Arizona Recruiting, Fresno State Recruiting, Georgetown Recruiting, Harvard Recruiting, Indiana Recruiting, Marquette Recruiting, Northwestern Recruiting, Raphielle Johnson, Stanford Recruiting, UCLA, UNLV Recruiting, USC Recruiting, Villanova Recruiting

DAY THREE VEGAS RUNDOWN

by RAPHIELLE JOHNSON

Saturday began with a trip out to Foothill High School to check out 2012 wing prospect Rosco Allen, who picked up an offer from UCLA. With a number of 2012 prospects on display in the game between Double Pump Elite 16s and Full Package Elite 16s, the pickings were not slim in regards to who to keep an eye out for. In a two-point victory Allen scored 18 points, getting to the foul line for 10 attempts in the process. Talking with Allen after the game he noted that he was working on “getting better at using his height to get into better position to score” and that was apparent by the fact that at times he would settle for the perimeter jumper instead of attacking the basket.

But outside of these couple of occasions Allen did what was needed to ensure the victory and advancement in the playoff bracket. Allen’s got quite the list of schools on his tail also, possessing offers from much of the Pac-10, Harvard, Northwestern, and interest from Marquette and Georgetown among many others. He and Belmont Shore big man Grant Jarrett are without a doubt two of the best 2012 prospects on the West Coast.

Also playing well for Pump N Run 2012 were big men Zena Edosomwan and Robert Upshaw. Both did a good job of protecting the basket on defense while also rebounding outside of their general area, something that the coaches in attendance (including Arizona, UNLV and Indiana) love to see. Playing well for Full Package were wing Darius Paul and shooting guard Charles Harris (16 points). Paul’s got a decent stroke from the perimeter but he’s more of a penetrator, and he will need to add some muscle in the coming junior season. As for Harris he did a good job of slashing to the basket, either using the dribble to get to the basket or to open up pull-up jumper opportunities. Defensively Harris was especially active at the top of their 1-3-1 zone, as his quickness helped spark a comeback that got Full Package back into the game.

Also playing well in afternoon games we saw were a trio of Wisconsin Playground Elite guys outside of the highly-touted J.P. Tokoto. 2011 forward John Kopriva is a 6’7” player who has little problem playing around the basket on both ends of the floor despite likely needing to add some muscle; he’s an athletic forward who can finish above the rim, hit the glass and block some shots. He had good defensive positioning in their afternoon win (Playground fell to Oakland Soldiers in the evening), and he may be under-recruited at this point in time. Also remember the names of 2012 prospects Samuel Decker and Wallace Ellenson, both of whom played very well for Playground Elite in their afternoon win.

Decker is a slender 6’7” forward who tended to play more on the wing, displaying solid ballhandling skills and good shooting form from the perimeter. Ellenson is more of a two-guard, and he put on a show in a couple of cases when it came to dribbling in the open floor. One coast to coast foray to the basket included a behind the back dribble from right to left, resulting in a finger roll with the left hand at the rim without the benefit of another dribble (following the move). He can finish with either hand and is strong enough to take contact in doing so. Also had the opportunity to take a longer look at NJ Playaz wing Vaughn Gray, who was tough to contain in the open floor in their afternoon victory. He’s got quickness and is more than willing to do the little things on both ends of the floor, which allows the likes of Kyle Anderson, Myles Mack and Myles Davis to shine as primary options.

The evening session presented the opportunity to check out D-One Sports and Organized Chaos, featuring the tandem of Deuce Bello and Quincy Miller. Have to say that Miller is indeed the truth, going off for 37 points in defeat. He can knock down perimeter shots despite a release that may need to be raised some at the next level, and as you likely know he’s an outstanding athlete who can finish above the rim. Bello did not look as good in defeat, also being an explosive athlete yet needing more work on his perimeter shot in order to balance out his game. He’s likely the best dunker in the class (solid handle also) and is a strong defender as well.

But they ran into a team that had a lot more help on both ends of the floor, with Denzel Johnson showing off some long-range accuracy early and forward Grant Verhoeven playing well on both ends of the floor. Verhoeven, a 2012 prospect, had the task of guarding Miller for much of the game and despite Miller’s scoring outburst did not back down. He rebounds with authority and is a tough basketball player; in talking with him after the game he named Dwight Howard as his biggest influence, citing his defense while also noting his need to improve his back to the basket game. Already offered by Fresno State and USC (Stanford has also been actively looking at him, along with other West Coast schools), look for Verhoeven to improve even more as he matures physically. Point guard Troy Norris was a tough guard for D-One, quick on the dribble

Two other players who impressed were sharpshooter Reese Miller, who went off for 41 points (nine three pointers) in the afternoon then followed that up with five more threes in the evening. And New England Playaz forward Markus Kennedy, who’s a beefy power forward blessed with nimble feet and solid interior moves. The 2010 Villanova commitment has reclassed to 2011 to do another year in the prep ranks and still remains a commit to Jay Wright’s program. He is not the kind of player who has issues catching the ball either; once it hits his fingertips he’s got it.

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