2007 Beach Ball Classic Top Prospects
The best players from an action-packed week
Jan. 3, 2008
By Van Coleman
Special To CSTV.com & Hoopmasters.com
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Van Coleman
Van is one of the nation's premier recruiting experts. |
The Beach Ball Classic featured some top-notch individual performances headed by Chris Singleton, Ray Shipman, Shawn Williams, Roger Franklin and Dequan Jones, plus a number of other talented sleepers and underclassmen.
The 2007 Beach Ball Classic wasn't as deep as some year's we've seen in the past, but as usual the talent at the top put on a real show on the final day of the tournament. We got to see 14 of the 16 teams in the event and were really impressed with the young talent in
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Beach Ball Classic Top Performers - (Listed by Height)
Chris Singleton 6-foot-9 PF Dunwoody (
Tom Pritchard
Shawn Kemp Jr. 6-foot-9 (2009) Canton Cherokee (GA) - This athletic insider has excellent bloodlines and is just starting to come into his own as a player. He led Beach Ball in field goal percentage hitting 12-of-14 from field (86 percent) in two games. He's just starting to assert himself on offensive end. High majors should be monitoring his game.
Nick Wright 6-foot-8 PF Suffolk Nansemond River (
Richard Howell 6-foot-8 (2009) PF Marietta Wheeler (
Rakeem Buckles 6-foot-8 (2009) CF Miami Monsignor Pace (Fla.) - He didn't score here like he did in Florida only getting into double figures in the third place game with 10 points and 10 big rebounds. He is explosive in transition and has the ability to play above the rim. All kinds of ACC and
Terrence Saintil 6-foot-7 PF Miami Monsignor Pace (
Richie Phares 6-foot-7 (2009) PF Georgetown Scott (
Shawn Williams 6-foot-7 (2009) Duncanville (Tex.) - (No.36 Junior) All-Tournament performer was best player on court in final, scoring 23 points and pulling down 12 rebounds, to lead Duncanville to title. He can score with either hand on drive and finishes in traffic. He is definitely among best in junior class.
David Imes 6-foot-6 WF Brooklyn Boys and Girls (N.Y.) - This bouncy rebounder attacks hoop or crashes glass versus bigs ion paint. He scored 9 points and pulled down 11 rebounds and blocked 4 shots in third place game. He should see interest from MEAC to Atlantic Ten.
Emari Bailey 6-foot-6 (2009) WF Jacksonville Arlington Country Day (Fla.) - All-Tournament performer opened with 22 versus Boys and Girls, but was even more impressive against Myrtle Beach hitting 6-threes as he finished with 27 points. High majors should be monitoring his progress.
Ari Stewart 6-foot-6 (2009) WF Marietta Wheeler (Ga.) - (No.21 Junior) All-Tournament performer opened tourney with 24 points versus Hartsville and was solid in final against Duncanville. He has tools to score and board from wing from arc to the rim. He's one of 2009's best wing talents.
Delwan Graham 6-foot-6 CF Dunwoody (
Patrick Jackson 6-foot-5 WF Brooklyn Boys & Girls (N.Y.) - (Rutgers) Athletic wing can slash to rim or knock down jumper from beyond the arc or with oop at the rim. He is a solid athlete who will add immediate depth on the wing for the Scarlet Knights next fall.
Kevin
Dequan Jones 6-foot-5 WF Marietta Wheeler (
Ray Shipman 6-foot-5 SG Miami Monsignor Pace (Fla.) - (No. 77/Florida) All-Tournament performer went for 31 points versus Canton Cherokee including 4-threes to kick off his Beach Ball play and came back with 30 points and 10 rebounds against Dunwoody. Should be another Gator outside threat once he hits the court in
Roger Franklin 6-foot-5 (2009) WF
Brandon Romain 6-foot-3 CG Brooklyn Boys and Girls (N.Y.) - This aggressive combo can attack the hoop and finish in traffic. He was stellar scoring 24 points versus Wheeler and followed it up with 17 points and was his team's go to guy in third place game. Based on what we saw the Atlantic 10 should all be calling on him.
Tahj Tate 6-foot-3 (2009) SG Marietta Wheeler (Ga.) - Bouncy junior scoring guard was steady all week for Wheeler averaging right at 10 points an outing as their third or fourth option. He has lots of athletic gifts and knows how to play the game. Sleeper in the class of 2009.
Kendall Marshall 6-foot-3 (2010) PG Arlington Bishop O'Connell (
Jason Clark 6-foot-2 SG Arlington Bishop O'Connell (
Clayton Sterling 6-foot-2 CG Brooklyn Boys and Girls (N.Y.) - All-Tournament performer can play either guard spot at the mid or higher D-1 level. He can break you down off the dribble and is willing to make pass to open man. He had 25 points in the semi's including 4-threes and four assists. He should get mid to high major looks this spring. Again
Andre Jones 6-foot-2 SG Suffolk Nansemond River (Va.) - All-Tournament performer had 17 points in double overtime loss to Duncanville in the opener, then went for 27 points versus Eastern Commerce to lead team to consolation championship game. He hit open jumper and can finish in traffic off the dribble.
Pierre Jordan 6-foot-1 PG Dunwoody (Ga.) - (Florida State) This solid lead guard showed range to arc, handled defensive pressure, and got the ball to Singleton and Graham (8 assists vs. Pace) off the dribble. He isn't flashy, but he should add depth at the point for the Seminoles.
Jordan Scott 6-foot (2010) CG Hartsville (S.C.) - Young wing can knock down jumper around the perimeter or attack the hoop off the dribble. He scored 20 points versus Evangelical Christian in the final day's opener. Mid D-1 programs on up should be monitoring his progress.
Jonathan Milewski 5-foot-11 (2009) CG Memphis Evangelical Christian (
Brian Talley 5-foot-9 PG
Faces in the Crowd: There were a number of coaches who attended the Beach Ball Classic. We observed assistants from
We hope you enjoyed our coverage of the Beach Ball Classic, up next we will go around the country looking at some of the nation's top high school tournaments, the winners and top performers during the Holiday Season, right here at "Generation Next".