Achiuwa joins the No. 1 player in the country, James Wiseman (Memphis East), and four-star recruits Boogie Ellis (San Diego Mission Bay), D.J. Jeffries (Olive Branch, MS), Lester Quinones (IMG Academy, FL), Malcolm Dandridge (Memphis East) and Damion Baugh (Tennessee Prep).

Penny Hardaway’s squad will perform on the court, so we can't yet say if it's an all-time recruiting job, but his efforts got myself and my colleague Ronnie Flores on the discussion of the greatest recruiting classes of all time. So we started to dig, and dig, and dig some more.

Some 36 hours later, we had a list of 35 of the all-time great recruiting classes dating back to 1965 for your enjoyment, beginning with UCLA’s class of 1965.

*The list takes into consideration not only the player rankings in those respective classes (listed by number) by the most credible?recruiting lists we?could find, but also what immediate impact the class had during its time in college hoops.?College freshman were first eligible for varsity competition in the 1972-73 season. Classes are listed in chronological order.

1965 UCLA Bruins

Class: Lew Alcindor (aka Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), Lucius Allen, Lynn Shackelford, Kenny Heitz

Impact:?The freshman team, led by these four first-year guys, blew out the varsity team, 75-60, in the inaugural game inside of Pauley Pavilion. Alcindor, Allen, Shackelford and Heitz spent their first season competing against other freshman teams and junior college programs, winning those games by an average of 57 points in front of massive crowds. All four moved into the starting lineup as sophomores and ran off three straight national championships led by Alcindor, arguably the greatest college player ever.

1970 UCLA Bruins

Class: Bill Walton, Jamaal Wilkes, Greg Lee, Tommy Curtis, Vince Carson

Impact: The eventual best player in college basketball, Walton, and the rest of this class had to play freshman ball in 1971 and showed just how good they were as sophomores by going 30-0 and winning the ’72 title over Florida State. UCLA won it again in ’73 over Memphis, but fell to NC State in the ’74 Final Four in the last season of this storied class.

1972 Indiana Hoosiers

Class: Quinn Buckner, Scott May, Tom Abernethy, Jim Crews

Impact: This wasn’t an immediate satisfaction class, but it produced long-term success. May was academically ineligible in the 1972-73 season, but his ability was on full display during his sophomore year.?Bucker actually was an immediate impact freshman (10.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg) on a team that advanced?the the NCAA Final Four.?The Hoosiers went 31-1 in 1974-75 and lost to Kentucky in the regional finals, before going 32-0 in 1975-76, winning the national title over Michigan, 86-68. The ’75-76 Indiana squad is the last team in college basketball to finish a season undefeated.

1978 Louisville Cardinals

Class: Jerry Eaves, Scooter McCray, Wiley Brown, Derek Smith, Poncho Wright

Impact: After recruiting National Player of the Year Darrell Griffith and?Bobby Turner out of Louisville's Male High School in 1976, coach Denny?Crum missed out on big targets like Albert King and Magic Johnson in 1977?and didn’t bring in much of note that fall.?He needed to hit big going into?the 1979 season to surround Griffith with enough talent to make a run at?the program’s third Final Four in the Crum era. Although he didn’t land a?superstar, he brought in excellent depth and a gem in McRay, who was?joined a year later by his younger brother Rodney out of Mt. Vernon, N.Y.?Scooter and Smith were impact players and Eaves and Brown were good role?players as freshman. Even without Turner and an injured Scooter, who was?never the same after his freshman year, Smith and Brown stepped up around?Griffith to develop the program its first NCAA title in 1980. This deep?class made up the core of the team that made another NCAA Final Four?appearance in 1982.

1979 Kentucky Wildcats

Class: Sam Bowie (3), Derrick Hord (5), Dirk Minniefield (20), Charles Hurt (36)

Impact: Bowie and Hord came in as top five recruits and the 7-foot-1 Bowie averaged 12.9 points and eight rebounds per game as a freshman, but battled injuries throughout his career. Hord, Minniefield and Hurt were all solid pieces during their four year careers, but weren’t apart of the 1984 team which lost in the National Semifinals to Georgetown in Bowie’s fifth year.

1979 UCLA Bruins

Class: Darren Daye (9), Rod Foster (28), Michael Holton (43), Cliff Pruitt (95)

Impact: These four UCLA freshmen teamed with senior Kiki Vandeweghe to advance all the way to the NCAA title game, where it lost to Louisville led by Darrell Griffith. Larry Brown left for the NBA and left the program on probation in his wake and this group never achieved the projections set for it.

1982 Duke Blue Devils

Class: Johnny Dawkins (11), Mark Alarie (43), Weldon Williams (62), Jay Bilas?(74), David Henderson, Bill Jackman

Impact: After a rough second year in Durham 10-17, many fans were calling?for coach Mike Krzyzewski’s head, but this is the class that turned things?around. Sure, Duke went 11-17 in 1982-83, but it also saw Dawkins (18.1?ppg) develop into arguably the most important recruit in school history?and the player that started a Duke dynasty that won five NCAA?championships in the Coach K era. Alarie (10 ppg, 6.5 rpg), Henderson (9.1?ppg) and Bilas (8.8 rpg) were also impact freshmen and this group made up?the core of the team that advanced to the first Final Four in the?Krzyzewski era, losing to Louisville in the 1986 NCAA title game.

1985 Louisville Cardinals

Class: Tony Kimbro (4), Pervis Ellison (17), Kenny Payne (22), Keith Williams, Avery Marshall

Impact: After winning the 1980 NCAA title and advancing to the 1982 and?1983 NCAA Final Four, it looked like Denny Crum’s proud program wasn’t on?that level anymore after going 19-18 in 1985. A big reason for that was?senior guard Wilt Wagner had to take a red-shirt for an injury. Similar to?Scooter McCray in ’78 and Lancaster Gordon and Charles Jones in '80, Crum?found another Southern gem in Ellison. "Never Nervous” Pervis teamed up?with Wagner to lead the Cardinals to their second NCAA title in seven?seasons in 1986 and the Savannah, Ga. product was the first freshman ever?named MOP of the NCAA Tournament. Kimbro was a three-year starer and Payne?scored nearly 15 ppg as a senior.

1986 Syracuse Orange

Class: Derrick Coleman (6), Earl Duncan (15), Stephen Thompson (36), Keith Hughes, Matt Roe

Impact: Pearl Washington, a New York City playground legend, and cable?television, made Syracuse a household name in the mid 1980s and coach Jim?Boeheim used that to bring in some excellent recruiting classes around?that time. Although Washington left a season early for the NBA in 1986,?Syracuse’s recruiting class that season help the program get over the hump?and advance to its first NCAA Final Four, where it lost to Indiana in the?title game. Coleman (11.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg) starred immediately, Thompson was?a terrific four-year standout and Duncan (after sitting out as a Prop 48)?and Roe became valuable contributors on NCAA tournament teams after their?freshman seasons.

1988 Georgetown Hoyas

Class: Alonzo Mourning (1), Milton Bell (28), Ronny Thompson, Dikembe?Mutombo, John Turner (JUCO)

Impact: We were tempted to place the 1981 Georgetown class with No.?1 player Patrick Ewing, but we decided to place another John Thompson haul?with a No. 1 national player, Mourning (13.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg). What makes?this class unique is the emergence of Mutombo, a Congo native who attended?Georgetown on a USAID scholarship and spoke basically no English when he?arrived. Although Bell eventually transferred and Turner dropped out,?Mourning made the Hoyas a forced to be reckoned with right away as they?advanced to the Elite Eight and they were quite competitive with the Twin?Towers underneath for the next two seasons after that.

1989 Indiana Hoosiers

Class: Lawrence Funderburke (7), Pat Graham (15), Calbert Cheaney (31), Greg Graham (36), Chris Lawson (76)

Impact: This class was met with a lot of fanfare, especially with thoughts of pairing Funderburke with Bobby Knight, but the fun didn’t last long. Funderburke only lasted six games before transferring to Ohio State after he butted heads with coach Knight. Pat and Greg Graham were solid pieces, but Calbert Cheaney ended up being the gem of that Hoosiers’ class. Cheaney led Indiana to the 1992 Final Four and was the 1993 NCAA Player of the Year as a senior.

1990 North Carolina Tar Heels

Class: Eric Montross (2), Clifford Rozier (5), Derrick Phelps (12), Brian Reese (13)

Impact: All four played roles in their first seasons in Chapel Hill as UNC went to the Final Four in 1991, falling to Kansas, 79-73. Montross ended up leading the Tar Heels in scoring during their run to the 1993 NCAA national title where they defeated the next recruiting class on our list. Rozier ended up transferring to Louisville where he became an All-American, while Reese (11.3 points per game) and Phelps (8.1 ppg) started and played major roles in the title run.

1991 Michigan Wolverines

Class: Chris Webber (1), Juwan Howard (3), Jalen Rose (6), Jimmy King (9), Ray Jackson (76)

Impact: There is no class more highly publicized and analyzed than the famed Fab Five. Webber, Howard, Rose and King were McDonald’s All-Americans, and in fact, played on the same Mickey D’s team. The Wolverines reached back-to-back National Championship games in 1992 and 1993, but fell to Duke and North Carolina, respectively. One of the more interesting facts about this team is it never won a Big Ten championship.

1993 North Carolina Tar Heels

Class: Jerry Stackhouse (2), Rasheed Wallace (3), Jeff McInnis (26)

Impact: Stackhouse and Wallace were considered two of the top three players in the country along with Randy Livingston (LSU), while McInnis rounded out the trio of McDonald's All-Americans. Stackhouse and Wallace took some time away from returning starters Phelps and Reese and UNC faltered in the 1994 NCAA Tournament, falling in the second round to ninth-seeded Boston College.

1994 Michigan Wolverines

Class: Jerod Ward (3), Willie Mitchell (16), Maceo Baston (17), Maurice Taylor?(18), Travis Conlan

Impact: After Michigan’s Fab Five took college basketball by storm in?1992-93, Coach Steve Fisher had the hottest program in the country in the?mid 1990s. He parlayed that info fine recruiting classes in ’94 and ’95.?The ’94 group was labeled Fab Five II, but because leading recruit Ward?never developed as advertised, the program never returned to the NCAA?Final Four before facing NCAA sanctions at the end of the Fisher era.?Still, the 1994 group was productive in Ann Arbor, especially Taylor (12.4?ppg) and Baston, bookend forwards who were more tough than flashy in comparison to?their predecessors on the frontline.

1997 Duke Blue Devils

Class: Chris Burgess (1), Elton Brand (6), Shane Battier (7), William Avery (51)

Impact: Brand, Battier and Burgess were all McDonald’s All-American’s in 1997. Brand came in as an immediate double-double threat, averaging 13.4 points and 7.3 rebounds as a freshman. Avery (8.5 points), Battier (7.6) and Burgess (4.3) were strong supporting actors as freshmen. Duke lost to Kentucky in the Elite Eight in 1998, then fell to Connecticut in the 1999 National Championship game. Brand, a sophomore, led the team in scoring and rebounding that season and was the No. 1 pick in the 1999 NBA Draft by Chicago, while Avery went No. 14 to Minnesota.

1998 UCLA Bruins

Class: Dan Gadzuric (5), JaRon Rush (10), Ray Young (16), Matt Barnes (39), Jerome Moiso

Impact: Rush (11.4 points), Moiso (10.8 points) and Gadzuric (8.6 points) all showed early promise as long-term prospects, but things just didn’t click. The team didn’t meet expectations under Steve Lavin and Ray Young’s career didn’t pan out as most expected. The Bruins made a couple of decent NCAA Tournament runs, but the payer rankings of this group didn’t meet the on-court production.

1999 Kansas Jayhawks

Class: Nick Collison (22), Drew Gooden (26), Kirk Hinrich (46)

Impact: This class wasn’t as highly-touted as many on this list, but it was extremely productive. All three were immediate impact players as freshmen, Collison and Gooden both averaging double-figure scoring in their first season. All three of these recruits were on the 2001-02 team which lost to Maryland in the national semifinals, while Collison and Hinrich were on the squad which lost to Syracuse in the 2003 National Championship game.

2002 Illinois Fightin’ Illini

Class: Dee Brown (19), Deron Williams (38), James Augustine (87)

Impact: Bill Self brought in this class before he left for the Kansas job and the rankings of Brown, Williams and Augustine wouldn’t lend one to believe that this class belongs on the list, but the long-term impact of this trio earned it a spot. All three started from nearly every game their inaugural year and the rapport they built helped them reach the 2005 National Championship game under Bruce Pearl. Illinois lost to North Carolina, 75-70. One honorable mention recruiting class was Lou Henson’s haul in 1986 of Nick Anderson, Steve Bardo, Kendall Gill, Ervin Small and Larry Smith, but because of Prop 48 restrictions, Anderson and Small didn’t play their freshman season.

2002 North Carolina Tar Heels

Class: Raymond Felton (3), Sean May (6), Rashad McCants (8), David Noel

Impact: This trio had a rough start as all were thrust into starting roles under coach Matt Doherty. The 2002-03 Tar Heels went 19-16 overall, 6-10 in the ACC, and missed the NCAA Tournament. Doherty was out after that season and Roy Williams took over and turned the ship around. UNC won the 2005 NCAA Title over Illinois behind the production of McCants, May and Felton.

2002 Syracuse Orange

Class: Carmelo Anthony (1), Gerry McNamara (21)

Impact: This class is important for obvious reasons. Anthony opted to go to college instead of the NBA and the rest is history. Melo immediately became the premier scorer in the country and led the Orange to the 2003 NCAA National Championship. McNamara may have been the overlooked piece to this puzzle, but his 13.3 points per game and consistent long-range shooting was instrumental in Syracuse’s success. Some include Billy Edelin in this class, but he was a 2001 high school graduate who missed his freshman season due to suspension.

2004 Florida Gators

Class: Corey Brewer (29), Al Horford (48), Joakim Noah (67), Taurean Green (70)

Impact: This group didn’t look as good on paper as many on this list, but winning followed wherever it went. They all bought in to each other and coach Billy Donovan’s system which led to it being the last group to win back-to-back NCAA titles. The Gators took down UCLA in 2006 and a great Ohio State team in 2007. Noah, Horford, Brewer and Green all shared the wealth, averaging between 12 and 13.3 points per game in their junior seasons.?

2005 Kansas Jayhawks

Class: Julian Wright (7), Brandon Rush (13), Mario Chalmers (14), Micah Downs (33)

Impact: Rush started every game his freshman year, while Chalmers and Wright eventually played their way into starting roles. The Jayhawks fell to UCLA in the 2007 Elite Eight in this group’s sophomore year, but after Wright left for the NBA and Downs transferred to Gonzaga, Chalmers and Rush helped Kansas win a National Championship in 2008 over Memphis. Chalmers famously hit the game-winning shot.

2006 Ohio State Buckeyes

Class: Greg Oden (1), Daequan Cook (21), Mike Conley (28), David Lighty (41), Othello Hunter (JUCO)

Impact: This class was truly considered one of the best ever led by generational center, Greg Oden, who developed into the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. Oden averaged 15.7 points and 9.6 rebounds in his freshman campaign, while Conley (11.3, 6.1 assists) and Cook (9.8) took on big time roles as well. Ohio State made a run to the 2007 National Championship game where it fell to Florida.

2006 North Carolina Tar Heels

Class: Ty Lawson (3), Wayne Ellington (4), Brandan Wright (5), Alex Stepheson (62), Deon Thompson (80)

Impact: This class was top heavy for Roy Williams with Lawson, Ellington and Wright floating around the top 10 among the various rankings. Those three stepped in and contributed immediately, while Thompson and Stepheson played more complimentary roles. Wright went one-and-done, but the other four remained to help the Tar Heels made a Final Four run in 2008. Stepheson then transferred to USC and Ellington, Lawson and Thompson won a National Championship in 2009 over Michigan State.

2006 Texas Longhorns

Class: Kevin Durant (2), D.J. Augustin (17), Damion James (23), Dexter Pittman?(68)

Impact: Coach Rick Barnes used his connections with Montrose Christian?(Rockville, Md.) coach Stu Vetter to secure the services of Durant, the?nation’s No. 2 recruit behind Greg Oden who turned in one of the greatest?freshman seasons in NCAA history (25.8 ppg, 11.1 rpg) before being the No.?2 pick of the 2007 NBA Draft behind the same player. Barnes' haul also?included D.J. Augustin (14.4 ppg, 6.7 apg), the underrated James (7.6 ppg,?7. 2 rpg) and a fourth eventual NBA player and four-year contributor in?Pittman.

2009 Kentucky Wildcats

Class: John Wall (1), DeMarcus Cousins (3), Daniel Orton (15), Eric Bledsoe (23), Jon Hood (40), Darnell Dodson (JUCO)

Impact: John Calipari wasted no time bringing in big-time talent at Kentucky. Cal snagged five players in the top 40 and a four-star junior college transfer in Dodson. The Wildcats lost to West Virginia in the Elite Eight, then lost Wall, Cousins, Orton and Bledsoe to the NBA. It was considered a big disappointment.?

2010 Kentucky Wildcats

Class: Enes Kanter (3), Brandon Knight (6), Terrence Jones (13), Doron Lamb (21)

Impact: Kanter didn’t end up playing in his short stay at Kentucky and the Wildcats still managed to make a Final Four run. Knight (17.3 points), Jones (15.7) and Lamb (12.3) were the catalysts on that 2010-11 team which fell to UCONN, 56-55, in the national semifinals.

2011 Kentucky Wildcats

Class: Anthony Davis (1), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (2), Marquis Teague (4), Kyle Wiltjer (22)

Impact: A recruiting class can’t get much better when three of the four guys you bring in start basically every game en route to a National Championship. Davis scooped up every award you can imagine, including Wooden Award and AP Player of the Year, as he averaged 14.2 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.7 blocks per game, while Kidd-Gilchrist put up 11.9 points and 7.4 boards a contest. Davis and MKG were the top two picks in the 2012 NBA Draft and Teague went 29th to Chicago. Wiltjer played two solid seasons, but transferred to Gonzaga after his sophomore year in Lexington.

2013 Kentucky Wildcats

Class: Julius Randle (3), Andrew Harrison (5), James Young (6), Aaron Harrison (7), Dakari Johnson (9), Marcus Lee (19), Derek Willis (115)

Impact: Randle, Young and the Harrison twins started from the get-go, as the Wildcats had to make up for the departures of Davis, MKG, Teague, Terrence Jones and Doron Lamb whom all ended up being first round picks in the 2012 NBA Draft. Those four, along with sophomore Willie Cauley-Stein, led Kentucky to another National Championship appearance where it fell to Connecticut, 60-54. Randle and Young opted for the one-and-done route with Julius going to the Lakers at No. 7 and James to the Celtics at No. 17. The Harrison twins and Johnson stayed another year before making the jump to the pros. Lee had three average seasons before transferring back home to Cal.

2014 Duke Blue Devils

Class: Jahlil Okafor (1), Tyus Jones (4), Justise Winslow (12), Grayson Allen (17)

Impact: Okafor was an absolute beast at the college level, putting up 17.3 points and 8.5 rebounds a night in leading Duke to the 2015 NCAA National Title. Winslow (12.6 points, 6.5 rebounds) and Jones (11.8 points, 5.6 assists) flourished in their starting roles. Okafor (No. 3) and Winslow (No. 10) went in the Lottery of the 2015 NBA Draft and Jones was taken 24th overall.

2014 Kentucky Wildcats

Class: Karl-Anthony Towns (5), Trey Lyles (13), Tyler Ulis (21), Devin Booker (27)

Impact: If you look at the stat sheet for the 2014-15 Wildcats none of the numbers will blow you away. No player averaged more than 11 points per game, but the balance was clear as six Kentucky players scored between 6.4 and 11 points per night. Towns started every game, while Lyles made his way into 21 first five appearances. Booker and Ulis played key bench roles as Kentucky won its first 38 games of that season. The Wildcats run to a perfect season was halted by Wisconsin in the 2015 NCAA national semifinals. Towns was the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Lyles went No. 12 and Booker No. 13.

2017 Duke Blue Devils

Class: Marvin Bagley III (2), Trevon Duval (4), Wendell Carter (7), Gary Trent Jr. (18), Alex O’Connell (58)

Impact: This was a much-heralded coup for Coach K. He grabbed three of the top seven players in the country, including Bagley who reclassified up a class to head to Durham. The lanky lefty was as good as advertised, dropping 20 points and 11 rebounds a night for the Blue Devils, while Trent, Carter and Duval all joined him in the starting five and averaged double-figure scoring. Duke won 29 games in 2017-18, but fell to Kansas, 85-81, in the Elite Eight. Bagley (No. 2) and Carter (No. 7) were selected early in the 2018 NBA Draft, but Trent fell to the second round and Duval went undrafted.

2017 Kentucky Wildcats

Class: Hamidou Diallo (10), Kevin Knox (11), Jarred Vanderbilt (12), P.J. Washington (15), Nick Richards (17), Quade Green (22), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (34)

Impact: Kentucky didn’t land any of the top five players in 2017 as it’s accustomed to doing basically every year, but this seven player haul was absolutely ridiculous for Calipari. All seven contributed in a big way before Vanderbilt lost his season early to injury. The Wildcats ended up struggling in SEC play, finishing fourth in the conference with a 10-8 record before falling to Kansas State in the 2018 Sweet 16.

2018 Duke Blue Devils

Class: R.J. Barrett (1), Cam Reddish (3), Zion Williamson (5), Tre Jones (14), Joey Baker (48)

Impact: Duke needed to reload in 2018 after losing its top five scorers to the NBA Draft and Coach K did so by bringing in three of the top five players in the country. Williamson’s impact was not only felt on the floor from the jump, but also on the airwaves and on social media as the viral dunking sensation was plastered all over every sports morning show you can think of. Barrett lived up to his lofty expectations, Reddish showed flashes of why many considered him one of the more versatile scorers in the country and Jones made sure the team was running like a well-oiled machine. The Blue Devils won 32 games before losing to Michigan State, 69-68, in the 2019 Elite Eight.

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It doesn't matter if Russell Westbrook is playing in a Team USA scrimmage, a UCLA pick-up game or on a 9-foot goal in a neighborhood cul-de-sac, Russell Westbrook is going to play at 110% and embarrass and possibly put you on a poster if you are thinking you can get on the court with him and play half-ass defense.

The HTH highlights above are from this past weekend's Rico Hines UCLA run that also featured Westbrook's OKC teammates Hamidou Diallo, Devon Hall, Bryce Alford and Terrence Ferguson along with new Sun Trevor Ariza, former Sun Tyler Ulis, UCLA's Jaylen Hands, former UCLA player Kevon Looney, the Raptors' Norman Powell, OG Anunoby and Fred Van Vleet and Clippers' Montrezl Harrell.

The highlight of the HTH highlights above are the pull-up jumpers by Westbrook and a pretty sick move at the 5:25 mark.

Below are some alternate angles of The Brodie filmed by Corey Porter and Brandon Johnson.

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The Brodie @russwest44 came thru UCLA today to hoop at @ricohinesbball open runs ?

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Some OKC soldiers made their appearance at the Rico Hines Runs today ? @ricohinesbball @slamonline

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OKC LA @ricohinesbball

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JAMES HARDEN

Here's some bonus footage from a Rico run one with Westbrook's former OKC teammate James Harden.

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Cavs fans are probably looking at this throwback pic and saying how great it would have been if Melo reunited with JR Smith in Cleveland and Chauncey Billups didn't turn down a GM position to keep playing 3-on-3 basketball for Ice Cube. Lakers' fans are looking at this and feeling sad for Lamar Odom and then cheering up when they think about the thought of LeBron possibly leaving Cleveland (again) and taking his talents to LA.

This past weekend, Melo did reunite with his former Denver and New York teammate, JR Smith, at M7 Academy for one of NBA Trainer Chris Brickley's "Blackout Sessions." Other players in the pick-up game included Enes Kanter, Nick Richards, Hamidou Diallo and former Knicks Lance Thomas and Chris Smith (JR's brother).

BONUS VIDEOS

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Duval led Team Drive to a W in OT with 25 points and 7 assists. Team Clutch's Isaiah Washington scored a game-high 36 - 31 in the 2nd half!

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Below are the individual records for the Under Armour Elite 24, which took place between 2006 and 2016. In 11 years of the event, six players participated three times with 38 points by Lance Stephenson and 23 assists by Brandon Jennings among the highlights.

ROAD TO 2016 ELITE 24: Trevon Duval | Jalek Felton  

Most Games Played
3 -- Lance Stephenson, 2006-08
3 -- Dexter Strickland, 2006-08
3 -- LaQuinton Ross, 2007-08, 2010
3 -- DaJuan Coleman, 2009-11
3 -- Thon Maker, 2013-15
3 -- Jalek Felton, 2014-16

Single-Game Points
38 -- Lance Stephenson, "Skip," 2007
36 -- Isaiah Washington, "Clutch," 2016
34 -- J.J. Hickson, "The Goat," 2006
29 -- Lance Stephenson, "The Goat," 2008
27 -- Julius Randle, "Ray Lew," 2012
26 -- Michael Beasley, "Skip," 2006
26 -- DeMar DeRozan, "The Goat," 2007
26 -- Tyreke Evans, "The Goat," 2007
26 -- Isaiah Whitehead, "Coney Island," 2013

Single-Game Field Goals Made
17 -- Lance Stephenson, "Skip," 2007 (17x22)
13 -- Tyreke Evans, "The Goat," 2007 (13x21)
13 -- Julius Randle, "Ray Lew," 2012 (13x14)

Single-Game Field Goal Attempts
25 -- Emmanuel Mudiay, "Bed Stuy," 2013 (10x25)
36 -- Isaiah Washington, "Clutch," 2016 (12x23)
22 -- Lance Stephenson, "Skip," 2007 (17x22)
22 -- Shabazz Muhammad, “Ray Lew,” 2011 (12x22)
22 -- Isaiah Whitehead, "Coney Island," 2013 (10x22)
21 -- Tyreke Evans, "The Goat," 2007 (13x21)

Single Game Field Goal Percentage
(minimum 10 attempts)
1.000 -- Zion Williamson, "Drive," 2016 (10x10)
.929 -- Julius Randle, "Ray Lew," 2012 (13x14)
.917 -- Justin Anderson, “Marques Johnson,” 2011 (11x12)
.909 -- Samardo Samuels, "The Goat," 2007 (10x11)
.909 -- Justise Winslow, "Marques Johnson," 2012 (10x11)
.900 -- Jrue Holiday, "Skip," 2007 (9x10)
.900 -- B.J. Mullens, "Skip," 2007 (9x10)
.900 -- Justin Jackson, "Coney Island," 2013 (9x10)

Single-Game 3-Pointers Made
4 -- Lance Stephenson, "Skip," 2007 (4x5)
4 -- Myck Kabongo, "The Goat," 2009 (4x7)
4 -- Doron Lamb, "Skip," 2009 (4x5)
4 -- Dion Wiley, "Coney Island," 2013 (4x5)
4 -- Isaiah Whitehead, "Coney Island," 2013 (4x13)

Highest Scoring Average
(Minimum Two Games)
27.3 -- Lance Stephenson (82/3 games)
24.0 -- Doron Lamb (48/2 games)

Single-Game Rebounding
15 -- Chase Jeter, "Liberty," 2014
12 -- Austin Wiley, "Clutch," 2016
11 -- C.J. Leslie, "The Goat," 2009
11 -- James McAdoo, "Marques Johnson," 2010
11 -- Harry Giles, "Freedom," 2014
10 -- Cole Aldrich, "Skip," 2006
10 -- Bam Adebayo, “Doo Be Doo,” 2015

Single-Game Assists
23 -- Brandon Jennings, "The Goat," 2007
15 -- Brandon Jennings, "Skip," 2006
10 -- Myck Kabongo, "Ray Lew," 2010
10 -- Aquille Carr, “Ray Lew,” 2011
10 -- Trevon Duval, “EZ Pass,” 2015

Single-Game Blocked Shots
4 -- Marcus Lee, "Ray Lew," 2012
4 -- Goodluck Okonoboh, "Coney Island," 2013
3 -- DeAndre Jordan, "Skip," 2006
3 -- Samardo Samuels, "The Goat," 2006
3 -- Rakeem Christmas, "The Goat," 2009
3 -- DeAndre Daniels, “Ray Lew,” 2010
3 -- Josh Jackson, “EZ Pass,” 2015

Single-Game Steals
6 -- M.J. Walker, "Clutch," 2016
5 -- Jahvon Quinerly, "Clutch," 2016
4 -- Aquille Carr, “Ray Lew,” 2011
4 -- Isaac Hamilton, "Ray Lew," 2012
4 -- Chris Chiozza, "Coney Island," 2013
4 -- Juwan Evans, "Liberty," 2014
4 -- Trevon Duval, “EZ Pass,” 2015
4 -- Naz Reid, "Clutch," 2016
4 -- Hamidou Diallo "Drive," 2016
3 -- Kyrie Irving, "The Goat," 2009
3 -- Kendall Marshall, "Skip," 2009
3 -- Aaron Harrison, "Ray Lew," 2012
3 -- Rashad Vaughn, "Ray Lew," 2012

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RELATED: Loaded Team Harden adidas Nations Favorites | adidas Nations photo recap | DeAndre Ayton, Jaylen Hands lead Team Harden to Title | Team Harden Highlights

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RELATED: Loaded Team Harden adidas Nations Favorites | adidas Nations photo recap | Team Harden Highlights

With the sheer amount of talent on Team Harden 2017, it was going to take a monumental effort for Team Canada (or any other team for that matter) to knock off the star-studded team at adidas Nations. The two teams locked horns Monday evening at Cerritos College for the second time during the event to decide the championship.

Team Harden and Team Canada met on Sunday morning with Team Harden recording a 104-89 victory. In the championship rematch televised on ESPNU, it looked like the Canadians had a chance to pull off a major upset -- for one half at least. Behind the inspired play of 6-foot-4 guard Luguentz Dort and 6-foot-5 wing Nickel Dean-Walker, Team Canada held a 56-50 halftime lead, but Team Harden used a big third quarter to seize control of the game and walk away with a 123-96 victory and the expected tournament championship.

Team Harden, which went 5-0 and handed Team Canada its only two losses, used a 43-19 advantage in the third quarter to take control of the game. The team's starters -- point guard Trevon Duval, shooting guard Gary Trent Jr., small forward Hamidou Diallo, and post players Wendell Carter Jr. and DeAndre Ayton -- did most of the damage during the pivotal run. Ayton took control on the boards and clearly was the one player other teams simply had no answer for when he was locked in at this event. Last year's national junior of the year at Hillcrest Academy (Phoenix, Ariz.) finished the title game with 13 points and 14 rebounds after going for 26 and 11 in the team's first meeting on Sunday.

Team Canada hurt its chances for victory by missing free throws in the third period. The Canadians missed 7-of-14 shots from the line in the third quarter alone and made 17-of-31 in the title game. Team Harden made 27-of-37 and shot 56 percent from the field (45-of-81) while Team Canada shot 47 percent (35-of-75). Dean-Walker finished with a team-high 17 points, while Dort finished with 15.

Leading the way in the scoring department for victorious Team Harden was point guard Jaylen Hands, who has verbaled to UCLA and was named MVP despite coming off the bench. Hands was one of Team Harden's talented players who had to adjust to getting less-than-normal playing time on the loaded unit. Hands scored a game-high 18 points on a variety of lay-ups and pull-up jumpers and also contributed two rebounds and an assist. In the first meeting versus Team Canada, Hands scored eight points in 18 minutes, but made the most of his 16 minutes in the championship game.

Another top 25 type talent who thrived in his reserve role was multi-dimensional guard Troy Brown Jr. of Centennial (Las Vegas, Nev.), who recently narrowed down his college choices to Alabama, Arizona, CAL, Georgetown, Kansas, Ohio State, Oregon, and hometown UNLV. Brown, who is 6-foot-5 and normally plays on the ball for his high school and travel ball team (Las Vegas Prospects), spent plenty of time on the wing -- and thrived because of his ability to rebound and push in transition, set up cutting teammates or score around the basket. Brown finished the event top 10 in rebounding, top six in assists, and No. 2 in steals while remaining an on-ball scoring threat. He finished the title game with 14 points and six rebounds after recording 10 points, six rebounds and four assists in the Sunday victory over Team Canada.

"It was fun playing with this team because, besides USA Basketball, I've never had a team like this around me and I wanted to take full advantage of it," said Brown, who stated he would prefer to play on the ball in college. "Playing with great guards like Jaylen (Hands) and Trey (Travon Duval), I didn't mind playing off the ball and for me the experience helped expand my game."

Forward P.J. Washington of Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) also had a big outing with 16 points and eight rebounds while Diallo aded 12 points.

"Hamidou Diallo surprised me the most with his ability, by far." Brown said.

The ability of Team Harden's players didn't catch anyone by surprise -- and neither did its unbeaten run through adidas Nations.

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores

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RELATED: DeAndre Ayton, Jaylen Hands lead Team Harden to adidas Nations Title | adidas Nations photo recap | Team Harden Highlights

There is a plethora of NBA scouts and national grassroots basketball media at the Next Level Sports Complex in Garden Grove, Calif. to watch elite high school and college players close out the summer on a high note at adidas Nations.

Team Harden, a group of 2017 prospects, is getting most of the attention from scouts among the high school teams -- and for good reason. As far as grassroots basketball and national all-star teams are concerned, it might be the most talented team we've seen the last 10 years. Just check out the names on this roster: Hamidou Diallo, Gary Trent Jr., Troy Brown Jr., D.J. Harvey, Trevon Duval, Kevin Knox, Wendell Carter, DeAndre Ayton, P.J. Washington, Jaylen Hands, and Makai Ashton-Langford. Seven or eight in that group will be selected for the 2017 McDonald's All-American Game.

It's ironic because Harden played on the last team we can vividly remember more talented than this one -- the 2007 McDonald's All-American West unit that played at Freedom Hall in Louisville and was coach by current Taft (Woodland Hills, Calif.) coach Derrick Taylor. That team was so loaded Harden, who would eventually develop into the No. 3 of the 2009 NBA Draft, really couldn't get much playing time in the scrimmage or the game. Current NBA all-star forward Blake Griffin, the No. 1 pick of that same draft, turned heads in the scrimmage with his play but he too couldn't crack Taylor's starting lineup. The starters for the game were 2011 NBA MVP Derrick Rose at the point, Eric Gordon at the two, Michael Beasley at the three, Kevin Love at the four and Cole Aldrich at the five.

Four of those starters were among the top seven picks of the 2008 NBA Draft and a few off Team Harden will likely go high in the 2018 NBA Draft. The team is 4-0 so far at adidas Nations, pulling out four competitive wins, including a 101-83 victory over Team Wiggins 2018. The game was close until the older unit pulled away in the fourth period. After leading by six points (75-69) entering the fourth, Team Harden was able to get gain an advantage on the break, as Diallo, Washington, Duval and Harvey scored on a variety of easy transition buckets , including some rim-rattling dunks. Doing a majority of the setup was Brown, Hands and Duval, who led Team Harden with eight assists.

Ayton, who is arguably the top overall prospect in the 2017 class, led six Team Harden players in double figures with 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the field. Ayton has stated Kansas, Arizona and Kentucky are his three finalists, but there are growing legions of scouts and NBA personnel that don't feel he'll play a minute in college. He's one of the early candidates to be taken as the No. 1 pick in the 2018 Draft, so it will be interesting to see where he ends up after his senior season of high school. Ayton had 12 points, eight rebounds and two steals in a 97-86 win over Team Asia Pacific on Saturday morning and opened play with a 19-point, 15-rebound performance in a 92-87 win over Team Rose 2017. On Sunday morning, he took over with his rebounding and passing in the fourth quarter of a 104-89 win over Team Canada and finished with 26 points and 11 rebounds.

Ayton and Zion Williamson, a 6-foot-7 2018 prospect out of Spartanburg Day School (Spartanburg, S.C.) who is playing for Team Wiggins, have been the two best players we've observed through pool play at this event.

Duval made 3-of-5 three-pointers and 7-of-9 field goals good for 24 points in the win over Team Asia Pacific continues to state his case as the best lead guard in the 2017 class, although he sat out Sunday morning's game. Trent (22 points) and Diallo (21 points) also played well in the victory over Team Rose 2017. In reality, however, any player on the roster has the ability to step up and dominate. It's just a matter of managing playing time (not to mention egos) and finding the right combination for this team to take home the team title once pool play is done on Sunday afternoon and championship play begins Sunday night. The championship game is slated for Monday at Cerritos College (9 pm ET, ESPNU).

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores

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RELATED: Michael Porter, Hamidou Diallo Among Pangos Standouts

The talent level at the 14th annual Pangos All-American Camp was arguably the deepest it its history and a plethora of the nation's best players selected for its top all-star game.

The Ballislife Cream of the Crop Top 25 was controlled by the Red Team throughout and led 51-41 at halftime over the White Team. The guard tandem of Jaylen Hands (Balboa School, San Diego, Calif.) and Trae Young (Norman North, Norman, Okla.) helped the Red Team build its early lead with solid outside shooting, strong scoring drives and put pressure on the White Team by pushing the ball in transition.

The White Team made its move in the second half with some strong scoring finishes by DeAndre Ayton (Hillcrest Academy, Phoenix, Ariz.), Hamidou Diallo (Putnam Science Academy, Putnam, Conn.) and P.J. Washington (Findlay Prep, Henderson, Nev.). It got within four points, but a Texas trio consisting of Victor Bailey (McNeil, Austin, Texas), Jay Jay Chandler (Cinco Ranch, Katy, Texas) and Charles Bassey (St. Anthony, San Antonio, Texas) helped the Red Team take control down the stretch and record a 112-97 victory.

Chandler (10 points), with his scoring versatility, and Bailey (10 points), with an his explosive first step and three-level scoring, were sparks and they made quite an impression at camp after coming in less heralded than many of the other players in the top all-star game. Chandler and Bailey were two of six players to hit for double figures, including Bassey, who also had 10 points. Bassey, the National Freshman of the Year, had the platform to show he's one of the best players in the nation regardless of class and did not disappoint.

Billy Preston of Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) scored a team-high 17 points for the winning team and was named game co-MVP along with Ayton, who reportedly finished with a game-high 20 points for the White Team.

Charles O'Bannon Jr. (Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas, Nev.) added 15 points for the Red Team, while Diallo and Washington had 14 and 12 points, respectively, for the White team.

Point guard Trevon Duval and combo forward Michael Porter Jr. were named 2016 Pangos Camp co-Most Outstanding Players (MOP). Porter was unable to play in the Cream of the Crop Top 25 Game, so accepting the award on his behalf and presenting Duval with his was 2013 Pangos All-American Camp MOP Stanley Johnson of the Detroit Pistons.

All-Time Pangos All-American Camp MOPs:

2016:  Trevon Duval, Advanced International Prep (Dallas, Texas) 6-2 PG
Michale Porter Jr., Father Tolton (Columbia, Mo.) 6-9 SF
2015:  Rawle Alkins, Word of God Academy (Raleigh, N.C.) 6-5 SF
Mustapha Heron, Sacred Heart (Waterbury, Conn.) 6-5 SG
2014: Isaiah Briscoe, Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.) 6-3 PG
Tyler Dorsey, Maranatha (Pasadena, Calif.) 6-4 SG
Stephen Zimmermann, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) 7-0 C
2013: Stanley Johnson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 6-7 SF
2012: Cliff Alexander, Currie (Chicago, Ill.) 6-9 PF
2011: Shabazz Muhammad, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) 6-6 WF
2010: Myck Kabongo, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 6-2 PG
2009: Harrison Barnes, Ames (Ames, Iowa) 6-7 WF
2008: John Wall, Word of God Academy (Raleigh, N.C.) 6-3 PG
2007: Brandon Jennings, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 6-1 PG
2006: James Harden, Artesia (Lakewood, Calif.) 6-5 SG
2005: Jerry-Davon Jefferson, Lynwood (Calif.) 6-8 WF
2004: C.J. Miles, Skyline (Dallas) 6-6 WF
2003: Robert Swift, Bakersfield (Calif.) 7-0 C

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RELATED: WATCH Cream of the Crop Top 25 FULL GAME from Pangos Camp

It's never easy getting the nation's best players under one roof in their busy grassroots schedules and with shoe company influence steering them to particular events when not participating on one of the three major grassroots circuits: the Nike EYBL, adidas Gauntlet or Under Armour Association. With that in mind, the Pangos All-American Camp is the top independent camp on the circuit and this year the talent pool is arguably the best in its 14-year existence.

To give some perspective, veteran McDonald's All-American voter Frank Burilson feels there are 13 or 14 serious Mcdonald's All-American candidates in the fold, not to mention a vast amount of underclassmen who will be at that level in due time. Among those probable McDonald's picks next winter who have stood out so far include point guard Trevon Duval, who will be returning to his native Tri-States area for his senior season after playing as a junior at Advanced International Prep (Dallas), forward Michael Porter Jr., who will be moving to the Pacific Northwest after winning a Missouri Class 3A state title at Father Tolton (Columbia, Mo.), and Quade Green, who led Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) to a state crown as well.

Here's a look at some of the Pangos Camp top performers so far (alphabetically):

DeAndre Ayton, Hillcrest Academy (Phoenix, Ariz.): The National Junior of the Year is critiqued to the tee at this level and he does need too improve his consistency being an anchor on defense, but there is so much to like about him as a prospect. Ayton has fluid moves, can pass and rebound well, and beat defenses in multiple ways. Ayton is running the court well and offensively around the basket can convert as he pleases, but some national scouts would prefer he didn't spend so much time on the perimeter. He's capable of making jumpers and they look fluid, which in itself is impressive for a seven-footer.

Hamidou Diallo, Putnam Science Academy (Putnam, Conn.): Diallo has been a ball of energy from the onset and it doesn't appear he'll slow down anytime soon. He's arguably the bounciest off-guard in the country and one of the most athletic players, period. He is beginning to show more consistency with his shooting and all-around ball skills. Diallo has been impressive so far getting by defenders on the wing and making solid decisions.

Trevon Duval, Advanced International Prep (Dallas): This Delaware native is the point guard the others are chasing and there hasn't been a more impressive all-around performer from the lead guard position. Duval has gained five to ten pounds of pure muscle in recent months and it hasn't compromised any of his lateral quickness. Duval feels more comfortable driving, but his somewhat inconsistent outside jumper is beginning to fall with more consistency and that makes him nearly unguarable at this level. Duval has split defenders and converted a powerful finish multiple times and has also shown some great defensive ability. He has a chance to be a quality defender and is the most physical two-way guard at this event.

Quade Green, Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia): A true lead guard, Green's tool box is one of the most impressive of any Pangos camper. At about 5-foot-11, Green can finish at the rack, is a capable mid-range shooter and can shoot the deep ball with innate scoring skills to boot. He knows how to set up teammates with what they need (soft/hard pass, location, etc.) and does a good job of keeping them engaged, even though he has the ball in his hands quite a bit. His passing versatility is about as good as you are going to see at this level.

Michael Porter Jr., Father Tolton (Columbia, Mo.): If he lands at a power program in the Pacific Northwest for his senior season such as Rainier Beach or Garfield, were talking about perhaps a Mr. Basketball USA front-runner for 2016-17. He's already one on the best candidates, regardless. Porter is that skilled, with excellent offensive ball skills combined with good footwork with the ability to cover ground. His size and athleticism combination would be enough to make him a high major prospect without the fundamentals and intangibles thrown in. National scouts have been impressed with his performances so far at this event and he is a strong Most Outstanding Player candidate.

Billy Preston, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.): He's topping out at close to 6-foot-10 and with his overall package, Preston has a tremendous ceiling. He can face and score, drive in either direction and finish, or draw and kick with good efficiency. Preston is most comfortable with the ball in his hands, but does have a good feel once the defense is drawn towards him. He has a tendency to handle too much and could utilize a back-to-the-basket game more, but the skill level he possesses at his size doesn't come around often at this level. What he lacks, can be taught and Oak Hill coach Steve Smith should be able to bring out the best in his game as a senior.

Here's a look at some of the fast-risers at the Pangos Camp (alphabetically): 

Victor Bailey, McNeil (Austin, Texas): This 6-foot-4 shooting guard was more of a role player on his 17U travel team last summer, but he is making quite the individual impact so far at Pangos. Bailey explodes by defenders and has the agility and athleticism to finish a high percentage around the rim. He is efficient as well and his shown unselfish tendencies with a strong work ethic. His type of game won't go unappreciated at the next level.

Jaylen Hands, Balboa School (San Diego, Calif.): He didn't get to the camp until Saturday (thereby missing a Friday matchup versus Trevon Duval), but no defender can keep him in front. His stop and starts are just too smooth and his explosiveness is quite uncanny for an athlete with a relatively thin frame. Hands also utilizes a strong pull-up jumper and can score from a variety of angles if he's gets pushed off balance. One area he needs more consistency at is taking the challenge of locking down defenders, but he's more than capable with solid feet and good instincts.

Brandon Huffman, Word of God (Raleigh, N.C.): Inside Huffman has simply been a monster playing alongside DeAndre Ayton. When he gets the ball around the rim, he finishes with authority and the rim just sounds different when he flushes it compared to any other camper. Huffman can utilize the half hook and does a good job of keeping guards from racking the ball away despite his penchant for catch and gather, two-handed finishes. One area he needs to improve upon is his physical conditioning, so he can remain engaged at all times on the court.

Brandon Williams, Crespi (Encino, Calif.): This two-time state champion shooting guard packs a big punch in his 6-foot frame. He's one of the most fearless guards in the country; he doesn't think any guard in this event, or anywhere else for that matter, is better. Williams can score from all three levels and is one of the few smaller guards in the camp who can shoot the jumper over longer defenders. Williams is relentless in his offensive attack with a short memory should he miss or make the wrong read. Williams is also adapt and keeping the dribble alive in tight quarters and makes quality, under control decisions at full speed.

Keith Williams, Bishop Loughlin (Brooklyn, N.Y.): One of the nation's most underrated shooting guards, Williams is a relentless competitor who puts winning before individual accolades. He was terrific on Friday night, but wasn't quite as effective on Saturday. With his approach, a quality outing should be expected on Sunday. Williams has a scorer's mentality and doesn't let defenses dictate what shot attempt he goes after.

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores

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Hamidou Diallo made his EYBL debut this past weekend in Brooklyn, NY and it was definitely one for the books. The Queens native put on an ABSOLUTE show for the home crowd and coaches in attendances. After competing on the Under Armour circuit last season, Diallo made the jump over to prove he could hang with the nation's best. He is currently ranked in the top 15 in the Class of 2017 and looks to take the top spot as the nation's best shooting guard prospect. Diallo attends Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut and currently holds offers from UK, Kansas, Arizona, UCONN, and other powerhouses across the country. Check out his raw highlights from the three games he competed in.

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Elite 24 Printable Roster

Elite 24 Printable Roster

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RELATED: Unselfish Play Propels Team Rose Into Title Game | Dennis Smith Bangs Over 6'10 Player

He didn't start, he only played half the game and didn't play many minutes with running mate Lonzo Ball, but nothing was going to stop 6-foot-4 shooting guard Rawle Alkins of Team Rose from completing his summer mission. Alkins, a charismatic New Yorker likely on the move for his senior season, wanted to show national scouts, as well as a national television audience, that he's a national top 10 prospect in the Class of 2016 and in the conversation as high school basketball's top shooting guard prospect.

Mission accomplished.

Alkins completed his dominant run through adidas Nations by leading Team Rose to a 113-93 win over Team Wall in the championship game played at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif. With the game in the balance in the fourth period, Alkins hit three consecutive 3-pointers to give Team Rose the cushion that it needed to cruise to victory. The score was 77-70 in favor of Team Rose entering the fourth but when Alkins' barrage was completed, it was 97-77.

"I want to be known as the best shooting guard in the class," said Alkins, who finished with a game-high 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field. "I started as an unknown and unranked player. In ninth grade, I was like No. 45. Then I went to No. 22 and now it's like No. 7.

"Cali is a good luck charm to me."

Alkins was referring to his dominant showing at the Pangos All-American Camp in Carson, Calif. back in early June, when he took home MOP honors before catching a quick flight back to New York.

"Winning is the only option," Alkins said about his team's unbeaten run through the event.

In Monday's adidas Nations title game, he hit 6-of-8 3-pointers. As a team, Team Wall made 12-of-22 3-pointers. The game's out come was decided by the difference in shooting between the two teams made up of American 2016 prospects. Team Rose made 50.6 percent of its shots from the field (43-of-85), while Team Wall shot 39.2 percent (38-97).

Markelle Fultz, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard from DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.), led Team Wall with 16 points. He made 7-of-25 shots from the field and didn't connect from 3-point range on five attempts.

To offset the knee injury suffered by point guard Dennis Smith Jr., of Team Wall on Sunday evening, guard Frank Jackson of Lone Peak (Highland, Utah) was moved from Team Rose to Team Wall for the title game. It affected Team Rose's normal rotation, but it did not change the outcome of the game.

Alkins was not going to be denied.

"He's for real," Alkins said about Ball, a 6-foot-5 point guard out of Chino Hills, Calif. "He's a lot like Andre Iguodala. He does a lot of things that sometimes don't show up in the stat sheet."

Ball led the team in minutes in the title game (28) and didn't score much (4 points, 2-of-5 shooting), but did the little things to make a difference just as he had all week. He finished with game-highs in rebounds (11) and assists (8).

Mario Kegler, a 6-foot-7 forward out of Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), added 19 points for Team Rose. Guard Kobi Simmons of St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.) also finished with 19 points, while Mustapha Heron of Sacred Heart (Waterbury, Conn.) made all three of his 3-point attempts and added 15.

"I don't get to play with players like this very often, so I wanted to cherish it and win a championship," Ball said. "It was a great experience playing with this group. I don't have to do as much as I do with my travel team, but I could do more if we needed it.

"It took a little time for the guys to warm up to what I do, but that's normal. I would do the same to guys I didn't trust."

Alkins and his teammates undoubtedly trust Ball now.

Team Africa Closes Strong

In the third place game, Team Africa closed out an impressive run at the event with a 89-85 victory over Team Lillard, which was made up of American 2017 prospects.

Team Lillard led 49-39 at halftime, but Team Africa used a big third quarter to take control of the game. They outscored the Americans 27-10. Lillard lowest point total in any of the other three quarters was 24 points.

Alpha Diallo, a 6-foot-7 2016 wing out of Lincoln (Denver, Col.), tied the game at 52-52 on a steal and flush with 5:40 remaining in the third period and Team Africa took control thereafter. A highlight finish by Mamadi Diakite, a 6-foot-9 2016 forward out of Blue Ridge (St. George, Va.), off a push up the court and pretty pass by Wenyen Gabriel, a 6-foot-9 power forward out of Wilbraham & Monson Academy (Manchester, N.H.), made it 58-54 late in the third period. The score was 66-59 Team Africa leading entering the fourth period.

Team Africa's athleticism and ability to finish created problems for foes all weekend and Team Lillard was no exception. Lillard especially had trouble slowing down Diallos, as the two on Team Africa combined for 56 points. Alpha Diallo netted 30 points (even though he missed seven three throws) and added 13 rebounds. Hamidou Diallo, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard out of Woostock Academy (Queens, N.Y.), added 26 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field.

Gabriel didn't shoot particular well (4-of-14) but he continued to show an all-around skill level that make him a bonafide Top 10 long-term prospect in the Class of 2016. He finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Diakite added eight points.

Team Lillard kept within range and had opportunities down the stretch to potentially tie the game. When guard Trevon Duval of St. Benedict's (Newark, N.J.) converted a lay-up with 1:46 to go, it cut Team Lillard's deficit down to four points (84-80), but Team Africa made enough free throws down the stretch.

Duval was one of three Team Lillard players in double figures with 11 points. E.J. Montgomery, a talented 2018 power forward prospect out of Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.), had 10 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. Gary Trent Jr., a 6-foot-4 shooting guard out of Apple Valley (Minn.) and the son of the former NBA player, led Team Lillard with 24 points.

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores

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The following list is based on evaluations from three days of games from the four-day 2015 NBPA Top 100 Camp. The list is based on performance at the camp only, not on performance combined with previous honors, national or state ranking. Some players did not play in every session of the camp and that was a factor in the final selections. This camp is likely the deepest on the summer grassroots circuit with regards to most national top 100 players in attendance. With the depth of players in the Top 100 range, there are some deserving players who just missed the Top 40 and would be in another evaluators’ list based on which game one focused on among the three playing courts. Our evaluations are based on all-around performance within the context of winning basketball. We also took into account statistics provided at the event and a player's class. For more information about the camp, visit top100camp.org.

View my NBPA Top 100 Camp Recap No. 1 | Link

View my NBPA Top 100 Camp Recap No. 2 | Link

View my NBPA Top 100 Camp Recap No. 3 | Link

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores

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View my NBPA Top 100 Camp Recap No. 1 | Link

View my NBPA Top 100 Camp Recap No. 2 | Link

All week at the 2015 NBPA Top 100 Camp, the talk of the camp was the dominance of the big men. Sky scrapers such as 7-foot Thon Maker of Orangeville (Canada), 6-foot-10 Edrice Adebayo of Northside (Pinetown, N.C.) and 6-foot-11 Udoka Azubuike of Potter's House Christian (Jacksonville, Fla.) dominated headlines and dominated in many statistical categories.

Basketball at all levels, however, has become a guard's game, so it's only fitting the camp's top overall backcourt performer, 6-foot-3 rising junior Trevon Duval from St. Benedict's (Newark, N.J.), led his team to the team championship with two sensational performances on the camp's final day.

In the semifinals, Duval netted 30 points (the camp's individual single-game high mark) on 11-of-14 shooting in the Cavaliers' 90-75 win over the Wizards. Duval made both his 3-point attempts, converted all six of his free throw attempts, collected four rebounds and dished out five assists against two turnovers. In the championship game, Duval set the tone early with his gamesmanship and ability to create for teammates -- or score when necessary. Duval scored a team-high 16 points and added five rebounds and five assists in the Cav's 78-75 victory over the Maker-led Rockets.

_{NBPA Top 100 Camp Sat. Highlights Feat: DJ Harvey, Billy Preston Markelle Fultz & More}

Duval is a prototype of the new age lead guard who is big enough and skilled enough to interchange between the point and shooting guard position and can score with regularity -- in addition to handling the duties of running a team. At the highest levels of the game, a point guard has to keep defenses honest as a scoring threat and with his strong frame and skills, Duval fits that mold perfectly.

Duval finished the camp tied for No. 10 in scoring (13.3 ppg) with teammate Markelle Fultz of DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.), a 6-foot-5 rising senior. Duval led the camp in assists (4.7 apg) and was just as good at the point guard slot as he was at the two-guard. When 6-foot-1 rising junior Matt Coleman of Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) was in the game, Duval slid over to the two-guard spot with no drop off.

As for Fultz, he capped off a strong week with 11 points and four assists in the championship game for the Cavs, who had to win a six-minute, play-in game early Saturday morning to advance in the championship bracket. Fultz's play in the spring and summer makes him one of the fastest-rising players in the national 2016 class. He played confidently all week and combines good athleticism with deep range on his shooting stroke.

In the semis, Fultz was one of three Cavs players to score 10 points. Six-foot-7 rising senior Mario Kegler of Arlington County Day (Jacksonville, Fla.) and 6-foot-10 rising senior Jethro Tshishumpa of Mountain Mission (Gundy, Va.) were the others to hit double figures. In the title game, Kegler and 6-foot-6 Sam Cuncliffe of Rainier Beach (Seattle) joined Duval and Fultz as double-digit scorers with 12 points each.

Maker capped off his week with game-highs of 21 points and 10 rebounds in the championship game and was named MVP of this year's NBPA Top 100 Camp. Maker, who will remain in the 2016 class and could challenge names such as Josh Jackson of Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) and Harry Giles of Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, N.C.) as its top prospect, was productive and engaged the entire week. He finished No. 2 in the camp in scoring (15.8 ppg) behind Adebayo and No. 1 in rebounding (7.9 rpg) and No. 5 in blocked shots (1.2 bpg).

Maker received plenty of defensive attention all week and his presence helped open up opportunities and scoring lanes for other players on his team. One Rockets player who particularly took advantage as the week wore on was 6-foot guard Xavier Simpson of Central Catholic (Lima, Ohio). In fact, NBPA Top 100 Camp committee member Frank Burlison of BurlisonOnBasketball.com felt Simpson was the Rockets' best player over the final six games of camp. After his 11-of 13 performance for 25 points on Thursday night, Simpson stayed hot and had standout scoring games on an efficient number of shots. He had outings of 14 points, 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting with 5 rebounds and 5 assists, 13 points, 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting in the semifinals and 15 points, 5 rebounds, and three assists in the title game.

Joining Maker, Simpson, Fultz, Duval, Adebayo, and Azubuike on the 12-man NBPA Top 100 Camp All-American team were 6-foot-8 rising senior Omari Spellman of MacDuffie School (Granby, Mass.), 6-foot-3 rising senior Frank Jackson of Lone Peak (Highland, Utah), 7-foot rising junior DeAndre Ayton of Balboa City School (San Diego, Calif.), 6-foot-3 rising senior Kyle Guy of Lawrence Central (Indianapolis), 6-foot-9 rising junior Billy Preston of Prime Prep (Dallas) and 6-foot-4 rising junior Hamidou Diallo of Woodstock Academy (Woodstock, Conn.).

Trae Young and Gary Trent Jr. Battle - See the video here - Link

Not often in a competitive setting such as the NBPA Top 100 Camp do you get two players who go at it playground style. "Battling" is usually reserved for outdoors or in a controlled setting such as the BallUp tour. Among elite high school players, they don't play outdoors as much as previous generations and usually can't sustain the crowd in a battle because they haven't developed enough playground style moves to keep it entertaining beyond a few possessions.

Still, it was highly entertaining to see guards Trae Young of Norman (Norman Okla.) and Gary Trent Jr. of Apple Valley (Apple Valley, Minn.) go at it in a Saturday game. They didn't use a lot of trick moves, but were draining deep 3-pointers and jump shots while guarding each other, while their teammates cleared out in order for the duo to take center stage. Teammates on the bench and other campers got engaged and were supportive of the battle and Young shut it down when he nailed an off-balance jumper in front of the bench.

Although this camp was not a traditional setting for a battle, it was quite entertaining.

Here's more standouts from the NBPA Top 100 Camp that we wanted to prominently mention (listed alphabetically):

D.J. Harvey, DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) 6-6 SF 2017: Joined high school teammate Markelle Fultz as a standout at this camp with steady performances. Harvey used his strong frame and a variety of moves around the basket to score at an efficient pace. Harvey was No. 8 overall in points (109) and averaged 12.1 ppg. Fultz averaged 13.3 ppg.

Temple Gibbs, Seton Hall Prep (Scott Plains, N.J.) 6-4 SG 2016: One of those players who grows on you when you realize his impact on the outcome of games. Gibbs is not an elite athlete, but he knows how to use his body to finish with contact and around bigger players. He can also score in bunches. In one camp game, Gibbs converted a 4-point play and scored the game-winning lay-up.

Brandon McCoy, Morse (San Diego, Calif.) 6-11 C 2017: This rising junior started on the title-winning Cavs club and made positive strides, despite statistics that were not overwhelming. McCoy knows what he is and rarely takes a bad shot and does anything out of his element. He was battling on the boards and did a good job of being in the right spots in order for his team's scorers to excel. McCoy is a shade below the very best prospects in the national 2017 class, but is a bonafide McDonald's All-American candidate.

Billy Preston, Prime Prep (Dallas, Texas) 6-9 SF 2017: Was No. 3 overall in total points (123) and tied with Blazers teammate Frank Jackson for No. 4 in scoring (15.4 ppg). Preston continues to make strides in his overall offensive ability, but must continue to work on executing quick offensive moves because often times the ball stops once he touches it. On too many possessions, teammates stood around while he operated and it would expand his game if they played off him better. Still, there is a lot to like about his overall game and you have to love Preston's confidence. When pressed to get his opinion on whom is the top player in the 2017 class, Preston is always quick to say, "I am."

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonMFlores

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