Ron Bailey

BEEJAY ANYA ESTABLISHING HIMSELF IN ’13; UCLA VISIT IMPRESSED YOUNG BIG MAN

Anya’s game is taking shape

By Ron Bailey

June 26, 2011 – A late entry to this year’s National Basketball Association Players Association Camp, Beejay Anya was taking a step up in competition by competing. It’s not that he hasn’t seen this level of play before as a standout with Team Takeover (AAU) 17u and DeMatha Catholic (MD), but the NBAPA TOP 100 offers not only a talent filled attendees list, but solid coaching and imparting/reinforcing new concepts as well. Anya stepped up to the challenge.

“It’s a good level of bump up here. I feel like the competition is great. I’m trying to hold my own and I’m holding my own” said the 6’7”, 275 plus-pound center forward in the Class of 2013, midway through camp. From a team standpoint, Anya played with the camp’s Thunder team; he went on to note “today my team didn’t do so well. Hopefully we’ll stay together and play better.”

Individually, Beejay showed power around the rim, where he stepped into opponents and finished, hard. Possessing long arms, Anya’s a surprising shot blocker and good rebounder when remaining active. Not a gazelle but having good feet, Beejay displays solid low post footwork (a developmental focal point of his), and at times fills lanes.
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FOR NERLENS NOEL THE DEFENSE NEVER RESTS

By Ron Bailey

Nerlens Noel – 6’10”, 215 lb junior center, Tilton School (NH) – When discussing Noel’s game, defense is front and center. Just ask him.

“I think the strong part of my game is my defense, just anchoring the defense, trying to be as vocal as I can” he said between games at the recently concluded National Basketball Player’s Association Top 100 Camp in Charlottesville, VA. “Blocking shots, rebounding. Defense wins championships and that’s what I strive to do.”

And that’s what he did, rejecting shots at a prodigious rate. When he did not send them awry, he pressured shooters, thereby forcing them into difficult attempts and/or missing. Noel’s a fly swatter, one with long arms and the ability to get off the ground quickly.
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NEGUS WEBSTER-CHAN LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT FIT & RELATIONSHIP IN COLLEGE CHOICE

By Ron Bailey

Negus Webster-Chan, 6’6”, 190 lb senior shooting guard, Huntington Prep (WV) – Another of the Canuck invasion, Webster-Chan has just been in America full-time for about a year. Of course he’s had to adjust, on and off the floor.

In terms of the hardwood, Webster-Chan said of Huntington Prep “That was my first year in the States going to school out here. It was a real good experience; I got a lot bigger and gained more weight. I went up against better competition than I’m used to. Everybody had a big name in high school.”

Off the floor, he not only had to deal with a different style of life amongst youth in America, but Huntington, WV and perceptions of Canada as well. “That was real hard because I come from a big city” said the Toronto native. Moreover, “They (teammates) think we have a whole bunch of snow every day, it’s not like that. It’s sunny right now at home. It’s hot!”

Negus played solidly during NBAPA Top 100 action, displaying a penchant for perimeter play whether shooting, passing or driving. Lateral quickness can be improved, a point he acknowledges. If you ask Webster-Chan, he’s “working one everything. Everything can be improved.”

This Canadian indicated he considers himself “a combo guard, but they are using me as a two guard out here”. Webster-Chan admitted Top 100 was “like my first camp ever” and took away from it the opportunity to “learn a lot off the court about life skills and on the court from the optional workouts we had in the morning.”

According to him “Seton Hall, Marquette, Virginia, USC, South Florida, Texas, Iowa State, Oregon” plus “more schools” have offered.

Webster-Chan had originally made a verbal commitment to Louisville during the past season, but re-opened the process earlier this spring.

What are his college criteria?: “I’m just looking for a place that fits me…like how they want to use me, I’m comfortable there. (Where) I’ll have a great relationship with the head coach. (If) My parents are comfort able with it. It doesn’t matter if I’m East Coast or West Coast.”

RICARDO GATHERS SHOWS BIG AT NBA TOP 100; PLENTY OF BIG EAST INTEREST & MORE

By Ron Bailey

Ricardo Gathers, 6’7”, 250 lb senior power forward, Riverside Academy (LA) – If there was a BIG EAST prototypical four man, a guy that at first blush one would say belongs in the nation’s most physical league it’s Gathers, who looks like he might be very comfortable attacking quarterbacks from the defensive end position. Despite reportedly claiming he doesn’t push iron, Gathers looks as if he lives in the weight room.

It’s evident to say he’s a physical beast on the hardwood.

“I’m a power man. I can play finesse but I mean, I’m bulling everybody” he said of his NBAPA Top 100 Camp play. It was an accurate description, as Gathers routinely muscled his way into scoring and rebounding position, while also playing stout interior defense.

But that doesn’t mean he’s wed to only playing that way.

“That’s when I’m going to start using my mind, thinking it out more” responded Ricardo to the need for diversification in college. “You know, finessing people.”

Doing so dovetails with his goal to “try and become the three (small forward) by the time I set foot on the college campus”. He understands that work needs to be done. Subsequently, Gathers indicated “I have to live in this gym; just watch the players at that position, so you can learn.”

Ricardo on whether hitting jumpers from around 15 feet and attacking the rim off a couple of dribbles is advantageous: “Of course. A 15-17 foot jumper is going to help; I’m mean that just makes the game a whole lot easier. Then being able to beat your defender off at least one or two dribbles, I mean, that’s just domination right there. 15 feet in, that’s what I’m trying to work on.”

The shooting work is starting to show; while not draining outside shots left and right, Gathers did hit open ones from about 17 feet, including fast break pull ups.

Where do schools envision him playing? “Some say four, some say three” he shared.

BIG EAST institutions “St. John’s, West Virginia, Syracuse, UConn, Seton Hall, South Florida” are recruiting him, and have offered according to him, as have “LSU, Texas, Baylor, USC, Cal, Arizona” and others. The choice will be made “Probably my decision after the summer, like mid-Fall maybe” with “atmosphere, would I love being there if I wasn’t playing basketball” as “It’s not guaranteed, I might get hurt or anything. And then just academics and stuff” driving the decision. Ricardo expects to major in “finance or something.”

Does he think favorably of the B-EAST?

“It’s tough. (Great) Preparation for the NBA” was the response. “Eighteen teams in one conference, I mean it doesn’t get any better than that.”

PHILLY GUYS BRING PHILLY TOUGHNESS TO NBA TOP 100 CAMP

By Ron Bailey

June 20, 2011 – Now that the National Basketball Players Association Top 100’s dust has settled, even more information can be reported on attending student athletes being recruited by BIG EAST member schools. Of course the league’s footprint was large, as kids from throughout the nation listed institutions from that conference. Two from Philadelphia are featured here.

Amile Jefferson – 6’8”, 195 lb, senior F, Friends Central (PA) – Jefferson, winner of the Camp’s Academic Achievement award put in work akin to good student’s preparing for final exams – he rebounded, filled lanes, defended, passed and scored his way to a stellar performance. To say he was one of the event’s most effective players is an understatement, as is noting Amile was a very hard worker.

What’s more impressive is that he still is not the best shooter or ball handler; Jefferson does it with effort, intelligence and grit, the last evidenced by playing around half the camp with a dislocated pinky finger on his left hand (which could demand surgery). Sure he hit shots (particularly spot up wing jumpshots from just inside the three point arc) and patted getting the rim (particularly in fast break/scatter court situations), it’s just that these are necessary points of improvement. Add getting stronger to that list ,which Jefferson recognizes as necessary.
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JERAMI GRANT & ANTHONY BENNETT CONTINUE GREAT SPRINGS AT NBA TOP 100 CAMP

By Ron Bailey

June 18, 2011 – Yesterday the action picked up even still at the National Basketball Association’s Top 100 Camp. With BIG EAST prospects in abundance, it wasn’t hard catching up to a few.

Anthony Bennett – 6’7”, 230 lb senior F, Findlay (NV) – Hailing from Toronto, over the course of two years being in the States Bennett has been involved in a transformation of sorts. The change is clearly continuing and successful.

“That’s what I’m trying to do, because when I was in Canada, I was like the tallest person so they put me down low” shared the Toronto native when asked if he is in fact migrating to the perimeter. “When I came out here (America), everybody is the same height as me, if not taller, so I had to develop my game to a three-man (small forward) and take my player off the wing.”

He’s done that in NBAPA play, attacking the tin hard, finishing similarly. He also has been solid in pick and roll situations, battled inside, rebounded against everyone, and stepped up to defensive challenges. The only thing he really hasn’t demonstrated frequently is deep outside shooting and top notch ball handling.
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GABE YORK, CAMERON BIEDSCHEID PERFORM WELL AT NBA CAMP

By Ron Bailey

June 17, 2011 – Packed with talented players, this year’s NBAPA Top 100 Camp has not disappointed on-lookers, as the action has been hot and furious. This series will document the play/recruitment of a number of players participating. These individuals are being recruited by BIG EAST schools.

Gabe York, 6’2”, 170 lb senior SG, Orange Lutheran (CA) – Previously more of a shooting guard, York has determined to he needs to be more of a set up man in NBAPA play (dropping five points a game on Day 1 for the 1-1 Spurs), saying “My coach told me he wants me to be more of a point guard. He doesn’t know how good of a scorer I am, and that’s fine, I’m not here to show anybody up, I’m here to help my team win”.

That’s a good mentality to have for any of his recruiting list schools, which includes Marquette, Notre Dame, Louisville, Kansas and Memphis.
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BIG SHOTS DCA – BIG EAST PROSPECTS SHINE ON AAU SCENE

By Ron Bailey

April 14, 2011 – This past weekend Big Shots teamed with DC Assault to put on a grassroots tourney in District Heights, Maryland. An estimated 100-plus teams spanning the 10-under through 17-under age groupings strapped on their shoes, taking the hardwood in battle. There were a number that played who are getting BIG EAST looks as future high-major recruits. Some of these players already have a reputation readers are aware off while others will be players to keep an eye on as they work to build up their names in the coming months on the AAU circuit.

First off, the well known….

One such guy, Nate Britt, is already highly recruited by conference schools, with Villanova, Georgetown and Seton Hall having all offered the 6-foot-2 sophomore (Class of 2013) who shoots with his left but can dribble with both hands. West Virginia and Rutgers join others that are interested, including Virginia, Duke, and Texas. Arizona and UCLA have also offered Nate, a guard that can drive, shoot and pass, along with think the game.

What does he think about the BIG EAST? “It’s the best conference in America right now” was Britt’s response. Nate was one of the best players in this tourney, making i95Ballerz.com’s first team all star unit.

His DC Assault teammate, 6-foot-4 Torian Graham was tagged second team, and is also in high demand from conference schools, identifying Georgetown as having offered, and West Virginia being interested. UCLA, Clemson, Boston College and Miami have also invited him to attend, while Florida, Kentucky, Florida State and Kansas and others may do so soon.

Graham is a high flyer, one that can also drain jumpers from long distance, and defend in open court/press situations. An up and down style would seemingly fit him just fine.
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BALTIMORE ELITE INVITATIONAL NOTEBOOK

Myles Mack, Khem Birch & Ricardo Ledo show the goods to be landing at the high-major level in the future

by RON BAILEY

May 12, 2010 – Last weekend’s Baltimore Elite Invitational heated up the Washington-Baltimore AAU landscape, as talented players from as far north as Canada traveled to Chantilly, VA’s Hoop Magic Sports Academy, and were joined by travel teams hailing from parts south as deep as North Carolina. The Eastern Seaboard was in full effect.

With organizations such as Nike Baltimore Elite, Team Takeover, Canada Takeover, Team Final, Team Philly, Expressions and a host of others, BIG EAST recruited athletes like Desmond Hubert, Rakeem Christmas, James Robinson, Mikael Hopkins, Tyrone Johnson and Kyle Anderson were in abundance.

Future Class of 2011 Syracuse student-athlete Trevor Cooney laced ‘em up, as did younger standouts being recruited like Jerami Grant (Georgetown, Oklahoma State, others), and BeeJay Anya (Georgetown, Maryland, others).

In an effort to supply NBE Basketball Report readers with up-to-date information not widely available, three players are featured below; Khem Birch, Myles Mack and Ricardo Ledo. The last pair have been known to be BIG EAST targets for awhile. The first may mildly surprise recruitniks. All have a strong chance of landing in the B-EAST.

You can log-in or sign up for NBE Premium access by SUBSCRIBING (HERE) for as low as $2.08 a month with our annual introductory membership to read more on Birch, Ledo and Mack as they go into detail about their recruiting and games with Ron Bailey (also some exclusive audio content as well), as well as any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage.

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RUTGERS TAKES ANOTHER ON THE CHIN IN LOSS TO HOYAS

Scarlet Knights yet to get off the mat in Big East play, 0-7

by RON BAILEY

January 24, 2010 – Another game, another loss, that’s how many likely see the Rutgers 88-63 road setback to Georgetown in D.C. yesterday (Saturday), one in which the Scarlet Knights fell down 17 at halftime, and trailed by as much as 33 at two points in the second half.

Often misleading, but not in this case, the stats tell much, as Rutgers shot only 34.5% from three point land (10-29) and 42.1% overall, while also being out-rebounded by 10 (34-24). The team scored over four points under its season average of 67.6, while allowing Georgetown to drop greater than 18 more points than Scarlet Knights opponents have to date.

Adding insult to injury, the team’s leading scorer, sophomore guard Mike Rosario struggled mightily, and Rutgers recently lost it’s second highest scorer, Gregory Echenique, to transfer. Standing 9-10 and posting an o-fer in Big East play (0-7), times are hard in middle Jersey.

During post game pressers, the head Scarlet Knight, Fred Hill acknowledged the struggles his team faced against Georgetown (15-3, 6-2) and generally, but took an interesting tack: He believes losses such as this one to Georgetown is more desirable than an eight or 10 point setback in which Rutgers changes it’s focus to shorten the game.

“We’re not going to change the way we play” said the emballted coach Hill, before later noting “We’re not going to go backwards, we’re going to go forward. We want to run up and down the floor and play quick”.

If he feels the pressure for ‘W’s’ Hill is not altering his focus to accommodate it; in his estimation, the 25 point defeat is a learning experience.

Want to hear more of Hill’s comments? See the audio below.

Fred Hill Post Game Presser, Part I
Fred Hill Post Game Presser, Part II

The scarlet Knights travel to Marquette for a Tuesday tilt with the Golden Eagles, while Georgetown travels to upsate New York for a highly anticipated Big Monday showdown with Syracuse Monday night.

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==================================================================
It might be two months away, but our 2010 Big East Tournament & Tickets page has the links needed for Big East basketball fans to purchase tickets to any or all of the 2010 Big East Tournament sessions. The Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden is an event Big east fans must experience when they have the opportunity and here is your chance to get your tickets early before they become harder, and more expensive, to find. Stub Hub and the Big East conference have teamed up to provide fans with quality tickets and you can get tickets to ANY Big East conference or non-league game by following this link: StubHub.com – The Safe Way to Buy & Sell Tickets Online
====================================================================

WRIGHT, REYNOLDS TALKS ABOUT WIN OVER GEORGETOWN

by RON BAILEY

Game Spotlight: Villanova Outlasts Georgetown Ala Scottie

January 17, 2009 – When pressed to title the Villanova 82-77 victory over Georgetown before a sellout Wachovia Center crowd of 20,016, Scottie to the Rescue seems to say it all. That Scottie would be Scottie Reynolds, the senior guard who supplied 27 points, three rebounds and two steals and two assists for good measure.

Early on, it was Reynolds who led the Wildcats; witness his three pointer at 17:36 in the first half, followed by a free throw, two more three balls, and lay up soon thereafter. This work secured a 16-15 lead for ‘Nova.

In the second half, it was Scottie’s driving, reverse layup that that ended a 20-10 Georgetown run to start the period; the Hoyas were down 46-31 at the half. Another Reynolds fast break layup, this one with 3:14 to play gave ‘Nova the lead, 71-69, and his rebound at 1:55 saved a valuable possession for the Wildcats, now 16-1 overall and 5-0 in the Big East, while enjoying a No. 4 national ranking.

To say without Reynolds, the 2009-2010 version of Wildcat Basketball would not be so positioned, is the obvious.

Reynold’s theatrics were necessary, given sophomore center/forward Greg Monroe’s career high 29 points and 14 rebounds. Junior guard Austin Freeman poured in 22 points, four rebounds and six dimes, while sophomore guard Jason Clark chipped in 16 points and four rebounds.

Aiding Scottie – who performed for much of the second half with foul considerations – offensively, were three double figure scorers: Junior guard Corey Fisher, senior forward/guard Reggie Reading and freshman point guard Maalik Wayns, a trio that dropped 10 points, 11 points/seven boards, and 11 points, respectively.

The win snapped a five game losing streak to Georgetown for the Wildcats, one that began in 2007. Up next for Villanova is a road trip to Rutgers, Wednesday. The Hoyas, ranked 11th nationally and owning a 4-2 Big East mark and 13 wins to three losses overall, travel to Pittsburgh the same day, January 20th.

See the links below for ‘Nova post game audio, including the comments of Villanova‘s head coach, Jay Wright, as well as those of Reynold’s himself. Exclusive photos are below.

Villanova post game press conference audio:

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

BOBBY GONZALEZ DISCUSSES GEORGETOWN LOSS

Post Game Spotlight: Seton Hall Vs Georgetown

by RON BAILEY

January 15, 2009 – Seton Hall fell 85-73 last night to Georgetown at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., a setback leaving the Pirates 10-6 overall, yet 1-4 in Big East play (Hoyas improve to 13-2, 4-1). Pirate coach Bobby Gonzalez felt this was the one game in which his team’s effort, particularly early, could be called into question.

The Pirates found themselves down 44-28 at halftime, and 57-38 with 13:53 in the game, yet battled to within seven over the next five plus minutes. Surprisingly, The Hall made that 16-4 run with the Big
East’s leading scorer, Jeremy Hazell, on the pine; though he finished with 17 points, Hazell scored only five on two of six shooting in the first half.

For Gonzalez’s comments on Hazell’s play, Georgetown’s methodical yet deadly nature – he compared it to “ether” – and the killer 10 first turnovers his crew committed, as well as other topics, enjoy his post
game press conference with the media here:

Bobby Gonzalez speaks to media following 85-73 loss at Georgetown (Part 1)

Bobby Gonzalez discusses SHU 85-73 loss at Georgetown (Part II)

Here are some additional photos from last night’s action…

=======================================================

*********Follow NBE Sports on Twitter: http://twitter.com/NBESports*****

==================================================================
It might be two months away, but our 2010 Big East Tournament & Tickets page has the links needed for Big East basketball fans to purchase tickets to any or all of the 2010 Big East Tournament sessions. The Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden is an event Big east fans must experience when they have the opportunity and here is your chance to get your tickets early before they become harder, and more expensive, to find. Stub Hub and the Big East conference have teamed up to provide fans with quality tickets and you can get tickets to ANY Big East conference or non-league game by following this link: StubHub.com – The Safe Way to Buy & Sell Tickets Online
====================================================================

BRANDON YOUNG LIKELY TO REOPEN RECRUITMENT

DePaul commit tells NBE this weekend a coaching change would cause him to reconsider

by RON BAILEY

January 11, 2010 – When Friendship Collegiate (DC) High School took on Potomac (MD) in District Heights, MD last week, the former was without DePaul commit Brandon Young, a 6-foot-3, 179-pound point guard capable of scoring, defending, and running a show. An ankle injury suffered recently precluded him from playing then.

As any good teammate would, Young was present, rooting Friendship on. He also consented to an interview, one in which his college choice was discussed.

Brandon choosing DePaul took many by surprise, and not just due to geography; the Blue Demons have lost over 20 straight Big East games, and hold a 7-8 record this year. Those eight 2009-2010 setbacks include defeats to American and Florida Gulf Coast.

Young loved DePaul, visiting the Chicago school with his mom, and was very impressed. Of the Windy City, he noted “It’s a big city and I love it. It’s a great place to be.” Assistant coach Billy Garrett was the lead recruiter involved.

The point guard is well aware of the shock many had regarding his decision: “The reason I caught a lot of people by surprise is that they haven’t been winning any games in the Big East, and it’s out there the coaching staff may get fired. So they were just wondering why I would go to that school”.

Of Jerry Wainwright and his staff exiting, Young shared “I thought about it, but I’m not I’m not really thinking about it too much. I’m just ready to go and play college basketball”. He did contemplate a major, stated as “either sports management or sports medicine”.

Well, according to a media report, Brandon must revisit his college choice, as Wainwright is out at DePaul (ESPN.com), with a press conference set for today at 11 am being announced. Athletic director Jean Lenti Ponsetto will conduct it.

Georgetown joined DePaul in offering Young a scholarship, as did Marquette, South Florida, Charlotte, Miami, Niagara and Central Florida.

A conversation with him courtside Saturday evening – he was waiting for Friendship to take on Progressive Christian in Uptown Hoop Fest action – revealed a coaching change would indeed prompt him to consider a change of heart, likely reopening his recruitment; a thoroughly understandable reaction.

Will he remain committed to DePaul? Will the school, if requested, release him from his letter of intent (likely, but you never know)? Stay tuned. NBE Basketball Report has the goods.

CATCHING UP WITH USF POINT GUARD CHRIS HOWARD

Howard set to direct Bulls up in Big East standings in 2009-2010

by RON BAILEY

September 2, 2009 – Long and challenging has been the journey Chris Howard; from back-to-back Maryland state high school titles, to prep school, to South Florida, where he’s suffered two knee injuries. This, his final season in the Big East should be a coming-out of sorts for the 6’3”, 200 pound guard.

Last season, Howard, a point guard averaged 7.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and a South Florida leading 4.1 assists per contest, a campaign of which he remarked with sweat dripping off him, “Was alright, I didn’t play to the best of my ability”: Determined to leave college with a bang, Howard once again joined workouts with famed trainer Haniff Hill in Washington, DC recently, sessions that included professional, international league players and college standouts. Over the course of close to two hours , Chris, in one of those periods, performed guard drills designed to max footwork and shooting form, all in a competitive environment stressing cardiovascular improvement. To conclude the workout, players played “King of the Hill”, a one-on-one based game in which the winner always faces a fresh defender.

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FLOWERS LOOKS TO BLOOM FOR WVU IN ’09-’10

by RON BAILEY

August 27, 2009 – The Jabbo Kenner League concluded this month, and afforded hoops aficionados in the Washington D.C. area an opportunity to see and assess many of their favorite college and pro basketball players. The pages of i95Ballerz.com and NBE Basketball Report carry some of that coverage.

One Big East player that competed was West Virginia 6-foot-7, 215-lb, junior forward John Flowers. What jumps out at you about Flowers is his development since attending high school at St. Mary’s Ripken (MD); both physically and skill set-wise.

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MEET CHASE ADAMS

Adams set to utilize opportunity at Pittsburgh in senior year

by RON BAILEY

August 22, 2009 – Sometimes, life gives you a bonus, those opportunities that are just icing on the cake. They seem to happen rarely, and as the old-timers say, the recipient “Must be living right”. If that adage is true, Chase Adams is just such a guy, as the 5’10”, 190 lb guard gets to play his senior year in the Big East, transferring from Summit League school Centenary. Further illustrating his boon, Chase doesn’t have to sit out a year in doing so.

How is Adams capable of doing this, something he labeled by telephone this week “a dream of mine to play at the highest level”?

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BIG EAST TALENT SHOWS AT DC’S KENNER LEAGUE

Selected Kenner League review on Big East Guys

by RON BAILEY

August 21, 2009 – With the 2009 Jabbo Kenner League’s yearly closure, basketball fans have again lost the opportunity to see professional and collegiate players battle in the confines of Georgetown University’s McDonough Arena. Kenner is, and has been, one of the best places to see post-high school talent perform on the East Coast.

Of course present and past Big East athletes participate in league action. Several that played this year are evaluated below. (Click here for i95Ballerz.com All Kenner First/Second and Third/Fourth teams)

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BIG TIME BUMP REVIEW (PART II)

Big East firmly represented at ‘Big Time Bump’ at Hoop Magic to close July

by RON BAILEY

August 3, 2009 – In Part 1 of Big Time Bump, five young men who participated in the D.C. area’s end-of-open-period event are chronicled. Part 2 presents five more young men, a quintet who, like those in Part 1, also have a chance to one day play in the Big East.

All-Star team lists are available at i95Ballerz.com, and Twitter.com/ronbailey19 continues to stand as an excellent source of recruiting information.

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‘BIG TIME BUMP’ REVIEW (PART I)

Big East firmly represented at ‘Big Time Bump’ at Hoop Magic to close July

by RON BAILEY

August 3, 2009 – At Hoop Magic Sports Academy (Chantilly, VA), last Thursday and Friday, it could be described as a coaches convention, as at least 50 programs were under the top-level fitness facility’s roof. This group included many head coaches, such as John Thompson, III (Georgetown), Stan Heath (South Florida), Tony Bennett (UVA), Milan Brown (Mt. St. Mary’s), Gill Jackson (Howard), Seth Greenberg (VA Tech), and Quinnipiac’s Rob Moore. Some programs had multiple staff members present.

Of course the B-East was represented by schools other than the Hoyas and Bulls, with assistants from West Virginia, DePaul, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Villanova and Cincinnati being observed.

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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.

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