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News and Notes from AAU Nationals

By: Brett Blevins

BABC rolled in the one game we watched against Low County Riptide.  They were led by Providence commit Gerard Coleman.  The 6’5 lefty shoots it well and is an above average ballhandler.  He has ability to break his man down off the dribble, and competes defensively even against a lesser opponent, which cannot be said for all his BABC teammates.

Boo Williams Summer League (BWSL) has an absolutely stacked 17 year old team.  That is why it was hard for me not to laugh at a Division III coaching staff who said that “Basketball Stars of America will beat  BWSL, because Tom Droney is the real deal.”  Nothing against the Davidson commit who is going to be a good player in the Southern conference, but how does any college coach not know about the Boo Williams’ powerhouse.  They are led by their point guard and UNC commit Kendall Marshall.  The 6’3 lefty is by far the best passer I’ve seen at nationals.  One ACC coach said you could throw Marshall out on the floor with 4 guys he’d never played with and he’d make the all better instantly.  But add in four guys the caliber of James McAdoo (2011), Travis McKie (Wake Forest commit), Andre Dawkins (Duke commit), and Justin Anderson (2012) and you have a deadly combination.  Let’s just say this one was close for only about half of the 1^st quarter.

The biggest upset of the day was Metro Boston beating Team Texas.  Metro Boston was led by the trio of 5’11 PG Shabazz Napier, 6’7 F Ike Azotam, and 6’5 SG Allen Harris.

Shabazz Napier is a lightning quick guard in the class of 2011 that the big boys will be calling upon very soon.  He plays with a fearless nature always in attack mode.  Napier got the best of highly touted 2010 guard Phil Pressey in this matchup.  School that are coming on right now include Providence, UMass, Rhode Island, Boston College, Virginia, Rutgers, Seton Hall, and UConn.  He will sit down with his coach Mo Vazquez after the July period and start investigating schools on his end.

Ike Azotam is the type of player every team needs.  He’s a garbage man, cleaning up around the rim and finishing everything he gets his hands on.

Allen Harris shot the ball exceptionally well and showed some abilities to get to the rim and finish or draw the foul.  He mentioned he is hearing from Ivy League schools and other mid-majors.

Team Texas features 6’6 wing Cameron Clark.  Cameron had a decent game knocking down a variety of catch and shoot and pull-up jumpshots.  Phil Pressey struggled in this one, with his outside shot not falling, and he had trouble staying in front of Napier defensively (as did everyone else).  One kid we really like from Team Texas is Jadarius Davis.  Davis is a muscular 6’8, who by my estimation must be a football player.  He is very physical with a mean streak, but he can also step out and shoot the 3.  I hope to catch up with him later this week.

Jacksonville Lee Bulls, led by Stacey Poole (6’6 wing) and Florida commit Pat Young (6’9), got a scare from Rising Stars Yellow out of Illinois.  They were bailed out by Stacey’s little brother, 2013 prospect Solomon Poole a.k.a. Solo.  Solo, 6’1,  came up with a huge steal and flush late in the game to seal the victory.  Poole had a good game getting out in transition and defensively.  Young controlled the glass but struggled passing out of the double team.

A few kids who busted their rear ends in the loss for Rising Stars deserve a shout out.  Mike Simpson is a diminutive 5’9 guard who has a knack for hitting the floater.  If his team could’ve gotten the ball in his hands to wind the clock down they may not of turned it over late in the game.  The other player is a 6’1 guard by the name of Steven Conner.  Conner is going to be a steal for a low to mid major program. 

I also got a chance to check in on the Shining Star 17’s from Kentucky who are now a combined 45-6 throughout the AAU season they are led by Miami (OH) commit Josh Sewell and unsigned 2010 6’4 PG Chad Jackson.

Chad Jackson claims offers from a host of mid-majors including the most recent two James Madison and Tennessee-Chattanooga.  He is also receiving interest from Virginia Tech and Oklahoma St.’s Travis Ford who obviously has the KY connection that he is taking full advantage of.  Jackson had been offered by West Virginia and Xavier almost two years ago, and he still stays in contact with both schools but isn’t sure what the scholarship situation is.  Chad will sit down with his mom and plan some visits come fall.  Until then he will work on his floor leadership skills and his jumpshot.  Look for Chad to get to that major D1 level if he can improve upon those two things.

6’7 Donovan Gibbs also stopped by after the Shining Star win to talk about his recruitment.  He is still sitting on offers from IUPUI, Lincoln Memorial, and Eastern KY.  He is also receiving interest from Virginia Tech, VCU, Oklahoma St., Oregon St., and Mississippi St.  Gibbs is just looking for the best fit and will not be rushing his decision any time soon.  We spoke a little bit about the difference between playing inside for his AAU team and playing primarily the PG position at Iroquois High in Louisville.  Gibbs is a team-oriented kid who just wants to play and do what the coaches ask of him.  If that means playing on the block this summer that is what he will do.  I see him as a 3 man at the next level, with room to improve his ball-handling to become more of a point-forward.  I’ve had lots of coaches asking me about Gibbs so look for his list to grow. 

I also got a chance to chat with one of the Northern KY area’s best point guards in Mikey Gabbard.  Coaching in the same district as Gabbard’s Boone County Rebels, I have become a fan of his game.  College attention for this young man has really picked up since a nice showing in Cincinnati at the Adidas Takes 5.  Gabbard holds a Division II offer from Ashland (OH) and is receiving serious interest from the likes of Wofford, Navy, Air Force, and Morehead St.  Gabbard, if he finishes the week strong and has a good senior season, should receive several D1 offers to choose from. 

Fabricio de Melo continues to draw a crowd whenever he plays.  The big man oozes with potential.  Look for him to make his college decision in the next 2 weeks.  Even though his list is longer, I look for it to come down to Louisville and Connecticut with UofL in the lead as of right now. 

Also, garnering a lot of attention on the Florida Rams squad is 2011 recruit Damien Leonard.  Leonard at 6’5 can flat out shoot the rock.  Comparisons to Ray Allen may be a little premature considering Ray Allen is one of the best shooters in the last few decades,  but I can see the general idea.  If he continues to develop his driving abilities and pull-up game, Leonard will be a hot 2011 commodity.

We’ve taken in some hotly contested 16U tournament play today already, and will have those updates later.  As always stay tuned to Hoopsreport.com for details!!