Tuesday's Top Prospects

Tyreke Evans puts on the National Prep Showcase's most dominant performance

Nov. 20, 2007

By Van Coleman

CSTV.com & Hoopmasters.com


	Van Coleman Van is one of the nation's premier recruiting experts. E-mail here!

LOWELL, Mass. - We enjoyed our stay over the weekend in Lowell, Mass. at the National Prep School Showcase.

And, it was just that - a showcase. Many of the nation's top available seniors and post-graduate talent were on display and played at a high level considering that for many of the teams in Lowell it was their first competition this season.

Over 100 Division I talents were on hand, and with that in mind, here's our look at the Top Prospects at the National Prep School Showcase.

National Prep School Showcase Top Prospects: (Listed By Height)

Assane Sene 7-foot 210 C South Kent, CT School - Showed he can score and rebound with the best in Lowell. He averaged 12 points, 11 boards and 4 blocks over the weekend. He's very mobile and has an excellent ability to time the blocked shot. Look for him to continue to improve as he gets stronger. He will be a good one for Virginia as he adds strength and bulk to his frame.

Roscoe Davis 6-foot-10 205 C Chatham, VA Hargrave Military - Has all the tools to be a scorer in the post, has quick feet, good hands, and real touch on this shot. As he adds strength and gets a little more physical look out! He averaged 9.5 points for the weekend and will be good one for West Virginia in time.

Brice Massamba 6-foot-10 260 C Henderson, NV Findlay Prep - A physical and strong post man who will be one of the nation's hottest big men in the spring. He has good hands and solid feet on the blocks. Look for his list to continue to grow, but currently UNLV, UTEP, Nebraska, Auburn, and Marquette are his leaders.

Terrence Jennings 6-foot-9 220 PF Fitchburg, MA Notre Dame - Had some moments, but didn't play at the level we observed all summer. He wasn't as aggressive on either end as we've seen in the past. It is a new system, so I'll take a deep breath and give him some time to adjust. The Louisville signee averaged 7.5 points and a solid 10 boards an outing in Lowell.

Christian Morris 6-foot-8 275 C South Kent, CT School - A wide-bodied insider who ended his weekend with a 12 point and 6 board effort versus Summit Prep. He has good hands and is willing to use his body to score or control space on the glass. He'll be a solid freshman addition at Rutgers next fall.

Devin Ebanks 6-foot-8 215 WF Oakdale, CT Thomas More - The nation's No. 14 player looked like he's ready for the next level scoring 27 and 25 in his two outings at the National Prep School Showcase. He averaged 10 boards for good measure. He is very smooth and scores with efficiency (20-of-30 from field). He will make an immediate impact next fall with the Indiana Hoosiers.

Alex Oriakhi 6-foot-8 235 PF (2009) Tilton, NH Tilton School - Truly a physical specimen who knows how to score on the baseline. He had 19 points and 12 boards while we watched, punctuated by a sweet reverse (behind the head) jam on a post-up and spin move that had the crowd buzzing. He needs to work on his facing game, but looks to be a good one down the road at Connecticut.

Chris Braswell 6-foot-8 230 PF Chatham, VA Hargrave Military - Was as consistent as we've seen him, and capped his weekend off with a 24 point and 13 board effort versus Notre Dame Prep. He's long, can really run the floor, and has a solid jumper from the elbow. He should be a good one in time at Georgetown.

Emmanuel Negedu 6-foot-7 230 PF Wolfeboro, NH Brewster Academy is truly an athletic physical combo forward. He can catch oop pass or finish drive with the flush. He needs to work on outside jumper to go with improved handle. He had 13 points and 10 boards versus Fork Union. He will see lots of PT as a freshman at Arizona.

Clarence Trent 6-foot-7 230 PF (2009) Henderson, NV Findlay Prep - Has re-classified to get academics in line, but it sure isn't his game that needs to mature. He averaged 15.5 points and 12.5 rebounds over the weekend. He can attack the rim and is a much improved jump shooter. He has Kentucky, Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma, UNLV, and Connecticut among his leaders.

T.J. Robinson 6-foot-7 215 PF Oakdale, CT Thomas More - A real surprise in Lowell, as he showed he can score from 15-feet to the hoop and rebound with the best there. He averaged 17 points and 14.5 rebounds over the weekend. He has a real nose for the ball off the glass. He's had early interest from New Mexico State, Houston, and Nevada, but look for that list to grow.

Givon Crump 6-foot-7 210 WF (2009) Wolfeboro, NH Brewster Academy - Was on fire Sunday going off for 24 points, including 6-threes, and he pulled down 8 boards. He's got size, solid handle and can really knock down the open jumper. He is hearing from Nebraska, Providence, Rhode Island, and Wake Forest, but look for that list to grow.

Jin Soo Kim 6-foot-7 190 WF (2009) South Kent, CT School - He's a skilled wing who can knock down three-pointers with regularity and averaged 14.5 points for the weekend. He is still a little on the thin side, but has re-classified again to the junior class so he has time to add strength before he arrives in College Park to play for Maryland two years from now.

Chris Baskerville 6-foot-6 220 PF Lee, ME Academy - Solid in game one, but absolutely was on fire Sunday morning going off for 36 points and 12 boards versus Worcester Academy. He is a real horse around the hoop who uses his quickness to get to it versus bigger men. He will have an immediate impact at Central Connecticut State.

DeAndre Liggins 6-foot-6 195 SG Henderson, NV Findlay Prep - A skilled ball handler and passer who can play the 1, 2, or 3-spots on the perimeter. He averaged 15.5 points and handed out 6 assists in two games. He needs to improve his shot from the perimeter, but he does make things happen. He will have an immediate impact at Kentucky in the backcourt.

Nigel Ajere 6-foot-6 215 WF Tarzana, CA Summit Prep - An explosive wing who can throw it down in traffic or step out and pop the 17-footer off the dribble. He averaged 15.3 points and 10.5 rebounds in Lowell. He has Arizona State, Cal State Fullerton, Idaho, and UNLV as his early leaders.

Jamal Coombs 6-foot-6 215 WF (2009) Tilton, NH Tilton School - Had a solid game on Sunday morning versus St. Lambert's scoring 23 points and pulling down 8 boards. He is a strong wing with an ability to score from mid-range or at the hoop. He needs to work on explosion to the hoop before he gets to Connecticut.

Antiquawn Beckham 6-foot-5 190 WF New Hampton, NH New Hampton Prep - One of the weekend's biggest surprises scoring 17 points and hitting 60 percent from the field. He can explode to the hoop and finish in traffic. Look for him to be a hot spring commodity. He's currently hearing from Virginia, Wichita State, Northern Iowa, Louisiana Monroe, Ohio U, Ball State, and Chattanooga.

Mike Marra 6-foot-5 190 SG Northfield, MA Mt. Hermon - A sweet shooting wing man who surprised us with his quicks and his ability to get his shot off. He's similar in many ways to Kyle Kuric (Louisville signee), so look for him to see his list grow. He is currently hearing from Providence, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Louisville.

Larry Anderson 6-foot-5 200 WF Winchendon, MA School - A physical wing who has a knack for getting to the hoop off the dribble. He averaged 27 points and 8.5 rebounds in Lowell. He even hit a couple threes to show he has some range to set up the dribble drive. He has early interest from Xavier and Central Connecticut, but is wide open.

Tyreke Evans 6-foot-5 205 CG Aston, PA American Christian - Showed why he is among the nation's top three in Lowell when he went off for 32 points versus Winchendon School. He also handed out 5 assists and was a terror on "D" in the open court with 6 steals. He missed game two with a bruised hand. He was unstoppable and created the dribble drive with either hand. His final school list includes Louisville, Memphis, Texas, Villanova, Connecticut, and Seton Hall.

Kim English 6-foot-5 190 SG Fitchburg, MA Notre Dame Prep - Started a little slow on Friday Night, but once he found his rhythm he showed why Missouri signed him this fall. He hit 47 percent from three, averaged 25.5 points a game, and pulled down 6.5 boards for good measure. He will be a solid scorer on the wing in college.

Maurice Creek 6-foot-5 190 SG (2009) South Kent, CT School - Struggled with his shot from beyond the arc, but still averaged 9.5 points and 5.5 assists for the weekend. He is a skilled combo type with size that intrigues high-majors. His current list includes Texas, Pittsburgh, North Carolina, Marquette, Maryland, Georgetown, and Virginia.

Deividas Dulkys 6-foot-4 195 SG Henderson, NV Findlay Prep - Another excellent wing shooter who can play both backcourt spots in a pinch. He has range to the NBA arc and handle to create the dribble drive or pull up jumper. He averaged 9.5 points a game in Lowell and will help create space for the young big men at Florida State.

Eshaunte Jones 6-foot-4 180 SG Chatham, VA Hargrave Military - Struggled a little early on as his shot wasn't falling like we've seen in the past. He did, however, step up in the win versus Notre Dame Prep by handing out 6 assists. He will be a good one in time at Oregon State.

Stacy Waters 6-foot-3 180 SG Bridgton, ME Bridgton Academy - A strong wing man who grew on us this weekend. He can pop the three (3-of-6 for the weekend) or use strength to get to the hoop and finish. He averaged 8.5 points in Lowell. He is hearing from Penn State, Western Kentucky, and Kansas State at this point.

Varez Ward 6-foot-3 200 CG Lenoir, NC Patterson School - An explosive combo guard who can score or get the ball to open teammates. He averaged 10.3 points, 4 boards, and 4 assists in three outings at the National Prep School Showcase. He says that UTEP, Kentucky, Arkansas, Cincinnati, and UAB are his early leaders.

Austin Carroll 6-foot-3 185 CG Worcester, MA Academy - Definitely the leader of the Worcester squad. The son of former NBA coach John Carroll knows how to play. He hit 4-threes en route to 27 points and seemed to calm his teammates on the floor. He has point tools and says that Xavier and Holy Cross are showing the most interest.

Aaron Austin 6-foot-3 180 PG Woodstock, VA Massanutten Academy - Was stellar in Lowell over the weekend averaging 22 points and handing out 8.5 assists a game. He is very strong, plays in control, knocked down shots and delivered the rock. He is a steal for Radford and should make an immediate impact.

Dee Bost 6-foot-2 165 CG Chatham, VA Hargrave Military - On fire offensively versus Notre Dame Prep scoring 28 points (four three-pointers) in just 27 minutes of action. He has point guard tools and a sweet outside stroke that will give him an opportunity to make an immediate impact next year at Mississippi State.

Darius Johnson-Odom 6-foot-2 180 SG Lenoir, NC Patterson School - Was on fire in Lowell and is an explosive combo who can flat out score off the dribble or knock down jumpers from beyond arc or off the dribble. He is very quick and opened some eyes in the stands this weekend. He is currently hearing from Bradley and Northern Iowa, but look for that list to grow after the past weekend.

Jorge Gutierrez 6-foot-2 190 PG Henderson, NV Findlay Prep - A tough point guard who didn't back down from anyone despite playing with a broken nose & face mask. He sees the court and can penetrate and pass or score. He is currently hearing from Texas, New Mexico, UNLV, and Colorado State at this point.

Anthony Crater 6-foot-2 175 PG Wolfeboro, NH Brewster Academy - Struggled from the field only taking ten shots (4-10 from field) over two games, but distributed the ball to teammates averaging 8.5 assists in Lowell. He has tools to become a stellar lead guard once he arrives at Ohio State.

Jeremiah Kelly 6-foot-2 165 PG Aston, PA American Christian - Solid in the opener, but really stepped up with Evans out in game two to score 22 points, pull down 5 boards and hand out 3 assists. He has tools to play either guard spot and that will let him see solid PT as a freshman at DePaul.

Mark Lyons 6-foot-1 180 PG Wolfeboro, NH Brewster Academy - Was a real surprise in Lowell. He has great acceleration with the ball and can finish with the highlight dunk in traffic. He has major hops and body control. He averaged 11.5 points and 4.5 assists for the weekend and should be an impact freshman at Xavier next year.

Cardell McFarland 6-foot-1 170 PG Bridgton, ME Bridgton Academy - Averaged 19 points and 5 assists for the weekend. He has point skills and a knack for scoring at the rim off the dribble or with the jumper. He currently is hearing from Purdue, Western Kentucky, Evansville, Northern Iowa, Ball State, North Texas, and Middle Tennessee State.

Dominic Stafford-King 6-foot-0 PG Fork Union, VA Military - Was a real surprise as he can play either guard spot. He's explosive off the dribble and has range to three. He averaged 26 points and 4 assists for the weekend and could become a highly sought after combo guard this spring.

Lamont Jones 6-foot CG (2009) Aston, PA American Christian - Opened up the weekend a little slow, but really bounced back on Sunday. He picked up the offensive production lost when Evans didn't play, scoring 21 points and handing out 6 assists to lead Christian to the win over Mt. Hermon. He is starting to show a more complete game and should be a solid backcourt addition down the road at Louisville.

Damier Pitts 5-foot-11 160 PG Chatham, VA Hargrave Military - Showed he can score or run the show versus Notre Dame Prep by going off for 27 points and handing out 7 assists. He is very quick off the dribble and sees the court. He will be an impact freshman at Marshall next year.

Isaiah Thomas 5-foot-8 170 CG South Kent, CT School - Opened the weekend with 27 points and 7 assists versus Findlay Prep, but didn't play on Sunday. He is getting better at looking for teammates and is a good passer, but he still has that old score first mentality. Depending on the situation that can be good or bad and is something he needs to understand by the time he gets to Washington.

Best of the Rest:

A.J. Matthews 6-foot-10 200 C Aston, PA American Christian - Schools include Seton Hall, St. John's, Temple.

Carlos Lopez 6-foot-10 210 C Henderson, NV Findlay Prep - UNLV, Gonzaga, UCLA.

Freddy Asprilla 6-foot-10 250 C Lenoir, NC Patterson School - Committed to Florida International.

Kyle Barone 6-foot-10 205 C Tarzana, CA Summit Prep - Pepperdine, Binghamton, Idaho.

Svetsoslav Chetinov 6-foot-9 250 C Pittsfield, ME Maine Central -Valparaiso, Nebraska.

Genesis Maciel 6-foot-9 PF Worcester, MA Academy - UTEP, Oregon State, Rhode Island, St. Mary's, Fairfield, Hartford, Loyola Marymount.

Orion Outerbridge 6-foot-9 215 C New Hampton, NH New Hampton School - Committed to Rhode Island.

Will O'Huaregbe 6-foot-8 220 PF Fork Union, VA Military - Committed to UNC-Wilmington.

Eladio Espinosa 6-foot-8 210 PF Chatham, VA Hargrave Military - Committed to South Florida.

Will Brown 6-foot-8 235 PF Lenoir, NC Patterson School - Committed to New Mexico.

James Southerland 6-foot-8 200 PF Fitchburg, MA Notre Dame Prep - Committed to Syracuse.

Kelvin McNeil 6-foot-7 200 WF Woodstock, VA Massanutten Academy - George Mason, Old Dominion, Virginia Tech.

Martez Walker 6-foot-7 215 WF Aston, PA American Christian - Seton Hall, Mississippi, Georgia, VCU, Fordham, Pepperdine.

Muo Mathiang 6-foot-6 195 WF Lenoir, NC Patterson School - Massachusetts, Houston, Fairfield, Miami (FL).

Curtis Dennis 6-foot-5 190 SG Henderson, NV Findlay Prep - Committed to New Mexico.

Charles Abouo 6-foot-4 220 WF Wolfeboro, NH Brewster Academy - Committed to BYU.

Randy Dezouvre 6-foot-4 180 SG Montreal, QU Champlain St. Lambert's - Committed to Rhode Island.

Kendall Durant 6-foot-3 200 PG New Hampton, NH New Hampton Prep - Committed to Virginia Tech.

Oscar Griffin 6-foot-4 200 SG (2009) Aston, PA American Christian - Pittsburgh, St. John's, Maryland, Fordham.

Trey Blue 6-foot-3 SG Wolfeboro, NH Brewster Academy - Drake, Harvard, Howard, Northern Iowa, Tulsa.

Melquan Bolding 6-foot-3 SG Fitchburg, MA Notre Dame Prep - Committed to Louisville.

Nate Tomlinson 6-foot-3 CG Lee, ME Academy - Committed to Colorado.

Johnny Higgins 6-foot-2 185 PG Fitchburg, MA Notre Dame Prep - Committed to Duquesne.

Niko Cochran 6-foot-2 170 CG Montreal, QU Champlain St. Lambert's - Yale, Dartmouth, Brown.

Anthony Raffa 6-foot-1 170 PG Winchendon, MA School - Committed to Albany.

Hamid Ford 6-foot PG Bridgton, ME Bridgton Academy - UC Santa Barbara, Cal Poly.

We hope you enjoyed our look at the top talent that appeared at the National Prep School Showcase.

We would like to thank Patrick Stevens for his help with Sunday's coverage since I had to fly home while the afternoon session was still in progress. Kudos should also go to Tournament Director Jeff Goodman who ran a quality event that was extremely media friendly and well organized.