STORY: Magic sign Michael Carter-Williams for rest of season

Briscoe’s cap hit for 2017-18 is $838,464 but his two seasons beyond 2018-19 were non-guarateed.

In 39 games of limited action for Orlando, the 22-year-old averaged 3.5 points and 2.2 assists. He’ll likely be back on the franchise’s radar as early as this summer should he clear waivers.

Per Keith Smith of Yahoo Sports, Orlando feared Briscoe would not be ready for the playoffs after undergoing knee surgery in March. The team, Smith writes, didn’t want to be limited to just two healthy point guards in the postseason so they waived Briscoe and retained Jerian Grant.

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Thank you Kentucky for an amazing 2 years..With that being said I’ve decided to enter the 2017 NBA Draft and will be signing with an agent. pic.twitter.com/8gDAsbofIH

— Slim Bz (@ZayBriscoe) April 6, 2017

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Touted as the next great guard to come out of the Garden State since his cousin Kyrie Irving in 2010, Briscoe has a lengthy prep resume that includes having won the state and TOC title for Roselle Catholic this past spring, among an array of personal accolades. In the second installment of his documentary “They Ain’t Come From Where I Came From,” he relives and speaks on the motivation behind his senior year’s playoff run and post season all-star games, including his one-on-one matchup with five-star LSU signee Antonio Blakeney at the Jordan Brand Classic. Check out the entire second episode above.

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Below is the official final roster announcement from USA Basketball:

Eight players boasting of prior USA Basketball experience were among the 12 players named by USA Basketball to the 2015 USA Basketball Men’s U19 World Championship Team. Training will continue at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, through June 21.

 

The USA U19 squad will look to defend its 2013 U19 gold at the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championship from June 27-July 5 in Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Athletes eligible for this team must be U.S. citizens who are 19 years old or younger (born on or after Jan. 1, 1996).

 

The returning gold medalists named to the U19 squad include: Isaiah Briscoe (Roselle Catholic H.S./Union, N.J.); Jalen Brunson (Stevenson H.S./Lincolnshire, Ill.); Terrance Ferguson (Homeschooled/Dallas, Texas); Harry Giles (Wesleyan Christian Academy/Winston-Salem, N.C.); Josh Jackson (Prolific Prep, Calif./Southfield, Mich.); Caleb Swanigan (Homestead H.S./Fort Wayne, Ind.); Jayson Tatum(Chaminade College Prep/St. Louis, Mo.) and Allonzo Trier (Findlay Prep, Nev./Seattle, Wash.) 

 

Also selected for the USA U19 Team were: Jawun Evans (Kimball H.S./Dallas, Texas); Chinanu Onauku(Louisville/Lanham, Md.); L.J. Peak (Georgetown/Gaffney, S.C.); and Thomas Welsh (UCLA/Redondo Beach, Calif.).

 

The 2015 USA Men’s U19 World Championship Team will be led by Sean Miller (Arizona), along with USA assistant coaches Ed Cooley (Providence) and Archie Miller (Dayton). 

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A video of last night’s highly anticipated battle against the Garden State’s other nationally ranked guard Malachi Richardson, a Syracuse-bound sharpshooter, is playing on a MacBook on the floor of the performance stage that stretches across the baseline of Roselle Catholic’s gym.

Briscoe is a third cousin of Kyrie Irving from his dad’s side, and in about five hours the Cavs’ All-Star will be the talk of sports following a 57-point outburst against the Spurs.

“Growing up, I was always overlooked,” says the Kentucky commit while sitting on a desk in our classroom-turned-photo studio. “I had to work twice as hard as everybody else. They always used to say that I was overweight. But it is what it is. I am who I am. I was blessed with this body and I’m going to use it to my advantage.”

While critics will point out he’s not the quickest with the ball, he’s become one of the most crafty PGs around, hence the nickname “Boogie.”

Regarded as the next great PG from NJ, the Irving comparisons have been inevitable.

“I remember watching him in the stands,” Briscoe recalls of his cousin’s days at St. Patrick. “Time goes by fast. I remember sixth and seventh grade just watching him at Kean [University] putting on a show. Selling out gyms. And now that’s me.”

Briscoe spent his first two years of high school on a star-studded St. Benedict’s Prep squad, where he enjoyed a cumulative 69-5 record. He transferred to Roselle for his junior year, leading the school to the Non-Public B state title after averaging 22.1 points, 4.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds.

In an era when many top recruits’ college decisions are strategically based on who’s leaving and who’s staying, and whether a starting spot will be awaiting them, Briscoe’s approach offers a refreshing contrast. He chose Kentucky before the season even started.

Having spent his first two high school seasons in a powerhouse that featured Milwaukee Bucks guard Tyler Ennis and current VCU guards Jonathan Williams and Melvin Johnson, Briscoe is more than comfortable hooping with other standouts and competing for playing time. And although joining John Calipari (who helped mold guards like Derrick Rose, John Wall and Tyreke Evans) and Big Blue Nation seems to be an obvious plus for anyone, there are “analysts” who don’t quite concur.

With recent questions of whether all of UK’s All-American guards could be returning, a mock draft that had Briscoe as a top-10 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft last fall now has his name completely off the list as of press time. Not like he’s concerned.

“I’m not worried about who’s there or who’s leaving,” says Briscoe, who helped Roselle repeat as state champs a couple of days after we spoke. “I’m going there to do what I got to do—contribute however I can. At St. Benedict’s, we had so many good players that there was no time to slack. If I wasn’t playing well, I had to sit down and watch. I’ve always been on my toes and never taken anything for granted. [Calipari] threw me right into that mix of names [of past elite guards he’s coached]. That’s big shoes to fill, but I’m sure that I can.”

Franklyn Calle is an Assistant Editor at SLAM. Follow him on Twitter @FrankieC7.

Images by Tom Medvedich

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The rosters for the 42^nd Annual Capital Classic All-Star Game have been released. This year’s game will feature two McDonald’s All-Americans Isaiah Briscoe (Kentucky) and PJ Dozier (South Carolina) as well as three Gatorade State Players of the Year Bryant Crawford (Wake Forest), Justin Robinson (Virginia Tech) and PJ Dozier (South Carolina). All 20 participants have committed to play Division I college basketball.

 

Once again the game is attracting the top talent in the nation, showcasing seven players ranked in the ESPN Top 100: (13) Isaiah Briscoe (Kentucky), (25) PJ Dozier (South Carolina), (30) Malik Beasley (Florida State), (41) Prince Ali (UCLA), (65) Jessie Govan (Georgetown), (82) Haanif Cheatham (Marquette) and (95) Luke Maye (North Carolina).

 

General admission tickets are $20; limited VIP seats are available. Go to www.thecapitalclassic.com to order. A portion of the net proceeds will benefit the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the Wounded Warrior Project.

 

 

 

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The Triple Double Showcase will take place on Saturday March 21st at Holy Family University in Philadelphia, PA. (9801 Frankford Ave.).  Some of the nation’s best prep players will compete in a dunk, skills, and 3-point contest. Tickets are $10. Proceeds will go to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

 

CHOP means a lot to me because in 2009 I was a patient with a life threatening condition. During preseason football in high school I collapsed on the field with trainers believing I was dehydrated. After an ER visit and several IV Fluids later, I took a CT scan and a tumor was found. The tumor I had was a colloid cyst. I was rushed to CHOP overnight and all I could think of was missing my football team and missing school. Through God, my family and friends reaching out, I pushed through. I was alarmed when doctors told my mom to sign a waiver warning her of sudden death. I was able to have a successful surgery and my neurologist told me how lucky I was because the tumor I had is usually fatal.

 

I went on in life and became a 3-star football recruit and just kept pushing. I’ve always wanted to give back to CHOP and the Triple Double Showcase is the perfect way.

 

Many celebrities will be in attendance judging the dunk contest and I’m extremely excited for the talent on tap. 

 

Dunk Contest Participants

Trey Lowe- Ewing High School (Temple)

Derrick Jones- Archbishop Carrol (UNLV)

Tyler Kohl- Coastal Academy (Undecided)

James Wright-Ewing High School (Undecided)

Donovan Mitchell- Brewster Academy (Louisville)

Derrick Woods-Pennsbury (St. Bonaventure)

Devine Eke- The Robinson School (Maine)

Marquise Belle- Trenton Catholic Academy (Undecided)

Dave Beatty- Archbishop Carrol (Undecided)

Sean Lloyd- Imhotep (Undecided)

Unique Mclean- MacDuffie School (Undecided)

Breein Tyree- St. Joe’s Metuchen(Undecided)

  

3-Point Contest

Malachi Richardson- Trenton Catholic Academy (Syracuse)

Myles Powell- Trenton Catholic Academy (Undecided)

Jamir Anderson-Trenton Catholic Academy (Undecided)

Levan Alston-Haverford School (Temple)

Matt Ryan-Iona College Prep (Notre Dame)

Malik Ellison- Life Center Academy (Undecided)

Ahmad Gilbert- Constitution High School (George Mason)

Tony Carr-Roman Catholic High School (Undecided)

Isiah Taylor-The Pennington School (Dickinson)

Bryce Aiken- The Patrick School (Undecided)

Daron Russell- Imhotep (Undecided)

Elijah Wright-The Pennington School (Undecided)

 

Skills Challenge

Isiah Briscoe- Roselle Catholic (Kentucky)

Shane Jardine-Ewing High School (Undecided)         

Traci Carter- Life Center Academy (Undecided)

Marcus Floyd- Trenton Catholic Academy (Undecided)

Temple Gibbs-Seton Hall Prep (Undecided)

Bryce Aiken- The Patrick School (Undecided)

Kaleb Morton- Delsea (Undecided)

Daron Russell- Imhotep (Undecided)

Elijah Wright-The Pennington School (Undecided)

Dave Beatty- Archbishop Carrol (Undecided)

Jerry Mejia

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From USA Basketball:

Featuring 11 players who won gold medals with USA Basketball in 2014, the 2015 USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Select Team that will take on the World Select Team in the 18th Nike Hoop Summit will be the most-experienced U.S. roster ever fielded for the event.  

 

The Nike Hoop Summit, which will be played at 12 p.m. (PST) on Saturday, April 11 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, is the country’s premier annual basketball game for U.S. high school senior boys and features the USA Junior National Select Team against a World Select Team comprised of elite international players who are 19 years old or younger.

 

Suiting up for the USA will be: Isaiah Briscoe (Roselle Catholic/Union, N.J.); Jaylen Brown (Wheeler H.S./Alpharetta, Ga.); Jalen Brunson (Adlai E. Stevenson H.S./Lincolnshire, Ill.); Henry Ellenson (Rice Lake H.S./Rice Lake, Wis.); Chase Jeter (Bishop Gorman H.S./Las Vegas, Nev.); Luke Kennard (Franklin H.S./Franklin, Ohio); Malik Newman (Callaway H.S./Jackson, Miss.); Ivan Rabb (Bishop O’Dowd H.S./Oakland, Calif.); Caleb Swanigan (Homestead H.S./Fort Wayne, Ind.); Allonzo Trier (Findlay Prep/Seattle, Wash.); and Stephen Zimmerman (Bishop Gorman H.S./Las Vegas, Nev.).

 

[…]

 

“The talent on this roster is as good as we have seen in the past ten years,” Flannery said. “Since I have been fortunate to work with these guys a few times in the past, I am extremely excited to watch them put those talents on display in the Nike Hoop Summit. We have very talented post players who can handle the ball extremely well and guards that can score in various ways. With this much talent and versatility it gives a coach many different options during the course of a game.

 

“In order for the USA to be successful versus a very talented World Team, we have to bond together as quickly as possible. As coaches it is our job to find the right combinations, and once that’s established the rest takes care of itself. These are the best players in the world, at their age, going at it for a relatively short period. Anything can happen in that time, however, if we limit our mistakes and utilize our strengths, we have a great chance of winning this game.”

 

Seven members of the 2015 USA team helped USA Basketball to gold and a 5-0 record at the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 Championship in Colorado Springs, Colorado, including Briscoe, Brown, Brunson, Jeter, Kennard, Trier and Zimmerman.

 

The remaining four athletes won gold and collected a 7-0 record at the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, including tournament MVP Newman along with Ellenson, Rabb and Swanigan.

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We caught some hoops action last weekend in Newark, New Jersey for one the state’s premier high school hoop events, the 7^th Annual Newark Invitational. Hosted by St. Benedict’s High School, the tournament took place at the Prudential Center, and featured some of the Garden State’s cream of the crop.

Here are some of the player who stood out:

Jabreel Ahmad, 5’11, G Newark East Side High (NJ) 2015

Jabreel Ahmad had a 21 point scoring performance as he led Newark East Side to a 53-49 win over Gil St. Bernard. Ahmad possesses quickness and a crafty handle. He also used change of direction & speed moves to get maneuver on the court. While most of his points came by creatively finishing at the basket, mid-range jump-shots or floaters, the senior guard also hit shots from downtown. Ahmad would fit nicely in a Division 2 or Division 3 program.

Isaiah Briscoe, 6’3, G Roselle Catholic (NJ) 2015

The top rated point guard in the 2015 class only scored 11 points in Roselle’s 70-44 win over St. Benedict’s, but it was how he scored them that was truly amazing. Briscoe scored by using combo moves followed by pull-up jumpers to get himself going. If he didn’t connect from outside, Briscoe used his stout frame to get to the basket and draw fouls. The play of the game (and maybe the tournament) came when the senior guard beautifully executed a spin move combined with a step-back jump-shot- leaving his defender dazed and confused. Aside from his offensive exploits, Isaiah Briscoe played good perimeter & post defense, and used his long arms and catcher’s mitt-like hands to intercept passing lanes for steals. Briscoe’s mature decision-making, and polished offensive arsenal should make the transition into college basketball a little easier as a University of Kentucky Wildcat.

Nathaniel Pierre-Louis, 6’3, G St. Benedict’s (NJ) 2017

Nathaniel Pierre-Louis was the lone bright spot for St. Benedict’s scoring 21 points in a 70-44 loss to Roselle Catholic. What was promising about the sophomore’s performance was that he didn’t shy away from defending Isaiah Briscoe, and that he played with maximum effort until the very end. Pierre-Louis is a combo guard who excels at attacking the basket, but can also drain the long ball. He also has deceptive hops, as proven when he flushed one on a taller defender during one of his drives to the hoop. Pierre-Louis’ play has gathered offers from schools in the ACC, Big Ten, and AAC

Chris Silva, 6’9, F Roselle Catholic (NJ) 2015

Silva netted 20 points, snatched 8 boards and came away MVP honors in a rout over St. Benedict’s. Silva is an athletic, physical forward who makes his living around the basket. He is at his best when the game is fast paced, and is able to get out in transition. Defensively, Silva is able to alter shots and provide a solid post presence. If he continues to develop offensively, South Carolina Gamecock fans will be in for a treat once he hits campus.

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After an eleven year hiatus, Slam Dunk to the Beach, one of the country’s premier high school basketball showcases, is back. The event was founded by the Delaware Sports Commission, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to draw various sporting activities to the First State’s sports community and bolster the local economy. Some of the events most notable alumni include Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, and J.J. Reddick. The event was held at the beautiful campus of Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes, Delaware. It was well organized and provided access to players, coaches, and media information. Here are the outstanding performers from the showcase.

Top Performing Upperclassmen

Isaiah Briscoe, 6-3, PG, Roselle Catholic (NJ) 2015

Mr. Must See TV. The top rated point guard in the country gave spectators plenty of highlights while he scored 23 points in a decisive win over Haverford School (PA) and 17 in a double overtime thriller against Gonzaga (DC). Briscoe’s combination of strength, craftiness, and his propensity for making others around him better are qualities he flashed throughout the weekend. Ever the competitor, Briscoe scored whenever his team needed a bucket. Look for Briscoe to compete for minutes when he gets to Lexington next season.

Bryant Crawford, 6-3, G, Gonzaga College HS (DC) 2015

Crawford’s weekend began with tough shooting night against Christ the King (NY). By the end of the showcase, there wasn’t a doubt in spectators’ minds as to why he was one of the most highly recruited guards in the nation. He flirted with a triple double by posting 9 points, 9rebounds, and 9 assists, against Gil St. Bernard (NJ), and dropped 17 against national power, Roselle Catholic. Crawford is a guard in every sense of the word. His sharp handle allowed him to operate in tight spaces, while his court vision helped him deliver passes to his teammates with pinpoint accuracy. He did most of his damage by attacking & finishing at the cup. On the defensive end, Bryant is an athletic defender who gives maximum effort. While Crawford has shown to range to knock down triples, he would help himself by elevating more on his jump shot. Wake Forest Head Coach Danny Manning surely found a gem in this young man.

Cheick Diallo, 6-9, F Our Savior New American (NY) 2015

“Energy can’t be destroyed” is a quote that appropriately describes what this young man provides for his team, because he plays with insane amounts of it. In his team’s only game at Slam Dunk to the Beach, Diallo posted 13 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks against Haverford
School. The majority of his impact came on the defensive end, where he protected the interior by swatting and alternating shot attempts. Sequences such as Diallo blocking a shot on the defensive end, making an outlet pass then beating his man down the court for a dunk are only a foretaste of his athleticism. Offensively, Diallo makes his living around the basket- completing alley-oops or converting put backs. Once he develops offensively, Diallo will bolster any major Division I frontcourt.

Sam Miller, 6-8, F, Gonzaga College HS (DC) 2015

Although his team dropped two games, Miller lead his team in scoring, and displayed why he will be an immediate contributor next year at the University of Dayton. Miller is a multipurpose forward who can either bang inside with posts or step outside and knock it down from behind the arc. He finished around the basket either off of post moves or drop off passes from guards. Miller also has the ball skills to put it on the deck and blow by a defender if need be. The rugged forward also hit the glass, and made good outlet passes to help start his team’s break. Defensively, Miller defended the post well and even showed glimpses of decent footwork while guarding the perimeter.

Josh Williams, 6-2, G St. Vincent-St. Mary’s (OH) 2015

Williams was remarkable in both of his performances against Salesianum School (DE) and Sunrise Christian (KS). What captivated me most about Williams was how polished a scorer he was. Owning great form and elevation on his jumper, Williams shot the ball the ball efficiently from the field. While attacking the basket, he used a great hesitation move along the baseline to lose the defender, and then kissed the ball off of the glass as the secondary defender approached. Williams showed great basketball I.Q. by being able to read his defender when using screens, and moving well without the ball. The Akron Zips should get plenty of scoring punch from Williams next season.

Top Performing Underclassmen

Rawle Alkins, 6-4, G, Christ the King (NY) 2016

Alkins was arguably the most outstanding performer at the event. No other player meant more to his team than he. Alkins is being recruited as a guard, but had the task of guarding the opposing team’s tallest post player in each of his games. The kid from Brooklyn more than held own, averaging 12 rebounds through three games. Rawle also played great help defense, rejecting shots either in transition, or when the perimeter defense broke down. Offensively, he was able to get his team immediately into transition by pushing the ball after a rebound, emphatically finishing the break at the tin, or finding open teammates. Alkins also got his shot off at will by lulling his defender to sleep and then exploding into a move before shooting his feathery jumper. Given his skill set, it’s no surprise he’s being courted by high major programs in the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, and SEC.

Mikey Dixon, 6-1, G, Sanford (DE) 2016

With Slam Dunk to the Beach’s return, Mikey Dixon definitely made First State hoop heads proud of his performance. A combo guard, Dixon showed he could play both guard spots, but is more adept at scoring. He did plenty of it. Dixon poured in 19 points in a route of in-state rival, Salesianum, chipped in 20 in a loss against Philly power Neumman-Goretti, and went for 17 points & 8 rebounds against nationally-ranked Christ the King. Dixon used his speed and handle to get by his defenders, and complete plays despite being fouled. He also nailed his shots from deep at a decent rate. What I loved most about watching Dixon play was that he with a tremendous passion. He kept competing even when the lead was insurmountable. If Dixon adds strength, and continues to improve his defensive focus, he could have a nice career in a low to mid-major program.

Cameron Reddish, 6-5, G, Haverford School (PA) 2018

This kid is special. I often have to remind myself that he’s only a freshman. Although he & his teammates took Ls to two nationally-ranked opponents, there were positives to be drawn from these experiences. Cameron Reddish scored 25 points, and kept his team within striking distance against Roselle Catholic (NJ) until the game was blown open in the middle of the 3^rd quarter. Reddish reigned 3’s from the wing, slashed to the basket, and finished amongst the trees. Reddish is best at scoring, but proved he could handle running the team also. Against Our Savior New American (NY), Reddish helped his team to a 3 point lead until he was carried off of the court due to injury. On the defensive end, the fabulous freshman used his black widow-like arms to intercept passes and pluck defenders. If he continues to develop his mid-range game and adds strength, the end result could be disastrous for his opponents.

Quade Green, 6-0, G, Neumann-Goretti (PA) 2017

Quade was in beast mode the entire weekend. He went for 27 and 22 respectively against Sanford (DE), and Gill St. Bernard (NJ). What was most impressive about Green’s scoring production was that he was highly efficient in both contests. Dude only missed six shots from the field the entire showcase. That’s right. Six. The sophomore guard used his strong frame to relentlessly drive to the cup and finish. He was also deadly from 3 point land whether in half court or transition. Green excelled on the defensive end by also providing great ball pressure and even guarding taller offensive players. Like most classic Philly guards, Green plays with a chip on his shoulder-as if the sight of his opponent actually offends him. If Green’s work ethic stays the same, and he continues to mature on the court, he’ll have his pick of high major offers.

Players of Intrigue  

Jose Alvarado, 5-11, G, Christ the King (NY) 2017

Solid, defensive-minded guard who runs the team, but can score.

Chris Lykes, 5-7, G, Gonzaga College HS (DC) 2017

Incredible handle, court vison, and can fill it up.

Jalen Smith, 6-7, F, Mount St. Mary’s (MD) 2018

Long, athletic forward, showed some face-up ability, plenty of upside.

Kassoum Yakwe, 6-7, F, Our Savior New American (NY) 2016

Raw offensively, runs the floor well, rebounds and blocks shots.

Nigel Jackson, 6-5, G, Mount St. Mary’s (MD) 2017

Scored the ball well from the perimeter.

Matt Bullock, 6’4, G/F Roselle Catholic (NJ) 2016

Scores and rebounds. The kid is an assassin.

Kyson Rawls, 6-0, G St. George’s Tech (DE)

Combo guard gets to the rack, finds teammates, and can shoot it.

C.J. Keyser, 6-4, G, Sunrise Christian (KS)

Explosive athlete who can hurt you from inside or out.

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Scouts would tend to agree with Isaiah Briscoe, the consensus No. 1 point guard in the Class of 2015. A 6-3 lead guard from Union, NJ who recently committed to the University of Kentucky, Briscoe is on the road to big-time college basketball and if all goes well, the NBA.

In Episode 1 of “They Ain’t Come From Where I Come From,” Briscoe gives us an inside look at the recruiting process and his intense training. Check it out above.

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All the momentum seemed to be on St. John’s side. On the line was landing arguably the biggest recruit since Felipe Lopez. The Johnnies had been recruiting Isaiah Briscoe since freshman year. Standing in their way were the national champs UConn Huskies and arguably the most successful recruiter of all-time John Calipari and his Kentucky program. Briscoe, a native of Union, NJ, is ranked as the top point guard in the class of 2015. In the end, though, it was Big Blue Nation that prevailed. The 6-3 guard plays at Roselle Catholic, where last season he averaged 22.1 points, 4 assists and 1.8 steals, while leading his squad to the state non-public B championship.

Live on ESPNU, Briscoe said:

“With my experience from USA Basketball, I think I can handle playing with great players. And right now Coach Calipari has the machine going on with getting point guards to the NBA like John Wall, Eric Bledsoe, and players like that, and Derrick Rose. So I can see myself in that mold and being the next point guard to come out of Kentucky.”  

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From our friends at the 8Eye Classic:

Some of the best talent on the East Coast will come together in Philly for the 2^nd annual 8EYE Classic. The boy’s event will consist of two games featuring the nation’s top rated point guard, Isaiah Briscoe, Syracuse-bound shooting guard Malachi Richardson, highly-touted small forward Derrick Jones, Top- 50 juniors Temple Gibbs, Lamar Stevens and freshman phenom Nazreon Reid. With this much talent in one gym, this game easily goes in the “can’t miss” category. Tip-off is at 7pm on Friday, October 24 at Ben Franklin HS (550 North Broad St., Philadelphia, PA).

The 8EYE Media went a step further this year by adding the inaugural 8EYE Girls Classic. The contest will feature some of the top female ballers in region like California bound guard Brea Cavanaugh, Kentucky bound wing Batouly Camara, and Texas bound forward Christina Abowora. The event’s purpose is to not only show the ladies some love, but also raise awareness for a worthy cause. A portion of the proceeds will go to cancer research. The girls’ action starts at 2pm on Sunday, October 26 at Ben Franklin HS (550 North Broad St., Philadelphia, PA).

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Since last week, I’ve been out in Colorado Springs, catching the tail end of the USA Basketball under-18 team training camp, in advance of the FIBA Americas under-18 tournament, which started Friday at the Olympic Training Center and can be seen via fibaamericas.com.

Team USA features a mix of some of the more highly regarded incoming college freshmen and top rising high school seniors in the country, so seeing them go at it every day and scrimmage opponents has been a different experience for me than the usual summer circuit of AAU tournaments and camps, where the goals are usually more about individual players raising their respective stocks.

There have been NBA scouts present, but with national pride at stake and a coaching staff featuring Florida’s Billy Donovan and assistants Sean Miller of Arizona and Providence’s Ed Cooley, top-notch coaches in their own right, the squad has been pretty cohesive in practice and focused on winning a Gold medal.

It’s obvious that some of the players aren’t used to not being the focal point on a team, but to their credit, they’ve all made adjustments, with FIBA veterans Stanley Johnson, Myles Turner and the Duke-bound duo of Tyus Jones and Justise Winslow leading the way. If you’re so inclined to watch the tournament and get a jump on some likely future pros (or even if you’re just experiencing some basketball withdrawal since the Finals ended), check out the tournament for yourself, but for the time being, here’s my take on the participants:

Isaiah Briscoe, 6-3 rising senior combo guard, Roselle Catholic (NJ)

Known as a scorer, Briscoe is attempting to make the transition from a shoot-first lead guard to more of a traditional floor general, at least in this setting. While that’s still a work in progress, he’s played unselfishly and has been locked in on defense, showing a willingness to make hustle plays most scorers don’t usually exhibit. Putting points on the board remain his nature, but the stocky Briscoe is demonstrating that he understands that it can’t be his only asset on the floor. Not an elite athlete or overly quick, he compensates with his strength, tenacity and clever moves, not to mention being an automatic bucket or trip to the foul line in transition or a one-on-one situation.

Jaylen Brown, 6-7 rising senior wing, Wheeler (GA)

Brown’s stock was extremely high coming into this event, based on a strong spring on the AAU circuit and an impressive trip to Italy, where he and a handful of other Americans played in the adidas Eurocamp against top European draft prospects. His upside is immediately evident, as the Atlanta-area product has tremendous explosiveness, deep range and a solid frame that appears capable of adding more bulk in time. But although reports indicated that Brown excelled early on in the team’s training camp, he’s been up and down since I’ve been in town. His jumper, an easy, high-elevation, rainbow stroke hasn’t been falling consistently, intense ball pressure has affected him when he’s handling the rock and on the defensive end of the floor, while he shows the ability to make plays and shut down his man, he only does so on occasion. That said, when the light goes on, Brown can be spectacular and it should be taken into account that he’s frequently had to match up with the aforementioned Johnson and Winslow, a year ahead of him, stronger and not necessarily happy to lay out the red carpet for him in head-to-head competition.

Jalen Brunson, 6-2 rising senior point guard, Stevenson (IL)

Full disclosure: I’ve seen Brunson, who resides in Chicago’s north suburbs, play since his freshman year and I know his father, Rick, a fellow Temple alum. But if he played poorly here, I probably would choose not to mention it at all, if anything. Fortunately, that hasn’t been the case, as Brunson, known in Illinois for his scoring ability, including a state-record 56 points in a championship-game loss to Jahlil Okafor’s Whitney Young team, has been the consummate pass-first point guard. Perhaps too unselfish at times, the lefty has been content to set up his teammates, keep the ball moving and only when open, knock down perimeter jumpers, though he’s also been aggressive in trying to get to the rim in transition. Brunson competes on the defensive end, too, but due to his size and lack of explosiveness, he’ll have to rely on his high basketball IQ and ability to anticipate to augment that aspect of his game.

Chase Jeter, 7-0 rising senior post, Bishop Gorman (NV)

After making the initial cut from 24 players to 15, Jeter didn’t make the final roster and headed to the ongoing NBPA Top 100 Camp in Virginia. But due to Baltimore native Dwayne Morgan’s family emergency, Jeter was brought back. The team’s youngest player will have to play catch-up, remembering what he learned and getting up to speed on what he missed, but his length, athleticism, size and versatility are a benefit to the team. A very mobile big man with a soft touch on his mid-range jumper and burgeoning back-to-the-basket moves, Jeter is still putting it all together, but it’s clear that he has a high ceiling. Speaking of Morgan, the incoming UNLV freshman forward probably would have been the team’s high-energy player, with his ability to guard multiple positions, mix it up inside, get out in transition and make plays above the rim.

Stanley Johnson, 6-7 incoming freshman wing, Arizona

A product of the famed Mater Dei program, Johnson might be the most NBA-ready non-big man (Okafor’s polish and Turner’s potential, combined with their size, puts them ahead of the pack) in the class, for my money. Johnson’s a lead-by-example type and his impressive all-around game, as well as his ability to score from anywhere on the court, make him a threat to dominate games for stretches at a time. The big-bodied swingman, who played point guard his senior year, can handle the ball, make plays for others and even stay in front of some smaller guards, while still being able to make his presence felt on the glass, finish with power and explosiveness, affect the game as a post-up scorer and generally hold his own on the interior. Johnson plays with a bit of an edge, not shying away from contact, colorful banter with opponents and even arguing calls, but none of it is a bad thing, as long as he continues to focus it as part of his competitive nature.

Tyus Jones, 6-1 incoming freshman point guard, Duke

The Minneapolis-area native was regarded as the nation’s best pure point guard (Emmanuel Mudiay, another potential top-five 2015 NBA draft pick, is more of a scoring point guard) and hasn’t done anything to diminish his reputation as a pass-first floor general here. A vocal, yet calm leader, Jones has excellent court vision, doesn’t play in a rush, can score when necessary and seems to see plays far in advance of them developing. He’s not a jet as far as quickness or an amazing athlete, but Jones’ change of pace and tight handle, coupled with his burst in the open court, make up for any perceived deficiencies when it comes to his physical tools. Like Johnson and his current and future teammate Winslow, it shows that he’s a veteran of national-team and FIBA competition, as the playmaker is clearly the straw that stirs the drink.

Luke Kennard, 6-5 rising senior shooting guard, Franklin (OH)

A Duke commitment, Kennard is a big-time scorer who has figured out how to fit in on this talented squad. Regarded as one of the nation’s better pure shooters, Kennard’s shot hasn’t been falling consistently as of late, but he’s continued to plug away, making the extra pass, making hustle plays on defense and functioning as a secondary ballhandler. One of the team’s designated sharpshooters, Kennard has good size for his position and puts in the work defensively, attempting not to be a liability if he’s not making shots. The lefty, who was also a top quarterback recruit, has a quiet toughness and determined demeanor that, as he gets stronger physically, will pay off.

Tyler Lydon, 6-9 rising senior combo forward, New Hampton (NH)

Playing against international competition, Lydon is a bit of an X-factor, as he’s the Americans’ lone stretch 4 and will be called upon to bring opposing big men out to the perimeter. The Syracuse commit has some quickness, athleticism and ball skills to his game, too, showing the ability to put the ball on the floor, make plays via the pass, keep up in transition and be generally active on both ends of the floor. When he’s playing with energy, Lydon can make an impact on the game, even aside from knocking down open jumpers. He’ll need to add bulk to his slender frame, but his perimeter-oriented game and high skill level could cause mismatches, both in the present and future.

Allonzo Trier, 6-5 rising senior shooting guard, Findlay (NV)

The well-traveled Trier might be the best pure scorer on the squad, which is no small feat, making it more admirable that he’s made such an overt effort to blend in as a role player. Possessing excellent ability to create his own shot, knock down contested jumpers and slither to the basket for high-degree-of-difficulty finishes, whether in transition or against a set defense, Trier has clearly toned down his scoring instincts a bit. Demonstrating that he’s willing to make the extra pass, stay patient when the ball in his hands and not take rushed shots, his understanding of the greater goal is commendable. Trier still has a ways to go defensively and must get stronger to become a more effective finisher, but with his automatic open jumper, smooth handle and this display of a team-first mentality, his future looks even brighter than it did when he was just known for scoring a lot of points.

Myles Turner, 7-0 incoming freshman post, Texas

As previously stated, Turner has the most upside of any player in his class and not that the other players here aren’t, but when his talent is combined with simply being a nice, hard-working kid, it’s hard not to envision him being successful. Extremely bouncy and agile for his size, Turner’s length, timing and ability to cover ground makes him a major shot-blocking presence, often contesting multiple shots on the same possession, whether on or off the ball. Offensively, his soft touch and comfortable range out just before the three-point line is an added dimension, though he needs to get stronger and more instinctive with his back to the basket. His lack of bulk affects him as a rebounder and finisher as well, but Turner’s explosiveness allows him to throw down quick flushes in both half-court situations and in transition, where his ability to run the floor shines.

Justise Winslow, 6-6 incoming freshman wing, Duke

The Houston native and son of former Phi Slama Jama member Ricky Winslow, along with Turner and Brunson, might be the hardest worker at the camp, getting up extra shots after practice daily, even after two-a-day sessions. Given his physical tools, that bodes well, as Winslow is built like an NFL strong safety, can not only guard, but shut down multiple positions and with his frame, finishes through contact with ease, assuming defenders don’t just get out of his way. Capable of defending anybody from a quick point guard to a big power forward, Winslow is also a remarkable rebounder for a perimeter player, on both ends of the floor. A much-improved ballhandler and shooter, the southpaw has had stretches where he’s knocked down open jumpers and others where he’s been off the mark, but he doesn’t let that affect other areas of his game. He recognizes when he’s not hitting and shifts his focus to doing something else, though his progress as a shooter and individual scorer could dictate exactly how high his ceiling is.

Stephen Zimmerman, 6-11 rising senior post, Bishop Gorman (NV)

Another player making the adjustment from being a featured option to more of a complementary piece, Zimmerman has simplified his game in order to make positive contributions. A talented offensive threat in AAU and high school, the big man has put an emphasis on running the floor in transition, making his presence felt on the offensive glass, making quick post moves and finishing with power. He’s not the shot-blocking force Turner is, but Zimmerman is active defensively, works hard on the boards, plays with a high motor and is willing to bang in the paint. As he continues to add strength, seeing him find his groove here, even though he isn’t the star of the team, is an encouraging sign for his mindset and development as a whole.

Notes:

–This group of players seems to really like each other and appears focused on winning a Gold medal, a testament to the work of Donovan, Miller and Cooley, the least well-known of the three coaches, but certainly an up-and-comer, based on not only turning around his hometown Friars, but his track record at Fairfield.

–Being that this is FIBA play, not only are the actual basketballs a bit different, but the American team is learning how to play with a shot clock for the first time in most of their careers, not to mention adjusting to rules changes, like being able to knock the ball off the rim.

–Team USA has had some intra-squad scrimmages, as well as teams comprised of local college players—Colorado State-Pueblo and the Air Force, the latter being the only team to win even one quarter against them—and another team in the FIBA Americas tournament, Canada.

–Canada has a few college prospects of various renown: 6-8 Harvard incoming freshman big man Chris Egi of Florida’s Monteverde Academy; 6-5 nationally ranked rising senior swingman Montaque “Teki” Gill-Caesar of Huntington Prep; 6-7 rising senior wing Dillon Brooks of Findlay Prep; and 6-5 shooting guard Corey Johnson, who is expected to do a post-graduate year of prep school in the US.

–Egi was physical and active, but while he struggled to score inside against the Americans’ length, he should be considered yet another steal for Harvard and a player who could be a solid role player at a high-major program.

–Gill-Caesar showed flashes of his ability, particularly as a long-range shooter, but had trouble creating off the dribble and blended in more than he stood out, though his frame, athleticism and fundamentally sound skill set certainly look the part of the highly touted prospect he’s billed to be.

–Brooks was a role player at powerhouse Findlay last season, but if his performance against his elite counterparts was any indication, that should be changing, as the versatile, lanky jack-of-all-trades knocked down deep jumpers, scored off the dribble, finished with explosiveness, functioned as a secondary and primary ballhandler, scored in the post and remained competitive even when the rest of his team was floundering.

–Johnson, who plays AAU for the Northern Kings, coached by former St. Bonaventure player Vidal Massiah, showed off his range and accuracy, and while he could get stronger and tighten up his handle, wasn’t bad off the dribble either, displaying an effective herky-jerky game.

The post USA Basketball U18 Evaluations appeared first on SLAM.

A couple of years from now, when the NBA Draft comes on television, Delaware basketball fans should be able to say, “Hey, I saw that guy.”

 

Slam Dunk to the Beach organizers announced nine of the out-of-state teams committed to the new event on Wednesday, and the list is dotted with names that are expected to become national figures in the future. The popular boys high school basketball tournament will resume Dec. 27-29 at Cape Henlopen High in Lewes.

 

“Our ultimate goal is to have quality games,” said Matthew Robinson, chairman of both the Delaware Sports Commission and the Slam Dunk. “We want every game to be an exciting game, no team getting beat by 30 or anything like that. It’s going to be good hoops, the best going against the best.”

 

Salesianum, St. Georges, Sanford, Caesar Rodney and Cape Henlopen had already been announced as Delaware’s participants. The additions are Christ the King (N.Y.), Gill St. Bernard’s (N.J.), Gonzaga College High (D.C.), Mount St. Joseph (Baltimore), Our Savior New American (N.Y.), Roselle Catholic (N.J.), St. Vincent-St. Mary (Ohio), Neumann-Goretti (Pa.) and Sunrise Christian (Kan). One more team will be announced later.

 

Every out-of-state team has at least one player who has received multiple Division I scholarship offers. Four of the teams finished last season ranked among the nation’s top 30. This year’s Slam Dunk will feature five players ranked among the nation’s top 100 seniors, and three ranked among the top 50 juniors.

 

Among the brightest stars are Tyus Battle, a 6-foot-6 junior from Gill St. Bernard’s who is ranked the No. 1 shooting guard in the Class of 2016; Isaiah Briscoe, a 6-1 senior from Roselle Catholic who last week was selected to play on the USA Men’s under-18 national team; and V.J. King, a 6-5 junior from St. Vincent-St. Mary who is ranked No. 6 overall in the Class of 2016.

 

The last time St. Vincent-St. Mary came to Lewes, the Fighting Irish were led by a guy named LeBron James. He was one of many future NBA stars – including Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony – who played at Cape Henlopen during Slam Dunk’s initial run from 1990-2003. But tournament founder Robert F. “Bobby” Jacobs abruptly canceled the event in November 2004, citing health issues. In the weeks that followed, vendors and businesses came forward to say they had not been paid by Jacobs for the 2003 event.

 

In January 2008 Jacobs was sentenced to two years in prison, with one year suspended, and was ordered to pay $400,000 in restitution after pleading no contest to one felony count of misappropriation of property for taking thousands of dollars from the tournament fund.

 

The new event was founded by the Delaware Sports Commission, a group of sports and business leaders formed in 2008 to increase economic impact in Delaware through sporting events.

 

“It’s been a general excitement that people want to see the event come back,” Robinson said. “A lot of parties have put their faith in us to do it the right way, and we take that seriously. We want to live up to those expectations, and we want it to be done in a first-class way.”

 

Robinson said the new Slam Dunk to the Beach will have a different format, with no brackets. The schedule will be predetermined, and will be announced later this summer. DSC is focused on guaranteeing the best matchups, not crowning a tournament champion.

 

The post Slam Dunk to the Beach National Tournament Will Return in 2014 After 10-Year Hiatus appeared first on SLAM.

Words and photos by Jon Lopez

With the 2013-14 high school and NCAA basketball seasons in the books, Jordan Brand’s Terminal 23 hosted a tournament featuring New York City and New Jersey’s top high school talent up to the Class of 2015 over the weekend.

Terminal 23 has quickly become NYC’s most talked about basketball experience. The black and gold court built to commemorate Carmelo Anthony’s M10 sneaker is ensconced at Cafe´Rouge less than one block east of the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden.

More than just an elite basketball facility, Terminal 23 recently added “KD’s Barber Shop” where members can get a quick cut before stepping on the court, “CP3’s Messenger Service” where visitors can customize their own pair of kicks or loosen up by riding the bike, “Blake Griffin’s Theater” where members can comfortably snap super selfies, “LeBron’s Delicatessen” for refreshments, and “Melo’s Timepieces” displaying some fashion-forward styles.

After hosting team practices and elite training sessions for some of NYC’s top talent since its inception in January, it’s fitting that Terminal 23 created an opportunity for the players to compete for the metropolitan area crown. Ninety players from the five boroughs, Long Island and New Jersey competed for the chance to represent their respective hometowns. Each squad, represented by region, was allotted only six roster spots. In the end, the teams that qualified to compete in the Terminal 23 Tournament included Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Manhattan, Long Island and New Jersey.

Long Island and New Jersey, both heavily favored to meet in the finals, feature the Class of 2015 Gatorade Player of the Year, Cheick Diallo, and the Garden State’s highly coveted recruit, Isaiah Briscoe, respectively. Both teams earned a bye into the semi-final round.

The first-round match ups were as follows: Bronx vs Queens and Brooklyn vs Manhattan.

The Bronx was forced to play without St. Raymond’s high school standout Sydney Wilson and competed with only five players. Desure Buie of Wings Academy stepped up for his borough and poured in a team high 18 points. But it was not enough to hold off a solid Queens team made up of five Christ the King players.

Led by the fearless play of Rawle Alkins, who led all scorers with 21 points, Queens was poised down the stretch and held on for a 62-59 victory. “Size don’t matter to me. You can be 7-foot, you can be an NBA player, it doesn’t matter; I’m still going to try to go at you,” Alkins said after the game. He added, “It feels great representing Queens. I’m just trying to win.” 

With the pride—and pressure—of representing their respective hometowns, these games carry extra weight. The semifinal round was hard fought to the end in both games, which were only separated by a combined five points.

Long Island, led by the lanky, explosive combo guard Damon Wilson (20 points) faced Queens in the first game. With a formidable frontcourt led by Cheik Diallo, who has a knack for rejecting even the highest arcing floaters in the paint, there were no easy buckets for Queens. Alkins struggled early against Long Island but consistently challenged their defense. Long Island looked to be in control midway through the game as they capped an impressive run with an out of bounds lob play where Diallo soared over a Queens defender for a powerful two-handed dunk.

But Queens barely flinched at the spectacular play. Down by three points with under a minute remaining in regulation, Queens looked to its top playmaker. Alkins exploded for a drive down the middle where he rose up for a nasty left-handed throw down. “Once he made that strong finish, I knew we had the game because all the momentum was on our side,” said Justin Wright-Foreman, who led Queens with 18 points, of his teammates game-changing move to the rim. Alkins also nailed the game-clinching three-pointer from on the subsequent offensive possession to propel his team into the finals.

Ceasar DeJesus led New Jersey over Brooklyn with 24 points and explained, “Brooklyn goes hard, so we had to play hard and match their intensity.” Crafty scorer Travis Atson (20 points) led Brooklyn to a strong comeback attempt down the stretch where Brooklyn capitalized on some sloppy New Jersey turnovers. Despite playing without top-20 recruit Isaiah Briscoe, New Jersey outlasted Brooklyn 62-59, setting the stage for a finals matchup between New Jersey and Queens.

New Jersey and Queens were rewarded for their semi-final wins with an opportunity to enjoy the Knicks-Bulls game from a private suite on Sunday night. Upon meeting at Terminal 23 to walk over to the World’s Most Famous Arena together, the players were officially informed that they would be competing for the title on the Knicks’ court immediately following their game.

There was no shortage of talent in this championship match up as Isaiah Briscoe of New Jersey and Queens’ Rawle Alkins headlined their respective teams. New Jersey’s defensive scheme was heavily focused on Rawle Alkins. “We’d rather give him shots away from the basket than near the basket,” explained Jersey head coach Juan Reinoso. “We’re going to make him work on defense, put him through a lot of pick and rolls to try and wear him out. He’s our number one priority.”

Meanwhile, Queens coach Killian Reilly hoped for the best with regard to stymieing Briscoe noting, “[Briscoe] is a great player, so he’s going to get what he’s going to get. At the end of the day, you’re not gonna stop him. You gotta pray that he has an off night; it’s not very often that he has an off night.”

About 10 minutes into the game, with Alkins sizing up a three from the corner, New Jersey defenders shouted, “Leave him out there, let him shoot!” As if he could not resist the dare to pull the trigger, Alkins casually swished a three. Then another and another on subsequent possessions. Accounting for virtually half of his team’s points, Alkins led all scorers with a memorable 29-point performance.

“To tell you the truth, I didn’t know I was gonna have a performance like this,” said Alkins. “I felt it. The rim was just getting bigger. I was feeling like Tim Hardaway Jr was feeling tonight. It was just one of those days.”

Alkins’ performance carried his team to a 59-51 victory. Briscoe dropped a team-high 18 points for New Jersey.

Former Knick Buck Williams was joined by Carmelo Anthony to watch the championship game after the Knicks’ victory over the Bulls. The two also signed autographs and posed for photos with the teams.

Terminal 23’s Take Flight NYC tournament featured some of the top talent across the five boroughs, Long Island and New Jersey and provided a platform for them to go head-to-head as they battled it out for bragging rights in the mecca of basketball. And in its inaugural tournament, Queens snatched the crown in dramatic fashion with wins over teams that featured some of the country’s top-ranked players.

The post Take Flight NYC High School Tournament Recap appeared first on SLAM.

by Randy Miller / R_Miller12

Last Friday night, the highly-anticipated 8EYE Classic was held on the hallowed grounds of Ben Franklin High School in the City of Brotherly Love. An elite showcase game for high school boys on the East Coast, the event bucked the normal format of creating teams based on grade, focusing on match-ups instead. The event was hosted by, Jamie Boyer, CEO of 8EYE Media.

The rainy weather could not keep the crowd at home for the inaugural event, where both games being jam-packed from tip-off. The atmosphere was electric, with the crowd ranging from the average fan to local college basketball stars, all trying to find the place to take in the action. Highlights were plentiful during the contests, and unlike most all-star games, both games were very competitive, with both coming down to the final minute in order to be decided. Hats off to Jaime Boyer for a putting together a quality event.

Below are some of the players who stood out.

8 Eye Classic Evaluations

Game 1:

Nazeer Bostic, 6-5, SG, Math, Civics & Sciences (PA), 2016: Nazeer Bostic’s hard work and patience is beginning to pay dividends. After spending last season primarily in a reserve role, the sophomore guard exploded onto the hoops scene during AAU summer ball while playing with Philly Triple Threat. On Friday night, he displayed the ability to get to the basket, being adept at drawing foul. He also finished with either hand through contact and exhibited decent athleticism. Moving forward, he must develop a consistent jump shot. Bostic has been receiving offers from James Madison, Robert Morris, Penn State, LIU-Brooklyn, and Drexel.

Anthony Carr, 6-1, PG, Roman Catholic (PA), 2016: There’s only one way to sum up Tony Carr’s game: Smooth. The sophomore guard has a feel for the game that simply can’t be taught. A great floor leader with a high basketball I.Q., Carr consistently finished in traffic or shot the long ball, totaling 16 points. He finished as the Game 1 MVP for the White team, after demonstrating excellent court vision and being very court savvy. He will need to develop a consistent mid-range jumper and needs to get stronger. Nonetheless, he could develop into a big-time prospect. He’ currently receiving early interest from American Athletic and Big Ten conference schools.

Eric Ayala, 6-2, PG, Sanford (DE), 2017: One of the few freshman invited to play, Ayala did not disappoint. He scored mostly by attacking the basket. When that wasn’t an option, Ayala pulled up for the mid-range shot or found the open man. Penn State and Detroit are showing early interest.

Trevon Duval, 6-2, PG, St. Benedict’s (NJ), 2017: Although he didn’t score a lot of points, the left-handed baseline dunk in traffic provided a glimpse of what we could expect from this talented freshman. This is a player definitely worth keeping an eye on in the next few year. Per CoBL, already has an offer from Seton Hall.

Quade Green, 6-0-, PG, Neumann-Goretti (PA), 2017: A classic Philly point guard, he’s a consummate floor general that pushed the tempo, and demonstrated good handle and the ability to operate in pick and roll situations. He got to the basket at will and was very good at finishing in traffic. green is able to make players around him better and possesses a good basketball I.Q.

Game 2:

Levan Alston, Jr., 6-3, PG-SG, Haverford School (PA), 2015: Held his own while on the same stage with some of the nation’s elite. A solid combo guard, Alston can score in a variety of ways and usually lets the game come to him. He showed the ability to consistently knock down open J’s, and also converted on put-backs against taller defenders. Aside from being able to score in the lane against taller, more athletic defenders, he’s known as a high character kid. Currently, he’s received offers from Temple, LaSalle, UPenn, Rhode Island and Penn State.

Wade Baldwin, 6-2, PG, St. Joseph’s (NJ), 2014: The Vanderbilt commit stole the show, exploding for 18 first-half points. He’s a strong combo guard with decent athleticism that can get to the rack and finish in traffic. Baldwin showed range on his jump-shot and also exhibited good handle and court vision. His long arms enable him to be a disruptive defender. Additionally, he demonstrated great lateral movement. He received offers from Minnesota, Rutgers, Pitt, and Virginia Tech.

Isaiah Briscoe 6-3, G, Roselle Catholic (NJ), 2015: Powerful combo guard that’s extremely shifty and crafty. He’s great at using his body to shield the ball from defender. Briscoe finishes through contact and is very good at drawing fouls. He has the ball on a string and is great at separating from defender. The highly-touted junior finished with 24 points. He holds numerous offers, including Miami, Arizona, Florida, Michigan, and Villanova, to name a few.

Donte Divincenzo, 6-4, SG, Salesianum School (DE), 2015: A combo guard who still managed to be very involved in the game despite limited looks, exhibiting great court vision and an automatic jumper. He showcased very good elevation when shooting, as well as good handle. His elite athleticism was on full display, having been on the receiving end of a few alley-oops. Divincenzo ultimately finished the game with 11 points. He’s received offers from Villanova, Notre Dame, St. Joseph’s, Penn State, and LaSalle, among others.

Ja’Quan Newton, 6-2, PG, Neumann-Goretti (PA), 2014: Newton is very explosive from the  one-spot and scores in bunches. He finishes strong in traffic and through contact despite his slender build. He excels in pick and roll situations and gets to the basket at will. The miami commit is able to make players around him better. Additionally, he’s already developed a decent floater and is known to  be a consistent shooter, while having decent handle and good court vision. Newton showed that can excel at the next level and finished with a game-high of 34 points.

Isaiah Whitehead, 6-4, PG, Lincoln (NY), 2014: A natural scorer that excels in transition and also showed to be a good distributor. His decent frame allows him to draw fouls and finish. The Seton Hall commit showed superb command of the ball, which allowed him to create off the dribble. Whitehead exhibited good separation moves and can shoot the lights out, hitting two NBA-range three-pointers from the right wing as he went head-to-head with Isaiah Briscoe. He hit a third three-pointer as he was being fouled from the same distance, which brought the crowd to its feet.Whitehead’s 26 points garnered him the MVP trophy for the Black Team and ultimately led them to the victory.

The post 8EYE Classic Notebook appeared first on SLAM.

Many of the top ranked recruits in the tri-state area will converge in Philly next week for the 8Eye Classic. With high-profile names like Seton Hall bound shooter Isaiah Whitehead, Miami bound guard JaQuan Newton, Maryland bound swingman Jared Nickens, and top-20 juniors Derrick Jones and Isaiah Briscoe all expected to play in the Friday night showdown, it’s definitely an event worth checking out for any basketball fans in the area. The action starts at 7pm on Friday, October 11 at Ben Franklin HS (550 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA). Visit 8eyemedia.com for more information.

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Nike Basketball’s Tournament of Champions, a five team, four-day tournament showcasing some of the country’s best high school, men’s and women’s players—from New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Chicago and Los Angeles—descended upon New York City this past weekend. It was a well-planned, well-executed event, with guests such as Kevin Durant and James Harden watching courtside at Duggal Greenhouse in Brooklyn, NY.

When it was all said and done, Team Chicago won the men’s title, and New York’s boys and girls won championships in their respective high school division. Scroll through the gallery above for snapshots of a memorable weekend, which celebrated a memorable summer.

The post Nike Tournament of Champions Recap (PHOTOS) appeared first on SLAM.

by Eldon Khorshidi | @eldonadam

This past weekend, the competition and fanfare of summer basketball culminated in Nike Basketball’s Tournament of Champions. Over the course of four days, at various playgrounds and gymnasiums in New York City, some of the country’s best players—from NYC, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Chicago and Los Angeles—competed in a five-team tournament to earn bragging rights as the “best basketball city in the country.” There was also a boy’s division, showcasing some of the top high school players in the tri-state area.

When it was all said and done, New York (high school), and Team NIKE Chicago (men’s) emerged victorious.

High School Division

New York 90, New Jersey 88 (OT)

It was a little over two weeks ago when guys from New York and Jersey were competing—and running the show—as teammates in the Big Strick Classic, representing the tri-state area against some of the highest-ranked players from around the country. New Yorker’s like Isaiah Whitehead and Khadeen Carrington were standing tall, together, trying to hold down their home turf.

But as we saw over the weekend, representing the tri-state area in the Big Strick and representing your borough/region in the TOC are mutually exclusive, and the level of intensity increases when trying to determine who is the best within the New York area.

So when New York and New Jersey matched up in the TOC finals, what ensued was a heated battle, with crowd-deafening noise, numerous lead changes and, of course, overtime.

New Jersey got out to a strong start, with Briscoe (a 6-3 PG in the class of 2015 with offers from Arizona, UConn, Ohio State and others) controlling the game with his tight handle and terrific scoring ability. The New York team—comprised of Whitehead, Carrington, Syracuse-bound Chris McCullough, Rutgers-bound Mike Williams and others—struggled from the start, with New York’s guards taking ill-advised shots and the big men moseying around the paint watching the guards take ill-advised shots.

So while New York was going through the motions, New Jersey continued to get out in transition, looking for open teammates and finishing at the cup. Before NY had time to regroup, NJ was up 47-26 at half.

Over, right?

Ha. Never. Not with the New York team.

If you’ve ever watched guys like Whitehead and McCullough compete, you know that for some reason they perform best under pressure, with their backs against the wall, the crowd in their ears and the opposition clapping in their face.

For Whitehead (a 2014 PG who is down to Syracuse, Arizona, UCLA, Miami and Indiana), it’s almost a Hulk-like transformation; when he gets angry, his face becomes stoic and he plays like a man possessed, scoring at will and without any regard or courtesy for his opponents.

Whitehead came out on a mission in the second half and overtime, picking his spots and scoring from all over the floor. He scored 20 of his 25 points during this span, and using a full-court press, NY used a big third quarter to close the gap. Carrington, who finished with 19 points, also came alive in the second half. At the end of the third quarter, New Jersey was up 58-54, barely holding onto the lead.

In the fourth, Briscoe started to heat-up, but the dynamic trio of NY guards (Whitehead, Carrington, Williams) answered every Jersey basket and the momentum was fully theirs. Down 78-72, Williams hit a clutch 3-pointer to trim the lead to three points with 1:17 left. On the following possession, Whitehead dished to Williams for an and-1 layup, and with 48 seconds remaining, the game was tied at 78, and headed for overtime.

In the extra session, New York’s guards proved to be too much. Whitehead scored nine points in OT, and New York had a semi-comfortable five-point lead throughout the period.

It wasn’t easy, but the hometown boys came out with the win. Just like they expected.

Men’s Division

Chicago 108, Washington D.C. 90

Behind strong play from guards Jamarcus Ellis, Chris Singletary and Osiris Eldridge, and with Kevin Durant watching from the stands, Team Chicago cruised to a 108-90 victory in the Nike Tournament of Champions final at Duggal Greenhouse on Saturday.

Washington D.C. (Goodman League) had some stretches when they looked poised for a run, but Team Chicago never let the momentum shift, using sound defense and easy transition opportunities to take home the TOC crown.

The win concludes an epic summer of basketball for Nike, which hosted daily regional leagues across the nation and continued to foster and facilitate national interest in the streetball scene.

The boys from Illinois came through, handled their business and emerged unscathed in the Mecca of Hoops. Congrats and much respect to Team Chicago, and a huge “hat tip” to Nike for showing us all that Summer is (definitely) Serious. Great stuff all around.

The post Nike Tournament of Champions Recap appeared first on SLAM.

by Eldon Khorshidi | @eldonadam

The third annual Big Strick Classic was once again a highly competitive and enjoyable event, showcasing some of the best high school talent in the country along with New York’s trademark passion for basketball.

Led by guards Isaiah Whitehead (16 points) and Isaiah Briscoe (11 points, to go with an awe-inspiring ball handling exhibition), along with forwards Cheick Diallo (23 points & 12 rebounds), Thomas Bryant (15 & 6) and Chris McCullough (17 & 9), Team NYC took control in the second half and emerged with a 126-110 victory over Team USA. The local kids avenged last year’s 87-86 heartbreaking defeat, but more importantly, now lead the all-time series, 2-to-1.

With the AAU circuit and skills camps in the rearview, the Big Strick Classic concludes a hectic summer of basketball (save for those competing in the UA Elite 24). Picking up on last year, an at-capacity Gauchos Gym played host to a highly intense, go hard or get exposed 48-minute contest. Based off the talent pool, raucous fanfare and increasing media presence, Big Strick is seemingly on the cusp of becoming a nationally-known event. Every year, ignited by the NYC team’s prideful defense of the Tri-state area and the USA team’s desire to make their own statement in the Mecca of hoops, the players elevate their games and show out in a hostile, unforgiving environment, which always makes for great basketball.

The event’s growing alumni list includes Archie Goodwin (Kentucky/Phoenix Suns), Kyle Anderson (UCLA), Andrew and Aaron Harrison (Kentucky), Troy Williams (Indiana), Chris Walker (Florida), Omar Calhoun (UConn), Jermaine Lawrence (Cincinnati), Robert Hubbs (Tennessee), Kuran Iverson (Memphis), and many others.

This year was no different, with a handful of the best high school talent on display. Organized by Left Hand Right Hand, LLC, the game was dedicated in memory of its namesake, the late John “Franchise” Strickland. A streetball legend in New York City, Strickland died in his sleep at the too-young age of 38 in October of 2010.

Strickland played college ball at Pacific University, and spent six seasons in the USBL, but his legacy was made on city asphalt. Strick coined the phrase “finish your breakfast,” reminding us that no move—no matter how eye-pleasing—is complete until the ball goes in the hoop. A childhood friend of Jay Z, HOV gives a nod to Strickland in the song Public Service Announcement, saying “My homie Strick told me ‘Dude finish your breakfast,’ So that’s what I’ma do…”

The players first gathered last Friday afternoon at Gauchos Gym in the Bronx. Led by Coach Sam Clark of UnderDogs Training and Coach Christian “Pop” Popoola of PremierBall.com, the players worked through a series of drills, including finishing through contact using Pop’s E.A.T. Battle Pads. Through constructively critical instruction, the kids were introduced to pro-style workouts, and were reminded that even though they’re elite at this level, they still have a long ways to go to reach their ultimate goal.

After a few hours of workouts, the teams had their first lick at each other in two 40-minute scrimmages. It started off a little sluggish, but as sweat started to accumulate, the atmosphere shifted towards a competitive seriousness that carried into gameday.

On Saturday, players competed in a 3-point and jaw-dropping dunk contest (tape of both is above). Brooklyn’s own son, Whitehead, took home the 3-point crown, and high-flyer Ladarrius Chester emerged as the dunk contest winner. Overall, the dunk contest was really special—it was the greatest performance of dunks I’ve ever seen in my life, and that’s not an exaggeration. Every throwdown was NBA-caliber.

After the pregame festivities, the game commenced. Team USA led at halftime, but in the second half, NYC picked up its transition game, and behind Briscoe, McCullough and Whitehead, increased its lead and never looked back.

Let’s break down some of the top players at the event. Be sure to check out the countless videos above, and also some great snapshots from the event in our photo gallery.

Scouting Report: Notable Players

Team USA

Kelly Oubre Jr. (Findlay Prep)

2014, SF, 6-7, 190 — Overall MVP of event

Offers from Kansas, UConn, Louisville, Kentucky and others

On Friday, Oubre was the star of the scrimmage, scoring 36 points, including five 3-pointers. And on Saturday, he followed up with a 25-point, 9-rebound outing, taking home game MVP honors.

In my estimation, Kelly Oubre is one of the five best players in the country, and projects to be a 2015 first-round pick. He has smooth range on his lefty jumpshot, is versatile to defend three backcourt positions, has supreme bounce and length, and can finish with his right hand.

Oubre is a great athlete who feeds off his defense to create transition opportunities. He can make plays off the dribble and finishes with thunderous authority. The kid is a moving pogo stick with unreal bounce and a mean streak; there is no doubt Kelly Oubre is a future NBA player.

Stephen Zimmerman (Bishop Gorman)

2015, C, 6-11, 215 — Team USA Co-MVP

Offers from Arizona, UConn, Kansas, Memphis, Indiana and others

With great size and length, Zimmerman is skilled beyond his years and has a uniquely-high basketball IQ for his age. At the Big Strick, he showcased an arsenal of advanced moves against more athletic defenders like Cheick Diallo and Chris McCullough, including exceptional timing on up-and-under moves, deft footwork, dunking ability with both hands and an overall presence when he was in the paint.

The hype surrounding Zimmerman is real, and it’s viable for him to be a lottery pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

He has excellent passing ability out of the high post, and can both face up and back his man down. In short, he has elite tools across the board and has the talent to dominate. He is a top-5 player in his class for sure, and maybe a top-3 big man in the country right now.

Ahmed Hill (Aquinas High School)

2014, G, 6-5, 190 — Team USA Co-MVP

Offers from Florida, Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kansas and others

Ahmed Hill is special.

The kid has everything you want in a basketball player: immense talent, great size for his position, an extremely high basketball IQ, the ability lead, and the ability to get everyone else better.

He can play both guard positions, but if I were a coach, I’d give Hill the keys to the offense and let him operate. He sees the floor extremely well, can get into the paint and finish at the rim, and he competes hard on every possession. Hill rarely commits turnovers, can handle the ball against pressure and is a dynamic playmaker. I’ve seen all the top point guards in the class of 2014, and in my opinion, there’s not a point guard in 2014 who Ahmed Hill can’t compete with. I’m a huge fan.

JaQuan Lyle (Bosse HS)

2014, SG, 6-4, 185

Committed to Louisville

Lyle is a combo guard with a wide frame and terrific shooting ability. He can shoot coming off screens, in a catch-and-shoot stance, or off the dribble. He has solid footwork as well, allowing him to create space and get his shot off with ease.

Lyle is also a solid passer, as he showcased full-court vision and passing ability. He can create for teammates and make plays, but his go-to is off the dribble shooting ability. He pours it in.

Derrick Jones (Philadelphia, PA/Archbishop Carroll HS)

2015, SF, 6-6, 185

Offers from Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland and others

Jones is an under-the-radar stud. He is a lanky, skinny kid with arguably the most bounce in the country. He effortlessly gets eye-level with the rim, and has improved his finishing ability.

Jones needs to fill out his frame and shore up his jumpshot, but he has the athletic tools to be a force on the court. He has excellent finishing ability, and is a versatile defender. If his skills catch up to his body, he has a chance to be special.

Jalen Lindsey (Huntington Prep)

2014, SF/PF, 6-7, 185

Committed to Providence

Lindsey is a cerebral player with freakish athleticism. He operates smoothly on the wing, is an effective slasher and explodes to the rim with even the slightest inch of separation.

He plays with an infectious energy and can shoot out to 20 feet. What’s fascinating about Lindsey is that although he’s right handed, he prefers to go left, which keeps defenders on their toes. Lindsey doesn’t’ waste dribbles and can explode through the lane.

At this point, Lindsey needs to shore up two things: His ball handling skills, and more importantly, his assertiveness.

He’ll need to improve his handle to make him a true small forward and perimeter threat. Working with dribbling guru G-d Shamgod at Providence will help him in this regard. Also, he needs to become more assertive, and develop a mean streak; the talent is undeniably there, but Lindsey doesn’t call for the ball and often disappears in games. He has too much talent to not touch the ball on 10 consecutive possessions, which seems to happen regularly when he’s playing.

Isaac Copeland(Brewster Academy)

2014, SF, 6-8, 190

Committed to Georgetown

Copeland is an extremely versatile swingman with huge upside. He has a bevy of skills to develop, and if he does, he can become a go-to player at Georgetown.

At 6-8, he has great shooting mechanics and a high release point to get off any shot he wants. He has vertical bounce and covers ground quickly on defense. Copeland is lanky and will need to fill out his frame, but he has a soft touch and an athletic frame. Isaac is only starting to come into his own, and has the frame and tools to be a great player one day.

Ladarrius Chester (Melrose HS)

2014, PG, 6-1

Interest from Tennessee, Wichita State, Texas A&M, Murray State and others

Only 6-1, Chester is an electric point guard with next-level athleticism and a massive chip on his shoulder.

Chester is a bully. He has broad shoulders, and uses his strong frame to finish through contact at the rim. The next step for him is learning how to run an offense, but even still, he’s a fearless competitor with great physical tools. And, man, his bounce…wow.

Mustapha Heron (Wilbraham & Monson Academy)

2016, SG, 6-4, 197

Interest from several high-major schools

Heron is physical specimen for his age. He has the body of a strong running back, and has great body control and explosiveness on the basketball court.

He has excellent ball handling ability for his size, and is versatile to defend three positions.

Heron seems lost at times, often dribbling into nowhere or just feeling out the game while he’s on the court. If he can improve his feel for the game, he has the athletic tools and skill-set to be a high-impact player.

Team NYC

Chris McCullough (Brewster Academy)

2014, PF, 6-10, 220

Committed to Syracuse

McCullough finished the game with 19 points and 7 rebounds, and continued to display the athletic gifts he possesses.

He is a physical specimen with great upside. With very long arms and great mobility, he should have an immediate impact in Syracuse’s 2-3 zone, and also in their transition-heavy attack. He gets eye-level with the rim, and is a dangerous weak-side shot blocker.

McCullough is very raw right now, as he needs to develop his frame and a back-to-the-basket/face-up game, but his athletic abilities are jaw-dropping. With freakishly long arms, he doesn’t go to the rim; he goes at the rim, trying to dunk everything in his path. He’s started to showcase a motor, something that will set him apart from the rest. He has NBA potential for sure.

Isaiah Whitehead (Lincoln HS)

2014, PG, 6-4, 195

Offers from Syracuse, Arizona, UCLA and others

No matter who’s matched up against him, Isaiah will compete his butt off—we saw him battle with Archie Goodwin two summers ago, and Andrew Harrison last year.

This year it was more of the same, except Whitehead showcased something we hadn’t seen before: unlimited range on a smooth jumpshot. Whitehead took home the 3–point contest crown, and in Friday’s scrimmage he hit a few near-half-court contested jumpshots.

His shooting mechanics need work, as he releases the ball just above his chest, but his jumpshot has noticeaby improved. He’s in-between a point guard and shooting guard, but if he’s going to play at the next level it will be at PG. In order to make this transition, he’ll need to work on his passing, as he’s more of a scoring guard right now.

Whitehead is one of the best attackers in the class, and has a vast offensive arsenal to break his man down and put the ball in the hoop. Whitehead always had immense talent, but he would often take ill-advised shots and have tunnel vision with the basketball. Now, he’s found a comfortable balance, showing a willingness to reverse the ball and play within the offense, and then attack if an opportunity presents itself. In my estimation, right now Whitehead is the best guard in New York.

Cheick Diallo(Our Savior New American)

2015, PF, 6-9, 215 — Team NYC Co-MVP

Native of Mali

Offers from Arizona, Kansas, St. John’s and others

Diallo had a strong showing at the Big Strick, finishing with 23 points and 12 rebounds.

In terms of his game, it was more the usual: A defensive standout, but unpolished offensively. Diallo can guard both power forwards and centers—he and Stephen Zimmerman had quite the battle down low—and quickly gets off his feet to block everything that comes his way. He could easily be the best help-side defender in the country. Diallo makes it a personal mission to alter every shot in his vicinity, and has excellent mobility and bounce to run the floor lurking for blocks. He is young and extremely aggressive.

On offense, though, he needs a lot of work. He has virtually no feel in the paint, and had some trouble finishing at the rim. If he can make progress on offense, he will be a valuable high-major prospect. If he can’t, he’ll settle for being one of the best rim protectors in the nation.

Isaiah Briscoe (Roselle Catholic)

2015, SG, 6-3, 200 — Team NYC Co-MVP

Offers from UConn, Florida, Indiana and others

Briscoe is a strong guard with an outstanding handle, great body control and finishing ability. He doesn’t play above the rim, but he uses his body well and has a versatile skill-set—scoring, passing and getting out in transition—to make a significant impact. He legitimately took over the Big Strick with his handle, giving the USA team fits. Multiple body types tried to slow him down, and they just couldn’t.

Briscoe will take what the defense gives him, and then make them pay. He’s not an elite athlete, but he converts difficult shots from the perimeter and has the confidence to battle with any guard. He has great talent, and in authentic New York/Jersey fashion, always gets up for the challenge.

I’d be surprised if Briscoe is not a McDonald’s All-American in 2015.

Thomas Bryant (Bishop Kearney HS)

2015, SF/PF, 6-9, 200

Offers from Syracuse, Florida, Ohio State and others

At 6-foot-9 and still so young, Bryant has the makings of a future star. He is undoubtedly a top 10 player in the class of 2015.

He is a high-level athlete with a versatile skill-set and endless motor. He can put it on the floor, shoot out to 17 feet, bang down low, and finish above the rim. Many have said Bryant is the best power forward in his class. He plays on a loaded Team Scan AAU team which features 2014 forward Chris McCullough, 2015 forward Cheick Diallo and 2016 forward Kassoum Yakwe.

Bryant’s perimeter game is still fairly raw. Although he’s shown improvement in his handle and is becoming more comfortable on the perimeter, right now he plays mostly in the paint. Still, the skills and talent are definitely there. He projects to make an immediate impact at a high-major school.

Terry Larrier (The Phelps School)

2014, SF, 6-7, 200

Offers from VCU, UConn, Miami, Maryland, Texas and others

Larrier has great length and runs the floor with long, fluid strides. He is a big-time talent whose best basketball is clearly ahead of him. He can effortlessly finish on the break, and because of his great size for a small forward (6-7), he can shoot over smaller defenders. If he can crash the boards with more conviction and fill out his frame, Larrier will become a better offensive player, and can slowly develop into a legitimate prospect.

Bashir Ahmed (John F. Kennedy HS)

2014, SG, 6-4, 200

Verbally Committed to Iona

Ahmed is a long and athletic 6-4 guard with advanced moves. He is a freak athlete who flies off of one foot, and has next-level explosion.

Plain and simple, if he had a more consistent jumpshot, Ahmed would be a high-major prospect. He has great size and wingspan, can get into the lane at will, is a solid defender and an excellent rebounder from the wing. I have a feeling that Ahmed will shore up his fundamentals under Tim Cluess, and eventually make national noise at Iona. He has the requisite gifts to do so.

Khadeen Carrington (Bishop Laughlin)

2014, SG, 6-3, 185

Offers from Boston College, Hofstra, Iowa State, Pittsburgh and others

Carrington is a smooth lefty with great bounce. He is a little undersized, but he is crafty with the ball, can finish in transition and has an effective in-between game. He can play both on/off the ball, and has seen his stock rise throughout the year.

Shavar Newkirk (Cardinal Hayes)

2014, PG, 5-11, 175

Committed to St. Joe’s

Newkirk is a tough point guard who plays good defense and can direct his teammates. He gets into the paint and can finish around bigger defenders. He should continue to improve, particularly in his passing and jumpshot. If he can, he has the confidence and toughness to compete with guys who are bigger than him.

Prince Ali (The Sagemont School)

2015, 6-3, 180, G

Offers from Georgia, Illinois, UConn and others

Ali is a very athletic guard who attacks the rim in transition and makes things happen with the ball in his hands. He has extremely long arms, which make him effective defensively, and also has deft passing ability in the paint.

Ali is a high-major prospect with great upside. If he can shore up his jumpshot, he has a chance to be a dynamic playmaker with freak athletic ability.

Rawle Alkins (Christ The King)

2016, SG, 6-4, 174,

Interest from several high-major schools

Alkins is a big-time athlete with nice size and strong finishing ability. He dunks the ball with ease, and is a solid defender. Right now, his bread and butter is getting into the paint and scoring, which he does very well.

Alkins has a lot of time to develop into a high-major prospect. He’s certainly on the right path.

Mike Williams (Bishop Loughlin)

2014, SG, 6-2, 175

Committed to Rutgers

Williams is an all-around player who does a little bit of everything. He’s undersized for his position, but he compensates with deep range on his jumpshot and sound passing instincts. He’s a versatile player who can score in a variety ways; he has a great feel for the game and is talented. Under the tutelage of Eddie Jordan, Williams has a chance to make a significant impact at Rutgers.

Unique McLean(Hoosac School)

2016, SG, 6-1, 175

Interest from Detroit, Siena, Boston and others

Unique is a great athlete with a legitimate 40-inch vertical. He can get into the lane and create. He doesn’t really have a position right now, as he’s a scorer in point guard’s body, but his athletic gifts help him make an impact. He is only a rising sophomore, so McLean has time to hone his point guard skills and bring it all together.

The post Big Strick Classic Recap appeared first on SLAM.

While our top-ranked prospect from the Class of 2014 Tyus Jones led Nike’s EYBL regular season in total points, our continuing top-ranked member in the Class of 2015 Malik Newman led the EYBL in scoring average with 24.7 points per game. The 6-4 shooting guard was also his team’s leading rebounder as of last week.

Scoring seems to come naturally to Newman, and while he’s shown the ability of being a combo-guard, he’d ideally be a 2-guard at the next level. It wasn’t just his AAU performance that keep him at the top of this list, he also posted 23 points and 5.3 rebounds per game during the HS season, leading Callaway (Jackson, MS) to the Class 5A state title for the second straight year, and was subsequently earning MaxPrep’s National Sophomore of the Year.

Ivan Rabb comes in at a very close second after also having his presence felt in the AAU circuit and the HS season, where he averaged 22 points and 13 rebounds, leading Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, CA) to the North Coast Section title. Diamond Stone, also trailing very closely behind him, led his team to a state title as well—its second consecutive—after putting up double-double averages of his own. Both big man dominated the paint like no others in the class have.

All in all, you can’t go wrong with either of the top three at No. 1. All three demonstrated this past season that aside from being great individual players, they’re proven winners.

The post SLAM Fresh 25 – 2015 appeared first on SLAM.