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NBE ‘LIVE’ EVALUATION PERIOD BLOG: DAY 2

Tuesday has kicked off day two of the live evaluation period for college coaches on the recruiting trail. NBE once again has Jeff Borzello at Albright College taking in the Hoop Group Elite Camp, Doug Ferguson on the University of Cincinnati campus watching he action at the Adidas it Takes 5ive and Ray Mernagh and Anthony Jaskulski are in Akron for the Lebron James Skills Academy.

We will have more updates throughout the day as everyone is a little more at ease in their surroundings and have found places to eat and their hotels and have settled in. Let’s take a look at what is going on today…

2:00 PM Update from Cincinnati (OH): Coaches gathered for the NE Playaz/Team Takeover match-up include Bill Self, Gary Williams, Jim Boeheim of Syracuse, John Thompson III of Georgetown, Pittsburgh assistant Brandin Knight, a Villanova assistant as well as Tom Crean and Sean Miller…
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1:30 PM Update from Reading (PA): Jeff Borzello caught up with Malik Thomas, a Wadleigh (NYC) High product and all-PSAL performer from last season. Thomas recently took an unofficial visit to Seton Hall recently and enjoyed his time on the SHU campus where he met head coach Bobby Gonzalez and several players. Thomas plans to visit Drexel in August and is also seeing interest from Niagara, Hofstra, Siena and Quinnipiac at this time.
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1:15 Update from Akron (OH): Here are Ray M’s thoughts from the college player workout…

Yancy Gates playing very well after having a lackluster time last night. Finished three jump-hooks and threw down a dunk in the lane.

Larry Sanders continues to perform well today. DeShawn Sims just scored over Sanders with a nice feathery jump hook along the baseline and then pounds the offensive glass twice for putbacks that fail to fall.

More than once I’ve noticed that when Willie Warren is playing in a game I’m watching he doesn’t stand out which is surprising but might just be because of the setting.

DeShawn Sims just hit another shot from the baseline this time it was a 17-foot jumper.

Devin Ebanks isn’t moving real well today without the ball and is getting beat on the boards pretty good.

Kyle Singler keeps getting rebounds and making plays for himself and his teammates.

Cole Aldrich’s body looks really good but he seems a bit gimpy.
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1 PM Update from Cincinnati (OH): Almost like a Big East coaches convention gathered here for the game between the Michigan Mustangs and Juice All-Stars. Providence head coach Keno Davis is here as our staff members representing Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Louisville and Villanova.

The Michigan Mustangs are looking like a real contender in this tournament. Jon Horford was very good yesterday and Michigan State commits Keith Appling and Alex Gauna keep Tom Izzo smiling as he watches his future Spartans. Matt Kamienecki, Juwan Howard, LaDontae Henton, and others are keeping coaches coming by.

Juice travelled to Cincy with Russ Smith, LaBrent Walker, James Stukes and others.

Michigan Mustangs took care of business, 94-76.
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South Florida is present for the game between Indiana Elite and KC Swing.
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12:00 PM Update from Akron (OH):
Observations from the morning from Anthony J:

Alot of buzz going around the players–especially Michael Gilchrist–with the rumor that Jordan Crawford (Xavier) dropped a two-handed jam on Lebron last night in the college scrimmage.

Gary Franklin Jr. had a great look for the open big man on the fast break drill this morning. Several times he dropped the key pass into the hands of an open player. He’s a quick learner, and applies what the coaches teach early.

Johnny O’ Bryant showed hustle and great inside moves in the big man drills. He had good use of reverse pivot, and perfect motion towards the basket. He was consistent with his post up moves.

Michael Gilchrist pinned a player above the rim on what looked to be a sure dunk. He showed off his leaping ability more than once this camp, but that pin got himself crowd regonition in a hurry.

Ray McCallum impressed again with his in your face defense. Opponent going against him did not score for the entire controlled scrimmage. He also displayed great quickness with the ball, and did a good job of keeping the offense in a solid flow.

Markus Kennedy, a 2010 Villanova vernal, showed nice passing for a big man. Drew a lot of attention and swung the ball to the cutter for the layup several times. He was also showing off a mid range jumper, which made him somehwhat deadly from 12 feet out.

Perry Jones (Baylor commit) displayed some great quickness in the controlled scrimmage towards the end of practice this morning. It got him involved on key offensive rebounds and fast reflexes on loose balls.

The college workouts are underway right now. Yancy Gates is working out with Larry Sanders (VCU) and Devin Ebanks with Jeff Allen (Virginia Tech) in the ball skill workout.
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12:00 PM Update from Cincinnati (OH): Cincinnati head coach Mick Cronin is front and center watching the Ohio Basketball Club 17’s in action.
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11:45 AM Update from Cincinnati (OH): The Kentucky Gators/Florida Rams match-up is drawing the usual Fab Melo following as Rick Pitino and a fellow Louisville staff member, John Thompson III (Georgetown), Jim Boeheim (Syracuse) and a Rutgers assistant are very visible, among others.
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11:40 AM Update from Reading (PA): Jeff Borzello runs down several of the players that have been catching his eye thus far at the Hoop Group Elite Camp in just over a day of action…

- Marcus Romain, 2010 guard from Thomas Jefferson (NYC) High School
- Mike Buffalo, 2010 guard who played at Wings Academy (NYC) last year and is likely headed to South Kent (CT) Prep
- Naofall Folahan, 2010 big man from Notre Dame Prep. At 6-foot-11, look for many to watch him closely.
- Ishaq Pitt, 2010 swing man from Ridge (NJ) High School
- Kareem Thomas, 2010 guard from Christ the King (NYC) High School

The bigger names of the camp include Antonio Barton, who is verbally committed to Memphis, Mike Poole and a href=”http://w3.nbebasketball.com/2009-big-east-recruit-database/shane-southwell/”>Shane Southwell.

Two intriguing big men are De’mon Brooks and James Bourne, will see if we can learn more.

Malik Thomas of Wadleigh (NYC) is here. He recently visited Seton Hall unofficially before coming to Reading. Thomas is very skinny, but has length and some athleticism. We did not catch him on his best day.
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11:15 AM Update from Akron (OH): C.J. Leslie talked with Jim Calhoun of Connecticut before coming to Akron as the Huskies are recruiting the 6-foot-8, 205-pound forward with a 7-foot wingspan from Word of God Academy (NC). Leslie looks like a good fit in the UConn system as be has boundless energy and gets of the floor impressively. He dunked visciously off two feet in halfcourt drill after properly spinning away from his defender. His game pops!
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10:45 AM Update from Akron (OH):
Here is a summary update of morning session from Ray M.:

Players are working four vs four this morning with instruction, lots of screen/roll action, trying to get the kids to create space both for themselves and their teammates.

After a few possessions Celtics assistant Kevin Eastman asks the group for yes or no answer to the following questions: “Is San Antonio a good team?” Yes. “Is Boston a good team?” Yes. “Are the Lakers a good team?” Yes.

He continues: “Those are all good teams and they all talk and communicate on the floor. You know when you go see teams and all you hear is sneakers on the floor? You know what they all have in common? They suck!”

The pace then picks up a bit. Kyrie Irving comes off an elbow screen and hits a midrange jumper.

Jay Bilas then jumps in and says, “you weakside bigs have got to recognize and read the situation when the ball is opposite you.” He goes on to explain three or four options that might come about if the bigs do read the play correctly.

DaJuan Coleman is a huge young man by the way and will only get better if he continues to be as invested in the process of his development as he appears to be here.

Austin Rivers then gets all the way to the rim because his teammate clears space for him. “Who got you that shot?” asks one of the coaches.

Reggie Smith makes the mistake of trying a wrap around pass at the rim when he had a clear layup and the coaches let him know about it. Smith redeems himself a minute later with a nice drive to the cup.

Kyle Wiltjer rolls after setting a screen, receives the bounce pass from Ahmad Starks and then hits the weakside big Johnny O’Bryant for a flush. “Yes!” rings out from about four coaches and the session wraps up as they move to the next court over.

College Players: VCU’s Larry Sanders was incredibly impressive last night going against Yancy Gates, Cole Aldrich and anybody else they could throw at him. Kalin Lucas just makes his team better. Kyle Singler is the best all around player here amongst the college guys so far. It’s fun to watch how fast Devin Ebanks picks things up.
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9:45 AM Update from Akron (OH): Anthony J marvels at the sound foundamentals of Tobias Harris as he works with other big men in drills. He uses nice head fakes, making use of the pivot and showing a quick step in the paint. Also denying other bigs on defense.
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8:30 AM Update from Reading (PA): On Monday, Big East staff members were a common site, headlined by St. John’s head coach Norm Roberts. He and Pittsburgh assistant Brandin Knight were both watching a game involving Shane Southwell, who has come to the camp with the biggest name among recruiters.

Also, assistants from St. John’s (Fred Quartlebaum), Villanova and Rutgers were spotted.

Fried Alex Schwartz of Northstar Basketball also informed us that Georgetown had an assistant on hand.

Schwartz said Big East coaches were seen tracking Omar Calhoun, Austin Colbert and Frantz Massenat, in addition to Southwell.