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The 3rd Annual 2010 Desert Dual Summer Prep Memorial.

By: Jeff Meadows

This summer was very good and filled with solid AAU basketball tournaments across the country. With such tournaments as the Adidas 3 Strips, Pangos Live, Georgia Peach Jam, Full Court Press All-American Camp, Fab 48, Adidas Super 64, The Best of Summer etc., one would think that’s about as good as it could get but it’s not. The reason why it’s not is because there’s a tournament in Gilbert, AZ July 27 & 28 that says so, and the name of this particular event: The 3rd Annual Desert Duel Summer Prep Memorial. For those of you that have been to a top notch AAU basketball tournament, multiply that tournament by 5, that’s what the Desert Duel Summer Prep Memorial is. This event is a top of the line/first class event from top to bottom. This is also an “Invite Only” event which means you cannot just give the tournament director a call and send in your $400 or $500 entry fee, not the case here; you must earn that invitation by your play throughout the spring and summer on the national circuit. “From a basketball stand point, one of our main goals was to present to the national basketball community a product that we could all be very proud of” Said Event Board Member Jeff Schneider. “There will definitely be some exceptional basketball played for the next couple of days”. While dealing with countless college coaches, players, parents and spectators, one of the main questions I asked was: Which tournament/event is the top event? An overwhelming amount of answers were: The Desert Duel Summer Prep Memorial. This event covers much more than just basketball. Last night I attended the Welcome dinner and it was first class all the way. The welcome dinner was held in a big, beautiful ball room, great catered food for the players, coaches and media, very entertaining and encouraging videos narrarated by NBA players, such guest speakers as: Ex-NBA Star and former Phoenix Sun Eddie Johnson, Former Head College Basketball Coach Jeff Schneider And Boston Celtic’s Assistant Coach Kevin Eastmen (who gave an unbelievable speech on accountability, responsibility and entitlement). The level of organization for this event leaves me almost speechless; everything is already in place, from the team registration to the media/VIP check in, no last minute thrills or frills. Now, let’s get the main reason why an event if this magnitude was able to become a reality. 13 years ago a very gracious couple Tom and Tammy Crawford Co-Founded the Tom Crawford’s Leadership Children’s Foundation (TCLCF), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children by donating to various causes to help children nationwide. In July of 2006 Tom passed away and the Board members for his Foundation, (the Tom Crawford’s Leadership Children’s Foundation/TCLCF) came together and felt that it would be best if they honored Tom by putting together such an event as this because of the love that Tom had for grassroots basketball. “We are very appreciative of the overwhelming support from everyone that we have received” said Tammy Crawford “This has really turned out to be such a wonderful event that we really look forward to every year”. The mission of the Desert Duel Memorial Basketball Tournament is to raise funds for the Tom Crawford Leadership Children’s Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization. The goal of the foundation is to improve the lives of children and preserve childhood. For more information on the Tom Crawford’s Leadership Children’s Foundation you can log on to: www.tclcf.org or you can log on to: www.desertduelmemorial.com. This event will feature the following teams: Arizona Magic, Arizona Premier, Arizona Stars, Belmont Shores, Georgia Net Burners, New York Panthers, GNB, Hoop Planet, Houston Defenders, Playaz Basketball, Seattle Rotary, Club Red, Carolina Cobras, Mac Irvin Fire (16 & 17U), Carolina Elite, Compton Magic, DC Assault (Gold), DC Assault 16U, Franchise All-Stars, Friends of Hoops, Illinois Wolves, J-Smoove Atlanta Celtics, LBA Sea wolves 2010, Minnesota Net Gain, MO Kan Spiece, New England Playaz, New Jersey Playaz (Gold), Playaz Basketball Club Red, Team 94 Foot Gain, Team Loaded, Team NJ ABC, Team Philadelphia 16 & 17U, Team Texas, Texas D1 Ambassadors, Worldwide Renegades. With the exception of maybe 3-4 teams, this tournament/event is “FULLY LOADED”, “SECOND TO NONE”. This event is a college coaches, media and fans basketball smorgasbord and if you are fortunate enough to attend this must see event, good for you if not, don’t fret, I got you covered. I will provide you with full and total daily event coverage. I will also be providing you with my very own top 50 list (regardless of class), top 20 lists of players in each class and my All-Tournament team of the top 25 players (regardless of class), MVP and Defensive MVP as well. As a national scout, It’s safe to say that I’m overly excited about this event because it’s going to give me the opportunity to evaluate just about ALL of the top AAU Teams/Prospects in the country all under one roof, not having to rush across town to catch certain games and match ups. Well there you have it my basketball fiends, enough with the suspense, I present to you the event of the AAU Season, the Crème De La Crème, The Desert Duel Summer Prep Memorial.

Stay glued to www.hoopsreport.com for your one of a kind exclusive coverage of the country’s top AAU 16/17U Tournament: The Desert Duel Summer Prep Memorial.

POSTED: 7-27-2010

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