Northern Iowa Recruiting

2011 ORLANDO AAU NOTEBOOK (PART 10): ELIJAH MACON, KALE ABRAHAMSON & MARTAVIOUS NEWBY UPDATES

By Alex Schwartz

MARYLAND OFFICIAL VISIT THE PLAN FOR ELIJAH MACON

If you are looking for a big man to rebound and defend in your Class of 2012 recruiting efforts, 6-foot-9 power forward Elijah Macon could be your man. Yes, he can also finish around the cup and is by no means a major weakness offensively, but his offensive skill set down low is still developing. However, what Macon does do quite well is rebound and defend, two things that are very important. A well built post player with a strong frame, Macon, for the most part, understands his strengths and weaknesses and does not force things. He plays solid interior defense and is an overall sound player who does a lot of the little things.

Miami, West Virginia, Iowa, South Florida, Cincinnati, Xavier, USC and Dayton were the offers listed by Macon this past weekend while playing in the AAU National Championships for the All-Ohio Red program in Orlando. He also mentioned Memphis, Maryland, Georgetown, Kansas and Florida, noting that he has more offers and interest.
Read more

MARCUS PAIGE DRAWING BIG-TIME COACHES IN ORLANDO

2012 point guard out of IA has been a must-see player this week for coaches looking for a floor general

Marcus Paige has had a great spring and summer and when NBE has seen him on the court he has been impressive. Word is essentially out on the class of 2012 point guard who hails from Maron (IA) and attends Linn Marr Community High School. Playing with the Martin Brothers AAU program, a virtual who’s who of college coaches in Orlando checked him out for themselves.

In a class many consider to be a down year for point guards during early evaluations, Page has elevated himself as one of the top floor generals in the class of juniors-to-be. Based on his play in Orlando and throughout the spring and summer, and by the top head coaches watching him here, expect the 6-foot Paige to be among the most highly sought after in the Midwest and nationally.

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 about Marcus Paige and see what coaches were on hand in Orlando to watch him play. He also talks about those schools and his recruitment with NBE’s Alex Schwartz. You can also check out any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage by logging in.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

NY2LASPORTS.COM SUMMER JAM: DAY ONE

by RAY MERNAGH

The NY2LA Sports Summer Jam‘s first day was very solid, that is until the finale took it to an elite category.

Antonio Curro might be the best matchmaker since Don King and he filled the day with some mouth-watering contests. But it was one of the final games of the day, Dream Vision (CA) vs Franchize All-Stars (TX) on Court 5 at Homestead High, that brought back memories of the heydays of Sonny V’s ABCD Camp in New Jersey.

The game included several elite talents but in the end it was a kid named Muhammad (Shabazz or just “Bazz” to his teammates) who was crowned the champ — at least for Monday night. The game started out with Franchize jumping to a quick lead behind the scoring of the exquisite 2011 guard D’Angelo Harrison. Harrison had his mojo working and mates like Anthony Norris (a three) and Derail Green (ditto) and Micheal Carey tapped into Harrison’s vibe and rode it all the way until the halftime buzzer. Harrison finished strong through contact on one drive for the and one and then flipped the script and hit a trailing teammate with a sick over the shoulder pass. Carey ended the half for Franchize by finishing a strong drive for a 39-29 Franchize lead.

Franchize kept the lead for the first several minutes of the second half and then Evan Rocqamore, an “old school” guard in the words of Curro, gave Dream Vision a lift with his play from the point guard spot. Rocqamore seemed to realize that for his squad to get back in it they would have to get Shabazz Muhammad some looks…and that’s exactly what they started doing. Shabazz hit a 3 from the corner and while that sounds simple I’m not sure anyone can imagine how gorgeous Muhammad’s J is when he’s got it going. I was sitting right in line with the side of the basket and either saw the ball coming at me or could follow it as Shabazz released it with his back to me (depending on what corner he was releasing from)…and it’s really simply a work of art. Usually I use words like pull or jack to describe three-point shots, but Shabazz Muhammad simply releases his. Right around this same time Winston Shepard, who’d been good the whole game, started imposing his will on D and on the glass and the result was three or four and one’s for the 2012 forward from Vegas. After Anthony Norris and Evan Rocqamore hit back to back jacks (see) Shepard failed to convert one of those and 1′s and the score was 61-60 Franchize.

That’s when all hell broke loose in the forms of Shabazz and Harrison.

Minutes later Muhammad’s release from the corner was true and the game was knotted at 65.

But Harrison, while on a dead sprint and dribbling, pulled up on a dime and nailed an 18-footer and then stole the inbounds pass and scored to make it 69-65 Franchize.

Shabazz…yep you guessed it…corner 3 to cut the lead to one.

Harrison…yep…71-68 Franchize.

‘Bazz, I kid you not, 3 from the corner, 71-71.

Harrison, panting, puts his head down and careens across halfcourt on the bounce but Rocqamore’s D forces a turnover and the result is a Muhammad bucket plus a foul. Muhammad misses the free throw and Dream Vision is up 73-71. After Franchize fails to convert Rocqamore finishes through contact (the slap on his skin was audible at the top of the gym) and Dream Vision goes up 75-71.

Harrison is such a great player that the refs sometimes give him calls that he seels them, and he does just that from behind thae arc sending Rocqamore running and grabbing his head. Harrison makes 2-3 to cut it to 75-73. Franchize is forced to foul Rocqamore, who hits 1-2 but Shepard again is Winston-on-the-spot with a steal. Dream Vision pulls it out again, Rocqamore is fouled and makes both and the game ends 78-73 for Dream Vision.

Incredible game filled with enormous talent, which also captured the attention of head coaches such as Rick Pitino, Lorenzo Romar, Frank Martin and Mark Fox sitting courtside. Shabazz Muhammad finished with 35 while D’Angelo Harrison had 33 for the losers.

Classic game closes out a really good day of basketball. 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 more of our coverage on the top performers from Day One of the NY2LASports.com Summer Jam and recruiting updates from the likes of Perry Ellis, Angelo Chol, Nick Jacobs, Deonte Burton, Shonn Miller, Hayden Hoerdemann and more. Also, any of our Premium Content Articles & Event Coverage is available to subscribers.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more

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.

Read more