News » Event Reports

Southwest Prep Classic presented by Courtyard by Marriott

By: Jeff Meadows

Southwest Prep Classic presented by Courtyard by Marriott (January 29^th-31^st at Mesa Community College)

The Southwest Prep Classic is one of the top Prep School events in the country. "It's been a long time coming, but we finally got it done" said event organizer Marc Beasely "We wanted to bring something different to the valley which is what we did with this event". Teams participating in this round-robin event are: Arizona Legends out of Phoenix, AZ led by their 6'5 power (G/F) Ira Brown and Damien Newsom the 6'6 athletic (W) and Terrence Anderson the 6'5 (W/G). South Kent School out of Kent, CT is led by the 6’6 athletic (F) Chris Johnson who is being heavily recruited by USC, Seton Hall and Cal-State Northridge. J.J. Moore the 6’6 (F) has committed to the University of Pittsburgh and 6’2 (G) Russell Smith who has committed to play for Rick Patino next fall at the University of Louisville and 6’8 Nemanja Durisic who is still uncommitted. Westwind Prep Academy out of Phoenix, AZ is led by their 6’8 super athletic (F) Tony Snell who has committed to play for Steve Alford and the University of New Mexico Lobos next fall along with another freakishly athletic (F) 6'8 Jamal Franklin who has committed to play next fall for Steve Fisher and the San Diego State Aztecs and the 6’2 (CG) Freddie Wilson who has committed to play next fall at Seattle University and Ludavic Ndaye the 6’9 (PF) who has committed to play for Cleveland State University next fall and last but not least, Impact Academy out of Las Vegas, NV who is led by their 6'6 scoring (W) Gary Johnson and their 5'11 scoring (PG) Deron Williams. This event is going to be an action packed/ talent loaded, well run/organized event that I strongly suggest any basketball fan to go out and watch but if you cannot attend, log on to www.hoopsreport.com for your exclusive daily coverage, player analysis/evaluation and Southwest Prep Classic All-Tournament Team emmediately following the event.

Players of interest in the tournament include:

Jamal Franklin, 6’5” – San Diego State University

Ludavic Ndaye, 6’9” – Cleveland State University

Tony Snell, 6’8” – University of New Mexico

Freddie Wilson, 6’2” – Seattle University

South Kent School

Nemanja Durisic, 6’8” – uncommitted

Chris Johnson, 6’6” – USC, Seton Hall, Cal State-Northridge

J.J. Moore, 6’6” – University of Pittsburgh

Russell Smith, 6’2” – University of Louisville

Gym site: Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ

Friday, January 29

6pm – Arizona legends vs. South Kent

8p – Westwind Prep Academy vs. Impact

Saturday, January 30

Sunday, January 31

10a – Impact vs. South Kent

Noon - Westwind vs. Arizona Legends