by Alex Schwartz

Live Evaluation period day two of the AAU Super Showcase is in the books, and so is the U15 tournament. Today the U17 games underway, and there will be talent aplenty here in Orlando, with big-time squads such as All-Ohio Red, Team Final (PA), CP3 All-Stars (NC), Albany City Rocks, NY Gauchos, Illinois Warriors, Nike Baltimore Elite, and more. I digress, though, back to Thursday's action, which allowed me to watch some quality young prospects, many of whom are from the South. Before I get to that, take a look at the school lists I collected:

Shane Larkin '11, Dr. Phillips (FL), Showtime Ballers: Clemson, Florida State, Virginia Commonwealth, Florida, South Carolina, George Mason, Miami, Marquette, Central Florida, South Florida, Florida Atlantic, and Ohio State
                             Offers: Virginia Commonwealth and Central Florida
                             Favorites: "I'm open right now."
                             Note- Regarding whether or not loactin would be a factor in his decision, Larkin said, "It's not about staying close to home, it's about going someplace where I have a good relationship with the coaches and they are coming at me the hardest."

Darion Atkins '11, Landon School (MD): Caron Butler Team Takeover: Virginia Tech, Maryland, Georgetown, George Mason, George Washington, Xavier, Virginia, and Wisconsin
                            Offers: Virginia Tech, George Mason, George Washington, and Wisconsin
                            Favorite: "The school that's showing a lot of interest is Virginia Tech, so I'm going down there in August. . . . So, I think Virginia Tech [is my favorite]."
                            Note- Atkins stated that there was a school in South Carolina recruiting him too, but he could not think of the name off the top of his head.

Ryan Helfert '11, Boonville (IN), Evansville Basketball Club: Evansville, Indiana Wesleyan (NAIA), Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Illinois, Wabash Valley (JuCo), and IPFW
                           Offers: None
                           Favorites: Evansville and Eastern Kentucky

Darious Paige '11, Southwind (TN), Memphis Stallions: Wright State
                              Offers: None
                              Favorites: n/a
                              Note- Paige said he had a few more schools looking at him, but stated, "I don't really pay attention to it. I'm just trying to get better. . . . I just remember that one [school]."

James Bourne '11, Bishop O'Connell (VA), Caron Butler Team Takeover: Richmond, Navy, UPenn, UNC-Wilmington, Lafayette, Davidson, and North Carolina A&T
                              Offers: UNC-Wilmington
                              Favorites: None
                              Note- Bourne, who said he has a 3.4 GPA, had some help from AAU Nima Omidvar when listing the schools.

Reggie Dillard '12, Dudley (NC), CP3 All-Stars: Oklahoma, Wake Forest, Kentucky, Virginia Tech, and Florida
                               Offers: None
                               Favorites: "Kentucky and Wake Forest. I like them a lot."

Omar Calhoun '12, Christ the King (NY), NY Gauchos: Villanova, Florida, Rutgers, St. John's, Maryland, Pitt, UConn, St. Joseph's, and Baylor
                               Offers: Villanova and St. John's
                               Favorites: None
                               Note- Calhoun told me that there are some other schools recruiting him that he could not think of, and stated, "Big East schools are all over me."

Kamali Bey '12, Sabis (MA), BABC: Oregon State, St. Joseph's, and Clemson
                          Offers: None
                          Favorites: None

Mario Nixon '12, Norfolk Christian (VA), Garner Road Buldogs: Clemson, Illinois, Tennessee, USC, Old Dominion, Cornell, Wake Forest, and Virginia Tech
                           Offers: None
                           Favorites: Tennessee, USC, Clemson, and Wake Forest
                           Note- Nixon mentioned that North Carolina is his dream school.

Nerlens Noel '12, Everett (MA), BABC: North Carolina, UCLA, UConn, Florida, and Boston College
                            Offers: n/a
                            Favorites: "I'm not sure yet. I like them all though."

James Robinson '12, DeMatha (MD), Caron Butler Team Takeover: Unknown
                                  Offers: n/a
                                  Favorites: n/a
                                  Notes- "Coaches have come in and talked to [DeMatha Head] Coach [Mike] Jones," said Robinson, when asked if anyone is actively recruiting him, but he did not know which schools. Robinson added that schools are talking to his parents too. In addition, in response to my question as to whether or not he has a dream school, he answered, "Not really. I just enjoy playing basketball so [it's really just] whatever opportunity comes [up]."

Dominique Bull '12, Cushing Academy (MA), BABC: Providence and SMU
                                Offers: Providence
                                Favorites: None

Georges Niang '12, Tilton School (NH)), BABC: SMU, Northeastern, Richmond, and Hartford
                                Offers: None
                                Favorites: "Probably SMU or Richmond."
                                Note- On what it was like to play with UConn-bound Alex Oriakhi '09 and Jamal Combs-McDaniel '09 at Tilton this year, Niang stated, "It was a great experience. They're great leaders on and off the court, pushing you to your limits, always wanting you to get better, wanting the team to get better."

Rodney Purvis '13, Upper Room Christian Academy (NC), CP3 All-Stars: Kentucky, North Carolina, Duke, Florida, Wake Forest, Colorado, North Carolina Central, and Oklahoma
                              Offers: None
                              Favorites: "Not quite a favorite. Everybody [is] the same."
                              Note- Since Purvis listed so many schools in NC, I asked if he wanted to stay in-state for college, and he replied, "It really doesn't matter. . . . It's just whatever college is best for me."

Goodluck Okonoboh '13, Tilton School (NH), BABC: Providence and UConn
                                        Offers: None
                                        Favorite: UConn
                                        Note- Okonoboh, the cousin of incoming UConn freshman Alex Oriakhi, stated that he may reclassify to 2014 after his freshman year.

Georgia Stars vs. CP3 All-Stars U15
This was truly a great basketball. The CP3 All-Stars were in complete command of the affair through the first half, holding a 16-point lead at the break. It really seemed as though the Georgia Stars were over matched and the boys from North Carolina, but then something crazy happened; the Peach State team reeled off 15 consecutive points to start the second half, and all of a sudden, it was a ballgame. The teams went back and forth the final part of the game, and the affair got very intense. When all was said and done, the Georgia Stars walked away with a big-time come-from-behind upset victory.
The CP3 All-Stars featured two highly-touted prospects and neither of them disappointed. The better performer was Reggie Dillard '12, a 6'2.5, 205 pound, power attack guard with a big frame. Although the rising sophomore does need to work on his overall offensive skill set, he gets to the hoop and also draws fouls. Defensively, Dillard is a lockdown defender and he puts a lot of effort into being a defensive stopper. Reggis, a legitimate high-major player, finished the game with 24 points (5/5 FT, 1 three), including 11 in the 4th quarter. Rodney Purvis '13 is talented enough to not only play on CP3's loaded U17 team, but actually get minutes. The youngster's first half showed why that is. As 6'2, Purvis is quick and athletic, displaying an ability to get to the cup. He dropped in 12 points in the first half, but was held scoreless in the second 16 minutes, including missing two free throws. Terek Coger '13 is already 6'6 and thick, yet he is just entering his freshman year. He is not overly skilled, but has the look of a player that could be very good down the road. He had just two points on 2/4 free throw shooting on the day.
The Georgia Stars do not have many well-known players, but they have some nice under-the-radar ballers. Although the team had just five players score, four of them are nice-looking players. The best current player is Jason Croom '12, who finished with 10 points (2/2 FT). An athletic prospect who rebounds the basketball, Croom is ver intense and hard-working. Jerome Hill '12 was the other main player who stood out, scoring 13 points (4/5 FT, one three), including 9 in the team's big third quarter. Hill can really score the ball and has a nice all-around game. Shaquille Calhoun '12 does not really wow you, but he gets things done. Calhoun led the team with 16 points (3/4 FT, one three). Jaron Blossomgame '12 had 10 points (2/3 FT), all in the second half, and like Calhoun, got it done. The Georgia Stars are, frankly, a great offensive rebounding team, which is a main reason why they were able to get back in the game and ultimately win it.

BABC U15
This team from Massachusetts has a bright future to say the least. With four possible high major players, including two near locks, this eight-man squad is very good. The most highly regarded player of the bunch is Nerlens Noel '12, a long and lanky 6'9 center. The big man is very raw and has a long way to go, but with his height at such a young age, he has a shot to be really good. Noel does need to work on his skill set a great deal and improve his hands, but he has some nice flashes here and there. In my opinion, the top prospect on the squad was a 6'7 rising freshman, Goodluck Okonoboh '13, the cousin of UConn-bound Alex Oriakhi '09. Okonoboh did not play much, but did well when he got in the game, working to block just about every shot in his vicinity. A nice athlete who is long and lanky, much like Noel, Okonoboh would be a major big-time recruit if he were to reclassify to 2014 as he is considering. Kamali Bey '12 and Dominique Bull '12 are 6'2 power guards, at 215 and 200 pounds respectively. Both of them are thick, can get to the cup, and make outside shots. Bey may well be a bit better of a prospect, but both have bright futures.
Three other players also looked good on this day. Jared Johnson '12 is 6'1, but is still adjusting to being a point guard, yet you would never know it from watching. Johnson has to play a big man position back home because he is the biggest kid, yet he really looked comfortable at the 1. He's a nice athlete who is a solid basketball player. Jaylen Brtantley '12 is only 5'9, but he is tough and plays the game well. He can shoot the rock and also distribute. Georges Niang '12 is about 6'7 and thick. Not overly skilled, he has a good frame for a player his age. Niang isn't at the level that Noel and Okonoboh are, but he is solid in his own right.

Evansville Basketball Club vs. Memphis Stallions U16
The Stallions were the top seed in the U16 bracket. Evansville BB Club either did not know that, did not care, or both. After coming out of the gates slowly, EBC began to go blow-for-blow with the Stallions, and then some. Led by the trio of Andrew Rasche '11, Nathan Bromm '11, and Ryan Helfert '11, EBC stayed with the boys from Tennessee. Darious Paige '11, though, was unstoppable for the Stallions, as he scored seemingly at will, en route to finishing with 25 points (five threes). Paige is only about 5'10, which will hold him back, but he is at least a low-major player, as the combo guard can really score. His twin brother Darius Paige '11 is only around 5'7, but is a heady floor leader and a fantastic, tough, aggressive, lockdown defender. Courtney Warren '11 picked up some of the scoring load (9 points, one three) for the TN team, but Darious Paige was the only player to finish in double-digits.
Digressing back to EBC, the aforementioned trio all look to be at least players worthy of low DI looks, with Rasche as the one that may be able to go the highest. The problem that Bromm and Helfert have is that they are shooters, but don't have great size. Rasche has that size, and can also play down low if needed. It was the overall balance of the team that led EBC to an eventual upset victory over the Stallions. Bromm led Evansville Basketball Club with 14 points (4 threes, 2/2 FT), while Helfert chipped in with 13 (1/1 FT, 9 in 2nd half), and Rasche added 11 (one three, 5/9 FT).

Caron Butler Team Takeover U16
Talk about a team that should be being watched by every low major up through mid-major plus school in the region—and for those who cast a wider recruiting net, even beyond—this squad is it. In fact, some lower level high-major schools should even be taking a look at a few of these kids. Here's the rundown on the talented prospects that fill this group's roster:
Taylor Abt '11
Darion Atkins '11
James Bourne '11
Julian Debose '11
AJ English '11
Brandon Ford '11
John Manning '11
Ibn Muhammed '11
Jon Schoof '11
Cahli Thomas '11
Derrick Wood '11
James Robinson '12
Yes, I did indeed list Team Takeover's entire roster, as the whole dozen of them have at least a shot to play DI basketball. Atkins, English, and Robinson are probably the highest level players on the team. Robinson is a class of 2012 player who is not well-known because he was the third-string PG at DeMatha (MD) for much of the year behind two high-major players. Frankly, though, this kid can flat-out play and is at least a mid-major plus baller. AJ English is a scorer whose name is out there a bit already, and Atkins is an undersized big man who can flat-out play. As for the other players, Abt is a solid big man, Bourne is a nice overall big, Debose puts the ball in the hoop, Ford is a steady guard, Manning is a long 6'10 post player with a few nice moves, Muhammed is a stellar floor leader, Schoof is lights-out shooter, Thomas is a point guard who can distribute and get to the cup, and Wood is good scorer.

Arkansas Wings Elite vs. South Carolina Ravens U15 Silver Championship
Two big-time quality programs faced off in the U15 Silver 'chip, both from the South, and as the title states, Southern youngsters shined on this day. Each team had a few players who look to be at least low to mid-major players. Let's start with the players from the Wings. Archie Goodwin '12, a 6'4 wing, is a good looking prospect. He can score the ball and has nice size for a player his age. Jalen Jackson '12 was the best prospect on the court. Standing 6'3.5, the guard can shoot the ball and is a good athlete. Lloyd Hamilton '12 and Dushaun Price '12 were other solid ballers on the Wings, who won the Silver crown.
The top prospect on the SC Ravens was 6'4 SF Marquavis Lewis '12, who was key in keeping the squad in the game. Lewis may need another inch or so, but he is certainly a talented prospect. Darrice Whitley '11 is long and athletic, but he is going into his junior year, so he is likely not more than a low DI player. Other nice prospects on the team included Quinton Johnson '12, Travis Hammond '12, Ronnie Green '12, and Devante Brooks '12.

Garner Road Bulldogs vs. Martin Brothers Select U15 Gold Championship
David West's program never truly ran away with the game, but Garner Rd was in control of the game throughout, and despite Martin Bros' best efforts, the U15 Gold championship was won by the squad from NC. When I saw Garner Rd play on Day One, it was TJ Warren '12 and Mario Nixon '12 who really stood out, but different players stepped out in the title affair. With Warren struggling, and Nixon not quite at the level he had played at for much of the tournament, Garner Rd needed strong overall contributions from 6'0 Terry Henderson '12 and 5'8.5 Shi'Chee Moore '12. Although the Bulldogs have no one above 6'5, their guard play is phenomenal, and that is what carried them to the crown.
Martin Brothers Select has a great squad too, but two players looked very good on that night: Marcus Paige '12 and Mike Gessell '12. Both 6'0 guards who can get to the cup, the duo kept the team from Iowa in the game. Jerel Moore '12 gave some help, but in the end it was not enough. Gessell and Paige looked like at least mid-major players, as did 6'10.5 Adam Woodbury '12. The big man is not overly skilled, but he is tall, long, and moves well.

Note- photo is of Reggie Dillard and is from http://scouthoops.scout.com/