July 26, 2011
While titles are yet to be decided in the adidas Super 64 and Fab 48, we wrap up our coverage from Las Vegas with a final look at some of the top players on hand as well as a recap of which programs advanced in bracket play.
The Bay Area Ballers advanced to the semi-finals of the Fab 48 17U Platinum bracket. Coach Nelson Washington explained his team's success. "We play hard and play together. People underestimate us based on our appearance," said Washington. "We have a couple of Asians including a combo Indian guard and a couple of white kids. We don't pass the eye test but the team work, good perimeter shooting, and a matchup zone allowed us to get this far."
Rodney Cook 5-foot-10 PG Bethel (Oakland Rebels 17s) 2012: Cook continued a nice summer with a 25 point effort to beat the Arkansas Hawks in the second round of the gold bracket playoffs. He has a quick pull up jumper he can shoot with good accuracy and the quickness to make the defense collapse off of a shooter. While a scoring point guard, he has the discipline to also set up the offense for his team. Interest should continue to pick up for him.
Marcus Green 6-foot-0 G Bishop O'Dowd (3D Ballers) 2012: Green was very effective in catching the ball on the move and finishing inside for the Ballers in a loss against Prodigy Elite. He had 16 points in leading the offensive attack. He may be counted on for added depth in the backcourt this season.
Gokul Natesan 6-foot-3 SG Cupertino (Bay Area Ballers 17U) 2012: Teams got onto him as he showed his perimeter touch. Natesan was able to take the ball into the lane and use his length to shoot over shorter guards. Colleges would want to see more dribble drive ability and lateral quickness to complement his perimeter touch.
Buddy Ames 6-foot-6 F Milpitas (Bay Area Ballers 17U) 2012: Ames probably averaged a double double between the two games in point and rebounds. He had a nice mid-range shot going. And more important, he was providing an interior presence.
Mario Dunn 5-foot-11 G Salesian (Norcal Supreme 16) 2013: Dunn plays with a combination of speed and strength. He had 19 points in his team's loss and made several steals and was involved in the transition game.
Christopher Patterson 6-foot-6 F Muhammad University of Islam (Oakland Rebels 17s) 2012: Since we last viewed Patterson over Memorial Day weekend, he appears to have added strength and explosiveness to his game in being a key player in the Rebels' second round win. He was an aggressive rebounder on both ends and was also active in the transition game. While his body projects as a four man, he could potentially be a 3/4 combo at the low to mid-major level if his jump shot continues to get better. Rising prospect.
Chris Schwartz-Edmisten 6-foot-3 SG Sacramento Waldorf (Davis Wildcats Black) 2012: He averaged 30 points per game in playing on the small school level as a junior. Now seeing him play for the first time at the Super 64, he has some transferrable skills to be able to score at a collegiate level. He works well in space and goes up with nice balance on his shot. Schwartz-Edmisten also has a good basketball IQ. He will have to improve on his overall athleticism and foot speed on the defensive end, but should garner some low level interest.
Taylor Thompson 6-foot-6 F Sonora (Lakeshow 17 White) 2012: A wiry athlete with the potential to fill out physically, Thompson is a prospect who fits the mold of a JUCO/Division II recruit. He gets up and down the floor well and finishes well at the rim. At his size, it would be good to see him impact more areas of the game including rebounding. He had 10 points in the win over San Diego All-Stars on Monday.
Tom Witzel 6-foot-6 PF Arcata (Lakeshow 17 White) 2012: Witzel is a skilled forward who put forth a stellar game in a win over San Diego All-Stars. Able to move people inside, he can handle the ball some and also finds multiple ways to score. On Monday, he did a good job in carving out space for his eight rebounds. He may lack the athleticism and motor to be a firm Division I prospect, but certainly is a high Division II candidate.
Justin Brown 6-foot-1 G St. Joseph (3D Ballers) 2013: A compact built guard entering his junior year, Brown possesses the tools to be a nice player down the road. He is physical inside and is at his best offensively from the mid-range and in. Size will be the issue to look for as his game best translates to being a 2/3 combo player.
NorCal teams shine at Super 64
The NorCal Pharaohs, after having an abbreviated 2010 summer, made it all the way to the final eight of the Super 64 championship bracket before losing to Texas Assault on Monday night. They finish the tournament 7-1 and look to regain a spot as one of the better clubs in the area. Pharaohs' director Jason Barton credited the teamwork and ability to turn defense into easy buckets throughout the tournament. While a number of players stood out, one in particular was Folsom grad Kori Babineaux, who showed why he was rated high throughout his career.
"He's a beast," Barton said. "He's a strong player, rebounds well and plays great defense. He's hard to guard and makes it tough on other teams."
Jesuit's Bryce Pressley also played well throughout the event.
The Pharaohs were one of two NorCal teams to make the championship bracket (Lakeshow 17 Black being the other). They along with Dream Vision were the only California teams to make the final eight.
In the 17U gold bracket, the Oakland Rebels moved into the semi-finals after posting wins against Hobson Dynasty, Arizona Red Shirts, Arkansas Hawks and GR Storm Blue. They play again today at 1:20 PM against KYA All-Stars. Lakeshow 17 White made it to the round of 16 before being eliminated by Clutch Players Silver.
For the 17U silver bracket, North Coast Express Hoopsters continue their run into the semi-finals today against the Houston Celtics at 9:00 AM. After finishing fourth in pool LL, they beat Colorado Shining Stars Black, Upstate Basketball Club Blue and NH Rivals.
Recruiting round-up
Cook picked a good game to show out at S64 with a pair of Fresno State coaches in attendance including head coach Rodney Terry, as well as Weber State. He is also hearing from San Diego, UC Riverside and received a personal letter from Washington State.
Despite not playing high school basketball, Patterson has seen the mid-major interest come in led by UC Irvine, Cal State Fullerton and UC Santa Barbara. More should follow post-evaluation period.
Witzel has received interest from numerous levels, including UC Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Idaho, Hartford, UC Davis, Chico State and Humboldt State. He is rated No. 28 in the NCP Top 40 rankings for 2012.
Gokul Natesan 6-foot-3 SG Cupertino (Bay Area Ballers 17U) 2012: Whitman is in contact with him.
Momir Gataric 6-foot-5 SG Homestead (Bay Area Ballers 17U) 2011: Gataric played through a heel injury from the Three Stripes tournament. Hawaii, Seattle, and Riverside are in contact.
Stephen Grosey 6-foot-6 F Serra (Bay Area Ballers 17U) 2012: Grosey has a good mix of inside and outside skills. Air Force, Irvine, Seattle, and Southern Utah are in contact.
Mario Dunn 5-foot-11 G Salesian (Norcal Supreme 16) 2013: Colorado, Pacific, and Santa Clara have inquired.
Jermaine Edmonds 6-foot-3 W Salesian (Norcal Supreme 16) 2013: Pacific and Santa Clara have inquired.
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