it happen to his ability against Derrick Caracter, but Class of 2006 superstar Greg Oden, the very best prospect in high school basketball, regardless of class, had a triple double during the morning session. Oden has gotten stronger, a scary thought for all those he terrorized last year on the circuit. But let's not kid ourselves: It isn't college coaches this kid needs to impress. At 6-11 and blessed with athleticism not seen in high school since Amare Stoudemire graced the courts, Oden is a marquee attraction for many, many types of folks. And he still has two years of high school remaining.
Opinions of Josh McRobert's game have been mixed over the past year, both nationally and from within the state of Indiana. The 6-8 BF from Carmel (IN) High had bulked up considerably -- and toughened up considerably. The same kid who less than a year ago said he would like to play the wing in college now posts with savage intensity and continually takes the ball at his opponents. He'll never be a super leaper, but he uses both hands around the basket and smartly tricks defenders with head fakes. And he's a pretty good passer and generally mistake-free player.
MORE KINGWOOD NOTABLES
Major props are awarded to Virginia commitment Laurynas Mikauskas. The 6-8 BF from St. George (VA) Blue Ridge is as aggressive as any big man in the Class of 2005. He's a beast who took the ball right at Derrick Caracter and had some success against him on the offensive end. He's a very tough rebounder and runs the floor relentlessly, forcing the other team's big guys to hustle back to keep up. With the ball in the post, he uses fakes to compensate for average leap and initiates contact.
Rising 6-7 junior BF Tracy Smith was one of the few Atlanta Celtics to play well during a very disappointing weekend. Smith didn't get much playing time at loaded Durham (NC) Mt. Zion this past season, but expect that to change next year. He's a little heavy but has good straight-up leaping ability despite that, and his post moves also have improved. He's a sure high-major from the Class of 2006.
Another of our favorite rising juniors here is Aaron Holmes. Holmes, a 6-2 WG from St. Petersburg (FL) High, is a good athlete with a pretty three-point stroke. He needs to improve his handle and passing a bit, but he gets extra points for already possessing a little offense off the dribble and from mid-range.
Saturday provided our first look this spring at Harvey Hale, a 6-3 WG at Albuquerque (NM) Rio Grande. And it was a tale of two halves; in the first, he forced the issue and jacked up bad shots, and in the second he drilled a three (not much rotation on the shot) and 12-footer on the move. He also made a nice touch pass on the break, but we still don't view him as a point guard at the college level.
Texas Blue Chips 6-7 BF Raymond Hicks is one of the few unsigned seniors year, and he may have earned himself some scholarship offers this weekend for schools looking for some late help. He doesn't project to be a star, but he has a strong body and runs the court well. A garbage player, and that's meant as a compliment.
Two solid events in a row for Martellus Bennett makes him legitimate. The 6-6 WF is one of the most explosive players in the junior class and plays with a nasty, competitive fire and isn't afraid to confront big-time players -- such as Julian Wright Saturday morning. He doesn't create that much off the dribble or do much passing or handling, so it's strictly his physical tools and mash-mouth approach to the game that make him so much fun to watch.
While Bennett may have challenged Julian Wright, the 6-7 WF from Homewood (IL) Flossmoor definitely didn't back down. It's an interesting trip evaluating Wright; on one hand, he's a little awkward and some of his parts seem to be out of sync, resulting in herky jerky motions. But then he's also capable of extremely athletic plays. Though he does everything well enough to play the wing, he also chips in with some blocked shots and tough offensive rebounds. He's also unselfish and a decent (but his form isn't great) shooter.
After a very disappointing tournament at the Boo Williams Invitational, David Huertas has rebounded -- at least a little -- here in Houston. He's not quick off the dribble and is strictly a wing at just 6-3, so that's going to hurt him, but there's no doubting his ability to shoot the ball when open. He may not tempt the truly big-time schools, but he's worthy of high-major attention.
Saturday was break-out time for Dwayne Collins. The 6-6 rising junior BF from Miami (FL) Senior plays bigger than his height because of very long arms and extreme quickness off the floor. He's raw and never will be able to move to the wing, but that's OK, at least for college. He plays hard and does the job on the glass. Some high-major coaches commented that they'd take him right now.
He may not be that great now, because his skills haven't arrived, but Gary Flowers is going to develop into a major threat one day. The 6-7 BF/WF from Dallas (TX) Lincoln is quick off the floor and speedy from end to end. He gets tough rebounds despite lacking strength and finishes above the rim. Otherwise, his skills are lacking, but he's a good long-term investment.
We're still waiting to see the real Theo Davis. The 6-9 rising senior C has talent. He has broad shoulders and is light on his feet and is coordinated. On the other hand, the Bayside (NY) Cardozo star's skills don't appear to have improved and his focus still wavers. He's a few inspired performances away from changing all this, however.
FLOWERS PREPARED TO BLOOM
Gary Flowers has potential. It's largely untapped, but lots of coaches have seen it already.
"My top four are Kansas State, Oklahoma, Illinois and Cincinnati," Flowers said.
The athletic forward added that he'll take the SAT for the first time June 2. He'll attend the ABCD Camp.
MORE FROM HOUSTON
For the first time we can remember, a coach actually got ejected after a game. The Playaz coach Jimmy Salmons apparently got under the skin of a visibly disturbed official to the point that the ref felt compelled to toss Salmons a few seconds after the buzzer sounded. Weird. ...
STARS OUTLAST SPIECE
By Rob Harrington
robharrington@prepstars.com
April 25, 2004
HOUSTON -- After several dominating performances at the Kingwood Classic, many were ready to declare the Spiece Indy Heat as the next AAU dynasty.
But the Georgia Stars put at least a temporary halt to that talk, bouncing back from a large early deficit to beat Spiece 65-62 in the 17-under championship at the Kingwood Classic.
Most people know the Stars have a pair of touted rising senior guards in Louis Williams and Mike Mercer, but it was backcourt teammate Billy Humphrey who carried the Stars to the title.
Humphrey, a 6-2 rising senior WG from Dacula, drilled numerous three-pointers, including some game-savers in the first half, to soften Spiece's defense and give the Stars a way to score that wouldn't necessitate dealing with Spiece stud Greg Oden.
Louis Williams actually had an off game, but two more players picked up the slack. First was Mercer, who's sure ball-handling and reliable finishing at the basket enabled him to stave off a late rally.
And there was Daniel Emerson, a 6-7 BF who got more minutes then normal for the Stars and made the most of his opportunities, showing fresh legs when both teams were playing their fourth game of the day.
Sensational rising junior Greg Oden jumped to a fast start for Spiece, but he didn't get as many touches in the second half. The most effective player for them overall was rising junior guard Daequan Cook, who is a big-time shooter and athlete and among the best backcourt prospects in the Class of 2006.
We hope you enjoyed our weekend-long coverage of the Kingwood Classic, which lived up to its considerable hype heading into the weekend. We'll have player evaluations for our readers later in the week.
KINGWOOD PLAYER EVALS I
By Rob Harrington
robharrington@prepstars.com
April 27, 2004
Because of its high level of inclusiveness for traveling teams sponsored by different shoe companies, the Kingwood Classic was the best look yet we've had at the Class of 2005.
For the most part, the players who entered the tournament as high-major prospects left the camp wearing the same distinction, while a few others emerged from nowhere to vault into the national limelight.
While our focus naturally was mostly upon rising seniors (2005), the best prospect of the event was Class of 2006 stud Greg Oden. It would be pretty tough to argue otherwise.
The 6-11 C from Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence North is far from perfect. He still is primarily a dunker who lacks shooting range, good passing skills or refined post moves with his back to the basket. Defensively, he tends to bite on fakes and get himself out of position.
But those criticisms are very common for young big guys -- and very few have the positives we're about to list.
First, you have stunning athleticism that reminds so many of Amare Stoudemire. He's so quick off the floor that, combined with his height, it's almost a joke when other kids attempt to stop him on the interior without fouling.
He also has shown improvement as an offensive player. He hit a few short-range jump shots and -- when he couldn't dunk -- finished around the basket with his left hand. He's also gotten stronger in his upper body and has become a better rebounder.
And he did all that without flapping his gums -- or even changing expression -- a single time.
Again, Oden isn't without his flaws. But considering that he's so physically superior to high school competition, it may be tougher for him to improve significantly over the next two years.
As for the rest of our evals, remember that all players are rising seniors (Class of 2005) unless otherwise noted.
Smyrna Stars
Kovotney Barber, 6-7 BF, Manchester (GA) High -- Our vote for surprise of the tournament goes to Barber. He may not be the modern, wing-oriented combo forward, but what's not to like about an animalistic athlete who savors his role as enforcer in the post? He's very explosive straight up and as a result gets a lot of blocked shots. His offense is limited, but he does have a short jump hook and moves his feet to stay on balance and finish in traffic. Perhaps his most surprising attribute is a knack for shoveling clever interior passes to teammates. He's a legitimate big-time target and one who reinvented himself over two days in Houston.
Arizona Magic Blue
Harvey Perry, 6-4, WG/PG, Wolfeboro (NH) Brewster -- Headed to prep school next under Jason Smith, Perry had a solid, if unspectacular, weekend. He's a versatile guard who can play some point but probably is better suited for the wing. He also scores off the dribble and has a decent medium-range jump shot, but it becomes unreliable from deep. It's his defense we like best; he has the quickness, size and long arms to defend at least two and possibly even three positions.
Lawrence Hill, 6-7 BF, Phoenix (AZ) Deer Valley -- Hill gets points for his intelligence in the post and above average athleticism, especially when he has a running start. We like his use of the left hand in the paint and the little jumphooks and other crafty moves he uses to score against bigger players. We do not like his jump shot, which needs help.
Kaleo Kina, 6-2 PG/WG, Phoenix (AZ) Browne -- This sturdily built guard loves to attack the basket off the dribble, and he has a good bit of success with that despite less-than-blazing quickness. He also made a couple of nice passes while on the move, but he mostly prefers to take it all the way. We didn't see him attempt many jumpers.
Louisiana Future Rising Stars
Mike Boyd, 6-2 WG, Baton Rouge (LA) Capitol -- This kid really, really likes to shoot. He does that OK, too, when he takes good shots. Unfortunately, his effectiveness was limited this weekend by ill-advised attempts from long-range and out of control drives to the rim. He has athletic talent, but it must be harnessed.
Jonathan Huffman, 6-11 BF, Birmingham (AL) Central Park Christian -- Huffman has impressive skills for a big guy, as he handles it on the perimeter and has jump shooting range (with mixed success) to 17 feet. However, he plays smaller than his height because he spends too much time on the perimeter, where his size and decent athleticism aren't as valuable.
Claude Britten (2007), 6-8 BF/C, Baton Rouge (LA) Gables -- The real excitement on this team surrounds its younger players. Britten is a burly youngster who is coordinated and has potential as a low-post scorer in a couple years. He'll benefit when he shed some lingering baby fat.
Martez Walker (2008), 6-4, Redemption (LA) Reserve Christian -- In our opinion, Walker is the best prospect on the team. He's quick even compared to upperclassmen, and the left-hander hit one step-back 18-footer that left us shaking our heads. Don't forget his name.
Howard Pulley
Isiah Dahlman (2006), 6-5 WG/WF, Braham (MN) High -- Dahlman looks harmless enough, but the slender southpaw has legitimate perimeter skills and one of the more advance mid-range games in the country. He isn't a big-time athlete, but he has big-time skills. At the very least, he'll be a high-major target next year.
Syracuse R.A.P.
Greg Paulus, 6-1 PG, Syracuse (NY) Christian Brothers -- Ask any two people about Paulus and you may here that he's a) the best point guard in the nation or b) the most overrated point guard in the nation. At this point, we aren't inclined to agree with either assertion. His weekend certainly included its share of low moments, including a few turnover barrages and several instances where quicker athletes gave him trouble. On the other hand, he also shot very well at times from three-point range and did an admirable running both the break and halfcourt offense. The Duke-bound floor general may not ever be a dominant college player, but chances are he'll be a pretty good one for the Blue Devils.
Andre Blatche, 6-10 C, South Kent (CT) Prep -- Where Paulus did a lot of things good and bad, Blatche did very little to impact the game at all. He had his moments, like the clutch bucket he made on a spinning drive to the basket, and on a couple of blocked shots and explosive tip-dunks, but too many times he was invisible or floated to the wing and overdribbled. In fairness, big guys frequently don't fare well in this setting, and there's no question the big guy has major promise.
Illinois Fire
Deandre Thomas, 6-7 C, Chicago (IL) Westinghouse -- This big man is a load. He has a rotund body that makes it very difficult for opponents to clear his eclipse-causing shoulders and Roseanne-esque middle. But where he ought to be torturing foes on the low block in very simple fashion, in some ways Thomas is too skilled for his own good. He can shoot from medium-range but occasionally forces tough fadeaways, and he can pass but sometimes attempts to make a play that isn't there. Still, he moves pretty well and will get a chance to play at some Division I level.
Jeremy Pargo, 6-1 WG/PG, Chicago (IL) Robeson -- We mistakenly identified this combo guard as Jannero Pargo in our coverage from Houston, but the Chicago native has enough clout already that it's unusual for him to get confused with the NBAer. Pargo is an athletic guy who generates action with his excellent quickness, although not all of that action is good. He's capable of making nice dishes or hitting threes but is equally prone to send a ball sailing out of bounds or jack up an extremely difficult shot. If he can improve his playmaking, his offense will come more easily. But give him credit for going toe to toe with Greg Paulus and acquitting himself fine.
Tony Freeman, 6-1 WG/PG, Westchester (IL) St. Joseph -- Well, he was quiet during the game we watched, but we know Freeman is a big-time perimeter shooter. His shot is pure and he drills them with regularity. The big question is whether he can play the point, because otherwise he's a prohibitively small wing. \
GEORGIA STARS
Daniel Emerson, 6-7 BF, Norcross (GA) High -- It was a breakout weekend for Emerson, who fights for minutes among several other high-major teammates. His strongest statement came in the tournament championship, when he drove from the high post and fearlessly attacked the rim against Greg Oden, who opted not to block his shot and watch Emerson slam it home. Emerson also has a very smooth turnaround jump shot he wields to 15 feet -- it's college ready. He also has pretty good feet, scoots up and down the court and has a strong body. He also gets points for working hard on the offensive glass. He's clearly a high-major target.
Louis Williams, 6-1 WG, Snellville (GA) South Gwinnett -- You've read this before: Williams is a supremely talented athlete and scorer who is limited only by poor shot selection. He's one of those guys who will make you say "Wow" and roll your eyes on the same play. If he can get it under control, the Georgia commitment could become one of college basketball's most dangerous scorers.
Mike Mercer, 6-3 WG/PG, Snellville (GA) South Gwinnett -- This Georgia commitment was relatively quiet the first few games we watched the Stars, but he came alive in the finale and made good decisions down the stretch. He's a very inconsistent shooter but has impressive athleticism and some combo skills, including solid ball-handling and passing skills.
Jay Brown, 6-5 WF/BF, Griffin (GA) High -- Yet another athlete in the Stars' stable, Brown also has a strong frame and can contribute inside and out. He didn't take many shots during our viewings, something that makes it tougher to evaluate all (except Louis Williams) the incredibly deep Stars.
Billy Humphrey, 6-3 WG, Dacula (GA) High -- Humphrey was one of the hottest shooters in Houston. He not only hit lots and lots of threes all weekend, but he had a tendency to knock in several in a row. His form and release are picture perfect and any open look is likely to go in. He does force some shots and needs to expand his game, but his weekend was an unqualified success.
Atlanta Celtics Black
Brandon Rush, 6-7 WF, Durham (NC) Mt. Zion -- How things do change in a year. Last year's dominating Celtics are suffering from uneven backcourt play, which has affected all the guys on the team. That said, Rush's spotty performances continue to defy explanation. When motivated, he has gifts that surpass those of any other player in the Class of 2005, and it may not even be all that close. He can shoot, handle, pass, rebound, block shots and absolutely jump out of the gym. But if you make an effort to watch him play, chances are you're going to have to take our word for it, because far too often he lets his talents go to waste in a befuddling fog of inactivity. When will the light bulb click?
Rashad Chase, 6-6 BF/WF, Atlanta (GA) Mays -- Chase would like to be a wing, but it remains to be seen whether he can. He has the mobility to play the position but presently lacks the required handling, passing or shooter you'd expect. Then again, he's made progress in all those areas since last year. Further, the Celtics do not do a good job of feeding the post, so he's forced to play out high if he wants to see the ball at all.
Javaris Crittenton, 6-4 PG/WG, Atlanta (GA) Southwest Christian -- Some coaches remarked that they like Crittenton's size and versatility, though in truth he didn't play as well as he would've liked. He does make some good passes and can defend several positions on the court thanks to his athleticism, but his shot lacks backspin and makes him much less threatening as a scorer.
Uriah Hethington, 6-8 BF, Cairo (GA) High -- A star during the state tournament, Hethington's initial appearance as a name player on the national AAU circuit didn't go as planned. There are things to like: He has some athleticism and can score around the bucket. He just wasn't able to put it together in Houston, so we (and coaches) look forward to watching him again. We're harping, we know, but inconsistent guard play didn't help him.
Tracy Smith (2006), 6-7 BF, Durham (NC) Mt. Zion -- Smith put together a solid weekend for the Celtics. He's a little on the bulky side but has surprising lift from a standing position. He also does a pretty good job establishing position in the post and using his size to score at close-range. And his hard work in the paint overall did not go unnoticed. He didn't get many minutes at Mt. Zion this past season, so his play in Houston was very important and set him up for a big summer.
Illinois Wolves
Bobby Frasor, 6-2 WG/PG, Chicago (IL) Brother Rice -- Whew, that's hot! Frasor generated as much excitement as anyone, thanks to much-improved athleticism and demonstration of offensive efficiency rarely seen on the club circuit. To wit, he's a big-time shooter who cans threes spotting up and on the move. He also uses screens well and drills shots coming off curls. He has average quickness for the big-time level, but he could play the point thanks to his sure ball-handling and excellent decision-making. The biggest challenge will be playing man-to-man defense against elite athletes.
Bryan Mullins, 6-0 PG, Downers Grove (IL) South -- Incorrectly listed as a rising junior, Mullins actually is a Class of 2005 lead guard who proved he's able to compete against higher-touted opponents. The southpaw is a solid playmaker and able finished a few tough attempts in transition. He's a little small and won't blow anyone away, but he and his team get extra credit overall for inspired, heady play.
Los Angeles Stars
Amir Johnson, 6-9 C/BF, Los Angeles (CA) Westchester -- Sigh. One of these days, Johnson is going to bust out and torch the competition. It hasn't happened yet, however, and the transfer controversy that ruined his junior season obviously stifled his development. That said, he shows you all the tools, including excellent mobility, quickness off the floor and coordination to finish tough shots inside. Now, it's just a matter of him taking what's rightfully his.
Jerard Moret, 6-4 WG, Los Angeles (CA) Westchester -- This broad-shouldered wing has improved a great deal. He slashes with confidence and authority, then complements his penetration game with deep, full-backspin jumpers.
Tallahassee Wildcats
Sean Morrison, 6-3 WG, St. Petersburg (FL) Lakewood -- In terms of run/jump athleticism, few can match the exploits of Morrison, an explosive guard who relies on his ability to fly to make things happen on the court. He's also lean and strong and shows good defensive potential He now needs to showcase some ball skills and shooting ability.
Alex Ruoff, 6-5 WF/WG, Brookville (FL) Central -- In a much-anticipated weekend for late-addition Ruoff, things went about like you'd expect. He started slowly as he adjusted to the style of play and became familiar with his teammates, but as the weekend progressed he showed some good things. He's a dangerous three-point shooter who must respected at all areas of the court, and he contributed a few subtleties that frequently are overlooked in the showy AAU environment. He isn't an elite athlete, but his jump shot and court savvy make him effective.
Abdul Harrera, 6-11 C, Miami (FL) South -- This big guy has somewhat splayed, unathletic-looking legs and prefers to face the basket, but that discouraging opener doesn't do him justice. He runs OK and has a soft shooting stroke from medium-range, making him a potential match-up problem in college. He now needs to tone up and become more aggressive underneath.
Ryan Reid, 6-8 BF, Lauderdale Lakes (FL) Anderson -- Reid was another of the Kingwood's success stories. He's a physically imposing big guy who gets the most out of what he has. And what he has is a body just made for banging in the paint and scoring at point-blank range. To his credit, rather than attempting to be something he isn't, he takes full advantage of his size and scraps all game long for rebounds.
Aaron Holmes (2006), 6-2 WG, St. Petersburg (FL) High -- Coaches and scouts alike could be heard commenting how much they liked Holmes' potential. He's an accurate long-range bomber who also suckers defenders with head fakes, after which he'll either go to the whole or step in for a wide open jump shot. He has high-major promise.
PLAYER EVALS, PART II
By Rob Harrington
robharrington@prepstars.com
April 27, 2004
Here's the second installment of our comprehensive player evaluations from the Kingwood Classic in Houston last weekend.
Team Texas
C.J. Miles, 6-5 WG/WF, Dallas (TX) Skyline -- Miles still hasn't etched an identity for himself on the traveling circuit, but that doesn't detract from his All-American potential. The slender, left-handed wing isn't super explosive, but he's athletic enough and has a sweet three-point stroke. Over the coming weeks, we'd like to see him show more of a right hand.
Bamba Fall, 6-10, BF, Mouth of Wilson (VA) Oak Hill -- Fall played much better during our viewing in Houston. He hasn't gained any much-needed weight, but he was more of a factor in the paint, snagging some boards and getting a few rebounds.
Austin Johnson, 6-2 WG, Amarillo (TX) Palo Duro -- Small wings always will have their doubters, but Johnson once again showed quickness and scoring ability from a variety of angles. He pushes his three-point shoot a little but nevertheless hits a pretty high percentage of his open looks.
Texas Blue Chips
Harvey Hale, 6-3 WG, Albuquerque (NM) Rio Grande -- Over the course of one game, Hale reminded of why he came out of last summer as a high-major prospect. He wasn't overwhelming the one game we watched last weekend, but he did show some mid-range scoring tools and made a couple of nice passes. He doesn't get much rotation on his jumper, which is concerning, so we'll see how consistent he can be the rest of the spring and summer.
HOUSTON HOOPS
Martelus Bennett, 6-6 WF/BF, Houston (TX) Taylor -- It's impossible not to like Martelus Bennett. The strong, aggressive and super-athletic forward has the understated but cocksure saunter that lets everyone know who's really in charge. Now that he's displayed his high-flying act around the rim (dunks, blocks, rebounds), he needs to show what else he can do. One thing he needs to fix right away is his broken free throw form.
Fendi Onobun, 6-7 BF, Houston (TX) Taylor -- Between Houston and Las Vegas the previous weekend, it's going to be tough to exclude Onobun from the national top 30 heading into the summer. The strong, athletic southpaw has improved his shooting dramatically and has shown a legitimate ability to spend at least a little time at the three position, although he's definitely better equipped -- because of a weak handle -- to play big forward. One thing to improve is his delivery of inside shots, which presently are too easily blocked by the opposition. Still, his improved understanding of the game -- and specifically his own game -- have made the future Arizona Wildcat a much better player.
Jeremy Barr, 6-8 C, Houston (TX) Westbury Christian -- On a team chock full of muscular specimens, the husky, powerful Barr still stands out physically. He certainly does not shy away from contact, either, sometimes resulting in offensive fouls brutal enough to break someone's ribs. Actually, his pet move is a halfhook on the inside, which he hits fairly regularly. His biggest problem is a so-so set of hands, as he drops or fumbles too many passes and rebounds.
Ashton Hall, 6-5 WF, Kountze (TX) High -- This was our first good look at Hall, a slender wing who made waves by tossing in a 30-foot game winner for the Hoops. He didn't post huge numbers but showed off good athletic ability. Prior to the winning three, all the offense we saw was a miss of a wild drive going left.
Illinois Warriors
Julian Wright, 6-7 WF, Flossmoor (IL) Homewood-Flossmoor -- Wright fully lived up to his reputation for being difficult to evaluate. The contrasting points of his game -- showy athleticism belied by awkwardness, questionable shooting form overcome by impressive jumpers on the move, all-around contributions silenced by long stretches of inactivity -- have led to wide-ranging opinions about his talent. The long of short of all that, however, is that even in the worst case scenario, he almost has to be a top-30 player. And if he steadies the ship in the right direction, he'll become an impact performer at the college level.
Jon Scheyer (2006), 6-5 WG, Northbrook (IL) Glenbrook North -- Scheyer wasn't quite as effective in Houston as he's been elsewhere, but by now everyone knows he's one of the most deadly three-point shooters in the nation and an underrated passer who's likely to get big-time scholarship offers next year. He needs only to prove he can get his shot against top-flight defenders.
Houston Elite
Gerald Green, 6-7 WF, Houston (TX) Gulf Shores -- If he'll get stronger, stay under control and improve his dribbling, Green could wind up being one of the top 10 players in the Class of 2005. He's that good. He's a big-time athlete who's swift in the open court, and his soft, high-arching, quick-release jump shots are accurate all the way to 22 feet. Even better, he possesses the ability to drive and hang, knocking in contested jumpers from 16 feet. That's the shot we're 100 percent sure he can get in college. He also gets credit for playing hard on both ends.
Jovon Adams, 6-0 PG, Houston Gulf Shores -- Underrated like Green, Adams is a quickster who may emerge as one the nation's finer point guards by the end of the summer. He's known primarily as a shooter, but he also runs the break very well and makes slick passes on the move. And then there's that jump shot, which has pretty arch and rotation.
Dallas Mustangs Blue
Byron Eaton, 5-10 PG, Dallas (TX) Lincoln -- Few rising senior guards possess the twisting, overpowering scoring ability of Eaton, but you have to be troubled by his weight gain over the past two years. He doesn't appear to be quite as quick as he was previously, obviously a problem for someone his size. Still, he does put up points and never will be backed down physically, so clearly he is worthy of looks.
Gary Flowers, 6-6 BF/WF, Dallas (TX) Lincoln -- The skills aren't there yet, but athletically Flowers has a lot going for him. He runs the court with great speed and gets off the floor quickly for rebounds and finishes. He's the type you feel is just.about.ready to explode, but hasn't done it quite yet. He's a high-major talent.
East Coast Athletes
Adam Fletcher, 6-8 C/BF, St. Albans (WV) High -- This sturdy, physical big man is worthy of mid-major looks, at least. He plays hard inside and, while he may not jump especially well, uses broad shoulders and tenacity to finish at the rim. We need to see him again.
New Jersey Panthers
Derrick Caracter (2006), 6-9 BF, Scotch Plains (NJ) Scotch Plains-Fanwood -- OK, so the match-up between Caracter and Greg Oden was a disappointment, but don't read too much into it for either player. While Oden was off doing his domination thing, Caracter was very effective himself. The big guy may be a little too big now, especially in his arms, which makes his chilling offensive display all the more impressive. Simply put, there isn't much he can't do when he has the ball 10 feet from the rim or closer. He has a smooth medium-range jump shot, makes excellent passes to cutters and open three-point shooters, backs defenders down for power moves and blows by slower opponents for dunks. You've certainly heard this trite expression, but it really is up to him how good he will be.
Kiwan Smith, 6-6 WF, Laurinburg (NC) Charter Prep -- This athletic wing showed flashes in Houston, using his quickness and leaping ability to finish drives and on the break. He also knocked in a couple of threes, but he might be more consistent if he shot a little less off his shoulder.
Nate Skinner, 6-5 WF, Brooklyn (NY) Bishop Loughlin -- A native of Canada, Skinner is a strong, athletic wing who showed body control and speed in transition. He also canned at least one (flat) three, though at this point he's much more comfortable going toward the basket. He also impressed with his physical toughness.
Theo Davis, 6-9 C/BF, Bayside (NY) Cardozo -- It's tough to consider Davis' weekend anything but a disappointment. It's plain that he has talent; he has height, broad shoulders and even the makings of nice post moves with his back to the basket. Whether it was because he was asked to defer to Caracter or some other reason, however, he just didn't make much of an impact at the Kingwood. Here's hoping he recovers at his next event.
Spiece Indy Heat
Josh McRoberts, 6-9 BF, Carmel (IN) High -- McRoberts may have grown an inch in the past year. Regardless, there's no question he has put on a significant amount of muscle and changed his game for the better. Whereas he previously was a big forward masquerading as a wing, he now knows his place is in the post, and he's taken to the role enthusiastically. He's uses both hands around the basket and utilizes head fakes inside, drawing lots of free throws. We really like his short jump hook and short (10 feet and closer) jump shot. He also runs the court pretty well and jumps OK with a running start, though he does have to gather himself to elevate from a standing position. All in all, he solidified his place among the nation's top rising seniors.
Daequan Cook (2006), 6-4 WG, Dayton (OH) Dunbar -- If rankings were released today, Cook would have to be listed as one of America's top 10 rising juniors -- even in a loaded class. He has all the markings for stardom: stellar quickness and leaping ability, superb body control, big-time dribble moves and jump shot that's pure to well past the arc. And not only is his jumper deadly, he elevates so much on it that defenders will have a very difficult time bothering his shot.
Mike Conley (2006), 6-1 PG, Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence North -- An injured hand reduced Conley's effectiveness, but he still showed the quickness and dribbling ability that has Indiana observers so enamored. He can score when necessary, and yet he's content to play the role of distributor and primary defender. The fact that he's left-handed doesn't hurt, as he uses craft backboard finishes to elude would-be shotblockers.
Eric Gordon (2007), 6-2 WG, Indianapolis (IN) North Central -- Any time a rising sophomore can compete against the 17-unders, you know he's pretty good. While it may not be Gordon's time to shine just yet, he flashed plenty of ability in elevating for jump shots and slashing to the basket.
Aaron Pogue (2007), 6-8 C/BF, Dayton (OH) Dunbar -- Pogue is reminiscent of a young Sean May in appearance and stature. He's a little soft in the middle then, but actually moves well for a young big guy and already possesses a short jump hook in the post.
Keystone Gators
Trey Hampton, 6-7 BF/WF, Hoover (AL) High -- As profiled during the weekend, Hampton was one of the event's bigger surprises. Maybe he isn't ready to jump into the top 50 or anything like that, but he definitely has talent. The solidly-built southpaw is a pretty good shooter to 17 feet; most impressively, he can create his own shot and has a very nice jumpstop he uses to lose defenders and hit pull-ups. He doesn't get a lot of rotation on the ball, but his shot still goes in. He needs to take better care of the ball to keep his momentum surging.
Boo Williams All-Stars
Laurynas Mikalauskas, 6-8 BF, St. George (VA) Blue Ridge -- This Lithuanian import, who last week made pledge to Virginia, should do just fine in the ACC. After an up-and-down weekend at the Boo Williams Invitational, Mikalauskas bounced back in Houston. Europeon though he may be, he's as aggressive on the block as anyone born on American soil, not unlike some other high-profile Lithuanians to emerge the past few seasons. He doesn't have tremendous ball skills but isn't deterred by that, scratching and clawing and elbowing and, heck, probably biting for every scrap that bounces around the hoop. He's far from a skywalker, so his best offense is getting the ball very deep inside -- or off a rebound -- and using a head fake to get a defender in the air. He won our heart by taking the ball right at Derrick Caracter. Maybe he couldn't match him up, exactly, but at least he forced the touted junior to work on the defensive end.
Stefan Welsh (2006), 6-1 WG/PG, Portsmouth (VA) Norcom -- We won't fully know for another year whether Welsh can play the point, but that's what he'll have to do to play at the highest level. Everything else already is there; he has a beautiful jump shot and high-major quickness. What he doesn't have is point guard skills; he commits too many turnovers passing and doesn't yet understand how to direct his teammates. If he can acquire that knowledge and obtain more polish, he'll really take off next spring and summer.
Vernon Macklin (2006), 6-9 BF, Portsmouth (VA) Norcom -- It's odd to make the observation, but Macklin really was something of an afterthought amid the star-studded field in Houston. Sure, some fans were interested in his games, but most spent more energy trying to find Oden or Caracter. Everyone knows Macklin's primary issue by now; he attempts to be a wing when he'd be more effective playing in the post. That said, he had his moments over the weekend. He made tough catches and finished on the break and did step inside to swat away shots on defense. It's all mental, and he has plenty of time to learn to play inside-out.
Marcus Ginyard, 6-5 WG/PG, Arlington (VA) Bishop O'Connell -- Very quietly, Ginyard is having an excellent spring. This coach's pet does so many positive things on the court it's hard to keep track. The one thing he doesn't do is score with regularity, and that may hurt him at times in the future if opponents don't respect his shooting, but his passing, handling, rebounding and defense once again were commendable in Houston. He'll bring immediate savvy and versatility to the backcourt at North Carolina, where he made an early commitment.
Eric Hayes (2006), 6-1 WG, Potomac (VA) High -- Getting his first extended minutes for Boo this year, Hayes is better than believed by many. He's very thin and downright twiggy in his upper arms, however, an obvious area of concern. Still, he has a nice shooting stroke, and those thin arms are long, making him effective as a finisher and offensive rebounder.
The Playaz Basketball Club
Brandon Costner, 6-8 BF/WF, West Orange (NJ) Seton Hall -- A lefty with deep shooting range and a strong desire to face the basket on offense, Costner was pretty solid at the Kingwood. He isn't a physical post player or rebounder, preferring to launch jumpers or put the ball on the floor, yet he blocks shots like a true post. This high-major's recruitment will take off even more if he adds some muscle and does more damage down low.
Wayne Ellington (2006), 6-4 WG, Merion Station (PA) Episcopal -- Ellington is on his way to becoming a big-time in the Class of 2006. He has a silky perimeter stroke and, despite little rotation on his shot, hits them moving on spotting up. He also has impressive athleticism and even does good things moving without the ball, a rarity for a player his age.
Gerald Henderson (2006), 6-5 WF, Merion Station (PA) Episcopal Prep -- Another high-major talent in The Playaz stable, Henderson is a talented athlete who wasn't as productive as Ellington but scored some points around the basket and from medium-range.
Gerald Inman, 6-7 WF/BF, Montvale (NJ) St. Joseph's -- Inman has good size to play on the wing and hit a few threes during the course of the weekend. He also used a short hook inside and got some tough defensive rebounds, although he needs to get stronger.
Memphis YOMCA
Pierre Niles (2006), 6-7 BF, Memphis (TN) Ridgeway -- Arguably the best performer for stacked YOMCA in Houston, Niles is a wide-bodied forward who is comfortable with his back to and facing the basket. Inside, he elevates well straight up and thus finishes reliably and is an effective rebounder. He also showed heart in attempting to deny post position to Greg Oden. On the perimeter, he actually is an above average shooter and must be respected, though he's still at his best shoving his way around in the paint.
Thaddeus Young (2006), 6-7 WF, Memphis (TN) Mitchell -- Niles may or may not have been the most effective player over the weekend, but there's little question that Young is the best prospect long-term. He's a graceful, left-handed athlete who wields a nice three from downtown. He also showed some dribble moves in the open court (although he turned it over a few times overdribbling) and is able to slash to the rim when he decides to go full blast. Before he's finished, we'd like to see him get tougher inside and assert his will more frequently, because he has the talent to take over games.
Wayne Chism (2006), 6-8 C, Jackson (TN) Southside -- Raw but blessed with a big body, Chism is a big boy who is starting to learn how to score inside. He has a long way to go and isn't very explosive right now, but he has plenty of time. At the very least, he's worth watching while you're checking out the other Memphis studs.
South Texas Roadrunners
Tony Crocker, 6-4 WG, Warren (TX) High -- We'd never heard of this skinny wing, but we're happy we watched him play. As said, he's very, very thin, and that hampers his effectiveness as a rebounder and finisher. On the other hand, he finishes above the rim and has a dangerous shot all the way to the stripe. Several high-major assistants commented they wanted to track down his info. He needs strength, but the natural talent is there.
KINGWOOD EVALS PART III
By Thom Jones
ThoJo22@aol.com
April 28, 2004
For those of you still hungry for more player evaluations from Houston at last weekend's Kingwood Classic, here you go!
In our final two segments, we've focused on teams that largely flew under the radar and played in auxiliary gyms.
As always, players are rising seniors (Class of 2005) unless otherwise noted.
One Tough School of Basketball White
Keith Wilkinson, 6-8 WF/BF, Capistrano (CA) Capo Valley ‚ This thin but active combo forward showed that his motor was always running on the offensive end. He's an Energizer bunny who moves without the ball constantly, freeing himself for jumpers, which he consistently knocked down. Wasn't at all afraid to hit the offensive glass and showed some scrapiness there. Might not be a top-level prospect, but there will be people that will appreciate his shooting ability and activity.
Lighthouse Allstars
Courtney Fells, 6-6 WG/WF, Shannon (MS) High ‚ This was the first game we watched and Fells set the bar pretty high. The cat can play and nailed eight threes in his game, showing quickness, athleticism and some passing skill. Fells hit threes off the dribble, spotted up, nailed them in transition, several of the deep variety. Throw in the fact that he cleverly feeds the post and will go to the goal with the ball, and you have an emerging high-major surprise.
Darren Avery, 6-3 WG, Corinth (MS) High ‚ We liked the strong body and physical nature of Avery, along with his ferociousness in attacking the goal. His perimeter shooting was spotty, but he seemed comfortable in the post, spinning for body control layups and short jumpers. Above all, he has a strong upper body and relished laying it on you, so you better come ready to bang with Avery.
Derrick Carpenter, 5-11 PG, Corinth (MS) High ‚ A high school teammate of Avery, Carpenter has a lightning quick crossover that frees him up for pull-up jumpers in the paint or long-range threes. He isn't bashful about shooting, so being mindful of those around him might be an area of concern, and his stroke has little rotation, but he showed an inclination to take it inside on bigger players.
Portland Panthers White
Kevin Ford, 6-7 WF/BF, Portland (OR) Jefferson ‚ The first thing we noticed about this mobile combo forward was his quick outlet passing and his nose for the ball on the offensive glass. Ford picked off several offensive rebounds and showed that he could knock down jumpers inside of 15 feet. He is airquick and will dunk anything he can, but will need to show that he can handle the ball and increase his range a little on his shot.
Lathen Wallace, 6-4 WG, Portland (OR) Jefferson, (2006) ‚ Fine looking stroke on this sophomore and the confidence to get behind it. Wallace buried four threes in a game, and they came from different areas of the floor. He missed the only attempt he took off the bounce, but we saw enough of his stroke to know that he is someone we are looking forward to seeing again.
Indiana Elite
Derrick Drews, 6-6 PF, Elkhardt (IN) Central ‚ Has some low post and perimeter ability, although his shot release is a touch slow behind the arc. Fine passer who sees the court and will thread the needle in transition. A decent standstill jumper, Drews has adequate foot speed and will use shot and head fakes to trick defenders. We liked that he is constantly looking to feed the post and maneuvers himself to create better passing angles.
Armon Bassett, 6-1 WG/PG, Terre Haute (IN) ‚ Combo guard who can hurt you in a variety of ways offensively. Bassett will use the glass on short jumpers, can dunk on you or hit pull-up threes in transition. He uses head and shoulder fakes and pump fakes to create space for his jumper, but will also penetrate and kick it for open shots. Good athleticism, confident offensively and a player who can play both guard positions, although he seemed more comfortable off the ball.
Brandon McPherson, 6-1 PG, Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence North ‚ Drive and kick point guard who really works the ball defensively. Had some trouble on ball screens defensively, but has a nice crossover dribble that he uses and will use his left hand inside. Will need to demonstrate that he can nail the jumper, and that will ultimately determine how high he will be recruited.
ABC Hoops
Jarrod Anderson, 6-7 WF, Los Angeles (CA) Carson ‚ No doubt about the talent of this athletic specimen. Anderson will throw down a reverse-overhead slam off an alley-oop or a monster tomahawk. That isn't all he has in his bag of tricks, though. He showed a nice touch on his short-range floaters, a quick first step with the ball and excellent timing on the glass. Anderson also showed a propensity to over-dribble and lose focus, however, and getting a handle on that area will be very important for him this spring and summer.
New England Playaz
Kendrick Price, 6-9 WF/BF, Cambridge (MA) Buckingham ‚ This wasn't one of the better performances we have witnessed from Price. We liked him quite a bit last summer in Orlando, but it wasn't happening for him in the only game we saw in Houston. Price couldn't get any shots to drop, he uncharacteristically fumbled a couple of passes and generally didn't perform as well as he can. He is a player who works the baseline well and finishes with his length, and he's better than he showed here.
Travis George, 6-7 BF, Hyde Park (MA) Madison Park ‚ Intense and competitive athlete who is a defensive presence and very hard-nosed player. George is explosive, loves to block shots and hit the offensive glass, all while inflicting punishment. He will need to show that he can stay out of foul trouble and that he isn't a liability on offense.
Bball/Inner City Hoops
Xavielle Moye, 6-2 WF/WG, Sacramento (CA) Franklin ‚ Ok, first off let's get right to the point with Moye: What he is, is a strong, 6-2, hard-playing, slashing power forward. So there. With that out of the way, and no need to try and "spin" what Moye is, you have to like the fact that he is one tough hombre who basically imposes his will on you. Think a smaller version of Texas freshman P.J. Tucker and you get the idea. Unfortunately, there isn't a great demand for freakishly undersized power forwards, so the obvious challenge for Moye is to show that there is more to his game. We aren't sure he can really shoot it, and a couple of free throw attempts reinforced that, but he scored over and through people, is strong and powerful and relentless on the glass. A player best described as "in the eye of the beholder."
Kenny Bowman, 6-7 BF/WF, Los Angeles (CA) Washington Prep (2006)- We liked this mobile combo forward. He showed off a nice jump hook inside but also stepped out and showed a decent handle out front. While he shot the ball without success from the perimeter, his stroke looked decent and the results might be better the next time around. Plays largely with finesse now, but has a nice body, will put it on the floor some and get around the post to deflect entry passes with his quick feet.
Houston Select
Obi Ikeakor, 6-8 C/BF, Houston (TX) Westbury Christian ‚ Power it up big fella. Ikeakor is a big, strong post player who knows what he is, and that is always an attribute with post players these days. Ikeakor has decent hands (not great), but he doesn't eschew contact or the jump hook along the block. He also effectively uses up-and-under moves with head fakes, yet showed some finesse passing ability inside. While he stepped out and rimmed out the only three attempt he took, he's better powering up inside, using jump hooks and up-and-under moves, while putting his big body on people.
C.J. Clark, 6-7 WF, Houston (TX) Cypress Springs ‚ A quietly efficient style that leaves you waiting for the other shoe to drop. Clark is a player that you just feel is about to show you something extraordinary, yet leaves you thirsty awaiting that. He has the long and rangy build that is ideal for filling a lane. He can get behind the defense in transition and flush the over-the-top pass. He can pull up and hit the rainbow jumper over defenders, changing the arc of his shot at the last minute. He also showed that he will force it some into places with the dribble unwisely, and missed both three attempts that he took. But Clark is an athletic wing who will dive on the floor for you, and that's also worth something.
Mean Streets
Jerel McNeal, 6-3 WG, Country Club Hills (IL) Hillcrest ‚ We really like the off-the-bounce game of McNeal. He puts it on the floor and gets to the rim very well, while also showing a fine mid range game. That is the essence of what he does. McNeal gets off the floor well, can take it off the defensive glass and lead the fast break and dish to the wing for a layup, but mostly it's about the patience he shows offensively and his ability to make consistent plays off the dribble. Ideally, you would like to see him knock down more threes, but our guess is that's an area of his game that he will show in time.
Joevan Catron, 6-6 PF, Harvey (IL) Thornton (2006) ‚ Big-bodied post with some sound and effective footwork inside. Catron posts and scores on the blocks with spin moves and drop steps and isn't at all afraid of contact. He must show that he can step outside of 10 feet and shoot the ball, but we like that he has been a very reliable and consistent scorer.
Fort Worth Wolfpack
Ryan Bennett, 5-11 PG, Fort Worth (TX) Eastern Hills ‚ Excellent change of direction and fine deep shooter who can go left with the ball. Bennett will sometimes neglect his teammates a bit, and that is something he needs to address, but he is fast, quick and confident on offense. He is able to acutely dribble and weave through congestion, can hit floaters and runners inside of 15 feet, or make the soft interior dish off penetration. A confident, scoring point who just needs to trust his teammates a bit more and spread the wealth a little more generously.
A'Adaeron Duncan, 6-3 WF/WG, Fort Worth (TX) North Crowley ‚ On a team that was handicapped and limited from a size perspective, Duncan had to play out of position inside too often, thus skewing his evaluation. We view him as a wing player, but didn't get enough of a look at those type skills. We did notice that he goes after shots offensively, got on the glass with good results, and showed that he has fine elevation. He also made one very fine pass inside off penetration, so some wing skills might be in his act. A player we would love to see later, playing away from the basket.
KINGWOOD EVALS, PART IV
By Thom Jones
ThoJo22@aol.com
April 28, 2004
Even after writing about numerous teams that played in the Kingwood Classic, still left us far short of seeing everyone. In fact, we missed nearly half of the 17-Under teams!
But fear not. All the key teams in Houston will be making more appearances the rest of the spring and summer.
New Jersey Wildcats Elite Trailblazers
Qa'rraan Calhoun, 6-7 PF/WF, Hazlet (NJ) Raritan ‚ Has enough agility to hustle down loose balls in the corner and enough elevation to throw down alley-oop passes in transition. The question with Calhoun will be whether he brings it every night and on every possession. While he missed the only two threes that he attempted, we saw enough of him last summer in Bloomington at the 16-under Nationals to know that he can fill it up. Will also provide some weakside help on defense and alter the occasional shot inside. Good hands, but just an okay handle in traffic.
Nick Wilson, 6-5 WF, Trenton (NJ) Central - Athlete/slasher who is constantly looking to take you off the dribble. Will occasionally dribble with head down advancing the ball upcourt, and his stroke could use some honing, but Wilson shows electric athleticism at times. Rises and swipes ball off glass and uses good body control after his athletic forays, generally from the wing. He will go as high as his shot takes him.
Marques Johnson, 5-10 PG, Hazlet (NJ) Raritan ‚ Teammate of Calhoun is a point guard who looks to score. Is relentless in getting in the teeth of the defense and will kick it to corners and wings. He also seems to find trouble with his dribble more than trouble finds him. Fine body control and isn't afraid to go up against bigger players, but will need to show he can consistently make sound, thoughtful decisions with the basketball.
Friends Of Hoop Wisconsion
Elliott Johnson, 6-8 PF, Milwaukee (WI) Messmer ‚ Finesse, but not to be confused with soft, face-up four man. Fairly skilled forward who has nice free throw jumper, will put it on floor once or twice as well before stroking the jumper and looks to tip in errant shots on the offensive glass. Thin and somewhat small-shouldered build might hinder future weight gain, but Johnson did show a willingness to go inside and utilize some back-to-the-basket moves. Needs some upper body strength, but runs court earnestly and we can see him playing some three down the road, if his handle improves.
J.R. Blount, 6-1 WG/PG, Whitefish Bay (WI) Dominican ‚ Not sure he is a point guard, because the things that he did best were those you like to see in a player off the ball. Has a balanced offensive game that combines a reasonably good jumper beyond the arc with the ability to take people off the bounce. We especially liked the left wing three he made going left, changing the arc of his shot at the last moment to get it over a closing defender. His passing was inconsistent. He would follow a long lead pass ahead with touch for a layup, with a bounce pass in traffic at the feet of his target. A scoring combo who we would like to see more of and see him handle more minutes at the point.
Southern California All-Stars Red
Brian Harvey, 6-5 WG/WF Compton (CA) Dominguez ‚ Very nice performance and Harvey showed that he has excellent body control, relishes contact on his drives and can make some difficult shots under duress. Really has the ability to do a number of things well offensively, which might not be the blessing that one would think. Can get a little sloppy and careless at times with his passing, but has strong hands, a strong body that can get to the goal, and can stroke the three well enough that you can't leave him alone. High-major talent who loves the spin dribble and will just need to maintain a vigilant in-game focus.
Marcus Johnson, 6-6 WF, Los Angeles (CA) Westchester ‚ Still searching for something resembling a perimeter jumper, but opponents can be glad that his beacon hasn't quite honed it yet on that. Otherwise, he could be a deadly matchup, and he's already a player who you constantly watch because you don't want to miss a highlight play. Johnson struggles with his shot, has more turnovers than you would like to see in a player of his talent and has stretches during the game where he is far too quiet. He also is quick out of the post with his first step, can beat people downcourt and seemingly finish any pass thrown even remotely close to the rim, and then can power up an athletic layup in traffic, using his incredible leaping ability. Large talent who needs to continue working on his skills,and not be content with his blessed gifts.
JayDee Luster, 5-9 PG, San Diego (CA) Hoover (2007) ‚ Very impressive and mature floor leader rarely made a mistake in the game we watched. Handled the ball, ran his team, made the correct pass and didn't dominate it. We couldn't tell you at all if he can shoot it, because he was content to distribute, but he didn't turn it over, played with poise and maturity and showed that he can direct a team with confidence.
Spiece Select
Dominic James, 5-11 PG, Richmond (IN) High ‚ Tough, rugged and hard-nosed point guard who is fearless attacking the basket off the dribble, plays consistently hard and has some nasty about him which we like. Lightning-quick hands enable him to be a proficient passer, and he can adjust his shot on the drive to use the kiss high on the glass. Will take a lot of contact and punishment during the game because he is in attack mode so often. Good court vision and has some serious hops which help him play taller inside. Must show that he can knock down jumpers, but there isn't much more about his game to take issue with.
Jacksonville Lee Bulls
Derwin Kitchen, 6-3 WG, Jacksonville (FL) Raines ‚ Ran the point for the Bulls but is really a combo guard with a great feel for the game. We have seen him play better than he did in Houston, where he struggled a bit with late-game pressure, but he usually is a steady guard who has an unorthodox shot release that goes in enough to keep defenders honest. The essence of Kitchen's game is his court vision, feel and savvy and he constantly is looking to push the ball, whether in transition or off made baskets. Can play with or without the ball and we love his feel for the game.
Juwann James, 6-5 PF, Jacksonville (FL) Raines ‚ Undersized, but intense and rugged post player will need to continue working to add some face-up value to his package. He was in foul trouble and on the bench a great deal of the time in the one game we watched him play in Houston, but he is a bull inside, normally a reliable double/double on your stat sheet, all the while doing so as an undersized power forward who does it with grit and hard work, if not grace.
Terrance Vinson, 6-8 PF/C, Valdosta (GA) Lowndes ‚ Didn't play nearly as much as we would have liked, but made an impression in the short time he did appear. Athletic, mobile kid with some very good elevation and went high one time for an offensive tip-in. Seals well and will hit the turnaround 10-foot kiss and will flash to the high post and find the open areas against the zone. Would love to see him more.
Louisiana LT Rockets
Damion Johnson, 6-7 WF, Thibodaux (LA) High ‚ Handle looked a little shaky in transition, but the more the game went on, the more his game grew on us. Made a number of big plays in his team's come-from-behind win over the Magnolia Stars. Johnson is airquick, can slash and will tip in his own misses, getting to the glass before opposing players. He lacks strength in traffic, but is long and wiry enough that he can beat people to spots, then surprise you by getting up and dunking before the shot is challenged.
Gerald Brown, 6-4 WG/WF, Houma (LA) Terrebonne (2007) ‚ Aside from loving the name of his high school, we loved our first look at this freshman, who had some shake-and-bake moves, a quick first step and an advanced off-the-bounce game. Made more than a couple runners and was extremely confident on the offensive end. Shot it a lot, but the results were generally good, and he will have plenty of time to show restraint in the future and that he has more balance offensively.
Magnolia Stars
Monta Ellis, 6-3 WG, Jackson (MS) Lanier ‚ One of the truly outstanding shooters in attendance and one hard to beat when he has it going. Ellis had a small late game glitch from the free throw line and a couple of crucial turnovers, but that only slightly diminished an impressive shooting performance from the floor. Has outstanding shooting range and an abundance of confidence to go with it. Can put up points in bunches and change the tenor of any game with his shooting. We still want to see him show that he can play at least a few minutes at the point, but who's quibbling?
Texas Top Prospects
Jeremy Buttell, 6-7 PF, Colleyville (TX) Heritage ‚ Really is a combo forward who works hard, and although not a terrific athlete, has some skills. Will use the jump hook along both baselines and also uses the Jack Sikma jump shot from the short corner. Can use either hand around basket and will do so in traffic.
Kendrick Johnson, 6-9 C, Morton (TX) High ‚ We picked the right game to watch Johnson, as he paired off with 6-11 Sophomore C Mitchell Carter of Milwaukee (WI) King. Johnson is uncertain at times in the low post and while he has strong hands, they are a bit inconsistent. What he does have is some decent back-to-the basket moves, will power it up inside and gets on both glasses well. Isn't an elite player, but does more than a couple things decently and thus, puts up numbers at the end of the game. Can shoot the ball inside of 15 feet and isn't afraid to take the turnaround jumper.
Calvin Johnson, 6-3 WG, Morton (TX) High ‚ Really shot the ball very well, knocking down five threes in the game we watched and showing some late ability to do some damage off the dribble, just about the time we were ready to peg him as a standstill guy. Has good size, was able to hit cutters by keeping his head up on the bounce. Excellent shooter who we want to see again.
SCHOOL LISTS FROM HOUSTON
By Thom Jones
ThoJo22@aol.com
April 27, 2004
The spring generally is a time when you find lengthy lists of schools for various prospects across the country. Sometimes the lists reflect a player's desire, rather than actual interest from the school.
That said, we were able to talk with numerous players and find out what schools currently are in contention.
All players listed are rising seniors.
Darren Avery is a 6-3 guard from Corinth (MS) High, who likes Mississippi, Middle Tennessee and Murray State. ... 6-6, 185-pound shooter Courtney Fells of Shannon (MS) High, gave us a list of N.C. State, Mississippi State, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Florida State. ... 5-11 point guard Derrick Carpenter of Corinth (MS) High is hearing from Tulane, Southern Mississippi, Middle Tennessee and South Alabama. ... Armon Bassett, a 6-1 point guard from Terre Haute (IN) High, is seeing interest from Nebraska, Dayton, Purdue, Indiana, Southern Illinois and Marshall, and claims to have an offer from Southern Illinois. ... 5-11 point guard Levance Fields of Brooklyn (NY) Xaverian claims Big East attention from St. John's, Pittsburgh and Villanova. ... 6-7 athlete Jarrod Anderson of Los Angeles (CA) Carson is hearing from Iowa State, UC-Santa Barbara, Florida State, UC-Davis and Utah. ... 6-5 wing Alex Ruoff of Brooksville (FL) Central gave us a list of Florida, Depaul, Georgia and Florida State. ... Brandon McPherson, a 6-1 point from Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence North, has interest from Southern Illinois, Butler, Minnesota, Ball State and Bowling Green. ... 6-10 C/BF Brett Hoerner of Fullerton (CA) High is seeing interest from Washington, UCLA, Oregon, Arizona, Louisville and Arizona State. ... 6-6 F Derrick Drews of Elkhardt (IN) Central is involved with Southern Illinois, Marquette, Western Michigan and Illinois. ... 6-8 C Obi Ikeakor of Houston (TX) Westbury Christian claims to have offers from Liberty, Lamar, Houston and UT-Arlington. Ikeakor's four favorites are Illinois, UCLA, Florida State and Houston. ... 6-8 F Keith Wilkinson of Mission Viejo (CA) Capistrano Valley likes Oregon State and Weber State. ... Brian Harvey, a 6-5 wing from Compton (CA) Dominquez, has no favorites but has offers from Washington, Miami and Arizona State. ... Athlete-extraordinaire Marcus Johnson, a 6-6 F from Los Angeles (CA) Westchester, is interested in Syracuse, Connecticut, Louisville, Arizona and Kansas. ... 6-6 scoring wing Joey Shaw of Chandler (AZ) High has interest from Oregon State, Arizona State, San Diego, Oklahoma and Washington. ... Terrance Vinson, a 6-8 C/F from Lowdees (FL) High, is hearing from Alabama, Marshall, Boston University and Mercer. ... 6-4 F/G Fred Savoie of Baton Rouge (LA) Southern Lab is interested in Louisiana Tech, North Texas, Miami and Kansas. ... 6-3 shooter Calvin Johnson of Morton (TX) High has heard from Georgia Tech, Utah, Texas Tech and Texas A&M. ... Underrated 6-2 guard Trevaron Vinson of Arlington (TX) Bowie likes Arkansas State, Oral Roberts and Air Force. ...