2007 Trusted Choice TOC Top Prospects

Ed Davis headed the talent at the Trusted Choice Tournament of Champions

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Nov. 26, 2007

By Van Coleman

CSTV.com & Hoopmasters.com

 



 Van Coleman

Van is one of the nation's premier recruiting experts.
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North Carolina signee Ed Davis headed the talent at the Trusted Choice Tournament of Champions and showed why he is among the nation's elite prospects.

 

But Davis wasn't the only prospect who played at a high level, as fall signees Matt Humphrey (Oregon), Josh Crittle (Oregon), Matt Roth (Indiana), Bradford Burgess (VCU), Xavier Gibson (Florida State) and Scott Suggs (Washington) all had some big moments. Unsigned seniors like Verdell Jones, Donald Stewart, Wayne Whiting and underclassmen Jordan Prosser, Leslie McDonald, Johnny Williams, Jordan Manuel, Calvin Godfrey, D.J. Cooper, Brandon Spearman and Darien Brothers had big weekends. With that in mind, here's our look at the Trusted Choice Tournament of Champions Top Prospects:

 

Tournament of Champions Top Prospects (Listed By Height)

 

Xavier Gibson 6-foot-11 220 C Dothan, Ala. Northview - This Florida State signee has all the tools to become a dominant force on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court. He had 17 and 19 points in two games we watched, averaged 9.5 boards and blocked five shots in each outing. He has tools inside, but doesn't seem to get the ball there. He went to perimeter to receive the ball. He needs to play hard to reach true potential. He will blossom in college under Leonard Hamilton's tutelage.

 

Isaiah Rhine 6-foot-10 225 C Versailles, Mo. Morgan County - This Missouri State signee has a solid low block game, runs the floor well and contests shots in the paint. We only got to see him for a half, but he impressed us with his ability to use his body on the glass and touch around the hoop. Should be a solid addition for the Bears in the Mo Valley.

 

Ed Davis 6-foot-9 210 PF Richmond, Va. Benedictine - This North Carolina signee was stellar in all three games in Peoria. He averaged 22 points, 14 boards and 8.8 blocks for the weekend. He had a triple-double versus Hales Franciscan and just flat out dominated both ends of the court. He set tourney record with 12 blocks versus Hales. He is a special talent once he receives ball. He will make Tar Heel fans happy with his sweet inside-out game.

 

Josh Crittle 6-foot-8 235 PF Chicago, Ill. Hales Franciscan - This Oregon signee showed his versatility dominating defensively, blocking 10 shots versus Morton High as part of a triple double. He struggled versus Davis and the double teams of Benedictine, but bounced back to score 23 points and pull down 12 boards against Pekin, Ill. Crittle has excellent hands, uses his body to seal and score around the hoop.

 

Jordan Prosser 6-foot-8 230 (2009) PF Eureka, Ill. - This mobile power man can flat out take it at you on the blocks or pop out and knock down 17-footers on the baseline or elbow. He reminds me on the blocks of former Wisconsin starter Andy Kowske, except he's more skilled facing hoop. He had 27 points and 12 boards versus Northview and 19 points and 14 caroms against Memphis Briarcrest. He is hearing from Kentucky, Xavier, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Bradley, Southern Illinois, Louisville, Texas, Virginia Tech, Virginia, North Carolina and Illinois.

 

Jordan Manuel 6-foot-8 200 (2010) PF Indianapolis, Ind. T.C. Howe - This young big man impressed us with his mobility and bounce off the floor. He had 15 points and 10 boards versus Custer and their excellent soph Calvin Godfrey. He has quick feet and good hands that will draw mid to high major interest in the future.

 

Wayne Whiting 6-foot-7 225 PF Richmond, Va. Benedictine - This strong rebounder was one of the TOC's surprise performers. He has excellent hands in traffic and a real nose for the ball off the glass. He had a double-double versus Morton and impressed us with his consistent effort. He should get some mid-major looks this spring.

 

Johnny Williams 6-foot-7 220 (2009) PF Memphis, Tenn. Briarcrest - This athletic insider attacked the glass and scores from elbow or around the hoop.  He exploded for 24 points, 16 boards and swatted 5 shots in OT loss to Washington, Ill. in Five Points title game. He should be a C-USA & SEC priority.

 

Calvin Godfrey 6-foot-7 210 (2010) CF Milwaukee, Wis. Custer - This skilled combo forward showed ability to score from 17-feet or roll to hoop and score in traffic around the hoop.  He had 18 points and 13 boards versus T.C. Howe. He is just starting to add strength and should get Big Ten and Big East looks down the road.

 

Matthew Humphreys 6-foot-6 190 SG Chicago, Ill. Hales Franciscan - This Oregon signee has range to NBA arc and quick first step to the hoop. He was solid all weekend, but struggled versus Benedictine and Bradford Burgess being held to just 9 points. But, he bounced back for 16 points against Pekin. He will eventually be a solid replacement for Malik Hairston in the Ducks offense.

 

Scott Suggs 6-foot-6 185 SG Washington, Mo. - This Washington signee showed he can create drive or pop jumpers off the pull-up or from beyond the arc. He had 19 points in opener versus Annawan. He has tools to become a solid perimeter scorer in the Pac ten for the Huskies.

 

Donald Stewart 6-foot-5 190 SG Champaign, Ill. Central - This unsigned wing talent was a force on both ends of the court for Central helping to lead them to the title in the National Invitational. He had 19 versus Carencro and then went off for 21 points and pulled down 9 boards in their title game win over Benedictine. He will become a mid to high major priority in the spring.

 

Bradford Burgess 6-foot-5 210 SG Richmond, Va. Benedictine - This VCU signee had a great weekend.  He has combo guard skills, can pop open three or drive and stick pull-up in traffic. He showed he can be a solid defender against Hales Franciscan. Look for him to earn PT in the backcourt for the Rams as a freshman.

 

Leslie McDonald 6-foot-5 190 (2009) SG Memphis, Tenn. Briarcrest - This smooth wing athlete can knock down three or explode to the hoop with either hand. He had 19 points in their opening night win over Eureka and added 16 points in the tough loss in OT to Washington. He's hearing from North Carolina, Memphis, Duke, Tennessee, Georgetown, and Wake Forest.

 

Patrick Richard 6-foot-4 200 SG Lafayette, La. Carencro - This McNeese State signee has tools to be a stud in the Southland Conference. He is an amazing athlete who can create highlights at the rim or pop pull-up jumper inside 15-feet. He showed his potential versus tourney champ Central going off for 23 points and 13 boards. Late signee was hearing from Big 12 and C-USA before deciding to head to McNeese.

 

Verdell Jones 6-foot-4 170 PG Champaign, Ill. Central - This skilled point guard will be one of the hottest guards available in the spring period. He led his team to title in National Invitational. He had 23 points in semi win and came back to add 19 points, 6 assists and a big 6 steals in championship win over Benedictine. He listed Minnesota, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Illinois as schools he's considering.

 

Matt Roth 6-foot-3 180 SG Washington, Ill. - This Indiana signee was stellar in the opener, scoring 30 points and hitting 8 threes. He is one of the best shooters in the senior class, that's goes without a doubt. He was "Mr. Instant Offense" in the fourth quarter of the Five Points championship, scoring 18 points in just eight minutes. He will fill a need on the perimeter for the Hoosiers.

 

Greg Foster 6-foot-3 175 SG Indianapolis, Ind. T.C. Howe - One of the weekend's surprise unsigned players he is a solid defender who can guard all the perimeter spots. He showed range to arc and handle to create shot off the dribble. Mid-majors should be checking him out.

 

Darien Brothers 6-foot-3 175 (2009) SG Richmond, Va. Benedictine - This explosive junior really played well in Benedictine's semi-final win over Hales Franciscan, finishing with 13 points. He has combo skills and excellent quicks off the dribble. He should see mids on up showing interest this winter.

 

Gregg Wooten 6-foot-2 170 (2009) SG Memphis, Tenn. Briarcrest - He's another junior guard who caught our eye. He has great acceleration off the dribble and can finish with the flush. He is an ok shooter, but needs to improve his consistency around the arc. He should see D-I's starting to show interest.

 

Brandon Spearman 6-foot-2 (2010) SG Chicago, Ill. Hales Franciscan - This smooth young wing hit some big shots over the weekend and he can get to the hoop in a hurry. He will see a lot of mid-major or higher interest.

 

Jamie King 6-foot-1 SG Pekin, Ill. - This solid wing guard can flat out shoot it from beyond the arc as he lit up Hales for 28 points including 6-threes and followed it with 23 versus Carencro. He is deceptively quick and knows how to get his shot off.

 

Dyricus Simms-Edwards 6-foot-1 170 (2009) CG Washington, Ill. - He just transferred to Washington and has really started to become a good compliment to Ross on the perimeter. He can knock down three, but is at his best attacking hoop off the dribble. Mid-majors should take a long look.

 

Tanner Carlson 6-foot-0 170 PG Annawan, Ill. - He is a solid lead guard who can shoot three, see court and makes solid passes. He's a tough kid who doesn't back down on either end of court. He has interest from Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky and Dayton.

 

Cliff Fleming 6-foot-0 PG Saint Anne's, Ill. - He's a quick and explosive scoring point who can really shake and bake off the dribble. He sometimes tries to do too much, but that is somewhat by necessity. He's really a competitor.

 

Larry Stone 5-foot-9 PG Indianapolis, Ind. T.C. Howe - This IUPUI signee has a real winner's attitude. He leads by example and plays hard on both ends of the court. He hits jumper off the dribble and finishes in traffic. Plus he makes big play on "D."

 

D.J. Cooper 5-foot-9 (2009) PG Chicago, Ill. Hales Franciscan - This young point was stellar versus Benedictine scoring 24 points and picking off 7 steals in their full court pressure. He can run the show and is a solid passer with a bright future. D-I's should start to monitor his game.

 

We hope you enjoyed our coverage of this past weekend's Trusted Choice Tournament of Champions in Peoria, Ill..  We will continue our event coverage the weekend of December 6-8th when we head to the Marshall County Hoopfest right here at "Generation Next."

 

Up next, we will be making our first update of the Fall Recruiting rankings, so stay tuned for our second look at the fall signing period results.

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