VEGAS REPORT: NIKE MAIN EVENT
by Brian Crownover
Brian Crownover, lead recruiting analyst of the CAA Insider, and the NBE Basketball Report’s main man in Philly, hit the road this past week and hit the scene in Vegas where AAU teams galore came together to showcase their talents in front of college coaches.
In Brian’s third installment from his time in Vegas, he takes a look at some of the top players from the Nike Main Event. Coaches from Louisville, Connecticut, West Virginia and Providence were also spotted at certain games (listed below).
Previous stories:
Reebok Summer Championships
Adidas Super 64
2009 PLAYERS
Mouphtau Yarou
Mouphtau wasn’t as dominant as I saw at the Reebok Summer Classic, but the talented big man put on another strong showing with Cecil Kirk. He hit a turn around bankshot in the post with contact and finished it off for an old fashioned three-point play. He also showed his athletic ability on a high flying dunk. Mouphtau did a great job of getting positioning close to the rim in this one, but really struggled finishing. He missed a turn around jumper inside as well as a hook shot. He was a monster on the boards though and blocked a couple shots. It wasn’t his best, but still a fine day for Yarou.
The recruitment for yarous is interesting as it spans schools usch as UCLA to New Mexico State. In the Big East, Villanova, Connecticut and Pittsburgh are very much in the mix.
Mike Goodman
Mike is a strong forward playing for the Albany City Rocks. He followed his own miss on one play. He grabbed several rebounds as well. Defensively, he took a charge. Mike did struggle to finish though as he missed a post turn around jumper, as well as a runner in the lane and a three pointer. He does have a decent handle.
Jordan Stevens
Jordan made a couple plays, but was quiet on this balanced City Rocks team. He banked home a shot on the inside. The skilled guard also hit a floater in the lane. He missed on a jumper though.
Antoine Allen
Antoine did a fine job of attacking off the dribble in this one. He had a couple great change of direction plays and drew several fouls as well as dishing off for an assist. He hit a runner in the lane with a foul for an old fashioned three point play. His speed and strength make Antoine a tough player to defend. Add to that, athletic ability which was on display on an alley-oop jam. Antoine did struggle from beyond the arc. He showed he’s a good free throw shooter though. Antoine played well when attacking in this contest for Cecil Kirk.
Thomas Robinson
Thomas was solid, but it was far from his best game, which interested observers, including West Virginia head coch Bob Huggins. On the offensive end, he had a nice catch and lay-up as well as a reverse. He was inconsistent on the inside though. As is usually the case, Thomas grabbed a few rebounds and blocked a shot for Squash All Beefs. The athletic and active forward has seen better days of late.
Richie Edwards
Richie is a very big (6′7) wing player who can score while playing for the Miami Tropics. He has a nice pull up game which is impossible to defend with his size. He wasn’t on fire with those shots, but he was effective. Richie moves around and found himself free for a good finger roll finish after a cut to the hoop. He can handle the ball and get to the rim too, but he really seems to like the mid range game. Although he hit from there, he didn’t show anything from beyond the three point line. Richie proved to be a player though.
2011 PLAYERS
Mike Shaw
The young rising sophomore exploded last time I saw him, but was actually quiet this time around for Mac Irvin Fire. He hit a pull up three-pointer, but also missed two others, including an airball. Mike handles the ball pretty well and has good size. He often looked to push after rebounds. He grabbed a few of those and blocked a shot too.
Coaches Spotted in the Crowd:
King James Shooting Stars vs. FOH Seattle - Rick Pinito and the entire Louisville staff, Connecticut, West Virginia, LSU, Memphis and FSU. Reports indicate that UL offered Aaron Dotson following his performance in Vegas.
MAC Irvin Fire vs. Team Jones - Connecticut and Providence
Cecil Kirk vs. Memphis Hoopsters.com - Connecticut and Seth Greenberg (VA Tech)
Squash All Beefs vs. Washington Shock - Bob Huggins and the West Virginia staff, Kansas
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