2008 Summer AAU Thread

[BasX]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>LOS ANGELES -- Although 6-8 senior Tyler Honeycutt (Sylmar, Calif.) displayed the most promise with his feathery shooting touch and bouncy nature, it would be the underclassmen taking center stage at the UCLA Skills Camp, most notably 6-5 junior Tyler Lamb (Ontario, Calif./ Colony), 6-3 sophomore Jabari Brown (Richmond, Calif./ Salesian) and 6-7 sophomore Kyle Wiltjer (Portland, Ore./ Jesuit).

Tyler Lamb ranks No. 34 overall in the ESPN Super 60 for the Class of 2010.
Lamb was the steadiest out of all the prospects and demonstrated why he is one of a few elite-level wing-types in the West. Brown plays with skill and savvy well beyond his years while Wiltjer exhibits the scoring gifts of former Cal-Berkeley standout Ryan Anderson.</div>

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/...tory?id=3470448

[BasX]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>AKRON, Ohio- The story at the Lebron James Skills Academy is the inspired play of the big men, and no one was better on day two than DeMarcus Cousins.

DeMarcus Cousins (UAB commitment)- Much has been made about the freakish length of John Henson, who measures 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-4.5 wing span. But that doesn't match Cousins, who comes in at 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-6 wing span at 269-pounds. Always regarded as the best passing big man in the class, Cousins was dominant on the boards and scored the ball in a variety of ways. There is not much a defender can do once Cousins gets an edge on him when attacking the basket on the dribble. He had some sensational finishes around the rim, and played with focus on the defensive end. The simple story is that he is making a case for being considered the top big man in the class.

John Henson (North Carolina commitment)- After drawing rave reviews for his play on day one, Henson had a strong day two as well. Despite his thin frame at 183-pounds, Henson is playing with a physical edge to his game. He is breaking out of position to block shots and is seeking the ball off the glass. His offensive game is full of potential and has been his calling card, but his effort on the other side of the ball was impressive on day two.

Alex Oriakhi (Connecticut commitment)- At 6-foot-9, 224-pounds and a wing span of 7-foot-4, Oriakhi is an impressive bundle of muscle and energy. He dominated the middle in a game against Keith Gallon and DeShawn Painter, blocking jump hook attempts, snagging every rebound in site and then scoring the ball on post moves and a midrange jumpers. Oriakhi just continues to improve day to day.</div>

http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/con....asp?CID=824947

[BasX]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>PHILADELPHIA -- The first day of the Reebok All American Camp failed to produce a single breakout performance, but instead the depth in the junior and sophomore classes was the big story. Juniors Brandon Knight (Coral Springs, Fla.), Pe'Shon Howard (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), Patrick Young (Jacksonville, Fla.) and Derrick Williams (Jersey City, N.J.) got it going early and youngsters Myck Kabongo (Newark, N.J.), LaQuinton Ross (Jackson, Miss.), Perry Ellis (Kansas City) established themselves as rising stars.

On the other hand, with a few exceptions the big name seniors in the camp have struggled to get on track. Renardo Sidney (Los Angeles), who dominated the camp last year in the first day, played lackluster baksetball. The same could be said for Kenny Boynton (Pompano Beach, Fla.), who had trouble getting into a rhythm.

However, players like Avery Bradley (Tacoma, Wash.) and Thomas Robinson (Washington, D.C.) took advantage of their opportunities and played inspired basketball in front of the multitudes of college coaches in attendance.</div>

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/...tory?id=3480850

[BasX]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The second annual adidas It Takes 5ive Classic at the University of Cincinnati was a well-organized, highly-competitive tournament featuring some of the best talent in the country performing at a high level. Teams played in their respective age groups -- 17-and-under, 16-U and 15-U.

In the 17-U championship division it was the All Ohio Force defeating D.C. Assault 78-74. The big difference was 6-9 Matt Kavanaugh and Bill Edwards; they combined for 33 points in the victory. For D.C. Assault, super-quick Darrly Traynham scored 22 points and the talented Rodney McGruder went for 23.

In the 16-U, again it was the home team; All Ohio Red came out on top 78-74. Jordan Sibert scored 18 and Jared Sullinger added 16 for the champs. Eric Atkins gave it his best and scored 18 for D.C. Assualt.

In the 15-U division, the Ohio Basketball Club beat the Michigan Mustangs 64-49. Chane Behanan was awesome going for 30 points for Ohio. The Mustangs were lead by tough power forward Percy Gibson with 19pts.</div>

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/...tory?id=3479845

[BasX]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Tommy Mason-Griffin of the Houston Hoops has been the only player in the tournament field that changes the energy in the game when he touches the ball. The odds of something special happening improved instantly when he was in control.

Clearly, he was the guy to see for the locals as the limited seating was filled before tip and the crowd above was standing shoulder to shoulder. TMG was the hottest ticket in town. Why? How about a 22-point, five assist second half effort and a "get on my back boys, this is going to be fun" type of game he played against the Rising Stars.

Down by double digits in the first half, the Houstonian finished with 24 points, seven assists and four rebounds in the 62-58 win. It seemed like every time he touched the ball, Mason-Griffin either scored on a jumper, drive to the hole or at the foul line. His passing was on point and his leadership down the stretch was top notch.

Two games later, the play of Team Texas forward Roger Franklin inspired his teammates to rise above Team Melo in a competitive match-up. Franklin is one of the best vocal leaders in the country, if not the best.

His play, whether it is scoring with pure grit and hustle inside or stepping out to the three-point line, was huge down the stretch in the second half. He scored three straight baskets and opened the game up to a lead that was just too big for Team Melo to overcom</div>

http://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/con....asp?CID=826536

[BasX]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. -- The Peach Jam is one of the major highlights of the July evaluation period. There were 24 elite teams in the U-17 event and 16 teams in the U-16 tournament, which is now known as the Sweet 16. Basketball coaches are in attendance from every level. They range from prep schools to every major conference in the country. Nike has made this tournament very convenient, with four gyms all under one roof at the Riverview Park and Activities Center. Now, coaches never have to leave the building during this evaluation period, as they can just simply walk across the hallway to the next gym. Stats are provided at the conclusion of each game, which is a plus because coaches can immediately add a statistical evaluation to their visual one.

The games are well coached and the talent is plentiful, with some of the best high school players in the country competing for four straight days. Games are played with passion and with a high level of intensity, and to keep the players rested and energized between the morning and evening games, the players are given a five-hour break. At the end of the tournament, the winner becomes one of the most respected and feared teams on the summer circuit.

The big names with "sweet games" that are in attendance representing the 2009 class are 6-6 wing Xavier Henry, 6-3 point guard John Wall and 6-10 forward/center DeMarcus Cousins.

In the 2010 class a couple of the headliners are 6-3 point guard Kendall Marshall and 6-5 scoring guard Andre Dawkins.

In the U-17 championship game, Boo Williams got off to a fast start and held off a late second half run by BABC to win the Peach Jam final 62-55. This game featured two of the most popular, talented and well coached teams that AAU basketball has to offer. UConn commits Jamal Coombs-McDaniel and Alex Oriakhi combined for 30 points and 15 rebounds. 2009 prospect Daryl Cato-Bishop contributed 12 rebounds for the athletic and physical front line of BABC. Boo Williams had a balanced scoring attack that was too tough to handle -- led by 2009 Florida commit Deshawn Painter's double-double. Marshawn Powell added 13 points and 9 rebounds. 2010 North Carolina commit Kendall Marshall, who added 12 points, 4 assist and 2 steals, controlled the game from the point and made big free throws to end the run by BABC.</div>

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/...tory?id=3487134

[BasX]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>ORLANDO -- Led by ESPN No. 2 overall prospect 6-6 G/F Xavier Henry (Oklahoma City/Putnam City) with 32 points and high-flying athlete Terrence Boyd (Norman, Okla.) with 20, ultra-talented Athlete's First from Oklahoma City held off Illinois Warriors 67-62 to win the 17-Under Super Showcase Gold championship Sunday. Six-foot-5 WF Drew Crawford (Napierville, Ill., Central), the son on NBA referee Danny Crawford, led the Warriors with 16 points, including four 3-pointers.

Athlete's First advanced to the title game with a tough 61-57 win against BABC in the quarterfinals Saturday morning and had a difficult 54-49 semifinal victory over the New York Gauchos that afternoon. Boyd had 20 points and Henry 18 points in the second win. After a relatively easy victory over Howard Pulley on Saturday morning, Illinois Warriors survived and advanced with an exciting, come-from-behind, 63-61 semifinal win over Spiece Mo-Kan Elite from Kansas City. With the score knotted at 61-61, Illinois commit 6-4 2G D.J. Richardson took a 3-pointer with 5.6 seconds left, was fouled and made two of three free throws to win the game for the Warriors. Crawford was again the top scorer with 20 points.

Birmingham Ice beat Expressions Juniors from Rhode Island 70-65 in the 17-U Super Showcase Silver Division championship game. 6-4 G/F Nigel Ramsey (Gardendale, Ala.), our pick as the MVP, led the Ice with 22 points, and superlative floor leader, 6-1 PG Eric Bledsoe (Birmingham, Ala./Parker) had 16 points and 9 assists. 6-7 forward Tucker Halpern (Denham, Mass./Noble & Greenough School) paced Expressions with 20 points.</div>

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/...tory?id=3507751

[BasX]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>LAS VEGAS -- Quality individual matchups dominated the final day of play at the adidas Super 64 in the semifinals and in the final. In one semifinal, Grassroots Canada, led by 6-1 PG Junior Cadougan (Humble, Texas/Christian Life Academy) and 6-8 SF Tristan Thompson (Newark, N.J./St. Benedict's) took on Pump-N-Run Elite which features talented 6-8 SF Tyler Honeycutt (Sylmar, Calif./Sylmar) and 6-3 PG Kendall Williams (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Los Osos). Cadougan, through his relentless penetration, helped his team capture the win and a berth in the final. In the other semifinal, the Compton Magic took on the Atlanta Celtics in a game that came down to the wire with the Compton Magic besting an undermanned Celtics team, which was missing 6-7 PF Terrance Shannon (Forsyth, Ga./Mary Persons). Point guard Shannon Sharpe (Senior, Corona, Calif./Corona Centennial) absolutely changed the game with his defensive effort against aggressive the Celtics' Trae Golden (Powder Springs, Ga./McEachern), shutting down Golden's penetration to the hoop.

Tristan Thompson's clutch free-throw shooting helped Grassroots Canada to a title.
Later in the day, the Compton Magic took on Grassroots Canada for all the marbles. The intensity seemed to get the best of the Compton Magic at times, as they committed ill-advised fouls 70 feet from the basket, resulting in easy free-throw opportunities for Grassroots Canada. Thompson, after struggling from the line throughout the game, hit a number of clutch free throws down the stretch. It looked like those free throws would seal the win for Grassroots, however, 6-4 combo-guard (Santa Barbara, Calif./Santa Barbara) Roberto Nelson hit a 3 to send it to overtime. The game went back-and-forth in the extra session with each team having opportunities to seal the win. Magic combo-guard Xavier Thames (Sacramento, Calif./Pleasant Grove) hit two free-throws to tie the game, but Grassroots missed a layup at the buzzer to win it, sending the game to a second overtime. After a valiant effort, the Magic could not overcome their failure to capitalize on Grassroots' mistakes, ultimately succumbing to the superior talent level of Grassroots Canada.</div>

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/...tory?id=3507156

[JCB]

I haven't looked at it completely, but upon inspecting the NJ/NY prospects and Rutgers targets, it looks like the finally have a few things right.

• Doron Lamb now a five star
• Kyrie Irving now ranked 27th; borderline five star (he's Rutgers 2nd top target in 2010 )
• Tobias Harris now ranked 33rd; borderline five star (he's Rutgers top target in 2010 ; we're going after him with all we have)

I think Tristan Thompson should be higher than 5th though. It's hard to imagine him not being top 3 in the country.

[BasX]

I haven't looked at it completely, but upon inspecting the NJ/NY prospects and Rutgers targets, it looks like the finally have a few things right.

• Doron Lamb now a five star
• Kyrie Irving now ranked 27th; borderline five star (he's Rutgers 2nd top target in 2010 )
• Tobias Harris now ranked 33rd; borderline five star (he's Rutgers top target in 2010 ; we're going after him with all we have)

I think Tristan Thompson should be higher than 5th though. It's hard to imagine him not being top 3 in the country.

I see Thompson as number four, or three. I can see Knight and Sullinger ahead of him. But Tyler dropped all the way top number 9, ouch