No Cliff Hanger This Time!
Merrillville ChicagoHoops Spring Showdown
This tournament drew some of the biggest name head coaches in the country including Tom Izzo, Tom Crean, Coach K, and others.
2014 D Rose All Star big man Cliff Alexander almost broke twitter the way he broke the backboard in a high profile game in Merillville Saturday. Here is one of the million or so links to Cliff's big dunk this weekend. Alexander had some nice reviews but struggled against Eric Gordon All Stars with Devin Davis and Darius Latham. http://ballislife.com/cliff-alexander-backboard/ The photo above is Cliff from the Ballislife website.
Here's an IndyStar blog post with some player reviews... http://blogs.indystar.com/recruitingcentral/2012/04/23/ten-players-who-impressed-from-nike-spring-showdown/ Bryant McIntosh, Ryan Fazekus, Jalen Coleman, Ty Wilburn, Harris Brown, PJ Thompson, Tyler Jackson, Daniel Woll, Perry Farrow and VJ Blackmon are among the kids getting nice evaluations in this link.
Twitter Raves: @NDKendrick_RR 2015 Jalen Coleman Indy Cathedral (IN) is hearing a lot from Texas and Florida recently. @IllianaAAU Maybe it's just me but I see a lot of potential D1 guards in the '15 class in both Indiana and Illinois... I think Jalen Brunson is the best.
Pitt Jam Fest
Ohio Basketball Club made a strong run in the Pitt Jam Fest 17U division this weekend, finishing as runners up to Sports U Elite. CBS Sports' Jeff Borzello noted excellent play from The Detroit Stars' Vincent Hunter and Cincinnati's own Devin Williams among other observations. http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/recruiting/blog/eye-on-college-basketball-recruiting/18785940/hoop-group-pittsburgh-jam-fest-recap
Twitter Raves: @jdemling Hoop Dreams team of Kentucky kids wins Silver Division of 16s at Pittsburgh JamFest. Heard Johnson Central's Shane Hall was a monster again.
Adidas VIP Exclusive (Vegas)
Indiana Elite's Hyron Edwards exploded for 30 points in his winning championship effort as his Indiana Elite Team Indiana captured the 15U title. Edwards received the MVP of the event. The Michigan Mustangs also had a nice run at the event behind Monte Morris. They finished 4th overall in the 17U division.
Twitter Raves: @ISURecruitLists Michigan Mustangs lose in 3rd place game at Adidas VIP Exclusive; 2013 PG Monte Morris led the Mustangs w/ 22 points.
Nike EYBL
Normally big time recruits are pursued, but Troy (MI) 6'5 wing James Young is in hot pursuit of John Calipari. Despite having MSU, Kansas, and North Carolina actively pursuing him, Young is openly fantasizing about taking his game to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. http://blogs.courier-journal.com/jodydemling/2012/04/23/top-10-prospect-wants-kentucky-interest/ Young scored 107 points in four games for The Family in Minneapolis this weekend. A rare talent like Young might not have to worry about what impressions he gives people, but I hope 99% of recruits understand that when you go out and beg UK or another high profile school to recruit you when you have legitimate offers from equal or similar programs it turns a lot of coaches off. Young is a top 15 talent nationally so he may be the exception, but if an issue comes up with UK will Tom Izzo still be willing to put in effort there? Think before you talk young men.
NY2LA Best Buy Classic
The Wisconsin Swing finished a runner up in the 17U division for the second weekend in a row. The Swing was driven largely by the excellent play of 6'11 Luke Fisher who continues to show off added skill and size since last summer.
Twitter Raves: @JBBauer612 TP Elite falls in qtrfnl to Kingdom (IA) 64-62 at #NY2LA. I've got Deonte Burton w/about 38. 17 ft jumper off 1 dribble was $. #mubb
