The Ballislife All-American Game presented by Crossover Culture was created in 2011 with the goal of bringing a credible national All-American game to the West Coast. It has grown to become one of the three most prestigious senior all-star games nationally. The 2023 edition of the Ballislife All-American Game will take place Saturday, May 6 at Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif.

For the first time ever, the event will feature a Ballislife All-American girls game. The girls game will tip at 5pm ET, the slam dunk and 3-point contest will take place at 7pm ET and the boys game is scheduled to tip at 8pm ET. The game will be streamed online on Youtube.com.

This will be the first time the event takes place since 2019 because of COVID-19 restrictions in Los Angeles County. In 2019, Team Elite edge out Team Future, 123-122, at the Long Beach Entertainment & Convention Center, as Jahmi'us Ramsey of Duncanville, Texas (Elite) and Isaiah Mobley of Rancho Christian in California (Future) took home game MVP honors for their respective teams. Past game MVPs include NBA players Collin Sexton (2017), Lonzo Ball (2016), Zach Lavine (2013), Donovan Mitchell (2015), Jordan Bell (2013) plus MLB pitcher Amir Garrett (2011).

General admission tickets for this year's event start at $15 until 4/15, $20 from 4/15 - 5/1, and $25 from 5/2 - gameday. So get your tickets sooner than later. Tickets can be purchased by card or cash at the door and children ages five and over required to have a ticket. Parking is $3 and metered by Cerritos College.

The game’s success is reflected in the participants' future success. There have been 27 BILAAG alumni taken in the first round of the NBA Draft, not including those who were selected Ballislife All-Americans in the three years the event was not held.

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In part 2, the guys do a deep dive on the Golden State Warriors offseason and draft expectations with Sam Esfandiari.

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RELATED: Who's The Greatest High School Team Ever? | All-Time FAB 50 National Champions| LaMelo Ball Film Breakdown | Ballislife Live NBA Draft Party (November 18, 6:50 pm ET)

With LaMelo Ball and Onyeka Okongwu set to join the NBA as lottery picks in the 2020 NBA Draft (November 18), we thought it would be an interesting time to pour over all our past FAB 50 rankings and other files to check on just how difficult it is for a single high school team to produce three NBA players.

This is not a list of three future NBA players produced from one program, but rather a rundown of three or more future NBA players on one specific varsity team, in the same season (while excluding programs that knowingly accept post-graduates). The definition of "playing in the NBA" is making an appearance in a NBA game, not being on a NBA roster on injured reserve or part of a summer league team. Nor is it playing on the G-League team or being in training camp; it means actually playing in a regular season NBA game.

With those parameters in place, we have uncovered three teams with five future NBA players, six teams with four, and 37 with three. Believe it or not, there are dozens of high school teams with at least two future NBA players. Forty-six teams is actually more than we originally thought, but when digging deeper, one realizes it’s super rare if you take away independent-academy programs that are designed to produce high level college prospects. Take away now defunct Findlay Prep of Nevada and perennial FAB 50 powers Montverde Academy of Florida and Oak Hill Academy of Virginia and that number dwindles to 32 teams. When accounting for public high schools, that number is 19.

What makes Ball and Okongwu joining the NBA as lotto picks so special is Melo’s oldest brother Lonzo Ball was also a lottery pick, going No. 2 to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017. No other school has produced three lottery picks on the same team, and Chino Hills is one of those 14 public schools. Chino Hills also is the last public school to capture the mythical FAB 50 national title, going 35-0 in 2015-16 when Melo and O were 14-year old starting freshmen. Will other players on that already legendary 2015-16 Chino Hills roster, namely Eli Scott (LMU), Andre Ball (Pepperdine) or Cam Shelton (Northern Arizona), one day crack a NBA roster?

Stay tuned.

Quinn Cook

6'0"   -   PG   -   2011

5 NBA Players On One Varsity Team

2008-09 DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) 31-4
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 14
Pros: Quinn Cook (SO), Jerami Grant (FR), Jerian Grant (JR), Victor Oladipo (JR), Josh Selby (JR).
Synopsis: The Stags were 15-2 when Selby transferred out, and finished off the season by winning the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) regular season and tournament titles. Selby was the No. 1 prospect in the 2010 class, according Rivals.com.

2009-10 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 32-2
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 3
Pros: Jabari Brown (JR), Nick Johnson (JR), Cory Joseph (SR), Tristan Thompson (SR), Nigel Williams-Goss (FR).
Synopsis: This was an ultra-talented team that won its second consecutive ESPN RISE NHSI title with an avenging win over Montverde Academy. The Pilots’ coaching staff and players were fairly confident had No. 2 Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia) and FAB 50 National Champion Yates (Houston) been in a tournament field with them that  Findlay Prep would have won decisively.

2013-14 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 31-5
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 5
Pros: Jonah Bolden (SR), Dillon Brooks (JR), O’Shae Brissett (FR), Kelly Oubre (SR), Rashad Vaughn (SR).
Synopsis: Under former NBA player Jerome Williams, the Pilots somewhat salvaged a disappointing season by knocking off No. 2 seed and previously unbeaten Rainier Beach (Seattle), 67-59, at Dick’s Nationals behind Arizona-bound Craig Victor (23 points, 11 rebounds) and the Kansas-bound Oubre (17 points, 14 rebounds).

4 NBA Players On One Varsity Team

1981-82 Dunbar (Baltimore, Md.) 29-0?
Final Rank: No. 2 (Basketball Weekly)
Pros: Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues (JR), Reggie Lewis (JR), Reggie Williams (JR), David Wingate (SR).
Synopsis: This great team finished ranked behind cross-town Calvert Hall, which defeated Dunbar in the final game of 1980-81 season and went wire-to-wire as No. 1. Calvert Hall played a national schedule, and while Dunbar didn’t, it defeated preseason No. 2 Camden (N.J.), 84-59, while Calvert Hall trailed the same team late before defeating it, 67-62. Wingate was the senior leader along with UNLV-bound Gary Graham (6-4).

1992-93 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 36-0
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 1
Pros: Mark Blount (SO), Jeff McInnis (SR), Makhtar N’Diaye (SR), Jerry Stackhouse (SR).
Synopsis: This is the best team in the long, storied history of the Warriors’ program with no weaknesses. Oak Hill defeated six college teams led by Stackhouse, a man amongst boys in high school, and McInnis, who joined Stack at the McDonald’s All-American Game and at North Carolina. For more on this team, CLICK HERE.

2007-08 DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) 21-10 ?
Final FAB 50 Rank: NR
Pros: Quinn Cook (FR), Jerian Grant (S0), Victor Oladipo (S0), Josh Selby (SO).
Synopsis: Young Stags team finished in third place in the highly-competitive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCA). DeMatha was able to hand conference champ and FAB 50 No. 8 Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) its only loss, but later lost to that team 61-44 at the Alhambra Catholic Invitational.

2009-10 DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) 32-4 ?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 40
Pros: Quinn Cook (JR), Jerami Grant (SO), Jerian Grant (SR), Victor Oladipo (SR).
Synopsis: Jerian Grant got plenty of attention as did Cook, but only one credible ranking (Hoop Scoop) had Oladipo in the Top 100 (No. 98). On a team with 12 eventual D1 players, a couple of close losses prevented the Stags from cracking the Top 10 in the FAB 50.

2010-11 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 28-4?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 14
Pros: Anthony Bennett (JR), Nick Johnson (SR), Naz Mitrou-Long (JR), Nigel Williams-Goss (SO).
Synopsis: The Pilots were the preseason FAB 50 No. 1 team, but had a bad habit of falling behind in games all season long. With leading scorer Myck Kabongo playing in the McDonald's All-American Game less than 24 hours before taking on Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) at the NHSI, the Pilots got 13 minutes and zero field goals from him in a first-round loss. Mitrou-Long played spot minutes.

2010-11 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 29-4
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 7
Pros: Jordan Adams (JR), Quinn Cook (Sr), A.J. Hammons (Jr), Ben McLemore (SR).
Synopsis: This Warriors unit did spend some time at No. 1, but ended up losing in the NHSI championship game to No. 2 Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.), 71-64 in double overtime. Cook came over after playing on three DeMatha Catholic teams that had five and four future NBA players, respectively, while McLemore did not finish the season with the Warriors. Adams led Oak Hill to a 44-0 mark and FAB title the following season.

3 NBA Players On One Varsity Team

1957-58 Overbrook (Philadelphia) 22-0
Final Rank: N/A
Pros: Walt Hazzard (SO), Wayne Hightower (SR), Wali Jones (SO).
Synopsis: Three years earlier Overbrook featured Wilt Chamberlain, the game’s first true high school superstar, but this ‘Brook team was more balanced and didn’t lose a game. It beat Neumann in the City title game at the famous Palestra, 71-54, as All-American Hightower had 23 points and 18 rebounds.

1963-64 DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) 27-2?
Final Rank: N/A
Pros: Sid Catlett (FR), Joe Kennedy (SR), Bernie Williams (JR).
Synopsis: The Stags won their fourth of six consecutive WCAC championships under Naismith Hall of Fame coach Morgan Wootten, who passed in January 2020 at age 88. One of the two losses was to eventual mythical national champion Power Memorial (New York), 65-62, which was led by junior and all-time great Lew Alcindor. The Stags played much better team defense on Alcindor in a return game the following season to end Power’s 71-game winning streak in what many historians consider the greatest high school game of all-time.

1963-64 DeWitt Clinton (Bronx, N.Y.)?
Final Rank: N/A
Pros: Luther Green (JR), Ollie Taylor (SO), Willie Worsley (SR).
Synopsis: The defending PSAL champs ran their winning to 38 games before losing to Boys in the PSAL semifinals at Madison Square Garden before 10,000 fans. Clinton has produced 17 NBA players and most came through the school in the 1960s and early 1970s. This program was so loaded future NBA Hall of Famer Nate Archibald was cut as a sophomore, but he later teamed up with Worsley at UTEP.

1964-65 DeWitt Clinton (Bronx, N.Y.)?
Final Rank: N/A
Pros: Nate Archibald (JR), Luther Green (SR), Ollie Taylor (JR).
Synopsis: Green was named the PSAL Player of the Year and the Governors had another fantastic season, advancing to the PSAL finals where it fell to a 22-0 Erasmus Hall team, 85-80. A year later when Archibald was a senior, he teamed up with star forward Mike Switzer and backcourt mate Walt Robertson to lead DeWitt Clinton to a 21-0 mark and the mythical national title as named by the National Sports News Service (FAB 50 precursor).

1968-69 Washington (Indianapolis, Ind.) 31-0?
Final Rank: N/A
Pros: Steve Downing (SR), George McGinnis (SR), Wayne Pack (SR).
Synopsis: Compton (Calif.) won the National Sports News Service mythical national title, but the Continentals would have given the Tarbabes all they could handle. Washington was big, deep, physical and had a future pro guard in Pack. McGinnis was the nation’s best player and also all-state in football and would become the first player in the state of Indiana to score 1,000 points in a season. The IHSAA had its most highly-anticipated state Final Four ever in '69, as the four teams came in with a total of one loss with Washington becoming only the second unbeaten Indiana state champ.

1970-71 Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon, N.Y.) 21-1
Final Rank: N/A
Pros: Rudy Hackett (SR), Earl Tatum (JR), Gus Williams (SR).
Synopsis: The top-ranked team in New York, the Knights only lost their final game to McKinley Tech (Washington, D.C.), in the post-season Knights of Columbus Tournament in Washington, D.C. Williams, who was still under six-foot, averaged 24 ppg and was named state player of the year by the New York Sports Writers Association. The next season, Tatum earned the same honors with an even more spectacular season and was joined by Ray Williams, Gus’ younger brother who also went on to play in the NBA.

1972-73 Verbum Dei (Los Angeles) 29-2
Final Rank: No. 1 (National Sports News Service)
Pros: Lewis Brown (SR), David Greenwood (SO), Roy Hamilton (SO).
Synopsis: The Eagles were in the midst of winning six consecutive CIF Southern Section titles, and Brown (24.1 ppg) was the star in the middle. The two-time section player of the year was complemented by Greenwood, who was already becoming a star in his own right, and Hamilton, who took on a bigger role the next season. That underclass duo led Verbum Dei to another section and mythical national title as juniors but did not win a section title during their senior seasons in 1975 after being upset in the semifinals.

1981-82 St. Bernard (Playa del Rey, Calif.) 28-3?
Final Rank: No. 22 (Basketball Weekly)
Pros: Corey Gaines (JR), Ronnie Grandison (SR), Leonard Taylor (SO).
Synopsis: The Vikings won the CIF Southern Section 3A title behind a team that included 10 future D1 players before losing to Banning (Calif.) in the first-ever SoCal D2 regional final. Grandison (14 ppg) was the leading scorer on a balanced team that included all-section performers Kevin Vidato (12 ppg) and Robert Howling (11 ppg), while Gaines (10 ppg) was named the state’s junior player of the year.

1982-83 Dunbar (Baltimore, Md.) 31-0?
Final Rank: No. 1 (National Sports News Service)
Pros: Tyrone "Muggsy" Bogues (SR), Reggie Lewis (SR), Reggie Williams (SR).
Synopsis: Most veteran observers rate the Poets the greatest high school team of all-time, considering they were expected to be great (they were the first preseason No. 1 by USA Today) and delivered. Against a national schedule, the Poets never played down to the competition and won by an average of 36.5 ppg. On a deep team with 11 future D1 players, Lewis (a future NBA All-Star) came off the bench but made most of his limited opportunities. Williams was the star and Bogues was the unquestioned leader of a group that included three 1987 first rounders. For more on this team, CLICK HERE.

1986-87 St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) 30-1?
Final Rank: No. 10 (USA Today)
Pros: Terry Dehere (SO), Bobby Hurley (SO), Luther Wright (FR).
Synopsis: The Friars won their fifth consecutive New Jersey Non-Public Group B state crown with a young club that seemed destined for greatness. St. Anthony did go on to win two more state titles and the first-ever state Tournament of Champions crown in 1988-89 when Dehere and Hurley were seniors, but they did it without Wright, a talented and imposing big man. After the season, Wright transferred to Elizabeth (N.J.) High School for his sophomore season. St. Anthony went on to capture nine consecutive state titles, but Elizabeth did beat the Friars, 65-62, to capture the 1990 TOC crown when Wright was a senior.

1987-88 Murrah (Jackson, Miss.) 31-6
Final FAB 50 Rank: NR
Pros: Lyndsey Hunter (SR), Ryan Lorthridge (S0), James Robinson (JR).
Synopsis: The Mustangs featured three terrific perimeter players with Robinson getting most of the publicity as a two-time high school All-American. Under the guidance of legendary coach Orsmond Jordan Jr., Murrah was a power, but this season they were no match for regionally-ranked, Chris Jackson-led Gulfport in the Class 5A state title game, 96-76. Murrah got more national recognition in 1991 and 1992, when they won back-to-back state titles led by All-Americans Othella Harrington, Ronnie Henderson and the late Jesse Pate. Jordan also won a national championship for Negro schools in 1965 at Lanier (Jackson, Miss.), in the third to last national championships for segregated schools.

1988-89 Southwest (Macon, Ga.) 24-5
Final FAB 50 Rank: NR
Pros: Ivano Newbill (SR), Chris Robinson (FR), Sharone Wright (SO).
Synopsis: The 1978-79 Southwest team is one of the best of all-time, but its this Patriots club that produced three pros. Coach Don Richardson won his last state title behind the play of Newbill, Georgia's Mr. Basketball, and Russell Odom, the state tourney MVP. Wright was one of two talented sophomores, including Reggie Manuel (UNLV), while Robinson was a deep reserve. The team finished No. 6 in the South regional rankings.

1988-89 Southwestern (Detroit) 25-2
Final FAB 50 Rank: NR
Pros: Howard Eisley (JR), Voshon Lenard (S0), Jalen Rose (SO).
Synopsis: This young Prospectors club fell in the Class A state final to Cooley (Detroit). Rose (19 ppg, 7 rpg, 5 apg) was already showing All-American potential and Lenard (16 ppg) was not too far behind. Eisley averaged 11 assists per game on a team that returned 12 players in 1989-90.

1988-89 St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) 32-0?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 1
Pros: Terry Dehere (SR), Bobby Hurley (SR), Rodrick Rhodes (FR).
Synopsis: A terrific defensive team capped a perfect season by winning the first ever New Jersey TOC crown behind the play of bruising forward Jerry Walker, the tourney MVP and Naismith Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley’s most consistent player. The fifth stater was 6-foot-7 Sean Rooney before he tore ligaments in his ankle. Junior forward Jose Ortiz then stepped in for a club that won the Great Florida Shootout and the King Cotton Classic.

1989-90 Proviso East (Maywood, Ill.) 25-3?
Final FAB 50 Rank: NR
Pros: Donnie Boyce (JR), Michael Finley (JR), Sherrell Ford (JR).
Synopsis: The Pirates were a good team, but Boyce broke his ankle early in the season. It caused Ford to step up his game and Finley, the sixth man, to earn more playing time after playing JayVee as a 10th grader. Boyce eventually came back but the team lost to St. Joseph (Westchester, Ill.) in the sectionals.

1989-90 Southwestern (Detroit) 27-0
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 5
Pros: Howard Eisley (SR), Voshon Lenard (JR), Jalen Rose (JR).
Synopsis: Coach Perry Watson’s club overcame years of state title game frustration by capturing the program’s first Class A state title behind its terrific perimeter defense and Rose, a hybrid forward who could handle like a point guard. The Prospectors’ 1991 team was named mythical national champions by USA Today with a 26-1 mark after Eisley moved on to Boston College. Interestingly enough, Chris Webber, the Mr. Basketball USA in 1990-91, could have easily been on this club. One of the most sought-after middle school players in Michigan history, Webber decided to attend Detroit Country Day instead of joining his close friend Rose at Southwestern.

1990-91 Proviso East (Maywood, Ill.) 32-1?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 6
Pros: Donnie Boyce (SR), Michael Finley (SR), Sherrell Ford (SR).
Synopsis: The Pirates were an incredibly talented team that won the program’s third Class AA state crown with the best record in school history. Proviso East’s only loss was a 65-64 setback to Rock Island (Ill.). Boyce (10.3 rpg) controlled the paint, Ford (22.1 ppg) was the go-to scorer and Finley (13.6 ppg) did a bit of everything. “The Three Amigos” were all selected within the first 42 picks of the 1995 NBA Draft.

1990-91 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 27-1?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 4
Pros: Corey Alexander (SR), Thomas "Junior" Burrough (SR), Ben Davis (SR).
Synopsis: The Warriors defeated teams from nine states and after this team came along, Oak Hill Academy had an incredible run of NBA talent and McDonald’s All-American selections. Oak Hill did record a win over eventual No. 1 Simon Gratz (Philadelphia) in the semifinals of the Great Florida Shootout, but had a 28-point loss against Dunbar (Ft. Worth, Texas). Davis was the leading scorer (20 ppg), Burrough (3.1 bpg) was a defensive stalwart and Alexander recorded 253 assists.

1995-96 Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.) 26-1
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 14
Pros: Erick Barkley (JR), Craig “Speedy” Claxton (SR), Lamar Odom (JR).
Synopsis: The Royals opened up No. 4 in the National Prep Poll (FAB 50 precursor) and were up to No. 2 when they were shocked in the Catholic High School Athletic Association Class A final, 64-63, by Rice (New York). Rice’s Bevon Robin scored with 1.3 seconds remaining in overtime to end the season of a team many felt was New York City’s most talented since the 1988 Malik Sealy-led St. Nicholas of Tolentine team that finished No. 1 in the country. Odom did not return to the program for his senior season, while Barkley took a prep school year at Maine Central Institute.

1998-99 Willowridge (Houston) 29-3*?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 3
Pros: Daniel Ewing (SO), T.J. Ford (SO), Ivan McFarlin (JR).
Synopsis: The Eagles had all but one of their victories forfeited because of of University Interscholastic League residency violations surrounding McFarlin, a transfer who went on to play at Oklahoma St. It was evident with the trio the program would be a juggernaut the next two seasons.

1999-00 Willowridge (Houston) 36-1?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 3
Pros: Daniel Ewing (JR), T.J. Ford (JR), Ivan McFarlin (SR).
Synopsis: The Eagles won their last 23 games and a second UIL Class 5A crown in the last seven years. McFarlin was the lone senior and averaged 16 ppg and 14.9 rpg. The next season with McDonald's All-Americans Ewing and Ford leading the way, Willowridge capped an unbeaten season by beating Converse Judson, 67-64, in double overtime, and Bryan, 65-58, to win back-to-back state titles to finish No. 2 in the FAB 50 behind Oak Hill Academy.

2001-02 Westchester (Los Angeles) 32-2
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 4
Pros: Hassan Adams (SR), Trevor Ariza (JR), Bobby Brown (JR).
Synopsis: The deepest and most talented of Ed Azzam’s six CIF state championship teams, Adams was California’s Mr. Basketball and led a terrific senior trio that included Brandon Heath and Brandon Bowman. Ariza earned Mr. Basketball honors as a senior and Brown stepped into the starting lineup at point guard for Ahmad Cook (Georgetown), who helped the Comets win back-to-back City of Palms Titles in 2000 and 2001.

2003-04 San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.) 24-10
Final FAB 50 Rank: N/A
Pros: Brook Lopez (SO), Robin Lopez (SO), Quincy Pondexter (SO).
Synopsis: Not only did this trio play together for three years in high school, they also played travel ball together for Fresno-based EBO and had more success on the travel ball circuit than it did in the CIF ranks. EBO who the prestigious adidas Super 64 Tournament in Las Vegas in 2004 and 2005 with a team that also featured Tre'Vonn Willis (Washington of Easton, Calif.) and Derek Gasper (Paso Robles, Calif.).

2004-05 San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.) 23-11
Final FAB 50 Rank: N/A
Pros: Brook Lopez (JR), Robin Lopez (JR), Quincy Pondexter (JR).
Synopsis: This team underachieved, despite the raw talent, although some felt they were a year away. The Panthers fell to Garces of Bakersfield in the CIF Central Section Div. IV title game.

2005-06 San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.) 33-4
Final FAB 50 Rank: N/A
Pros: Brook Lopez (SR), Robin Lopez (SR), Quincy Pondexter (SR).
Synopsis: This team had the talent to be California’s best, but took some early losses before being shocked, 68-67, in double overtime in the CIF SoCal D4 final by Horizon (San Diego). Pondexter (21 ppg) was the North Yosemite League MVP and D4 State Player of the year over his two highly-regarded teammates, both whom played in the McDonald’s All-American Game in San Diego.

2005-06 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 40-1
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 3
Pros: Michael Beasley (JR), Ty Lawson (Sr), Nolan Smith (Jr).
Synopsis: The Warriors lost their final game of the season to No. 2 Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.) on a last-second outback in one of the most talent-laden high school games every witnessed. The loss snapped Oak Hill's 56-game winning streak for a team that spent most of the year ranked No. 2 with a deep club. Montrose Christian's star player was Kevin Durant, who actually played at Oak Hill the season before. Beasley, a future No. 1 NBA Draft choice, did not return to Oak Hill for his senior season.

2006-07 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 40-1
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 1
Pros: Brandon Jennings (JR), Nolan Smith (SR), Trey Thompkins (JR).
Synopsis: The Warriors captured their sixth FAB 50 title by recording their second straight 40-1 record season and winning 96 of their last 98 games. Oak Hill defeated six of seven teams ranked in the top 30 of the FAB 50. Smith, a McDonald's All-American, led the way with 22 ppg and 4.5 apg, while Alex Legion (Michigan) and Jennings also garnered some All-American mention.

2007-08 Christ School (Arden, N.C.) 34-2
Final FAB 50 Rank: NR
Pros: Marshall Plumlee (FR), Mason Plumlee (JR), Miles Plumlee (SR).
Synopsis: This team finished just outside the FAB 50 as a NCISAA Private School champion. With three Plumlee brothers on their roster, the Greenies defeated Greensboro Day in the title game. Although Marshall played only sparingly on this particular team, he later helped the program win four consecutive state titles, something his older brothers were not able to accomplish.

2008-09 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 33-0
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 1
Pros: Avery Bradley (SR), Cory Joseph (JR), Tristan Thompson (JR).
Synopsis: In its first year as a program eligible to be ranked in the FAB 50, the Pilots made a big splash after adding Thompson three quarters of the way through the season. They won the inaugural ESPN RISE NHSI (now GEICO Nationals) via a win over previous No. 1 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), 74-66. Bradley (20 points) and Joseph (18) combined to score 38 points in the landmark victory.

2011-12 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 32-1?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 2
Pros: Anthony Bennett (SR), Nigel Williams-Goss (JR), Christian Wood (JR).
Synopsis: Brandon Ashley didn’t have a particularly strong senior campaign with the Pilots, but he came through when necessary, scoring 15 of his 31 points against Montverde Academy in the fourth quarter of an incredible 86-83 overtime victory in the title game of the ESPNHS NHSI. Williams-Goss scored the winning basket and had 17 points for a Pilots’ team that lost out on the FAB 50 title because of a loss to No. 35 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.), a team No. 1 Oak Hill Academy defeated.

2012-13 Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 26-2
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 1
Pros: Dakari Johnson (SR), DeAngelo Russell (JR), Ben Simmons (SO).
Synopsis: The 2012 MVA team would have three future NBA players, too, had Johnson not sat out after following coach Kevin Boyle over from St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.). Joel Embid was a reserve for the 2012 MVA team who left, but it didn’t matter as the Eagles started out No. 1 in the FAB 50 and ended there after winning the NHSI over St. Benedict’s (Newark, N.J.) on a last-second 3-pointer by Jalyn Patterson. This physically dominant team welcomed Simmons towards the ends of the season, and the Ballislife Player of the Decade for the 2010s led the program to two more FAB 50 titles in 2014 and 2015.

2012-13 Prime Prep (Dallas) 37-2
Final FAB 50 Rank: N/A
Pros: Terrence Ferguson (FR), Emmanuel Mudiay (JR), Jordan Mickey (SR),
Synopsis: This academy, which was opened by NFL Hall of Fame Deion Sanders, dropped out of the UIL. It made them ineligible for the FAB 50 that season, but Prime Prep still had a formidable team. Its season ended when it lost to eventual FAB 50 national champ Montverde Academy, 57-55, in the NHSI semifinals.

2012-13 Simeon (Chicago) 30-3
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 5
Pros: Zach Norvell (FR), Kendrick Nunn (SR), Jabari Parker (SR).
Synopsis: Started No. 3 in the FAB 50 but got off to a slow start as Parker was recovering from an off-season injury. By the end of the season Parker was playing up to form and so were the Wolverines, who joined Peoria Manual as the second Illinois team to win four straight state Class 4A titles. Parker became the state’s first two-time Mr. Basketball, Nunn did alot of the dirty work and Norvell played spot minutes.

2013-14 Prime Prep (Dallas) 21-6
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 34
Pros: Terrence Ferguson (SO), Emmanuel Mudiay (SR), P.J. Washington (FR),
Synopsis: McDonald's All-American Mudiay led this team, which finished ranked a bit below preseason expectations. Prime Prep notched a win over Sunrise Christian Academy early in the season, then lost in a rematch. The team also posted a win over No. 5 Finley Prep and beat Dallas Kimball, the Texas Class 4A state champ.

2014-15 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 29-3?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 5
Pros: O’Shae Brisset (SO), Allonzo Trier (SR), P.J. Washington (SO).
Synopsis: After a so-so regular season, Findlay Prep lost to No. 1 Montverde Academy, 57-53, in overtime under hard-to-believe circumstances in the Dick Nationals semifinals. Trier and junior Derrick Thornton Jr. made up a terrific backcourt and senior Horace Spencer was a clutch defender and rebounder.

2015-16 Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 26-2?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 5
Pros: R.J. Barrett (FR), Bruno Fernando (SR), Anfernee Simons (JR).
Synopsis: Although this MVA team was young in both the back court and front court, it was clear Barrett was going to be a star with the program. This team lost 55-47 to No. 4 La Lumiere (La Porte, Ind.) in the Dick Nationals semifinals. Will Simi Shittu, Silvio DeSousa and/or E.J. Montgomery one day log NBA minutes?

2015-16 Chino Hills (Chino Hills, Calif.) 35-0?
Final FAB 50 Rank: No. 1
Pros: La’Melo Ball (FR), Lonzo Ball (SR), Onyeka Okongwu (FR).
Synopsis: It was amazing that this team rose from No. 9 in the preseason FAB 50 to No. 1 considering Melo and O were both 14-year old starting freshmen and there wasn’t much depth because of injuries. The springboard victory was a 83-82 win over three-time defending FAB 50 champion Montverde Academy at the City of Palms Tournament in Florida. After defeating Bishop Montgomery (Torrance, Calif.) in a state No. 1 vs. No. 2 regular season showdown, it became clear this was a team of destiny whose legend just looms larger after 2020 NBA Draft night. What’s next for this already iconic group?

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

The post 3 or More Pros On A High School Team? Incredible! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

The guys are joined by BIL co-owner, and man behind the camera, Arek Kissoyan who put the list together with input from other BIL media members across the country.

Was John Wall the surefire No. 1 mixtape of all time? Who was the biggest snub? Was LaMelo Ball too low? Would Arek change any selections if he could run it back? Were any players upset about their ranking or missing the list all together?

Ronnie and Devin also discuss Makur Maker's commitment to Howard, a Historically Black College and University, and what impact that could have on other top-echelon prospects who are considering HBCU's during their recruitment.

The guys also dive into Patrick Mahomes inking the richest deal in NFL history after signing a 10-year, $450-million contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs. Will KC get a full return on its investment? Tune in to ITP 72 to hear what Ron and Dev think.

The post In The Paint Show: Top 30 Mixtape Players, Makur Maker chooses HBCU and Patrick Mahomes Pay Day appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Video is at the heart of what we do as a company. Even though we've branched out into many other business ventures, we still get excited as ever and look forward to putting out mixtapes. Though the definition of a mixtape has changed a bit over time because of the impact of social media, the 30 special talents who made the cut as the greatest mixtape players of all time have stood the test of time.

The criteria is the best combination of that one sick mixtape, longevity, combination of multiple good mixes, and large viewing numbers across all platforms. It's simply not just the 30 players with the most views.

After checking out part No. 2 below, don't forget to sound off with your thoughts on our various social media platforms!

Top 30 Countdown: No.'s 21-25

Click here to see No.'s 26-30! | Click here to see No.'s 16-20! | Click here to see No.'s 11-15! | Click here to see No.'s 6-10! | Click here to see No.'s 1-5!

DeMar DeRozan

6'7"   -   SF   -   2008

21. DeMar DeRozan, Compton (Compton, Calif.) 6-7 SF, 2008:
When Ballislife President Matt Rodriguez headed to the Hub City in late 2006 to film this rising junior, some of the Tarbabes' faithful, and even coach Tony Thomas, wondered why he would stand on the baseline and film. Eventually, Thomas (and the players) got comfortable with being filmed and looked forward to watching the highlights, even if it wasn't easy to head to the school library or nearly impossible on their phones. Eventually, the world got to see what made Ballislife follow DeRozan in the first place, as his mixtape was prominently featured in the "The Project, Vol. 1" which along with "Hoopmixtape.com, Vol. 1" ushered in the modern-era of mixtape highlights. It was easy to see why DeRozan was such a BIL trailblazer: zero-gravity dunks and major league offensive game as an All-American wing who was destined for the NBA. He led the Tarbabes to back-to-back Moore League titles and averaged 30.6 ppg and 8.9 rpg before moving onto USC and developing into a NBA all-star.

Gabe York

6'3"   -   CG   -   2012

22. Gabe York, Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.) 6-3 SG 2012:
York pulled off one of the most defining moments in the history of mixtapes when he dunked on an unsuspecting defender and screamed "Ballislife" into the baseline cameras. That play went viral, but it always seemed as if York would do something that would wow audiences or make the rounds during the early days of social media. Fans loved York because he was a smallish guard who could rise up down in the land of the giants at any time from any angle, whether it be in the open court or a half-court setting. York had that natural lean when he dunked that makes fans shake their head and he was also a fearless scorer who had a wicked crossover in his arsenal. York participated at the 2011 Boost Mobile Elite 24 and averaged 24.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2. 7 apg, and 2.3 spg as a senior on his way to becoming OLu's all-time scoring leader.

Thon Maker

7'0"   -   C   -   2016

23. Thon Maker, Orangeville Prep (Orangeville, Ontario) 7-0 PF 2016:
Big men usually go under appreciated by the mixtape community, but Maker was one of those high school standouts that had the element of surprise and the ball-handling skill of a player six inches shorter. He burst onto the scene after escaping Civil War-torn South Sudan and emerging at Carlisle School (Martinsville, Va.) after a stay in Australia. He was named Gatorade State Player of the Year in 2014 and was considered one of the nation's top recruits for 2016. He actually was considered a 2015 prospect for a short time and even played in the 2015 Ballislife All-American Game, scoring 17 points and grabbing six rebounds. It's what he did later in that summer at the Las Vegas Fab 48 (after earning MOP honors at the 2015 NBPA Top 100 Camp) that turned him into a household name and mixtape legend. Going up against Bam Adebayo, Maker hit him with a wicked crossover that would have made Tim Hardaway proud and canned the jump shot. Moves like that kept fans wanting more, as Maker played hard and showed enough offensive skill to keep fans on the edge of their seat in anticipation of the next great move and NBA scouts on their cellphones. Skilled big men were the rage when Maker hit the scene and his package of skills was enough for the Milwaukee Bucks to draft him at No. 10 in 2016.

Lonzo Ball

6'6"   -   PG   -   2016

24. Lonzo Ball, Chino Hills (Chino Hills, Calif.) 6-6 PG 2016:
Zo's senior year at Chino Hills was one of the more memorable single season high school efforts we've seen. The 6-foot-6 point guard averaged 23.9 ppg, 11.3 rpg , 11.7 apg, 5.1 spg, and 2.0 bpg, leading the Huskies to a 35-0 record, section and state Open Division titles, as a public school playing a national schedule. Ball's basketball IQ, passing ability and overall feel for the game, combined with Chino Hills' breakneck style of play, had fans packing gyms across the country, lining up hours before tip-off to try and get a glimpse of the show. First-time viewers were often left wide-eyes and speechless when Zo would throw his football style full-court passes which hit a teammate in stride for an easy bucket. Lonzo finished his high school career with 2,522 points, 1,204 rebounds, 1,214 assists (state No. 1 all-time) and 592 steals (state No. 2 all-time), including 408 assists and 178 steals in his final high school season. Ball's official BIL mixtape garnered more than 1.6 million views.

Trevon Duval

6'3"   -   PG   -   2017

25. Trevon Duval, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 6-2 PG 2017:
Explosive is how to describe the player rated as the nation’s top point guard recruit by ESPN, Rivals and the Hoop Scoop in 2017. Duval made his mark in summer grassroots events with his penchant for big plays and power dunks with a flair for the dramatic. He also made it look so easy at times, that the anticipation of what Duval would do at the higher levels of the game was quite high. Duval led WE-R1 to the Under Armour Association title and earlier helped the New Jersey Playaz win the 2014 Nike EYBL title. He wasn't too shabby during his senior season of high school, either, averaging 16.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 7.0 apg for a 26-2 team that finished No. 8 in the FAB 50.

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

The post Top 30 Mixtape Players of BIL Era: No's 21-25 appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

This ITP Show idea was sparked from a piece co-host Ronnie Flores wrote earlier in the week outlining four teams that are in the mix for that prestigious, yet unclaimed crown. Click the link below to listen to the full podcast and continue reading for a brief overview on why these are the four high school teams up for the debate.

There are two recent teams in consideration: 2015-16 Chino Hills, which went 35-0 while playing a loaded national schedule. What stands out most about that Huskies' team is that they accomplished those feats as a public school playing with mainly neighborhood players. Chino Hills were paced that season by current New Orleans Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball and his brothers, LaMelo and LiAngelo. Seven Chino Hills players went on to play Division 1 college basketball and four are primed to play in the NBA.

The 2019-20 Montverde Academy is the most recent team with a legitimate claim to be the best high school team ever. The Eagles went 25-0, winning their games by a staggering average margin of 38.9 points. MVA had its season cut short due to the Coronavirus pandemic and weren't able to challenge for its fifth GEICO title. It's still to be determined how many Montverde players will make it to the NBA, but coach Kevin Boyle estimates that 12 players from this year's roster will earn Division 1 scholarships.

The other two teams come from earlier in high school hoops history, starting with the famed 82-83 Dunbar team out of Baltimore. The Poets went 31-0 that season and sent 11 of their 13 rostered players to the Division 1 level. NBA players from that squad consisted of Reggie Lewis, Reggie Williams and Tyrone "Mugsy" Bogues. Dunbar played a national schedule in a time period where it was rare for programs to make multiple out-of-state trips to play the upper-echelon competition.

Finally, the 1992-93 Oak Hill Academy team rounds' out the debate. Long-time NBA players Jerry Stackhouse and Jeff McInnis highlighted that 36-0 team which beat six college programs, in addition to 30 high school teams, in its 36-0 campaign. Nine players off of that Warriors team went on to play Division 1 hoops with four making it to the NBA.

The post In The Paint: Debating the greatest high school basketball team ever appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

FAB 50 No. 1 Montverde Academy just completed one of the most dominant runs through a high school season. Are the Eagles the greatest team of all-time? We compare and contrast their team and resume to three other all-time great teams. You'll be surprised to see how similar the resumes for these great teams are!

RELATED: Final 2019-20 FAB 50 Rankings | Salute To All-Time FAB 50 No. 1s
Without a question of a doubt, the 2019-20 Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) team is one of the greatest of all-time. What the Eagles accomplished over 25 games this past season has only been matched a few times in the history of the high school game going back to Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954, which ushered in an era of the game where statistics are available to research (they are much harder to do when schools were segregated), end-of-season national honors and awards for elite players emerged, and colleges began recruiting nationwide starting with Wilt Chamberlain that next spring.

Of course, most will argue that high school basketball is much better now than it was even 30 years ago, an to an extent it's true. The competition at the top has never been better and the elite high school game has evolved into something that doesn't resemble what the average high school team looked like 30-40 years ago.

The reality of the situation, however, is that all the elements of modern, elite high school basketball have been in play for much longer than the mixtape generation (2005 to current) realizes. National scouting has been around since the early 1970s, teams with elite players have played in national events since that same time period, national weekly team rankings began in 1975, and widely distributed national player rankings have been available since the 1978-79 season.

Besides, great teams and players stand the test of time. With that in mind, we wanted to break down Montverde Academy's resume to that of three other great teams over the past 40 years, one an independent basketball power and the other two public schools.

GREATEST HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS
ALL-TIME TALE OF THE TAPE

Reggie Williams

6'7"   -   SF   -   1983

1982-1983 Dunbar (Baltimore, Md.)
Record: 31-0  
Ranking: No. 1 (preseason No. 1 by USA Today)
Points For: 2,572/83.0
Points Against: 1,442/46.5
Victory Margin: 1,130/36.5
Starters: PG Tyrone "Mugsy" Bouges 5-3 Sr. (5.8 ppg, 7 apg, 7 spg), SG Keith James 6-5 Sr. (9.4 ppg), SF Reggie Williams 6-7 Sr. (23.4 ppg, 12 rpg, 4 apg, 2 bpg), PF Mike Brown 6-4 Jr. (11.2 ppg), C Tim Dawson 6-7 Sr. (9.2 ppg, 12 rpg, 5 bpg).
Roster: Derrick Lewis 6-3 Jr., Darryl Woods 5-9 Sr., Reggie Lewis 6-7 Sr., Herman Harried 6-7 Jr., Bryan Williams 5-6 Jr., Gerard Marable 6-0 Jr., Reggie McNeil 6-2 So., Eric Green 6-2 Jr., Jerry White 6-2 Sr., David Johnson 6-2 Sr.
Resume: The Poets defeated teams from seven states and captured the Poet-Laker Tip-Off, Beltway/Capital City Classic, King of the Bluegrass Tournament, Johnstown Tournament, and won the MSA Class "A" title. To close the season, coach Bob Wade's team crushed nationally-ranked Flint Hill Prep (Roanoke, Va.), 87-59, and defeated a good Cardinal Gibbons (Baltimore, Md.) team, 82-53, to win the Metro Classic. By the time the Flint Hill Prep game came, few people gave coach Stu Vetter's team a chance to stay close, as opposing coaches felt it was just an honor for their team to be able to compete with a team as talented as Dunbar. The first big win of the season was a 67-55 victory over DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) in which James had 16 points and Williams added 14. They simply crushed the field at the prestigious King of the Bluegrass, defeating Carlisle County (Ky.) 65-48 in the title game as Williams had 21 and Dawson 17. Williams, the Mr. Basketball USA National Player of the Year and a top four national recruit, scored 20 more points 22 times and could have went off even more expect the Poets were comfortably ahead by the third quarter in a vast majority of their games. Only one team gave them any real trouble, as King of New York (with McDonald's All-American Kenny Hutchinson) had Dunbar, including Williams, battling major foul trouble. Reserve Reggie Lewis (5.5 ppg/172 pts) stepped up with nine points and 11 rebounds to be named Johnstown (Pa.) Tournament MVP after Dunbar posted a 57-52 victory, the Poets’ only single-digit win. Similar to '93 Oak Hill and '20 Montverde Academy, only one team stayed within double figures.
Analysis: After the 1982 team finished 27-0 and was ranked No. 2 by Basketball Weekly, the 1983 team went wire-to-wire as No. 1, dominating its foes on a national schedule, very comparable to the best schedules played up to that point. Dunbar’s 1982 team started David Wingate (Georgetown) and Gary Graham (UNLV) along with Dawson, Bouges, and Williams and went 27-0, but the 1983 team clearly played better teams. To give one an idea of just how good '82 Dunbar was, it routed nationally-ranked Camden (N.J.), 84-59, to end that program’s long-standing home winning streak while national No. 1 Calvert Hall (which did not play Dunbar in 1982 or 1983) defeated that same team 67-62 in a come-from-behind win. What separated the two Dunbar teams was incredible depth, with at least 11 players with D1 ability on the '83 team. That was evident in Dunbar’s play when the reserves were in and by its margin of victory, as the Poets never let up against any foe. As some would say about Oak Hill's 1993 team and Montverde Academy's 2020 team, the bench was likely a nationally-ranked team.

Jerry Stackhouse

6'6"   -   SF   -   1993

1992-1993 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
Record: 36-0* (30-0 vs. high school competition) 
Ranking: No. 1 (preseason No. 1 by National Prep Poll)
Points For: 3,211/89.2
Points Against: 1,868/51.9
Victory Margin: 1,343/37.3
Starters: PG Jeff McInnis 6-2 Sr. (17.0 ppg, 8.4 apg, school-record 303 assists) SG Jermaine "Sunshine" Smith 6-2 Sr. (12.2 ppg), SF Jerry Stackhouse 6-6 Sr. (25.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 4.0 apg), PF Alex Sanders 6-7 Jr. (12.7 ppg), C Makhtar Ndiaye 6-9 Sr. (10.3 rpg, 8.1 bpg). 
Roster: Mark Blount 7-0 Soph., Michael Brittain 6-8 Jr., Ronald Williams 6-3 Sr., Vincent Luther 6-4 Sr., Jason Thomas 6-4 Sr., Tavaras Johnson 6-6 Jr.  
Resume: The Warriors defeated teams from 11 states, plus the District of Columbia, as they went wire-to-wire as the No. 1 team. People nowadays talk on social media about what would happen if the nation's best FAB 50 teams or all-time great high school teams played colleges. Well, the Warriors did, going 6-0 versus colleges, including a 100-68 win over Roanoke (Va.) College, a 122-76 win over Alice Lloyd College (Ky.) and a 117-68 win over Central Piedmont Community College (N.C.). To be transparent, other great high school teams of yesteryear also beat colleges, such as Wilt Chamberlain's 1955 Overbook (Philadelphia, Pa.) club. Most high school teams were simply overwhelmed by Oak Hill's physicality, size and pressure defense. A 96-8 victory over John Battle (Bristol, Va.) at the Virginia Tip-Off Classic drew national headlines and the Warriors defeated nationally-ranked St. John’s Prospect Hall (Frederick, Md.), 63-49, to win the Iolani Classic. Oak Hill was even more dominant in its second win (91-74) over St. John’s Prospect Hall (another team coached by Vetter) to close the season at the St. James Invitational. The Warriors also captured the prestigious Las Vegas Holiday Prep Classic with a 57-52 victory of Felipe Lopez-led Rice (New York). Ironically, it was the same score that '83 Dunbar won its lone single-digit game by.      
Analysis: This was the first of Steve Smith's national title clubs at Oak Hill and is his best overall club. The National Prep Poll (FAB 50 precursor) and the National Sports News Service (the original end-of-season national rankings) both tabbed Oak Hill No. 1 wire-to-wire, while USA Today had the Warriors No. 3 behind Simon Gratz (Philadelphia, Pa.) and King (Chicago, Ill.). Similar to Dunbar's Williams, Stackhouse was the nation's best wing forward (and a top three national player along with Gratz's Rasheed Wallace and guard Randy Livingston of Newman in New Orleans) and put up big scoring outings. The difference was the physicality, as Stackhouse could simply overpower high school players and had the ability to jump passing lanes because of Oak Hill's huge front line. Stackhouse and McInnis were McDonald’s All-Americans, with the clutch Smith joining McInnis in a backcourt that could really pressure the ball or funnel players towards Ndiaye, who blocked a ton of shots without the worry of foul trouble or playing from behind. This team could go big with Blount (who joined Stackhouse, McInnis, and Ndiaye in the NBA), while Sanders and Johnson helped Oak Hill finish ranked No. 1 as seniors in 1993-94.   

Onyeka Okongwu

6'8"   -   C   -   2019

2015-16 Chino Hills (Chino Hills, Calif.)
Record: 35-0
Ranking: No. 1  (preseason No. 11 in FAB 50)
Points For: 3,447/98.5
Points Against: 2,453/70.1 
Victory Margin: 994/28.4 
Starters: PG Lonzo Ball 6-6 Sr. (23.9 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 11.5 apg, 5.1 spg), SG LaMelo Ball 5-10 Fr. (16.4 ppg, 3.8 apg), SF LiAngelo Ball 6-5 Jr. (27.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg) PF Eli Scott 6-5 Jr. (15.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg), C Onyeka Okongwu 6-8 Fr. (7.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 3.1 bpg).
Roster: Matthew Reed 5-11 So., Andre Ball 6-7 So., Pierce Richards 5-11 Jr., Jayson Mitchell 6-0 Jr., Nic Manor-Hall 6-2 Fr., Cam Shelton 6-0 So., Grant Trueman 6-2 Jr., Adam Vasquez 6-2 Jr., Shane Hopkins 6-9 Sr.
Resume: The Huskies defeated teams from nine states and captured three major holiday tournaments: The BattleZone Tournament, City of Palms Classic and Maxpreps Holiday Classic. Unlike the other three teams, the Huskies had plenty of close calls, but they did know how to close games. Some of those wins included a 91-90 victory over Jefferson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) that Lonzo Ball saved on a terrific defensive play, a 83-82 overtime win over Montverde Academy (Fla.), a 66-60 overtime win over Patrick School (Elizabeth, N.J.) and a 71-67 win over an unbeaten Bishop Montgomery (Torrance, Calif.) team. Three of those wins were at City of Palms and the Bishop Montgomery showdown was one of the most highly-anticipated regular season games in recent California history. Bishop Montgomery came into that game ranked No. 7 in the FAB 50 and Steve Baik's club defeated 11 programs that were FAB 50 ranked at some point, including Bishop Montgomery, No. 38 Foothills Christian and No. 43 High Point Christian more than once. Chino Hills had to move up to the No. 1 spot (it started No. 8 by USA Today and No. 5 by Maxpreps) and was No. 1 after the City of Palms Tournament. The Huskies were a clear preseason No. 1 in California and likely would have started in the seven to Top 10 range of the FAB 50 had it won the CIF D1 state title in 2015, when it went 24-8 on the court and lost in double overtime in the state final after Lonzo Ball fouled out.
Analysis:  The Huskies join this conversation for three main reasons. One, the program was a public school and there is misnomer that public schools can't compete at the elite level. Chino Hills is a "neighborhood school" program while Dunbar attracted students from all over Charm City through its magnet program. Second, Chino Hills is a team the video-centric generation of fans can relate to as they make comparisons. Lastly, even though the Huskies didn't start off with the fanfare of the other three clubs in this conversation, it's where you finish and with Okongwu and Melo Ball on their way to the NBA to join Lonzo their greatness continues to cast a shadow as time elapses. Will Scott or Gelo get a NBA crack? After the close calls during the regular season, the Huskies took it up a notch against the toughest post-season competition in California, defeating eight opponents by an average of 29 points in the CIF Southern Section and SoCal Open Division playoffs. Similar to the '83 Dunbar club, late in the season it felt like Chino Hills was a team of destiny and it rolled Bishop Montgomery 84-62 in the SoCal Open title game. With Okongwu and Melo Ball in the lineup, Chino Hills had two 14-year olds and detractors would say that puts them at a big disadvantage against these three other teams. The freshmen duo played fearlessly and beyond their years and Okongwu did a terrific job against older interior post players. It's ironic that Lonzo Ball fouled out in that 2015 state title game because the Huskies starters did a terrific job of not fouling out during the 2015-16, especially Okongwu in the middle as he never fouled out despite having a few close calls with four personals. Baik went with his starters nearly exclusively and the lack of depth was even more noticeable when Andre Ball (the cousin of Zo, Gelo and Melo) was lost to injury during the Maxpreps Holiday Classic. Lonzo Ball did a bit of everything defensively and carried the Huskies on his way to becoming California's all-time assist leader, but the scoring ability of Gelo Ball and the contributions of Scott cannot be overlooked. Chino Hills tied a state record with 18 100-point games and Lonzo Ball was named Mr. Basketball USA while collecting a triple double in 25 of 35 games, a single-season state record that may never be broken.

Day'Ron Sharpe

6'10"   -   C   -   2020

2019-20 Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
Record: 25-0
Ranking: No. 1 (preseason No. 2 by FAB 50)  
Points For: 2,173/87.0
Points Against: 1,200/48.0
Victory Margin: 973/38.9
Starters: PG Cade Cunningham 6-7 Sr. (13.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 6.4 apg), SG Moses Moody 6-5 Sr. (10.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg), SF Scottie Barnes 6-8 Sr. (11.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 4.6 apg), PF Caleb Houstan 6-7 So. (10.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg), C Day'Ron Sharpe 6-10 sr. (12.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg).
Roster: Dariq Whitehead 6-5 So., Ryan Nembhard 6-1 Jr., Langston Love 6-4 Jr., Zeb Jackson 6-2 Sr., Keegan Harvey 6-11 Sr., Jesse Jones 6-3 Sr., Michael Wu 6-7 Jr. 
Resume: The Eagles were preseason No. 2 in the FAB 50 and Maxpreps placed them at No. 1 and, on paper, not much separated Montverde Academy and IMG Academy. The Eagles, however, took their game to another level during the season and just as '83 Dunbar and '93 Oak Hill Academy did, only had one single-digit game. When the Eagles and IMG Academy met in the City of Palms Classic title game, the Ascenders gave Montverde Academy its toughest game of the season, falling 63-55. Montverde Academy defeated IMG Academy twice more, 67-46 and 76-64, while no other team came within 20 points. When Barnes joined the Eagles' roster, it turned a potential juggernaut into a virtual machine, as coach Kevin Boyle's club Eagles defeated 12 FAB 50 ranked clubs (at the time of the matchup), including No. 4 DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) 76-56 in a game that wasn't as close as the score indicates. The Eagles could have potentially faced three more FAB 50 ranked teams had GIECO Nationals not been wiped out by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Would any of those nationally-ranked clubs have been able to Montverde Academy a good game?
Analysis: IMG Academy edged the Eagles for the preseason No. 1 spot by the slimmest of margins, but in the end it didn't matter and Boyle's club provide to be one of the best teams of all-time. GEICO Nationals notwithstanding, Montverde Academy captured its fifth FAB 50 title in the past eight seasons, and fielded its best overall team in that time frame. When talking about the best teams and how they fared at the time, Montverde Academy has as strong a resume as any. The raw numbers clearly illustrate that and the roster provides more evidence. Cunningham, like Ball, Stackhouse, and Williams before him, is a Mr. Basketball USA talent and the Eagles had incredible depth and balance. The other teams were more reliant on one player for scoring (Williams and Stackhouse) or play-making (Ball), but MVA truly could beat teams in many ways, as seven players averaged 8.3 ppg or more led by Cunningham’s 13.9 ppg. How would that approach work against one of the other three teams mentioned here? The evidence suggests the Eagles would have found a way to be successful. What if Montverde Academy found a way to slow Williams, Stackhouse or Ball down? The evidence suggests others would have stepped up. It would have been interesting to see Montverde Academy play upwards of three ranked foes in succession to see if it could have been pushed to its limit. The contrast between Barnes and Bouges is fascinating because they are catalysts of the same fashion despite a huge difference in size. Could Barnes have slowed down Williams? On the other end, who on Montverde's roster could have stayed with Bouges or kept him from disrupting the Eagles' offense? Some opponents, like Camden (N.J.), didn't respect Bouges because of his size, but he made them pay severely for that by completely disrupting their offense. Could Dunbar have kept up with Montverde Academy on the boards? Dawson and Williams were fine on the glass but would have their work cut out for them trying to slow down Sharpe, who gives the Eagles an All-American at three different positions (lead guard, wing, post). Matchup wise, '93 Oak Hill might be the better comparison and the tougher check for Boyle's club. The Warriors had a huge front line and nobody on MVA's team is the physical wing scorer that Stackhouse was. Cunningham and Moody are tough checks, but McInnis and Smith were mentally tough, battle-tested and capable defenders who could put the ball in the hole when necessary. Unlike Chino Hills, there wouldn't be much issue with Oak Hill playing aggressively because of the firepower on the bench. It's easy to point to the Eagles' ranked players (their ninth man is going to Michigan), but at 5-foot-3 Bouges was ranked No. 24 by All-Star Sports. One had to think if the summer circuit and camp atmosphere was in 1982 what it is today, Lewis would have blown up and been a nationally ranked player. Luckily for Jim Calhoun and Northeastern, he didn't blow up. As role players on the '83 Dunbar team, Brown (No. 16), James (No. 40) and Harried (No. 64) were all top 100 players in the Class of 1984. Montverde Academy would seem to have the edge in versatility because Cunningham is as unique a point guard as we've seen on a team with so much talent. Ball is his equal, but he didn't have the horses around him to work with player No. 2 through No. 12. In a four-team bracket, Montverde Academy would have a strong case as the BEST team of the lot. When you talk about how GREAT the teams are, however, you can't take nothing away from Dunbar and Oak Hill. They have the data to back up their receptive cases and the numbers going forward to take their place amongst the all-time great teams. Stackhouse and McInnis were joined in the NBA by two of their teammates, but Ndiaye and Bount enjoyed cups of coffee. That's what makes '83 Dunbar so unique, as Williams, Bouges and Lewis were three of the top 22 picks in the 1987 NBA Draft. When you add in the fact that trio (along with Wingate from the '82 team) developed into long-time NBA players, it secures Dunbar's spot among the all-time great high school teams. A certain aspect of how great this year's Montverde Academy team is will be determined later by how much success individual Eagles' players have at the next levels of the game compared to Dunbar, Oak Hill, Chino Hills and other great undefeated No. 1 ranked teams that produced multiple NBA players.

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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Not only did the 225-pound point forward and 2003 SVSM graduate live up to the tremendous hype surrounding him, he transcended high school sports and became a cultural phenomenon during his senior year. James’ high school accomplishments and legacy clearly resonates through the current state of high school basketball and its elite players. High school players have never enjoyed a bigger spotlight than today and the biggest factor, along with the improvement of hand-held technology that makes social media thrive, is commonplace national television exposure thanks to James.

The elites at many perennial FAB 50 powers are household names while still in high school. This has resulted in players from all over the country, and now the world, wanting to attend schools that regularly appear on television and in the weekly national rankings. Just as the 1992 Dream Team helped globalize professional basketball, the globalization created by the desire to play on high school basketball’s biggest stage is clearly reflected on the Ballislife All-Decade All-American Team for the 2010s.

While at Box Hill (Melbourne, Australia), the college a young Ben Simmons was mostly familiar with was Duke, whose games on ESPN in 2018-19 drew more average viewers (2.23 million) than NBA broadcasts (just under 2) on the same network and its mother station, ABC. At the 2012 Pangos All-American Camp in Southern California, Simmons’ first exposure to American Grassroots basketball he told us he knew about Duke and not much about any other college. When Simmons left Box Hill for the states in 2013, he landed at a school that, at the time, was quickly becoming a go-to destination for elite players: Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)

As a result of his skill level, production and playing a big role in Montverde Academy winning three consecutive FAB 50 national titles (2013-15), today Simmons has been named the Ballislife Player of the Decade and headlines our 30-man All-Decade All-American Elite Team for the 2010s.

After moving to Florida in January 2013, Simmons helped the Eagles overcome two regular season losses to capture the 2013 ESPN NHSI tournament (now GEICO Nationals) with a 67-65 come-from-behind title game victory over St. Benedict’s (Newark, N.J.). On a team led by point guard Kasey Hill (Florida), shooting guard D’Angelo Russell (Ohio St.) and post Dakari Johnson (Kentucky), Simmons made all three of his field goals, and finished with six points, four rebounds and three assists in the championship game.

In his junior campaign, Simmons teamed with Russell (who was seriously considered for All-Decade accolades) to lead the Eagles to another GEICO Nationals title. Ironically, the star of that 2012 Pangos Camp played a big role in handing Montverde Academy its only on-court loss of the 2013-14 season. That player was center Cliff Alexander and he had 30 points, 12 rebounds and five bocks in a 73-69 come-from-behind win by Curie (Chicago) that was later forfeited. That dominant performance, and some stellar showings on the post-season all-star circuit, allowed Alexander to clip Simmons, and All-Decade selections Stanley Johnson and Jahlil Okafor for Mr. Basketball USA honors.

In his senior season, Simmons didn’t have as strong as supporting cast, but it seemed at times he willed the Eagles to victory against stellar national competition. He capped his Montverde Academy career with a 20-point, 11-rebound, six assist performance in a 70-61 victory over Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) at Madison Square Garden to win an unprecedented third straight GEICO Nationals crown.

Simmons had 13 points in the fourth period against Oak Hill Academy (the team Montverde Academy also defeated in the 2014 title game) and for the season averaged 27.1 ppg, 11.6 rpg, and 5.3 apg for a 31-1 club. Simmons’ domination led him to be the first consensus Mr. Basketball USA since James. He was a bonafide national player of the year candidate for two years running and the fact he also finished his career No.2 in points (145), No. 1 in rebounds (88) and No. 2 in assists (31) all-time at GEICO Nationals helped secure his status at the decade’s best all-around player.   

When All-Decade choice Andrew Wiggins of Huntington Prep (Huntington, W. Va.) was named Mr. Basketball USA in 2013, it marked only the second time overall a foreign-born talent had earned the nation’s highest individual honor. 1990's All-Decade performer Felipe Lopez of now defunct Rice (New York) via the Dominican Republic was the first in 1994. R.J. Barrett enrolled at Montverde Academy the season after Simmons graduated and when the All-Decade choice was named 2018 Mr. Basketball USA, it marked the third time in six seasons the nation’s top individual performer was foreign-born. Like Wiggins, Barrett is Canadian.

Consistent exposure that James (and HD video cameras) helped create led to the globalization of elite high school basketball over the past decade. The competition level has never been better and the path to with a mythical national title never more difficult.

2010's Ballislife All-Decade All-American Elite Team               

Editor's note: Based on high school accomplishment and the annual All-American Elite Team selections of the past 10 years. All players must have been chosen first five All-Americans to be eligible for this team. If all five first players were chosen, then second five All-Americans were given consideration. The criteria was to evaluate all high school accomplishment, not just senior year accolades, and extra consideration was given to players who were All-Americans more than once. Those considered fifth-year players in their final year of high school competition were not considered. Players are listed by year of graduation and the position they played in high school.

FIRST TEAM

First Five

G — Lonzo Ball, Chino Hills (Calif.) 6-6, Class of 2016

Our 2016 Mr. Basketball USA was one of the most unique talents of the decade. There were conventional players more efficient in terms of shooting percentage and style of play, but some of the skill Ball possessed only comes around once every ten years. A pinpoint passer all 84 feet of the court with uncanny rebounding ability for a true point guard, Ball was a two-time All-American (third five as a junior). The 2016 Cal-Hi Sports Mr. Basketball honoree and a two-time Division I State Player of the Year, Ball recorded a state record 25 triple-doubles for the unbeaten 35-0 FAB 50 national champs and finished his senior season with averages of 23.9 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 11.7 apg, 5.1 spg, and 2.0 bpg. Ball finished his four-year career with 2,522 points, 1,204 rebounds, 1,214 assists (state No. 1 all-time) and 592 steals (state No. 2 all-time).

G — Kyrie Irving, St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.) 6-2, Class of 2010

It was difficult to separate Irving and Ball, arguably the two most talented and productive lead guards of the 2010's. Ball had two monster seasons statistically and won a FAB 50 national crown and even though Irving didn’t have as much team success, his individual skill is too hard to ignore. In some showcase games, Irving simply looked like he came down a level from college with his ability to handle the ball and score. As a senior, he stepped out of the shadows of former teammate Dexter Strickland and fellow All-Decade teammate Mike Kidd-Gilchrist to average 24.5 ppg, 6.5 apg, and 4.5 rpg for a 24-3 team that finished No. 7 in the FAB 50. The Gatorade State Player of the Year in 2010 (Kidd-Gilchrist was the winner as a sophomore the prior season), Irving scored over 2,100 career points and capped his career with a MVP performance at the Jordan Brand Classic.

F — Harrison Barnes, Ames (Iowa) 6-7, Class of 2010

Wings were by far the deepest position of the decade and that’s where the deepest discussion lay to sort through the glut of talented forwards. When Barnes gradated from Ames high school, there was little doubt he was the most well-rounded player in his class and he ended up one of the most polished of the decade. After all, there was a reason he was voted preseason A.P. College Player of the Year in 2010-11 before ever playing a single game for North Carolina. He was extremely productive at the high school level, leading the Little Cyclones to repeat, unbeaten Class 4A state titles and a winning streak of 53 games. As a senior, Barnes averaged 26.1 ppg, 10.0 rpg and 3.6 apg for the No. 10 ranked team in the FAB 50. For his career, Barnes was a two-time All-American (third five as a junior) and was a three-time all-state choice who finished with 1,787 career points.

F — Ben Simmons, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 6-9, Class of 2015

Our 2010's Player of the Decade. As a senior, Simmons was the first Mr. Basketball USA consensus choice since LeBron James 12 years earlier. He played on teams that won three consecutive mythical national titles and was the difference maker in the big games for two seasons. As a junior, Simmons averaged 22.7 points and 9.5 rebounds for a team that lost once on-court against arguably the nation’s toughest schedule. As a senior, he was even better, as he dropped 27.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. A two-time first five All-American selection, Simmons’ dominance over his peers from a team perspective cannot be underestimated.

C — DeAndre Ayton, Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix, Ariz.) 7-0, Class of 2017

After first seeing the Bahamian native at the 2012 Pangos Jr. All-American Camp, it was evident the eighth-grader had a chance to be a dominant force at the highest levels of the game. By his sophomore season, it was clear Ayton was the most talented post player regardless of class in the country. He was a three-time All-American (the first since Kidd-Gilchrist and Austin Rivers in 2009-11) and made the first five twice after making second five as a sophomore. After averaging 29.2 ppg, 16.7 rpg and 3.8 bpg as a junior, Ayton used his rare combination of size, coordination and athleticism to lead Hillcrest Prep in Arizona to a 33-6 mark and to the Under Armour Grind Session championship as a senior while averaging 26 ppg, 15 rpg and 3.5 bpg.

Second Five

G — R.J. Barrett, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 6-7, Class of 2018

After Simmons graduated, the bar was set extremely high for the Eagles’ next superstar player. In order to be mentioned in the same breath with Montverde Academy’s other star players (Hill, Russell, Simmons, etc.) Barrett knew going into his final season he needed to lead his team to a FAB 50 title. After earning fourth five All-American honors and being named National Sophomore of the Year for 2016-17, Barrett re-classified up to the 2018 class. He had two fantastic seasons for the Eagles, as he was the team’s leading scorer as a freshman and averaged 22 points and 7 rebounds in his second season. It all came together in 2017-18, as Barrett completed his career quest of leading the Eagles to the FAB 50 title. The southpaw power guard averaged 28.7 ppg for a 36-0 club that won 15 games against FAB 50 or previously ranked foes. Another notch that pushed our 2018 Mr. Basketball USA to All-Decade second five status was averaging 26.7 ppg in three wins at GEICO Nationals to seal the title and scoring an event record 177 points (22.1 ppg) in eight games.

G — Kyle Anderson, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) 6-8, Class of 2011

Likely the surprise pick on the All-Decade team for many, until one closely examines the criteria. Yes, Anderson was official runner-up to good friend Shabazz Muhammad for 2012 Mr. Basketball USA honors, but Muhammad was compared to the wings and forwards in the All-Decade deliberations, whereas Anderson was evaluated against the group of guards on the board, because, despite his 6-foot-8 frame, Anderson's approach to the game was that of a point guard. Winning on a national level was also a strong factor in the selection process and “Slow Mo” was one of the biggest winners of the decade. In fact, he didn't play in a losing game his last two seasons with the 65-0 Friars. St. Anthony won the mythical national title his junior year and what he did in the Friars’ huge 62-45 win over then No. 1 St. Patrick (in one of the biggest No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdowns of the decade) illustrated his impact at the high school level. He had 11 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals while helping to limit Kidd-Gilchrist to 7 points. A three-time all-stater, Anderson averaged 14.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 3.9 apg as a senior when the Friars went 32-0 with a repeat New Jersey TOC crown and No. 3 FAB 50 ranking.

F — Jayson Tatum, Chaminade (St. Louis, Mo.) 6-8, Class of 2016

One of the most gifted scorers of the decade, Tatum was the third legitimate Mr. Basketball USA candidate his senior year along with fellow All-Decade choice Josh Jackson and eventual honoree Lonzo Ball. Tatum averaged 29 ppg, 9 rpg, 3 apg and 2 spg for a 27-5 team that finished No. 15 in the FAB 50. In his final game at Chaminade, Tatum exploded for 40 points and 14 rebounds, as the program win its first Missouri Class 5 state title. Winning that title and breaking the school scoring record held by the player in consideration for a spot on second or third five (Bradley Beal) was the reason for Tatum landing this high. Tatum was also the first four-time Metro Catholic Conference Player of the Year and a three-time Gatorade State Player of the Year.

F — Stanley Johnson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 6-7, Class of 2014

Arguably the decade’s ultimate winner, Johnson kept adding wrinkles to his game and improving his team’s fortunes each of his four seasons. As a result, Johnson led the Monarchs to a 135-7 record in his four-year career and to four state titles, the first player ever to accomplish that feat in the CIF’s highest classification. A third five All-American as a junior, Johnson was a two-time D1 State Player of the Year and a finalist for Mr. Basketball USA as a senior. What secured his nod to this team was expanding his game as a senior to handle point guard duties and facilitating on a team that lost a starter after school started. Johnson averaged 25.1 ppg, 8.1 rbg, 3.1 apg and the Monarchs were still able to go 35-0 and finish No. 2 in the FAB 50 behind Montverde Academy in a close call. Johnson is the greatest player ever to don a Mater Dei uniform.

F — Jabari Parker, Simeon (Chicago) 6-8, Class of 2013

We didn’t get a true post on the second five, but just as he did in his lone season at Duke, Parker can play inside if need be. One of the most decorated players of the decade, Parker was a Sports Illustrated cover subject in May 2012 and one of the few to receive the “Best Since LeBron” tag. Although Wiggins edged Parker for Mr. Basketball USA honors as a senior due to a slow start from lingering injuries, he joined Johnson as a four-time state champion in the largest classification of a power state (Class 4A). He had a strong close to his senior season, which included a 29-point, 13-rebound performance over third five choice Jahlil Okafor and Whitney Young in a sectional title game. Parker went 118-15 in his four seasons at Simeon and was the 2012 Gatorade National Player of the Year as a junior. He was also the first non-senior to be named Illinois Mr. Basketball and the first freshman ever to start full-time at Simeon.      

Third Five

G — Trae Young, Norman North (Norman, Okla.) 6-2, Class of 2017

His monster senior season made Young the third true point guard to earn a berth on this All-Decade team. Young made second team All-American as a junior, but made a big jump up is his final season at Norman North. Prior to his spectacular senior season, Young and fellow All-Decade choice Michael Porter Jr. led Mokan Elite to the 2016 Nike EYBL title while avenging 27.0 ppg and 7.3 apg. A two-time Gatorade State Player of the Year, Young averaged 42.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists for a 19-6 club. He goes down as one of the best players ever from Oklahoma along with the likes of 1982 Mr. Basketball USA Waymon Tisdale, Richard Dumas (1987), Wilfred Boynes (1975) and Alvin Adams (1973).

G — Austin Rivers, Winter Park (Winter Park, Fla.) 6-4, Class of 2011

This shooting guard spot came down to Rivers and Beal, and in the end Rivers’ three-time All-American status and performances in big games were too hard to ignore. He opened eyes as a sophomore when he scored 120 points against four nationally-ranked teams at the City of Palms Classic in Florida, including 46 against Marietta (Ga.) Wheeler. Rivers was named to the COP all-tourney team three times and as back-to-back Class 6A state champs, his team played in GEICO Nationals twice, where he averaged an event record 31.3 ppg in three tourney games. A two-time state player of the year, Rivers averaged 28.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg and 2.8 apg against a challenging national schedule as a senior and the three-time all-stater finished with 2,957 career points.

F — Zion Williamson, Spartanburg Day School (Spartanburg, S.C.) 6-7, Class of 2018

A two-time All-American (second five as a junior), Zion was tailor made for this decade, as his breath-taking dunks and gravity-defying defensive plays we captured in HD camera and spread in real time on social media every single game. One of the most viral players of the “Mixtape Decade," Williamson is one of the most explosive talents the high school game has ever seen. What kept him off the second five (next to classmate R.J. Barrett) was a general lack of national level competition and missing nine games because of various injuries as a senior. As a junior, Williamson averaged 36.8 ppg, 13 rpg and netted 51 points in a state title game win. As a senior, Williamson led Spartanburg Day School to a third consecutive SCISA Class 2A state title and a 20-8 mark, which five of those defeats he did not play in. For the season, he averaged 36.3 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 4.7 apg, 2.4 bpg and 3.6 spg while shooting 78 percent from the field and finished his career with 3,202 points (32.0 ppg), 1,131 rebounds (11.3 rpg), 304 steals (3.0 spg) and 293 blocks (2.9 bpg).

F — Michael Porter Jr., Nathan Hale (Seattle, Wash.) 6-9, Class of 2017

Similar to his good friend and travel ball teammate Trae Young, Porter moved up from second team All-American status as a junior with a monster senior season. After leading Falter Tolton (Columbia, Mo.) to a MSHAA Class 3 state title as a junior, Porter topped that by winning a Class 3A title in Washington while averaging 37.6 ppg, 14.5 rpg and 5.2 apg. He led Hale to a 29-0 season and FAB 50 national title, including a 27-point, 15-rebound, 4-steal, 3-assist performance in a key win over all-Decade talent Marvin Bagley, III (who only played his freshman and junior year of high school) of Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon, the club that handed No. 2 La Lumiere its only loss of the season. Hale was the first team ever from Washington to win a mythical national title and Porter the first ever player from the Pacific Northwest named Mr. Basketball USA.

C — Jahlil Okafor, Whitney Young (Chicago) 6-11, Class of 2014

The last post spot on this five came down to three Chicago big men: Anthony Davis, Cliff Alexander and Okafor. Davis was the easiest to eliminate because he didn’t have much team success and wasn’t even known outside of Illinois prior to a late growth spurt and excellent 2010 spring and summer. Davis’ high school team also finished 6-18 his senior year despite his obvious budding talent. Alexander put together one of the most dominant single-game performances of the decade versus Montverde Academy and out-played Okafor in the 2014 Chicago Public League title game, but we give the nod to the Whitney Young standout because he had the most productive career of the three. Although Alexander was Mr. Basketball USA, Okafor was Player of the Year by Parade, USA Today and McDonald’s and was a serious national player of the year candidate for two seasons. In 2013, he led the Dolphins to the CPL title over Simeon and was named Chicago Sun Times POY as a junior over Jabari Parker.    

Second Team

(listed alphabetically)

? C — Cliff Alexander, Curie (Chicago) 6-9, Class of 2014

? G — Cole Anthony, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 6-3, Class of 2019

? G — Bradley Beal, Chaminade (St. Louis, Mo.) 6-5, Class of 2011

? F — Jaylen Brown, Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.) 6-7, Class of 2015

? F — Anthony Davis, Perspectives Charter (Chicago) 6-10, Class of 2011

? G — De'Aaron Fox, Cypress Lakes (Katy, Texas) 6-4, Class of 2016

? F — Aaron Gordon, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) 6-8, Class of 2013

? F — Mike Kidd-Gilchrist, St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.) 6-8, Class of 2011

? F — Josh Jackson, Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) 6-8, Class of 2016

? G — Brandon Knight, Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) 6-3, Class of 2010

? G — Romeo Langford, New Albany (New Albany, Ind.) 6-4, Class of 2018

? F — Shabazz Muhammad, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) 6-6, Class of 2012

? C  —  Jared Sullinger, Northland (Columbus, Ohio) 6-9, Class of 2010

? F — Andrew Wiggins, Huntington Prep (Huntington, W. Va.) 6-7, Class of 2013

? G — Nigel Williams-Goss, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 6-3, Class of 2013

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In episode No. 23 of our  In The Paint Show," hosts Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland cover a bunch of hot topics, including more Los Angeles Lakers drama that in many ways is overshadowing the Golden State Warriors' historic run to five consecutive NBA Finals. In Episode No. 10 we thought the Lakers' drama had reached it apex surrounding the Anthony Davis botched trade, but what's transpired over the last 48 hours is just insane! We break down Magic Johnson's comments on ESPN's "First Take", his fractured relationship with the Lakers' General Manager Rob Pelinka and what Magic's former employer now has to do to turn around a franchise that has become more known for its off-court drama that its wins on the court.

Was Johnson in the wrong for speaking about the Lakers on the day it had a presser to announce Frank Vogel as head coach? Was Magic in the right for trying to clear the air publicly about what he perceived was backstabbing by Pelinka? Is Jeannie Buss in over her head as the predecessor to her father and Magic's close friend, the late Dr. Jerry Buss? What should the Lakers do with the No. 4 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft? Will the Lakers be a playoff team in 2019-20?

We go Hard in the Paint about the whole saga!

It's ironic we are on Episode No. 23 because this is our best pod yet! We bring in three special guests to break down all the latest topics in hoops. First, we bring on former Lakers' second round draft pick Duane Cooper to talk about Magic Johnson and his relationship with the franchise, the Buss family and his experience in briefly playing with the Magic Man as he attempted to comeback to the NBA the year Cooper was drafted in 1992.

Our second guest is Kyle Goon, the Lakers' beat reporter for the Southern California News Group. Goon gives us his insights on the Lakers' current situation and offers his prospectus on Vogel and and the 2019-20 Lakers.

Some say the 2019 NBA Draft is a three-man deal with Zion Williamson, Ja Morant and R.J. Barrett, so the Lakers have a big decision with the No. 4 pick. We bring in our third guest, NBA Draft analyst Rashad Phillips of Sports Talk 2319 to break down the upcoming draft. Phillips gives his insight on what the Lakers should do with the fourth pick, his biggest sleepers after the top three and and his late round gem that other experts are sleeping on.

This is our deepest and best episode yet, so make sure to give our Pod a listen and share it with friends!

To learn more about our hosts, Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland, and to get more information about what "In The Paint" is all about, check out our intro below!

Subscribe to our new Podcast on iTunes here

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Hosts Devin Ugland and Ronnie Flores give their takes on the Elite Eight games this past weekend and preview the upcoming Final Four featuring Virginia vs. Auburn and Michigan State vs. Texas Tech. With the start of travel, club and AAU basketball seasons, the duo breaks down what they look for when evaluating high school prospects during the spring and summer.

The guys also discuss LaVar Ball's comments about LaMelo Ball playing overseas instead of exploring his options at the college and NBA G League levels. Where will the youngest Ball brother end up playing for the next year until he's eligible for the 2020 NBA Draft? Listen in to Episode 18 of the "In The Paint Show" to hear what Ron and Dev think on the situation.

The post Who Will Advance to the National Title? LaMelo Going Back Overseas? Tune in to the Latest Pod! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

The Ballislife All-American Game presented by Eastbay was created in 2011 with the goal of bringing a credible national All-American game to the West Coast. It has grown to become one of the three most prestigious senior all-star games nationally. The 2019 edition of the Ballislife All-American Game will take place Saturday, May 4 at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center in Long Beach, Calif.

The game time and rosters for the 2019 game will be released at a later date. The game will be streamed online on Facebook Live, Youtube.com, and Twitter.com. A replay broadcast of the game will air on Spectrum SportsNet.

In 2018, it was only fitting the largest viewing audience in the history of the event witnessed its first overtime game, as Team Future defeated Team Elite, 146-143. Team Future overcame a 10-point, fourth quarter deficit to force overtime and earn the win in a game that has been viewed online by over 3 million fans.

Naz Reid (LSU) of Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.) netted a team-high 23 points for Team Future. Emmitt Williams finished with game-highs of 31 points and 12 rebounds for Team Elite. Williams was one of three LSU recruits to participate in the game. The third player joining the Bayou Bengals in 2018-19, guard Ja’Vonte Smart of Scotlandville Magnet (Baton Rouge, La.), netted 21 points for Team Elite.

Moses Brown (UCLA) of Archbishop Malloy (Queens, N.Y.) set the pace for Team Future, scoring 16 of his 22 points in the second half. Williams and Brown were named 2018 Ballislife All-American Game co-MVPs.

Past game MVPs include NBA players Collin Sexton (2017), Lonzo Ball (2016), Thon Maker (2015), Stanley Johnson (2014), Jordan Bell (2013) and MLB pitcher Amir Garrett (2011).

The game’s success is reflected in the NBA Draft and 2019 should be no different. There have been 18 BILAAG alumni taken in the first round of the NBA Draft, including four of the top 12 picks in the 2018 NBA Draft.

Below is the list of the all the Ballislife All-Americans taken in the NBA Draft through 2018.

BILAAG Alumni Drafted to the NBA

Draft No. -- Name (BILAAG), NBA Team (Year Drafted)

No. 2 -- Lonzo Ball (2016), L.A. Lakers (2017)
No. 5 -- Trae Young (2017), Dallas Mavericks (2018)
No. 6 -- Mo Bamba (2017), Orlando Magic (2018)
No. 8 -- Marquise Chriss (2015), Sacramento Kings (2016)
No. 8 -- Stanley Johnson (2014), Detroit Pistons (2015)
No. 8 -- Colin Sexton (2017), Cleveland Cavaliers (2018)
No. 10 -- Thon Maker (2015), Milwaukee Bucks (2016)
No. 12 -- Miles Bridges (2016), L.A. Clippers (2018)
No. 13 -- Zach LaVine (2013), Minnesota Timberwolves (2014)
No. 13 -- Donovan Mitchell (2015), Denver Nuggets (2017)
No. 15 -- Kelly Oubre Jr. (2014), Atlanta Hawks (2015)
No. 18 -- T.J. Leaf (2016), Indiana Pacers (2017)
No. 19 -- Malik Beasley (2015), Denver Nuggets (2016)
No. 21 -- Terrance Ferguson (2016), Oklahoma City Thunder (2016)
No. 22 -- Jordan Adams (2012), Memphis Grizzlies (2014)
No. 28 -- Skal Labissiere (2015), Phoenix Suns (2016)
No. 29 -- Dejounte Murray (2015), San Antonio Spurs (2016)
No. 30 -- Kevon Looney (2014), Golden State Warriors (2015)
No. 34 -- Tyler Ullis (2014), Phoenix Suns (2016)
No. 38 -- Jordan Bell (2013), Chicago Bulls (2017)
No. 40 -- Dwayne Bacon (2015), New Orleans Pelicans (2017)
No. 40 -- Glenn Robinson III (2012), Minnesota Timberwolves (2014)
No. 41 -- Tyler Dorsey (2015), Atlanta Hawks (2017)
No. 42 -- Nick Johnson (2011), Houston Rockets (2014)
No. 47 -- Ike Anigbogu (2016), Toronto Raptors (2017)
No. 48 -- Keita Bates-Diop (2014), Minnesota Timberwolves (2018)
No. 49 -- Chimezie Metu (2015), San Antonio Spurs (2018)
No. 56 -- Daniel Hamilton (2014), Denver Nuggets (2016)
No. 60 -- Tyrone Wallace (2012), Utah Jazz (2016)

Note: Six additional game participants have played in the NBA -- Cliff Alexander, Isaiah Briscoe, Jabari Brown, Derrick Jones, Jalen Jones, Christian Wood.

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In the tenth episode of our all-new In The Paint Show," hosts Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland break down the Super Bowl and the Brady vs. Jordan 6-ring debate, give an update on the wild Pelicans-Lakers trade talks and go hard on the latest FAB 50 National Rankings and the upcoming CIF Southern Section Open Division playoffs.

The Super Bowl had a huge NorCal flavor and the fellas talk about what NBA great Tom Brady reminds them most of.

The Lakers and Pelicans trade talks seem to hit a stalemate right before the NBA trade deadline. Did Rich Paul make the right move with Anthony Davis' request? Did the Lakers, particularly Magic Johnson and the rest of the front office, handle the trade talks correctly by making so much of it public? What will happen to the Lakers' young core if there is no trade before the deadline?

We go Hard in the Paint about the whole saga!

Ron breaks down La Lumiere's close win over the weekend to remain No. 1 in the FAB 50 and recaps the California No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown in California between current FAB 50 No. 8 Rancho Christian of Temecula and No. 11 Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth.

Dev closes things out by breaking down the loaded CIFSS Open Division playoffs, where Rancho Christian and Sierra Canyon are the top two seeds in the section's new pool play format.

The fellas hit on plenty this week, so make sure to give our Pod a listen below and share it with friends!

To learn more about our hosts, Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland, and to get more information about what "In The Paint" is all about, check out our intro below!

Subscribe to our new Podcast on iTunes here

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In the eighth episode of our all-new In The Paint Show," hosts Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland dish on the Anthony Davis saga, as one of the NBA's best?all-around players announces he won't sign a long-term deal with the New Orleans Pelicans.

There has been a ton of rumors and speculation on what the Davis' saga means for the league and how he'll get to his preferred destination -- the Los Angeles Lakers. Will the Lakers part with the young core it drafted? Will the Pelicans wait to see what the Celtics can offer after July 1?

In just a few short days, the Pelicans have received an offer from the Lakers and things are moving so fast we try to make sense of it all. We also dish on whom has been the NBA's most powerful person at various times in its history and how the league has always favored the franchises in the big markets.

We also break down what we saw at the recent Nike Extravaganza, which saw the last appearance against CIF schools by national power Oak Hill Academy of Virginia, and the teams SoCal fans can expect to see in the upcoming eight-team CIFS Southern Section playoffs.

Devin also gives his bold prediction of whom will win the showdown between FAB 50 No. 8 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) and No. 10 Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.), California's top two ranked teams who play on February 2.

The fellas cover plenty this week, so make sure to give it a listen below and share it with friends!

To learn more about our hosts, Ronnie Flores and Devin Ugland, and to get more information about what "In The Paint" is all about, check out our intro below!

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There have been 17 players in NBA history to rack up a triple-double before they were legally allowed to buy a drink. The latest to make the list is future Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic, who became the second youngest when he lost his triple-double virginity by putting up 18 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds on the 327th day of his 19th year on earth.

Despite the accomplishment, Luka wasn't in the mood for celebrating since the day also ended with the Mavs fourth straight loss.

"I didn't play good at all," Doncic said after the game. "I missed some shots that I shouldn't miss."

Speaking of missed shots, Markelle Fultz is the youngest player to ever record a triple-double; he was 10 days younger than Luka when he put up 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists on a joyous 2018 night that saw the 76ers win their 16th consecutive game.

The youngest before him was fellow 2017 lottery pick Lonzo Ball (20 years, 15 days) who had 19/13/12 just three months earlier.

Before Zo, the record was held by LeBron James (20 years, 20 days) in 2005, when Luka was five years old. LeBron's 27/11/10 performance would be the first of five triple-doubles before he turned 21. Among those five was a 40-point performance against the Bucks. The 40 was also the most points ever scored in a triple-double by a player under 21.

Also worth mentioning about the King, he had a 32-point triple-double in his first playoff game (2006) and he also became the first player to average a triple-double in the NBA Finals (2017).

The record for most triple-doubles by a player under 21 belongs to triple-double king Magic Johnson. LeBron's current "boss" had seven during the rookie season that ended with him playing center for injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals and racking up 42 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists in the championship-clinching game.

One big difference between the time Magic was filling up the boxscores and now is NOBODY cared about triple-doubles back then. They didn't even know what it was because the term "triple-double" didn't even exist. But since Magic was getting so many of them, basketball statistician Harvey Pollack "created it" and Lakers public relations director Bruce Jolesch started promoting it.

A triple-double is so common now, it's actually surprising when a night goes by and we aren't' talking about at least one. I'm not going to upset anyone and say getting one now is harder than it was 20 years ago but I will say I wasn't as excited when Dennis Smith and De'Aaron Fox got a triple-double last year as I was when players like Lamar Odom (2000) and Antoine Walker (1997) were getting triple-doubles at age 20.

Here's a complete list of NBA players with a triple-double before age 21.

• Lonzo Ball (2)
• Luka Doncic
• De'Aaron Fox
• Markelle Fultz
• Jrue Holiday
• LeBron James (5)
• Magic Johnson (7)
• Lamar Odom (3)
• Chris Paul (2)
• Shareef Abdur-Rahim
• Dennis Smith
• Antoine Walker (2)
• John Wall
• Chris Webber
• Russell Westbrook
• Tony Wroten

LONZO BALL (19/13/12)

DENNIS SMITH (21/10/10)

DE'AARON FOX (31/15/10)

JOHN WALL (19/13/10)

RUSSELL WESTBROOK (17/10/10)

TYREKE EVANS (19/10/10)

JRUE HOLIDAY (11/10/10)

TONY WROTEN (18/11/10)

The post From LeBron to Lonzo to Luka: The Youngest Players With A Triple-Double appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

After averaging a league-high 52 points a game, LiAngelo Ball scored a league-high 58 points during the JBA's first playoff game on Friday. Unlike most of Gelo's 50-point performances, he shot over 50% from the field (67% on 23-of-34 shooting) and didn't struggle from three (11-of-20 from downtown) in this one. A few of the threes were also contested and a few that weren't is because he decided to pull up from near half-court.

Brother Melo added 34 points (13-28 FG, 5-13 3PT) and a game-high 13 assists in LA's 157-134 win over Philly (I'm assuming basketball fans in the City of Brotherly Love aren't taking this loss as hard as they did when the 76ers lost to the Lakers in 2001).

BALL BROS HIGHEST SCORING GAMES

In case you were wondering what's the most points the brothers have ever scored in a game, Melo scored 92 points on 37-of-61 shooting during his high school sophomore year (he was just 15 years old) back in 2017 and Gelo scored 72 for BC Vytautas in Lithuania earlier this year and during his senior year at Chino Hills.

Melo's 92, which included a 41-point first quarter, was criticized because many of his buckets came off of cherry-picking layups. He said the team made a conscious effort to make the game a headline-worthy one to bring awareness to a fellow Chino Hills student, Lexi Anderson, who was in need of a heart transplant and donations after going into cardiac arrest.

Some accused Gelo's 72 in Lithuania of being staged and/or a publicity stunt since he declared for the NBA draft before the game. As you know, he didn't get drafted and that's why he's currently putting up 50-point games in his Dad's league.

His other 72-point game came during his senior year in 2016. The game also happened just one day after he put up 56 points and was a school record until Melo's 92. But the 13 three-pointers he made in this game still stands as a school record.

As for Lonzo, I don't know what his high school career high is but I know he averaged 24 points a game while also averaging 12 assists, 11 rebounds, 5 steals and 2 blocks during his senior year that ended with him winning MVP at our Ballislife All-American Game.

I also know he put up an impressive 29 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists in his second NBA game and I don't care if it was against the Phoenix Suns. The Suns are made of a group of the most talented basketball players in the world...which is something I can't say about the competition LaVar Ball's other sons are going against right now.

The post The Ball Bros' Highest Scoring Games appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Remember that awful video of Kyle Kuzma, dressed like a pimp, roasting teammate Lonzo Ball for the "Player Haters Ball?" Well, Zo responded by channeling Pusha T and treating Kuzma like Drake on a new diss record called 'Kylie Kuzma.'

I'm kidding about comparing the young (possible future teammates of LeBron on the) Lakers to the popular rappers but this is the best basketball player-to-player diss since Shaq asked Kobe "Tell me how my ass taste?" a decade ago (this month is actually the 10-year anniversary of the infamous freestyle). The big difference is Zo and Kuzma are friends and Shaq and Kobe actually hated each other more than most people know (I have stories from former teammates I wish I could share).

It didn't take long for Kuzma to respond. Less than an hour after the release, Kuzma left this comment on Zo's IG post: "No Pusha T. No comeback. I'm whoopin' yo ass Wednesday."

????????? @ZO2_ pic.twitter.com/uUmXwtMANa

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) June 11, 2018

So @ZO2_ really made a diss track to his own teammate ???? I’m really dead! @kylekuzma you gotta respond ???

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) June 11, 2018

LYRICS

(Via SportingNews.com)

Who are you without ZO2?

Just another dude with a bunch of tattoos

You ain't got no shoe Nike wins, Kuz lose

Claiming that I can't shoot, but all these words is hitting you.

Boy you talking crazy, why you try to play me?

You ain't on my level, you ain't famous as my baby

I'm working out daily, but I ain't posting it

And I would never stop a workout just to post a pic

They let 'em gas you up, thinking that you can't be touched

Coming from the outskirts of Flint, boy you ain't tough

Big Baller Brand getting bread, little Kuz is getting crumbs

We thumbing through that money, look at y'all, y'all is playing with your thumbs

Don't know who your daddy is, well your ass is getting sonned

We both taking shots, the only difference is you ain't hitting none

Usually do this s— for fun, but trust me boy I'm not the one

If you the bullet, I'm the gun, If you the pot, I'm cooking some

You want smoke, you can get it, dressing for attention

Trying to be Russell Westbrook, you just honorable mention

I killed you with a sentence, to me you just a peasant

Triple Bs is independent, Kuz (???), can't reinvent it

Cause you ain't got the people, and you ain't got the sources

Put all your money in a Porsche, I dropped a check on horses

You better join the forces, with them main enforcers

Triple Bs is for the culture, your squad is a bunch of vultures

I'mma stop, you losing focus, reason why you dropped your courses

Need some more endorsements, one fleece, you think we didn't notice?

ZO AND KUZMA ROASTING EACH OTHER

If you follow Kuzma, Zo, his brothers, and other Laker teammates on social media, then you know they are always roasting each other. Below are some of the best and funniest moments between them and that awful Kuzma roast I mentioned.

The post Lonzo Ball dropped a diss record about Kyle Kuzma called 'Kylie Kuzma!' appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

If you (unintentionally) missed the first two seasons and just want to see the highlights, here's a few compilation videos featuring amusing moments from the show, social media and Kenan Thompson's horrible impersonation of LaVar Ball on SNL. But first, here's my favorite moment from last season, followed by a throwback video of a young(er) Lonzo and Gelo having a rap battle on Snapchat.

I think LaVar needs to put LaMelo back in school... pic.twitter.com/UVQXePdsdm

— David Astramskas (@redapples) February 1, 2018

BEST OF THE BALL FAMILY

Season 3 premieres June 10th on Facebook.

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We live in a sugar rush world where everything  -- the latest song by an artist, latest film by an actor or director, the latest video with Tristan Thompson in it -- is "the best ever." It's the "best" until that person makes another one for people on social media to over hype. With that said, this year's crop of rookies -- from dunk champ Donovan Mitchell to Ben "I'm still a rookie" Simmons to the Lakers group of young Lonzo Ball, old for a rookie Kyle Kuzma & Josh Hart to old as hell for a rookie Andre Ingram -- might go down as one of the best and most exciting ever.

Future potential stars not mentioned above include Jayson Tatum, Lauri Markkanen, Dennis Smith Jr, Markelle Fultz, John Collins, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Josh Jackson, De'Aaron Fox, Dillon Brooks, OG Anunoby, Terrance Ferguson, Milos Teodosic, Bam Adebayo, Frank Ntilikina and Malik Monk. In the following 14 minute mix from the NBA, these talents along with more talented first year players I didn't mention are featured.

And here's a few highlights that should have made the cut.

The post 14 Minutes Of The Best Rookie Plays Of 2017/18 appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

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Fuck you injuries! You allowed Karl "What's child support?" Malone to play 80+ games in 17 out of 18 seasons but you can't allow me to enjoy the Philly Process or Lakers without you constantly messing with their young talent.

On Wednesday night, I got to watch Joel Embiid play for 9 minutes before he bumped heads with Markelle Fultz (playing in his second games since returning from his shoulder injury) and was taken to a hospital. The 76ers said Embiid suffered a facial contusion but not a concussion. Embiid posted a video from the hospital with the words "Not good."

Later that night -- that saw Brandon Ingram return after missing 12 games --  I got to watch three quarters of Lonzo Ball before he left the game with a left knee contusion after making contact with Harrison Barnes. Both Ball and Coach Walton didn't sound worried about the latest knee injury but Ball has already missed 16 games in 2018 because of soreness in that knee.

If those two scares weren't frustrating enough, I also watched the most exciting player in high school basketball, Zion Williamson, injure his thumb during the McDonalds All-American game. According to ESPN, the Duke commit will visit a personal orthopedist today to see if his thumb is broken or dislocated.

I expect Zion to be just fine by the time he throws down his first windmill dunk in a Duke uniform, Embiid will be just fine by the time the 76ers start the playoffs and Lonzo Ball will be just fine by the time he...makes his next viral dance video.

UPDATES

Zion Williamson: According to Jason Jordan of the USA Today, Zion's parents said Zion is "fine" and "good to go." He will have his finger check out by a doctor when they return to South Carolina.

Joel Embiid: Joel will miss two to four weeks after surgery for an orbital fracture on his left eye. He has also been placed in the NBA concussion protocol and will have to wear a mask when he returns. Hopefully it's a MF Doom mask.

Lonzo Ball: Zo is questionable for the Lakers next game after an MRI confirmed he does have a left knee contusion.

The post FU Injuries: Joel Embiid, Lonzo Ball & Zion Williamson Injured On The Same Night! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Melo also had some decent highlights!

The post LiAngelo Ball SCORES 72 POINTS & DECLARES FOR NBA DRAFT In Lithuania!!! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

After making just 6-of-36 threes over his last seven games, Lonzo Ball attempted 12 threes against the Pelicans on Thursday. He made one of those 12 threes.

After the game, teammate Isaiah Thomas defended (no pun intended) Ball's shooting by saying, "He doesn't just score, that's not what he does. He makes plays, he rebounds the ball, he does a little of everything. The next step is him getting that jump shot. And once he's consistent with that, he's going to be a complete player and be even harder to guard. The main thing about that is just having the confidence to shoot it and not shying away from the moment or opportunity. And like I told him tonight, 'keep taking them shots.' If you get the opportunity, the only thing you can do is miss. He works on it, so he's going to be alright."

Coach Luke Walton was just as optimistic when asked about Zo's poor shooting.

“I want him taking it,” Walton said. “I want a point guard that’s got the courage to step up and take those, even after making a few. None of those were forced. They were open threes in rhythm. We believe in what he’s going to do for us in our future.

“We’re very confident that as he grows and continues to mature in this league, he’s going to be a consistent knockdown shooter, so I’m fine with those."

My issue isn't Zo's shooting percentage from three, it's the amount of threes he's taking. 12 is what the entire Pelicans' starting line-up attempted. 12 is one more than the amount Kentavious Caldwell-Pope attempted but KCP made eight of them. 12 is twice as many as Kyle Kuzma's attempts and Kuz made four of his six. If you looked around the league last night, the only player who attempted more threes than Zo was Kemba Walker and he made 10-of-14!

I'm not asking Zo to avoid the three-point line like Ben "I'm great at scoring off the court (Tinashe!)" Simmons but he's averaging over eight three-point attempts a game over his last 10; the only players in the league averaging that many thee-point attempts this season are James Harden (10.3), Steph Curry (9.9), Eric Gordon (8.8) and Damian Lillard (8.5). I also wouldn't mind seeing his 1.3 attempts from the free throw line go up a little. He did try to throw down on Anthony Davis and got blocked but I love the idea of him attacking the rim.

Here's an encouraging stat for Lakers fans: Birthday boy Jason Kidd had the nickname Ason Kidd as a rookie because he didn't have a J. He left the league 3rd (now he's 9th) in all-time made 3-pointers for the regular season & 8th in Playoffs. Granted, he played a lot of seasons (19!) but when people look back at Kidd's Hall of Fame basketball career, no one is pointing out how poor his shooting was during his rookie season. They point at his ring and mention how he's second all-time in assists (no one will ever catch Stockton's record) and third in triple doubles. The only black eye (no pun intended) on his resume is his coaching.

UNDISPUTED ON ZO'S SHOOTING

ESPNLA

The post Luke Walton & Isaiah Thomas Are Not Concerned With Lonzo Ball's Shooting Slump appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

After scoring 12 of his 23 points in the 4th quarter of the Lakers satisfying win over the Denver Nuggets, Isaiah Thomas tossed the ball to Jamal Murray with a couple of seconds left in regulation just so the crowd could boo Murray one more time.

If you aren't aware of the beef between the bow-and-arrow-shooting Nugget and the young Lakers, the story goes back to December.

PART 1: JAMAL VS JULIUS

After scoring a game-high 28 points, Jamal Murray decided to dribble around Lonzo Ball in the final seconds of a Nuggets victory/Lakers collapse (the Lakers were outscored 15-0 in the final minutes). Julius Randle took exception to the showboating move by Murray, pushed him and picked up a tech.

Lonzo Ball called the play a "punk move" and an apologetic sounding Murray said, "I may have taken it too far. It was a bad play by me. The energy was so great and we had such a great game. Like I said, I may have taken it too far but the energy was great and I felt like we could do anything we wanted."

At the time, we thought this was going to be the end of the story, but thankfully, the two teams gave us an entertaining sequel in their next meeting.

PART 2: JAMAL VS LUKE

In the final seconds of the Nuggets win over the Lakers on March 9th, Coach Luke Walton stepped onto the court to yell and curse out Murray, who was being followed to the bench by Isaiah Thomas after a pair of free throws.

"I felt like for the second time we played here, Murray was being a little disrespectful at the end of the game," said Walton "Just some trash-talking toward our guys."

When asked about Murray, Lonzo provided some great dialogue while saying he wasn't interested in making this story into a franchise.

"I don't know, I don't really worry about Jamal Murray," Ball said. "Like I said, ain't nobody worried about him...Like I said, he going to do the circus stuff. I'm not feeding into it."

This time, Murray wasn't so apologetic sounding.

"I can't control what the other team's gonna feel," Said Murray, who finished with team-highs of 22 points and 8 assists. "I'm just gonna go out there and hoop, and whoever takes it to heart and takes their losses salty, I can't do anything about that."

PART 3: JAMAL VS ISAIAH

Since the Lakers and Nuggets don't play again this season, the 2017/18 Lakers vs Murray trilogy ended on Tuesday night and Lakers fans couldn't have asked for a better ending than the one they got: Isaiah Thomas scoring at will, crossing (and smiling at) Nikola Jokic, and tossing the ball at Murray in the final seconds.

Besides the joy of being able to chant "Murray sucks," Lakers fans are also happy about the Lakers' winning 8 of their last 10 games and Thomas averaging 19.3 points and 6.3 assists off the bench for the month of March.

The post The Lakers vs Jamal Murray Beef Just Keeps Getting Better! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

It's not often you see a winning team feel (a tiny bit) bad for the losing one but (sort of tiny) Isaiah Thomas and the Lakers know the Orlando Magic were screwed in the final second of the one-point victory for the Lakers.

"I still don't even know how it ended." Said Thomas, who had 13 points and 9 assists off the bench. "I don't even know what the call was. It sucks for the Magic but I'm glad we won."

What happened was the Magic had 00.6 seconds to make a game-winning shot. Unlikely but it happens. Mario Hezonja inbounded the ball and the Staples Center shot clock started early before being touched. The refs realized the shot clock mistake but instead of giving the Magic another shot at inbounding the ball, they made the teams do a jump ball at center court. There's a 0% chance a team is going to score in 00.6 seconds on a jump ball at center court, although, I do remember Popeye Jones once scoring on a jump ball by the free throw line.

"Just common sense would tell me in that situation, if the clock started early, just redo the possession," Orlando coach Frank Vogel said. "They felt otherwise."

Here's what Coach Walton and a few other players had to say about the ridiculous decision by the refs or the secret NBA guys on the other end of the phone in New Jersey.

Luke Walton: "They said it came from Jersey. When it came to be a clock issue, they make the call from there. I was initially upset because we stopped the play and got the deflection. Obviously, when I heard the explanation, Frank was a little more upset than I was. That's a tough rule. I was unaware of that rule."

Aaron Gordon: "They gave them the game. For the most part, the refs did a good job throughout the game. Just down that stretch. It's bad. You got to change the rule. The inadvertent whistle didn't even give us a chance to win the game. That's not how you play. That's not how the game of basketball is supposed to go."

Nikola Vucevic: "I don't understand the rule. Pretty much any home team, if you're up one and still got 1 second, as soon as somebody throws it, just run the clock, and if somebody touches it, it's a jump ball. It doesn't make any sense. I think they've got to look into that. That's frustrating when things out of your hands hurt you. But at the same time, that's not why we lost the game."

Brook "did not get a rebound in 35 minutes" Lopez: "It was bizarre. I guess we had the game-winning jump ball. I've never seen that before."

Lonzo Ball: "I've never seen that before but I'll take the win."

BONUS VIDEO: GAME WINNERS UNDER A SECOND

The post Confused Lakers & Magic Players React To Bizarre Ending (Stupid Call By Refs) Of Lakers Win appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

It's been a while since we have seen Lonzo Ball on the court but there's no shortage of news about him and his family. The soon-to-be father with an upcoming album (Born 2 Ball) dropping on February 15th will also be appearing on an upcoming episode (also on the 15th) of Lip Sync Battle.

To know surprise, his competitor is none other than his father, who recently made a hilarious appearance on Kevin Hart's Cold As Balls and made some not so hilarious comments about the Lonzo only resigning with the Lakers if the team signs his brothers.

Anyways, here's a preview of the show followed by some clips of former Lakers Nick  Young and Metta World Peace on Lip Sync Battle.

NICK YOUNG (SUGAR)

METTA WORLD PEACE (ROAR)

The post Preview of LaVar Ball vs Lonzo Ball on Lip Sync Battle appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Maybe LeBron's (not so) secret pep talk last week boosted Ball's confidence.

On Friday night, Lonzo Ball knocked down five-of-six threes (9-16 FG) and finished with 24 points, five assists and five rebounds in a near shocker vs the Warriors. The five threes was a career-high and among this year's impressive crop of rookies, only OG Anunoby has shot a higher percentage (.857) with five or more made threes.

“He likes to shoot against us,” said Steve Kerr about Lonzo, who had 15 points and 10 assists against the Warriors last month. “Apparently he can’t shoot against anybody else but he shoots against us.”

Lonzo is shooting a not-so-impressive .333 from the field and .286 from downtown for the season but over his past five games, he's made 31-of-66 shots and 16-of-34 threes, while averaging 17.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists. Those are impressive numbers, especially for a rookie who made a total of 17 threes on 24% shooting in November, and especially for a rookie half of the internet is unfairly calling a bust just because they really just want to bust LaVar Ball's ass.

He is still is struggling from the free-throw line, making just 1-of-4 against the Warriors, 8-of-16 during the five game stretch and .556 for the season (.429 in the month of November). I'm expecting those numbers to rise because he shot 67% from the charity stripe in college and I just can't imagine a starting NBA point guard shooting that poorly from the line.

Back to rookies shooting threes, worth mentioning is Donovan Mitchell has made five threes in four games so far during his Rookie of the Year campaign and Zo's teammate, Kyle Kuzma, had a seven-for-10 night a couple days ago.

POSTGAME VIDEOS

THE LOGO

In other Lonzo news, a silhouette of him dunking is the logo for the basketball league his father created for top high school players not interested in spending a year in college or playing overseas (like Lithuania!).

“We don’t need a logo of a guy dribbling,” Said LaVar Ball, referencing the NBA logo with Lakers great Jerry West. “Nobody does that anymore.”

BREAKING DOWN LONZO'S SHOT

The post Lonzo Ball Is Gaining Confidence In His Shot: 24 Points & 5 Threes vs the Warriors! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

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The Lakers came in Philly on a five-game losing streak. One of the positives during this losing streak has been the play of rising star Brandon Ingram. The second-year, toothpick-skinny, 20-year-old small forward had a career-high 32 against KD and the Warriors earlier in the week and capped off his 21/7/6 night against Joel Embiid, future Rookie of The Year Ben Simmons and the 76ers with a game-winning three.

Since the assist on the game-winner came from Lonzo Ball, Father LaVar had an amusing quote about the first game-winner by a Laker since D'Angelo Russell's "Ice in his veins" three vs the Wolves back in April.

"He already saw it before it happened," Said LaVar, who has been very critical of the Lakers (and just about everything) in recent days. "When I come this far of a distance, it's hard to beat him. I don't like all them losses. So, he'll do whatever it takes to get that `W."

Ingram also complimented his Big Baller teammate for making the assist.

"Lonzo made an incredible drive," Ingram said. "He had a closeout on Joel Embiid, and he easily could've shot that 3-pointer. He was wide open. He drew in the defense, kicked it to me, and I just knocked down the shot. I had the confidence to take the shot, whether good or bad. I felt like it was a good shot."

The best reaction to the shot came from Jordan Clarkson.

“Shit, that motherfucker was wide open!" Said the model dater to Lakers Nation Serena Winters. "He better shoot that mother fucker. If you ain't shoot that shit, I might’ve slapped them worms right off your motherfuckin head.”

If you read Clarkson's quote in Samuel L. Jackson's voice, it gets even better. It also ranks up there with Austin River's postgame comments about rookie Donovan Mitchell last week: “That little motherfucker is good. That dude’s a rookie. He’s crazy. He’s the best rookie in the NBA. That motherfucker is out there leading a team as a rookie. You know what I mean?"

This must be a LA thing.

Here's a few more reactions to Ingram, including one by Lakers legend and UNC alumni James Worthy: "You alright for a Duke guy."

FULL HIGHLIGHTS

The post Best Reactions To Brandon Ingram's Game-Winning Three vs The 76ers appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Earlier in the week, Bucks coach said Jason Kidd said comparisons between him and Lonzo Ball is "a stretch" (even though their numbers after 11 games in the NBA were almost identical). On Saturday, against Kidd's Bucks, the just turned 20-year old Ball replaced LeBron James as the youngest player in NBA history with a triple-double by racking up 19 points, 11 boards, 13 assists, 4 blocks and 3 steals. He also shot a career-best .583 (7-12) from the floor and .600 (3-5) from three.

"That's going to be, I guess, the headline, that he got a triple-double and I got to see it in the front row," said a correct Kidd after his Bucks beat Lonzo's Lakers 98-90. "Ball can play, and he is going to make his teammates and team better. Triple-double, that is going to be the norm for him. He is going to fill up the stat sheets."

The other headline is going to be how the just turned 20-year old Ball couldn't care less about putting up a triple-double in front of Kidd or replacing LeBron James as the youngest player (by 5 days) in NBA history.

"I really don't care," Said Ball, after the accomplishment. "I just wanted to win tonight. I thought we put ourselves in a good position to get it, but it didn't happen."

While talking to The Vertical, after saying he "really doesn't give a ..." he also gave credit to his Dad for his approach to the game and being able to block out the "noise."

“In today’s NBA, a lot of point guards get buckets, but I go off my impact and what I can do to win games. It’s not going to be scoring every night, but I’m trying to improve that. The way I play, it comes from Dad. He really don’t care about noise either. My dad had me on lesser teams, so I had to do more and it prepares me."

Triple-double King and Lakers team president Magic Johnson also had some praise for Ball after the loss.

"If he's getting triple-doubles in the summer league, he is going to get triple-doubles in the regular season. Just like me, when I got here, there was pressure. I was the No. 1 pick [in 1979]. I didn't care about that. I am going to play my game. Lonzo is going to play his game. The great ones do."

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Lonzo Ball was one assist shy of a triple-double in his second NBA game. He was two boards and two points away from the statistical achievement in his third. And after just four highly publicized games in the NBA, the Lakers rookie point guard is averaging an impressive 11.5 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists.

Just for kicks, here's Jason Kidd's rookie numbers after four games: 10.8, 9.5 rebounds and 7.8 assists. The 90's King of Cali point guards was nicknamed Ason Kidd during his co-NBA Rookie of the Year season because "he didn't have a J," didn't pick up the first of his 107 career triple-doubles until his 68th game (he had three more in his next nine games). Kidd is also 8th on the all-time leaders in made three-point goals, so this might make you feel a little better when you look at Lonzo's 31% from the field and 23% from three right now.

Like Kidd in 93, I'm not worried about Lonzo's shooting percentages. It's only a matter of time until he picks it up and it's only a matter of time (probably days, maybe even hours) until he gets his first of what I assume will be many triple-doubles in the NBA.

In the meantime, I wanted to use #FlashbackFriday and his 20th birthday to look back at all of the times the former Ballislife All-American MVP fucked around and got one or almost got one (or a quadruple-doubles) during his days at UCLA and in high school, where he averaged 24 points, 11.3 boards, 11.5 assists and 5.1 steals a game as a senior and 24/11/9 as a junior.

2015: HIGH SCHOOL

25 points, 14 assists, 10 steals and 7 boards in a 97-58 victory against Seattle Prep at the Maxpreps tournament.

18 points, 17 assists, 17 rebounds, 4 blocks, 4 steals in a 93-68 victory against Roosevelt.

2016: HIGH SCHOOL

15 points, 22 assists, 11 rebounds, 5 blocks and 4 steals vs Bam Adebayo and High Point Christian

25 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, 9 steals vs Mater Dei

32 points, 16 rebounds, 15 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks vs Damien

2016: COLLEGE

2 boards short of a triple-double in his college debut

1 board and 1 assist away from a triple-double vs Ohio State

2017: NBA SUMMER LEAGUE

11, 11 and 11 in his second Summer League game

2017: NBA ROOKIE SEASON

29 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists vs the Phoenix Suns

The post Lonzo Ball Triple-Double Compilation From HS To The NBA appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Tonight is the night: Ball vs Wall!

After LaVar Ball's comments to ESPN about the Wizards needing to "beware because Lonzo ain't losing twice in one week" and Marcin Gortat's "man..pleaseeeee! Wall will torture him for 48 minutes" reply, every basketball fan cleared their schedule for tonight's Lakers and Wizards game.

When asked about the Polish Hammer's "torture" comment, Ball replied, "Tell Gortat he looks like Gru from Despicable Me and I'm going to show his gang sign throwing point guard what a real big baller is!"

Obviously the always cool, calm and monotone Lonzo didn't say that or anything disrespectful. He just downplayed the match-up and threw out some compliments.

"It's going to be a lot of fun. He's one of the best point guards in the league. I'm just going to go out and compete and see what happens."

Teammate Brandon Ingram had a more interesting reply when asked about Gortat's comments.

"The competitor in Lonzo, he didn't take it so well and with his teammates behind him, we didn't take it so well.

As for Wall, here's what he had to say about tonight's game and his teammate.

Via Washington Post
“Nah, no mercy,” Wall responded when asked if he would show leniency to the 19-year-old rookie point guard despite his braggadocious father.

“Certain matchups you really get up for. Like when you play Steph, you definitely want to have a good game,” Wall said. “I’m playing against [Ball]. [Gortat] said what he said about me. I didn’t say anything. His dad has been talking. … That makes me want to go out there and lead my team and play the best I can play.”

So basically Wall is saying he's really going to go out there and try to torture Ball like victims in a Saw movie. And my predictions are Wall is going to make fantasy basketball owners really happy, Lonzo is going to surprise a lot of folks and whether he ends up with a win, loss or in a coffin, his Dad is going to have some really crazy shit to say after the game.

I can't wait!

BONUS VIDEO

John Wall talking about  Lonzo back in February.

The post Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram & John Wall's Response To Gortat's "Torture" Comments appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Back in September, one of the many infamous quotes LaVar Ball said during an entertaining visit to ESPN First Take was, "I bet you  Steph Curry won't go over there and try to guard him. Guaranteed. You'll see it."

New Clippers' point guard Patrick Beverley -- notorious for getting under the skin of other players -- saw the quote and tweeted, "but imma guard him the first game and we will see about that!!!"

During Wednesday's Lakers' practice, Ball was asked about the two-time All-Defensive player. “He’s going to play hard,” Ball said of Beverley. “I’ve been watching the NBA for a long time now. Picks up full court. Plays hard. Like I said, it’s going to be a lot of fun. He’s going to go at me. I’m going to go at him.”

He was right about them going at each other but I'm not sure how much fun Lonzo really had during his struggling NBA debut: 3 points on 1-of-6 shooting (1-3 3pt, 0-2 ft), 9 boards, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and 2 turnovers in 29 minutes of a 108-92 loss to the Clippers.

For 29 plays, Beverley bumped, stared at, talked trash at and did his best to annoy Ball the way he always annoyed Russell Westbrook.

After the game, Beverley said he had to "welcome his young a$$ to the NBA."

"I just had to set the tone," Beverley said. "I told him after the game, due to all the riff-raff his Dad brings, he's going to get a lot of people coming at him. He has to be ready for that and I let him know after the game. But what a better way to start him off. I was 94 feet guarding him tonight. Had to welcome his young a$$ to the NBA."

According to ESPN's Marc Spears, after shutting down Ball and before telling a reporter in this clip, "I'm not done," Beverley was heard screaming, "Weak ass motherfucker. Bring him out on the court with me and I will tear his ass up."

Those comments didn't sit well with Lonzo's Dad, who was in attendance with about 40 family and friends.

"Yeah, you shut the motherfucker down," LaVar Ball told ESPN after the game. "And your check still ain't going to go no higher than what it is. Yeah, you shut him down. OK ... Who is Patrick Beverley? He played all last year and nobody said nothing about him. Now we are looking at your first game. Why? Because Lonzo's name is attached to it.

"So you got to be [all hard]," Ball added as he slapped his fists together. "Let's see what you do the next five games, if you are going to be pumped up towards everybody like that and go back to your 0-for-5 shooting and your two or three rebounds. Nobody is going to care about you. But you put my son's name in it and you put my name in it, now you got some action and you got some people talking."

When LaVar was told Beverley didn't actually say Lonzo in the same sentence as the motherfucker, the BBB CEO replied, "You ain't got to say it by name because I saw the way he looked at me when he was on the side of the bench. He was going to see if I can get eye contact. I just looked at him like I looked right past him because he's nobody. You talking to Big Baller."

As expected, the always quotable and known LaVar Ball hater Michael Rapaport had something to say about all of this.

As expected, poker face Lonzo was cool and calm talking about Beverley and his performance after the game.

"He plays hard, he knows his job, he does it very well," said Ball. "He gets under people's skin and plays defense and does what he can to help his team win."

"We got blown out so I didn't play too well."

And to end this by going full circle back to Stephen A. Smith, here's LaVar and Smith hilariously going at it again.

"Lonzo did good." - LaVar Ball
"WHAT GAME WERE YOU WATCHING!?!" - Stephen A. Smith

Source: ESPN

The post LaVar Ball Responds To Patrick Beverley Trash-Talking & Shutting Down Lonzo appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

It's just Lakers rookies Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma showing off their long range shooting skills in a half-court shootout. Lonzo also shows off his trash-talking (I wonder where he gets it from) and catwalking skills (around the one-minute mark) in the amusing video that I guarantee will have anti-Ball Family people talking trash about Lonzo's not-so-pretty shooting form and/or saying the No. 2 pick isn't as good as the 27th pick because of how great Kuzma played during the preseason. I love chanting Kooz as much as any other Lakers fan but I can guarantee Lonzo Ball is going to be a star for the franchise.

Speaking of Lakers and stars, I'm going to use this as an opportunity to remember the now retired Shooting Stars Competition from NBA All-Star weekend. The event started in 2004 and ended in 2015 when people got tired of watching Team Bosh (Chris Bosh, Swin Cash, Dominique Wilkins) win every year (three in a row) of the not-so-exciting event that was won or lost based on how quickly a team could hit a half-court shot. I also brought this up because the inaugural event was won by Team Los Angeles with Lisa Leslie and former Lakers Magic Johnson and Derek Fisher.

Back to Lonzo and all of his skills (minus the rapping ones). Here's a hilarious video of him dunking, working on his runway walk and twerking....followed by him and Kuzma having a three-point competition during practice. His form might not be Sidney Deane worthy but the results aren't bad.

In case you were wondering how well (or poorly) Ball and Kuzma shot during the preseason:

• Ball: .333 FG%, .250 3PT%, 1.000 FT%
• Kuzma: .514 FG%, .306 3PT%, .760 FT%

The post Lonzo Ball Talking Trash With Kyle Kuzma During A Half Court Shot Competition appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Like his Summer League debut, Lonzo Ball struggled with his shot but filled up the stat sheet in his preseason debut on Saturday.

Wearing his new remixed Zo2 shoes, The Lakers No. 2 pick dished out eight assists, grabbed seven boards and had two steals to go with five points (2-9 fg, 1-5 3pt, 0-0 ft) in a 108-99 loss to the new look Wolves.

As expected, LaVar Ball was in attendance and had some interesting quotes about his three boys and three B brand.

Via ESPN

"We did exactly what we're supposed to do," LaVar said of the attention. "Welcome to the Ball era. Everybody's coming to the Ball era."

"I said he's gonna be Rookie of the Year. How could he not?" the elder Ball said. "... [The hype around Lonzo is] going to keep growing. That's what Big Baller Brand does. It grows."

"That's why I told him they're going to win a championship between one and seven years because help is on the way," he added. "My other two boys will be here in a minute."

 Even crazier than 18,000+ fans showing up to watch the Lonzo and the Lakers play a preseason game with the Wolves was the amount of fans that formed a line to meet LaVar before the game.

POSTGAME INTERVIEW

The Ball family huddling up after Lonzo Ball's preseason Lakers debut. Luke Walton stopped by to say hi. pic.twitter.com/GbeCw9MtyZ

— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) October 1, 2017

4 minutes left in the fourth quarter of the first Lakers preseason game. Still here: everyone in the upper deck. pic.twitter.com/19TLUsBdqP

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) October 1, 2017

The post The Best Of Lonzo Ball's (and LaVar) NBA Preseason Debut appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.