|
The 2nd Annual Trusted Choice Tournament of Champions was a
great event with a lot of division 1 talent and some NBA draft
picks in the next few seasons. These are recaps from
Friday and Saturday morning games at Washington High School.
Thanks to everyone that put on the Tournament. This is
truly the premier Thanksgiving Tournament in the nation!
|
|
Ed
Davis PF Richmond Benedictine (VA) Class of 2008 (North
Carolina)
 Ed
Davis put on a show! The future Tar Heel was an absolute
monster in the block department, recording a tournament record
12 in his match up Saturday versus Chicago power Hales
Franciscan. The first thing I noticed was the wrap on his
right hand. Now Davis is left handed, but he did have a
little trouble controlling the ball when he had to use the right
hand. That didn't bother the prolific shot blocker on the
defensive end of the floor. He was simply a beast.
He also was very effective on the glass recording double figures
in that department as well. His length was a huge factor
in this game on both ends of the floor. On the offensive
end he was not unbelievable, but had a workman like effort.
He got to the line throughout the game and showed he can shoot
the mid range jump shot with great form. Anyone who was at
the game will tell you he took over late. As Dick Vitale
would say "He is a PTPer!" That he is. He went down
temporarily with knee injury after colliding with Josh Crittle
at the 7:21 mark. He came back to continue to be a force
on the defensive end and had the play of the game on the
offensive end down the stretch. He got the ball in the
post, spin move, and a MONSTER 2 handed slam. He and the
crowd went nuts! Davis played with a lot of emotion
throughout the game. He is a little thin, but so was
Brandan Wright and he ended up being a lottery pick a year
later. That is who he reminded me of, Brandan Wright.
When I saw him his senior year he put on a similar display.
All in all the future Tar Heel ended up with a triple double.
He is going to develop into a star in Chapel Hill and be a
future lottery pick. In my mind he is a no doubt top 3
player in the class of 2008 and an easy pick for McDonald's
All-American honors.
|
|
Matt
Humphrey SG Hales Franciscan (IL) Class of 2008 (Oregon)
From
everything I had heard Humphrey was one of the best 3 point
shooters in the nation. He did not have his best effort
from deep, but he has a quick release that is pure. It did
not fall for him every time this weekend, but there is no doubt
he has the potential to be a star from behind the arc in Eugene.
I really wanted to see what else Matt had in his game. He
impressed me with his handling of the ball as well as getting to
the hoop. A couple of time he showed his nice crossover
move on defenders. He is a big time athlete in the
transition game. The part that really stood out to me as
well as his whole team is the speed on the defensive end.
He played with high energy on that end of the floor, moving his
feet well. Humphrey has the potential to develop into a
monster perimeter defender at the collegiate level. I
believe he is a solid upper 4-star level prospect in the Class
of 2008. He could one day develop into a future 1st round
pick.
|
|
Josh
Crittle PF Hales Franciscan (IL) Class of 2008 (Oregon)
The big man
from Chicago showed me something I was not aware he had in
his game. He can really block
shots!!! He set a then tournament record 10 blocked shots
(broken by Davis on Saturday) on Friday morning. He is a
little undersized, but that did not stop him from having a block
party! Offensively he likes to use power with putting the
ball on the floor and going right at his defender. He also
showed a soft touch around the hoop and good footwork.
Those are two things that I always like to see in big men.
He has a physical mean streak in him and finishes well through
contact. Crittle reminded me of a smaller version of Eddy
Curry. He is a legit 4 Star prospect that has a chance to
continue to move up in the rankings with improvement.
|
|
Leslie
McDonald SG Memphis Briarcrest (TN) Class of 2009
The highly touted
Junior did not have his A game tonight, but that did not stop
him from getting his team a victory. His shot has a
extremely smooth delivery. Although it did not go in as
consistently as I would have liked to see he did show that it is
a consistent smooth release. He has excellent athleticism
that will make him a star in the college game. Off the
dribble Leslie could get in the lane and split defenders at
will. He also showed in spurts that he can attack the
basket with authority. Overall his game is very SMOOTH.
Very much like a Wayne Ellington or Kobe Bryant type game.
He has a ways to go to get there, but he has that type of
potential. The playmaker came up with a HUGE block with
1:30 left in the game to help his team secure victory.
McDonald put out a good effort on the defensive end throughout
the game as well. With 1:04 left it looked like he was
going to bring the house down with a thunderous dunk, but he
cuffed the ball and got stuffed by the rim. He did not
have his best stuff tonight, but there is no doubt in my mind
that he is a top 10 player in the Class of 2009. As far as
recruiting goes, I asked him about how North Carolina was
looking in the battle for his services. He got a big smile
on his face. That might be a good sign for the Tar Heels!
|
|
Scott
Suggs SG Washington (MO) Class of 2008 (Washington)
The best Senior
in the state of Missouri showed why he is a top level prospect
on Friday. He plays under control on offense.
Although his jumper was not falling he helped get his teammates
involved as he showed a nice passing touch. This was
evident when he helped break several zone defenses with his
passing from the high post. The future Huskie has a slick
handle, but had trouble controlling it all the way to the hoop
when he ran into the big men. Suggs' crossover is nice and
he finished several plays on the offensive glass. The best
scoring Scott did in this game was on the interior. His
shot has a soft touch. Defensively is where Suggs really
stood out to me. His length really helped him wreck havoc
on the perimeter players for Annawan. Suggs fought through
screens, got in passing lanes, and moves his feet well.
The two down parts of his game are his lack of strength and
at least on this day his jumper was not on. Suggs
solidified a top 30 ranking with this showing.
|
|
Verdell Jones PG Champaign Central (IL) Class of 2008
I really
believe this is one of the most underrated players in the entire
nation. I have no idea why Illinois never offered this
guy. VJ has a quick handle and is very shifty. He
excelled with his lightning quickness in the transition game.
The point guard keeps his dribble low to the ground.
Verdell has a quick release on his shot. The most
impressive thing was how he finished among the trees in the
lane. Seeing him up close I do not believe he is the 6-5
he is listed at in the program, but closer to 6-3. Jones
is a 4 Star prospect that might slip into the top 40.
|
|
Donald
"Ducky" Stewart SG Champaign Central (IL) Class of 2008
Stewart was the
most impressive player on the floor for Central. He is a
FREAK athlete. Ducky was all over the place. He
excelled in transition and has a very strong body.
|
|
Jordan
Prosser PF Eureka (IL) Class of 2008
WOW!
Prosser was impressive. The first thing that stood out to
me was how strong he is. That helped on the boards where
he was relentless. Prosser plays with a high energy level,
has a good level of athleticism, and was active on the offensive
glass. He is a very smart player with a high basketball
IQ. In the post he showed nice footwork and kept the ball
high. Prosser is a top 50 prospect nationally in the Class
of 2009.
|
|
Xavier
Gibson PF Dothan Northview (AL) Class of 2008 (Florida St.)
The future
Seminole got in foul trouble early and except for a few
stretches did not look like the dominant player I was expecting.
He is very long and lanky, but was a lot thinner than I thought
he was. While in the post he showed that he is quick off
the floor and has a nice spin move. He tried to over power
several smaller defenders. He moves a little like Ralph
Sampson. Now he is not anywhere close to that good, but he
does move like him. The one thing I could not understand
is why he would stand out on the wing. I mean he had to be
4 or 5 inches taller at least than anyone on Washington.
He would set out on the wing and 3 times jacked up a three point
attempt. They were not pretty! He is not Dirk by any
means. I think he would have been more effective if he set
down in the post the entire game. Xavier's ranking might
take a slight drop after this game.
|
|
Matt
Roth SG Washington (IL) Class of 2008 (Indiana)
 Roth is the
BEST SHOOTER IN THE NATION!!!! He is the best shooter in
the country and is not afraid to put it up. On Friday
night almost every time he got the ball behind the arc it was
bombs away. They did not go in always, but each time he
shot the hometown crowd would buzz. If it went in they
would erupt, if it didn't they were surprised. He has a
quick release and absolutely PERFECT form. He did have a
couple of nice moves where he got in the lane and hit a mid
range jumper, but most of his shots were from behind the arc.
If he gets a big man and a passing point guard at Indiana watch
out! I think he will make a Lee Humphrey type impact on
the game at Indiana. The crowd did not leave despite
Washington's blow out win until Roth left the game and the
hometown fans knew the show was over for the night. He
will move into the top 100 in the next ranking.
|
|
DJ
Cooper PG Hales Franciscan (IL) Class of 2009
 Cooper really
impressed with his ability to get in the lane at will. He
is very quick and has a good handle. Also like any great
point guard he has an explosive passing ability. The lefty
also finished well around the hoop despite his lack of size.
He came up with a few big shots including a three pointer to tie
the game against Benedictine in the 4th quarter. He is a
player to keep an eye on in the LOADED state of Illinois 2009
class. Schools showing interest in DJ include Villanova,
Bradley, Valpo, Dayton, and Marquette. A couple of
comparisons would be a left handed Corey Fisher or Cal PG Jerome
Randle. Randle also hales from Hales Franciscan in
Chicago. |
|
|
|
|