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Recruiting News
Most recent coverage
NIKE TEAM FLORIDA WORKOUT: PART I
September 30, 2008
Over last weekend, the third annual Nike Team Florida Workout took place in Clearwater, Fla. The camp was divided into two distinct days: One featured players from the classes of 2009 and 2010, while the other was focused on youngsters in the classes of 2011 and 2012.
As always, the event was well-organized and featured a heaping number of talented prospects, and scouts were treated to a present-day star -- elite junior Brandon Knight -- in addition to a few who may reach that level down the road. more...
THE REAL KYRYL
September 29, 2008
Just how do foreign high school players end up here in the United States? Some are discovered at camps and brought over by a sponsor and placed at a certain school. Others move here with their family in search of a better life. But for Kyryl Natyazhko, a 6-10 big forward at Bradenton (FL) IMG, by way of the Ukraine, it was a family connection.
"Kyryl has a cousin that played with the Utah Jazz in the NBA," said Vince Walden, head of player development at IMG. "The cousin was working out here in the off-season and on a trip back to the Ukraine, he told Kyryl about it. His dream had always been to play college ball in the United States, and his family supported him in sending him here." more...
OKOYE ON THE UPSWING
September 26, 2008
Whether it's due to size, skill level, or playing out of position, there always are some players who ultimately make college coaches wish they'd recruited them out of high school. One player who could fall into that category is Stan Okoye, a 6-4 WG out of Apex (NC) Middle Creek.
"He really blossomed over the summer," said Dwayne West of the Garner Road Basketball Club. "Stan plays much bigger than 6-4. He's very athletic, has quick feet and he can guard two guards up to power forwards." more...
NOBLES HAS INCREASING INTEREST
September 25, 2008
In the Deep South, it can seemingly be football 24/7/365. But parts of Mississippi are big on hoops, with a deep pool of talent, college coaches from all levels come looking for players. One of the better guards they will find is Julysses Nobles, a 5-10 point guard from Jackson (MS) Callaway.
"Julysses is very hard to contain," said Jackson Panthers coach Chokwe Lumumba. "He is very good at breaking down the defense and gets to the rim with ease. He has a high hoops IQ, is a tremendous ball-handler and makes very good decisions. Because of his strength, he can post up other guards which unusual for his size. Julysses is also a solid defender on and off the ball." more...
TROJANS, DEACS CONNECT
September 22, 2008
Cross country travel didn't faze GA WF Noel Johnson. Johnson, an athletic 6-6 wing, committed to Southern Cal on Monday and hopes to follow in the footsteps of other successful USC wings in recent years, including O.J. Mayo.
Johnson has the size, athleticism and skills to become a college star. If there's been one consistent criticism of his game, it's that he picks his spots and blends too much for a player of his talents. That said, he has exploded on other occasions and, confronted with college-level competition and coaching, should flourish in the Pac-10. more...
SHANNON, BRADLEY, OTHERS DECIDE
September 19, 2008
There's been no shortage this week of major commitments, as more and more high-majors remove themselves from the recruiting board. Florida State picked up tough and aggressive GA BF Terrance Shannon chose the Seminoles over interest from Memphis, Georgia and others.
Shannon tore his ACL prior to July and thus missed the evaluation period, but assuming full recovery -- and these days, that's typically a good bet -- he should become one of the better rebounders and garbage men in the ACC. more...
KELLY TRYING TO GET BETTER
September 18, 2008
Coaches love players who come from successful programs. Emery Kelly falls into that category. A 6-8 BF from Jackson (MS) Provine, Kelly has been a key part of three state championship teams and has had a great deal of success on the travel circuit playing with the Jackson Panthers. He hopes to continue those winning ways at the collegiate level.
"I really want to be part of the program that is on the rise and make a difference," said Kelly. "Academics and the ability to impact a program are two of the things I will base my (college) choice on." more...
"Right now I have offers from Pitt, Louisville, Seton Hall, Minnesota, St. John's, Cal and Texas A&M."
September 16, 2008
-- Andrew Fitzgerald
Read full story...
GADDY, MURRAY OTHERS DECIDE
September 16, 2008
Arizona fans can breathe a sign of relief, as they Wildcats reeled in their most important target. WA PG Abdul Gaddy reaffirmed for Lute Olson's program after previously backing off an early commitment he had made to the Wildcats. While many other major schools tried to get involved, Gaddy ultimately trusted his initial instinct.
Gaddy's influence at Arizona should be immediate and significant, if brief. The sinewy guard is a tremendously talented scorer and playmaker who, at 6-3, has excellent size for the position. more...
DODGE FLORIDA SHOOTOUT REPORT
September 15, 2008
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- With fall now underway, that can only mean one thing. No, not football season. It's time for fall evaluation clinics and camps. From now until the end of October, there isn't a weekend where there isn't an event planned in the Sunshine State.
The 14th incarnation of the Dodge Florida Shootout moved from the campus of the University of Florida (site was under renovation) to the ICI Center on the campus of Embry-Riddle University in Daytona Beach. Along with games and workstations, there was a class on the facts and fictions of recruiting. Bob Horodyski and the Gainesville Basketball Coaches Association did a great job of hosting the event. more...nton091508.jsp">more...
HAIRSTON, THORNTON, FRANKLIN & OTHERS PLEDGE
September 15, 2008
The past few days have been huge for several major programs, evidenced by several key pledges delivered by both senior prospects and underclassmen. This pace likely will continue for several more weeks, heading into the fall signing period in November.
Duke likely was the school that benefited most, as the Blue Devils reached into the Class of 2010 and nabbed a pair of high-major talents. The biggest name is VA BF Josh Hairston, a likely McDonald's All-American who is at his best facing the basket. more...
COMMITMENT ROUNDUP
September 12, 2008
It's a busy weekend in the world of recruiting, and it's been a busy few days on the commitment trail as well. More and more players are taking officials to programs throughout the country, and each week we'll observe a few more removing themselves from the ranks of the undecided.
Among commitments, CA WG Roberto Nelson committed to Oregon State over relatively scant attention from other Pac-10 programs. Despite his abilities as a scorer, Nelson's academic situation reportedly needs upgrading, and thus other schools may have wanted to wait until spring to see if he would become eligible. more...
"For a guy like him, playing style will be a priority."
September 10, 2008
-- Kevin Sutton, on Ruslan Pateev
Read full story...
SUMMER FLASHBACK: THE BACKCOURT BATTLE
September 9, 2008
Throughout the spring, the conversation among scouts around the campfire, in front of the water cooler, at the local pub and everywhere else nearly always involved a question: Which travel team has the best backcourt? There essentially were just two choices, and both Team Breakdown and the Northwest Panthers could make a strong case.
Florida-based Breakdown walloped opponents with the one-two punch of top-five senior Kenny Boynton and top-five junior Brandon Knight. Located in the Pacific Northwest, the Panthers countered with top-15 seniors Abdul Gaddy and Avery Bradley. more...
TEAM RANKINGS: AN EARLY LOOK
September 5, 2008
OK, it's way too early. But this fall, while the nation scrambles to read daily polls covering the world of politics, we present a premature look of our own, at the early results of team recruiting efforts for the Class of 2009.
No. 1 was an easy call. Behind the strength of a quintet of top-50 prospects -- including top-five stud John Henson -- North Carolina has taken a commanding early lead over its national competitors. Meanwhile, Villanova has enjoyed a banner year already, with three pledges from top-75 prospects and two from the top 30. more...
The Class of 2011 has been an impressive one thus far nationally, as no fewer than a dozen prospects from the sophomore class demonstrated during the summer that they can compete successfully against their elders.
Much of the discussion during the summer revolved around what is perceived to be a top three: WA WG Tony Wroten, MS WF LaQuinton Ross and NJ WF Michael Gilchrist. Based on his play at the LeBron Skills Academy and elsewhere, Gilchrist enters the fall as our choice for No. 1. See the top 15...
While most of the national basketball media focus on the updated rankings for the senior class, in many respects the underclassmen rankings are more important for college basketball programs. Although the junior Class of 2010 has been an outlier in terms of the unusual number of commitments made already, the general idea is that the recruiting process isn't as far along for players at this stage, and thus as rankings change, so does the amount of recruiting interest.
Conversely, most top seniors either have decided by now or at least have trimmed their college lists substantially. Focusing directly on the junior class, slender big man Tristan Thompson moves into the No. 1 position thanks to consistent play throughout the summer. He's followed by fellow big men Jared Sullinger and Josh Smith. See the top 50...
After a summer full of non-stop hoops, we have compiled our new top 100 rankings for the senior Class of 2009. What makes the post-summer rankings more significant, of course, is that this reflects the final summer-circuit appearance for this class. While there will be changes made as a result of fall workouts and the high school season -- as well as limited input taken from postseason all-star games -- the bulk of the work for this class is finished.
Not surprisingly, GA C/BF Derrick Favors retains a hold of the top spot. He was challenged by several other big-timers throughout July, but his steady play and history of rising to the occasion in big games ultimately resulted in his continued claim of the top spot. See the full top 100...
BRUINS GET LAMB
September 1, 2008
UCLA and other programs have earned recent commitments, with the Bruins gaining the future services of CA junior WG Tyler Lamb, an established name on the West Coast who chose UCLA over interest from Arizona, Southern Cal, San Diego and others.
Lamb actually was inconsistent during the spring but picked up steam in the summer, finishing on a high note as he seems to have discovered his identity as a wing, rather than someone attempting to play point guard. He's a good athlete and scorer who possesses a frame that should enable him to gain plenty of the strength needed for college. more...
MAJOR PLEDGES CONTINUE
August 25, 2008
A handful of commitments have come through in recent days, as the official visit period draws near. Not surprisingly, some players simply opted not to deal with the time demands and stress of visit season, while some underclassmen decided to end their recruitments very early.
Here's a look at the latest: more...
BARNES MULLS MAJOR OPTIONS
August 22, 2008
The way he figured it, Harrison Barnes knew he'd have more than his fair share of schools to choose from after the summer was over. However, the 6-6 WF from Ames (IA) High never imagined that things would go as well as they did during a summer that saw him emerge as one of the top 10 prospects in the Class of 2010.
"I didn't imagine that my summer would turn out as well as it did," Barnes told PrepStars.com. "I had some goals and things that I wanted to do heading in, but it went way better than I could have hoped for." more...
LAWRENCE CHOOSES ST. JOHN'S
August 20, 2008
St. John's won out for one of the best senior prospects hailing New York, getting the decision from NY/CT WG Omari Lawrence, who chose the Johnnies over interest from Miami, Marquette, Pittsburgh and others. Lawrence is a native of the Bronx who is prepping this year at the South Kent (CT) School.
Lawrence is a tough, skilled wing who brings a lot of toughness and power to the court; in other words, he's very typical for a New York guard. He'll need to polish his ball skills and work harder on defense, but those areas are common fixes for young players to address. more...
PLEDGES CONTINUE TO TRICKLE
August 19, 2008
While the pace of commitments has been slower so far this week, there have been a couple of additional moves that warrant mention. Likely the most significant move occurred at Iowa, where underrated in-state junior IA WF Chanse Creekmur pledged to the Hawkeyes early.
Creekmur impressed us in the spring, showcasing good athleticism and scoring ability off the dribble. He's the kind of versatile, intelligent kid Iowa has won with in the past, and the Hawkeyes certainly are happy to have him locked up early. more...
MARSHALL, SPURLOCK, OTHERS DECIDE
August 15, 2008
Though we haven't yet reached the time for official college visits, many prospects are choosing to make their school choices prior to the beginning of their senior seasons. Given that many of these guys have been pursued avidly for several years, in some cases there simply isn't a need to lengthen the process any further.
Starting in the West, UNLV was able to keep Las Vegas product Anthony Marshall at home. more...
"I see myself making a decision before next summer."
August 14, 2008
-- Will Spradling
Read full story...
PLEDGES CONTINUE TO ROLL
August 14, 2008
As prospects around the country begin to schedule their official visits and prepare for the start of school, the commitments have started to roll in.
Included in the group are some relatively under the radar high major guys, a mid major steal and a youngster deciding very early on in the process that he'd like to go ahead and stay at home. more...
REDBIRDS GET EKEY
August 12, 2008
When he started to play on the club basketball circuit, Jon Ekey thought that there was a chance that he would end up playing division one basketball. Now, the 6-7 BF/WF from Independence (MO) William Chrisman realized his dream, committing to a Missouri Valley program after a weekend visit.
"I called Illinois State and talked to Coach Jankovich and that's where I've decided to go," Ekey told PrepStars.com. "I talked to a lot of schools, but Illinois State seemed to be the best fit for me." more...
AAU 14-UNDER REPORT
August 11, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The 14-under AAU Nationals took place last week and over the weekend in balmy Florida, hosted at Disney's Wide World of Sports. A unique characteristic of this event is that nearly every major AAU team competes, something that doesn't occur in the older AAU National age divisions.
The 14-unders primarily consist of rising high school freshmen (Class of 2012), although some younger 2011 prospects also suit up, and a smattering of middle-schoolers take the court as well. more...
COLEBY HAS SEEN IT ALL
August 8, 2008
At 18-years-old, Kadeem Coleby can be considered a world traveler. The 6-8, 230-pound BF is originally from the Bahamas. He lives with relatives in Toronto during the summer, and he plays his high school ball at Christian Life Academy in Humble, Texas.
Add to that his travels with Grassroots Canada on the travel circuit, and you have a kid with more frequent flyer miles than some sales reps. more...
CALLISTE INCREASING HIS OPTIONS
August 7, 2008
One player who really made his mark in Las Vegas was Jason Calliste. The 6-2 combo guard excelled for Grassroots Canada as they marched thru the field to claim the title of the Adidas Super 64 event. Last year he played at Durham (NC) Mt. Zion, and this season he is moving to Quality Education School in Winston-Salem.
"He has a real chance to be a top-100 player in the country," said Grassroots Canada's Ro Russell. "He's a low-key kid from a good family background. I really believe that he'll improve dramatically in college. Once he gets to that level he will really stand out." more...
CHENNAULT, PENN, MORE DECIDE
August 5, 2008
The early part of this week has been a busy one for commitments, as several more high-major programs have won out for key targets. The mix has been distributed among frontcourt and backcourt players, as well as among seniors versus underclassmen.
Some of the players involved in the news are Ray Penn, Tony Chennault and Joe Burton. Clearly, then, some pretty heavy -- in some cases, literally -- hitters have removed themselves from the recruiting race. more...
POWELL, MORRIS, OTHERS PLEDGE
August 4, 2008
More commitments have come down the pike in recent days, in the relative lull at the conclusion of the summer evaluation period. At least one prospect from the Class of 2009 top 100 made his decision, and arguably another -- though he may be to 150 -- pledged as well.
Players included in the news are VA BF Marshawn Powell, CA PG Darius Morris, FL Jr. WF James Bell and others. more...
YOUNG READY TO TAKE NEXT STEP
August 1, 2008
Despite criticisms, sometimes the system actually works. In the past, someone such as Patric Young may not have gotten the chance to go to the Reebok All-American Camp this past July.
Most likely, he would have had to wait for another year and hope for an invite. But after dominating a Reebok Headliner Camp designed to find hidden gems, the 2010 6-8 BF from Jacksonville (FL) Paxson got to Philly and made the most of it. more...
DIXON CHOOSES TIGERS
July 31, 2008
For the past couple of summers, Missouri head coach Mike Anderson has been very determined in his pursuit of a point guard from the Class of 2009. Late Wednesday night, Anderson and his staff's hard work paid off when their primary target decided to end things and commit to Mizzou.
Shortly after wrapping up his summer basketball career, Lee's Summit (MO) West PG Mike Dixon went ahead and solidified his future with a phone call to Anderson. more...
COMMITMENT ROUNDUP
July 30, 2008
Although official-visit season won't take place for several more weeks, the nearly-post summer pledges roll in at the end of July. Along with the new pledges, of course, are a handful of guys who chose to back off their early commitments and re-explore their options.
Some of the recent players to remove themselves from the market were CA BF Greg Smith, CA WG Solomon Hill and IL BF Meyers Leonard (2010). more...
AAU 17-UNDER NATIONALS: TAKE ONE
July 29, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Directly on the heels of the AAU Super Showcase events at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando is the final big event of the summer, the 17-U National Championship.
Many of the teams that participated in the Showcase stayed for the Nationals, and they were joined by teams that played in events in Las Vegas or elsewhere. One player who jumped out to an impressive early start in Disney territory was VA BF Deshawn Painter. more...
SUPER SHOWCASE: TAKE TWO
July 29, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. -- In our second look at the AAU Super Showcase, we've brought forth some of the established talents from the event but also found some hidden gyms.
One key component from the event was that top-10 AL C DeMarcus Cousins -- who had reverted to his younger, less consistent form earlier -- finished on a very high note. more...
AAU SUPER SHOWCASE: TAKE ONE
July 28, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The final "live" viewing period in July brings plenty of players and coaches to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. This year, The Jostens' Center has opened, adding another six courts to the campus and bringing the number to twelve overall. Being only twenty five yards from the original Milk House, it makes it very easy to get from one venue to the other. With the additional courts, the AAU has expanded its list of events. The 15U Super Showcase was added this year to the 16U and 17U Showcases, and the 16U Nationals and 17U Nationals are being played here now as well.
Throw in the 14U Nationals the first week of August, and that is nearly three weeks of non-stop hoops which make this the "happiest place on earth" for hoops junkies. more...
LAS VEGAS: FINAL REPORT
July 26, 2008
LAS VEGAS -- The Las Vegas tour is now finished, and the weekend served up some of the best and most dramatic moments of the week. On these days we spent the bulk of our time at the Main Event, while also hitting a few gyms from Reebok's and Adidas' respective events.
Some of the day's best players were Michael Snaer, Duce Bello and Meyers Leonard. more...
LAS VEGAS: DAY THREE REPORT
July 24, 2008
LAS VEGAS -- Pool play ended throughout the city's events on Thursday, and the early rounds of playoffs began. Prior to the first eliminations, we made a point to cruise around to each event in order to check out guys from teams we thought had a chance to get bumped out of contention.
In addition to that, we parked ourselves at the Super 64 and were able to get a close look at some of the best teams in attendance from that event. Among those was the Atlanta Celtics, which benefited from outstanding play by senior wing Noel Johnson. more...
LAS VEGAS: DAY TWO REPORT
July 23, 2008
LAS VEGAS -- After spending all of Tuesday at the Reebok Summer Championships, we canvassed the entire city on Wednesday. Thanks to a late night stop for a 16 and under game at the Adidas Super 64, we managed to take in games at all three major events with time also spent at Reebok and the Main Event.
Much like Tuesday, many of the big name guys were putting together big outings and justifying their lofty status on Wednesday. However, the continued ascent of white-hot big man Thomas Robinson may have been the story of the day in Sin City. more...
LAS VEGAS: DAY ONE REPORT
July 22, 2008
LAS VEGAS -- The second leg of the summer evaluation period opened on Tuesday, and as usual, most of the nation's heavy-hitter college programs were represented in the Fabulous Las Vegas.
The week will be highlighted by three events: Reebok's Summer Championships, Adidas' Super 64 and Vision Sports' Main Event. We'll attend parts of all three events over the next several days, and on the first day we focused much of our coverage on Reebok's stellar tournament. more...
VEGAS SET TO TIP OFF
July 21, 2008
LAS VEGAS -- The conclusion of the summer evaluation period draws near, but there's still lots of hoops to play before we're ready to call it a summer. While the first segment of July is reserved largely for the major shoe camps designed to bring together talented individuals, the second half of the month plays entirely to team events.
At the heart of the team action is Las Vegas, where three major events take place concurrently. We'll be out in full force at all three, including the Reebok Summer Championships, Adidas Super 64 and the Main Event. One of the top talents scheduled to be on hand is TX BF John Henson. more...
"He's drawing serious interest from some high-major schools."
-- Robert Icart, on Bak Bak
Read full story...
BREAKDOWN FESTIVAL REPORT
July 17, 2008
MIAMI -- After a one-year hiatus in 2007, the Breakdown Hoops Festival returned to Miami with an excellent field. The Atlanta Celtics, Worldwide Renegades and D.C. Assault, along with the host team and some of the better travel teams in Florida, came together for a three day event that brought out the crowds on the first day.
While it was disappointing that Derrick Favors of the Celtics struggled with an ailling back, there was still plenty of talent to make the event a very good one. more...
PEACH JAM: FINAL REPORT
July 16, 2008
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. -- The Peach Jam wrapped up on Tuesday night, and not surprisingly, the powerful Boo Williams All-Stars defeated Boston-based BABC by a score of 62-55. What was more of a surprise was that Florida-bound BF Deshawn Painter led the victors in scoring in the title tilt, going for 14 points as part of a well-rounded attack.
BABC was led by UConn pledge Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, who led all players with 18 points. Present and future (in Storrs) teammate Alex Oriakhi added 12. more...
BEST OF THE SOUTH REPORT
July 15, 2008
Taking over from the T-Mac tournament of last season, The Best of the South took place at the end of the first segment of this month's live period.
With four divisions (17U, 16U, 15U, and middle school) each having a venue of its own in the Tampa Bay area, college coaches were able to come to one place and check out the players on their recruiting lists. more...
PEACH JAM: MONDAY REPORT
July 14, 2008
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. -- Nike's annual Peach Jam is taking place over the next few days at its customary place in North Augusta, and as always the quaint venue and traditional Southern community make for a refreshing change from the more clinical environment of the LeBron James Skills Academy.
With its walkaround area up top and the long rows of chairs inhabited by college coaches at courtside, the setup and vibe of the event are very distinct. In terms of the basketball itself, and despite the fact that we watched most of these guys last week, there have been numerous surprises so far. more...
KENTUCKY HOOPFEST REPORT
July 11, 2008
LOUISVILLE -- Next stop after the LeBron Skills Academy was Eddie Ford's Kentucky Hoopfest.
While not quite as well known as some other prime July events, the Hoopfest offered a large field and a chance to watch several prospects under the radar as well as a few of the more well known prospects. Thick with college coaches searching for talent, here's who stood out during our day at the Hoopfest. more...
REEBOK CAMP: FINAL REPORT
July 10, 2008
PHILADELPHIA -- Another year, another week concluded at the Reebok All-American Camp. The final day of action took place on Thursday, and keeping with the theme of guard play and youth, more plotlines emerged on the final day of shoe week.
All in all, it was another good, and somewhat chaotic, week on the travel circuit. Reebok was the larger of the individual camps and had the greatest focus on youth, Nike's LeBron Camp featured the most elite talent in the senior class, and the It Takes 5ive team tournament in Cincinnati sponsored by Adidas was the competitive event of the three. At Reebok, top-10 senior Renardo Sidney tantalized on the final day, using his power and skill to dominate. more...
REEBOK CAMP: GUARDS TAKE COMMAND
July 9, 2008
PHILADELPHIA -- The Reebok All-American Camp underwent a name change for 2008, as last year it was called Rbk U, but this year's more written-out version still sports a great deal of high-major talent. Like last year, the first time that the camp -- formerly known as ABCD -- moved to Philadelphia University, there are approximately 150 campers in attendance.
While that number is a little high for our tastes, there's no question that most of these guys are easy calls for Division I basketball. Among the very best guards at the camp, and there are several blue-chippers, unsigned senior Avery Bradley may be the best prospect. more...
TUESDAY AT LEBRON
July 8, 2008
AKRON, Ohio -- The final day of action at the LeBron James Skills Academy featured some rugged moments with fewer college coaches in attendance. There was, however, plenty of Rodney Williams flying through the air for jams. An added bonus was Alex Oriakhi going toe-to-toe with DeMarcus Cousins. One last day of coverage gave us an opportunity to mention some guys that we hadn't yet covered during the event.
LEBRON CAMP: DAY TWO REPORT
July 7, 2008
AKRON, Ohio -- Moving into day two at the LeBron James Skills Academy, there were more highlights from the nation's best players on the Nike circuit. The games were more fiercely contested overall on Monday, something that was a nice change from a couple of the all-star exhibition-type contests on Sunday night.
Some of the camp's most impressive players have been Harrison Barnes, John Wall and Phil Pressey, although there certainly were more standouts than those three. more...
LEBRON CAMP: DAY ONE REPORT
July 6, 2008
AKRON, Ohio -- In its second incarnation as the LeBron James Skills Academy, the event formerly known as the Nike All-America Camp tipped off on the opening day of the July evaluation period. Held at the University of Akron, the event was moved here from Indianapolis as a nod to James, who himself hails from Akron.
As always, the emphasis at Nike's flagship individual camp features quality over quantity, and that's certainly the case again this year. Typically, a lot of what we see is what we've seen before, because many of these guys have been big names on the national circuit for a long time. more...
IT TAKES FIVE: DAY ONE REPORT
July 6, 2008
CINCINNATI -- The July evaluation period got off to a sizzling start in Cincinnati on Sunday at the Adidas It Takes 5ive. With the majority of Adidas' top programs on hand, college coaches were running amok in search of talent.
While a few big timers put on impressive displays, young guys ruled the day's action. There were great games, new names and a host of guys who showed more court nastiness than they had in the past. more...
DENNIS, OTHERS DECIDE
July 4, 2008
On the eve of the summer evaluation period, there are a handful of commitments to report. Memphis scored a commitment from talented TX WG Nolan Dennis, a talented shot-creator off the dribble who has been compared by some to Chris Douglas-Roberts.
While that comparison is patently unfair, Dennis definitely does have solid ability to score off the bounce, either finishing at the rim or getting to the foul line. more...
"I think the thing about me is that I play hard and I'm a team player."
July 3, 2008
NOTHING MEEK ABOUT LAMB
July 3, 2008
Heading into the spring, there were some scouts and fans who were familiar with the game of Doron Lamb. But by the end of June, the 6-4 WG from Brooklyn (NY) Bishop Loughlin -- who may transfer to Mouth of Wilson (VA) Oak Hill for his junior season -- had become a household name on the recruiting trail.
Even though he's hailed by most as one of the top players in the country, Lamb says he's doing his best not to let rankings go to his head. more...
ARMWOOD, MOSER COMMIT
July 2, 2008
Isaiah Armwood wanted to get everything taken care of prior to the July evaluation period. The slender 6-8 combo forward at Rockville (MD) Montrose Christian ended his recruitment, selecting Villanova over Syracuse, Texas and many others.
Armwood is one of the most versatile players in the Class of 2009, as he can score inside thanks to his height, long arms and good quickness, or step out to the perimeter and can medium-range jump shots. Armwood also can put the ball on the floor and beat most opposing forwards off the dribble. more...
FINAL 2008 TEAM RANKINGS
July 1, 2008
In truth, the Class of 2008 won't truly be settled until school begins in the fall, but at this point in the process, almost all the relevant action for the nation's incoming freshman classes is decided. While many focus most on team recruiting rankings in the fall -- because so many of the nation's top prospects sign in November -- there were quite a few changes this year during the winter and spring, and even early summer, that affected the final results.
One easy piece of evidence is UCLA, which added top-50 TX C J'Mison Morgan in the spring, after he parted ways with LSU. more...
HARRIS, OTHERS DECIDE
July 1, 2008
Wake Forest didn't have to look far for its latest commitment, keeping it local in getting Winston-Salem WG/WF C.J. Harris, who chose the Demon Deacons over finalists Clemson and Virginia Tech, as well as other high- and mid-major programs.
Harris is a good all-around scorer who is comfortable shooting from the perimeter or attacking off the dribble. In fact, he's actually best as a slasher, and his leaping ability appears to have become more explosive over the past year. His performances against national competition by and large haven't been dominant, but he has proved he can play against blue-chippers and hold his own. more...
TAYLOR MADE FOR FOUR
June 30, 2008
As today's game changes more and more, positions are getting redefined. Big men think that they are guards, while the little guys seem to think they belong with the big nasties down in the paint. Then you have guys like Fort Washington (MD) National Christian's Dante Taylor.
An athletic and tough insider, he's a 6-9 BF who knows that he's best served out running and out-toughing other guys on the interior. more...
CHEEK IN NO HURRY
June 27, 2008
It was a good thing we were able to check out Dominic Cheek at the recent the NBPA Camp. If the 6-7 WF from Jersey City (NJ) St. Anthony has his way, we won't be seeing much more of him this summer. He's hoping to make the United States under-18 National team.
Long regarded as one of the top prospects in the Class of 2009, Cheek still feels he has a lot to prove and sees camps and a potential berth on the U.S.A. team as ways to do it. more...
DAWKINS CHOOSES DUKE
June 28, 2008
Duke became the latest to land a major junior commitment, getting a key pledge from VA WG Andre Dawkins, who chose the Blue Devils over early offers from numerous high-major programs. Not surprisingly for a Duke recruit, Dawkins is a terrific perimeter shooter who has easy range to the three-point line and the sort of college-ready release that should enable him to make the adjustment to ACC-level defenses relatively easily.
Dawkins also is a good athlete who is hardly a stand-in-place prospect. He has strong shoulders as well and, when pressured, can get to the rim and draw contact. A standout for the always-loaded Boo Williams Summer League team, he also has shown he can blend in with other highly talented teammates. more...
STOVER'S RECRUITMENT COOKS
June 26, 2008
A year ago at this time, you'd have to have been a forward thinker when evaluating Anthony Stover. A raw and lengthy 6-10 BF/C at La Canada (CA) Renaissance Academy, Stover was gawky, yet showed potential. A year later, he has blossomed into one of the more enticing big man prospects in the country.
Recently, Stover more than held his own at the NBPA Top 100 Camp and enjoyed the chance to test his skill against the nation's best.
-- Kevin Parrom
Read full story. ...
NOTHING SPORADIC ABOUT RAINES
June 24, 2008
Last week was very important for Cadarian Raines. Raines, a 6-8 BF/C at Petersburg (VA) High, has been considered anything from an elite high-major prospect all the way down to a lower mid-major. The reason for that was lack of national exposure, and the NBA Top 100 Camp enabled the slender big man to settle just where he belongs in college.
And after a week of solid play, Raines made his statement: I'm a high-major. Though not as skilled as some of the more touted frontcourt players in the Class of 2009, he has long arms, explosive leaping ability, an unselfish attitude and an admirable work ethic. more...
COMMITMENTS SLOW, BUT STILL TRICKLE IN
June 24, 2008
There's been just a slight lull in the past week of the number of commitments being made, as many players either attend the final June camps or enjoy a final week of rest prior to the opening of the summer evaluation period on July 6.
That said, major decisions keep happening from coast to coast, arguably the most notable being that made by CA BF/C Greg Smith, who committed to Arizona. Smith is undersized for the post yet is very aggressive, strong and above-average in terms of quickness and leap. more...
NBA CAMP: DAY THREE REPORT
June 20, 2008
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The third day at the NBA Top 100 Camp brought continued action, and the morning games, at least, brought surprising intensity considering that the event has been going on for several days.
Some of the best players of the day were TX BF/WF Roger Franklin, WA PG Abdul Gaddy, OH junior BF J.J. Sullinger and VA junior BF Josh Hairston. more...
NBA CAMP: DAY TWO REPORT
June 19, 2008
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The second day of the NBA Top 100 Camp was outstanding, possibly the best of the past two years. There were lots of intriguing matchups throughout the day, and we learned a little something about some guys, including a few players we'd seen a lot in the past.
Although he had a quiet performance during the evening session, blue-chip WF Jordan Hamilton has been one of the most effective players at the camp. Hamilton's scoring prowess has made him an easy call as one of the top prospects in attendance. more...
NBA CAMP: DAY ONE REPORT
June 18, 2008
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The first day of the NBA Top 100 Camp offered a very impressive group of players from around the nation. Importantly, this event is able to reach across shoe company lines to some extent, featuring players from each of the travel circuits.
There were a handful of very impressive performances on day one, and the action should heat up over the next several days as players becomes familiar with their teammates and establish a hierarchy on each team. One guy who played the role of alpha dog on Wednesday was rising junior BF Tristan Thompson. more...
NBA CAMP ON TAP
June 18, 2008
The NBA Top 100 Camp begins on Wednesday, and as always we'll be on hand to report on the action. Despite the increasing number of events for players in June, the camp has retained a very high level of talent.
A national slew of players will be on hand, mostly from the Class of 2009 but also representing the underclasses as well. The highest-ranked player scheduled to be in attendance is OK WG Xavier Henry, a top-three prospect from the rising senior class. The nation's most talented rising junior was listed on the pre-camp roster as well, CA BF Jeremy Tyler. more...
HOOP JAMBOREE: CLASS OF 2011
June 18, 2008
In our first report from the Nike Hoop Jamboree, we detailed the play of several standout members of the Class of 2010 who were in St. Louis last weekend. In our final look at the very important camp, we move on to cover those from the Class of 2011 who stood out.
Obviously, these are young guys w're talking about here and much is going to to change over the next couple of years, so in many cases these evaluations are cautiously optimistic. more...
HOOP JAMBOREE: CLASS OF 2010
June 17, 2008
Over the years, Nike's Hoop Jamboree has emerged as one of our favorite events in the country. Taking place each year in the Simon Rec Center on the campus of Saint Louis University, the Hoop Jamboree offered us a chance to get a long look at some of the very best rising juniors, sophomores and freshmen in the country.
Although this year's group was missing a guy who truly dominated the camp from beginning to end, it was another strong group. We'll start today by reviewing the play of some of the top Class of 2010 prospects in attendance, before covering the kids from 2011 and beyond later this week. more...
CP3 REPORT: GADDY TAKES OVER
June 11, 2008
The inaugural CP3 Elite Backcourt Skills Clinic, held at Wake Forest, worked out very well for both the campers and scouts, as everyone was treated to a first-class experience that was spearheaded in large part by Chris Paul himself. That kind of exposure to an NBA goes a long way, particularly with one who comports himself as well off the court as Paul.
One of the most significant developments of the weekend was the play of WA PG Abdul Gaddy, the former Arizona commitment who now -- along with teammate combo guard Avery Bradley, who say they may like to play in college together -- looms as one of the most sought-after rising seniors in the country. more...
HEADLINER CAMP: COLUMBIA REPORT
June 10, 2008
Last weekend, our run through June events continued, including a trip to Columbia, S.C., for one of Reebok's Headliner Camps, followed by a jaunt to Winston-Salem, N.C., for a day at Chris Paul's CP3 Elite Backcourt Skills Clinic.
Each event had a completely different mission, making for a very complementary experience. The focus at the Headliner Camp -- held at Columbia's Keenan High -- was to introduce unknown talent to scouts for Reebok and others such as us, with the best players to receive invitations to Reebok's underclassmen camp or their All-American Camp in early July. more...
HEELS GET MCDONALD; MORE NEWS
June 10, 2008
North Carolina seemingly had enough 2009 talent already, but TN WG Leslie McDonald gave the Tar Heels yet another stud prospect from the rising senior class. McDonald took an unofficial visit to Chapel Hill last weekend and chose UNC over Duke -- which he also visited over the weekend -- Tennessee and Memphis.
McDonald is a steady, blue collar scorer who has been a national name since he was a rising sophomore in the summer of 2006. He doesn't scintillate with athleticism or 25-foot shooting range, but he's a good scorer and defender who has improved his game off the dribble over the past year. more...
KUHLMAN GETTING GREATER INTEREST
June 9, 2008
One of the breakout players of the spring events was J.P. Kuhlman of the Jacksonville Lee Bulls. The 6-3 PG/WG from Jacksonville (FL) Providence burst onto the scene at the Real Deal on the Hill and has continued his steady play. A host of mid-majors and higher have either come calling or have indicated the will be tracking his progress in July.
"I've got offers from William & Mary, North Florida and Jacksonville," said Kuhlman. "I've also had a lot of contact from Georgia State, Richmond, Belmont, Davidson, Gardner-Webb, Butler, Marquette and St. Johns." more...
POINT GUARD ON THE MOVE
June 7, 2008
For a while, Tommy Mason-Griffin didn't think he'd have to deal with the attention and pressure that comes along with getting recruited. Having given an early commitment to LSU, his future was set.
However, when John Brady lost his job last season, the 5-11 PG from Houston who recently confirmed that he'll spend his senior year at Mouth of Wilson (VA) Oak Hill decided to open things back up. Not surprisingly, he's become pretty popular. more...
"Boston College and Marquette have been on me hard, they are on the verge of offering I think."
June 5, 2008
-- Derrick Williams
Read full story. ...
HAMILTON A MARKED MAN
June 5, 2008
When you are recognized as one of the best players in the country, there's some other things that come along with it. For instance, Jordan Hamilton has learned that each time he takes the court, his opponents are gunning for him and they don't always play fair. And as far as the 6-7 WF from Compton (CA) Dominguez is concerned, that's just fine.
"It doesn't matter, I still come out and play hard," said Hamilton. "I do what I have to do, because every night somebody is going to come at you. Sometimes I get fouled hard, I've just got to let it go and keep on playing." more...
HEADLINER CAMP: JACKSONVILLE
June 4, 2008
Now in its third year, the Reebok Headliner Camp continues to be vital component of Reebok's grassroots basketball program. While the last two years the event was held in Orlando with limited success, this year it found a new home in Jacksonville and was sold out.
Eighty players came to showcase their talents, and the top players were extended invitations to Reebok's Underclassmen All-American Camp in Chicago in mid-June, while others received a bid to the Reebok All-American Camp (best players in all classes) held in Philadelphia during the July live period. more...
FRANKLIN HAS HUGE LIST
June 4, 2008
There aren't many players in the country who can match the sheer intensity and toughness Roger Franklin brings to the court each and every outing. A strong and athletic 6-5 BF/WF from Duncanville (TX) High, the rising senior embraces his toughness and takes pride in the fact that he's one of the most intense competitors in the land.
"I guess that's just being aggressive and going through a lot of hard things during basketball," Franklin told PrepStars.com. "Just having to work hard, you get aggressive after awhile. That's where that animal comes from when I really unleash the beast." more...
COMMITMENT ROUNDUP
June 4, 2008
A handful of new decisions have transpired in recent days, including Washington gaining the services of C.J. Wilcox, a 6-5 WG/WF at Pleasant Grove (UT) High. Wilcox, led Utah's 5A division in scoring last season averaging 24 points per game, chose the Huskies over Utah, Miami and Florida State, among others.
Wilcox is noted for his three-point shooting. Along with 2008 signees Elston Turner, Isaiah Thomas and Scott Suggs, U-W should develop into one of the Pac-10's best outside shooting teams, a change from recent seasons. more...
"I'd say the main schools are Syracuse, Auburn, ECU, Kentucky and Georgia State."
June 3, 2008
-- Akeem Richmond
Read full story. ...
WILSON LIKES THE WING
June 3, 2008
About a month ago, Jamil Wilson sounded like he had it all figured out. He'd picked a list of five schools that he was planning to visit, but now the 6-7 WF from Racine (WI) Horlick has had a change of heart.
Instead, the athletic and versatile wing has decided to completely open things up and focus on his game before settling on the schools he'll most likely visit later this summer and in the fall. more...
PANGOS CAMP: FINAL REPORT
June 2, 2008
Last weekend's Pangos All-American Camp enabled us to get a close look at some of the top prospects in California, in addition to handful of select talents outside the state as well.
The camp was very helpful from the standpoint that we hadn't seen some of the players in attendance in person since last summer, and as always, it's remarkable how much progress players that age can make from one year to the next. One guy from the East Coast who has been very good for a year is NC PG John Wall, who carried home the camp MVP award. more...
PANGOS CAMP: DAY TWO REPORT
May 31, 2008
LOS ANGELES -- As expected, the talent and intensity at the Pangos All-American Camp rose on day two. Some new faces turned out, rekindling rivalries that burn hot during the high school season.
In particular, some of the best players were UCLA pledge Kendall Williams, tough combo forward Roger Franklin and explosive wing Michael Snaer. more...
PANGOS CAMP: DAY ONE REPORT
May 30, 2008
LOS ANGELES -- The Pangos All-American camp tipped off on Friday, an event hosted at Southern Cal's fine Galen Center complex. The event features talent heavily based within the state of California, but big-time prospects from Texas, Georgia, North Carolina and elsewhere also were represented.
Day one featured a light slate of only two rounds of games, but we did come away with a few thoughts. Perhaps the story of the evening was the resuscitation of Jeremy Tyler's status as the nation's top 2010 prospect, while some additional storylines emerged as well. more...
ATKINS HAS CHOICE OF HIGH MAJORS
May 30, 2008
While Derrick Favors deservedly receives most of the plaudits for the Atlanta Celtics, last weekend's unsung hero at the Tournament of Champions was GA WF/WG Manny Atkins, an intelligent and skilled wing who understands his role on a team built around a dominant big man. more...
COMMITMENT ROUNDUP
May 30, 2008
The late May commitments continued to roll in this week, as several major programs made new additions -- and there was one key loss as well.
Perhaps the most significant story was the de-commitment of Arizona commitment Abdul Gaddy, who is back on the market and will be among the most sought-after rising seniors in the nation, particularly given that he's an elite point guard in a year when there aren't many of those guys going around.
MDC: PLAYER EVALS
May 29, 2008
Just like we did with the TOC, we wanted to take some time to look back at some players we weren't able to get to during our coverage of the event. You'll see several recognizable names, but we're also going to introduce you to plenty of young guys with promising futures.
Let's have a look! more...
COOLEY HOPES TO CATCH FIRE
May 29, 2008
While the state of Florida is known mostly for producing football talent, the Tampa/St. Petersburg area is famous for producing baseball players. Because of that, basketball players in the Bay area don't get as much publicity as they would have if they lived in Miami, Orlando or Jacksonville.
But that lack of publicity hasn't prevented 6-4 WG Sheldon Cooley from being on the radar of D-I coaches at the mid and high major levels. more...
"Marquette and Minnesota are hitting me the hardest."
May 28, 2008
-- Johnnie Lacy
Read full story. ...
GALLOWAY'S MOVE WORKS OUT
May 28, 2008
No matter the age, moving is difficult. For a high school kid, it's especially difficult. And for ballers in a talent-rich city such as Philadelphia, who are forced to relocated to the football-crazed world of South Florida, let's just say there is a culture shock. But for Ramon Galloway, the move has helped him ease into the spotlight.
The 6-3 Galloway had a very successful season playing both the point and wing guard positions at Palm Beach Gardens (FL) Dwyer. This travel season he's playing with the Florida Rams and has received quite a bit of notice from mid and high-majors alike. more...
TOC: PLAYER EVALS
May 27, 2008
In addition to the players we covered last weekend at the annual Tournament of Champions, it's worth hitting up a few more guys who deserved write-ups based on their play.
Along with the names you'd expect to see here, such as Derrick Favors and Kenny Boynton, the crop of underclassmen in attendance was an exciting dimension to the field. more...
ATHLETES FIRST TAKES MDC
May 26, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- While a champion was being crowned in North Carolina at the TOC, the kids at the Nike MDC were fighting their way to Monday's Final Four. After the dust had cleared, only the New York Gauchos, Athletes First, Wisconsin Playground Elite and Houston Hoops remained in the hunt for the trophy.
Monday afternoon, Athletes First took home the title by knocking out the Gauchos by one point. more...
CELTICS PREVAIL AT TOC
May 25, 2008
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- In a purely basketball sense, Sunday was one of the best days ever for Derrick Favors. The 6-9 big man led the Atlanta Celtics to a rousing victory over Team Breakdown in the championship of the TOC, dominating action on both ends to spearhead the Celtics' 72-62 victory.
Favors fell into foul trouble in the first half and didn't contribute much in terms of minutes or production. In the second frame, however, he flirted with a 20/20 for points and rebounds, and he added at least six blocks as well. It was a profoundly forceful impact that ranks with the best in the history of the event. more...
TOC: DAY TWO REPORT
May 24, 2008
DURHAM, N.C. -- Saturday at the TOC always has been one of the longer days of the recruiting calendar, and this year was no different. Fortunately, longer doesn't mean excruciating, given the immense talent on hand at this event.
We were able to see some of the nation's very best players in action, while also catching some fast-risers during a day that generally offered competitive games throughout the morning, day and evening. NC PG John Wall was among the most eye-catching players, as he typically is. more...
MDC: DAY ONE REPORT
May 24, 2008
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- As it always does, the Nike Memorial Day Classic waited until Saturday morning to tip off. While there wasn't necessarily a signature performance, there were countless Big Timers doing their thing.
Xavier Henry was back in action for Athletes First, DeShaun Thomas turned in a terrific performance around the hoop, and a pair of impressive freshmen traded huge shots in the 17-under division. more...
TOC: DAY ONE REPORT
May 23, 2008
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- Opening night at the Tournament of Champions always brings out the most ardent basketball fans in the Research Triangle area, including fans of nearby schools North Carolina, Duke and N.C. State.
Headquartered at UNC's Dean Smith Center and also tipping off at Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium and N.C. State's RBC Center, among several other venues, the TOC -- now in its 15th year -- has become one of the most venerable events on the travel circuit. One of Friday's best prospects was rising senior forward Isaiah Armwood. more...
2009 TOP THREE: FAVORS, STEPHENSON, HENRY
Out goes the Class of 2008, in comes the Class of 2009. While the new recruiting cycle actually tips off in early April, it isn't until this time every year -- at the close of the spring signing period for the outgoing senior class -- that many observers acknowledge the rising senior crop as the true focal point of grassroots basketball.
To that end, we've update our rankings for the Class of 2009 heading into the early summer, and obviously there have been a great number of changes based on spring action. In this edition, GA C/BF Derrick Favors heads the way, flanked by NY WG Lance Stephenson and OK WG Xavier Henry. To check out the full list, just click on the link! more...
After processing a season's worth of high school games, state playoffs, national tournaments and postseason all-star games, it became more and more clear that the top spot in the Class of 2008 rightfully belongs to the guy who always wanted that distinction the most: CA PG Brandon Jennings.
While Jennings may project more sizzle right now than purists prefer, he certainly backs up the hot-dogging with substance and tremendous competitive drive. Meanwhile, there were several significant changes elsewhere on the list, so check them out! more...
MORGAN LEADS OFF ROUNDUP
May 23, 2008
As expected a couple weeks ago, essentially from the moment he obtained a release from LSU, big-time TX C J'Mison Morgan now is headed to UCLA. The burly insider had expressed interest in the Bruins early during his recruitment, but ultimately signed with the Tigers in the fall.
Upon the coaching change and with several months to ponder his future, however, Morgan now will become the next featured post player in Westwood. Morgan isn't a speedy athlete but is very effective thanks to a powerful frame and soft hands, along with pretty good scoring moves. more...
EBLEN MAKES THE MOST OF SPRING
May 20, 2008
The April evaluation period was the first opportunity for players to establish themselves in the eyes of college coaches. Whether playing for a team with national recognition or a team that has yet to make a splash on the travel circuit, the opportunity is there for all. One player that seized that opportunity is Nike Team Florida point guard Ben Eblen.
The 6-2 Eblen out of Melbourne (FL) Florida Air Academy had a mostly regional reputation among schools in the mid-major category. more...
MORE LATE SPRING COMMITMENTS
May 19, 2008
As expected, the underclass commits continue to roll in the late spring. Additionally, there has been other news as well. One of the most talented players to decide was VA BF Deshawn Painter, a top-50 talent in the Class of 2009 who committed to Florida over Virginia, Louisville, Virginia Tech, Clemson, N.C. State and many others.
Painter certainly should excel in the Gators' system. The slender big man isn't a refined offensive player but is very mobile, active and the possessor of good lateral movement for a player his size. He also does a solid job on both backboards. more...
SABOUR-PINA ON THE RISE
May 16, 2008
Sometimes a team has too much talent. Players are more interested in scoring points and grabbing the spotlight than they are in doing the little things and simply winning games. With two top-10 players in their respective classes in the backcourt and a high D-I recruit inside, Team Breakdown doesn't really need another player who demands the ball.
Fortunately, they have 6-9 rising senior BF Guillaume Sabour-Pina. more...
NEW RANKINGS NEXT WEEK
Leading up to Memorial Day Weekend, we'll be releasing our updated rankings for the classes of 2009 and underclasses, and we'll also release our final rankings for the Class of 2008.
It's been a particularly difficult year to finalize the senior class, simply because there is no clear consensus on No. 1 or who the top tier of prospects are from 2008. So for that reason, expect some surprises near the top.
WRIGHT ON THE RISE
May 12, 2008
One of the more prolific programs at producing Division I caliber players is Mount Vernon High just outside of New York City. Over the last several years, Coach Bob Cimmino's program has produced players such as Ben Gordon (UConn and the Chicago Bulls) and Keith Benjamin (Pitt). The next player to join that illustrious group will be 6-4 WG Sherrod Wright.
"Last season was a pretty successful one for us," said Wright. "We got to the all-class state tournament in Glen Falls, but we came up a little bit short. This spring and summer, I'm runnin' with the New Jersey Playaz. It's a lot of fun to play with guys like Dominic Cheek and Tamir Jackson." more...
RELEFORD TAKES THE BATON
May 9, 2008
Some trends are more recent than others. While the name Releford wouldn't have meant much to many outside the Kansas City metro area until last year, Kansas-bound senior wing Travis Releford changed that for recruitniks and Jayhawk fans nationwide.
Fast forward just one year, and there's a new Releford on the scene. Rising junior PG Trevor Releford has proved to be one of the more promising floor generals nationally in his class. Standing only 5-8 a year ago, height no longer will be a problem because Releford has sprouted to a legitimate 5-11. more...
"I've heard from the new staff at Marquette, Arizona State, Gonzaga, Wisconsin-Green Bay ..."
May 8, 2008
-- Sam Dower
Read full story. ...
EDWARDS THRIVES ON DIMENSIONS
May 8, 2008
One of the more versatile players in Florida's 2009 class, 6-7 WF Ritchie Edwards of Lakeland (FL) High has the look of a player who didn't grow up on the playground. That may be because he grew up on the other side of the world in New Zealand.
"I was born in Albany, New York, but my parents are missionaries and we moved to New Zealand when I was two," said Edwards. "I got my first exposure to basketball there. We moved to the States in 2006. It was a real eye-opener." more...
COMMITMENT ROUNDUP
May 7, 2008
So far this month, decisions by significant players affecting major college programs have continued to cascade down from the top. While there still is cleanup occurring within the Class of 2008, there also have been several pledges from the Classes of 2009, 2010, 2011 and, yes, 2012.
Among the most noteworthy stories was a trio of commitments taken by Kentucky. The Wildcats most recently reached into the rising sophomore class for Vinny Zollo, a 6-9 BF at Greenfield (OH) McClain who plans to transfer next season to a different high school. more...
WALKER AMBLES TOWARD STRONG FINISH
May 5, 2008
It's been a long, uncertain road, but some Walkers were meant to travel farther than others. Demetrius Walker, a 6-3 rising senior WG at San Juan Capistrino (CA) Serra, has a story that has been told -- typically as a warning -- for more than three years.
Considered a phenom in the 8th grade, Walker was hailed as the next great high school basketball prospect -- again, while in the 8th grade. And that's the warning. But Walker has moved forward with his career and now is poised for a high-major recruitment. more...
JAYHAWK INVITATIONAL: FINAL REPORT
May 5, 2008
The Jayhawk Invitational concluded this past weekend, and we saw quite a few players during the three-day event who warranted coverage during the weekend. Along with that, however, there were several more players who deserve attention in the aftermath of the event.
The host team K.C. Pump 'N Run captured the titles in both the 17-under and 16-under divisions, and All-Iowa Attack won at the 15-under level. In all, the event affirmed that the Class of 2010 is developing solid national depth, while the crop of rising senior point guards still appears to be thin. more...
JAYHAWK INVITATIONAL: DAY TWO
May 3, 2008
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Saturday at the Jayhawk Invitational featured more in the way of top athletes and those aspiring to make their names at the Division I level. Pool play concluded during the afternoon, and playoffs started during the evening sessions.
One of the day's best players was Joe Jackson, a scoring machine of a guard in the Class of 2010 who continues to cement himself as one of the most talented backcourtsmen in the rising junior class. more...
JAYHAWK INVITATIONAL: DAY ONE
May 2, 2008
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- The 8th edition of the Jayhawk Invitational welcomed numerous major travel programs, primarily from the Adidas stable. Played in Lawrence and headquartered at the University of Kansas and fabled Allen Fieldhouse, Kansas City Pump 'N Run is hosting a strong weekend of hoops.
On Friday night, elite rising senior Derrick Favors was quietly dominant, while several other big names -- along with a few lesser lights in terms of exposure -- also made an impact. more...
POSSIBLE RECLASS FOR CARTER
May 2, 2008
This time last spring, Sampson Carter made a name for himself with his tough wing defense and ability to score. Then, the 6-7 WF from Memphis (TN) Hamilton went out and won a state championship during his senior year. Now, he must decide whether to sign during the spring or spend a year in prep school. more...
"I like Virginia, Wake Forest, Xavier, Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech ..."
May 1, 2008
-- Ari Stewart
Read full story. ...
WATFORD LOVES THE COMPETITION
May 1, 2008
Make no mistake about it, Christian Watford loves playing summer ball. That isn't to say that the 6-8 WF/BF from Irondale (AL) Shades Valley doesn't enjoy playing with his high school team. It's just that the rising senior enjoys the extra competition and chance to play in front of hordes of college coaches.
"It feels real good to get out there," Watford said. "It's way different to school ball and there's a lot of competition. I like it like that, too. more...
LATE APRIL COMMITMENTS
April 29, 2008
Kentucky reached into the Class of 2010 well to gain a pledge from big-time IN BF Dominique Ferguson. Ferguson is a top-25 talent in the rising junior class and pledged to the Wildcats over a host of other major programs.
Ferguston has been impressive this spring, performing well in front of us at both the Boo Williams Invitational and the Pittsburgh Jam Fest. Given his long frame and advanced skills -- including advanced face-up ability -- he ultimately could rank among the nation's top 10 prospects in his class. more...
VEGAS EVENTS: DAY TWO REPORT
April 26, 2008
LAS VEGAS -- Saturday in Las Vegas brought out bigger names than on day one, and by and large those boasting large reputations played to expectation. Additionally, there were more unsung prospects who made a mark with the college coaches inhabiting the stands, and a couple of additional subplots have emerged as well.
Some of the day's best players included a trio of rising senior guards: Abdul Gaddy, Elijah Johnson and Avery Bradley. more...
VEGAS EVENTS: DAY ONE REPORT
April 25, 2008
LAS VEGAS -- On Friday in Las Vegas, we spent our time at the Double Pump Spring Classic, a large tournament played at shiny new host high school Bishop Gorman, a traditional athletic power in Las Vegas.
Day one didn't feature many big names, but as always during this event, a handful of previously unknown prospects emerged on the national landscape. Because California is such a large state and vast resource for talent, it's no surprise that a handful of the guys who impressed hailed from The Golden State. more...
LAS VEGAS PREVIEW
April 25, 2008
So far this month, our travels have carried to events in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Arkansas. This weekend, it's time to ship out west, where Prep Stars analysts Eric Bossi and Rob Harrington will be attending a pair of events in Las Vegas: the Pumps' Spring Showcase and Vision Sports' Spring Classic. more...
COACHES GET EARLY LOOK AT REID
April 25, 2008
One of the less heralded frontcourt prospects we saw at last weekend's Pittsburgh Jam Fest deserving of more attention was Justin Reid, a 6-7 BF/C at Indianapolis (IN) North Central. Playing for Indiana Elite LNO, Reid showed that he has upper mid-major promise.
Reid obviously is undersized to play the post, and he's extremely undersized if one considers him a center prospect. Nevertheless, he has long arms and the muscle to hold his own despite the lacking inches. While he isn't a sensational athlete, he does show solid mobility and works hard on defense and on the boards. more...
GULLEY KEEPS IT STEADY
April 24, 2008
Ideally, a point guard's job is to run his team and provide a calming and steadying influence on his teammates. Some do, some don't. Go ahead and put Fred Gulley in the category of those who do. more...
SHANNON MUM ON RECRUITMENT
April 24, 2008
When he's on the floor, Terrance Shannon isn't above letting out a yell after a big dunk or block. The 6-7 BF/WF from Forsyth (GA) Mary Persons is a little different off the court, though, where he's guarded about what's really happening in his recruitment
He does, however, enjoy spring and summer ball in comparison to playing with his high school team. more...
"North Carolina State is recruiting me, Florida State too."
April 24, 2008
-- Gerard Coleman
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SPURLOCK EMERGES AS MAJOR THREAT
April 23, 2008
It wasn't that no one knew about rising senior Tristan Spurlock heading into the recent Boo Williams Invitational; it was just that it had been a while since anybody had seen the Rockville (MD) Montrose Christian stud on the club trail.
But taking the floor with a loaded Boo Williams Summer League squad, the 6-7 WF served notice to all who watched that he's among the top wings in the Class of 2009. more...
MORE APRIL COMMITMENTS
April 23, 2008
April always is a very busy month, as late signees from the senior class make their decisions, and some underclassmen -- who are being watched by college coaches at various travel events -- also are making the call on their college choice.
One potential top-75 prospect from the Class of 2009, MN BF/WF Royce White, chose in-state Minnesota over a burgeoning list of high-major schools. White transferred into Minnetonka Hopkins this year, and that move will put him in one of the state's traditionally strongest programs. more...
JAM FEST: FINAL LOOK
April 21, 2008
The Pittsburgh Jam Fest finished up on Sunday evening, and the Indiana Elite One squad prevailed 83-76 in the final over New York-based Juice All-Stars. Indy Elite was stacked with very good prospects, while Juice got by more on the scrappiness and backcourt quickness frequently observed on New York teams.
In addition to the players we covered over the weekend, there are numerous others who deserve mention, included in this final report. more...
REAL DEAL: FINAL LOOK
April 21, 2008
Although they needed some late semifinal heroics from top-10 rising senior guard Kenny Boynton to make the final, and then overtime to dispatch a gritty Illinois Warriors team, Florida-based Team Breakdown emerged from the Real Deal on the Hill as champions on Sunday.
After traveling home, we want to take a look back at some players we weren't able to get to during our weekend coverage. Rather than use our usual daily coverage format, we'll just go with some evaluations on players that also impressed us. more...
REAL DEAL: DAY TWO
April 20, 2008
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- After a terrific opening night, the Real Deal on the Hill paraded another highly rated slew of talent onto the floor on day two.
John Henson continued his impressive play, while several other guys, young and old, made big time noise during a very entertaining day of hoops. more...
JAM FEST: DAY TWO
April 19, 2008
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Day two at the Pittsburgh Jam Fest featured the conclusion of pool play and the opening round of playoffs for the 17-under brackets, and for sure a greater number of stars saw their way to the main courts at Peterson Gym on Saturday.
One key player was Erik Murphy, a Florida-bound big man who continued to solidify a spot among the national elite this spring. But Murphy was far from the only effective big name of the day, as you'll see. more...
REAL DEAL: DAY ONE
April 18, 2008
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- There probably isn't another event in recent memory that has wasted as little time as the Real Deal on the Hill has in rising to national prominence. Judging by Friday night's action, there's a chance that the Real Deal may emerge as the premiere event of the spring for this year.
Leading the pack was an impressive performance turned in by a future North Carolina Tar Heel, but other big timers such as DeMarcus Cousins, Christian Watford and many more also shone. Not only did the established guys play to their rep, there were plenty of new guys making noise as well. more...
JAM FEST: DAY ONE
April 18, 2008
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- Unlike the first weekend of the travel season, when the Boo Williams Invitational dominated the national landscape, this weekend -- the first opportunity for college coaches to scout at travel-team events -- is highly divided among several different venues.
This report comes to you from the Pittsburgh Jam Fest, while we'll also be chronicling the events from the Real Deal on the Hill in Arkansas. In Pittsburgh, a range of Adidas, Reebok and unaffiliated teams from the Northeast dominate the field, and the competition should become especially on Saturday, when college coaches sit in the stands and the be