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BOOST MOBILE ELITE 24 PLAYER EVALS & NOTES

by Brian Crownover

The third annual Boost Mobile Elite 24 brought a collection of the nation’s best players to the famed Rucker Park playground in New York. While it might have been a national event, the Elite 24 seemed more like a regional game as three of the four MVPs were from the northeast. The top player was New York’s own Lance Stephenson. Maalik Wayns took home co-MVP honors along with Lance for The Goat squad, while Dominic Cheek (St. Anthony’s, New Jersey) and John Wall (Word of God, NC) combined as MVPs for the Skip to My Lou team. Skip to My Lou won the contest 135 to 121.

Here is a look at the above players and some additional standout performers:

Lance Stephenson (The Goat)
Lance started early with a pull up three-pointer. The King of New York then began shaking defenders with his array of dribbling moves. No one could contain him as he got to the rim with ease all game long. Lance’s length makes him near impossible to stop around the rim, especially in a contest like this where defense tends to be lacking. He loves using a crossover, but is also very effective with spin move. On one play, Lance even threw a no look pass over the shoulder right in the middle of one of those spin moves. He had several fine passes to his teammates too. Lance was clearly determined to hold his own in his home town. If he played with this much passion and energy every time out, he might find himself atop all of the national rankings. It’s certainly to ignore his talent and Lance is a joy to watch when he really brings it. He finished the night with 29 points.

Domininc Cheek (Skip to My Lou)
This game turned into the Lance vs. Dom show. While Lance got the better of the match-up, Dom certainly held his own. He opted to pull up from the deep and show off his deadly range rather than taking the ball to the rack. He nailed a couple deep jumpers. When he did go to the rim, Dom scored some baskets too (including a 3 point play). The lanky wing also displayed his athletic ability on a couple dunks. He ended with 23
points.

Maalik Wayns (The Goat)
The up and down pace really helped out this bulldog point guard. Maalik plowed his way to the rim time and time again. He also froze defenders with his crossover move. With his size and touch, Maalik is one of the best finishers around. He showed that ability in this one, but also made a number of fine passes. The 2009 Villanova commit and recent Team USA U-18 point guard got off to a very good start in this contest, struggled for a little and then picked it up during the homestretch. Jay Wright is going to be one VERY happy coach when Wayns lands at the Main Line.

John Wall (Skip to My Lou)
John showed why he is regarded as the best point guard in the country. It’s hard to find a more explosive player when it comes to getting to the rim. John doesn’t waste too time dribbling in the backcourt, opting instead to go peddle to the metal at hoop. He’s super athletic and wowed the crowd with his high flying dunks. Equally as impressive might’ve been John’s passing. He showed good vision and put several laser passes right on the money.

Derrick Favors (Skip to My Lou)
This up and down contest was a guard’s game, but it sure didn’t stop the nation’s best big man from making an impact. Derrick ran the floor and scored a few times in transition. He also displayed his combination of power and athleticism with a couple impressive dunks. Derrick was strong on the boards too. He scored 16 points and ripped down 7 rebounds.

Dion Waiters (The Goat)
Dion was a late addition to the event, but didn’t disappoint. The 2010 Syracuse commit attacked the basket on a couple plays and finished a round the rim. He converted with a reverse on one play. Dion made several beautiful passes too. He did struggle with his jumper though.

Doron Lamb (Skip to My Lou)
Doron was another New York player who shined in this one. The gifted scorer put points up in several ways. He buried a three pointer and knocked down a tough fall away jumper too. Doron attacked the rim and drew a few fouls. He even scored on an offensive rebound put back. Doron finished with 25 points and the next stop for the 2010 elite prospect is Oak Hill Academy in Virginia.

Brandon Knight (The Goat)
Brandon was solid as well. The lead guard attacked in the half court game and also ran the floor. He scored mostly around the rim after driving or in transition. He was inconsistent finishing though, including a couple missed runners on this night for the elite 2010 guard.

NOTES:

* North Carolina commit Dexter Strickland won the inaugural slam dunk contest prior to the game.

* Karron Johnson has Seton Hall fans excited. According to ZagsBlog.net, Karron Johnson Loves Seton Hall and due to an excellent relationship with their staff the Pirates are currently his #1 choice. He expects to visit the SHU campus sometime in November, according to the article.

* Dominic Cheek certainly showed why he is considered an elite prospect in this Boost Mobile Elite event. According to the NY Daily News Notes on the game, Cheek is considering Memphis, Indiana, Tennessee, Villanova, Wake Forest, Connecticut and Kansas. If one team has an advantage, it could be a Big East team from reading the article as they have an extra recruiter on Cheek’s case. Philly guard Maalik Wayns, who’s committed to Villanova. The pair hung out throughout the Elite 24 festivities, and they talk regularly on the phone.

“Malik is recruiting me every day,” Cheek was quoted as saying in the NY Daily News. “That definitely gives them a big plus.”

* Durand Scott may be closing in on a decision sooner rather than later.

“I thought it would be hard,” he said in the NY Daily News Notes. “But when I actually started trimming my list, it doesn’t seem that bad. I know what I want.”

Scott said his priority is finding somewhere where he’s “comfortable” and can get a good education. He also wants playing time.

“I want a decent amount of minutes,” he was quoted in the article. “And I want to win.”

Scott listed Xavier UCLA, Pittsburgh, Connecticut and Miami, amongst others. The NY Daily News’ Ebenezer Samuel expects it to come down between UConn, where former Rice teammate Kemba Walker is a freshman point guard and Xavier, we shall see…

* Xavier and St. John’s are standing out as the top two for Kevin Parrom according to the NY Daily News’ Ebenezer Samuel. Parrom was in attendance with recent St. John’s commit Omari Lawrence, who is also his teammate at South Kent Prep and with the NY Panthers, where they played for recent SJU staff addition Oswald Cross.

South Carolina, Temple, Pittsburgh, Connecticut and Marquette round out Parrom’s list.

* Jordan Hamilton is putting his time on the east coast to good use as the California wing has also taken a visit to a Big East campus this weekend. Jordan Hamilton is on an Unofficial (New Haven Register) visit to Connecticut.

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