Boston College Recruiting, Brian Bosworth, Connecticut Recruiting, DePaul Recruiting, Florida Recruiting, Iowa State Recruiting, Kentucky Recruiting, Louisville Recruiting, Northeastern Recruiting, Pittsburgh Recruiting, Providence Recruiting, Virginia Recruiting, West Virginia Recruiting

2011 NIKE EYBL PEACH JAM REPORT (PART IV)

By Brian Bosworth

As Wednesday night rolled around in North Augusta, the haves started to separate themselves from the have nots. Plenty of players showcased their talents for the nation’s top coaches and tried to put their stamp of the week’s festivities. After a third viewing in two days, one thing became VERY clear on Wednesday night. Nerlens Noel is a stud and is making a strong case that he is the top player at this entire event.

Nerlens Noel (BABC/2013) – After flirting with a triple double in his morning game, Noel finished the job Wednesday night putting up 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 blocked shots against a very talented CIA Bounce front line. He is a human eraser at the rim and it doesn’t matter who is attacking him. Any shot taken within five feet against BABC belongs to Noel and as the game goes on opponents start taking wild attempts because they are scared of being embarrassed. He is the best defender in the country and proved it for a third time this week.

Prominent head coaches on hand to see Noel’s effort against CIA Bounce included Tom Izzo (Michigan State), Rick Barnes (Texas), Jim Calhoun (Connecticut), Jamie Dixon (Pittsburgh), Thad Matta (Ohio State), Jim Larranaga (Miami), Frank Haith (Missouri), Mike Anderson (Arkansas), Roy Williams (UNC), Jim Boeheim (Syracuse), and Mick Cronin (Cincinnati). The win kept BABC undefeated in the two days thus far. Memphis YOMCA and the Oakland Soldiers are also 4-0 after Wednesday night.

Wednesday’s Session 2 Scoreboard:
Georgia Stars 85, All-Ohio Red 68
Boo Williams 68, Indy Spiece 64
CP3 93, Cali Supreme 82
Mac Irvin Fire 82, All-Iowa Attack 78
Team Takeover 86, Houston Hoops 80
Oakland Soldiers 74, Baltimore Elite 70
Memphis YOMCA 63, NJ Playaz 47
BABC 58, CIA Bounce 55 (OT)
Arkansas Wings 65, Athletes First 62
Texas Titans 61, Louisiana Select 44
The Family 62, City Rocks 54
Howard Pulley 72, Meanstreets 67

Individual Stat Leaders:

Scoring Leaders:
Sulaimon,Rasheed………..23.3
Gathers,Ricardo…………20.0
Ashley,Brandon………….19.5
Parker,Jabari-B4…………..19.3
Smith-Rivera,D’Vauntes…….19.0
Anderson,Kyle…………..19.0
Zierdan,Isaiah………….19.0
Jones,Matthew…………..18.8
Barber,Anthony…………18.5
Goodwin,Archie………….18.0

Rebounding Leaders:
Gathers,Ricardo…………13.0
Poythress,Alex………….9.8
Parker,Tony…………….9.8
Johnson,Brice………….9.3
Parker,Jabari…………..9.3

Assist Leaders:
Rose,LJ………………..8.8
Purvis,Rodney…………..7.3
Anderson,Kyle…………..7.3
Robinson,James………….6.0
Clark,Stephen………….. 5.5

Shot Blocking Leaders:
Noel,Nerlens……………6.8
Johnson,Brice…………..4.8
Kingsley,Moses………….3.8
Morris,Shaquille………..2.5

More Player Evaluations:

Josh Fortune (Boo Williams/2012) – committed to Providence – Fortune had it working from deep in this game burying 3-4 from the behind the arc while getting great elevation on his shot and showing a smooth release. He has a well built 6’5” frame on the wing and doesn’t shy away from contact inside. Very aggressive with the ball in his hands, Fortune has a scorer’s mentality always thinking about putting the ball in the hole.

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Justin Anderson (Boo Williams/2012) – committed to Virginia – Anderson’s numbers didn’t jump off the page but his physical impact on a high school basketball game is really something to watch. He blocked a shot at the rim despite being near the free throw line as his opponent was taking off. He covered the ground in a flash, exploded off the ground, and sent the shot into the third row. Offensively, Anderson worked out of the post a lot in this game where he was far too physical and aggressive for any defender Spiece threw at him. Anderson plays with a ton of emotion on the court and while his passion is inspiring he lets it get the best of him at times and loses his cool. When in control, he is a physical force who can impact the game on both ends.

D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera (Indy Spiece/2012) – Smith-Rivera is a power point guard in every sense standing 6’3” and 205 pounds. He has tight handle and uses a strong front shoulder to stop defenders from trying to pick his pocket. Smith-Rivera shot the ball very well on this night going 4-6 from behind the arc along with getting to the basket and finishing in the paint. In addition to his physical attributes Smith-Rivera controls the action both vocally and by example for this Spiece group and is the unquestioned leader for his team out on the court.

AJ Hammons (Indy Spiece/2012) – In a word, Hammons is huge. He stands at 7’0”, 260 pounds and actually looks to be in much better shape than when I last saw him in April. His activity on both back boards stood out in tonight’s contest as he racked up 13 rebounds. Players of his immense size have a tendency to get complacent and think their body will get rebounds for them. Hammons was quite the opposite attacking the ball both in and out of his area and then whipping outlet passes ahead to Smith-Rivera to start the break.

Georges Niang (BABC/2012) – committed to Iowa State – Production, production, production. Prospects are often evaluated on potential of what they could do down the road but a balance between production and potential is what coaches really want to see. Niang produces every time he steps onto the floor and tonight was no different. An undersized 4 man standing at 6’7”, Niang uses a wide frame and outstanding footwork to give defenders fits down low. He knows how to create contact and can finish from all kinds of angles with either hand. College coaches sitting courtside were shaking their heads at every Niang finish inside as it never seems possible but he always seems to finish. The Big East let a good one sneak away to Big 12 country.

Anthony Bennett (CIA Bounce/2012) – Bennett is a beast. He is every bit of the 6’8” 220 pounds he’s listed at and uses his strength to dominate the paint. He loves contact and has no problem finishing right through it inside. Not just a banger, Bennett also has a clean jump out past the three point line, can put the ball on the floor, and runs in transition like a wing player. He has exploded on the national scene this spring and it’s easy to see why with his combination of power and skill. Bennett is only scratching the surface of his huge potential and is already drawing comparisons to the likes of Larry Johnson and Carmelo Anthony.

Andrew Wiggins (CIA Bounce/2014) – If I didn’t know Wiggins was a member of the 2014 class, I would never believe it. He has an advanced game at such a young age and can score the ball in a variety of ways from the wing. Wiggins has three point range although he is streaky from out there but is at his best attacking the basket. An elite athlete, Wiggins might be the only player I’ve seen all week finish in the paint with Nerlens Noel standing in his way. He had multiple put back dunks in this game and makes it look so easy when he elevates over opponents and hammers one down. Wiggins is squarely in the discussion for the top overall player in the 2014 class and reminds me of a young Paul Pierce.

Tyus Jones (Howard Pulley Panthers/2014) – Another one of the youngest players in the tournament, Jones plays like a seasoned veteran. Standing at 6’0” and manning the point for Howard Pulley, Jones has the ball on a string as he weaves his way up and down the floor. He always seems to make the right decision and doesn’t force things that aren’t there. Not only a facilitator, Jones showed off an impressive floater in the lane and a consistent jump shot going 3-3 from long range. Although it’s very early, Jones appears to be one of the elite point guards in the class of 2014.

Isaiah Zierdan (Howard Pulley Panthers/2012) – The 6’2” guard can really shoot the ball. I would go as far as to say that he is the best long range shooter I’ve seen this week and there has certainly been stiff competition. He made six from behind the arc in this contest which is just another day at the office for the long range sniper.

College Coaches in Attendance:

Boo Williams vs. Indy Spiece – Head coaches Brad Stevens (Butler), Stan Heath (South Florida), John Thompson (Georgetown), Ed Cooley (Providence), Tom Izzo (Michigan State), and Paul Hewitt (George Mason) were all courtside joined by assistants from Indiana, UNC, and Xavier.

BABC vs. CIA Bounce – Prominent head coaches on hand included Tom Izzo (Michigan State), Rick Barnes (Texas), Jim Calhoun (Connecticut), Jamie Dixon (Pittsburgh), Thad Matta (Ohio State), Jim Larranaga (Miami), Frank Haith (Missouri), Mike Anderson (Arkansas), Roy Williams (UNC), Jim Boeheim (Syracuse), and Mick Cronin (Cincinnati) with assistants from Duke, Gonzaga, and Xavier joining them.

Mean Streets vs. Howard Pulley – Tom Izzo (Michigan State), Sean Miller (Arizona), Paul Hewitt (Georgia Tech), and Patrick Chambers (Penn State) were on hand along with assistants from Ohio State, Depaul, and Xavier.

Recruiting Updates:

Wayne Selden – Only a rising sophomore, Selden confirmed that he already has offers from Kentucky, West Virginia, Connecticut, Boston College, and Pittsburgh.

Jaylen Brantley – The rising junior told me that since June 15th he’s been hearing from Florida, DePaul, Boston College (offer), Northeastern, and Louisville (offer).

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