VAN COLEMAN
Van is one of the nation's premier recruiting experts. E-mail
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Derrick Favors and Lance Stephenson head the top performers in pool play.
The pool play at the Real Deal on the Hill is winding down this afternoon and this evening we will switch into championship mode as the rounds of 32 and the Sweet 16 will be played.
Before we really tune in on that play I think it is an opportune time to look at the top performers we observed in Pool play at the HPERBuilding and the Bud Walton Arena over the past two days. We will break down the top talent, by grade, that performed at high levels on Friday Night and Saturday during pool play...
But before we get to the top talent, we had a chance to chat with Derrick Favors, our top rated rising senior in the Class of 2009. We asked him if he feels any added pressure this year being rated the top prospect heading into the spring and summer play.
"No, I really kind of relish the challenge of staying on top," Favors told CSTV.com Saturday morning. "It's been like this at all levels back home, whether it's the playground, in high school, or now out here on the national circuit.It really just motivates me to play at the highest level, because it's where I want to be."
And based on his play at the Bud Walton Arena today don't look for him to fall from his top spot any time soon. With that in mind here's our look at the top performers in Pool Play at the Real Deal on the Hill:
Class of 2009 -
Derrick Favors, 6-foot-9 PF, Atlanta Celtics - The nation's No.1 rising senior flat out finds ways to impress you with his skills and great effort on defense and the glass.No question at this point that he still holds an edge over the rest of the top ten prospects in the Class of 2009.
Lance Stephenson, 6-foot-5 CG, Juice All-Stars/Raising Champions - He continues to take over games and impose his will on opponents, both off the dribble or with jumper from the perimeter, but really earned some kudos going to the floor for loose ball on couple occasions while I watched.That's the effort that can challenge Favors for top spot.
Kenny Boynton, 6-foot-2 G, Team Breakdown - This explosive scorer didn't disappoint, knocking down threes or attacking the hoop.Has a rep about not seeing a shot he doesn't like, but when their falling who cares?
DeMarcus Cousins, 6-foot-9, Birmingham Storm - He started the weekend on the slow side on Friday night, but bounced back with a solid effort asserting his size and physical gifts.
Ari Stewart, 6-foot-7 WF, Worldwide Renegades Orange - He played in flashes, but you can see the athletic gifts and ability to dominate off the dribble.Some folks doubt his ability to adapt to a system, so coaches who play a wide open game should be the ones calling.
Shawn Williams, 6-foot-6 WF, Texas Select - He was stellar when we watched, he had 24 points and dominated glass on both ends, knocked down shots and showed he has body control to finish anywhere in the paint.
Nolan Dennis, 6-foot-5 SG, Dallas Mustangs - This long wing man can explode off the dribble to the hoop, knocked down a jumper off the dribble.He was a little streaky from arc, but has a nice stroke, so we believe that was just a one time thing.Had Roy Williams, Coach K and a number of other head coaches in the gym on Saturday.
Peyton Siva, 5-foot-11 PG, Seattle Rotary Select - This young point can distribute the rock or knock down the long range jumper or finish in traffic. He is smooth, quick and leads by example.
Roger Franklin, 6-foot-5 WF, Team Texas Elite - This powerful wing man can flat out score off the dribble inside the arc, both with a jumper or strong finish.He scored 22 points when we watched and does the little things to help his team.
D.J. Richardson, 6-foot-4 SG, Illinois Warriors - He started a little slow in the Friday opener, but really picked it up in Saturday's game.He scored off the dribble and showed he can make pass or finish in traffic.
Shawn Kemp, Jr., 6-foot-10 PF, Worldwide Renegades Black - Son of former NBA great just keeps improving every time we see him.He has good hands in paint, runs the floor, finishes around hoop and blocked shots.
Brennan Cougill, 6-foot-9 C, Iowa Barnstormers - This highly skilled big man has excellent hands, quick feet on the blocks and a great touch around the hoop. He just seems to go about it with workmanlike efficiency.
Ray Turner, 6-foot-9 PF, Franchize All-Stars - After watching him twice I think he could have nailed that evaluation for sure.He has a great nose for the ball, and can score from 17-feet to the rim with best in Fayetteville.
Delino Deer, 6-foot-10 C, Illinois Warriors - This long and fast developing big man isn't a finished prospect by any means, but he has shown flashes on both ends that will draw high major looks this summer.
Scott Wood, 6-foot-5 WF SYF Players - He was as steady as anyone we watched, he has range to three, can knock open jumper down with regularity, and showed he can also create dribble drive.He had 17 points in afternoon action.
Kyle Fogg, 6-foot-3 SG, Belmont Shore - He continued what he started in Vegas; he can score from beyond arc or attack the hoop with either hand.He is heading to prep school and should blow-up this spring.
Sampson Carter, 6-foot-8 CF, M33M Ballerz - He struggled a little on offense Friday night, but he exploded for 21 points this afternoon including three from deep.He can flat out explode to hoop. He is headed to prep school and will be a hot commodity with high majors.
Christian Watford, 6-foot-8 WF, M33M Ballerz - He flat out impressed me with his offensive tools, he scored from 17-feet on pull-up, posted foes on the glass, and is quick end to end with or without the ball.He has tools to be big-time scorer in college.
Eric Bledsoe, 6-foot PG, Birmingham Ice - He is the other early candidate for "Biggest sleeper" in Fayetteville.He is the consummate point guard, he makes others around him better with the pass.But, if needed he can hit big shot or finish in traffic.
Jeronne Maymon, 6-foot-7 WF, Wisconsin Gators - This athletic combo can slash and score or knock down 15-footer off the dribble with some regularity.He attacks glass on both ends.Range and consistency are keys to high majors, but he gives effort you gotta love.
Lane Adams, 6-foot-4 CG, Oklahoma Elite - He is another of the rising senior sleepers who can play either guard spot.He hit three when we watched, but really impressed me with his solid handle and excellent court vision.Definitely worth a look if you're looking for a smart in control lead guard.
Class of 2010
Brandon Knight, 6-foot-3 G, Team Breakdown - He has come all the way back from early season injury. He showed his old explosive quicks and ability to pass or create for teammates.He looks ready to battle other contenders for the top spot in rising junior class.
Deshaun Thomas, 6-foot-7 F, Spiece Heat - This skilled big man started a little slow as he faced a lot of double and triple teams that seemed to frustrate him.But, later seemed to settle in, scoring in paint on blocks, hitting teammates with pass inside or out, while hitting perimeter jumper. He is going to have to get used to this kind of attention.
Joshua Smith, 6-foot-9 PF, Seattle Rotary Select - This young big man displayed good hands, surprisingly quick feet around the hoop, and a real nose for the ball off the glass.He's just scratching surface, and if he can drop a couple pounds he could become a real force among big men in rising junior class.
Doron Lamb, 6-foot-4 SG, New York Gauchos - He gets all kind of hype from the folks out east, and showed why in Fayetteville.He has great body control off the dribble, knocks down open jumper or creates pull-up.He shows flashes of a superior passing game that could lead to him playing either spot down the road.
C.J. Leslie, 6-foot-9 CF, Worldwide Renegades Black - This long and explosive wing talent has grown 3-4 inches in the past 18 months, but has continued to progress game-wise.He translates nicely at the three spot or can go inside and use quicks and length to score over opponents in the paint.
Julian Washburn, 6-foot-8 PF, Texas Select - The son of former NBA player Chris Washburn has some excellent perimeter skills, he can create drive or hit open jumper, but was at his best balancing his game inside-out.
Darius Smith, 6-foot-2 CG, Illinois Warriors - This late addition to the Warriors showed why folks in WindyCity like his game so much.He is a solid passer who can create off the dribble or see open man in transition.He has range to arc and finishes in traffic too.
Class of 2011 -
Anthony Wroten Jr., 6-foot-5 G, Seattle Rotary Select - This explosive backcourt talent can flat out get it done.He hit open jumper, attacked the hoop and finished in traffic.He has all the tools to become one of best.He just needs to remain focused to that goal!
LaQuinton Ross, 6-foot-7 WF, MBA Hoops - This long combo forward hit jumper from three and has handle to create drive and finish with highlight dunk.He needs to show pull-up game, but has the tools.Youth sometimes shows, but he is very talented.
LeBryan Nash, 6-foot-7 F, Dallas Mustangs - He more than held his own versus Ross as he scored off drive and hit mid-range jumper off the dribble.He has good body control for one so young.The tools there to be a special player down the road.
Trevor Lacey, 6-foot-3 CG, Southeast Elite - This explosive young combo guard has ability to cross you and attack the hoop and finish in traffic. Or he hac knock down open jumper from arc on in.He is a solid passer too, both guard spots can be part of his future.He will be special down the road.
Cezar Guerrero, 5-foot-11 PG, BelmontShore - The poise of this young point is well beyond his years.He sees court, can deliver rock or score in paint or knock down jumper from all over the court.He will be a high major priority at the point down the road.
del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Sphere
Yahoo
Google
Email
Print
