BIG EAST-BOUND BALLERS EXCEL IN FESTIVAL PLAY
Taylor, Wayns and Zanna give preview of what to expect in future
by Ron Bailey
December 10, 2008 – This past weekend’s DTLR National Hoops Festival Presented by Nike offered Big East aficionados the chance to see three student athletes bound for that conference in action; Dante Taylor, Talib Zanna, and Maalik Wayns. Each demonstrated the ability to one day impact the league.
Taylor, the 6-foot-9, 240 pound forward/center from National Christian Academy (MD) was named to the Festival’s all-event second team with 14 points and eight rebounds, a performance that didn’t necessarily lead his team, but made victory possible: When the Eagles needed an interior score, he provided it. When a rebound was called for, he corralled it. Essentially, Taylor played like the talented, experienced interior presence he is.
Dante, capable of running the floor, finishing stick backs and in certain situations shooting jumpers out to around three point land will fit in well at Pittsburgh, with not only his skill set, but toughness also. He didn’t display the low post spins in his repertoire during Festival action, but will in college.
At Pitt, expect the suburban New York City native to work on a go to move – jump hook, baseline fade, etc – and also eliminate his current desire to at times handle the ball, center position, on the break. He’ll also need to rely on more footwork and finesse then brute strength, as the Big East’s frontcourt players are notoriously strong and aggressive.
Zanna, also a forward/center, stands 6’8”, weighs around 235 pounds and is also headed to Pitt. On the way to earning first team All-Festival honors, Zanna, originally from Northern Nigeria and a member of the country’s Hausa group, illustrated not only interior strength and aggressiveness, but a good jump hook going over his left shoulder. He finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds for Bishop McNamara (MD) in a win.
Talib has improved his basketball awareness in high school, become stronger, as well as developed a nasty baseline spin move - one that wasn’t on display much in Festival play as he relayed “My coaches told me not to do it, because they may call a foul on me”.
Panther fans and haters alike will see him line up at both forward positions in Big East action, something he favorably anticipates. To achieve success, particularly at the small forward position, Zanna will have to fine tune his midrange to three ball face up shot, along with conduct continued strength, dribbling and balance development/enhancement.
The similar demands placed on ‘threes’ and ‘fours’ at Pitt should aid Talib’s utilization; Regarding the school and it’s tough, half court-centered, execution focused style he commented “I like the way they play, it’s different and suits me”. Regarding the league, Zanna gushed “I want to play in the Big East, it’s the best”.
Of the three student athletes who’ve signed letters of intent to play for Big East teams, Roman Catholic’s Wayns had the most bittersweet Festival experience: Individually, he excelled, seemingly getting to the cup at will, dropping ‘dimes’ to open teammates and rebounding amongst the trees. Unfortunately, guys weren’t helping him as much as needed by finishing his passes or in some cases, defending with the intensity he did. The result was a loss. To his credit, Wayns, of West Philadelphia, never demonstrated frustration, choosing to compete on the court instead.
If toughness could be personified, it would be Maalik Wayns. According to him (and others), that’s to be expected. “Nobody’s as tough as Philly players” said Maalik before this fall’s DC vs. Philly Challenge. “It’s nobody as tough as Philly players. That’s what we do coming from Philly”.
They also like to the get to the hole, which Maalik, 6’1” and 185 pounds does with aplomb, as well as shoot comfortably past the three point stripe. Going forward, the future Villanova Wildcat must further develop his foot (particularly lateral) quickness; it’s not that he’s slow, as illustrated this summer in USA Basketball Under 18 National Team trials/training when matched up against current UConn standout Kemba Walker, but Wayns at times needs to work side to side quicker.
Why did Maalik pick Villanova? “I wanted to play at home” frankly answered Wayns. “And I love the coaching staff, the school, and the style of play (guards have freedom). It was the best fit for me”.
On first blush, the Big East may be a perfect fit for not only Maalik, but Zanna and Taylor also.
Ron Bailey is the Publisher of i95ballerz.com and for more on the DTLR High School Hoops Festival see Ron’s reports on the First Day of Action and on the Sunday Action of the Festival. Also, here is the write-up on the Festival All-Star Teams.
Note: Like the pictures here? More from photo journalist Mike Starghill is available here:
Carroll vs. Wise
North Catholic vs. Walbrook
St. Francis vs. McNamara
>O’Connell vs. Kinston
St. John’s Catholic vs. National Christian
Roman Catholic vs. Paul VI
Hargrave vs. Patterson
>DeMatha vs. Murrah