By Alex Kline

Last year it was Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph, this year it’s Khem Birch, Kyle Wiltjer and Myck Kabongo. Canadian basketball is looking strong than ever in the United States.

The 2011 McDonald’s All American Game in Chicago, Ill. features one of the top inside talents in the country, Khem Birch. Birch, a Pittsburgh signee, is at the event right now and competed in the Powerade Jam Fest competition tonight. Although he did not win, the 6-foot-9 forward out of Notre Dame Prep in Massachusetts is one of the top players there and NBA Scouts are keeping an eye on him.

Here is a quick sit down interview we did with Khem on Monday night, two days before the big game.

AK: How has your experience been so far at the McDonald’s All American event in Chicago?

KB: It’s been great. Being put here with the best kids from America and Canada feels good. They’ve been great to us, as well, so far!

AK: What has been the best part of the event so far?

KB: Probably being a part of, but especially watching, the dunk contest and the competitions. Before we play Wednesday, you really get to see everyone’s strengths.

AK: How was your trip to the Ronald McDonald Charity House to meet with children?

KB: It was very humbling, and it felt great being around those kids. That will probably be what I remember most about the week. It inspires me to go harder!

AK: Which players have you enjoyed your time the most with at the McDonald’s festivities?

KB: Probably Michael Carter-Williams (Syracuse signee) because I’ve known him for a while and we have mutual friends back home. Also, my roommate Adonis Thomas (Memphis signee).

AK: With NBA Scouts lurking around, are you at all nervous about your performance?

KB:  I’m just trying to have fun. If I work hard all of that stuff should play out. My bro Ryan Sweeney tells me “be a kid first, student second and basketball player third.”

AK: After the McDonald’s game, what are your plans for the rest of the Spring and Summer?

KB: I will be playing in the is8 league in New York, and am really trying to improve my skill set. Also, I’m trying to add more muscle to my frame. After that I will head off to Pitt in the summer, which will be very exciting to work towards a national championship.

AK: What is something you tell a young child who wants to be like you?

KB: Keep working hard towards your dreams and when stuff gets hard don’t quit; work harder!

Birch joins a talented five-man recruiting class that Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon brings in. John Johnson, Durand Johnson, Jaylen Bond, Malcolm Gilbert and Khem make up the 2011 class for the Panthers.

(Photo courtesy of McDonald’s)

By Alex Kline

Being from Canada, Nick Stauskas is used to cold weather. As he goes to prep school at St. Mark’s in Massachusetts, he deals with it on a daily basis. Nick returned to Canada for spring break. The junior was back at home for two and a half weeks to talk with his family about his recruitment. As the 6-foot-5 junior shooting guard came back to school, he decided it was time to make the call.

So it all made sense when Stauskas made his college decision. “I’m going to be a Michigan Wolverine in 2012,” he exclaimed. “Go Blue!”

As Stauskas was entertained by John Beilien’s staff early on in his high school career, the Wolverines seemed to be a perfect choice. “No system fits me better,” he said. “My relationship with the staff is nice. I have an opportunity to come in and make an impact right away.”

The big 2012 guard chose Michigan over Kansas, Iowa State, Wake Forest and Stanford. He looks forward to more cold weather but an exciting run in the Big Ten.

(Photo courtesy of UMHoops.com)

Press Release courtesy of Steve Jecewiz

Prime Athletics presents the first Prime Basketball Coaches clinic; this is a specifically designed tutorial on communication techniques for high school and youth basketball coaches. The clinic is constructed to help today’s coaches motivate, manage individuals, and promote team chemistry for teams of all ages and skill levels.

Coaches from the A-10, Big East, CAA, and MAAC; including Tom Pecora (Fordham) and Monte Ross (Delaware) will speak on topics such as: Creating a simple and easy dialect for players (ex. baseline drive baseline drift, sink man), managing a team leader, team building both in and out of season, ect.  

The Prime Basketball Coaches clinic will be held on Saturday May 14 at St. Gregory’s in Bellerose (Queens), NY. Check-in starts at 8:45 A.M. clinic starts at 9:30A.M.

$40 for admission

*Early Registration- Register by May 7^th and admission will be $25*

*If 3 or more members of the same staff/school attend; admission will be $20 per person*

Lunch and giveaways will be provided and are included in cost of admission

Registration Form – https://sites.google.com/site/primebasketball1/home/registration-form

For more information please email us primeathletics1@gmail.com or check us out at

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prime-Basketball/105168199564093

(Photo courtesy of A10CollegeHoops.com)

By Alex Kline

For months, it appeared as if Daniel Ochefu was leaning towards Georgetown or Temple. The other contenders for the 6-foot-10 center out of Westtown in Pennsylvania were Texas and Villanova.

As the talented junior started taking some more visits over his spring break, he became much more familiar with certain schools. Although they had only offered a few months ago, Ochefu decided to stay local. At the same time, he wanted to go to a power conference.

“I have made my college decision,” he said. “I am going to Villanova.”

“The Nova campus is nice, they have a great coaching staff and I have enjoyed my visits there. I feel like Nova will be the best situation for me.”

The Westtown product becomes the third member of Villanova’s tremendous 2012 recruiting class. Jay Wright’s class features three elite Pennsylvania products, including Ryan Arcidiacono of Neshaminy and Savon Goodman of the Academy of the New Church.

He made the decision with his parents and his longtime coach, Seth Berger. Ochefu wanted to find a coach who could help develop his skills and potential in order to drive him to the NBA. Jay Wright has produced several NBA prospects.

(Photo courtesy of Rivals)

In 1985, The Gatorade Company established an award honoring America’s elite high school student-athletes. Now in its third decade, the Gatorade Player of the Year award has become one of the most prestigious accolades in high school sports. The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one award winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school boys football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls basketball, boys baseball, girls softball, and boys and girls track & field. ESPN RISE, the multimedia high school division of ESPN, in partnership with The Gatorade Company, administers the selection process for Gatorade State and National Player of the Year awards. All final selection decisions are the result of a collaborative effort between ESPN RISE and The Gatorade Company.

Among Gatorade Player of the Year award alumni, fans will discover names like Peyton Manning, Candace Parker, Alonzo Mourning and Lisa Leslie. These champions represent only a handful of exceptionally talents who were first recognized by the Gatorade Player of the Year program before shining at the highest levels of competition. For over 25 years, state and national Players of the Year have been honored for their athletic achievements, academic excellence and exemplary character.

The Gatorade Company is proud to recognize, celebrate and support the nation’s most outstanding high school talents throughout their journey to greatness both on and off the field.

2011 Gatorade Boys Basketball Players of the Year, By State

• Alaska – Devon Bookert, 6′-3″, SR, G, West Anchorage (Undecided)
• Alabama – Levi Randolph, 6′-4″, SR, G, Bob Jones (Alabama)
• Arkansas – Archie Goodwin, 6′-5″, JR, G, Sylvan Hills (Undecided)
• Arizona – Jordan Baker, 6′-3″, SR, G, Tempe (Pepperdine)
• California – Ryan Anderson, 6′-8″, SR, F, Long Beach Poly (Boston College)
• Colorado – Brett Olson, 6′-4″, SR, G, Highlands Ranch (Denver)
• Connecticut – Andre Drummond, 6′-10″, JR, C, St. Thomas More (Undecided)
• Washington, DC – Nate Britt, 6′-2″, SO, G, Gonzaga (Undecided)
• Delaware – Tim Massado, 5′-11″, JR, G, St. Elizabeth (Undecided)
• Florida – Austin Rivers, 6′-4″, SR, G, Winter Park (Duke)
• Georgia – Shannon Scott, 6′-2″, SR, G, Milton (Ohio State)
• Hawaii – Micah Christenson, 6′-5″, SR, F, Kamehameha (USC – Volleyball)
• Iowa – Jarrod Uthoff, 6′-8″, SR, F, Jefferson (Wisconsin)
• Idaho – Kyle Dranginis, 6′-5″, SR, G, Skyview (Gonzaga)
• Illinois – Chasson Randle, 6′-1″, SR, G, Rock Island (Stanford)
• Indiana – Cody Zeller, 6′-10″, SR, C, Washington (Indiana)
• Kansas – Perry Ellis, 6′-8″, JR, F, Wichita Heights (Undecided)
• Kentucky – Timmy Knipp, 6′-8″, SR, G, Elliott County (Eastern Kentucky)
• Louisiana – Ricardo Gathers, 6′-7″, JR, F, Riverside Academy (Undecided)
• Massachusetts – Pat Connaughton, 6′-5″,SR, F, St. John’s Prep (Notre Dame)
• Maryland – Marcus Thornton, 6′-3″,SR, G, Bishop McNamara (William & Mary)
• Maine – Tyler McFarland, 6′-6″, SR, F, Camden Hills (Undecided)
• Michigan – Matt Costello, 6′-9″, JR, C, Bay City Western (Michigan State)
• Minnesota – Joe Coleman, 6′-5″, SR, G, Hopkins (Minnesota)
• Missouri – Bradley Beal, 6′-5″, SR, G, Chaminade (Florida)
• Mississippi – Rodney Hood, 6′-7″, SR, F, Meridian (Mississippi State)
• Montana – Tanner Roderick, 6′-2″, SR, G, Bozeman (Nevada – Football)
• North Carolina – Marshall Plumlee, 6′-11″, SR, C, Christ School (Duke)
• North Dakota – Dexter Werner, 6′-5″, SR, F, Bismarck (Undecided)
• Nebraska – Mike Gesell, 6′-2″, JR, G, South Sioux City (Undecided)
• New Hampshire – Connor Green, 6′-4″, SR, F, Bishop Guertin (Undecided)
• New Jersey – Michael Gilchrist, 6′-7″, SR, F, St. Patrick (Kentucky)
• New Mexico – Chris Strong, 6′-6″, SR, F, Eldorado (Undecided)
• Nevada – Shabazz Muhammad, 6′-6″, JR, G/F, Bishop Gorman (Undecided)
• New York – Achraf Yacoubou, 6′-4″, SR, G, Long Island Lutheran (Villanova)
• Ohio – Travis Trice, 5′-11″, SR, G, Wayne (Michigan State)
• Oklahoma – Ryan Spangler, 6′-8″, SR, F, Bridge Creek (Gonzaga)
• Oregon – Kyle Wiltjer, 6′-9″, SR, F, Jesuit (Kentucky)
• Pennsylvania – Amile Jefferson, 6′-7″, JR, F, Friends Central (Undecided)
• Rhode Island – Michael Carter-Williams, 6′-4″, SR, G, St. Andrew’s (Syracuse)
• South Carolina – Brice Johnson, 6′-9″, JR, F/C, Edisto (Undecided)
• South Dakota – Zach Horstman, 6′-6″, SR, G, Winner (South Dakota State)
• Tennessee – Adonis Thomas, 6′-6″, SR, F, Melrose (Memphis)
• Texas – Marcus Smart, 6′-4″, JR, G, Flower Mound Marcus (Undecided)
• Utah – Nick Emery, 6′-1″, SO, G, Lone Peak (Undecided)
• Virginia – James McAdoo, 6′-9″, SR, F, Norfolk Christian (North Carolina)
• Vermont – Ben Ferris, 6′-3″, SR, G, Essex (Tufts)
• Washington – Gary Bell, 6′-2″, SR, G, Kentridge (Gonzaga)
• Wisconsin – Paul Jesperson, 6′-7″, SR, F, Merrill (Virginia)
• West Virginia – Chase Fischer, 6′-2″, SR, G, Ripley (Wake Forest)
• Wyoming – Taran Brown, 6′-7″, SR, F, Campbell County (UC- Santa Barbara)

Photo & Info courtesy of Gatorade

By Alex Kline

Karl Towns, a 6-foot-8 forward out of Piscataway, New Jersey, has made up his mind on where he will play high school basketball.

A 2015 prospect who has been highly regarded as one of the top players in the tri-state area, Towns is the son of former Monmouth great, Karl Towns Sr. Karl’s father was a rebounding machine as he led the nation in rebounding in the 1984-85 season. Now, his son looks to make a mark on the hoops world.

On Sunday night, Karl Jr. decided on where he would be attending high school next season. Towns chose The Pennington School in New Jersey, where he will board.

“When it came down to the nitty-gritty, I felt that Pennington was the best fit for me,” said the eighth-grader. “I felt the most comfortable there and really enjoy the campus. I know some of the people there and will fit in well.”

While the 6-foot-8 eighth-grader has many dimensions to it, he uses every phase. With a solid shot that is developing over the course of time, Towns excels at posting up on defenders and getting to the hole. His ball handling skills are improving and have become very good for his size and age. While he is not the quickest player on the court, he makes an impact in multiple ways. Karl’s defense is improving but with an improvement on his speed and footwork, he can become a special talent.

Look for big things out of Towns in his first year with the Red Raiders, who also feature 2014 star, Kaison Randolph, a 6-foot-2 guard who has an offer from Cincinnati.

Press Release By Alex Kline

You are invited to be a part of the Mary Kline Classic, an elite 24 man game featuring high school talent from all over the Mid-Atlantic region.

The Mary Kline Classic is a charitable event to raise money to fight cancer. All of the money from the event will be donated to the American Cancer Society and the National Brain Tumor Foundation.

The Mary Kline Classic is being held in loving memory of my late Mother. When I was five years old my Mother was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. While doctors gave her only 18 months to live, she kept fighting for five years as a result of the excellent medical care and the love and support of both me and my father. Although my Mom has been gone for six years she is still with me in my heart.

The Mary Kline Classic is my way of honoring my brave and wonderful Mom who spent all of her time with me for as long as she could.

The event will take place on Saturday May 28th at The Pennington School in Pennington, New Jersey. Directions will be given upon an athletes commitment to the event.

Starting at 6 PM on the night of the event there will be a three-point shootout between any of the 24 players who want to compete. The same rule applies for anyone who wants to participate in the slam dunk contest. Those two events will be followed by the featured game.

Please RSVP to the event if you know you can make it. Please be aware that during this Memorial Day weekend, for those of you who will be playing AAU, there is the Bob Gibbons tournament, as well as a few others. Just let me know your flexibility and what works.

Contact Alex Kline at AlexKlineBasketball@Yahoo.com or the event at MaryKlineClassic@Gmail.com.

(Photo courtesy of the New York Post)

By Alex Kline

Last year, the hype began to build at The Pennington School about an incoming freshman who had dominated AAU and recreational basketball for the early years of his life. While the team last year went 23-2, they would lose a fair amount of talent.

One year later, Kaison Randolph is a 6-foot-2 175-pound freshman guard getting it done. He starts for Pennington Prep in New Jersey and is averaging 11.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per contest.

Just twenty games into his high school career Randolph has made a name for himself amongst college coaches.

The University of Cincinnati decided to offer Kaison a scholarship on Saturday afternoon.

“Kaison has great upside, but also has a lot of work to do,” said Team NJABC coach Matt Pauls of his grassroots player. “Clearly, the high-major D1 programs see his potential given his athleticism and skill for a freshman. I continue to emphasize to him that this is a marathon, not a sprint, and to end up in a high major D1 program he has to work very hard on the court and in the classroom.”

To continue reading this story, click here.

Photo courtesy of Rivals.com