Minnesota Recruiting

NY2LA SPORTS SUMMER JAM WRAP-UP: NAMES TO KNOW

by RAY MERNAGH

In NBE’s article last night, NY2LA Sports Summer Jam Wrap-up we took a look at the top performers from the event you probably already know of. With head coaches like Bill Self, Ben Howland, Tom Izzo, Matt Painter, Tom Crean, Buzz Williams, Lorenzo Romar, Josh Pastner, Rick Pitino, Tony Bennet, Doc Sadler and Frank Martin, among others, being in Milwaukee for a great deal of this tournament, you know there were big names at this event and not everyone was down in Georgia.

So the first part of our wrap-up (HERE) concentrated on those big names, like Branden Dawson, Marcus Paige, De’Angelo Harrison, Perry Ellis, Angelo Chol, Nick Jacobs and Paul Jesperson and their updated recruiting situations (which have changed of late in several cases).

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 of our coverage from NY2LASports.com Summer Jam as we take a look at new names on the scene that caught the attention of the coaches in the stands, those mentioned above and others. Guys like Adam Woodbury, Tanner Williams, Bruce Barron, Austin Richie, Darnell Harris, Tyrell Robinson (and brother Tyree), RJ Hunter and more are names you should know and are covered below. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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NY2LA SPORTS SUMMER JAM WRAP-UP – PART I

by RAY MERNAGH

Everybody’s talking about the Peach Jam and their 24 team tournament that got a lot of national run because of the marketing wizardry that is Nike/ESPN — the LeBron debacle exluded of course –but just like Em said 11 years ago when he talked about people doubting Dre, it seems like folks forgot about the NY2LA Summer Jam.

Here’s all I know — Bill Self, Ben Howland, Tom Izzo, Matt Painter, Tom Crean, Buzz Williams, Lorenzo Romar, Josh Pastner, Rick Pitino, Tony Bennet, Doc Sadler and Frank Martin were in Milwaukee for a great deal of this tournament. And just like Dre came hard with “The Chronic 2001″ the kids in Milwaukee showed why this tourney is now officially a must-stop in July’s opening Live Period for any true hoop junky. The talent matched up with any other tournament out there and might have surpassed them all top to bottom.

Enough with the accolades — here’s what you’all might have missed if you were elsewhere July 12-15th. Here’s what I saw and in part I of my final wrap-up I take a look at the games and recruiting of names you probably already know, like Branden Dawson, Perry Ellis, Paul Jesperson, Marcus Paige, De’Angelo Harrison, Nick Jacobs and Angelo Chol.

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 of our coverage from NY2LASports.com Summer Jam as Brendan Dawson talks about new schools in the mix, Paul Jesperson talks new offers and more from the players mentioned above. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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NIKE EYBL PEACH JAM: DAY THREE

BY JEFF BORZELLO

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. – If Tuesday was the day when the stars came out, with big-time performances from Mike Gilchrist, Anthony Davis, Austin Rivers, Marquis Teague and Brad Beal, Wednesday was the time to showcase some lesser-known talents from the class of 2012. There were only four sessions of U-17 games, with four sessions of U-16 contests. The playoffs also kicked off during the night session for each age group, with Team Takeover, BABC, St. Louis Eagles and Spiece – the group winners – advancing to play Metro Hawks, Team Final, Oakland Soldiers and Boo Williams, the runners-up in each group. In U-16, group winners Team Takeover, Georgia Stars, BABC and Memphis YOMCA squared off. With the night session featuring all playoff games, the semifinals in U-17 and finals in U-16 are set for tomorrow. Thursday will see Team Takeover take on Team Final and the St. Louis Eagles face Spiece in U-17 action, while BABC and Georgia Stars battle for the U-16 title.

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 of our coverage from North Augusta (SC) and the Nike EYBL Peach Jam’s third day of action as 18 more players update NBE on their recruitment and additional player evals are posted. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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PEACH JAM RECRUITING UPDATES

Some new names out of the Peach Jam emerge with Big East schools at, or near, the top of their lists

by ALEX SCHWARTZ

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.– The talent at the Nike Peach Jam/EYBL Finals is off the charts, with multiple high-major players on each and every court at just about all times. Every school from the Big East has been represented, and 13 of the 16 have had their head coach present watching the action at one time or another. A number of top prospects are receiving interest from Big East programs and some took the time to update the status of their recruitment.

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 of our coverage from North Augusta (SC) and the Nike EYBL Peach Jam and see what 2011 Chicago shooting guard calls WVU his leader and the impressive list of schools, from the Big East and beyond, that top the lists of Josh Richardson (’11), Egi Gjikondi (’12) and Darrick Wood (’12) . Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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NIKE EYBL PEACH JAM: DAY TWO

BY JEFF BORZELLO

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. – The finals of the inaugural NIKE Elite Youth Basketball League at the NIKE Peach Jam continued on Tuesday, as the 24 teams battled to finish in the top two spots in each group, which are the only places to advance. By the end of the day, only two teams – Team Takeover DC and the Oakland Soldiers – were undefeated, but plenty of clubs were still in contention for a playoff berth. Surprisingly, the regular-season champs, the NJ Playaz, were only 2-2 through two days and are unlikely to advance. Howard Pulley and Each One Teach One, also pool winners, are both 1-3. The heated competition to finish in the top two led to a great day two of action.

There are evals of players such as Mikael Hopkins, Amir Williams, Kyle Anderson, Anthony Davis, George Fant, AJ Hammons, Jevon Thomas and more along with recruiting updates from Trey Burke, who lists a top three, Jarnell Stokes, James Robinson, Justin Anderson, Jerami Grant, Kevin Johnson, who has two leaders, and many, many more from Day Two of the Nike EYBL championship pool play.

Related article: Nike EYBL Peach Jam: Day One

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 of our coverage from North Augusta (SC) and the Nike EYBL Peach Jam. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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KING JAMES SUMMER SHOWCASE STANDOUT PLAYERS

RAY MERNAGH

In between the Adidas Invitational in Indianapolis (IN) and the NY2LASports.com Summer Jam just outside of Milwaukee (WI), NBE made a stop at the King James Summer Showcase which was being held in and around Chicago (IL) this past weekend. Most of the top 17-U teams competed at the Fieldhouse is Waukegan (IL) and that is where NBE found a spot to watch the action Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Below we detail the performances (and update the recruitment) of some of the event’s top players, including Zach Price, JaKarr Sampson, Percy Gibson, Ryan Boatright, Michael Chandler, Nyles Evans, TJ Buchanan, Paxton Strub, Shelby Moats, Jonah Travis and Kendall Griffin.

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 the coverage from Waukegan and the 2010 King James Summer Showcase below. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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NIKE EYBL PEACH JAM: DAY ONE

BY JEFF BORZELLO

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. – Annually, the best event of the summer is the NIKE Peach Jam – a collection of 24 of the best NIKE-sponsored AAU teams in one spot. This year, it took on added importance, as it was the culmination of a four-event tournament that spanned three months and four cities. The top 20 teams from the Elite Youth Basketball League in Hampton, Va., Houston and Los Angeles joined four wildcard teams and headed to the Riverview Park Activities Center in North Augusta, S.C. In other words, the best event got even better. Throw in a U-16 division with 16 of the best teams in the country, and the Peach Jam continued to stand above the rest. You can visit the Nike EYBL website for schedules, scores and boxscores from all the games Here.

Below is our look at some of the opening day standouts and some detailed recruiting lists and updates from many top players of note, which included a pair of future Big East players (Michael Carter-Williams and Tyrone Johnson) going for at least 40 points in one of their two contests and Joe Coleman of Howard Pulley racking up the points and gives NBE his latest recruiting update. As usual, nobody covers an event like Jeff Borzello and your favorite school is likely covered in a recruiting update below…worth the price of admission (3.95 a month or 24.95 a year).

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 of our coverage from North Augusta (SC) and the Nike EYBL Peach Jam. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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FINAL KING CITY CLASSIC PLAYER EVALS & UPDATES

BY JEFF BORZELLO

CLEVELAND – After a fairly lackluster experience at the LeBron James Skills Academy – aside from the hype of having James there, of course – the 75 or so players from that camp traveled about 40 minutes north to Cleveland State University for two days of tournament-style games. The players, broken into eight teams, competed in two games each before entering the playoffs. It was far easier to evaluate the prospects in the game-setting than it was in the drills and the controlled scrimmages.

While our attention is now squarely on the finals of the Nike Elite Yough Basketball League being played at the Peach Jam in North Augusta (SC), we take our final look back at last week’s King City Classic. Previously, in our King City Classic Update (Part A) we took a look at Big East commits such as Wayne Blackshear, Tyrone Johnson, Michael Carter-Williams and James Price and their performances when we were watching. In King Citty Classic Update (Part B) NBE updated notes on mega-prospect Anthony Davis as he discussed his three finalists, talked with LaQuinton Ross about offers and visits and spent time with Myles Davis as he discusses the new offer from ‘Nova and the impact of friend Tyrone Johnson committing to the Wildcats recently. Desmond Hubert, Myles Mack and Ben McLemore also chat about their recruiting. Earlier today in Part C of our King City Classic Recap we touched base with players such as Rodney Hood, Kedren Johnson, Bernard Silluvan, Cedric McAfee, Jahii Carson, LJ Rose, J-Mychal Reese, Trey McDonald and more.

In this last edition we take a look at Rodney Purvis, DaJuan Coleman, JaKarr Sampson, Nick Faust, Jabarie Hinds, Nick Johnson, jabari Brown, Anrio Adams, Kyle Wiltjer, Deng Leek and recruiting updates from Sam Thompson, Mike Shaw, Josiah Turner, Julian Royal, Alex Poythress, Victor Nickerson, Jelon Hornbeck and many, many more…

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 of our coverage from Cleveland and the King City Classic. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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DEJUAN MARRERO & A.J. HAMMONS ARE NEXT SPIECE INDY HEAT PLAYERS TO WATCH

2012 duo are hot commodities already among college coaches as July evaluation period readies to begin

BY JEFF BORZELLO

When watching Spiece Indy Heat on the AAU circuit over the past couple of years, most eyeballs were on top-five 2011 prospect Marquis Teague. If not, many were watching Purdue-commit Raphael Davis. However, it was hard not to notice the high-energy forward on the wing or the space-eating big man down low.

Now, those two players – 6-foot-5 DeJuan Marrero and 6-foot-10 A.J. Hammons – have built a reputation for themselves, becoming highly-touted rising juniors in their own right.

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 Marrero and Hammons as Speice Indy Heat AAU coach Jared Quarles talks about the recruiting interest the pair has generated so far. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers and detailed below is our coverage schedule for the next month.

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NBPA TOP 100 EVALUATIONS (POINT/COMBO GUARDS)

by RAY MERNAGH

First of all, props to Dave Telep — and the players association — for doing an excellent job with this camp. Telep’s rapport/honesty with players is refreshing and in turn he gets a level of respect back that’s pretty hard to match.

One of the things that’s awesome about camps like this is the way kids respond to being in a situation with other players of similar ability and athleticism. It shows you exactly where a kid is competitively. Some really, really hyped kids looked absolutely lost in the headlights through three games, others took a game or two to get acclimated and then responded positively. On the flip side of that some guys who’ve been under the radar a bit have responded in a big way to this chance to continue earning respect and building on their resumes as ballers.

Here’s eleven point guards or combo guards that stood out to me.

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 NBE’s evaluations and recruiting notes on 11 guards we got a good look at this week, including Tyrone Johnson, Tyler Lewis, Myles Mack, Jahii Carson, Josiah Turner and more. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers and detailed below is our coverage schedule for the next month.

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JUNIOR LOMOMBA RECRUITING UPDATE

Another 2012 prospect originally from Canada hearing from plenty of colleges this week

by JEFF BORZELLO

6-foot-4 guard Junior Lomomba is at a training camp for the Canadian national team, but he is still picking up offers and interest from various schools around the country now that college coaches are permitted to call and officially begin recruiting players in the class of 2012. The Madison (WI) Memorial HS student is another of the extremely talented young Canadiens playing basketball in the UNited States. A successful run this spring on the AAU circuit has only heightened the interest in the versatile backcourt performer who can play all three positions on the perimeter. That interest will no doubt continue into July as he runs with The Family on the AAU scene.

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 Lomomba’s recruitment, as he has been offered from some of the biggest names in college basketball, as well as any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage.

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RUMBLE IN THE BRONX: FRIDAY RUNDOWN

BY JEFF BORZELLO

BRONX, N.Y. — With the proliferation of AAU events in the past couple of years, some of the bigger tournaments have fallen into obscurity. However, one that has stood the test of time is the Rumble in the Bronx, held at Fordham University. Although it always has a heavy New York metro-area flavor, it also brings in some of the top AAU programs from around the country. This year was no different, as the Southern Kings (GA), Dallas Mustangs (TX), Franchise All-Stars (TX) and others flew into New York for the tournament. Despite Adidas Nations taking place in Oregon and the NIKE Hoop Jamboree in St. Louis, there is still plenty of talent on-hand in the Bronx this weekend. Here’s a look at some of the top players:

Andre Drummond, 2012, Connecticut Basketball Club: Although Drummond didn’t show up until halftime of his team’s first game, he made an impact in the few minutes he played. He can finish with contact and runs the floor extremely well. On one play, he got a rebound over three players and then took two players off the dribble before driving to the basket. Drummond is also an adept shot-blocker and defender. Additionally, he showed good vision and passed the ball effectively. However, he did struggle with his footwork and back-to-the-basket game at times, resulting in difficult and awkward shots. Drummond also spends too much time on the perimeter as opposed to utilizing his size (6’10, 250) and skill down low.
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ALL-OHIO RED BACKCOURT GETTING HIGH MAJOR ATTENTION

Trey Burke and Stevie Taylor are seeing plenty of college recruiting attention

by RAY MERNAGH

Stevie Taylor is a pure point guard out of Lincoln High School in Gahanna (OH) who has played AAU for All-Ohio Red this spring. He will run a team with precision and share the ball while hitting deep three’s and runners off the bounce. Taylor can play at any level because his instinct for the game combined with his craftiness and speed is a rare mix for a point guard so young in the class of 2011.

Entering the spring AAU circuit it looked like local MAC schools such as Ohio and Akron had the inside edge of his recruitment, but as word of his strong spring on the court has spread and another 2011 PG has backed out of a commitment with one of his early suitors, Taylor has been seeing more attention of late.

All-Ohio Red is the defending champs of just about everything on the AAU circuit and Trey Burke told NBE they were playing with a chip on their shoulder this season. With a fraction of the expectations of last year, All-Ohio Red came to the wire in many close games during the Nike EYBL’s three legs this spring. Crunch time could have been known as ‘Burke time’ in Los Angeles as the 6-foot-1 guard out of Columbus (OH) Northland came through on multiple occasions down the stretch taking his team from middle of the pack to a Peach Jam berth. Burke told NBE in April he was open to new suitors and has since backed off his commitment from Penn State and new schools are calling and interested…

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 Taylor and Burke as the interest in both is heating up with a variety of schools, as well as any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage.

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NIKE EYBL (LOS ANGELES) NOTEBOOK

Doug Ferguson has made the trek to Session #3 of the Elite Youth Basketball League put on by Nike. This session was held at the Hangar Athletic Xchange in Los Angeles and just like the two previous stages the 42 teams making up the field battled hard with spots in the Peach Jam this July up for grabs.

In this notebook for NBE, Doug takes a close look at the big man battle between Amir Williams of The Family and Mikael Hopkins of Team Takeover from Saturday night. Also, an update on Trey Burke as the All-Ohio Red Guard officially re-opened his recruitment (after telling NBE’s Ray Mernagh he was going to do so last month) earlier this week and recruiting lists from players such as Jakarr Sampson, Anthony Davis, Nick Faust, Cimeon Bowers and more…

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 our coverage on the Los Angeles stop of the 2010 Nike EYBL, as well as any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage.

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GIBBONS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS DAY THREE RECAP

BY JEFF BORZELLO

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The playoffs at the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions started on Saturday night, with two separate brackets for the first and second-place group finishers in each age group. There were a few surprises to win their group, while several teams disappointed and didn’t even make the “Select” — second-place — bracket.

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 our full coverage from Sunday at the Bob Gibbons’ Tournament of Champions, as well as any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage.

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GIBBONS TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS: DAY ONE RECRUITING NOTES

Jeff Borzello is in North Carolina to kick off this Memorial Day weekend by taking in the Bob Gibbons’ Tournament of Champions AAU tournament being held at different gyms in Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh and other places in between.

While much of the attention this spring has been paid to the Nike EYBL and the strong field it has assembled, Bob Gibbons and his staff have done a tremendous job pulling together a strong field with eight of the top 20 teams in the latest PrepHoopsAssist.com Grassroots AAU Poll. For a comparison, the EYBL currently has seven ranked AAU programs in their line-up this weekend in Los Angeles.

Here is a rundown on some of the recruiting notes from the first night, spent in the Dean Dome in Chapel Hill watching the WI Playground Warriors and Carolina Elite battled in a 16-U pool clash while also catching up on some of the talent playing for St. Louis Gameface 17′s and the loaded Indiana Elite 17-U team.

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 our opening night notes from the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions, as well as any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (5/26/2010)

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In today’s news and notes, the elimination of the double-bye (in reality, byes altogether) from the Big East tournament is nearing reality after yesterday’s unanimous vote by the coaches. Recruiting updates on Chasson Randle and Karron Johnson are also linked for readers to catch up on as well.

Read on below for all of the latest News & Notes around the Big East basketball conference. Sports fans should also visit StubHub.com – The Safe Way to Buy & Sell Tickets Online for tickets to any NCAA event or NBA, MLB, NHL game or UFC, WWE or concert tickets at an arena near you this spring.

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RECRUITING NOTEBOOK FOR MID-MAY

Over the course of the last few weeks the staff and contributors to NBE have been out on the road checking on some of the biggest events of the spring AAU season. Through the travels and in between we have accumulated quite a notebook in recent weeks of recruiting updates and it is time to clear out that notebook with a recruiting list frenzy of some of the players we have seen and talked to on the AAU trail.

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 and read the latest on Trashon Burrell, Tavon Sledge, Derrick Randall, Cecil Kirk trio of Antoine Meyers, Durand Johnson and Antoine Allen who is transerring from Miami, Eugene McCrory and Justin Miller, as well as any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (5/14/2010)

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Today’s News & Notes are full of updates from around the conference and college basketball. The Big East teams in New Jersey are moving forward from their previous regimes with news on staff additions and players withdrawing from the NBA Draft, making one program very optimistic about their immediate future, while the other is looking more at the path for long-term success. Also, more on Herb Pope as his medical status takes first priority in his life. The same can be said somewhat for Austin Freeman as he is learning to cope with type-1 diabetes.

On the recruiting front, a former Louisville commitment is opening up the process and taking his time, looking at some of the top schools in the nation. A pair of 2010 prospects are open and looking to find fits for the fall, they would be excellent late-spring additions to Big East schools or other high-major programs. Providence is learning from mistakes in order to prevent another black-eye in the future and a couple of roster issues are closer to being resolved. USF is thin in backcourt experience while a couple of their current players are in a little hot water. A couple of 2011 forward prospects in the midwest are also in demand this spring to Big East schools and others.

Read on below for all of the latest News & Notes around the Big East basketball conference. Sports fans should also visit StubHub.com – The Safe Way to Buy & Sell Tickets Online for tickets to any NCAA event or NBA, MLB, NHL game or UFC, WWE or concert tickets at an arena near you this spring.

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2012 POINT GUARD MARCUS PAIGE IMPRESSES

State of Iowa and Big 10 teams also impressed with offers extended to Paige

by RAY MERNAGH

Just profiled another 2012 point in Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell earlier today (see story HERE). Ferrell is a special player, but Marcus Paige, a 6’0″ point guard from Lin Marr (IA), might be even better. Paige led his Martin Brothers team to the 16-U title at the Bill Henlsey Memorial Run ‘N Slam All-Star Classic at the Spiece Fieldhouse in Ft. Wayne (IN) last weekend and he did it without breaking a sweat.

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 Marcus Paige and hear his thoughts on his early recruitment, as well as any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage.

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