Georgetown Recruiting, Notre Dame Recruiting, Ron Bailey, Syracuse Recruiting, West Virginia Recruiting

SUPER ELITE SHOWCASE – BIG EAST VIEW

by RON BAILEY

July 15, 2009 – This past weekend, Richmond, VA was on fire; no, the Earth didn’t enter a time warp vortex, only to have Union soldiers burn down what was once dubbed ‘The Cradle of the Confederacy’ (OK, too many science fiction shows/films viewed obviously). That city’s Virginia Commonwealth University hosted the Super Elite Showcase, an NCAA sanctioned, travel circuit event, one full of talented players.

For the four All-Event Teams, see Part 1 and Part 2 of an i95Ballerz.com series.

There were several players with Big East ties – being committed to a league school, or solidly being recruited by one. In the NBE Basketball Report’s tradition, here they are…

Bryon Allen – 6’3″, 210 lbs, G/F, Class of 2010, West Virgina commit – Allen seems like a player that will flourish under Bob Huggins, in that he’s athletic and plays hard. Will compete also.

Future Mountaineer Bryon Allen last weekend

At times Allen can get emotionally high-strung – something Huggins’ players have previously been known for – and throw himself off his game, as occurred in his VA Assault squad’s Super Elite Showcase first round playoff loss.

According to his mother Cindy, Allen is well aware of what awaits him in Morgantown, including intense verbal motivation and physical conditioning. Overall, it’s a good fit.

Could leave Oak Hill for his senior year. Hails from Upper Marlboro, MD. Was Second Team All-Event.

Eric Atkins – 6’1″, 175 lbs, G, Class of 2010, Notre Dame commit – A native of Columbia, MD, Atkins and his DC Assault 17u Gold teammates made a cameo at the Super Elite Showcase – they were headed to Team Breakdown’s tourney in Miami – but nevertheless showed why the Domers have a player in him; Eric or ‘E’ as his friends call him has become a guy equally adept at being a point or shooting guard. That entails of course dropping off to teammates, but also making the right play, as he’s a cerebral, unselfish player.

Atkins pushes ball in open floor

Atkins is a good shooter, though his stroke/release may need to be tweaked, as he almost shoots it in front of his face. The awkward shot is money, but is more easily blockable by Big East caliber players.

Has previously shared he was recruited to Notre Dame to fill the Tory Jackson role; a uber-penetrating point guard who can shoot, Jackson is somewhat different from Eric in that Atkins is more of a shooting point guard capable of driving. The commonalities are that both will score and set up teammates.

Attends Mount St. Joe’s in B’more, where he will contend for the Charm City’s player of the year award. Was a Fourth Team All-Event selection.

Daryl Traynham – 5’8″, 165 lbs, PG, Class of 2010 – Previously Syracuse has been linked with Traynham, a pass first, push man point guard. Probably more Big East schools need to be on him, since there are few in his graduating class more adept at running a team, changing the game’s flow, and feeding his teammates.

Daryl loves to get into the lane via slick change of pace moves – he’s capable of being a blur or running at half speed, all within the same sequence. He’s also worked on his jumper, getting more elevation when shooting, but that needs more improvement. Traynham should also develop a stop and pop midrange shot, which could be joined with his change of pace moves for deadly outcome.

Despite his diminutive size, Traynham is a cunning defender, using quick feet to get under defenders and draw charges.

Headed to Progressive Christian Academy this year, the last of several transfers, Daryl must show himself to be mature. That change is obvious to those around him, and its conveyance to recruiters should surely increase his standing with Big East schools.

Was Third Team All-Event despite only playing in DC Assault 17u Gold’s single game.

Steele Davis – 6’9″, 210 lbs, C/F, Class of 2011 – Georgetown and a host of schools, including Boston College,Miami, Oregon State, LSU, KSU and others, have been monitoring Davis and for good reason, given his size, light feet, and upside. Davis can fill lanes on the break, operate from 17 feet, and battle inside.

Recently, Davis seems to have focused on not dominating in the paint, to his detriment – it is there that college recruiters drooled over Steele. Steele’s Kid’s First Basketball (AAU) coach, Lyndon DeBellotte, is intent on refocusing his young charge.

Every game, Davis does something that makes you go ‘wow’. It’s not just a strong dunk, but stuff like spinning 15 feet from the hoop to avoid being intentionally fouled, and not walking. Stuff that illustrates a high ceiling, but may not be recognized by some.

Was named Fourth Team All-Event, and could transfer to a DC area school for his junior high school campaign.

Quinn Cook, 5’11″, 160 lbs, PG, Class of 2011 – A known entity nationally, B-East (Big East) institutions Georgetown and Syracuse are all over Cook, who is also being recruited by Ohio State, North Carolina, Clemson, Virginia Kentucky and others.

Simply put, Cook understands the game and can play, scoring and passing seemingly at will. Basically everything his DC Assault 16 Gold team does on offense flows through him, as Quinn can shoot, drive and has excellent vision. Though he does have a flair for the dramatic – over the shoulder, no-look dimes are within his wheel-house – Cook doesn’t make fancy plays to the detriment of his team.

More offers other than Tennessee will flow in to Cook as he becomes more physically mature, probably the one concern schools have; he must get stronger to better absorb contact. Doing so will also assist in his on-ball defense work.

Was named First Team All-Event and MVP.

Be Sociable, Share!

•