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TEAM TAKEOVER PAIR CONSIDERING BIG EAST OPTIONS

Grant, Oladipo fielding interest from Big East and both are interested in the B-East

by RON BAILEY

July 31, 2009 – Having been officially formed last September, Team Takeover has enjoyed a meteoric rise to success; the organization that branched off from Triple Threat, another DC-based AAU/travel team outfit has secured two national championships in July. Making the feat more impressive is it occurred during the recent AAU Super Showcase in Orlando, and in the two most competitive and watched age divisions, 16-under and 17-under. People knowledgeable in travel team hoops have struggled to recall a similar dual achievement.

Of course Takeover is stocked with talented players, which are bound to attract Big East Conference schools, as that league is inarguably one the most competitive and talent laden in America. This writer doesn’t call it the B-East for nothing.

Two of Takeover’s players receiving Big East love are Victor Oladipo and Jerian Grant. Both are guards and attend DeMatha Catholic High School. These rising seniors are capable of playing in the conference.

Oladipo, standing 6’5” and 200 pounds has long been recognized as a rim pounder and defender, given his superior athletic ability. A 2.9 GPA student at DeMatha who achieved a 1300 on the SAT (his NCAA qualification will not be in doubt), Victor long ago realized he had to further develop his perimeter skills, work that has borne fruit and continues.

Oladipo sporting Super Showcase Gold Medal

His workouts intensified this week, with a 7am-8am session being added to his afternoon work. Expect that to continue until his senior year starts.

Schools are ramping up their pursuit of Vic, with “Missouri, Notre Dame, Charlotte, Maryland, Clemson, Marquette, Indiana, Xavier, Auburn, Providence, UMass” and Pittsburgh all having offered him a scholarship, as have “South Florida, Cincinnati and DePaul.”

Of the Big East, Oladipo noted “It’s solid, one of the best” conferences in the land, and is on the same level as its rival, the ACC, so he has no favorite amongst the two leagues.

Grant, himself a 2.8 GPA, 1520 SAT student, in an interview soon after Oladipo’s, said of the Big East “I like it. Last year it was the best conference hands down. I would definitely like to play there.” The league’s “different styles” intrigue him, while Jerian also acknowledged the B-East’s physicality, noting “You definitely have to be strong in that league.”

Grant showing off the hardware from Super Showcase

Grant is a smooth player on the court, capable of driving and shooting. At times he can run the point, but would more aptly be classified as a combo guard at this point. Developing lead guard skills has been a focus for Jerian – including handling the ball more surely with his left hand – and will continue throughout the summer (he will join Oladipo for both early morning and afternoon sessions).

Regarding the Super Showcase, both Grant and Victor were obviously happy. The former indicated he loved competing against teams that Nike sponsored organizations like Team Takeover don’t frequently meet, while the latter enjoyed “going into every game the underdog and coming out victorious.” Check out more of the duo’s Super Showcase anecdotes on www.twitter/ronbailey19.

And be sure to follow both Jerian and Oladipo’s recruitment here on the NBE Basketball Report and i95Ballerz.com.