NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C.– With pool play games in the morning to decide the teams who would move on to the playoffs later Wednesday night, day three of the Nike Peach Jam was quite intense. Even at the U16 level things were heated as the afternoon pitted some top teams fighting to advance to bracket play. As always, a few players stepped up and shined under the bright lights, not to mention the watchful eyes of hundreds of college coaches.

Top Performers

Cameron Biedschied, 2012, SF, 6’5, Cardinal Ritter (MO), St. Louis Eagles 16s-

A long wing, Biedschied is not a guys who exactly wows with his play. Rather, he plays the game the right way, does the little things, and makes things happen. Now, that is not to take away from the play for the Show Me State standout, as he had a great showing in both of his games. Biedschied is still developing, has a high ceiling, and is a versatile player who can play multiple positions on the floor. He led his team to a win over All-Ohio Black, but could not push his team over the top against the Mac Irvin Fire.

Trey Burke, 2011, PG, 6’1, 170lbs, Northland (OH), All-Ohio Red-

A former Penn State commitment, Burke was the main reason his team avoided a blowout loss in the morning. The sturdy floor general went off for 26 points (8/17 FG, 5/10 3P, 2/2 FT) in a 78-65 loss to the Metro Hawks. Burke also had 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 turnovers. Although he plays the point, Burke is also able to fill it up from all over the court. In addition to shooting 50% beyond the arc, Burke got to the hoop off the bounce, making him hard to defend.

Michael Gilchrist, 2011, SF, 6’7, 190lbs, St. Patrick’s (NJ), Team Final-

The best player in the country showed once again why he is deserving of that label. In a 70-63 overtime victory over BABC in the quarterfinals, Gilchrist exploded for 27 points (11/17 FG, 5/8 FT) and 15 rebounds, seven of which were offensive. The versatile forward did once again struggle with turnovers (he had seven and just two assists), but he has the ball in his hands a great deal. Skilled enough to play the one through the four, Kentucky-bound Gilchrist has been arguably the best performer at the Nike Peach Jam through three days, despite missing one day due to FIBA U17s.

Archie Goodwin, 2012, SG, 6’4, 190lbs, Sylvan Hills (AR), Arkansas Wings Elite 16s-

After a so-so outing in an afternoon loss to the Georgia Stars, Goodwin was fantastic in a nighttime thrashing of Team Final. A rising junior who can play the one, two, and three, Goodwin was nearly unstoppable getting to the cup. He is tough to pigeonhole into one position, as he passes like a point guard, has the size of a shooting guard, and handles like a small forward. A big-time athlete with great body control, Goodwin had an outstanding fast break dunk in transition on a 6’9 center and drew a foul in the process.

Kenny Gaines, 2012, SG, 6’3, 195lbs, Whitefield Academy (GA), Georgia Stars 16s-

A relative unknown, Gaines was one of many quality performers for the Georgia Stars in their afternoon victory. A strong, sturdy, athletic guard, Gaines put a lot of points on the board, primarily off the bounce. He was able to both get to the hoop and pull-up for a midrange jumper at times. Gaines is a great athlete with a nice upside despite being a bit undersized for a wing.

Sidiki Johnson, 2011, PF, 6’9, 220lbs, Oak Hill Academy (VA), Metro Hawks-

In his team’s morning win, Johnson turned in a great performance and was the best player on the floor. An Arizona-bound native New Yorker, Johnson had 28 points (9/15 FG, 3/5 3P, 7/12 FT) and 12 rebounds. What allowed Johnson to excel was that he did not try to be a guard as much as he sometimes tends to do. A physically imposing player, Johnson is a talented player with the tools to be outstanding, as he showed on day three. He had another double-double in a 62-52 quarterfinal loss to Team Takeover DC, scoring 21 points (6/9 FG, 1/3 3P, 8/10 FT) and grabbing 10 rebounds to go along with four blocks.

Marquis Teague, 2011, PG, 6’1, 185lbs, Pike (IN), Spiece Indy Heat-

Like Gilchrist, his future teammate at Kentucky, Marquis Teague was phenomenal for the second day in a row. Teague led his team to an 80-76 overtime win over Boo Williams in the quarterfinals, scoring more than twice as much as any of his teammates. Teague had 30 points (8/13 FG, 1/3 3P, 13/19 FT), 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 4 turnovers. Teague is lightning quick with the ball in his hands and nearly impossible to stay in front of. He is strong and creates contact around the cup, which allows him to repeatedly get to the line. The Hoosier State superstar had the most impressive play I saw on the day. He used a screen to accelerate past two defenders guarding him in the corner full court, get to the other sideline around midcourt, keep the same pace to the basket, go up, alter his body in the air, finish at the other side of the hoop and draw a foul. The play summed up Marquis Teague: big-time.

Kyle Wiltjer, 2011, PF, 6’9, 215lbs, Jesuit (OR), Drew Gooden Soldiers-

The Soldiers had a disappointing ending to an otherwise impressive run in the EYBL, falling 82-76 to the St. Louis Eagles in quarterfinals, but Wiltjer did all he could to prevent the loss from happening. The face-up four had 23 points (9/13 FG, 0/1 3P, 5/7 FT) and 11 rebounds, tops on his team in both categories. Wiltjer did it all offensively, from posting up to knocking down some jumpers.

Recruiting Nuggets

Anthony Barber, 2013, PG, 6’2, 165lbs, Hampton (VA), Boo Williams 16s- Barber has one offer to this point, from in-state school Virginia Tech. He has also noted that he is receiving interest from North Carolina.

Cameron Biedschied- St. Louis and Detroit have offered Biedschied, but many other schools are interested in him. He mentioned Duke, Notre Dame, Minnesota, UCLA, Missouri, Cincinnati, Illinois, Marquette, Indiana, Wisconsin, Oregon State, UNLV, and Butler as well.

Trey Burke- After reopening his recruitment several weeks ago, Burke has offers from Nebraska, Cincinnati, Western Kentucky, Cleveland State, and Penn State, to which he was once committed. Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, and West Virginia are also showing interest and he has Cincinnati, Wake Forest, and Georgia Tech atop his list.

AJ Davis, 2013, SF, 6’6, 190lbs, Greater Atlanta Christian (GA), Mac Irvin Fire 16s- The son of former NBA player Antonio Davis, AJ has yet to receive an offer, but does have interest. USC, Florida State, Kansas, and Wake Forest were the four schools he listed.

Kenny Gaines- He has not yet received any offers, but is receiving some Division I interest. Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Kennesaw State, Wichita State, Jacksonville, and Alabama are involved, with Alabama as his favorite.

Jordon Granger, 2012, SF, 6’7, 180lbs, SF, McCluer North (MO), St. Louis Eagles 16s- The only school to extend an offer to the long combo forward thus far is St. Louis. The other schools he said are involved are Missouri State, Illinois State, Wichita State, Kansas State, Murray State, and Detroit.

Marcus Hunt, 2012, SF, 6’5, 215lbs, North Clayton (GA), Georgia Stars 16s- A key part of his team’s run to the championship game, Hunt holds an offer from Wichita State. In addition, Alabama, Clemson, Jacksonville, Georgia, Georgia Tech, East Carolina, Mercer, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Florida, and Auburn are the other schools he said are showing interest.

Jalen Jackson, 2012, SF, 6’5, 200lbs, West Memphis (AR), Arkansas Wings Elite 16s- Although he has surprisingly not picked up any offers yet, Jackson has a few schools looking at him. Arkansas is his favorite, with Ole Miss, Memphis, Wichita State, Southeast Missouri State, and others expressing interest.

Deon Jones, 2011, SG, 6’5, 185lbs, Sanford School (DE), Team Final- The younger brother of Rider guard Jeff Jones, Deon has offers from Rider and Drexel. He also said Florida State, Boston College, Georgetown, UNLV, Nebraska, La Salle, and Towson are recruiting him.

Steve Taylor, 2012, SF, 6’7, 215lbs, Simeon (IL), Mac Irvin Fire 16s- Taylor’s lone offer to this point comes is from Southern Illinois. He also is hearing from Ohio, Detroit, Xavier, and Illinois.

Top Performers

Shaq Boga, 2011, PG, 6’0, 170lbs, McCluer (MO), St. Louis Eagles-

The St. Louis Eagles got top 10 player and Florida-commit Brad Beal back from FIBAs on Tuesday, but it was Boga who led the way anyway. A talented floor general, Boga put up 22 points (8/12 FG, 0/1 3P, 6/9 FT), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 turnover in a 63-54 win over Louisiana Select. Boga has improved his game over the past year, especially in the scoring department, though he is still able to distribute the rock.

Ricardo Gathers, 2012, PF, 6’7, 245lbs, Riverside Academy (LA), Louisiana Select-

There is no way around the fact that the rising junior was an absolute beast on this day. A strong, chiseled post presence, Gathers did everything he possibly could to get his team the win, but came up short. Gathers ended up with 26 points (9/21 FG, 0/2 3P, 8/14 FT) and 11 rebounds, five of which were offensive. It felt as though Gathers had much more than 26 and 11, as he was dominant, especially in the second half when he scored 22 points. Gathers was superb on the offensive glass, routinely grabbing misses and turning them into free throw attempts. Despite being a touch undersized, Gathers more than makes up for it with his hard play and huge frame.

Michael Gbinije, 2011, SF, 6’6, 200lbs, Benedictine (VA), Team Takeover DC-

With his future head coach Mike Krzyzewski watching, the Duke-bound wing had a quality game Tuesday night. Gbinije got to the cup time after time, easily slipping past defenders to create scoring chances. The silky smooth Old Line State star finished with 21 points (8/13 FG, 5/7 FT) and 7 rebounds in a 61-55 win over the Howard Pulley Panthers. He would have had more points, but missed a number of easy layups around the cup, which was the only real negative about his showing.

Michael Gilchrist, 2011, SF, 6’7, 190lbs, St. Patrick’s (NJ), Team Final-

If Gilchrist was worn out after winning the gold medal in Germany, he sure did not show it. In a big-time matchup against fellow top 10 prospect Anthony Davis with his future coach John Calipari on the sideline, Gilchrist was phenomenal. The Kentucky-commit ended up with 26 points (7/12 FG, 1/2 3P, 11/17 FT), 9 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 blocks. The only things Gilchrist struggled with were turnovers (he had 4 and just 1 assist) and first half free throws. An ultra-talented player with a tremendous motor, Gilchrist can do just about everything, from handle and run the point to rebound and bang down low with the bigs. He showed why he is the top player in the country regardless of class in the 60-54 Tuesday win over Meanstreets.

Kevin Johnson, 2011, C, 6’10, 225lbs, Taft (CA), California Supreme-

Deceptively nimble for his size, Johnson was his team’s best player in a tough 79-58 loss to Spiece Indy Heat. The big man dropped 15 points (6/10 FG, 3/6 FT), grabbed 9 rebounds (3 offensive), and blocked 3 shots. Should Johnson shed about 10 pounds in order to improve his stamina and mobility he could be a top-notch player. Johnson has the tools to be a great college player with height, size, and post moves, and he is doing a good job of putting them all together.

James McAdoo, 2011, PF, 6’8, 210lbs, Norfolk Christian (VA), Boo Williams-

Like Gilchrist, McAdoo showed no signs of fatigue after coming back from Germany. In front of a massive crowd of coaches (including Roy Williams), media members, and fans for Boo’s nightcap against Each 1 Teach 1, McAdoo was the best player on the floor. The future North Carolina Tar Heel had 16 points (7/13 FG, 0/2 3P, 2/4 FT), 8 rebounds (3 offensive), 6 blocks, and 2 steals in the 65-54 win. His assist-to-turnover ratio was poor as McAdoo had zero dimes and five turnovers, but he was outstanding regardless. McAdoo is a defensive terror, utilizing his long arms to block and alter shots and get in the passing lanes. Offensively he has a versatile game, but does settle for the jumper too much. All said, he is a surefire top 10 player in this class.

Dominique Pointer, 2011, SF, 6’5, 180lbs, Quality Education Academy (NC), The Family-

After impressing at the King City Classic, Pointer has followed it up with a great Peach Jam. The Detroit native was by far the best performer on the floor in his team’s 67-44 thrashing of the Albany City Rocks. Pointer had 24 points (8/16 FG, 1/3 3P, 7/8 FT) and 7 rebounds (3 offensive). Pointer is a big-time athlete with a strong frame who gets to the cup with ease, and once there is prone to throwing down big-time slams, as his did a handful of times in the win. Pointer had more than twice as many points as his team’s second leading scorer and was the only player in the game with 20+.

Marquis Teague, 2011, PG, 6’1, 185lbs, Pike (IN), Spiece Indy Heat-

Yet another player who came over from Germany for Tuesday’s games, Teague had a rough morning session and started the night game slowly. In the second half, with John Calipari watching, things clicked for the future Kentucky Wildcat. Teague completely transformed in the second 16 minutes into a scoring machine who was also throwing out pinpoint passes, wreaking havoc on defense, and even rebounding. Teague finished with a game-high 25 points (10/19 FG, 1/1 3P, 4/8 FT), 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 turnovers. An aggressive, lightning quick player with an elite skill set, Teague is a definite top five talent and may well be the best guard in the class.

Recruiting Nuggets

Rene Castro, 2013, PG, 6’4, 175lbs, Beaver Country Day (MA), BABC 16s- A talented rising sophomore, Castro already holds and offer from Boston College. In addition, Castro has received mail from Lafayette, Drexel, USC, Oregon State, and Florida Atlantic.

Siyani Chambers, 2012, PG, 5’11, 170lbs, Hopkins (MN), Howard Pulley Panthers- The slender rising junior floor general lists just one offer at this point, from Santa Clara. In addition, Florida State, Washington, and Cal Poly are showing interest and Chambers has no favorites.

Shaq Johnson, 2012, SF, 6’4, 195lbs, Salem (GA), Southern Kings 16s- The strong, ultra-athletic wing does not yet have any scholarship offers, but is receiving interest from a trio of SEC schools. Auburn, Georgia, and Florida are involved with Johnson already.

John Manning, 2011, C, 6’11, 215lbs, Chantilly (VA), Team Takeover DC- A tall, long, hard-working post player, Manning lists offers from William & Mary, Tulane, and George Mason. He has interest from Penn State, Michigan, Harvard, and Central Florida, with no leaders at this point. “Those are the main ones right now,” Manning said of the seven schools he mentioned.

Ben McLemore, 2011, SF, 6’5, 185lbs, Oak Hill Academy (VA), St. Louis Eagles- McLemore, considered a big-time rising senior, rattled off a list of Kansas, Missouri, Purdue, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Provide. He noted that those are merely the ones that he could remember and that they have all offered. “I don’t have any favorites, but Kansas is still at the top of my list, still one of my favorites,” McLemore said.

Brandon Morris, 2012, PF, 6’7, 190lbs, Miller Grove (GA), Southern Kings 16s- A long combo forward from the Peach State, Morris holds one scholarship offer thus far, from Georgia. In addition, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, UAB, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, and Georgia Tech are expressing interest. Morris has Auburn, Clemson, and Georgia as his leaders right now.

We're just a month or so into AAU season and it's already been a dandy.  As we inch closer to the July open period, we felt it was time to release our Top 100 players in the class of 2011.  

Click here for our updated

2011 High School Player Rankings

Here's a look at who holds the top spot at each position !!!

PG – Marquis Teague, (6-1, 165) Spiece

The speedy quick floor general lit the house on fire at Boo Williams, turning in the best effort of the week and cementing his spot as the top floor general in the country.  His ability to change speeds makes him impossible to stay in front of. 

SG – Austin Rivers, (6-4, 190) E1T1

The best pure scorer in this class by a long shot, Rivers can score any way he wants.  While he should remain the most unguardable player in America for the foreseeable future, he's going to need to continue to grow as a facilitator and defender if he wants to overtake Gilchrist for the #1 spot. 

SF – Michael Gilchrist, (6-7, 190) Team Final

Michael retains his spot as the classes top dog.  He isn't flashy, but he uses his versatility and outstanding motor to get the job done.  He ability to rebound, turn, and start the break, combined with his desire to make the simple play, makes him the most effective player in America. 

PF – Quincy Miller, (6-8, 200) D-One Sports

Another extremely efficient player, Quincy has added a lot of elements to his game over the past few months.  He's handling it better, shooting it with more range and consistency, and proving he can score in a variety of fashions.  Combine that with his length, energy, and leadership, and we're talking about the complete package. 

C- Rakeem Christmas, (6-9, 215) Team Final

Rakeem is the human eraser capable of protecting the rim like no other in the class of 2011.  While his offensive repertoire is still a work in progress, defensively Christmas uses excellent length, bounce, and energy, to close down the paint to opposing teams.  Simply put, he's the best shot blocker and defensive player in the country. 

Click here for our updated

2011 High School Player Rankings

Please keep in mind that this list is still a work in progress and we have yet to see everyone in the 2011 class.  That being said we have been hitting the road very hard and will continue to do so. 

Next up on the list is a west coast swing which includes the Nike EYBL in Los Angeles, followed by the Pangos All-American Camp.  Those two events will bring an end to a terrific spring and ensure we're as familiar as possible with all the nations top prospects heading into summer.   

June doesn't get any less action packed as we'll be attending the Rumble in the Bronx, the All-Canada Classic, and the NBA Top 100 camp. 

That's at least 5 more events in which prospects will have a chance to catch our eye over the next two months.  We'll update the list again prior to the July open evaluation period, so if you're looking at this list and aren't happy with your spot, make sure to set your alarm the rest of the spring ready to "Rise and Grind".  They'll be plenty of opportunity to improve on your ranking. 

Nolan Shulman - North American Recruiting Analyst

Before we turn the chapter and shift our focus solely on the 2011 and 2012 classes, Flagrant Fouls Inc. is proud to announce our 2010 All-American teams.  We've got 1st, 2nd, and 3rd teams as well as an All-Defensive team, an All-Canadian team, an All-Underclassmen team, an All-Versatility team, and even Speed and Shooting teams.  So without further ado, here are this years Flagrant Fouls All-American's.   

Player of the Year

C- Jared Sullinger, (6-8, 265) Northland

1st Team All-Americans

C- Jared Sullinger, (6-8, 265) Northland

SF- Harrison Barnes, (6-8, 210) Ames

PF- Tobias Harris, (6-8, 215) Half Hollow Hills West

PG- Brandon Knight, (6-3, 180) Pine Crest

PG- Kyrie Irving, (6-2, 172) St. Patrick's

2nd Team All-Americans

PF- Tristan Thompson, (6-9, 235) Findlay College Prep, NV

PG- Cory Joseph, (6-3, 175) Findlay College Prep, NV

SG- Will Barton, (6-6, 175) Brewster Academy, NH

SF- Michael Gilchrist, (6-7, 190) St. Patrick's, NJ

PF- Enes Kanter, (6-9, 240) Stoneridge Prep

3rd Team All-Americans

PG- Austin Rivers, (6-4, 190) Winter Park, FL

PG- Joe Jackson, (6-0, 165) White Station, TN

C- Fab Melo, (7-0, 255) Sagemont Upper School, FL

PF- C.J. Leslie (6-9, 205) Word of God Academy, NC

SG- Reggie Bullock (6-6, 185) Kinston, NC

1st Team Alll-Defense

PG- Cory Joseph, (6-3, 175) Findlay College Prep, NV

SG- Doron Lamb, (6-4, 175) Oak Hill Academy, VA

PF- Patric Young, (6-9, 220) Providence, FL

C- Adreian Payne, (6-9, 215) Jefferson Township

C- Rakeem Christmas, (6-9, 215) Academy of the New Church, PN

1st Team All- Underclassmen

C- Dajuan Coleman, (6-8, 275) Jamesville-Dewitt, NY

C- Andre Drummond, (6-11, 230) St. Thomas More, CT

PG- LJ Rose, (6-2, 170) Second Baptist School, TX

SF- Justin Anderson, (6-5, 210) Montrose Christian, DC

PF- Perry Ellis, (6-7, 205) Wichita Heights, KS

1st Team All-Canadians

PF- Tristan Thompson, (6-9, 235) Findlay College Prep, NV

C- Dwight Powell, (6-10, 210) IMG Academies, FL

PG- Myck Kabongo, (6-2, 170) St. Benedict's Prep, NJ

PG- Cory Joseph, (6-3, 175) Findlay College Prep, NV

PF- Anthony Bennett, (6-7, 210) Mountain State Academy, WV

1st Team All-Snipers

SG- Trevor Cooney, (6-4, 185) Sanford, DE

PG- Gary Franklin Jr., (6-0, 180) Mater Dei, CA

PG- Noah Cottrill, (6-1, 175) Logan, WV

SG- Reggie Bullock, (6-6, 190) Kinston, NC

PG- Brandon Knight, (6-3, 185) Pine Crest, FL

1st Team All-Indy Car

PG- Marquis Teague, (6-0, 160) Pike, IN

PG- Joe Jackson, (6-0, 160) White Station, TN

PG- Ahmad Starks, (5-8, 140) Whitney Young, IL

PG- Myck Kabongo, (6-2, 165) St. Benedict's, NJ

PG- Tavon Sledge, (5-9, 155) Half Hollow Hills West, NY

1st Team All-Versatility

PF- Tobias Harris, (6-8, 215) Half Hollow Hills West, NY

PF- Quincy Miller, (6-8, 200) Quality Education Academy, NC

SF- Keala King, (6-6, 170) Mater Dei, CA

SF- Laquiton Ross, (6-8, 210) Life Center Academy, NJ

SG- Nick Johnson, (6-4, 180) Findlay College Prep, NV

1st Team All-High Risers

SG- Dion Waiters, (6-2, 200) Life Center Academy, NJ

SG- Josh Selby, (6-2, 180) Lake Clifton, MD

C- Perry jones, (6-9, 205) Duncanville, TX

SG- Deuce Bello, (6-3, 180) Westchester, NC

SG- Nick Johnson, (6-4, 180) Findlay College Prep, NV

It was a great week at Hoop Magic in Chantilly, VA., home of this years Nike Baltimore Elite Invitational.  The competition was fierce, the tournament was was run really well, and everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves.  The Playaz Basketball Club beat up on Team Final in the 17u Championship while DC Team Takeover won both the 16u and 15u title. 

Here's a look at who stood out !!!

DAY ONE

Aquille Carr, Baltimore Elite (5-7, 2013)

He's 5-7, just finished grade 9, and doesn't blow you away shooting the basketball. That said, no one has been more impressive than Aquille. He's playing up with the 17's and has absolutely gone to work in the first two days of the tournament. He is lightning quick, has outstanding handles, and can flat out score the basketball. What makes Aquille special is the way he gets in the gaps and finishes at the rim. He's got outstanding body control and is a terrific finisher. Think a cross between Allen Iverson and Louis Williams.

DAY TWO

Trevor Cooney, Team Final (6-4, 2011)

Trevor has once again been sensational so far this week. After playing great at Pitt Jam Fest, I talked about how Trevor is so much more than the shooter he's labelled. Tonight, it was his shooting which once again dazzled me. He's absolutely wet. Trevor gets his shoulders square to the target, makes the catch, and knocks it down. He's got a great follow through and doesn't force bad shots. He's also unbelievably unselfish. The kid went 4 possessions in a row where no one was within 10 feet of him and no one got him the ball. On the 5th possession he was once again wide open and what did he do? He fed the post to exploit a mismatch for his big man. That's the kind of IQ and teammate you get when you have Trevor Cooney.

Michael Gilchrist, Team Final (6-7, 2011)

What more can you say about Gilchrist. He's already our #1 player in the country. The thing I love most about Michael isn't his versatility, it isn't his motor either (though I love both of those things too) What makes me say WOW, is his desire to make the simple play. He doesn't try to look pretty. He just flat out gets it done. Whether it be finding a teammate in transition, scoring a hoop in the paint, or driving to the hole and dumping off, Gilchrist generally sees the easiest way to score and makes the play.

Khem Birch, Expressions (6-9, 2012)

Khem doesn't have low post moves, nor does he have a face-up game that will excite you. Offensively he can make the mid range jumper but still has a VERY long way to go in his development. Defensively, Khem is a pro. He protects the rim blocking shots with both hands, can guard multiple positions, is extremely active, and can rebound the heck out of the basketball. He probably had 8-10 points in the game I saw, but was a huge part in creating offense using great defense.  He's listed Providence as his out and away leader thus far.  

Naz Long, Team Takeover Canada (6-2, 2012)

Naz was oustanding throughout Takeover Canada's 3-0 start. While he plays the point both in high school and AAU, he can really score the ball. Defensively, Naz had his hands in the passing lanes, did an excellent job staying active at the top of the zone, and was vocal; trying to get the guys charged up. His defensive prowess led to multiple fast break opportunities where Naz was able to finish at the rim. The one knock I had on Naz was that he's so unselfish that he tried to feed his teammates in transition at times when it wasn't there. You can't always make everyone happy, but making sure you get the two points always puts a smile on the coaches face. Get yours young man.

Team Philly

Playing with just 6 guys, Team Philly gave team Final everything they could take and then some.  They then battled Team Takeover Delaware toe to toe despite running on fumes.  They didn't get either W, but you have to commend the effort these young men showed with absolutely zero bench and zero rest.  

DAY THREE

Playaz Basketball Club

Champions of this years 17u finals, the Playaz coasted early in the tournament than took Team Final to the cleaners in the championship game.  Going against two of the top 7 players in America and also the game's top shooter, the Playaz played a team game; moving the basketball, playing unselfish, and really taking pride on the defensive end of the floor.  Myles Mack, Kyle Anderson, Desmond Hubert, and Derrick Randall may not have had the hype of Gilchrist and Christmas, but these guys are flat out winners everytime I see them. 

Team Takeover Canada 16u 2-3 Zone Defense

Sim Bhullar (7-4), Anthony Bennett (6-7), Richard Peters (6-10), and Negus Webster-Chan (6-7) may form the longest back-end of a 2-3 zone in AAU history.  They put it on full display in bracket play, opening their first three games by winning via the mercy rule.  That's right.  Up 20 with 3 minutes to go.  In their first game of the day they held a New York city AAU club coached by members of the Our Savior New Academy staff to just 5 second half points.  It took a full 11 minutes before they put up their first points of the half.  They then took the momentum they built and beat the Team Final 16u squad (led by St. Patrick's freshman star Austin Colbert) by over 30.  Unfortunately for the Canadians they looked to have run out of legs in their championship game vs. Team Takeover DC and as a result were being beat down the floor before they could set up in their zone.  Even though it ended in disappointment, Team Takeover Canada were the buzz of the tournament and can now guarentee no one will be sleeping on them at Bob Gibbons TOC. 

Check out these highlights of the #1 player in the class of 2011, Michael Gilchrist.  To see more of our mixes visit us at BALL IS LIFE. 

Here are some highlights for those of you foolish enough not to be in attendance.  Created by our boys at BALLISLIFE. 

Here's a look at who left their mark !!!

Tobias Harris, Half Hollow Hills West (2010)

Tobias gets better and better every time I see him. He’s one of the three hardest working players in the country and it’s certainly paying off. He put his entire repertoire on display, showing off his newly developed three point range, his improved speed off the bounce, and his ability to lead the fast break. Considering Tobias is a face-up four, those skills are very rare and very impressive. He erupted for 35 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 blocks vs. Sacred Heart; captivating the fans and media. A sensational performance by a lock for the McDonald’s All- American team.

Cory Joseph, Findlay Prep (2010)

After struggling vs. Northland on ESPN in Findlay’s first loss in two years, Cory bounced back and showed the National TV audience what he’s capable of. Going toe to toe with the #1 point guard in the country, Kyrie Irving, Cory proved he could compete at the highest level. He dictated the tempo, initiated the offense, played hard nosed defense, and shot the heck out of the basketball. He’s now 54-1 as the starting point guard for Findlay Prep and has established himself as one of the elite winner’s and floor generals in his class.

Kyrie Irving, St.Patrick’s (2010)

Kyrie accomplished something very few have done before him; He had success in a head to head matchup vs. Cory Joseph. He showed a phenomenal ability to play the pick and roll, both by attacking the rim and by burying the three point shot when the defender went under the screener. He was dynamite in transition, showed the ability to score off the ball, and made big plays down the stretch. Unfortunately for Kyrie, with the world watching he had the chance to send the game to overtime and was only able to make one of his two free throws. Regardless it was a great performance against the best defender in the country.

Doron Lamb, Oak Hill Academy (2010)

Doron drew the task of guarding the #1 player in the country, Jared Sullinger. Being asked to cover Sully is next to impossible for anyone, let alone a 6-3 combo guard. When I saw Doron covering him I thought the big man was going to physically manhandle the Warriors. Instead, Sullinger managed just 3 points. Doron did a nice job denying Sully the ball deep and forced him out on the perimeter. Once there Jared didn’t have the quickness to get by Lamb which basically prevented him from being even remotely effective. Doron was physical, played smart, and took the assignment personally. For a guy known primarily as a scorer, this was an extremely pleasant surprise.

Jared Sullinger, Northland (2010)

It wasn't a very good night for the #1 player in the country, but he still found a way to win.  He was scoreless for much of the game but made a big free throw at the end, than made the game winning block with Doron Lamb driving the lane with time winding down.  You can't beat this big man even when he's having his worst game of the season.  Enough said. 

Reggie Bullock, Kinston (2010)

Reggie's great length and superb stroke make him a prototypical two guard.  On a day where his three wasn't falling (2-10), he still found a way to be the best player on the floor. When he got in the lane he used his length and elevation to get his shot off uncontested and made 6-12 inside the arc.  He also pulled down 12 rebounds and was dominant on the glass.  Without Josh Smith, Kentwood never had a chance in this game. 

Tyler Lamb, Mater Dei (2010)

Tyler is part of a three headed offense that includes Gary Franklin and Keala King.  In their game vs. DeMatha it was Tyler's day.  He's a very versatile scorer and he put that on display throughout.  He connected on mid-range jumpers, showed his range, and got to the tin and finished.  He scored 23 points and helped the California kids escape a very talented DeMatha squad ranked #4 in the country.

Tony Chennault, Neuman-Goretti (2010)

Tony was very efficient in his game vs. Simeon.  He's a big, strong combo guard who loves to attack the rim.  He connected on 7 of his 18 attempts for 18 points.  He's also a guard who likes to chip in on the glass, evident by his 7 boards.  He still needs work on his deep range, and still has a ways to go to be considered a true point guard, but the kid can really play.  He doesn't have a true position, but finds a way to be effective and disruptive on both ends of the floor.  He was the difference in Neuman-Goretti's victory. 

Myck Kabongo, St. Benedict’s (2011)

Myck finally put to rest the notion that he isn’t a true lead guard. Although he remains an excellent scorer and his ability to push the tempo is still what sets him apart, Myck showed he can also distribute the rock. Handing out a tournament high 12 dimes in his game vs. Bishop O'Connell, Myck played the role of facilitator as well as anyone in the tournament.  He went head to head with Kendall Marshall and won the battle and the war. 

Michael Gilchrist, St. Patrick’s (2011)

Michael did his best Isaiah Thomas impersonation this week, playing on a severely sprained ankle and hobbling around the court. While he didn’t have his “A” game, Michael found a way to be extremely effective. He displayed heart, toughness, and determination; showing that he is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for his teammates. Even though Michael wasn’t able to jump he managed to collect () rebounds. This was a performance which boosted his stock in my eyes, and that’s tough to do considering I already look at him as the best player in the country.

Austin Rivers, St. Patrick's (2011)

If an injury hadn't ended his night early he was on track for something special.  You name a way to score and Austin did it.  Three's of all different variety's, thunderous posterizing dunks, the blow by, and of course his killer crossover.  He was being guarded by Tyler Thornton and had his way with him.  He's officially the most exciting guard in the country. 

Tavon Sledge, Half Hollow Hills West (2011)

Tavon's outstanding outing was a little over shadowed by Tobias's 35 point erruption.  That being said, he was superb from start to finish.  Tavon's so fast, he's a one man fast break.  He's got legs too, evident by the few times he elevated and scared the rim.  He was excellent in the pick and roll, often getting all the way to the rim for the easy lay in.  He shot the ball well, making 11 of his 17 shots (27 points), set the tempo for his teammates, and   only turned it over once despite having the ball in his hands most of the game. 

Jabari Parker, Simeon (2013)

At 6-8, Jabari has a really high quality perimeter skill set. He’s a solid passer, can handle it a little bit, and can shoot it some out to 15 feet. The thing that impressed me most about Jabari was his savvy on the baseline. He used spin moves, fakes, and his length to do damage, reminding me a little of Carmelo. He has a long way to go in his development, but sky’s the limit for the freshman.  He scored 16 points on 6-14 from the floor, pulled down 8 rebounds, handed out two dimes, and shot 3-3 from the charity stripe. 

Now before the fans anoint an incoming freshman the program savior tomorrow morning, make sure you’re aware that Midnight Madness will not provide answers as to how competitive your team will be. It’s going to take a few weeks before coaches have developed that understanding. Midnight Madness is a chance to introduce the fans to some new faces, and reconnect the kids of the communities with their basketball heroes. But is it more than that?

What many fans might not be aware of, is that Midnight Madness has become more than just an exciting look at the current squad. It can also impact the future. For many programs around the country, the first night of practice isn’t just about showing off your new freshman. It’s about landing your next one.

A perfect example of this will take place in Kentucky tonight. They will be hosting seniors Kyrie Irving, CJ Leslie, Tobias Harris, and Stacey Poole. For those of you who aren’t sure who these guys are, they’re the 2nd, 6th, 9th, and 29th ranked seniors in the country. It doesn’t stop there!! They will also host the #1 ranked player in the class of 2011, Michael Gilchrist, as well as, Achraf Yacoubou. Achraf of course in another top 50 high school junior. With Kentucky about to introduce one of the most anticipated recruiting classes of all-time, the building should be humming, and the atmosphere electric. But will it be enough to secure a commitment from one of these high school phenoms?

Kansas is also about to host a slew of top shelf prospects. Their list of players visiting “Late Night in the Phog” includes this summer’s Mobile Elite 24 MVP, Doron Lamb. It also includes Harrison Barnes, the number one wing in the country, and Josh Selby, once a Tennessee commit, now back on the market.

At Connecticut, Cory Joseph, Roscoe Smith, Andre Drummond, and Angel Nunez will be in town. All 4 of those players could have a major impact on the balance of power in the Big East.

Indiana has more than 10 high school players coming to their first practice. How many of these kids would it take to change the culture in Assembly Hall?

Tonight’s a big night for more than just the fans. It’s success could go a long way in helping determine where some of these program changing prospects might land.

If you happen to stumble by one of these game changing high school players tonight, you better show that young man some love.

He could be introduced in that same building about 365 days from right now.

Nolan Shulman
nolan@flagrantfouls.com

Here is the official mix tape of the #1 player in the class of 2011, Michael Gilchrist.  Check him out as he dazzles you while playing for New Jersey powerhouse, St. Patrick's, as well as making buzzer beaters on the AAU circuit for Team Final. 

To view more of our mixes visit One Entertainment Hoops.