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AAU Nationals: Monday Night

After a long and eventful trip from our home base in Lexington, Ky., to Orlando, Fl., we have arrived at the 2008 17U AAU National Championships, and the play on Monday night was good enough to make the 12 hour drive more than worthwhile. 

The first player of the night to catch our attention was Keith Appling, a 6’2 guard from Pershing, MI.  Playing in front of Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo and a host of other college coaches, he lived up to his rep as one of the top players in the class of 2010 by scoring 35 points while leading R.E.A.C.H. to a 95-78 win over the Alabama Fighting Terriers. 

Appling has good size and length for his position and is very quick with the ball in his hands.  Most of his points came off dribble drives and impressive finishes at the basket.  Michigan State, Michigan, Tennessee, Memphis, Syracuse, Miami (FL), and Oklahoma are among those that have been impressed enough with Appling’s scoring abilities to extend an early scholarship offer.

Appling’s teammate Derrick Nix, a 6’9 big-bodied center that is committed to Michigan State also impressed in the victory and finished with 18 points.

The Alabama Fighting Terriers weren’t without a few desirable college prospects of their own.  6’5 Aaro Davis is a well built and athletic small forward that hustled his way to 17 points while 6’7 Marquiez Corthron, a raw, but promising power forward, chipped in with 14 in the defeat.

Fordham has a big-time recruit headed their way in Chris Gaston, who had perhaps the most memorable performance of the day when he scored 33 points in the New Jersey Shoreshots win over the Minnesota Magic.  Gaston is extremely versatile as he has the skill set and ball handling ability necessary to run the point; the scoring ability to be a go-to bucket maker; and the size (at 6’7) and athletic ability to be a dangerous wing.  Simply put, he’s good enough to be an impact player in the ACC but he’s headed to the A-10.  Who says none of the great ones slip through the cracks?

Gaston’s 6’7 teammate Oderah Anosike also had a noteworthy performance while contributing 11 points.  Anosike is a bouncy and long athlete that is extremely active around the rim.

Other players to have big days include 6’6 senior shooting guard Nik Garcia and 6’7 junior wing Jereme Richmond who combined for 54 points in the Rising Stars’ afternoon win.  Garcia hit an amazing 10 3-pointers in that game.

A player that we feel is being under-recruited is 6’6 forward William Green of the Team Daniels Q6 All-Stars.  Green, who scored 18 points in a game today, is extremely long and athletic and should at the very least be a hot commodity on the mid-major level, but his school list (Western Kentucky, Tennessee Tech, North Florida, Winthrop, Murray State, and East Carolina) doesn’t begin to reflect his true talent. 

Stay tuned to HoopsReport.com as we will be bringing you updates from the 17U AAU Nationals all week!