Anthony Jaskulski, Connecticut Recruiting, DePaul Recruiting, Georgetown Recruiting, Pittsburgh Recruiting, Providence Recruiting, Rutgers Recruiting, Seton Hall Recruiting, Villanova Recruiting, West Virginia Recruiting

PITTSBURGH JAM FEST: PART I

by Anthony Jaskulski

Pittsburgh, PA—A beautiful Friday evening in the Steel City kicked off the Hoop Group’s annual Pittsburgh Jam Fest and set the tone for the duration of a busy weekend.

Many scouts were in attendance from the Petersen Events Center to the Fitzgerald Field House, to even places such as Robert Morris and LaRoche College, got to see a slew of talent in some highly competitive AAU matchups.

Here is a part one scouting report of the cream of the crop talent, many of which, could be putting on a Big East jersey in the next couple of years.

Isaiah Epps
Point Guard, 6-2, class of 2010

High School: Plainfield High School, Plainfield, New Jersey

AAU Team: Playaz Basketball Club

College Interest: Pittsburgh (Solid verbal commitment)

Strong Point: Proved to be one of the better assist men this weekend, dropping pinpoint, quarterback-esque dimes to wide-open players in every game.

Area of Improvement: Came off as a quirky (form), inconsistent perimeter shooter; couldn’t find his stroke consistently this weekend.

The Skinny:
Epps is the kind of kid that can have the biggest impact in a game, and go 0 for 11 from the field shooting. His passing was downright precision first, and he had the uncanny ability to pull defenders away from the action with just a fake chest pass, as he showed multiple times this weekend. Despite his struggles from the field in the three day tournament, Epps still showed his range on a few long range bombs, and his ability to slice through the lane and create. Isaiah also brought a strong, anticipatory defense that led to multiple steals and transition layups on the other end. Epps was one of the better guards in the Jam Fest, and if his shot was just a little bit better (which it has the reputation to be), he may have very well been the best.

He said it:
“I like getting my whole team involved first. Usually I just score when I need to score, but before I go up for a shot, I’m always looking to see who is open.”
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Fuquan Edwin
Forward, 6-5, class of 2010

High School: Paterson Catholic, Paterson, New Jersey

AAU Team: Playaz Basketball Club

College Interest: Seton Hall, Rutgers, Xavier, Massachusetts

Strong Point: Brings an explosive package to his game. Not afraid to drive the lane and take it to the rim.

Area of Improvement: Wreckless with the ball; didn’t finish several open layups.

The Skinny:
Edwin is a high-flying slasher, with an explosive offensive game, and very quick defensive attack. He showed some ESPN-Top Ten-esque jams and drives, including an impressive reverse and-1 layup Friday vs. the North Pittsburgh Basketball Club, in which he switched hands in mid-air to avoid the block, dropping the shot with his left hand. But as is the case with many explosive players, sometimes they become too careless and turnovers and playing ahead of yourself starts to take over, as it did on some possessions for Edwin this weekend. He needs to control his level of intensity, both offensive and defensively, and develop more of a game away from the basket, instead of always relying on driving the lane. If he improves on the perimeter, he will turn into more of the overall, versatile player, many D-1 schools are looking for.

He said it:
“I’d like to go to a school that is not too far away from my home, and that is in a pretty good conference. I think the Big East conference is the best there is right now, and I’d have no problem playing on that level.”
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Ronald Roberts
Forward, 6-6, class of 2010

High School: St. Peter’s Prep, New Jersey

AAU Team: Playaz Basketball Club

College Interest: Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Providence, St. Joseph’s, Indiana, Seton Hall

Strong Point: Brought a versatile game, which included posting up in the paint, as well as a solid mid-range jumpshot, and ball-handling ability.

Area of Improvement: Tries to do too much at times, instead of looking for the assist or the easier option.

The skinny:
The NJ Playaz had by far the best of the best as far as D-1 recruiting goes, and Ronald was right up there with the best of them. He showed incredible hops, including several offensive tip slams from right underneath the glass, as well as ally-oop dunks which left the crowd in awe. But while his explosiveness and tenacity was something that had many scouts and fans craving more, it was his inability to find the easier option that kept his hype down on several possessions. Double covered, Roberts would still go for the contested shot on some occasions, despite having an open teammate waiting on the perimeter. He will need to involve his teammates a little more to become a complete basketball player at the next level.

He said it:
“I really like Geoff McDermott. I think I resemble his game in a way that I’m not just a one dimensional player, but have different options, as well as muscling up in the middle.”
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Melvin Ejim
Forward, 6-6, class of 2010

High School: Brewster Academy, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

AAU Team: CIA Bounce Canada

College Interest: Providence, Iowa State, Boston College, DePaul, NC State

Strong Point: Brought intense man defense, forcing an incredible six steals and two offensive turnovers vs. Team Flame Friday evening.

Area of Improvement: Had a rough time from the perimeter, coming short on many of his jump shots.

The skinny:
It’s not fair to judge any kid that rode in a van for over 12 hours and played in a basketball game on the same day, so it’s tough to judge Melvin’s inconsistent shooting Friday. What Melvin did show was a quick move to the rim in contested traffic and even better recovery after finishing. He was one of the quickest guys on the floor, and never toned down the energy once in the game. Tired from a long trip or not, Melvin still came to play, and to many scouts, his stock should’ve risen even higher due to that factor.

He said it:
“I think I need to get better at ball-handling and decision making. I think it’s extremely important to build those two parts of your game up, because it’s two of the most important categories in basketball.”
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Tom Droney
Guard, 6-5, class of 2010

High School: Sewickley Academy, Sewickley, Pennsylvania

AAU Team: BSA (White)

College Interest: Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Harvard, Davidson

Strong Point: Showed off spot on passing and ball-handling skills, as well as excellent court vision

Area of Improvement: Showed some inconsistency in his deep-range jump shot

The skinny:
Droney battled in a very low scoring affair vs. DC Assault (Red) Friday night, but kept things interesting with his target passing and ability to get up and down the court with ease. He brings solid defense, and rarely gave up a first step to allow his opponents a wide open lane. Droney hustles and brings athleticism to the court. Droney also showed off some range, dropping two big three-pointers late in the second half Friday night. Droney continues to improve, but it’s tough to imagine him—as of now—with the frame and size he is working with, to be suiting up for a Big East team.

He said it:
“I have to play point guard for my AAU team, even though I’m usually running at the two position, but I think that helps me more than anything. It’s helped me so much with court vision and just all around versatility.”
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Jerian Grant
Guard, 6-4, class of 2010

High School: DeMatha, Hyattsville, Maryland

AAU Team: Triple Threat/Team Takeover (DC)

College Interest: Virginia Tech, Georgetown, George Mason

Strong Point: Explosive guard with an aggressive first step to the basket

Area of Improvement: Needs to find the open man on more possessions

The skinny:
Jerian was one of the more exciting guards to watch at the Jam Fest this weekend, as the fiery guard made dunking look like a hobby instead of a task. His first step is so quick and agile, that before the defender can turn their head, Grant is at the rim finishing a high percentage shot. He brought solid defense to the table as well, staying in front of his man, and keeping every shot from the perimeter contested.

He said it:
“Whatever wins the game is the shot I want to take, or my teammates to take. If it’s a dunk, a layup or a jump shot, whatever wins the game is all that matters.”
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Kyrie Irving
Guard, 6-2, class of 2010

High School: St. Patrick, Elizabeth, New Jersey

AAU Team: New Jersey Roadrunners

College Interest: Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Villanova, Seton Hall, Kansas, Rutgers, Duke, Indiana, etc, etc.

Strong Point: Can score on his opponent almost anyway possible, from pull up jumpers, to driving to the rim

Area of Improvement: Needed to bring more intensity and hustle defensively (although, AAU basketball has never been a fair venue to judge defense)

The skinny:
Kyrie is about as good as it gets in the nation’s class of 2010…and you can pick that up by watching just one game from him. He is explosive and nearly unstoppable with the ball at the top of the key. He was dropping contested jumpers as if it was practice, and was driving to the rim as if nobody was covering him. While it would’ve been nice to see a little more effort defensively, Irving basically presented the full package, as his assist game was hot, his decision making was keen, and he had a tight string on the ball at all times. Kyrie will be something special on the next level.

He said it:
“I don’t think you can ever say you don’t need to improve on something. I’ll always find something in my game that needs, at least, a little bit of tune-up. Nobody’s perfect, especially in basketball.”
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Grandy Glaze
Forward, 6-6, class of 2011

High School: Saint John’s Catholic Prep, Frederick, Maryland

AAU Team: CIA Bounce Canada

College Interest: West Virginia, Georgetown, UNLV, Ohio State, NC State

Strong Point: An offensive rebounding machine that gave his team numerous second chance opportunities.

Area of Improvement: Raw moves in the offensive post; lack of solid ball-handling skills.

The skinny:
Grandy has picked up a good bit of size and boasted it Friday evening, manhandling the opposition on the boards, looking almost like a man among boys. Glaze will need to work on his coordination and athleticism. He is not the quickest, the fastest and his shot isn’t the most consistent. Instead, he relies on his rebounding and looking for the backdoor cuts for open layups. There is still a lot of time for Grandy to develop his game, and there is no doubt that such a court-smart kid like Glaze is, he will do just that.

He said it:
“I like the versatility of the Big East, and how some teams can dominate you on defense, and yet they can still bring it to you on offense. It’s as competitive as it gets.”
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Derrick Randall
Forward, 6-9, class of 2011

High School: Paterson Catholic, Paterson, New Jersey

AAU Team: Playaz Basketball Club

Top Interest: Not considering any schools at this time.

Strong Point: Very aggressive rebounder, and sturdy post up defender.

Area of Improvement: Hardly any movement on offense, took himself out of a lot of plays.

The Skinny:
Derrick is just starting out, and although he hasn’t received any firm offers yet, don’t expect that to last. He has a very big frame and plenty of room to grow. He showed everything you expect out of a solid defender in the paint and more this weekend. If he can develop a better offensive game to go with his smooth mid-range jump shot and his quick hands, Randall may end up at the top of a lot of D-1 schools lists in the next couple of years.

He said it:
“I have a big interest in every school from the Big East right now. I like how competitive and tough the big men are, and that’s me, a tough, competitive player.”

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