Uncategorized

HAYWARD, CA – The fourth and final session of Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League opened last Friday night with Jabari Parker of Chicago heavily touted as the top player in the class of 2013.

It wrapped up on Monday afternoon with Parker suddenly having some challengers for that unofficial crown.

  The Simeon High and Mac Irvin performer drew his share of oohs, aahs and nods of appreciation from the crowds during his six games.

But so did Julius Randle and James Young.

Randle (Plano, Texas) and Young (Troy, Michigan) impressed me enough that I think that all three should be considered on the same tier as “leading contenders for national senior of the year” this coming season.

[Click to continue reading]

By JAMES KERTI

GARDEN GROVE, CA — While all eyes were on Oakland, teams gathered on the other side of the state for the Magic Memorial Festival in Garden Grove from May 26-28.

The event featured several Magic teams, as well as other west coast standout squads such as Dream Vision and Belmont Shore.

In the 17U Elite division, the Compton Magic Elite and The Magic both won their semifinal games before declining to play each other in a championship game.

In earlier action, 5-7 guard Derrick Randolph (Whitney Young/Chicago, IL) led Paul George Elite to an upset win over Dream Vision 17U.

[Click to continue reading]

HAYWARD, CA – Three wonderful matchups between teams during the Sunday afternoon/evening sessions of games at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League were hoops fans’ bargains to watch at the $10 admission charged.

Are you ready for some recaps?

Here we go:

*Indy Spiece Heat 67, Bluff City (Team Penny/Memphis) 64: This game had the most chill-inducing final few minutes of any during the first three days of the last of the four EYBL weekend sessions (the first three of which were in Minneapolis; Hampton, VA; and Dallas).

[Click to continue reading]

HAYWARD, CA – OK.

There may be a better 2014 point guard prospect in the U.S. of A than Tyus Jones of Apple Valley High in Minnesota.

You wouldn’t have imagined that possible, however, if you’d watched Jones’ performance Saturday night for the Howard Pulley Panthers during the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League in the seven-court, Dream Courts facility in this East Bay town.

Jones – only cleared to play by doctors on Thursday after a bout with mono – directed a decisive victory over the Oakland Soldiers.

[Click to continue reading]

HAYWARD, CA – As is usually the case for the higher profile Nike-front basketball “evaluation” events, the key Friday night was in not getting figuratively intoxicated by all of the on-court talent on display.

The opening session of games during the fourth and final weekend of the Elite Youth Basketball League at the cavernous Dream Courts (and having seven courts in front of you is certainly a “dreamy” proposition) created this dilemma:

Do you sit courtside and watch Chicago-based Mac Irvin Fire (led by the 2013 class consensus No.

[Click to continue reading]