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LEBRON JAMES SKILLS ACADEMY UPDATE, PART I
July 8, 2008 by NBE Blogger · 2 Comments
Player evaluations from Akron on Sunday and Monday’s action
By Anthony Jaskulski
The Lebron James Skills Academy was in full-swing Sunday and Monday in Akron (OH), and ended with a bang on Monday night, as the nation’s finest high school basketball prodigies took center stage in front of top-tier coaches such as Mike Krzyzewski (Duke), Billy Donovan (Florida) and Jamie Dixon (Pitt) to name a few. Lebron James himself, as well as OJ Mayo (Memphis Grizzlies) even made guest appearances, working out with the kids in the early workout sessions.
Athletic counselors included Jay Bilas and Fran Fraschilla along with college counselors in Sam Young (Pitt), DaJuan Summers (Georgetown) and Jonny Flynn (Syracuse) to name a few.
But the main attraction came from the hardwood, where eight teams of highly-touted high school stars putting on their best show for the hundreds of college coaches and representatives in attendance.
Here is a rundown of some of the biggest stars in action, and what they had to say…
Joey Brooks
High School: Strake Jesuit, Houston, Texas
Forward/wing, 6’4, class of 2009
Top Interest: Notre Dame (verbal commit)
Strong Point: Explosive athlete with fantastic court vision; very versatile
Area of Improvement: Could find the open man more on fast break opportunities
The skinny:
Brooks was one of the most versatile athletes you could find at the Skills Camp. With solid ball-handling skills and a tough post-up defender and scorer, Joey can bring game to the 1, 2 and 3 spots on the floor. Brooks is also an explosive, energy player that can spark his teammates with one strong and aggressive move to the bucket. He is a slasher and can split defenders in the paint while maintaining his dribble, scoring the layup or at least drawing the foul, proving to be a strong finisher. Perhaps the best characteristic of Brooks, however, is his fantastic attitude and willingness to learn the game. This wing has a good head and an even better appetite for tough basketball.
He said it:
“The reason I like Notre Dame so much is because of Coach (Mike) Brey. Me and him are really close, and I like him and respect him like he’s my own dad. He’s a great guy and Notre Dame is a great program, and it’s something I’d like to be a part of.”
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High School: Detroit Country Day, Beverly Hills, Michigan
Center, 7’0, Class of 2009
Top Interest: Georgetown (verbal commit)
Strong Point: Athletic big man with quick hands and nice footwork
Area of Improvement: Needs to be stronger in the paint
The skinny:
DaShonte’ showed why he has the potential to become a premier big man in the Big East conference in years to come. He has nice footwork and can utilize impressive moves in the paint. He has a good sense for the rim when backing defenders down. By working to get better defensively, and able to become more aggressive on the boards, Riley can be an all-around big man that has the capability of taking over a game in the paint. He also showed nice range with his mid-range jump shot, as well as find the best option offensively.
He said it:
“I love Georgetown’s consistency and how they’re always at the top of the league. I just want to add to their tradition and maybe help bring an NCAA championship there.”
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High School: Tilton School, Tilton, Massachusetts
Forward, 6’7, Class of 2009
Top Interest: Connecticut (verbal commit)
Strong Point: Tough defender; turns defensive plays into transition offense
Area of Improvement: Needs better footwork in the paint
The skinny:
Jamaal’s strength and physicality is a big characteristic for the developing forward. With a big frame and explosive abilities, Coombs can blend his offensive game, and his toughness into a complete package, making him a tough force inside. Jamaal has a nice mid-range jump shot and will make the extra pass to find the easiest way to get his team points. He is quick for a big man and can get up and down the court with ease. Jamaal has plenty of determination and keeps his head in the game despite mistakes.
He said it:
“When it comes down to a last shot, it all depends where the mismatch is or who has the hot-hand at the time. I would definitely be willing to take that shot, but I look out for who will have the best chance of hitting the shot before turning to myself.”
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Lamont Jones
High School: TBD, last stop was American Christian Academy, Aston, Pennsylvania
Guard, 6’0, Class of 2009
Top Interest: Seton Hall, Texas, Xavier, Duke, Florida St, Memphis
Strong Point: Impressive passing game; strong shooter
Area of Improvement: Needs better strength and quickness
The skinny:
Lamont showed his pass-first side, which is complimented by well-known shooting capabilities. Jones can spot up from three-point land and bury a basket, as well as thread the needle for a tough, quick pass to his big men for an easy layup. Lamont played tough defense, but needs to become just a little more aggressive to keep up with his man. Despite that, Lamont proved to be a consistent defender that can force a steal, and can create in the transition game as well as in any position offensively.
He said it:
“I think there is so much more I can improve on. I’m never satisfied, and I always want to get better at every category in my game. Working on my game and always trying to get better is just something I love doing.”
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High School: Rice High School, New York, New York
Wing/guard, 6’4, Class of 2009
Top Interest: St. Johns, Pittsburgh, Memphis, Connecticut, Xavier, Miami, Arizona, West Virginia, Rutgers, Seton Hall
Strong Point: A very tough, hard-nosed defender that can force big plays
Area of Improvement: Needs to find a better rhythm in his outside shot
The skinny:
Durand is a very tough, athletic guard that can be a tough job to guard offensively, as well as take to the rim defensively. His shot is not as consistent, but can still make big plays that can lead to points, whether from a drive to the rim, a shot or a pass to a teammate. At times he is a rugged ball-handler that has plenty of room to develop with, but proved in several sequences he can somewhat handle the rock and create big plays. Scott is a finisher and has just as good a mental game as he does physical, and despite twisting his ankle late in one of the games at the camp, he still showed how tough he is by walking off the court under his own power.
He said it:
“To me it’s not about the conference or the tradition or any of that. It’s the school that I want to play at the most and that looks and feels to be the best too me. I’m interested in the actual school as well as basketball, and I want to know that I’m getting the best education I can, while playing ball.”
High School: Bishop Maginn, Albany, New York
Guard, 6’0, Class of 2010
Top Interest: Syracuse, St. Johns, Providence, Ohio St, Georgia Tech, Connecticut, Virginia
Strong Point: Great in the transition game; fantastic ball-handler
Area of Improvement: Could improve his man-to-man defensive game.
The skinny:
Buie took it to the next level and became quite the standout star athlete that everybody was looking for during the camp. With impressive drives to the rim, and quick, smooth moves, Taran became the spotlight in the majority of his games. Taran is fast in the transition game, and brings plenty of hustle to the table, as well as smart, quick plays that prove his basketball I.Q. exceptional. Taran also brings a solid long-range jumper, which he can shoot both off-the-dribble and catch-and-shoot. With just a little more skill defensively, Buie could become a key player early in his college career.
He said it:
“I just love playing in front of a huge crowd. Our high school team had crowds at every game, and that just gives me even more adrenaline and more will to take over a game, which I think I did towards the end of the season. I love being apart of games where you just leave it all on the floor.”
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Phil Pressey
High School: Episcopal School of Dallas, Dallas, Texas
Guard, 5’10, Class of 2010
Strong Point: Is fast on-the-dribble; has strong moves to the rim
Area of Improvement: Needs a better long-range game
The skinny:
Pressey is small, but has a huge heart with an even bigger area of talent. The guard is quick and can create offensively, making himself the top threat at the point. With a better long-range game, Pressey can take his already exceptional passing game and make it even more deadly. With two more years to go, and not even a decision on any schools, Pressey has plenty of time to find his jump shot, and only continue to improve an already excelled game.
He said it:
“I’m keeping my options open right now. There are so many schools I want to explore and look at, but right now I’m just trying to have fun and play the best basketball that I possibly can.”
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