by Alex Schwartz

In addition to the five players from New York at the LeBron James Skills Academy and King City Classic, there were also a number of players from the surrounding areas.

Those areas are places that the new St. John's regime is trying to mine for talent and is involved with some of the players from New Jersey and Pennsylvania that were out in Ohio.

Rakeem Christmas '11 of Academy of the New Church (PA) and Myles Mack '11 of St. Anthony's (NJ) were teammates on the West Virginia squad at camp. Myles Davis '11 of St. Peter's Prep (NJ) and Kyle Anderson '12 of St. Anthony's (NJ) joined forces on team champion Kentucky. LaQuinton Ross '11 of Life Center Academy (NJ) ran with Michigan State and Desmond Hubert '11 of New Egypt (NJ) was with UNC.

Ranked number nine in the class of 2011 by Rivals, 6'9, 226-pound Rakeem Christmas was one of the most highly-touted players at the event. A center with great length-he has a 7'3 wingspan-as well as superb athleticism, Christmas has a load of potential. While he is still developing as a player, Christmas does possess a few nice post moves and also is a quality rebounder and shot blocker. The Philadelphia star has a good frame and can even step out and defend the perimeter if needed. His ceiling is one of the highest in the crop of rising seniors, but he must bring it each and every time he steps on the floor.

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