by Alex Schwartz

Friday was day three for me at the AAU Super Showcase, and it was finally time for the main ballers to take the stage, as the U17 squads started to play and theU16 playoffs continued. The U17 field that featured big-time programs from as far away as Texas and a close as in-state Florida, there were dozens of high-major players on hand, as well as many more mid andlow-major prospects. I was able to get school lists from a number of gifted players. Have a look:

Jeremy Lamb '10, Norcross (GA), Georgia Stars: Kentucky, UConn, and USC (only schools he could remember of his long list)
                            Offers: All
                            Favorites: None
                            Note-Lamb has ascended to the point of being a big-time prospect in July, so I asked him what he accredits that to, and he replied, "Jesus Christ. I have strong faith in God [and] . . . I [have] been putting [in] work in the gym."

JD Weatherspoon '10, Northland (OH), All-Ohio Red: Ohio State, Xavier,UConn, Oklahoma State, Maryland, West Virginia, Florida, and Miami
                                  Offers: Ohio State, Xavier, and Maryland
                                  Favorite: "I like Xavier a lot."
                                  Notes- Weatherspoon's class of 2010 AAU teammates Jared Sullinger, AaronCraft,and Jordan Sibert are all committed to Ohio State, but JD said that will not impact him and that "they let me do whatever [and don't push me to OSU]." I also inquired of Weatherspoon if he wants to stay in-state, and he answered, "Wherever it's best for me I [have] got to go to, wherever is best." JD is a one-time Xavier-commit, who has sincere-opened his recruitment.

Jelani Hewitt '10, Northeast (FL), Team Breakdown: Auburn, Oklahoma,Jacksonville, Tulsa, Nebraska, Texas, and Georgia Southern
                           Offers: Auburn, Jacksonville, Tulsa, Nebraska, and Georgia Southern
                           Favorites: Georgia Southern is #1, Nebraska is #2, and Jacksonville is #3"because it's in the state"
                           Notes-Hewitt stated that although he has Jacksonville in his top three due to proximity to where he lives, location is "not really, not at all" a factor. Jelani added that he isn't really concerned with going to a high-major school, stating, "Not really, as long as I can play. I want to go mid to high-major though. That's my goal."

Shaq Duncan '10, Frankford (PA), Team NJABC:Drexel, Robert Morris, LSU, Fairfield, George Mason, Arkansas- LittleRock, Quinnipiac, Nebraska, Siena,St. Francis (NY), Temple, La Salle,Virginia Tech, UConn, Florida, St. Peter's,Memphis, Providence,Niagara, St. Bonaventure, Virginia Commonwealth, St.John's, and Iona
                             Offers: Drexel, Robert Morris, Fairfield, George Mason, Nebraska, St. Francis(NY),Temple, La Salle, St. Bonaventure, Virginia Commonwealth, and Iona
                             Favorites: "I'm wide open."
                             Notes-Duncan said that he is considering doing a post-grad year upon completing high school, which he would do at TAG Academy (FL). Why isthat? "Because when I go to school I don't want to waste their time. I want to come in and contribute. . . . [I want to] work on my game." Ther eason that TAG Academy is the choice is because of his relationship with the father LaSalle-bound Parish Grant '09, who suggested it to Duncan.

Devonta White '10, Centennial (GA), Georgia Stars:Appalachian State, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Ball State, College of Charleston, Fordham, Buffalo, South Carolina, and Western Carolina
                              Offers:Appalachian State, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Ball State, College of Charleston, Fordham, Buffalo, and South Carolina
                              Favorites: "I'm wide open right now."
                              Note- White said, "There's a few more schools [on the list that] I can't think of right now."

Michael Gbinije '11, Benedictine (VA), DC Team Takeover: Virginia Tech,Virginia, Maryland, Pitt, Miami, Indiana, Wake Forest, Baylor, and Oklahoma State
                                Offers: All (plus two more he couldn't remember)
                                Favorites: None
                                Notes- Gbinije informed me that there are many other schools from many conferences recruiting him that he did not name. Michael is transferring from Christchurch (VA) to Benedictine because "it's more competitive basketball-wise and it's close to home."

Dezmine Wells '11, Word of God Academy (NC), CP3 All-Stars:Oregon State, Villanova, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, North Carolina State,Miami, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor, South Carolina,Boston College, and Xavier
                              Offers:Oregon State, Virginia Tech, North Carolina State, Miami, Baylor, South Carolina, Boston College, and Xavier
                              Favorites:"No, I don't have any favorites. I don't plan on making my decision until my senior year."

Freddie Wilson '11, Hillhouse (CT), Connecticut Basketball Club:Rutgers, Rhode Island, and UMass
                              Offers: None
                              Favorite: "I like UMass. That's one of my favorites."

Traveon Jackson '11, Westerville South (OH), All-Ohio Red: Akron, Miami(OH), Cleveland State, Ohio, Notre Dame, and Wisconsin
                                 Offers: Akron, Miami (OH), Cleveland State, and Ohio
                                 Favorites: "No, it's too early to tell right now. I want to pick the best school that fits me."
                                 Note-Traveon's father is former NBA player and Ohio State star Jimmy Jackson,and when asked how that affects him and if he feels any added pressure due to that, the guard responded, "It's obviously an advantage to me [because of the] situations he's been in. . . . It's really no pressure. . . . He's just a dad to me."

Nate Anderson '11, Teays Valley (OH), All-Ohio Red: Ohio, Penn State,Akron, West Virginia, and Miami (OH)
                              Offers: None
                              Favorites: Penn State and Ohio
                              Note-Asked if location will play a part in his decision, Anderson remarked,"It does not matter at all."

J-Mychal Reese '12, Bryan (TX), Houston Hoops: Texas, Baylor, and Kansas
                               Offers: Baylor
                               Favorites: None
                               Notes-Reese said that as of now, it is his preference to play in the Big12.The big-time guard was a superstar coming up through middle school,and I asked what was that like for him. "It's a lot of hype." How did he deal with all of that? "Just don't worry about it and play my game."

LJ Rose '12, Second Baptist (TX), Houston Hoops: Kentucky, Texas,Memphis, Oklahoma, Wake Forest, Baylor, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, UCLA,and Arizona
                                                     Offers: Texas, Memphis, and Oklahoma
                                                     Favorites: None
                                                     Note-Although Rose said it "would be nice to stay in-state," he added that"it's not" definite.

Matt Derenbecker '10, Metairie Park Country Day (LA), Louisiana Select, LSU
Derenbecker was one of the players who took his name off the board soon after the first July Live Evaluation cycle ended, picking in-state LSU. "Location was a part of it, but a lot of it was [that] . . . I'm so comfortable with the coaches and the players at LSU. . . . [Also], I'm real close with my family [and this way they can see me play]," remarked Derenbecker regarding how he decided on Trent Johnson's program. The talented shooter, who has a 3.8 GPA and scored a 28 on his ACT, also considered Stanford, Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Virginia, and Oklahoma State. Speaking of OK State, fellow LA Select teammate Markel Brown '10is committed to the Cowboys and another play on the squad, Langston Galloway '10, has pledged to St. Joseph's. Did the trio ever discuss going to school together at all?"We are all different players and have different games. If it came out to us going to school together, then great, but everybody's happy for everyone."
The other thing I discussed with the future Tiger was how the team was able to come out and pound a talented CP3 All-Stars team. "A big part of it was the loss we had [earlier] to Each 1 Teach 1. We knew that if we lost this one, we were pretty much going home, so we came out with that intensity."

Aaron Bowen '10, Wolfson (FL), Jacksonville Lee Bulls, Marquette
"Out of all the other schools, they showed me the most love. Plus,they[have] good academics . . . in case the basketball thing doesn't workout," stated Bowen on how he decided on Marquette. Prior to picking the Golden Eagles, his other finalists were Florida, Florida State, and Auburn.Since all three of those schools are much more local that Marquette, I asked Bowen if it he wanted to get away from home, and he replied, "It really didn't matter, but [then again] it did [because it] gives me a chance to getaway from Florida and see other places." Will Aaron be recruiting other Marquette targets to join him at the Big East school? "I'm not worried about that."

CBC is More Than Just Andre Drummond
Although the U17 action had gotten underway, I still watched some U16 ball on Friday, including Connecticut Basketball Club, whose main attraction is6'10 Andre Drummond '12. During this particular game though, it was another CBC player who stepped up. Freddie Wilson '11 is a 6'2.5 point guard who can flat-out shoot the rock. The CBC baller may well be overshadowed by Drummond, but he is very talented. With the handle of a point guard and the shot of a knockdown jump shooter, Wilson looks to be a nice prospect with a shot to be a high-major player.
Drummond didn't have his best game when I saw him, but his potential is evident.Not only is he long at 6'10, but he has a good, somewhat muscular frame that looks like it can become even more chiseled over time. For a player his size, Andre can put it on the floor a little bit, and also has an above-average shot for a center, to go along with solid athleticism.

Long Island Lightning vs. All-Ohio Red U16
The All-Ohio Red 2010 team has been almost unreal the past three years, and although the 2011 squad is very good, the younger team is not quite at that elite level, as the LI Lightning clearly showed, cruising to a victory over All-Ohio to advance to the U16 Gold Bracket semifinals.The NY team won 73-68, but led by double-digits for much of the affair.
The boys from the Buckeye State do have five nice prospects (in addition to West Virginia-bound Eli Macon '12, who did not come until Saturday).The primary one is Traveon Jackson '11, the son of former Ohio States tar and NBA player Jimmy Jackson, who was at the game watching.Although Jackson is slightly undersized at about 6'2.5, he can really shoot the rock, and has been drawing some high-major interest. A nice athlete, who clearly comes from good basketball genes, Jackson was the standout for All-Ohio. Nate Anderson '11 did not have a particularly good game, but he looks like he can become good down the road. At6'8.5, he is a face-up 4 who is confident in his outside shoot and can score from beyond the arc. That alone will get Anderson at least some mid-major plus looks, especially with the system schools in the Midwest. Raphael Carter '10 is not at the same level of a prospect as some of the others players on the team because he is a 2010 player, but he has an outstanding frame and looks like, with the right coaching, he could become quite good. Trey Lewis, III '11 is a stellar point guard who leads the team well, and Isiah Boddie '10 is a nice offensive player who is also deserving of some low to mid DI looks.
As for the LI Lightning, Kamari Murphy '11 went off in the game I saw. The Bishop Ford (NY) star is 6'6 and long. A combo froward right now, it's not clear what his position will be down the road, as he still has twoy ears to grow, but with his frame he looks to be best suited for the 3.Murphy puts the ball in the hoop like it's his job, and also grabs rebounds. Ramon Johnson '11 of NIA Prep (NJ) has the potential to be very good, but he needs to shed some extra weight first, which wouldallow him to be more mobile and nimble. At 6'7, Johnson is more of a face-up four, as he can step out and shoot it a little, and does not always bang down low. He looks to be a good mid-major prospect.Davontay Grace '11 of Thomas Jefferson (NY) was not outstanding on this day, but the the 6'0 point guard can score the rock and all distribute it. He needs to switch some of the baby fat over to muscle, but thats hould come once he gets to college and is involved in a real workout regimen. For now, it actually works for him, as he can bully defenders out of his way.

Louisiana Select vs. CP3 All-Stars U17
Talk about a surprising outcome to a game, Louisiana Select did not only defeat the CP3 All-Stars, but it was not even close. The team from the Pelican State knocked off one of the tournament favorites by 19 points,in front of assistant coaches from Duke and North Carolina, who were watching the in-state powerhouse AAU program. Reggie Bullock '10, a North Carolina-commit was not his usual self, and PJ Hariston '11 did not do all that much either. Dezmine Wells '11 and Wake Forest-pledge Melvin Tabb '10 were good, but could not lead the team to victory.
For LA Select, the three committed players stood out, as did two of whom who have yet to take their names off the board. Matt Derenbecker '10and Markel Brown '10, who are bound for LSU and Oklahoma State respectively, were the two main performers for the victors. Derenbecker is a knockdown shooter with good size, and it's kind of surprising that he is not a bigger household name. He is definitely a good get for the in-state Tigers, who beat out a number of other high-majors to land him. Markel Brown is another player worthy of a bigger reputation, as he can not only drain shots from beyond the arc, but get to the cup off the dribble. The future Cowboy has a nice handle and may be able to play either guard spot. St. Joseph's-commit Langston Galloway '10played well too, as the shooter showed he can do more than just makes hots. He has a similar game to Brown, but is not quite at the same level, though it is certainly close. Patrick Robinson '10 and Ronald McGhee '10 were other key components in the upset win, and both are quality players and prospects.
Digressing back to CP3 for a second, Dezmine Wells has a bright future. A forward with a good frame and solid athleticism, Wells did not at all look out of place playing up a year, and in fact was one of the best players on the floor. A legitimate high-major prospect, Wells outshined more highly-touted 2011teammate PJ Hairston, who did not show all he can do, though his athletic ability was evident. Speaking of those playing up, big man Keith Armstrong '11 more than held his own in the paint and is a quality prospect, and although Rodney Purvis '13 did not do anything spectacular, he did not seem out of place playing up three years. Future Demon Deacon Melvin Tabb showed that Reggie Bullock is not the only future ACC player on the team who can ball. Tabb has a good frame,solid athleticism, and a knack for putting the ball in the hoop. He, JTTerrell, Travis McKie, and Tony Chennault make for a great Wake Forest recruiting class. Emanuel Chapman '10 was also stellar on this day, and plays a big role for CP3, despite not being a big name. Chapman is one of the main guards and a key component to this successful AAU squad.Preston Ross, III '10 and Jay Canty '10 were stellar too.

Houston Hoops vs. Charlotte Royals U17
Ina battle of big men, the player who has gotten much less publicity was easily the winner, even though his team was not. David Nyarsuk '10 of the Charlotte Royals was unable to bring his team a W, but he definitely outplayed Alex Kirk '10 of Houston Hoops. The 7'1 Nyarsuk had about two inches on Kirk, but the latter had much more girth and is more polished. Nyarsuk, who has been in the USA for under two years, is extremely long, a very good athlete, and, frankly, a big-time prospect who should be getting much more attention from both scouts and high-major programs. Kirk, who has a long way to go, but has the tools to get there, was over matched by the native of Sudan. Kirk definitely has a chance to be good, especially once he gets his body in the best of shape—which will also allow him to not get stuck between the free throw lines as much—in college and his skill set improves. Nyarsuk,though, looked like a big-time player right now who has the capability to be special down the road.
The other two players who stood out on the Charlotte Royals—the NC team lost 71-56—were Jordan Downing '10and Nemanja Mikic '10. The former of the two is a 6'4 shooting guard who can put the ball in the hoop, but also has a nice handle and looks to be at least a mid-major player, but has a shot to go a bit higher. Mikic, at 6'7, is an intriguing prospect, as he is long and can shoot it, which would make him a good fit in some teams' systems.
As great as Nyarsuk was on that evening, he was not the best player on the floor. No, that honor belonged to J-Mychal Reese '12, who was playing up two age groups for this loaded Houston Hoops squad. A quick 6'0guard who can not only score with ease, but get to the cup as well,Reese is one of the two best 2012 players I've seen thus far, along with 6'8 DaJuan Coleman. J-Mychal has been on the scene forever it seems, but has managed, somehow, to keep his game at an elite level.Reese can shot the rock, score at the rim, get the ball to teammates,and is a quality athlete. Frankly, he is an unbelievable player for someone his age, especially when you remember he was playing against people two years older than him. He definitely outplayed fellow class of 2012 star guard LJ Rose, who did not have a fantastic night, but looks like he has the tools to be very good down the road. It was actually two more under the radar HOU Hoops players who were the other main standouts, in 6'6 forward Kene Anyigbo '10 and 5'9 Darius Gardner'10. Anyigbo is a good athlete was a great frame and a muscular build,who can score the ball and rebound too. Gardner will be limited due to size, but the speedy floor general can distribute the rock and alsos core. Low major schools, and also some mid-majors who like undersized guards, should definitely be watching Gardner. Texas A&M-commit Tobi Oydeji '10 was not great, but showed why he has garnered so much attention, as he is 6'8, athletic, and well-built. He is similar to Anyigbo, but maybe not quite as skilled, yet certainly taller. He is a solid pickup for the Aggies.

Odds & Ends
Team Breakdown lost Brandon Knight, Khyle Marshall, and Pe'Shon Howard to other programs, as well as Kenny Boynton to graduation, and the program has fallen down a notch. Nonetheless, Jelani Hewitt '10is a very talented guard who can really fill up a score sheet, and hasa great jumper. He should be garnering some more high-major interest after his showing in Orlando.
I did not see the game, but I heard that Shaq Duncan '10 was phenomenal on Friday evening. One person even told me that it was the best they have ever seen the long 6'9 big man play. Duncan would be a great fit at the mid-major plus level.
Jonathan Graham '10 had a block at one end of the floor and a tip-in bucket at the other end to give Nike Baltimore Elite a win over the Georgia Stars. That's called coming up clutch.
More and more high-major schools, including many head coaches filed in on this day, as the Las Vegas tournaments came closer to an end.

Note- photo is of J-Mychal Reese and is from http://scouthoops.scout.com/