"THE NEW AND REAL AAU"

"COACHES OR PLAYERS?"      

I always wondered who does re-classing really benefit the coaches or the players?  I can’t say the players because usually they are playing against inferior competition. I believe that some of these players look good because of the level of competition they competing against; we have coaches on the circuit that are all about win at all cost. So they stack their teams with a bunch of re-classed players and run the scores up in games. I always believed that the non re-classed players were benefiting from this trend because the non re-classed players get to play against stronger and faster players. The re-classed player is not benefiting because usually their fundamental skills are not there and they develop bad habits.
 
I was at event in Neptune, New Jersey  and I saw a lot of teams with re-classed players. You could tell that some of these players were much older than the players they were competing against. The bad thing about this is some of these coaches that are coaching these teams pretend to be humble but they are really not.
 
I personally spoke to one of the these coaches from a suppose seventh grade team; he also pretended to humble but I read right through him. His team is suppose to be the number one undefeated team in the seventh grade and he had an array of players that were also ranked supposedly in the country. I felt embarrassed for this coach and what he was trying to do; I was not buy anything thing he was selling. He walked around all weekend with his pompous and self righteous attitude like he was best thing ever. I had to laugh at this arrogant self righteous person. I did not know how he even the got the coach in front of his name. This guy was a totally joke and was definitely using these players. He changed the name of his team at least three times in one season.  Is it about him or the players? I think it is definitely is about him and feeding his life size ego. I would call guys like him back in the days a "CLOWN."
 
I know that this guy is not a coach because when he played a team like George Hill he looked like was confused and in a slumber. Basically he looked out classed. You can have talent and beat teams that are lesser but what happens when you face a team and coach that is better than yours. You basically put your thumb in your mouth and curled up in a fetus position.

Some of these coaches are jokes!! So you are telling me that you have a team full of rank players in a grade they really don’t belong in and you feel good about this. “WHY AND HOW DOES IT BENEFIT THE PLAYER?”
 
It is baffling this trend but it is what the circuit is like right now. A bunch grown men (re-classed players) playing against players that are either too small or not strong enough to handle them. So a toast to you coaches and feel good about your victories.
 
DO IT THE RIGHT WAY

Written by A Real Coach

ATTITUDE

 

 ATTITUDE

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on my life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you. We are in charge of our attitudes.

IT'S ONLY ONE POSSESSION

"IT'S ONLY ONE POSSESSION"

 

It was only one possession, why must my coach scream? My poor defense permitted the basket, but what can one hoop mean? As the pass comes my direction, and I fumble it in the stands, the coach's voice rings loud and clear, "Catch with your eyes and hands!" C'mon coach, it's a single possession. Our team will be okay. It's just the first two minutes. My gosh, we've got all day!

 

Later in the half I remember, that the center is strong and stout. A put back for two is quite simply due, to my failure to turn and box out! But it was only one possession. I didn't commit a crime. My team is ahead and I'm playing well, and there's still plenty of time!

 

As the halftime buzzer is sounding, and I watch the ball bank in, I know I will hear from my loving coach, of my questionable effort to defend. But it was only one possession. Coach, don't have a heart attack! We are down by one, but we are having fun, and I know we'll get the lead back!

 

The second half mirrors the first. But it's early. It's not a big deal, that my failure to use a pass fake, results in an unlikely steal. But quickly I sink a jumper. I'm greeted by high fives and slaps. But the next possession I give up a lay-up, while suffering a mental lapse. But, it's only one possession. C'mon coach, chill out! It's crazy to you see you disgusted, as you slap the assistant and shout.

 

"Victory favors the team making the fewest mistakes. Single possessions are the key. So treat them like gold and do as you're told. And, play with intensity."

 

I step to the line for one and one, but I'm having a concentration lapse. The ball soars through the air, but good Lord, it's a brick, and I'm afraid the support will collapse.

 

In post game I sit at my locker, pondering what more I could do. I realize now the value of each possession. For what a shame, we lost by two! 

10 BEST AAU BASKETBALL TEAMS EVER BY LEGENDS

 

 

1. 1994 New Jersey Patterson AAU - Kobe Bryant - NBA. Vince Carter - North Carolina, NBA. Tim Thomas - Villanova, NBA. Rip Hamilton - Uconn, NBA. Kevin Freeman - Uconn.
Considered by many the great AAU team ever assembled. They won 2 AAU national championships as stated by Kevin Freeman. While a lot of legend and myth surrounds this team there is more than enough personal account to believe in its existence. Rumor has it that Kobe Bryant played point with Hamilton & Carter at the off guards. The team also featured man amongst boys in high school Tim Thomas. This New Jersey based team will forever live in AAU lure. Its hard to imagine they lost much.
 

2. 1996 Riverside Church NYC - Ron Artest- St Johns, NBA. Lamar Odom - Rhode Island, NBA. Elton Brand - Duke, NBA. Eric Barkley - St Johns, NBA .
A well balanced team that did not loose. Featuring NYC legends Artest and Odom, it was Brand who held down the inside. Eric Barkley also played significant minutes as the distributor. Featuring three future NBA All Stars Riverside Church was the most dominant team in the 1990s. By far the best offensive front line in the history of high school basketball.

3. 2003 Atlanta Celtics - Dwight Howard - NBA. Josh Smith - NBA. Randolph Morris - Kentucky, NBA. Jarvis Crittenton - Georgia Tech, NBA. Brandon Rush - Kansas, NBA. Mike Mercer, Georgia. The most intimidating front line in the history of traveling basketball. Future defensive Goliath's Josh Smith and Dwight Howard teamed to make the Celtics a dominant force. The often loaded Celtics featured 5 future NBA players and no one matched their talent level. Won the Adidas Big Time in Vegas. Won every game in the tournament (except 1) by 20 or more points.

4. 2002 Oakland Soliders - Lebron James - NBA. Kendrick Perkins - NBA. Leon Powe - Cal, NBA. Demarcus Nelson - Duke, NBA. Ayinde Ubaka - Cal.
In the 2001 summer the Soldiers had the number 1 player in the West and south. When Lebron James showed that had three of the top 10 players in the entire nation. The Oakland team went on to win ever major tournament they played in together. People in California still talk about the summer Lebron teamed up with Oakland to give the whole country a show.


5. 2006 Southern California All-Stars - Kevin Love - UCLA, NBA. Brandon Jennings - NBA. Renardo Sidney - Mississippi State. Taylor King - Duke, Villanova. Daniel Hackett - USC, Italy. Malik Story - USC
Only two losses in 2006 and both came without Kevin Love. They won just about every tournament a team can win including the 2006 Big Time Tournament in Vegas. They had big wins over Derrick Rose’s Mean Streets team, Oj Mayo’s D-1 Greyhounds and Tyreke Evan’s Team Final. Brandon Jennings and Kevin Love dominated while Renardo Sidney complimented Love inside. Taylor King who was a grade school legend, lit up the outside for SCA. Daniel Hackett played big minutes at the off guard spot with Story coming off the bench.

 6. 2004 Spiece Indy Heat - Greg Oden - NBA. Josh McRoberts - Duke, NBA. Mike Conley - Ohio State, NBA. Daquan Cook - Ohio State, NBA. Eric Gordon - Indiana, NBA.
A loaded squad added Gordon and McRoberts in 2004, the team lost 4 times in 2004-2005 summer seasons. Led by number one center Greg Oden, this Indiana team was easily the best team ever assembled in the Midwest. With a bevy of NBA talent this team was assembled from almost entirely from Indianapolis. Featuring top 10 players from three classes. Oden, Conley and Cook would eventually team up at Ohio State and make it to the national championship game as freshman.

7. 1998 DC Assault - Dermarr Johnson - Cincinnati, NBA. Keith Bogans - Kentucky, NBA. James White - Florida, Cincinnati, NBA. Rodney White - Charlotte, NBA.
Perhaps the best layup lines in the history of AAU. Demar Johnson and James White were high wire acts that engulfed crowds across America. With 4 future NBA players the Assault simply overpowered and outclassed opponents to victory. This was the DC’s clubs best ever team in a strong line of history.

8. 2005 Friends of Hoop Seattle - Spencer Hawes - Washington, NBA. Martell Webster - NBA. Jon Brockman - Washington, NBA. Micha Downs - Kansas, Gonzaga, Europe. Isiah Thomas - Washington, NBA. Mitch Johnson - Stanford.
Best team ever assembled in the great basketball state of Washington. Spencer Hawes was the most dominating center on the circuit at the time, dominating the inside scoring load. Sharpshooter Martell Webster helped to space the floor while Mitch Johnson and future King Isiah Thomas shared the PG responsibilities. Hard nosed forward Jon Brockman did the dirty work for FOH.

9. All-Ohio Red 2009 - Jared Sullinger - Ohio State, NBA. Aaron Craft - Ohio State. Adreian Payne - Michigan State - NBA. Juwan Staten - West Virginia. Jordan Sibert - Ohio State, Dayton.
All-Ohio went 201-9 over a three-year stretch. One thing that holds All-Ohio back was the level of competition in their 2009 run. Never lost a single AAU game in the Midwest region. Featured a bevy of future Ohio State players. A tough and gritty team they were able to beat Belmont Shore, Dream Vision and Team Texas.

10. 2012 Oakland Soldiers - Aaron Gordon - Arizona, NBA. Stanley Johnson - Arizona, NBA. Jabari Bird - California. Shaqquan Aaron - Louisville. Trevor Dunbar - Washington State. Kendall Smith - UNLV. Won the 2012 Nike Peach Jam behind the play of big 3 Gordon, Bird and Johnson. Went 6-3 in first 9 EBYL games but went 8-0 in Peach Jam. A long and athletic defensive team beat Nerlens Noel’s BABC, Andrew Wiggin’s CIA Bounce, Theo Pinson’s CP3 All-Stars and Julius Randle’s Texas Titans. Most of the Soldiers losses in 2012 came with leader Aaron Gordon out of the lineup.

DIVISION 1 6TH GRADE AAU HIGHLIGHTS

If you have not heard about Jaquan Harris @njb.1 from the New Jersey Bulldogs get ready to. Jaquan is a true 12u and plays the game the way it suppose to be. He has handle, great range, and can attack the rim with both hands. I got a chance see him do his thing at 6th Grade D1 National Championship and he left it all on the floor. Scoring, rebounding and throwing crisp assist to his teammates. Jaquan is smooth as silk and can do it all on the floor.  You want to talk about top six graders or 12u players he has to be mentioned in that conversation. He has a high IQ for the game and makes everyone around him better. What We really liked about Jaquan was he was really unselfish. Jersey and the rest of the country you better look out for Jaquan because he is real and we can see him taking that number 1 spot this year.

Everton put on shooting show at the D1 6th Grade National Championships with the New Jersey Bulldogs. In seven games he made 31 threes. In one game he hit 9 while scoring 29 points. This kid can shoot that rock. He also shot over 50% from the three point line. The thing we like about this kid is that he takes good shots and he is not a volume shooter; he gave a clinic on how knock down that jump shot. His foot work was great and his ability to get open by constantly moving drove coaches crazy. His ability to pass and look for teammates also impressed us and his quick release drove defensive players crazy. This kid is a true 12u and you all better keep your eyes on this player because he is probably the best pure shooter out there. One parent told us that they saw him hit 9 straight threes in a game before. That is crazy!!

Lorenzo Washington is a true point guard and saw him at work at D1 6th Grade National Championships. This floor general direct his team to 13 spot out of 57 teams. L-Boogie has a understanding on how to direct his teammates on the floor and is also a knock down shooter. It was pleasure to see this player in action. His vision on the court is what all true point guards needs to be a floor general. He attacked the rim when wanted but most of all he looked for teammates and gave them opportunities for easy shots. This player is one to keep on eye on and he is one of the best point guards in the country.

Malachi Smith is the point guard from the Gauchos. We saw him play this weekend and he put in work on the floor. He lead the Gauchos to the number 10 ranking in the country while going 7-1 at the 6th Grade D1 National Championship. This kid is a problem on both sides of the ball. While setting his teammates up for easy shots and scoring at will it was incredible to watch. He attacked the rim and hit jumpers from all angles. If you think you are going push him around you are wrong because this kid is relentless. He keeps coming at you until you wear down. He is one of the best players in the country and he should be spoken about that way. Keep killing them!!!

CLASS OF 2019 TOP 80

#	PLAYER NAME	HT	POS	CITY (ST) SCHOOL	COLLEGES	PpR [?]
1	Moore Jr, Wendell	6'4	F	Charlotte (NC)		Pro	»
2	Barrett, Rowan	6'5	W	Canada ()		Pro	»
3	Kopriva, Balsa	6'11	C	West Palm Beach (FL)		Pro	»
4	Campbell, Tyger	6'0	PG	(TN)		Big Time	»
5	Lawson, Chandler	6'7	SF	Memphis (TN)		Pro	»
6	Lewis, Scottie	6'5	SF	(NJ)		Big Time	»
7	Davis, Solomon	6'6	W	Murrieta (CA) San Jose		Big Time	»
8	Moore, Justin	6'2	W	Accocreek (MD)		Big Time	»
9	Price, Marvin	6'4	PF	(MD)		Big Time	»
10	Marial, Chol	7'3	C	(FL)		Pro	»
11	Francis, Jeremiah	6'1	PG	Columbus (OH)		Big Time	»
12	Mitchell, Jordan	6'4	W	Blacklick (OH)		Big Time	»
13	Langley, Kobe	6'0	SG	High Point (NC)		Big Time	»
14	Green II, Mike	6'2	CG	Myrtle Beach (SC)		Big Time	»
15	Mobley, Isaiah	6'8	W	Temecula (CA) Rancho Christian		Pro	»
16	Kenny, Shariff	6'4	W	Washington (DC)		Big Time	»
17	Antoine, Bryan	6'2	CG	(NJ)		Big Time	»
18	Hinton, Chris	6'6	C	Johns Creek (GA)		Big Time	»
19	Jones, Jared	6'7	PF	(FL)		Big Time	»
20	Stanley, Cassius	6'5	W	North Hollywood (CA) Harvard-Westlake		Pro	»
21	Gary, Juwan	6'6	C	Columbia (SC)		High Major	»
22	Doss, Le'Jon	6'4	C	Dallas (TX)		High Major	»
23	Green, Josh	6'5	W	Glendale (AZ) Mt. Ridge		Big Time	»
24	Jefferies, DJ	6'5	PF	Memphis (TN)		Big Time	»
25	Shouse, Dexter	6'4	F	Terre Haute (IN)		Big Time	»
26	Anthony, Cole	6'1	CG	New York (NY)		Big Time	»
27	Walker, Marquis	5'8	PG	Indianpolis (IN)		Big Time	»
28	Harris Jr, Chris	6'0	W	Dallas (TX)		High Major	»
29	Talley, Walter	6'6	PF	Valley Oak (CA) Valley Oak Charter		High Major	»
30	Rode, Kyle	6'5	PF	(KY)		Big Time	»
31	Langley, Keyshawn	6'0	PG	High Point (NC)		Big Time	»
32	Mungo, Gerald	6'1	F	Baltimore (MD)		Big Time	»
33	Mitchell, Mahki	6'7	PF	Washington (DC)		Big Time	»
34	Banks, Simon	5'11	PG	Indianapolis (IN)		Big Time	»
35	Pierre, Myles	6'1	PF	Charlotte (NC)		High Major	»
36	Jones, Mikeal	6'4	C	Philadelphia (PA)		High Major	»
37	Bishop, James	6'1	SG	(MD)		High Major	»
38	Baker, Joey	6'7	W	(NC)		Big Time	»
39	Farthing, Max	6'5	C	Fuqua-Varina (NC)		High Major	»
40	Sturdivant, Kyle	6'0	W	Johns Creek (GA)		Big Time	»
41	Jackson, E.J.	5'9	PG	(CA)		High Major	»
42	Brooks, Keion	6'5	PF	Ft Wayne (IN)		Big Time	»
43	Jones, Joe	6'8	C	(NY)		Big Time	»
44	Bruner, Thomas	6'2	F	Columbia (SC)		Big Time	»
45	McClanahan, Jaden	6'0	CG	(CA)		Big Time	»
46	Mack, B.J.	6'7	C	Charlotte (NC)		Big Time	»
47	Singleton, Taybion	6'4	C	Deltona (FL)		High Major	»
48	Ingraham, Tariq	6'7	C	(DE)		Unknown	»
49	Demiere, Antwan	6'6	PF	Las Vegas (NV)		Big Time	»
50	Whiteside, Makani	6'1	PG	Bellflower (CA) St. John Bosco		High Major	»
51	Maxey, Tyrese	5'11	SG	Dallas (TX)		High Major	»
52	Sanders, Bryan	6'0	PG	(FL)		Big Time	»
53	Blackshear, Javon	5'9	PG	Phoenix (AZ) Shadow Mt.		High Major	»
54	Mitchell, Makhel	6'7	PF	Washington (DC)		High Major	»
55	Harmon, De'vion	6'2	SG	Dallas (TX)		Big Time	»
56	Tharrington, J.C.	5'10	PG	Charlotte (NC)		High Major	»
57	Okoro, Francis	6'8	PF	(MS)		Big Time	»
58	Harris, Amani	6'0	PG	Ontario (CA) Ontario		High Major	»
59	Cooper, Joseph	5'10	PG	Memphis (TN)		High Major	»
60	Mulloy, John Michael	6'7	C	Indianapolis (IN)		High Major	»
61	Sanchez, Ed	6'1	PF	New York (NY)		High Major	»
62	Moore, Lance	5'7	PG	Indianapolis (IN)		High Major	»
63	Moseley, Isiah	6'0	W	Canada ()		High Major	»
64	Collins, Antavion	6'3	F	Memphis (TN)		Big Time	»
65	Toppins, Jojo	6'3	W	(GA)		Big Time	»
66	Gwyn, Chaz	6'2	W	Winston-Salem (NC)		High Major	»
67	McClanahan, Javon	6'0	CG	(CA)		High Major	»
68	Evtimov, Nicholas	6'6	PF	(NC)		Big Time	»
69	Montgomery, Jordan	5'7	PG	Murrieta (CA)		High Major	»
70	Mckoy, Jordon	6'0	F	Westwood (NJ)		High Major	»
71	Rodriguez, Daniel	6'4	W	(NY)		High Major	»
72	Thompson, Gavin	5'8	PG	New York (NY)		High Major	»
73	House, Jalen	5'10	CG	Phoenix (AZ) Shadow Mt.		High Major	»
74	Edgar II, Denario	5'11	F	(NJ)		High Major	»
75	Payne, Chris	6'2	W	(OH)		High Major	»
76	Brown, Christian	6'4	PF	(SC)		High Major	»
77	Wheeler, Sahvir	5'1	PG	Tyler (TX) Tyler		Mid Major	»
78	Goodwin, Bryce	5'10	PG	Scottsdale (AZ)		High Major	»
79	Christmas, Michael	6'4	W	(VA)		High Major	»
80	Khalid, Naseem	5'9	PG	Columbia (SC) Columbia

JR. PHENOM BASKETBALL CAMP HIGHLIGHTS AND ANALYSIS BY CLARK FRANCIS

Highlights & Analysis of Top Players from this Year’s JR Phenom Camp

By Clark Francis

 

Picking the MVP's in the 6th Grade and 7th Grader Divisions was a lot easier, as 5'2 6th Grader Everton Browne from Middletown, NY and 5'5 7th Grader Jackie Johnson from Wichita, KS both totally took over in these respective all-star games.  The former is an athletic wing who had 17 points and three 3-pointers in a 67-63 winning effort in the 6th Grader All-Star Game.  And, in addition to being able to beat you with his outside shooting, Browne also has great speed, quickness, and anticipation, which allows him to come up with more than his share of steals in the open court, and he's very explosive to the basket.  The latter finished with 19 points and he's not bashful with regard to pulling the trigger, as is evident the fact that he had five 3-pointers in the 7th Grader All-Star Game.  He also can be described as a point/forward due to the fact that he can play anywhere on the court from the point guard spot to the power forward spot.

 

The two players ranked ahead of Johnson in the 7th Grade Division are 6'0 7th Grader Malik Thomas from Rancho Cucamonga, CA and 4'11 7th Grader Lorenzo Washington from Middletown, NY and, quite honestly, we would have given the nod for top players honors in this age group to Washington, if he had not totally disappeared in the 7th Grade All-Star Game.  We're talking about a super quick point guard who was clearly the best pick pocket in camp and he made a living turning all of those steals into baskets off transition at the other end.  Thomas solidified the top spot in this age group with 11 points in the 7th All-Star Game and he can also be a bull on the boards with great combination of strength and athleticism.  He also has great hands, can step out and shoot the three, and go strong to the basket.  We also want to to give special mention to 5'3 7th Grader William Richardson from Englewood, NJ, 5'5 7th Grader Dasonte Brown from Boston, MA, and 5'11 7th Grader John Christofilis from Seattle, WA.  Richardson is an athletic 2-guard who can both slash and shoot.  Bowen is a multi-dimensional athletic wing with good enough ball handling and passing skills to play some at the point, but what he does best is go strong to the basket.  Christofilis is not that athletic, but he handles well for his size, is an excellent rebounder, and was one of the best 3-point shooters in camp.