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DTLR PLAYER EVALUATIONS

by Ron Bailey

December 12, 2008 – The dust has settled from this year’s DTLR National High School Festival Presented by Nike, and as such the final installment of NBE Basketball Report/i95Ballerz.com coverage, evaluations of selected players, is here. These student athletes may/may not have a Big East bent, with the common denominator being they excelled and/or have major potential (many can be presumed ‘sleepers’ to the larger public at this point).

(for more coverage from the DTLR of last weekend, see i95ballerz.com and the previous stories at NBE: Big East Bound Ballers Excel in Festival Play and Patterson Duo Have Big East Suitors).

Your home for ALL the Big East action this weekend!

Be sure to check out the event’s All-Star teams and its game reports.

Freddie Riley – 6’4” post grad swingman, Patterson – Riley was once recruited by South Florida but chose A-10 upstart UMass. Possessing athleticism and aggressiveness, Freddie could stand out in that league, attacking the rim and rebounding with aplomb; he also likes to attack the tin and can defend. Riley must get stronger and strengthen his handle, which will allow him to truly become dominant. Honorable Mention All-Festival

Deon Jones – 6’5” Soph swingman, Paul VI – Jones, brother of UVA’s Jeff Jones will be a name heard going forward, as the young guy is in the process of transforming his body and consequently his game. Once a player that seemed to struggle defining a position, Jones is now a solid swingman that attacks the tin. Sure his handle can improve, as well as the consistency and range of his jumper, but as a sophomore Jones’s growth potential is tremendous. Programs from many schools are interested.

Quinn Cook – 6’1” Soph point guard, DeMatha – Quinn has been on a tear this season, one in which he’s bounced back from a knee injury suffered early in last year’s travel team season. Capable of scoring, Cook uses his good feel for and understanding of the game to frequently find teammates for easy scores; he’s a multi-faceted player, one coveted by the likes of Georgetown, Kansas State, Syracuse, Indiana, Villanova, Maryland, Duke, Tennessee, Texas Virginia Tech, and George Mason. Quinn needs to get stronger for big time college hoops. First Team All-Festival.

Koron Reed – 6’7” Senior forward, Roman Catholic – Slightly undersized for Big East play, Reed is your typical slept on, Philly kid – he plays hard, is fearless, and produces. Possessing quick ups, Reed was the only Roman player able to finish Maalik Wayns’ dimes. Needs to further develop his perimeter skills. Is getting mid-major looks. Honorable Mention All-Festival

Grandy Glaze – 6’6” Soph power forward, Saint John’s Catholic Prep – Glaze has a motor that just will not quit, which compares to his ebullient personality. A native of Toronto, Canada, Glaze bangs, posts, and hits mid-range jumpers. Though Georgetown, Maryland and other ‘biggies’ are expressing nascent interest, Grandy knows he must strengthen his perimeter skills to safeguard against the possibility of not growing taller. Honorable Mention All-Festival

Dundreceous Nelson – 5’11” Jr guard, Murrah – Though he split his toe, thereby suffering diminished mobility, Nelson still displayed explosion and aggressiveness. It was unclear whether his jumper is on par for a big time point/combo guard, but to date Nelson has been offered by Mississippi State, Alabama, Ole Miss, Kansas State, USC, Arkansas, and UAB. It’s obvious when healthy, he can get it done.

Victor Oladipo – 6’3” Jr guard, DeMatha – Around the time of Festival play, Oladipo was tendered offers from Indiana and UNC Charlotte. It’s not surprising, since schools like Villanova, Marquette, Maryland, Virginia, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Xavier, Va Tech and others have done the same or expressed serious interest. An athlete that has worked tirelessly on his perimeter skill set, Victor now not only excels on defense and in transition, but can get buckets in half court scenarios, whether shooting or attacking the tin. That work will continue, making Oladipo a candidate for the best player in D.C. next season.

LaQuinton Ross, 6’8” Soph swingman, Murrah – In this case, believe the hype: Ross has the goods, as he can shoot, finish and drive. Sure he needs to get stronger to accept contact, work on his left hand since he’s somewhat right handed dribbling focused and defend more consistently, but LaQuinton is a superior player, one in which all of the big time programs will seek to secure. Festival MVP.

Note: More from photo journalist Mike Starghill accessible here:

Carroll vs. Wise

North Catholic vs. Walbrook

St. Francis vs. McNamara

O’Connell vs. Kinston

St. John’s Catholic vs. National Christian

Roman Catholic vs. Paul VI

Hargrave vs. Patterson

DeMatha vs. Murrah

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