Kansas State Recruiting

LEBRON JAMES SKILLS ACADEMY RECRUITING FOCUS: JAMES ROBINSON & WILLIE CAULEY

By Lauren Kirschman

The Lebron James Skills Academy took it up another notch on Thursday as college coaches were allowed to watch the action at the James A. Rhodes Arena on the University of Akron campus. After getting their feet wet with several workouts and the opportunity to play with and against King James himself in their first day and a half of the camp, now the players are playing for scholarships.

Right out of the gates the big name coaches arrived. By the time the first morning high school workout had finished names and faces we all know populated the viewing areas like Tom Izzo, Coach K, Jim Calhoun, Jim Boeheim, Billy Donovan, John Thompson III, Thad Matta, Bill Self, Matt Painter, Lorenzo Romar, Anthony Grant, Josh Pastner, Bruce Weber and many more with others planning to be here before the day is done.

After the morning workout Willie Cauley (’12) and James Robinson (’12) spent time with NBE Basketball Report to fill our readers in on the latest with their recruitment…

James Robinson (DeMatha HS/Team Takeover DC)
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RECRUITING NOTEBOOK: ELITE PROGRAMS REACHING OUT TO 2013 PROSPECTS

The live July evaluation period is right around the corner. Once again NBE will be out in full force during both 10-day recruiting periods, stretching from East to West and North and South to keep up with all the recruiting information. It is always a fun process to see what college coaches are out on the recruiting trail and who they are watching.

In the meantime, the phones of top prospects in the Class fo 2013 have been ringing off the hook as colleges are permitted to contact a recruit once a month on the phone or via email. June 15th was the first day contact was allowed and programs wasted little time reaching out to prospects.

“Santa Clara called me at 12:00 on the dot,” said Tyler Ennis. “Oregon State, Santa Clara and Iowa State all did.”

Ennis is a 6-foot-3, 178-pound guard who plays on the AAU spring and summer circuit with CIA Bounce out of Canada. He attended St. Benedict’s in Newark (NJ) last season and has had a busy early summer season with trips to LA for the Pangos Camp and to the University of Virginia campus for the recent NBA Top 100 Camp. His play has drawn very good reviews and it shows in the latest list of schools that have been in contact since the 15th.
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SPIECE RUN ‘N SLAM SCOUTING REPORTS & RECRUITING NOTES

by DOUG FERGUSON

Hanner Parea: F (Indiana Elite)/6-8/200
Committed to Indiana
There is nobody in the Class of 2012 who has the athletic gifts that Parrea does. He has fans holding their breath at what he will do next. It doesn’t show in his numbers at times however due to his lack of fundamentals. His is frequently outrebounded by more fundamentally sound opponents due to lack of boxing out.
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Dejuan Marrero: F (Spiece Indy Heat)/6-5/220
School List: Indiana, Purdue, Illinois, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Marquette, Michigan, Minnesota
On the exact opposite end of the spectrum is Marrero who was possibly the best technically sound rebounder in the gym. He could stand to have a tad more touch around the basket which is where he should stay offensively.
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Marcus Paige: G (All-Iowa Attack)/6-0/160
Committed to North Carolina
Can’t help but draw comparisons to current Tar Heel point man Kendall Marshall. Paige is a little more athletically gifted than Marshall while he is not quite as crafty with the ball.
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NIKE BALTIMORE ELITE INVITATIONAL RECRUITING NOTEBOOK

Last weekend many of the top teams on the AAU scene in the Mid-Atlantic region invaded Baltimore to participate in the Nike Baltimore Elite Invitational. Most of the 17U action took place at Annapolis Area Christian School and that is where NBE Basketball Report’s Matt Whitfield spent his time Friday night and much of the day on Saturday. Below are some of the key recruiting notes he was able to pick up on in his time at the event.

Mike Owona: 6-foot-9; Class of 2013; Baltimore Elite – College physique already and just finished his sophomore season at John Carroll in Bel Air (MD). The native of Cameroon has decent agility and athletic ability for a young big man, moving well for a player his size. Battles on the boards, but still has a very raw offensive game with little in low post moves to score with back to the basket. While Owona definitely needs to work on his basketball fundamentals, he definitely has a shot to play basketball at the high-major level in the future as he has only been playing the game for four years.

As for his recruiting, he told NBE he has interest from Oklahoma, Old Dominion, Virginia Tech, Xavier and Maryland.
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Kameron Williams: 6-foot-2; Class of 2013; Baltimore Elite – Williams is an exciting scorer that starred in his sophomore season for Mount St. Joseph coach Pat Clatchey. He has continued to see his stock rise early this AAU season with some high scoring outbursts this spring. Williams told NBE over the weekend he is on the radar of progrms such as Providence, Miami, George Mason, VCU, Richmond and Maryland.
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KAMARI MURPHY LOOKS FOR BIG AAU SEASON BEFORE HEADING TO PREP SCHOOL

Kamari Murphy is a match-up problem, plain and simple. He is extremely long and athletic and he has shown the ability to play multiple positions and guard various players in the past on the AAU trail with the Long Island Lightning program. Murphy moves around well without the ball and can score when he gets the ball, whether around the rim or off a jump shot. Defensively he can cover a lot of ground and showed at the Rumble in the Bronx he can block shots with the best of them. He has great timing and his leaping ability allows him to affect shots.

It was supposed to be a break out high school season for Murphy with Abraham Lincoln, but after reclassing into the 2012 class, things just never fell into place this past year for the 6-foot-8, 200-pound forward.

“This past season at Lincoln for me had its ups and downs, everything from injury and suspension just really had me rattled,” Murphy told NBE, “but I came back strong almost averaging a tiriple-double when it counted in the playoffs.”

Murphy, who had 14 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks, made clutch baskets in a 56-54 win over Bayside Cardozo in a PSAL Class A semifinal that set up a championship game at Madison Square Garden against rivals Boys & Girls High School. Lincoln would come up short, losing 62-55, but Murphy was solid again and earned the Murphy the sportsmanship award after his 15 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks performance in MSG.
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ORLANDO AAU UPDATE: PART II

While Ray Mernagh has an early wake-up call and a long day of travel tomorrow to reach sunny Orlando for the end of the 17-U AAU Showcase and the Nationals to follow, Alex Schwartz continues to keep us up to date in the meantime.

With the 17-U Super Showcase getting in full swing Saturday, some more familiar names are in this update. Recruiting updates are found on elite 2011 PF/C Johnny O’Bryant who has a final list of nine schools under consideration, 2011 PG Angel Rodriguez has some impressive offers and a leader out of the Big 12 while productive PF George Fant updates his growing list of schools today. 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 Orlando as we also run down the performances of Nick Faust, Trey Burke, Julian Royal, Jacob Lawson and O’Bryant as well. All of which is covered below in detail. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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DAY ONE VEGAS RUNDOWN

Solid, not spectacular, summarizes the opening day of second live period in Las Vegas

By Raphielle Johnson

With the beginning of the second 10-day open evaluation period of July tipping off Thursday, teams and coaches descended upon Las Vegas with more than just bright lights in mind. Time was spent at the two major tournaments in Sin City, the adidas Super 64 and the Las Vegas Fab 48, but unfortunately the spectacular performances you hope to see did not come with the first day of action. But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, with many players putting forth solid showings in front of a who’s who of college coaches. Opening up super pool play in the Super 64 was the matchup between the New England Playaz and Dream Vision, featuring two of the nation’s better players in the class of 2012 with Alex Murphy and Shabazz Muhammad.

Neither of the two headliners had the best of games, and to be honest the officiating had as much to do with the lack of flow to the game as the players (if not more). Murphy showed off his versatility despite the fact that his outside shot wasn’t falling. The rising junior doesn’t force the issue on offense and can score around the basket with both hands. The player currently in college that comes to mind is Kyle Singler in regards to overall skill set, and as Murphy matures physically (adding some muscle to his frame) he’s only going to get better.

Muhammad is an outstanding athlete, as many already know, and this was rather apparent on occasions when he was able to get his own offensive rebound for a basket. His second jump was quicker than his opponents, and his athleticism also serves its purpose on the defensive end. He’s a capable perimeter shooter but didn’t display much in this area against the Playaz but it’s no secret that the Las Vegas native can get the job done. Point blank, Muhammad has no limits on which school he’ll attend for college.

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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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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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KING CITY CLASSIC EVALS & UPDATES (PART C)

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.

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. Now we move into part C below and touch base with players such as Rodney Hood, Kedren Johnson, Bernard Silluvan, Cedric McAfee, Jahii Carson, LJ Rose, J-Mychal Reese, Trey McDonald 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 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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KADEEM JACK WORKING THROUGH RECRUITING PROCESS AS 2011 PROSPECT

A hot target in 2010 last spring, Jack is heading to prep school and taking a new look at recruiting

Throughout the spring you could not go a day without the regular Kadeem Jack update as schools were desperate to add size in the late signing period to their recruiting classes. Standing at 6-foot-9 and full of potential, Jack was a hot commodity as he waffled between heading to college for the fall of 2010 or taking another prep year and joining the class of 2011. Even after announcing he would attend South Kent (CT) School next fall the chase did not end as elite programs North Carolina and Kentucky made inquiries when their frontcourts were decimated by transfers and early entries to the NBA draft. However, when the dust settled, Jack has eased his way back into the recruiting landscape as an open recruit for the 2011 class.

After a quite spring on the AAU scene, Jack is on the campus of Albright College in Reading (PA) this week participating in the Hoop Group Elite camp. NBE’s Matt Whitfield was able to catch up with Jack after a game on Tuesday to get caught up on what is happening with his recruitment and the process he is taking towards, what he hopes, is a September decision. While he does not currently have a top-five, a couple Big East teams look to be in position to land on that list.

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 Jack and his recruitment that is heating up once again. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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KEEP AN EYE ON IAN BAKER IN 2012 CLASS

Ian Baker Intro: Brother’s Keeper Getting Looks From All Over

By Zach Smart

Is Ian Baker his brothers’ keeper?

Baker, a rising junior at Arlington Country Day school in Jacksonville, Fla., is certainly keeping the Baker name alive and intact on the court. The cerebral combination guard, who averaged 10 points and four assists per game as a sophomore, has been actively pursued by a number of Division-I hardwood homes. One Big East school has been the front runner, with schools from the ACC and CAA looking to sell the kid from the rich basketball bloodline.

Two of Ian’s older brothers, Evann and Jeremy Baker, played for Quinnipiac in the Northeast Conference.

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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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PERRY ELLIS UPDATE: KANSAS FORWARD SHINES ON AND OFF THE COURT

Elite 2012 prospect is in high demand and has the total package of athletic ability and academics

by JEFF BORZELLO

Whenever Bill Self, John Calipari and Rick Pitino show up to watch one player perform in an open gym, you know you are dealing with someone special.

Special is just one word to describe Perry Ellis, a 6-foot-8 forward from Wichita Heights (Kan.). One of the top players in the class of 2012, Ellis is one of the most highly-recruited prospects in the country. He was named the ESPN Rise National Sophomore of the Year, and has been the Gatorade Player of the Year in Kansas for the past two seasons. Moreover, Ellis averaged 22.2 points and 10.4 rebounds en route to leading Wichita Heights to its second consecutive state championship – the first back-to-back 6A state champ in 16 years.

The aforementioned open gym workout that Ellis had in mid-April drew Kansas State’s Frank Martin, Stanford’s Johnny Dawkins, Wichita State’s Gregg Marshall and assistants from Missouri, Texas A&M and Memphis, in addition to Self, Calipari and Pitino.

“It was really impressive to have that many coaches there at one time,” said Perry’s mother, Fonda Ellis.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Ellis has offers or interest from nearly every big-time school in the nation.

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 Ellis and his rectruitment, as well as any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage.

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DORIAN FINNEY-SMITH RECRUITING UPDATE

Boo Williams’ forward visiting Xavier this coming weekend and adding more offers from top teams

BY JEFF BORZELLO

Despite averaging around 20 points per game with his high school team and having a brother who was an all-conference performer in the Colonial Athletic Conference last season, Dorian Finney-Smith was an under-the-radar recruit for most of his high school career.

This spring, however, Finney-Smith’s recruitment has skyrocketed and his reputation around the country has increased tremendously. He is even ranked in the top 25 by one major scouting outlet.

Finney-Smith, a 6-foot-7 forward from I.C. Norcom High School (Va.) who runs with Boo Williams for AAU, is not concerned or paying attention to the recent rise in attention, though.

“My momma always said, ‘Don’t pay no mind to that,’” he said on Tuesday.

While Finney-Smith is not focused on his ranking or stature when compared to other players, he is excited about people noticing his talent.

“It’s because I play hard and work hard,” he said. “It’s finally paying off. I was always good, I was just worked on my game more. Like the saying goes, people are going to find good players.”

The determination is certainly paying off, especially when it comes to college interest.

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 about Dorian Finney-Smith’s recruitment, as well as any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage.

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NIKE EYBL (LOS ANGELES): TOP PERFORMERS

by DOUG FERGUSON

The Nike Elite Youth Basketball League rolled into Southern California this past weeked for the third and final preliminary leg before selecting the field for July’s Peach Jam. Doug Ferguson was front and center for the action Saturday and Sunday and profiles the top 10 players that stood out in his viewing below…

But first, here are the top finishers from each of the four divisions this spring:

Division A…………… W…….L
Howard Pulley……….12…….2
Mean Streets………..10…….4
Louisiana Select………9…….5
Albany City Rocks…….8…….6

Division B……………..W……..L
Each 1 Teach 1………10…….4
Team Takeover……….10…….4
Spiece…………………..8…….6

Division C……………….W…….L
St. Louis Eagles……….12…….2
Boo Williams……………12…….2
Oakland Soldiers……….11…….3

Division D……………….W…….L
NJ Playaz……………….13……1
Mac Irvin………………..11…..3
Georgia Stars…………..10……4
New York Gauchos………9……5
Team Florida……………..9……5
BABC………………………8……6

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 on about the top 10 performers from last weekend’s EYBL that Doug caught in action and some recruiting notes, as well as any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage.

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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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