Connecticut Recruiting, Georgetown Recruiting, Marquette Recruiting, Notre Dame Recruiting, Pittsburgh Recruiting, Ron Bailey, Rutgers Recruiting, Seton Hall Recruiting, Syracuse Recruiting, USF Recruiting, Villanova Recruiting, West Virginia Recruiting

DC ASSAULT’S ‘TAKE YOUR BEST SHOT’ REVIEW

Comprehensive report from weekend’s action with a glutton of Big East prospects

by Ron Bailey

April 15, 2009 – This past weekend DC Assault’s Take Your Best Shot (TYBS) boys travel team tournament went off flawlessly, as team’s from up and down the East Coast did battle at Virginia’s Hoop Magic Sports Academy. Drawing squads willing to participate in the 15 and under through 17 and under age classifications, talent was in abundance. If you don’t believe it, check out i95Ballerz.com’s 17 and under All-Tourney team, and its companion 16u grouping.

Of course Big East institutions are interested in players who participated. Wonder who? Check them out:

Quinn Cook: A 6’0”, 160 pound sophomore, Cook is being by league schools Georgetown and Pittsburgh, while the likes of Kansas State, North Carolina, Duke, NC State, Maryland and others have been identified as interested. Cook, who was first team All-TYBS 16u, can shoot, drive, and run a team.

Nate Lubick: A junior forward that has committed to Georgetown, Lubick is a 6’8”, 215 pound player that is solid in his ability to finish (with two hands repeatedly), pass, play good help and team defense , rebound, and understand the game. Nate’s shot, good out to just past three-point land could probably use more elevation, but must be respected. Will need to get stronger for conference play – he will likely play more on the floor in the Big East – and his foot quickness can be accelerated, a point he embraces. All-TYBS 17u 1st team.

Juan’Ya Green: Weighing around 180 pounds and standing 6’3”, Green is an offensively advanced guard that scores almost at will. To maximize at Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Villanova – the Wildcats have offered along with Maryland, St. Joes and Temple– Green must become somewhat quicker and likely embrace more of a point guard role. First team 16u All-Star.

Keith Coleman: A raw 6’8”, 220 pound, sophomore frontcourt guy, Coleman has drummed up interest from Marquette and of course his hometown’s Villanova, Temple and LaSalle, along with Nebraska. A physical presence, Coleman must develop a go to move, and mid range game for college. Earned second team All-TYBS 16u.

DaJuan Coleman: (pictured on left) Only a freshman, the 15 year old Coleman is dominant at 6’8” and 255 pounds; it’s not just his size but skill set that impresses as he’s capable of posting and via light feet, long arms and solid fundamentals, spin off opponents for scores. Must learn the ‘secondary post game’, ala receiving the ball, passing out, and reposting, while also going from block to block to get open. Coleman needs to also become stronger and work on mid-range shooting. Syracuse (his hometown school and he was a HS teammate of current Orange commit Brandon Triche), Rutgers, Seton Hall, Connecticut and others are interested. First team All-TYBS 16u.

Tavon Sledge: (pictured on right) A sophomore at Newark, NJ’s St. Benedict’s, Sledge, at 5’9” and 170 pounds, is a known presence in Big East recruiting circles; he shared “Villanova…Pittsburgh and Rutgers” have offered scholarships, in addition to Oregon and Oregon State. Must get stronger for conference play, but is ultra quick and competitive. Jump shot needs to be more consistent as well. Will slam on you.

Terry Brutus: Haling from Spring Valley, NY, Terry is undersized at 6’4”, 220 pounds, but the sophomore frontcourt guy is a warrior; he bangs and competes. Must become a perimeter player, or at least more adept there, but nevertheless “Villanova and Pittsburgh have shown interest.

Eric Atkins: Though UMass was his self-proclaimed leader, the ‘Domers’ (Notre Dame) have recruited him for awhile, as has Vandy. Alabama is a new entrant for this 6’2”, 175 pound guard capable of strapping, shooting, running a team and finishing. Needs to get stronger, but Atkins’ ceiling is quite high. 1st team All-TYBS 17u.

Antonio Barton: Big East member Seton Hall has expressed interest in this 6’2”, 170 pound guard capable of playing both backcourt positions. Maryland, Temple and LaSalle have also expressed interest. Antonio’s athletic ability and savvy help him, along with his patting and shooting skill, to compensate for a lack of strength that must be addressed. Third Team 17u All-TYBS.

C.J. Aiken: Long and skinny (6’8”, 185 pounds), Aikens’ recruitment is interesting, given the fact West Virginia is interested along with Clemson, Virginia, Xavier, Penn State and Virginia Tech. Hometown schools Temple and St. Joes have offered, as has the SEC’s Auburn. C.J. is an athletic shot blocker that must get stronger and develop mid-range capability. Seems like a cerebral young guy. 3rd team All-TYBS 17u.

Chris Martin – 6’0”, 180 pound sophomore guard from the D.C. area. TYBS 2nd team 16u. Combo guard has worked hard on his patting ability.

Adjehi Baru – 6’8”, 210 pound sophomore forward/center from the D.C. area. TYBS 1st team 16u. Raw player capable of great development.

Jamal Lewis – 5’10”, 160 pound sophomore guard from the D.C. area. TYBS 2nd team 16u. Speedy guard gets at it on both sides of the floor.

Cleveland Melvin – 6’7”, 210 pound junior center from Baltimore. TYBS 17u 1st team. Likely headed to Notre Dame Prep (MA) next year. Undersized for high major play but competes and finishes – hard.

Daryl Trayham – 5’9”, 160 pound junior point guard from DC Area (N.C. high school). TYBS 1st team 17u. UMass, Miami, Kansas State, Maryland, South Florida and Xavier have offered this prominent lead guard, comfortable in full and half court situations, scholarships.

Jamal Olaswere – 6’5”, 210 pound senior forward from DC area. Georgetown is evaluating him, while GW, Howard, Qunnipiac and UNC-Wilmington have all offered and are being considered. 2nd team 17u All-TYBS. Could develop into a Big East performer.

Javon McCrea – 6’8”, 205 pound sophomore forward from the Rochester, NY (Newark Central HS) area. TYBS 2nd team 17u pick. Raw but has the tools.

Naadir Tharpe – 5’10”, 170 pound sophomore from the Boston, MA area. TYBS 3rd team 17u selection once got recruiting love from Georgetown and others, shared Arizona is his favorite now.

Ced Lindsey – 5’10”, 175 pound junior guard form the DC area. Mid’s are all over this combo guard, while majors are monitoring.

Guys who could have been ‘Big Easters’ but decided against it:

Josh Hairston: 6’8”, 210 pound junior forward headed to Duke. Is increasingly developing a solid perimeter game. First team All-TYBS 17u.

Tyler Thornton: 6’1”, 180 pound junior, Duke-bound guard is a floor general supreme. Second team All-TYBS 17u.

Tony Chenault: 6’2”, 185 pound junior guard that has committed to Wake Forest. All-around player that is highly experienced. Third team All-TYBS 17u.