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BASKETBULL SPRING CLASSIC REPORT

Napier, Loaded NE Playaz Drop Jaws at Spring Classic

By Zach Smart

Amherst, Mass.–A tornado of young talent hit the 413-area this weekend, as a boatload of AAU teams were put to the test at the BasketBull Spring Classic.

Big ups to Colin Tabb, Patrick Fisher and the entire BasketBull staff for running yet another top-notch talent display in New England. This weekend the action was hot at both Amherst College and Holyoke Community College.

One player who dropped jaws this spring is guard Shabazz Napier. The three-point sniper, a guard for Metro Boston 17U, dropped 23 points on Saturday.

The kid from Lawrence Academy put his stamp on the event on Sunday, however, when he torched the nets to the tune of 50 points.

“He’s a step above everyone else,” said Oscar Lopez, who coaches Metro Boston alongside Mo Vazquez. “His recruiting has picked up a lot lately, everyone is starting to show interest.”

How could they not? Napier, who bagged 10 threes in a game during AAU nationals, is already receiving love from Connecticut, Seton Hall, Providence, Pittsburgh, South Florida, Memphis, Virgina Commonwealth and Alabama.

Napier and Metro Boston obliterated the competition on Saturday, when the playing field was about as balanced as a seesaw with Oliver Miller on one side, Jessica Alba on the other.

A New England Playaz team loaded with talent also made waves. Utilizing a speedball, high tempo approach, the the Playaz busted out the track shoes and finished strong at the basket.

They received some help from 6-foot-8 freshman behemoth DaJuan Coleman.

Coleman, who overpowered the competition while playing with the 16U Syracuse Select, patrolled the paint. Already regarded by ESPN.com as the top prospect in the class of 2012 in the country, the kid from Central New York power Jamesville-Dewitt is already being pursued by Syracuse, Connecticut, Ohio State and Kentucky.

It’s hard to believe Coleman’s leaps-and-bounds progression. Two years ago, he was the definition of a work-in-progress.

Now the 15-year-old manchild executes a tough arsenal of post moves (just ask Maryland-bound forward James Padgett, he got some back in the winter at the Big Apple Classic), uses his body effectively on defense, and crashes the glass.

Player Evaluations from the Spring Classic:

Denzel Brito (NE Playaz/2010): Sky is the limit for this young man, who uses his cheetah-quickness to make up for his slight 6-foot-1, 170-pound frame. Brito is going to the basket stronger than ever and finishing on bigger, stronger opponents. His ability to change speeds and turn up the voltage in traffic and when pressured is equally notable. Strong facilitator who makes teammates better. May need to spend some more time in the backyard as his free throw shooting percentage could be higher. Still, the kid who is being recruited by Stanford, Providence, Duke and Kentucky, is active in every phase of the game and a nightmare to play against.

Ike Azotam (Metro Boston/2010): Dazzling 6-foot-7 forward possesses great slashing ability and was robin to Napier’s batman. Maintains a quick first step and uses his athleticism in his favor. Needs to emerge as a better shooter and rectify some free throw shooting woes. Now a class of 2010 forward, Azotam will look to bolster his D-I stock at Marianapolis Prep.

Anthony Mayo (Positive Image/2010): This wiry 6-8 forward contains all the necessary tools to become a boardsmith. He needs to become stronger and put on weight, however, is he’s to truly reach his zenith.

Sonny Kadisha (Long Island Lightning/2010): Passionate 6-foot-4 baller who molds his game around his second cousin, longtime NBA big man Dikembe Mutumbo. Kadisha, a junior, is still a bit rough around the edges. But the Forest Hills HS product hustles, rebounds, plays a mindful brand of basketball, and takes care of the junkyard dog duties on the hardwood. Showed a little bit of range as well, as he bagged a mammoth three in a blood feud against NE Playaz.

Gabriel Burroughs (Long Island Lightning/2010): Silky-smooth shooting is his biggest factor. Playing off the ball, GB drained big threes and spread the floor. Needs to develop a quicker release, less of a set shot, to contribute at that next level. Look for GB to create a formidable inside-outside tandem with Sidiki Johnson at St. Ray’s next year. Johnson, a highly-touted big man, was not at this event.

Lowell Ulmer (Long Island Lightning/2009?): Solid all-around game, can score the rock in a number of ways. Fundamentally sound in all facets of his game.

Nafaum Faulaquan (NE Playaz): work-in-progress is a major interior presence. Will need to develop refined back to the basket moves at Notre Dame Prep. Using his body is another area for improvement.

Anthony Ireland (NE Playaz/2010): Blink-quick 5-9 guard has handle beyond his years and is a major presence in the running game. NE Playaz combination guard is also an elite passer but needs to develop a more disciplined style next year while prepping at Winchendon.

Javon McCrea (NE Playaz/2011): Strong rebounder, finisher, and a towering presence at 6-foot-8. Wasn’t too active while playing for a patchwork NE Playaz team stacked in the backcourt and flooded with spare part bigs.

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