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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.

Have you ever played against a guy and said "that's just not fair" because of that guy's height, or speed, or athletic ability, or shooting ability, or his play making skills? 7'1 senior Thon Maker has us saying "that's just not fair" because he has all of those skills. The reason why he has those skills is because he's a point guard stuck in a center's body. But unlike most big men who have those type of skills, Thon isn't soft.  Maker will make you a poster or throw your shot in the stands. He can back you down too even though he's just as comfortable taking and making 3-pointers. How comfortable? He made 8 straight 3-pointers and finished 2nd in our Ballislife All-American 3-Point contest earlier this year. He was also the co-MVP of the game.

So here we are 5 months after that game and 3 months after he broke Bam Adebayo's ankles at the Las Vegas Fab 48 event watching this mix from City League Hoops saying "that's just not fair!"

The post 7'1 HS Senior Thon Maker Is A Point Guard Stuck In A Center's Body appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

The 10th annual Under Armour Elite 24 (August 22, 7 pm ET, ESPNU) will showcase many of the nation's top players in the Class of 2016 and 2017. Here's what to watch for on each team and our prediction of what might go down.

The one thing in an all-star/showcase game that always happens is -- the unexpected happens. There is always some unsung player that steps up and has a big game and/or the team that comes in as the prohibitive underdog plays inspired ball.

This year's Under Armour Elite 24, the elite outdoor event's 10th anniversary game, is filled with elite talent among all 24 participants (CLICK HERE for team rosters). With that much individual talent (all are ranked in the ESPNU 100 for Class of 2016 or ESPNU 60 for Class of 2017,) anyone on either roster is capable of playing well, but on paper it seems Team EZ Pass (named after 2008 participant and NCAA champion Kemba Walker) has the most firepower.

The Team EZ Pass starting lineup is likely to include 6-foot-8 small forward Josh Jackson of Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.), one of the game MVPs in the 2014 game after making 10-12 shots and finishing with 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists, 7-foot DeAndre Ayton of Balboa School (San Diego, Calif.), the No. 1 prospect in the ESPNU 60, and 7-foot Thon Maker of Orangeville Prep (Ontario, Canada), a top five prospect in the rising senior class after announcing he'll remain in the 2016 class for the duration of the 2015-16 school year.

Jackson, the highest ranked participant in the ESPNU 100 at No. 3, will be working alongside 6-foot-6 wing and recent Alabama commit Terrance Ferguson (ESPNU 100 No. 14) of Prime Prep (Dallas) on the wing with Trevon Duval of St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) and Troy Brown Jr. of Centennial (Las Vegas) running the show.

That's a lot of firepower and a lot of options for Team Doo Be Doo to deal with and attempt to slow down.

Duval, ranked No. 13 in the ESPN 60, is eager to prove he's one of the nation's best point guards regardless of class and Brown, ranked No. 6 in the ESPN 60, gained valuable experience participating in last year's game as a rising sophomore. Look for at least one of them to have a big game.

The starting lineup for Team Doo Be Doo (named after two-time UA Elite 24 game MVP Brandon Jennings) is likely to include 6-foot-9, 225-pound Edrice Adebayo of Northside (Pinetown, N.C.) and 6-foot-10, 280-pound Udoka Azubuike of Potter's House Christian (Jacksonville, Fla.). That's a lot of beef for Team EZ Pass to deal with, so Kobi Simmons of St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.) and Billy Preston of Prime Prep (Dallas) are going to have to get them the ball as much as possible to take advantage down low. If Team EZ Pass takes Adebayo (ESPNU 100 No. 8) and Azubuike (ESPNU 100 No. 19) out of the game by taking advantage in transition, Team Doo Be Doo will have to make adjustments and perhaps go with a smaller lineup to keep up with the pace of the game.

Simmons, ranked No. 6 in the ESPNU 100, and Preston, ranked No. 20 in the ESPN 60, are versatile talents whose production will be key for Team Doo Be Doo. Simmons can break down defenders and create, but similar to Preston, he often times hunts his own shot. Those two are going to have to be cognizant of when to attack or look for advantages on the block. If Simmons has an efficient game, Team Doo Be Doo will be in good shape.

Team Do Be Doo will also benefit from the late addition of 6-foot-9 Michael Porter Jr. of Father Tolton Catholic (Columbia, Mo.). Porter is ranked No. 2 in the ESPN 60 and is one of the most talented scorers in the country.

Simmons can slide to the two when 6-foot Shamorie Ponds of Jefferson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) is in the game or Ponds can work with 6-foot-5 Rawle Alkins of Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.) on the second shift. Where Doo Be Doo might have an advantage is when it brings in that second line. Ponds, ranked No. 66 in the ESPNU 100, is a creative playmaker suited for the UA Elite 24 atmosphere while Alkins, No. 22 in the ESPNU 100, was arguably the most productive performer on the summer grassroots circuit and likely on the rise in the next rankings shuffle.

Another player surely on the rise in the rankings is No. 83 Wenyen Gabriel, a 6-foot-9 power forward out of Wilbraham & Monson Academy (Manchester, N.H.). Like Alkins, he finished out the summer evaluation period looking like a top 10 national prospect and is likely to be on the court with Ponds and Alkins a lot of the time. The Brooklyn Bridge Park crowd is likely going to get behind Team Doo Be Doo because of the hometown products on that team.

The crowd getting behind Ponds, Alkins and company is not the only factor that could play into Team Doo Be Doo's favor. Players on the team such as Ponds, Gabriel and 6-foot-9 Jarrett Allen of Saint Stephen's Episcopal School (Austin, Texas), ranked No. 17 in the ESPNU 100, don't have the national reputations that the top players on Team EZ Pass do.

The motivation to become a household name, and earn a bigger national reputation, just might be what many of the players on Team Doo Be Doo need to offset the advantages Team EZ Pass has on paper.

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 2015 UA Elite 24: What To Watch For appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

Fab 48 Tip-Off Challenge 
July 22, 2015
Bishop Gorman High School (Las Vegas, Nev.)
(Court 1 Schedule; Subject to Change; All four games below will be STREAMED LIVE on www.ebooksnet.com)

5:00 pm - 1 Nation (Mich.) vs. Belmont Shore (Calif.)
6:30 pm - D.C. Premier (D.C.) vs. Pro Skills (Texas)
8:00 pm - Canada Elite vs. Team Loaded (N.C.)
9:15 pm - NY Rens  vs. Each 1 Teach 1 (Fla.)

BIL LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE & PREVIEWS

1 Nation (Under Armour Association)

Won-Loss Record: 1 Nation lost to Team Canada, 69-57, in the opening round of the UAA 17U finals in Suwanee, Ga. On the 3-stop UAA circuit, the team finished 6-6.

 Key Players:

Josh Jackson, Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) via Southfield, Mich. 6-7 SF 2016 (Nation's No. 1 ranked prospect by 247Sports.com) 18.3 ppg, 10 rpg in 16 UAA circuit games. Offers from every major NCAA title contender in the country.
Devon Daniels, Kalamazoo Central (Kalamazoo, Mich.) 6-5 W 2016 (13.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg in 15 UAA circuit games. Minnesota, Utah, DePaul, Drake, Buffalo offers.)
Spencer Littleson, Rochester Adams (Rochester Hills, Mich.) 6-4 SG 2016 (7.5 ppg, 37.8 % 3-point in 15 UAA circuit games)

What To Watch For vs. Belmont Shore:

1 Nation is built around Josh Jackson, one of the nation's top three consensus recruits and a future NBA big guard/wing. Jackson is one of the most explosive players in the nation and offensively this team can play with anyone. On the defensive side, however, is where there are some question marks. Jackson is often the tallest player on the floor and often has to guard the opposition's best post player. 1 Nation is going to have to keep Belmont Shore from getting easy looks in the paint and keeping P.J. Washington off the glass. Watch out for Littleson. If Belmont Shore focuses too much defensively on Jackson, Littleson can hurt them with his perimeter shooting.

Belmont Shore (Independent)

Won-Loss Record: N/A - This grassroots team, which was founded and is coached by FAB 48 co-director Dinos Trigonis, has competed in a myriad of national grassroots events since its inception in 1993. The club won the Las Vegas Easter Classic in 2004 and 2010 and the Reebok Summer National Championship in July 2007 behind the play of 2008 National Player of the Year Brandon Jennings, one of the many numerous pros to play on Trigonis' club over the last 20 years.

 Key Players:

P.J. Washington, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 6-8 PF 2017 (Nation's No. 7 ranked junior by ESPN.com) Offers from Arizona, Baylor and Texas among others. Washington is the consummate Windex Man who works hard on the boards and is a terrific finisher in transition. He's also good at creating second chance points with his work around the basket.
Ethan Thompson, Bishop Montgomery (Torrance, Calif.) 6-3 CG 2017 (Nation's No. 72 ranked junior by 247Sports.com) Oregon St., Washington State offers, brother of Oregon St. freshman Stevie Thompson Jr., whose father is on the Oregon St. staff and is a former NBA player.
K.J. Smith, IMG Academy (Florida) via Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 6-2 PG 2015 (Will spend a year of prep school after helping Mater Dei to the CIF Open Division title game as a senior. Late-blooming point guard is the son of former NBA point guard and TNT analyst Kenny Smith)
Jacob Hughes, Servite (Anaheim, Calif.) 6-10 C 2017 (One of the West Coast's top center prospects in the rising junior class, Hughes is rapidly improving after beginning to play in seventh grade. He can score with a soft hook with either hand and is underrated defensively.)

What To Watch For vs. 1 Nation:

Belmont Shore doesn't have a player the caliber of Jackson, but Trigonis' team is usually prepared for the big stage and will get some open looks against 1 Nation. Belmont Shore is most dangerous when its guard play is at a high level, so if Smith and Thompson step up it will put a lot of pressure on 1 Nation. Hughes can end up being a major factor if he can keep up with the fast pace of the game on this big stage because of 1 Nation's lack of size. P.J. Washington and Charles O' Bannon Jr. of Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), a 2017 McDonald's All-American candidate, will get a crack at checking Jackson, but it's on offense where O'Bannon can make a difference with his ability to stroke from the wing.

 

D.C. Premier (Under Armour Association)

Pro Skills (Nike EYBL)
Won-Loss Record:

Pro Skills went 10-7 in Division A of the EYBL and qualified for the Peach Jam EYBL Finals. In its pool at Peach Jam, Pro Skills finished 2-3 and did not qualify for eight-team bracket play to decide the EYBL champions, which turned out to be the Georgia Stars.

 Key Players:

Marques Bolden, DeSoto (DeSoto, Texas) 6-11 C 2016 (Nation's No. 6 ranked prospect by Rivals.com) 13.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg in 17 EYBL games. Offers from all the big boys including Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, North Carolina and Louisville. A powerful finisher around the basket, Bolden turned into a legitimate McDonald's All-American candidate with his play on the EYBL circuit. He's now considered the nation's top center prospect in his class by Scout.com.
Andrew Jones, MacArthur (Irving, Texas) 6-4 CG 2016 (Nation's No. 91 prospect by 247Sports.com) 11.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg in 17 EYBL games. He's not a consensus Top 100 prospect yet, but Jones is one of the nation's July breakout performers. He averaged 18.4 ppg at Peach Jam to lead Pro Skills in scoring and recently picked up offers from Arizona and Texas.
Schnider Herard, Prestonwood Christian Academy (Plano, Texas) 6-10 C 2016 (Nation's No. 41 prospect by Rivals.com) 8.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg in 17 EYBL games. Herard is still a work in progress on the offensive end, but he's an imposing physical presence who works on the boards and must be accounted for because he runs the floor well for his size.

What To Watch For vs. DC Premier:

Pro Skills is a physical imposing bunch and with Bolden and Herard will be a load for DC Premier to handle. Bolden battled nagging injuries on the EYBL circuit, but he'll be ready for the big FAB 48 stage and if DC Premier doesn't get physical enough on the block it could make for a long night for them. DC Premier's Joe Hampton will have to play big against Bolden. Watch out for JaColby Pemberton, a rising senior for Lancaster, Texas, who is a good athlete.

Canada Elite (Under Armour Association)
Won-Loss Record:

Canada Elite advanced to the championship game of the UAA 17U finals in Suwanee, Ga., losing to Team Charlotte 56-46 after the game was tied at 41-41 with three minutes remaining. In its division (Humble) Canada Elite tied with Team Charlotte with a 9-3 record. Canada Elite defeated Team Charlotte in New York, the third stop of the UAA circuit.

Key Players:

Thon Maker, Athlete Institute Academy (Toronto) 7-0 PF 2016 (Nation's No. 5 ranked prospect by 247Sports.com) 15.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg on the UAA circuit, considered one of of the best NBA prospects for the 2017 NBA Draft after declaring he will remain in high school for the 2015-16 season. Arizona St. and Indiana are the major players in the Maker sweepstakes.
Justin Jackson, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 6-7 SF 2016 (Nation's No. 28 prospect by Scout.com; UNLV COMMIT) 12.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg on the UAA circuit. Jackson can defend in the post and on on the perimeter and is a crafty scorer around the basket. Once he gains more consistency from the outside, he'll turn into a highly-productive college player.
Marcus Ottey, St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) 6-2 PG 2016 (10.1 ppg on UAA circuit) Ottey turned a lot of college coaches' heads with his play at the UAA Finals in Suwanee, Ga. The FAB 48 Tip-off challenge could be another breakout event for the lefty guard. Ottey is nearly as quick as he is explosive and that's saying a lot. He can play both guard spots.

What To Watch For vs. Team Loaded:

The Canadians don't have a perimeter player with the ability of Dennis Smith, but they won't be overmatched. Ottey is an explosive playmaker and point guard Godwin Boahen of St. Louis Christian Academy in Toronto is capable of putting up points in a hurry and is a solid defender. Thon Maker's ability facing the basket could be a big program because Team Loaded may have to double him if he gets going offensively. That could free up space for Justin Jackson, who is a strong candidate to have a big game.

Andrew Wiggins Team Loaded (adidas Uprising Gauntlet)
Won-Loss Record:

On the first stop on the Gauntlet in Dallas, Team Loaded went 2-1. On the second stop in Indianapolis, Team Loaded won the 17U Lillard bracket to qualify for the Finale. The Gauntlet finale hosted the top eight finishers from bracket play in Indianapolis, as well as eight at large teams. Team loaded lost in the round of eight at the Gauntlet Finale in Atlanta during the first July NCAA viewing period to eventual champion NY Rens, 57-54.

 Key Players:

Dennis Smith Jr., Trinity Christian School (Greenville, N.C.) 6-3 PG 2016 (Nation's No. 4 ranked prospect by ESPN.com) Offers from almost every big-time program in the country, including Duke and North Carolina. Smith led the adidas Gauntlet with 6.9 apg, and also averaged 16.2 ppg and 4.8 rpg. In the argument for the nation's top point guard along with De'Aaron Fox of Houston Hoops and Lonzo Ball of Big Ballers VXT, Smith is the most explosive of the three around the rim. His jump shot is a work in progress, but he finds ways to keep teams honest and impact the game even when the jumper is not falling.
Edrice Adebayo, Northside (Jacksonville, N.C.) 6-9 PF 2016 (Nation's No. 7 ranked prospect by Rivals.com) 14.7 ppg, 9.1 rpg in adidas Gauntlet games. Adebayo was one of the top five performers at the prestigious NBPA Top 100 Camp in June and is a consensus Top 10 recruit. "Bam" is not quite as tall as he looks, but because of his chiseled physique, strength and mobility, he more often than not plays like the biggest player on the floor. He goes after missed shots with reckless abandon and has made great strides offensively over the last year.

What To Watch For vs. Canada Elite:

Maker vs. Bam is must-see, and if Bam can move his feet well enough to stay out of foul trouble Team Loaded will have a chance down the stretch (each player gets six fouls in the FAB 48). Team Canada gets in trouble when it can't get Maker the ball inside, so if Team Loaded's perimeter defense can cause trouble by denying entry passes or making them difficult, it will cause less double teams and mismatches. The play of Jaylen Fornes, a 6-foot-2 shooting guard out of Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, N.C., will be key because he's not a consistent threat with the outside shot. If he's on, Team Loaded will gain confidence.

 

Each 1 Teach 1 (Nike EYBL)
Won-Loss Record:

E1T1 went 13-4 in Division D of the EYBL, one game behind eventual EYBL champion Georgia Stars in the division. The team qualified for the Peach Jam EYBL Finals where it went 4-1 in pool play to qualify for the eight-team championship bracket to decide the 2015 champion. E1T1 fell to the Team CP3, 74-70, in the quarterfinals.

Key Players:

Jonathan Isaac, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) 6-10 SF 2016 (Nation's No. 9 ranked prospect by Scout.com; FLORIDA STATE COMMIT) 14.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg in 17 EYBL games. Isaac has great long-term potential and is only beginning to scratch the surface of it. At the Nike EYBL Minneapolis session, he showed the makings of a future pro as a prototype 4-man with 3-man skills. Not strong yet, Isaac needs to improve finishing in traffic.
Kevin Knox, Jr., Tampa Catholic (Tampa, Fla.) 6-8 SF 2017 (Nation's No. 12 ranked junior by Scout.com) 7.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg in 17 EYBL games. Knox is in the same boat as Isaac in many ways in that he'll be a much better player down the line. Knox is a great athlete who shoots the ball well at his size. He's also a great quarterback prospect on the football field, but his future is on the hardwood.

What To Watch For vs. NY Rens:

Rawle Alkins and Mustapha Heron are matchups nightmares for E1T1, but on the flip side Isaac creates a matchup problem as well with his length. If E1T1 can hold the Rens to one shot per possession, they will be in position to take control of the game if they don't get physically overpowered in the backcourt. That's where Tony Bradley Jr., a 6-foot-10 rising senior from Bartow, Fla. comes into play. He's an excellent rebounder (8.6 rpg in the EYBL) and a double-digit scorer. If Bradley has a big game, E1T1 has to like its chances.

New York Rens (adidas Uprising Gauntlet)
Won-Loss Record:

The Rens got off to a rough start at the Gauntlet stop, going 1-2 in the same pool as Team Loaded. They turned it around in Indianapolis to qualify for the adidas Gauntlet Finale, July 8-10, in Atlanta. There the Rens stormed through bracket play, defeating Brookwood Elite (78-61), Team Loaded North Carolina (57-54), Indiana Elite (87-77), and the Atlanta Celtics (80-66) in the championship game to capture the 17U championship.

 Key Players:

Rawle Alkins, Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.) 6-5 SG 2016 (Nation's No. 13 ranked prospect by 247Sports.com) 23.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg in 12 adidas Gauntlet games. Alkins has all the big schools after him, but he won't be back at CTK for his senior season because of an athletic eligibility issue. He was dominant for the Royals as a junior, leading them to a CHSAA Class AA title and state runner-up finish. Alkins excels in transition and is much too physically imposing for most guards or wings on the high school level to handle. He's also a solid shooter and capable ball-handler, but must continue to develop on the defensive end.

Key Players:

Mustapha Heron, Sacred Heart (Waterbury, Conn.) 6-5 CG 2016 (Nation's No. 17 ranked prospect by Scout.com) 17.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.0 apg in 12 adidas Gauntlet games. Heron was originally committed to Pittsburgh but is now wide open in his recruitment. St. John's and new coach Chris Mullen would love to have Heron or Alkins or both join the Redmen. The MOP of the 2015 Pangos All-American Camp, if Heron wasn't the camp's most impressive performer, then it was surely Alkins.

What To Watch For vs. Each 1 Teach 1:

Like his running mate Alkins, Heron is a winner, as he led his high school team to a 28-0 record and No. 26 national ranking in the Grassroots Hoops FAB 50 as a junior. Heron had 19 points and 12 rebounds vs. the Atlanta Celtics in the adidas Gauntlet championship game, so he could be primed for a big game on a big stage vs. E1T1. As it that wasn't enough, Alkins had 34 points in the championship game. Heron is not quite as efficient from the field as Alkins, so if the E1T1 is going to have to pick its poison, it might make sense for them to concentrate on slowing down Alkins. If both of them are on their game, the Rens will be extremely tough to beat because everyone on the team thrives in their role. The Rens will also have to show they can handle E1T1 on the boards.

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 BIL to Stream Four Titanic Matchups From Las Vegas 48 Tip-Off Challenge July 22! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

View my UAA Finals Recap No. 1 | Link

View my UAA Finals Recap No. 2 | Link

View my UAA Finals Recap No. 3 | Link 

Heading into the Under Armour Association 17U championship contest, Canada Elite had the size advantage and the star power, but a scrappy bunch from Team Charlotte had enough talent to win the coveted title -- if it could stay close enough to pull it off at the end.

That's exactly what happened, as Team Charlotte outscored Canada Elite, 15-5, over the final three minutes to gut out a 56-46 victory at the Suwanee Sports Academy in Suwanee, Ga.

Ty-Shon Alexander, a rising junior guard from Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), led off the game with a 3-pointer and that was a good omen for a team that was going to have to shoot the lights out from the perimeter in order to defeat a much bigger opponent that featured 7-foot Thon Maker, arguably the most talented big man on the entire grassroots circuit.

The shooting never came, and Team Charlotte quickly fell behind 12-6. The underdogs were able to get back into the game by battling and scrapping on every possession, combined with some unforced first half turnovers by Canada Elite. Team Charlotte trailed by two points (21-19) at halftime.

Team Charlotte harassed Canada Elite's ball-handlers up top and Jayson Hankins, a 2016 prospect from Northside Christian Academy (Charlotte, N.C.), did as admirable a defensive job a 6-foot-5 forward can on Maker. He also got help from Joshua Howard, a 6-foot-6 2016 prospect from Providence Day (Charlotte, N.C.), who finished with 15 points. Overall, it was the stellar team defensive performance that head coach Jeff McInnis stressed in the pre-game.

McInnis, who helped Oak Hill Academy win a mythical national title in 1993 and played in the Final Four for North Carolina before embarking on a 12-year pro career, relished the role of the underdog. He stressed it to his team in its previous bracket games and noted its lack of "star power" in timeout huddles. The motivational ploy worked, and the result was extra sweet for the coach because he runs the grassroots program and is a Charlotte native (SEE VIDEO).

If Team Charlotte does have a player that qualifies as a star, it's Alexander. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard hit 9-of-10 free throws, a majority of which came in the second half, and finished with 14 points.

"Most of all, it was about putting the team first," said Alexander, who reports offers from Virginia Tech and UNC-Charlotte with major interest from Wichita St., Virginia and Clemson. "Coach McInnis, he can be tough on me, but the players wanted to show him we have his back, because he has ours. We had a lot of people come down from Charlotte today for the championship and we wanted to prove to them we could win this. Their support helped us a lot."

Team Canada was led in the scoring department by 5-foot-11 point guard Godwin Boahen of St. Louis Christian Academy (Toronto, Canada) with 13 points. As for Maker, he played valiantly, but he was not getting enough touches in the paint because of Team Charlotte's smothering perimeter defense and didn't convert at the rate Canada Elite's supportive crowd would have liked. He also missed three free throws.

Maker finished the game with 11 points and 11 rebounds while averaging 16.5 points and 11.8 rebounds for the entire UAA Finals weekend. Maker, the MVP of the 2015 Ballislife All-American Game and one of the top performers at the 2015 NBPA Top 100 Camp, didn't capture the coveted UAA 17U crown, but it doesn't take away from his spectacular individual summer.

With its win, Team Charlotte joins the New York Rens (adidas Gauntlet Championship) and the Georgia Stars (Nike EYBL) as shoe company summer circuit champions for the 2015 grassroots season. Of the three, Team Charlotte's run was the most improbable.

Florida Vipers Sting Indy Hoosiers for 16U Crown

The Indy Hoosiers were looking for a repeat of sorts after capturing the 15U crown in the first UA Association last summer. They had the necessary ingredients -- talent, experience, and confidence -- to pull off the double crown.

After jumping out to an early 19-5 lead on the Florida Vipers in the UAA 16U title game, it looked like the expected title was just a matter of time -- but it wasn't meant to be. The Florida Vipers picked up the intensity and started matching the Indy Hoosiers shot-for-shot to pull out a 59-54 comeback victory.

The game wasn't decided until Cooper Neese, a shooting guard from Cloverdale (Ind.) and the Indy Hoosiers' best marksman, missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer from his sweet spot on the left wing with less than 10 seconds remaining and his team trailing 57-54.

Leading the way offensively for the Florida Vipers' three double-digit scorers was 6-foot-4 2017 combo forward Jordan Wright of Dillard (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) with 18 points. He added 10 rebounds. The points weren't all pretty, but Wright was effective around the basket and on second-chance situations.

Point guard Paul Scruggs, a 6-foot-3 2017 prospect out of Southport (Indianapolis, Ind.), led two Indy Hoosiers' double-digit scorers with 14 points. Neese, a 6-foot-4 2017 prospect, added nine points on three 3-point field goals.

"After the bad start, we got in the huddle and coach told us not to get down on ourselves," Wright said. "My job is to score around the basket and do the dirty work, but all of us did our jobs."

A Coronation for Sports U in 15U

Fairfield, N.J.-based Sport U had not lost a single game on the UAA 15U circuit -- not just in Suwanee but also in New Orleans, Louisville, or New York -- heading into the championship game.

It was going to take a stellar performance from We R1 to pull off the upset, but after Sports U jumped to a 8-0 lead, the feeling among the college coaches court side was the favorite wasn't going to be denied. Sports U turned in a masterful defensive performance in its 50-33 victory to finish the 2015 UAA circuit unbeaten.

Behind stellar perimeter defense by 2018 prospects Luther Muhhamed (Hudson Catholic, Newark, N.J./6-3), Jahvon Quinerly (Hudson Catholic, Newark, N.J./6-0) and Atiba Taylor (Roselle Catholic, Roselle, N.J./6-3), Sports U gave up only 12 points in the first half and led by eight points after 16 minutes. Sports U doubled up on We R1, 36-18, on a jumper by Muhhamed and the final score is only partially indicative of Sports U's dominance in the game.

Quinerly led all scorers with 16 points while Muhhamed also hit double figures with 10.

Kiyon Johnson, a 6-foot-4 2018 small forward out of Paul VI (Haddonfield, N.J.), was We R1's only double digit scorer with 15 points.

"We're the No. 1 15U team in the country and it we lose, like that's a big story," Muhhamed said. "We came out saying we don't want to have that feeling of losing."

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 Team Charlotte Upsets Canada Elite in UAA 17U Finals! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

View my UAA Finals Recap No. 1 | Link

View my UAA Finals Recap No. 2 | Link

View my UAA Finals Recap No. 4 | Link 

Motivation can come in many different forms and for 7-foot Thon Maker it was two-fold on Saturday. The international high school and grassroots basketball star was motivated to help Canada Elite advance to the Under Armour Association Finals 17U championship game. He was also to eager to silence recent social media mentions that he may have been outplayed by fellow 2016 elite Josh Jackson of 1 Nation and by an upstart -- Earl Watson Elite's Jayce Johnson -- during earlier UAA games.

Maker's Canada Elite team lost to EWE 67-57 in a showcase game on Thursday in which Maker went for 11 points and nine rebounds. He didn't play bad against Johnson, but did step it up with 25 points and 11 rebounds in a 69-57 win over Jackson's 1 Nation team. Based on tweets and reports, however, you would think Maker didn't come to play.

Not true.

Nothing silences critics and doubters more than winning and playing hard and that's exactly what Maker did on Friday in leading his team to Saturday's 6pm ET 17U title game. Maker was relentless on the glass against MWA Elite's big and powerful frontline and willed his team to a 59-52 semifinal victory. The most talked-about big man in the national 2016 class finished with 16 points and was credited with 10 rebounds. Battling the likes of MWA Elite's Jordy Tshimanga (6-10), Billy Preston (6-9) and powerful Mark Vital (6-6), it seemed as if Maker had double that amount of rebounds. It's probably because he came with with so many second-effort caroms that resulted in getting fouled or with a field goal attempt for a teammate.

A player who stepped up big-time for Canada Elite in Friday semifinals contest was 6-foot-2 guard Marcus Ottey of St. Benedict's (Newark, N.J.). Ottey is an uncommitted 2016 prospect, but expect his offer count to grow after this NCAA viewing period as he is quick with the ball and explosive in the open court. With the game tied at 42-42 with just under seven minutes remaining, Ottey sparked a 12-0 run with two monster breakaway dunks (SEE VIDEO BELOW) to help put the Dallas, Texas based MWA team away.

Ottey finished with 19 points (on 7-of-12 shooting), three rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Canada Elite also received 10 points from 5-foot-11 point guard Godwin Boahen of St. Louis Christian Academy.

_{Terrance Ferguson | Photo Credit: Kelly Kline/UA}

Terrence Ferguson, a 6-foot-6 wing out of Prime Prep (Dallas, Texas), led MWA Elite with 21 points. His point total was created exclusively off 3-pointers, as he hit 7-of-13 from long range. Preston, also out of Prime Prep, is fighting to claim one of the top five spots in credible national ranking lists for 2017, but he'll have to bounce back from a 3-point, 1-field goal performance in front of a packed house of national media and college coaches.

Maker, who announced his intentions to remain in high school for the entire 2015-16 school year at the NBPA Top 100 Camp in June, had team-highs of 14 points and 11 rebounds in the 57-45 quarterfinal win over Team Breakdown.

Team Charlotte prides itself on team ball and overcoming its perceived lack of star power and will enter Saturday night's championship game riding a wave of emotion after two thrilling victories on Friday. Still, the upstart finalist will have to try to find a way of slowing down Maker with only one player taller than 6-foot-6 on its roster.

Team Charlotte knocked off D.C. Premier 60-57, in overtime, late Friday night. Guard Ty-Shon Alexander has been impressive at the UAA Finals and was at it again versus D.C. Premier's quick backcourt. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard, a rising junior at Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), finished with 19 points and three assists. Alexander, who is a good elbow shooter and a relentless attacker of the basket, had 14 points and six rebounds in a 55-46 quarterfinal victory over Atlanta Express.

_{Alani Moore| Photo Credit: Kelly Kline/UA}

D.C. Premier got 19 points and six rebounds from 5-foot-9 2016 guard Alani Moore of Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.) versus Team Charlotte and 10 points from 5-foot-11 2016 guard Cameron Robinson. The Evangel Christian (Dale City, Va.) product hit one of the biggest shots on the UAA circuit this year when he nailed a 17-foot jumper just inside the arch with 18 seconds remaining to propel D.C. Premier to a 50-49 quarterfinal win over WE R1.

WE R1, led by the sensational 2017 backcourt of Trevon Duval and Quade Green, was the defending 17U UAA champion. Robinson also finished that game with 10 points.

"That play was ran for me (coming off that screen) and it's something we run everyday in practice," Robinson said. "I've hit that shot a million times in my life."

Hoosier Hysteria in 16U

The Indy Hoosiers won the inaugural 15U UA Association title in 2014 and are one win away from another crown. They have been just as impressive on the UAA 16U circuit, advancing to Saturday's championship game with a 73-64 overtime win over Earl Watson Elite out of Southern California.

It's hard to imagine there is a more impressive 1-2 punch on any 16U circuit than 6-foot-3 power point guard Paul Scruggs and 6-foot-8 small forward Kris Wilkes. EWE didn't have an answer for the duo, as Wilkes went for 27 points with Scruggs netting 17.

Wilkes, a 2017 out of North Central (Indianapolis, Ind.), has a lot of offensive ability on the wing, around the basket and in transition. He's also a capable defender. Scruggs, a 2017 out of Southport (Indianapolis, Ind.), has a nice combination of athleticism and toughness from the point guard position. His IQ also allows him to take advantage inside against smaller defenders.

The Indy Hoosiers will take on the Florida Vipers, a first year outfit that advanced to the championship game courtesy of a 65-63 win over Team Thad (Tenn.). Zackary Scott, a 6-foot-3 2017 guard out of Westminster Christian (Miami, Fla.), led three double digit Vipers' scorers with 17 points.

15U Title Game Set

There is an abundance of talent in the UAA 15U division, so there will be interested college coaches in Saturday afternoon's title contest between Sports U out of Fairfield, N.J. versus We R1 out of Delaware.

Sports U is led by Naz Reid, one of the top 2018 prospect in the country out of Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.). The 6-foot-9 power forward went for 22 points in a 50-41 semifinal win over a tall and talented KC Run GMC group.

We R1 does have some size, but its scoring strength is in the backcourt. It advanced to the final with a 57-46 win over Atlanta Express. Darius Kinnel, a 5-foot-9 2018 prospect out of Highland Regional (Blackwood, N.J.) had 20 points in the semifinals. He made five 3-pointers in the first half and finished the game with six. Kiyon Johnson, a 6-foot-4 2018 small forward out of Paul VI (Haddonfield, N.J.), is another talent to track on We R1.

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 Thon Maker & Marcus Ottey Lead Canada Elite To UAA Championship Game appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

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

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

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

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

Player	Class	HT	POS	School
Edrice Adebayo	2016	6'11	C	Northside (Pinetown, NC)
Bryce Aiken	2016	5'9	PG	Patrick School (Elizabeth, NJ)
DeAndre Ayton	2017	7'0	C	Balboa School (San Diego, CA)
Udoka Azubuike	2016	6'11	C	Potter's House Christian (Jacksonville, FL)
Mohamed Bamba	2017	6'10	PF	Westtown (West Chester, PA)
Brian Bowen	2017	6'6	SF	Arthur Hill (Saginaw, MI)
Tony Bradley	2016	6'10	PF	Bartow (Bartow, FL)
Miles Bridges	2016	6'7	PF	Huntington Prep (Huntington, WV)
J.J. Caldwell	2016	6'1	PG	Global Student Network (Houston)
Matt Coleman	2017	6'1	PG	Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, VA)
Zach Collins	2016	6'11	C	Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
Deshawn Corprew	2016	6'5	SF	Quality Education (Winston-Salem, NC)
Anthony Cowans	2016	6'0	PG	St. John's (Washington, DC)
Mamadi Diakite	2016	6'9	PF	Blue Ridge School (Dyke, VA)
Hamidou Diallo	2017	6'4	SF	Woodstock Academy (Woodstock, CT)
Trevon Duval	2017	6'3	PG	St. Benedict's (Newark, NJ)
Markelle Fultz	2016	6'5	SF	DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, MD)
Temple Gibbs	2016	6'4	SG	Seton Hall Prep (West Orange, NJ)
Kyle Guy	2016	6'3	SG	Lawrence Central (Indianapolis, IN)
Jaylen Hands	2017	6'2	PG	Foothills Christian (El Cajon, CA)
D.J. Harvey	2017	6'6	SF	DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, MD)
Frank Jackson	2017	6'3	SG	Lone Peak (Highland, UT)
De'Riante Jenkins	2016	6'6	SF	West Oaks (Orlando, FL)
Curtis Jones	2016	6'4	SG	Huntington Prep (Huntington, WV)
Mario Kegler	2016	6'7	SF	Arlington Country Day (Jacksonville, FL)
Thon Maker	2016	7'1	PF	Athlete Institute (Orangeville, ONT)
Brandon McCoy	2017	6'11	C	Morse (San Diego, CA)
Cameron McGriff	2016	6'7	PF	South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie, TX)
Javin Montgomery-Delaurier	2016	6'9	PF	St. Anne-Belfield (Charlottesville, VA)
John Petty	2017	6'6	SF	J.O. Johnson (Huntsville, AL)
Shamorie Ponds	2016	6'1	PG	Jefferson (Brooklyn, NY)
Michael Porter	2017	6'9	SF	Father Tolton (Columbia, MO)
Myles Powell	2016	6'2	PG	South Kent Prep (South Kent, CT)
Billy Preston	2017	6'9	SF	Prime Prep (Dallas)
Payton Pritchard	2016	6'2	PG	West Linn (West Linn, OR)
Xavier Simpson	2016	6'0	PG	Central Catholic (Lima, OH)
Omari Spellman	2016	6'8	PF	MacDuffie School (Springfield, MA)
Gary Trent Jr.	2017	6'5	SF	Apple Valley (Apple Valley, MN)
Jethro Tshishumpa	2016	6'10	C	Mountain Mission (Grundy, VA)
Trae Young	2017	6'2	PG	Norman North (Norman, OK)

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 NBPA Top 100 Camp Mixtape: Thon Maker, Omari Spellman, Edrice Adebayo & Trevon Duval Lead Top Performers! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post NBPA Top 100 Camp: Trevon Duval Leads Team To Camp Title! appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

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

View my NBPA Top 100 Camp Recap No. 3 (Final Day) | Link

The annual NBPA Top 100 Camp kicked off Wednesday at John Paul Jones Arena on the campus of the University of Virginia with plenty of the nation's top overall prospects in attendance competing in NBA-length games. In terms of elite prospects in one camp setting, the NBPA Top 100 Camp, top to bottom, is arguably the top stop on the summer grassroots scene even with a few elites deciding not to play or unavailable because of USA Basketball commitments/tryouts.

Over the first two days of camp, there has been some excellent play on the court, but the big news came off it as 7-foot Thon Maker of Orangeville Prep (Canada) announced to a group of reporters that he would remain in the Class of 2016. That means Maker won't enroll in college until the 2016-17 season.

Previously Maker had looked at the option of graduating in December and enrolling at a college for the second semester of the 2015-16 season.

"I'm definitely going to stay and play it out," said Maker, who participated in and was one of the MVPs of the 2015 Ballislife All-American Game in early May. Maker might be the first player in grassroots basketball history to play in a national all-star game in the spring and return to high school basketball in the fall.

Maker's announcement coincided with the fact he has played excellent over the first two days of camp. He's looked relaxed and in sync and is the camp's leading scorer (17.8 ppg) and rebounder (7.8 rpg). Maker has shot the ball extremely well, moved well without it and been vocal with teammates. In his first game Maker had 12 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots in a victory. He had 18 and eight in his second game, 19 points, three blocks and 3 steals in his third and 22 and seven in his fourth.

There is some speculation that realistically Maker, who is originally from South Sudan, will never play a minute of college basketball. In light of today's announcement, the two schools that are the early leaders to land his services should he are Arizona State and Indiana.

_{Thursday Evening NBPA Top 100 Highlights Feat; Thon Maker, Deandre Ayton, Trevon Duval & more}

Zach Brown Picks Up Kentucky Offer

It's still early in the recruiting process for 2017 center Zach Brown of Miami Senior (Miami, Fla.), but it's always big news when Big Blue Nation, otherwise known as the University of Kentucky, offers a scholarship. According to Brown, his father spoke to Kentucky head coach John Calipari on Thursday and the Wildcats offered the 7-foot, 270-pound junior-to-be a scholarship.

Brown stated Kentucky has always been his dream school because of how they utilize their post players, but he was also quick to point out it's early in the recruiting process and doesn't know much about the schools that are recruiting him the hardest. Brown has taken an unofficial to UCLA and lists Miami as one of his favorites. Since college programs have been allowed to contact recruits on June 15, Brown has heard from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Ohio State in addition to the Wildcats and Bruins. Besides Miami, he hasn't narrowed down his other favorites yet.

On the court, Brown has demonstrated the ability to finish around the basket with both hands and has a nice left-handed half hook in his arsenal. In a Wednesday game, Brown particularly shined with 8 points on 4-of-5 shooting and five rebounds.

Among an above average group of big men in attendance, Brown has been most impressed with 2016 Udoka Azubuike, a 6-foot-11, 280-pound force from Potter's House Christian (Jacksonville, Fla.). After two days of camp, Clark Francis of the Hoop Scoop has Azubuike rated the camp's No. 2 overall performer behind Maker

We'll have our own list of standout performers after the conclusion of the camp on Saturday evening.

General NBPA Top 100 Camp Observations

There are three games simultaneously played at the camp and an individual can evaluate no more than two at a time. The statistics provided at the camp give us a great frame of reference for what's happening, but whom we feel are the best players so far is not necessarily reflected in the statistical output.

There are 12-minute quarters and a 24-second shot clock, so players that can create their own shot have a tremendous advantage over those that need to be set up by teammates. Brian Bowen of Arthur Hill (Saginaw, Mich.), a 6-foot-7 2017 small forward, is one of the players that has displayed the ability to score in a variety of ways.

The guard play has mirrored what elite high school players see from the professional ranks -- a score-first mentality and a movement away from true play-making from the lead guard position. Guards are more interchangeable than ever and at the highest level the lead guard has to be able to score the ball. The backcourt players at the NBPA Top 100 Camp are doing that with mixed results.

We'd still like to see the traditional emphasis on play-making, running a team and getting others involved and will reward that style of play at camp's conclusion. One who certainly fits that mold is Trevon Duval of St. Benedict's (Newark, N.J.). The 6-foot-3 2017 prospect leads the camp so far with 5.0 assists per game and has turned in individual games of 12 points and three assists and 13 points, eight assists and three steals.

Our second report from the NBPA Top 100 Camp will include a rundown of our observations of the camp's top performers through the first two and a half days.

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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There was a great collection of teams from across the East Coast gathered at the Boo Williams Sports Complex for the Southern Jam Fest. The Hoop Group does a great job running events throughout the Northeast, and one time a year come down to the Mid-Atlantic to mesh together their Northeast teams with the Southern guys.

This mix includes Dennis Smith, Bam Adebayo, Jalen Harris, Jalen Johnson, Thon Maker & many more!

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2015 Ballislife All-American Game

The 5th Annual Ballislife All-American Game presented by U.S. Army in Long Beach, Calif., will feature many of the nation’s top high school boys basketball players. The national high school all-star game is set to take place May 2 at Long Beach City College’s Hall of Champions Gymnasium (3931 Faculty Ave. Long Beach, Calif. 90808).

The 2015 BIL A-A Game begins at 8:00 pm EST and will be televised live on CBS Sports.  It will be preceded by the The BIL Slam Dunk Contest presented by Eastbay beginning at 5:15 pm EST.

The 2015 edition of the BIL All-American Game figures to be its best collection of talent yet. Scheduled to make his only national all-star game appearance at the event is 7-foot Thon Maker, one of the most viral talents in recent high school basketball lore. After reclassifying to the Class of 2015 during the high school season, Maker is already projected as a top prospect for the 2016 NBA Draft.

At least 16 players who will earn All-American acclaim this season from reputable organizations are scheduled to participate. Eleven were named McDonald's or Jordan Brand All-Americans.

The game will also feature eight local Southern California products along with nine Pac-12 recruits. The locals include USC recruits Benny Boatwright (Village Christian, Sun Valley, Calif.) and Chimezie Metu (Lawndale, Calif.), Arizona-bound Chance Comanche (Beverly Hills, Calif.), San Diego St.-bound Jeremy Hemsley (Damien, La Verne, Calif.), Notre Dame-bound Rex Pflueger (Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif.), Oregon St.-bound Stevie Thompson Jr. (Bishop Montgomery, Torrance, Calif.) and Oregon-bound Tyler Dorsey (Maranatha, Pasadena, Calif.). The BIL A-A game will also mark the return of Arizona-bound Justin Simon, who previously prepped at Temecula Valley (Temecula, Calif.) and explosive point guard Marcus Lovett Jr., who attended San Gabriel (Calif.) Academy before playing his senior year in Chicago.

Ballislife All-American Alumni

Past participants in the Ballislife All-American Game include Nick Johnson (Arizona/Rockets), Jahii Carson (Arizona St/Overseas), Jordan Adams (UCLA/Memphis Grizzlies), Aquille Carr (Overseas/Streetball phenomenon), Jabari Brown (Missouri/Los Angeles Lakers), early NBA Draft entry candidates Stanley Johnson (Arizona), Kevon Looney (UCLA), Glenn Robinson III (Michigan/76ers) and Zach LaVine (UCLA/Minnesota Timberwolves).

In 2013, Lavine won the Ballislife Slam Dunk Contest with one of the best high school dunking exhibitions in recent memory which also served as a prelude to him capturing the 2015 NBA All-Star Game dunk contest title.

2015 Ballislife All-American Tickets

The BIL Slam Dunk Contest presented by Eastbay begins at 3:15 pm PT and the 2015 game begins at 5:00 pm PT.

We are sold out!

2015 Ballislife All-American Game Rosters

Team Future
Paris Austin, Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) 6-0 PG (Boise St.) 
Dwayne Bacon, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 6-6 SG (Florida State)
Bennie Boatwright, Village Christian (Sun Valley, Calif.) 6-9 PF (USC)
Isaiah Briscoe, Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.) 6-3 PG (Kentucky)
Tyler Dorsey, Maranatha (Pasadena, Calif.) 6-5 SG (Oregon)
Jeremy Hemsley, Damien (La Verne, Calif.) 6-4 SG (SDSU)
Derrick Jones, Archbishop Carrol (Radnor, Pa.) 6-7 SF (UNLV)
Skal Labissierre, Reach Your Dreams (Memphis, Tenn.) 6-10 C (Kentucky)
Dejounte Murray, Rainier Beach (Seattle, Wash.) 6-5 SG (Washington)
Horace Spencer, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 6-8 PF (Auburn)
Stevie Thompson Jr., Bishop Montgomery (Torrance, Calif.) 6-2 SG (Oregon St.)
Stephen Zimmerman, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) 6-11 C (UNLV)

Team Elite
Jalen Adams, Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.) 6-2 PG (UConn) 
Malik Beasley, St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.) 6-4 SG (Florida State)
Marquese Chriss, Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove, Calif.) 6-8 PF (Washington)
Chance Comanche, Beverly Hills (Calif.) 6-11 C (Arizona)
Brandon Ingram, Kinston (N.C.) 6-8 SF (Undecided)
Corey Sanders, Faith Baptist Christian Academy (Lakeland, Fla.) 6-2 PG (Rutgers)
Thon Maker, Orangeville Prep (Mono, Ontario, Can.) 7-0 C (Undecided)
Chimezie Metu, Lawndale (Calif.) 6-9 PF (USC)
Donovan Mitchell, Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.) 6-2 SG (Louisville)
Rex Pflueger, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 6-5 SG (Notre Dame)
Justin Simon, Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.) 6-4 SG (Arizona)
Kendall Small, Mayfair High School (Anaheim, CA) 6-0 SG (Oregon)

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All Tourney Team (John Wall Bracket):
Dennis Smith Jr. (Trinity Christian)
Kwe Parker (Wesleyan Christian)
Brandon Childress (Wesleyan Christian)
Harry Giles (Wesleyan Christian)
Thon Maker (Orangeville Prep)
Matur Maker (Orangeville Prep)
Tacko Fall (Liberty Prep)
Demetrius Troy (Word of God)
David Reynolds (Ravenscroft)

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7'1 junior Thon Maker was one of the youngest and best talents at the adidas EUROCAMP.  He was hitting jumpers, doing crossovers and driving to the basket like no 7'1 kid should be able to do.

BONUS VIDS

Source: HoopsFix

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The Southern Jam Fest was put on by www.hoopgroup.com and took place in Virginia Beach, VA. Watch as some of the best talent on the east coast meet to put on an absolute show.

The post Derrick Jones, Kwe Parker, Thon Maker & More Dominate Hoop Group Jam Fests appeared first on www.ebooksnet.com.

What's not to like about Tacko Fall!  He's a 7'5 kid in high school that wears glasses, brings back memories of the tv show 'Family Matters' and goes by "Taco."

But before you get too excited thinking about how he's going to dominate the NBA in the near future, Taco isn't even dominating high school competition...yet. He averages 11 points, rarely gets more than 1 block a game and only had 1 double double in 21 games. With that said, he's tall, young, very tall and looks like he's having lots of fun and I'm sure Taco Bell wishes they could hire him right now to join Nate Robinson and Kevin Love in their XXL campaign just so they can say "The Taco XXL isn't a big meal for Taco, but you are not Taco."

Speaking of tall high school kids with cool names.  Here's a reminder to also keep an eye on 7'1 high school sophomore Thon Maker. 

Taco video by Home Team Hoops

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This is the official recap of the 2013 HSOT Holiday Invitational. This features players from across the country including Dennis Smith, Kwe Parker, Seventh Woods, Thon Maker, Justin Jackson, Cam Gottfried, Brandon Ingram, Joel Berry, Goodluck Okonoboh, Gary Clark, & more! For more info on the event visit www.highschoolot.com.

Above are the full highlights of Dennis Smith Jr from the HSOT Holiday Invitational. Dennis Smith is a sophomore from Fayetteville, NC.

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