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Marcus Bryan Discusses Recruiting & Reclassifying

2012-05-26T13:05:00Z

by Alex Schwartz

HAMPTON, Va. -- Marcus Bryan recently made a big decision, opting to transfer and reclassify to 2014. The 6-foot-6, 230-pound power forward will transfer from the Ravenscroft School (NC) to The Miller School (VA) and move back a year.

ArmySports.com had the opportunity to catch up with Bryan this weekend at The Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest, where he led his Garner Road team to the U17 Gold championship.

“It was a few things,” Bryan said of why he decided to transfer and reclassify. “Be away from home and get used to being on my own and then also [because I am] trying to evolve more . . . play on the on the perimeter.”

To read the rest of this article I wrote for ArmySports.com, click Here.

Troy Williams Talks Annoucement Postponement

2012-05-24T18:15:00Z

by Alex Schwartz

HAMPTON, Va. -- It was down to North Carolina and Kentucky for Troy Williams--until it wasn't. The 6-foot-7, 190-pounder from Phoebus (VA) discussed in full detail about why he postponed his decision and provided and updated look at the state of his recruitment.

“Still undecided, you know, it was Kentucky and Carolina,” Williams said of where things stand. “I talked to my uncle [Boo Williams]. We decided to open it back up.”

Williams talked more from this weekend’s Southern Jam Fest about why he decided to postpone his decision.

“I wasn’t really ready yet,” he explained. “I talked to my uncle, I talked to him that day and we were going do it, but . . . I was undecided.”

To read the rest of this article I wrote for Inside Carolina, click Here.

Southern Jam Fest Top NY Performers

2012-05-24T12:50:00Z

by Alex Schwartz

HAMPTON, Va. -- While The Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest was primarily filled with teams from the District of Columbia down to North Carolina, there were a few teams from New York that made the trip for the tournament.

There were six teams from the Empire State at the U16 or U17 level and NYChoops.net had the opportunity to catch four of them in action over the weekend. There were a number of players who stood out as the top performers.

Yhanni Bartley, Westchester Hawks 16s: A class of 2014 prospect out of Mt. Vernon (NY), Bartley had a team-high 18 points in his squad's 56-44 victory over Team Phoenix (NC). A 6-foot-3 wing with a good frame and pretty nice length, Bartley is adept at scoring around the rim. He consistently finished in the paint and played well throughout the contest.

To read the rest of this article I wrote for NYChoops.net, click Here.

Three Schools Standing Out to Dwayne Morgan

2012-05-23T19:30:00Z

by Alex Schwartz

HAMPTON, Va. – Baltimore (MD) City College star Dwayne Morgan is one of the nation’s elite players in the class of 2014. A 6-foot-7, 187-pound small forward, Morgan showed what he can do on Saturday at the Southern Jam Fest in a victory over Garner Road- Davis.

After the contest, Terps Insider had the opportunity to speak with Morgan, who is running with Under Armour Baltimore’s Finest U16 squad.

Morgan said he holds scholarship offers from the likes of UNLV, Seton Hall, Florida, North Carolina State, and South Florida. Additionally, he is receiving interest from Maryland, George Mason, Texas, Clemson, and others.

At this point, the rising junior said he has Maryland, North Carolina State and South Florida as his favorites. He noted that Maryland, UNLV and South Florida are the programs coming at him the hardest.

To read the rest of this article I wrote for Terps Insider, click Here.

2014 Guard Phil Booth Remains Open

2012-05-23T14:00:00Z

by Alex Schwartz

HAMPTON, Va. - Phil Booth of Mount St. Joseph (MD) is one of the top backcourt players in America in the class of 2014. A 6-foot-3, 170-pound combo guard, Booth helped lead Team Takeover to a U16 championship at this weekend's Southern Jam Fest.

During the weekend, VUSports.com had the opportunity to catch up with Booth to talk about his recruitment, his game and his interest in the Wildcats.

Booth listed scholarship offers from Georgetown, South Florida, Maryland, Rutgers, and Seton Hall to go along with interest from Syracuse, Indiana, Villanova, Duke, and Ohio State.

The rising junior said he has no favorites at this point, but noted that Georgetown is probably the school pursuing him the hardest.

To read the rest of this article I wrote for VUSports.com, click Here.

Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest: Day Three

2012-05-22T16:45:00Z

by Alex Schwartz

HAMPTON, Va. – Sunday was the final day of the 2012 Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest and champions were crowned in the afternoon. Team Takeover beat BWSL Woods, 77-53, to win the U15 Gold championship and Team Takeover also won the U16 Gold championship with an 82-75 victory over the SC Raptors Elite. The U17 Gold title went to Garner Road, who beat UA Baltimore’s Fines, 49-44, in the championship.

TOP PERFORMER

Therence Mayimba: While the Team Takeover U16 team has several players who are more well-known, Mayimba was terrific in both the semifinals and championship. A 6’7 combo forward who attends Montrose Christian (MD), Mayimba is a bouncy player with a great frame. The 2014 prospect repeatedly sliced right down the lane past defends and to the rim, where he showed nice body control in air. He handles the ball pretty well and also does a nice job of getting rebounds. Mayimba has room to continue to improve as a player and will be someone whose stock will rise as time goes on.

To read the rest of this article I wrote for NBE Sports, click Here.

Josh Level & Khris Lane Talk Recruiting

2012-05-22T13:30:00Z

by Alex Schwartz

HAMPTON, Va. -- Recruit Recon was back at Boo Williams Sportsplex for the second time in four weeks. This time it was was for The Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest over this past weekend.

The event mostly featured teams from Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina, allowing us to again see some players from outside the Northeast. We were once also able to catch up with a couple of players from that region to talk recruiting.

One of those players was Josh Level, a 6-foot-5, 197-pound shooting guard in the class of 2014. Level is a talented wing who runs with the Team Loaded (NC) U16 squad and attends the Christ School (NC).

To read the rest of this article I wrote for Recruit Recon, just go to the main page of the site.

Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest: Day Two

2012-05-21T14:00:00Z

by Alex Schwartz

HAMPTON, Va. – The Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest kept rolling along on Saturday and NBE Sports was in attendance for the whole day, taking in a number of impressive performances and talking to a handful of players.

TOP PERFORMER

Dwayne Morgan: A big-time player in the class of 2014, Morgan is a 6’7 small forward out of Baltimore City College HS (MD) who plays for UA Baltimore’s Finest U16 team. While he did not put up huge numbers in the scoring column against Garner Road- Davis—Morgan finished with 14 points—he made his presence felt in many aspects of the game. He is a stellar athlete with major length and that allows him to be a terrific defender. Morgan blocks shots, gets steals and grabs rebounds. He is also adept at picking up boards on the offensive end, leading to putback dunks and tip-ins. Morgan passes well and has a nice feel for the game. He has all the physical tools one could ask for and if he develops a consistent jumper he has a chance to be an incredible player.

To read the rest of this article I wrote for NBE Sports, click Here.

Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest: Day One

2012-05-20T11:30:00Z

by Alex Schwartz

HAMPTON, Va. – The Hoop Group Southern Jam Fest got underway on Friday at the Boo Williams Sportsplex and NBE Sports was on hand to take in the action. Throughout the night, we saw several standout performances and got to speak with a few players at the event.

TOP PERFORMER

Anthony Barber: The 6’2 point guard out of Hampton (VA) was absolutely sensational for Boo Williams in a blowout victory over the Stafford Hoyas to open up the event. Barber did basically anything he wanted with the ball and was nearly unstoppable when it came to getting to the rim. He scored at the basket, hit open teammates for layups, knocked down 3-pointers, and displayed a nasty crossover. Barber, an elite prospect in the 2013 class, had the look of a top 10 player as he dominated the game from start to finish in a number of different ways.

To read the rest of this article I wrote for NBE Sports, click Here.

Northstar Basketball Spring 2014 Top 50

2012-05-17T14:30:00Z

by Alex Schwartz

The Northstar Basketball Final 2012 Top 150 and Spring 2013 Top 100 have been released, so up next is the class of 2014.

At this point, the crop of 2014 prospects has the look of a big-time class, but only time will tell. Leading the way amongst the group is Andrew Wiggins, arguably the best player in the high school ranks regardless of class. A 6'7 small forward from Canada who attends Huntington Prep (WV), Wiggins is a terrific offensive player with his combination of athleticism, handles, shooting ability, and smarts. He has just about everything you look for in a high school player and is only getting better.

While Wiggins has a stranglehold on the top spot at this point, that is no knock on the players just behind him in the rankings. Checking in at No. 2 on the list is Jahlil Okafor, the best center in the country regardless of class (not counting the outgoing 2012 class). A 6'10 kid out of Whitney Young (IL), Okafor has a big frame that he uses well around the cup, heruns the floor and has great touch around the rim. Right behind him, at No. 3, is Emmanuel Mudiay out of Grace Prep (TX). Arguably the best point guard in the nation in any class, Mudiay has a great blend of size (he is 6'4), quickness and skill.

Tyus Jones of Apple Valley (MN) is No. 4 on the list and he too could stake a mighty fine claim to the top point guard spot in America. The 6'1 floor general is an incredible offensive facilitator who can get others involved and also score from just about anywhere on the court. Rounding out the top five in the Spring 2014 Top 50 is Dakari Johnson, a New York native who attends Montverde Academy (FL). The 6'10 center has gotten into great shape and has an impressive combination of length, size and post skills.

The 2014 rankings have been extended from 20 players up to 50. One player has moved into the top 10 this time around and that is 6'4 point guard Jaquan Lyle of Bosse (IN), who is right at No. 10 overall.

Have a look below at the Northstar Basketball Spring 2014 Top 50 to see where things stand with the elite sophomore high school basketball players.

Stars Rank. Name, Position, Height, High School (State), College
*****1. Andrew Wiggins, SF, 6'7, Huntington Prep (WV), uncommitted
*****2. Jahlil Okafor, C, 6'10, Whitney Young (IL), uncommitted
*****3. Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, 6'4, Grace Prep (TX), uncommitted
*****4. Tyus Jones, PG, 6'1, Apple Valley (MN), uncommitted
*****5. Dakari Johnson, C, 6'10, Montverde Academy (FL), uncommitted
*****6. Noah Vonleh, PF, 6'8, New Hampton (NH), uncommitted
*****7. Trey Lyles, PF, 6'9, Arsenal Technical (IN), Indiana
*****8. Theo Pinson, SF, 6'6, Wesleyan Christian Academy (NC), uncommitted
*****9. Chris McCullough, PF, 6'8, Salisbury School (CT), uncommitted
****10. Jaquan Lyle, PG, 6'4, Bosse (IN), uncommitted
****11. Wayne Selden, SG, 6'4, Tilton School (NH), uncommitted
****12. Justise Winslow, SF, 6'5, St. John's (TX), uncommitted
****13. Trayvon Reed, C, 7'0, Shiloh (GA), uncommitted
****14. Justin Jackson, SF, 6'7, HCYA (TX), uncommitted
****15. Paul White, SF, 6'8, Whitney Young (IL), uncommitted
****16. Jakeenan Gant, PF, 6'7, Effingham County (GA), uncommitted
****17. Isaiah Whitehead, SG, 6'4, Lincoln (NY), uncommitted
****18. Caleb Martin, SF, 6'6, Davie County (NC), uncommitted
****19. Cody Martin, SF, 6'6, Davie County (NC), uncommitted
****20. Cedric Turmen, C, 6'9, Morgan City (GA), uncommitted
****21. Leron Black, PF, 6'7, White Station (TN), uncommitted
****22. Dwayne Morgan, SF, 6'7, Baltimore City College HS (MD), uncommitted
****23. Joel Berry, PG, 6'1, Lake Highland Prep (FL), uncommitted
****24. Devon Hall, PG, 6'5, Cape Henry Collegiate (VA), uncommitted
****25. Ja'Quan Newton, PG, 6'2, Neumann-Goretti (PA), uncommitted
****26. JaQuel Richmond, PG, 6'1, High Point Christian Academy (NC), uncommitted
****27. Jalen Lindsey, SF, 6'6, Christ Presbyterian Academy (TN), uncommitted
****28. Jared Terrell, SG, 6'3, New Hampton (NH), uncommitted
****29. Mitchell Wilbekin, PG, 6'1, The Rock School (FL), uncommitted
****30. Phil Booth, SG, 6'3, Mount St. Joseph (MD), uncommitted
****31. Parker Jackson-Cartwright, PG, 5'9, Loyola (CA), uncommitted
****32. Trevon Bluiett, SF, 6'5, Park Tudor School (IN), uncommitted
****33. Kameron Chatman, SF, 6'6, Long Beach Poly (CA), uncommitted
****34. Shaqquan Aaron, SF, 6'6, home school (CA), uncommitted
****35. Ben Bentil, PF, 6'8, St. Andrew's (DE), uncommitted
****36. Shep Garner, SG, 6'2, Roman Catholic (PA), uncommitted
****37. Quadri Moore, PF, 6'8, Linden (NJ), uncommitted
****38. Eric Johnson, PG, 6'2, Christ School (NC), uncommitted
****39. Stanley Johnson, SF, 6'5, Mater Dei (CA), uncommitted
****40. Daniel Hamilton, SG, 6'6, St. John Bosco (CA), uncommitted
****41. Lacurtis Allen, SG, 6'4, Grenada (MS), uncommitted
****42. Che Bob, SF, 6'4, Kennedy Charter (NC), uncommitted
****43. Rakim Lubin, PF, 6'7, Gadsden City (AL), uncommitted
****44. Marqwell Jackson, SG, 6'4, Crockett (MI), uncommitted
****45. Josh Level, SF, 6'5, Christ School (NC), uncommitted
****46. Shelton Mitchell, PG, 6'2, Cuthbertson (NC), uncommitted
****47. Malik Starkes, SG, 6'4, Math, Civics & Sciences (PA), uncommitted
****48. Kahari Beaufort, SG, 6'3, St. Raymond's (NY), uncommitted
****49. Kobe Eubanks, SG, 6'5, American Heritage (FL), uncommitted
****50. Devin Booker, SG, 6'4, Moss Point (MS), uncommitted

RANKINGS NOTES
- There is only one committed player in the Spring 2014 Top 50. Trey Lyles, ranked No. 7, is headed to Indiana.

- There are four high schools with two players on the list and they are as follows: Christ School (NC), Davie County (NC), New Hampton (NH), and Whitney Young (IL).

- Based off where players attend high school, 21 different states are represented on the list. There are 13 states with at least two ranked players.
          ~ The 13 states with multiple players in the Spring 2014 Top 50 are as follows: North Carolina (8),
             California (5), Florida (4), Georgia (3), Indiana (3), New Hampshire (3), Pennsylvania (3), Texas (3),
             Illinois (2), Maryland (2), Mississippi (2), New York (2), and Tennessee (2).

- There are 15 small forwards on the list, which is more than any other position. There are also 12 shooting guards, 11 point guards, eight power forwards, and four centers.

- There is just one player in the Spring 2014 Top 50 who is 6'0 or below, while there are three players who check in at 6'10 or above, including one 7-footer.

Note- photo of Andrew Wiggins is from http://basketballbuzz.ca/