Oklahoma State Recruiting

2011 NIKE EYBL PEACH JAM REPORT (PART V)

By Brian Bosworth

Thursday marked the end of pool play at the Peach Jam and the last opportunity for teams to fight their way into the playoffs. For some teams who know they are going to be on the outside looking in it is the last opportunity to perform in front of college colleges this week. With the stakes raised the play became even more intense and some players will able to stand above the rest…

Brandon Ashley (Oakland Soldiers/2012) – Ashley has been having a monster work and continued that trend this morning. After dominating from the low block when I watched him on Tuesday night, Ashley showed off his face up game in this contest. He hit multiple 18 foot jumpers from the baseline and once he established that shot used a shot fake and a couple of dribbles to get to the rim. He was in attack mode throughout the game earning himself 12 trips to the free throw line and converting 9 of them. Ashley’s handle, while adequate, will need to get better as his game progresses. He can use 1 or 2 dribbles effectively but in the open floor sometimes becomes a bit wild if he has to put it down more than that.
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NY2LA SUMMER JAM RECRUITING FOCUS: 2012 TEAM LOADED’S ANDREW WHITE

By Alex Jesswein

With coaches from Louisville, North Carolina State, Richmond, Old Dominion and more on hand, Team Loaded’s Andrew White didn’t seem to mind.

The 6-foot-6 small forward scorched Team Jennings for 29 points including six three-pointers in a blowout win. White was also impressive in a 35-point outburst against KC Pray and Play in pool play.

White, who attends the Miller School in Charlottesville, VA., is quickly becoming a household name among high-major coaches in the rising senior class (2012).

According to White, he has offers from Oklahoma State, Tennessee, Richmond, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Miami (FL), Wake Forest, Providence, BYU, Utah and George Mason.

White is also receiving interest from BIG EAST schools Louisville and West Virginia along with “a few others”.

He has taken unofficial visits to Richmond, Virginia Tech, Old Dominion, North Carolina State and Wake Forest.

White is looking to narrow down his list and take some visits in August, once the summer AAU season is over.

When it comes down to it, White said he is looking for the school that has “the best mix of player development and team success” and a place where he can get a good education.

2011 NIKE EYBL PEACH JAM REPORT (PART III)

By Brian Bosworth

Back in North Augusta bright and early Wednesday morning, amazing talent was standing at every turn. Some well known stars continued their dominance while new faces emerged as well. Here is the scoreboard from Wednesday’s early slate og games:

Athletes First 84, Houston Hoops 74
Texas Titans 60, Baltimore Elite 48
NJ Playaz 58, Albany City Rocks 57
CIA Bounce 80, Meanstreets 53
All-Ohio Red 59, Arkansas Wings 51
Boo Williams 89, Louisiana Select 84 (2 OT)
Cali Supreme 78, The Family 70
All-Iowa Attack 69, Howard Pulley 64
Georgia Stars 62, Team Takeover 61
Oakland Solders 65, Indy Spiece 60
Memphis YOMCA 73, CP3 59
BABC 83, Mac Irvin Fire 59

Here is just a sampling of the guys who made the biggest impact in those contests:

Kyle Anderson (Playaz Basketball Club/2012) – Anderson unique game has been well documented over the years which is bound to happen when you’re among the country’s best. He was up to his usual tricks this morning getting into the lane at will with a series of crossovers, spins, and inside out dribbles. Kyle has really improved his outside shot this spring and showed it off by going 2-2 from behind the arc and making a couple other long jumpers. Then with 20 seconds remaining and the Playaz down by a point he did what he does best, win. Anderson posted up on the left block, worked his way across the lane, hung in the air floating from left to right, and knocked down a floater with 5 seconds left on the clock to win the game.
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REEBOK BREAKOUT CHALLENGE: FINAL RECAP

by Alex Schwartz

PHILADELPHIA – The Reebok Breakout Challenge came to a close yesterday, and NBE Basketball Report was on hand to take in the event’s final five game sets and catch up with a few more players.

One of the top uncommitted 2012 players at the camp was Daniel Dingle, a 6-foot-6 power forward out of St. Raymond’s (NY). He listed offers from Auburn, Temple, Xavier, Arizona, and Rutgers to go along with interest from Florida, Miami, Texas, and others.

Dingle said he does not have any favorites, but did note that a few schools are coming at him the hardest.

“I’d probably say Auburn, Temple and Arizona, those are the three,” Dingle said. “And Florida, Florida too, coach Norm [Roberts].”

At this point Dingle has visited Auburn, Temple and Rutgers. He does not have any visits scheduled, but may is thinking of working out a trip to Arizona.
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LEBRON JAMES SKILLS ACADEMY RECRUITING FOCUS: GARY HARRIS & TERRY ROZIER

By Lauren Kirschman

College coaches were allowed at the Lebron James Skills Academy on Thursday for the first time and the turnout was as expected. A who’s who of college coaches were in the stands at the University of Akron’s James A. Rhodes Arena and they were not disappointed as the level of play at the camp has been very high. NBE is finishing up its coverage of the camp this morning and then will be on our way to the next stop on the evaluation trail. After yesterday’s afternoon session we had the opporunity to speak with Gary Harris (’12) and Terry Rozier (’12) as both have been putting in some impressive work this week. Both players have certainly helped their recruiting stock and will likely see an increased level of interest on the trail as they finish out the month and begin to work through the recruiting process.

Rozier lets NBE in on who his leaders are while Harris tells NBE he is continuing to be recruited for football as well as hoops…

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REEBOK BREAKOUT CHALLENGE: THURSDAY RECRUITING ROUNDUP

By Matt Whitfield

The return to the summer basketball camp scene by Reebok has been well received. The competition and talent level is certainly solid at the Gallagher Athletic Center on the campus of Philadelphia University. NBE took in the action for the most part of the day Thursday and was able to touch base with many of the players to learn the latest on their recruitments. While the camp had a strong group of Mid-Major+ prospects, there was more than a fair share of players who will land at higher levels in college. Below is a rundown of who we caught up with yesterday.

Rysheed Jordan (Robert Vaux HS/Players Teaching Players)

There was a lot of hype centering Jordan entering the camp and many scouts, reporters and college coaches were anxious to get a look at him. He did not disappoint as the 6-foot-3, Class of 2013 point guard has all the look of a sure fire high major recruit. He has definitely noticed the increased attention of late.

“I think I’m blowing up,” said Jordan of the recent influx of recruiting attention. “I’m easing my way up.”
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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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RUMBLE IN THE BRONX REPORT – PART I

By Brian Bosworth

The Rumble in the Bronx got underway Friday night with a slightly different feel than in years past. Fordham University has traditionally been the epicenter of the action for the boys tournament but this year the girls took over at Fordham and the boys tournament was spread out at different sites in the greater NYC area. The main site for the 17U bracket was Manhattan College and the action can be described in one word, hot. While the gym itself reached sauna-like conditions, the action on the floor didn’t disappoint. A host of high profile teams were in action including the Long Island Lightning, Connecticut Basketball Club, Albany City Rocks and the Metro Hawks but the New York Panthers were unquestionably a cut above the rest. In addition to being the most impressive unit on this steamy Friday night in the Bronx, the Panthers had the best individual performance of the evening as well.

Top Performer of the Day

Malik Nichols (New York Panthers 2012) – The former Hofstra commit as a member of the 2011 class confirmed after the game that he would be attending a yet to be determined prep school and re-classifying to 2012. Offensively, Nichols was literally perfect in this contest. He made all 10 shots he attempted totaling 22 points and scored every way imaginable. Nichols made 3 pointers off catch and shoot situations. He made a pull-up 16 foot jumper. He drove to the rim with both hands and finished. He finished in transition. He converted a tip-in on the offensive glass. Simply put, Nichols was unstoppable on the offensive end of the floor and led his Panthers club to a blowout victory. If he can string more performances like this together, Nichols should see his recruitment skyrocket when the July live period rolls around.

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NIKE EYBL – LOS ANGELES: SUNDAY RUNDOWN

By Raphielle Johnson

On a day that featured a great matchup between the Oakland Soldiers and Albany City Rocks (won 72-68 by the Soldiers), it was the final game of the night that took the honors for Sunday’s best. Boo Williams and CIA Bounce (Canada) put on a show, needing double overtime to decide things in a two-point win for Bounce. The major performers were all over the floor, with Virginia commit Justin Anderson (2012) lighting it up for Boo Williams and 2013 prospect Xavier Rathan-Myers doing the honors in the latter stages of regulation and both overtime periods for Bounce.

Anderson displayed a wide range of skills in the contest, one he had to leave late due to major cramping issues (Anderson did return for a final possession but the ball did not end up in his hands). Early on Anderson made his way to the basket while also setting up teammates, finishing inside with contact as it became quite apparent that Bounce would have their hands full with him. But in the second half the fun really started, as each three-pointer Anderson put up seemed to be further back than the last one. Guessing that one of the shots came from 30 feet out would not be an exaggeration, and his form didn’t change. Virginia is getting a serious player come 2012.

As for Rathan-Myers, whose next high school seems to be up in the air, wow. He didn’t play a whole lot in the first half, but once on the floor in crunch time the young man got it done. Rathan-Myers displayed a good perimeter shot while also getting to the basket when needed. He’s already got good strength but one would have to think that he’ll get a bit more chiseled before 2013 rolls around.

But while those two stood out there were a number of other solid performers for each team. 2013 point guard Anthony Barber had some issues early in the second half with regards to decision-making, but with Anderson sidelined due to cramps Barber stepped up. Normally a pass-first point, the Hampton, VA native was able to penetrate to the basket and make shots while also knocking down a few perimeter shots. The outside shot will need to improve but Barber is a name to keep in mind.
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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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2012 BIG MAN GAVIN WARE HAS THREE MAIN SUITORS

The pool of available big men in the Class of 2012 already seems to be thinning out quickly. One target likely to draw a great amount of interest on the spring and summer AAU circuit is Starkville (MS) High School big man Gavin Ware. The 6-foot-8, 252-pound center has been out of action since just after the Christmas holiday because of a knee injury, but he is looking forward to getting back into competition next month when the AAU season gets going.

“Now my doctor has me in therapy working hard to get my knee better,” Ware told NBE last week. “I should be ready by the beginning of April.”

Ware looked like he would be on his way to a big season with his impressive performance against Brandon (MS) High School and their Class of 2011 Georgetown signee Tyler Adams. Ware scored 17 points, in just the first three quarters in a 57-37 win.

“My most favorite highlight dates back to when I played 6’10″ senior Tyler Adams, I had 17 points and I held him to a season low 4 points,” Ware told NBE.

Unfortunately Ware did not get to build much on that performance as he suffered a hyper-extended knee injury shortly after. Once weighing over 300 pounds, Ware has worked hard to get into better shape and make himself into a top prospect in the Class of 2012. His plans this spring and summer are to hit the AAU tour with the Southern Phenoms out of Meridian (MS) and earn their way in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League and top events.

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TODD MAYO NARROWS LIST; 2011 SG HIGH ON MARQUETTE FOLLOWING VISIT

By Matt Whitfield

Todd Mayo is looking to pick a college before the month is up. While he has effectively narrowed his recruitment to four schools that have been on him the hardest of late, one school looks to be quickly emerging as the favorote in the race to land the Class of 2011 shooting guard as his recruitment enters the stretch run.

“I plan on making my decision before April…I’m going to go with the schools that have been on me the toughest,” Mayo told NBE earlier this afternoon. “I know West Virginia, Kansas and Maryland and some other schools have been recruiting me, but they haven’t been on me as tough as Marquette, Baylor, UCF and Oklahoma State, so I might have to go with those four schools. And make my decision by the end of March.”

Mayo just took a visit to Marquette this past weekend and came away pleasantly surprised with the BIG EAST’s Milwaukee representative, despite the weather.

“Marquette…the visit went well and I definitely bond with the team and the coaches real well,” said Mayo. “And Milwaukee is a nice place even though it was snowing. And it went well. It went better than I thought.”

Mayo also enjoyed spending time with the Golden Eagles personable head coach, Buzz Williams.

“Me and Buzz, the head coach, bonded pretty well,” he said. “He’s a tough coach and that’s something I’m looking for. I want a tough coach to push me to my limit and make better to get me closer to my dream and my short term goals.”

Mayo also is planning to visit the other three finalists before a final decision is made at this point.

“I have UCF, coming up sometime, either the 9th or the 12th, I’m sure yet, or it might be the 9th through the 12th,” he said of visiting Central Florida, a recent entry making a strong push in his recruiting sweepstakes. “They have to call me today and we got to figure something out, but I know it’s going to be around that area. I’m going to visit Oklahoma State and definitely get Baylor in there before March [is over].”

NBE will continue to monitor the recruitment of Todd Mayo as it winds down in the coming weeks.

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The BIG EAST conference season has moved into the stretch run and the 2011 Big East Tournament in Madison Square Garden is just one week away. You can visit the NBE 2011 Big East Tournament & Tickets page for the event schedule and links to purchase tickets to each and/or all sessions. NBE is uniquely partnered with TicketNetwork.com to bring our readers Tickets to All Sporting Events during ANY season. WE HAVE YOUR SEATS!!
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MYLES DAVIS UPDATE: RUTGERS NOW AN APPEALING OPTION FOR 2012 SG

Top east coast shooting prospect in Class of 2012 is opening list up more in his recruitment

Notre Dame Prep guard Myles Davis has been on the recruiting radar of much of the BIG EAST for the past year and that has continued since transferring from St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City (NJ) to Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg (MA). The change of schools was only one of the major changes to his status of a top recruit, Davis is also firmly planted in the recruiting Class of 2012 and is one of the more highly sought after shooters on the east coast in the class. He has also shown this season with ND Prep he is more than just a lights-out shooter.

Earlier this season at the National Prep Showcase, Davis was one of the more impressive players in the early games of day one. Known as a shooter for much of his career, Davis showed he is expanding his game in a major way. Hewas getting to the rim off the dribble, and has vastly improved court vision and ball-handling ability. Davis has the ability to play the point guard position and find teammates for baskets. Of course, he still has the deep range that made him such a coveted prospect in the first place. The list of schoosl currently involved is impressive.

“It’s Pitt, Xavier, Virginia Tech, Rutgers, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati, Villanova, Georgetown and anybody else who wants to recruit me,” Davis told NBE’s Matt Whitfield this afternoon via text when asked for the latest list of schools recruiting him. “I am really open right now.”

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TODD MAYO: SEARCHING FOR OWN PATH TO BASKETBALL GLORY

by MATT WHITFIELD

The basketball odyssey of Todd Mayo’s older brother has been well chronicled, in fact, in many ways, given the rise of the internet, the story was the first of its kind due to the subject’s age at the time we all began hearing about him. That, the locations involved, and a prepubescent teen with a seemingly full mustache made everyone interested in hoops stand up and take notice.

O.J. Mayo was from Huntington (WV) but began playing high school basketball as a seventh grader at Rose Hill Christian School in Ashland (KY). And he didn’t just play with kids five years older than him, he mostly dominated them, averaging over 20 points a game on the varsity in both his 7th and 8th grade years. The hype and microscope followed O.J. throughout his celebrated four-year (or can we say six-year?) prep career, which included another stop at North College Hill HS in Cincinnati (OH), before winding up back home at Huntington (WV) High School. Next came the single season at USC, where Tim Floyd eventually paid for Mayo’s matriculation with his job. Finally, the day critics said would never come back when he was getting so much attention as a 13-year-old did, and Mayo became the third player selected in the 2008 NBA Draft.

The microscope in which O.J. Mayo operated under was always intense. Being a celebrated prospect before turning 14 years old brought all sorts of attention and hangers-on. Just a month prior to the 2008 NBA Draft a story from ESPN alleged Mayo received improper benefits both before, and during, his time at USC. Ultimately, Mayo was found to be ineligible during his time in LA, and the Trojans vacated all 21 wins earned with Mayo on the team while also withdrawing from postseason competition during the 2009-2010 season.

After averaging over 18 points a game in his first two NBA seasons, where he was the runner-up for the NBA’s rookie of the year award in the 2008-2009 season, Mayo’s third season in the NBA has not gone as well. His numbers are down (he’s currently scoring under 13 points a game) and even more damning, he’s in the midst of serving a 10-game suspension for testing positive for the steroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which violates the league’s anti-drug program. Mayo blamed an over the counter supplement, that he didn’t know was banned by the NBA, for the positive test.

So it’s pretty clear that O.J. Mayo has been a magnet for attention over the last several years and that much of that attention has been negative in scope.

Now…imagine trying to be his younger brother.

Not enough context for you?

Okay, imagine trying to be his younger basketball playing brother, a talented guard in your own right trying to make your way in a game who’s talking heads — the holier than thou voices of the “amateur/billion dollar basketball industry” — seem to never pass on a chance to hold up your hero as an example of everything that’s wrong with it.

It’s got to be tough right?

Well, Todd Mayo has been living just outside the glare of that spotlight and in his brother’s shadow, for years now. A 6-foot-3, 190-pound guard, Mayo is now officially a person of interest to some of the same college basketball coaches that once salivated over his more (in)famous brother. In fact, as college basketball heads towards the late signing period this spring, Todd Mayo is among the hottest unsigned names remaining in the 2011 class.

This is his story…

When asked Monday evening by NBE, Mayo rattled off a strong list.

“I got Baylor, Kansas, Marquette, Oklahoma State, Providence, West Virginia and I’m not sure if Pitt’s going to talk to me, but they said something would open up in the offseason. Then just today Donnie Jones just called me from Central Florida.”

Mayo recently had a very good visit to Providence, seeing the Friars upset nationally ranked Villanova, and told NBE he had a visit to Baylor lined up on February 22nd.

At this time he is still talking to all of the coaches recruiting him and he had no favorites, but Mayo did say he planned on making his decision sometime in mid-March.

“I really don’t have any favorites yet because I’m still getting to know all the coaching staffs,” he said. “And I want to be around and take my visits and see how they play and be around players and just vibe with them. I really don’t have a favorite team yet because I just [don't] know where I fit in yet. I’m just looking. Then by the end of this month, the end of February I should know where I fit in. Then by mid-March I really should know where I fit in and make my decision.”

Like his older brother, Todd Mayo has been a bit of a basketball nomad moving from high schools in Ohio to Memphis before landing in the prep school ranks this season, but he has found stability playing for coach Ryan Hurd at Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg (MA) this season. He is greatly enjoying the experience of playing on a talent-laden team that is among the best in the country at the prep level.

“[I came to Notre Dame Prep] just to win games and I knew that there was a lot of good talent here,” he said. “And I hadn’t won that many championships in my basketball career and high school career and I just thought Notre Dame had the pieces to win a national championship this year and I just thought it would be the best position for me to come here and play. Before I came here I talked to Will Barton and Antonio Barton. I saw them at Memphis and we had conversation when I saw them out, after the Memphis-Bucks, it was a little summer league event. I just talked to them and I thought Notre Dame would be the best place for me.”

Always gifted offensively, Mayo has learned to concentrate more on the other half of the game playing under Hurd.

“I am more focused on defense, not just offense, because defense is a big part of a prep school.”

Mayo also feels Notre Dame Prep has helped him become much better prepared for the rigors of college basketball and the competition he will see at the next level.

“It [has] helped me by just not settling. And getting to the rim. Mentally and physically, just keeping my head on the court. Just playing through any bad game because every night we play competition.”

Mayo feels he’ll be ready for the college game next season assuming he doesn’t slack off in the offseason.

“I see myself doing pretty good [next season],” he said. It all counts on what I do in my off season. So right after the Notre Dame season and I get qualified and I pick my school and after the National Tournament I go home and not just sit around and just workout in the off season and just get ready for the college level.”

Last month Notre Dame Prep took on South Kent (CT) in a highly anticipated match-up in the Big Apple Basketball High School Showcase over the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend in NYC. IN a game littered with high-major college talent, including several BIG EAST commits playing for South Kent, Mayo scored 20 points on an array of deep jumpers, drives to the rim and fast break finishes as ND Prep overcame a slow start in an 86-70 victory.

Hurd referred to Mayo as a “beast” after the game when discussing his guard with Zach Smart of NBE, mentioning the high-motor guard can create his shot in traffic, off the dribble, and doesn’t get fazed by Ziploc-tightened defense.

“His ability to take over games this year,” Hurd said of what has impressed him the most of Mayo this year. “I don’t think, since I’ve been here, we’ve had a guy who can put up numbers as quickly as he can. And I’ve had great players.”

High praise from a coach who has seen top talent annually flow from his program to the top programs of college basketball and Todd Mayo is looking more and more like the next in line to do so out of the ND Prep program.

Even with his older brother’s experience of being one of the most hotly contested and highest profile basketball recruits ever, Todd Mayo told Matt Whitfield he is taking his future in his own hands to make the decision that is best for himself.

“My brother, lately, he hasn’t been trying to tell me what college to go to,” said Todd. “It’s a 100 percent my decision and he doesn’t want to interfere with me and my decision because this is going to be the biggest decision of my life and I’m going to become a man after this and he really wants me to become a man and be a better person and want me to fit in wherever. He’s going to be behind 100 percent in whatever decision I make.”

Todd did mention how impressed he was to see his older brother pick a school away from home and excel on his own, outside of the normal comfort zone he had developed. With his brother currently playing in Memphis, many thought the Tigers would be very involved in the recruitment of the younger Mayo, but Todd is looking to take the next step of his life away from his brother’s shadow and get away as well.

“When I moved to Memphis I was looking at Memphis hard when Calipari was there,” said Todd. “But I kind of marked that off my list two years ago. So, I mean maybe it probably will be good for me to get away and play away from home. And just grow up a little bit because I remember when O.J. was out at USC and I was in Ohio I was just amazed how he did that and I want him to feel the same about me when I go off to play.”

Wherever Todd Mayo winds up playing his college basketball comparisons to his older brother will be made.

However, this Mayo is certainly succeeding on his own path to basketball glory and will leave his own mark in the game at the college level for one lucky program.

Note – NBE Staff and RAY MERNAGH contributed to this story

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The BIG EAST conference season might be just getting underway, but it is not too early to begin thinking about tickets for the 2011 Big East Tournament this coming March in Madison Square Garden. You can visit the NBE 2011 Big East Tournament & Tickets page for the event schedule and links to purchase tickets to each and/or all sessions. NBE is uniquely partnered with TicketNetwork.com to bring our readers Tickets to All Sporting Events during ANY season.
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HOOP HALL CLASSIC – - DAY THREE

BY JEFF BORZELLO

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Monday of the Hoop Hall Classic is annually the most loaded day of games, complete with a quartet of games on ESPNU. This year, the quality on Martin Luther King Day isn’t as high, but there are still some big-time contests. Prior to the television match-ups, Anthony Davis and Perspectives (Ill.) and Patrick Connaughton and St. John’s Prep (Mass.) got things kicked off. The first ESPNU game was Christ the King (N.Y.) vs. Westchester Country Day School (N.C.), sans an injured Quincy Miller. Following that was a battle between arguably the top players in the classes of 2011 and 2012 with Michael Gilchrist and St. Patrick (N.J.) taking on Bishop Gorman (Nev.) and Shabazz Muhammad. LeBryan Nash and Dallas Lincoln (Tex.) played Findlay Prep (Nev.) and then Academy of the New Church (Penn.) faced Boys and Girls (N.Y.).

In our Hoop Hall Classic – - Day 1 report, Jeff Borzello broke down the performances of BIG EAST commits Myles Mack, Wayne Blackshear, Mikael Hopkins and Jabarie Hinds. There were also scouting reports and recruiting updates on Kris Dunn (’12 PG), Kyle Anderson (’12 G/F), Jordan Adams (’12 SG), Kevin Johnson (’11 PF), C.J Blackwell (’11 SF), Billy Garrett, Jr. (’13 G) as well as a recruiting update on Evan Nolte (’12 SF) and more on Ben McLemore (’11 SG) and Damien Wilson (’12 SG). Hoop Hall Classic – - Day 2 coverage was more of the same with BIG EAST commits John Johnson, Michael Carter-Williams and Amir Garrett in action as well as top-level recruiting prospects such as Alex Murphy (’12 PF), DaJuan Coleman (’12 C/PF), Nik Stauskas (’12 G/F), Landen Lucas (’12 C), Kaleb Tarczewski (’12 C), Andre Drummond (’12 PF) 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 membership to read more of the coverage from the Hoop Hall Classic as Jeff Borzello completes his coverage with top player evals and recruiting updates from the standouts such as Omar Calhoun (’12 G), Isaiah Lewis (’13 G), Shabazz Muhammad (’12 SF), Rosco Allen (’12 SF), Winston Shepard (’12 SF), Anthony Bennett (’12 F) and BIG EAST commits such as Patrick Connaughton and Keton Miles. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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NATIONAL PREP SHOWCASE – DAY TWO

BY JEFF BORZELLO

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – After a first day that got better as the event progressed, everyone was ready for a jam-packed second day that featured eight games. Plenty of coaches were in attendance, keeping an eye on some of the top players in the country. The day started off with a great game between Bridgton Academy (Maine) and Fork Union Military Academy (Va.), with Bridgton overcoming a 20-point halftime deficit to win in the final minutes. In the second game, Andre Drummond led a comeback by St. Thomas More (Conn.) to beat Princeton Day Academy (Md.). After that, Hargrave Military Academy (Va.) opened up a big second half lead on New Hampton (N.H.), with an easy Brewster Academy (N.H.) victory over Fishburne Military Academy (Va.) following. South Kent (Conn.) proceeded to blow out La Lumiere (Ind.), but Notre Dame Prep (Mass.) and Westwind Prep (Ariz.) had a dynamite back-and-forth contest that ended with Notre Dame winning. St. Mark’s (Mass.) handled Lee Academy (Maine) easily, before Kiski School (Penn.) staged a big second-half comeback to beat Winchendon (Mass.).

Here is a look at some of the top players, and recruiting notes, from day two:

Zach Auguste, 2012, New Hampton Prep: Auguste is a long and lanky lefty who is improving every game. He uses his length and athleticism to get blocks and rebounds at both ends of the floor and he also has fairly good vision and passing ability for a player his size. Auguste was in foul trouble for most of the game, but in limited minutes, he demonstrated his immense potential. He had a big-time baseline dunk and can finish with either hand. Once he learns how to stay on the floor for an entire game, he is going to be tough to stop.

Despite being limited because of foul trouble on Saturday, colleges were still intrigued by his potential. According to New Hampton Prep coach Pete Hutchins, Auguste has offers from DePaul, Notre Dame, Boston College and Oregon State, with interest from Kansas and Syracuse.

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 membership to read more detailed scouting reports and more of the latest recruiting notes gathered on Day Two of the National Prep Showcase. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

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DESERT DUEL RECRUITING RUNDOWN & NOTES

The mission Desert Duel Memorial Basketball Tournament is to raise funds for the Tom Crawford Leadership Children’s Foundation. To date, over 21 million dollars in scholarships have been given to players passing through their event in the short time it has been in existence and, despite just a 32-team field, the field is loaded with some of the best teams from across the country. The NJ Playaz (17s & 16s), Mac Irvin Fire (17s & 16s), DC Assault (17s & 16s), Belmont Shores, Compton Magic, NY Panthers, Seattle Rotary, Arizona Magic Pump ‘N Run, Team Philly (17s & 16s), NE Playaz, Dallas Mustangs, Atlanta Celtics, Mo-Kan Spiece, Worldwide Renegades, Minnesota Net Gain, Team Loaded, Texas D1 Ambassadors, Franchize All-Stars, Carolina Elite, Team NJABC and more make up the loaded 2010 field.

Doug Ferguson braved the high heat of the Arizona desert to make his way to Mesquite High School in Gilbert (AZ) for the action of the 2010 Desert Duel Memorial Basketball Tournament. He was greeted upon arrival by some excellent play and many top college head coaches who also were taking in the action.

p>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 Arizona which includes the latest on the recruitments of Naadir Tharpe, Jerome Seagers, Amile Jefferson, LeBryan Nash (top 6), Quinn Cook, Andre Henley, KJ McDaniels and a look at what games coaches were finding the most interesting, as well as any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage.

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BIG EAST NEWS & NOTES (7/19/2010)

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As we try to catch our breath a little bit from the first July live recruiting period, lets try and update readers on some News & Notes from around the Big East and college basketball recruiting. matt Whitfield got a couple tidbits from Vaughn Gray, Durand Johnson and the father of Ryan Arcidiacono over the weeked and updates the latest recruiting on each. Also, the standoff between Providence and Joseph Young continues, Quincy Miller, Yogi Ferrell and Kenny Kaminski are updated in sotries below. Rutgers is in good shape with a 2012 Nigerian wing as well.

Around the league there is a good story on Roburt Sallie and his travels that have brought him to Louisville. Still no official word on the status of Rashad Bishop at UC, but reading between the lines it might be encouraging that he will be back with the Bearcats. Aslo, UC adds an assistant and Cashmere Wright has some minor surgery on an injured knee. Marquette adds a walk-on transfer, Pitt is preparing for a trip to Ireland and getting a head start on the 2010-2011 season with high expectations. UConn’s Kevin Ollie is getting back into the college game and the program prepares to answer NCAA allegations. Notre Dame has two players finding themselves in a little trouble and former Marquette commit DJ Newbill has decided on his next home for college basketball.

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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