By Alex Kline

With the July Live Period just a few days away, it’s not just high major schools who are making offers.

Three mid-major level schools made offered to three big-time 2012 prospects from the same AAU squad.

On Wednesday night, UTEP head coach called Jarrod Davis, a 2012 forward from Team NJABC, and offered him over the phone. Davis, who attended Lakewood High in New Jersey, will take a postgrad year at The Robinson School next season.

“I like Coach Floyd as a coach,” he said. “I like his development with pass-first players and pros. He has a great staff and UTEP will be one of my top schools when I decide.”

On Thursday, two other members of Matt Pauls’ U17 squad were offered while on unofficial visits. Charles Cooke, a 2012 6-foot-6 shooting guard, who plays with Trenton Catholic, scored an offer from La Salle while on the campus in Philadelphia. The Explorers loved his length and ability to shoot. Cooke also took an unofficial visit to Temple a few hours later. The Owls may end up offering him in July.

“I felt good about the La Salle visit,” Cooke stated. “The visit went great. I really liked the campus.”

Finally, Wagner head coach Danny Hurley and his staff know New Jersey all to well. As the former head coach at St. Benedict’s Prep, Hurley hosted Eric Fanning, a 2012 guard/wing, who plays with Perkiomen Prep in Pennsylvania, for an unofficial visit on Thursday and offered him, as well. Fanning has a long list of schools who are interested and have offered. The Staten Island school was the first and only to send him a handwriten letter of interest.

“I love the staff,” he said. “Coach Hurley and Coach Mason are real down to earth guys. The school is a good size. They have a bright future.” Fanning could see potential offers come from Vermont, Quinnipiac, Boston and others this July. He visited Rider last saturday, unofficially.

This summer, the new trio will play together with NJABC and Matt Pauls for the first time together. Cooke and Fanning, two Trenton natives, have played with and against each other for a number of years, but Davis could be the real X-factor. Coming off a foot injury that ended his spring, Jarrod Davis will be healthy and ready to go this summer.

(Photos courtesy of The Rush, NJ Star Ledger & Phoenixville News)

By Alex Kline

Terrence Jones and Terrence Ross haven’t played a game for Portland Jefferson High in Oregon for over a year and a half. Both, however, left a big impression on the basketball program locally and nationally. As the duo will return to college for their sophomore year and be potential NBA Draft picks in the coming years, Jones at Kentucky and Ross at Washington, their alma mater continues to produce talent.

Kameron Chatman, a 2014 6-foot-4 wing, spent his freshman year playing for Jefferson and getting good playing time. Playing with Portland ICP this season on the AAU circuit, Chatman is a youthful baby face who performs on the big stage against older players.

With the ability to shoot, dribble and pass well for his age, one aspect stands out about his game mentally. The rising sophomore has a very high basketball IQ for his age and usually makes smart decisions on the court. While he may not be the most athletic or explosive player, Chatman gets the job done by creating plays for his teammates or for himself. He is not as fancy or gifted as Jones or Ross, but he is a winner.

Despite the Jefferson Democrats not having the best season, next year could be very good. “We had an okay high school season,” he stated.” We fell short but are expecting good things next year, though.” On the AAU front, Chatman’s Portland ICP team is talented but still trying to find their groove as he plays above his age level. ”We have struggled this year at the 17u level,” he stated. ”But we are planning to pick it up later on in the summer once July hits.”

Right now, the offers have not come in just yet for the 2014 rising star, however, the interest is picking up. “I have interest from Oregon, Washington, Stanford, Washington State, Portland, San Francisco and more schools,” he stated. However, Chatman wants to go to a big name school that is far away from home. ”I really like North Carolina, Memphis, Texas, Louisville and Syracuse,” Chatman said. While these schools have not started expressing interest just yet, a solid July could make a big difference for him.

With the many familiar faces and legacys of his school, look for Kameron Chatman to be the next superstar in the state of Oregon as he plays up a few levels this year. Once he plays on his own age level, Chatman’s recruitment and game could go off the charts.

(Photo courtesy of OregonLive.com)

By Alex Kline

Since former NBA veteran and UConn star Kevin Ollie took the job as the assistant coach and subsequently later became the lead recruiter on Jim Calhoun’s staff, he has recruited some of the biggest fish in the sea. After landing 2012 shooting guard Omar Calhoun of New York, Ollie is looking to recruit one of the top five players in the class of 2013.

This spring, Chris Walker has elevated his talent and become one of the premier rising juniors in the country. This summer he will run with a lesser-known Florida Rams AAU squad, after playing his sophomore season of high school basketball at Holmes County in Bonifay, Florida. If Walker’s performances at NBA camp, Best of the Best, Little Rock Real Deal and other tournaments are impressive as his past performances, he may end up being the top player in the nation by the time summer is over.

With amazing athleticism, Walker has the ability to jump out of the gym and throw down electrifying slam dunks on the court. He is also a great help on the defensive side as his athleticism leads to blocks and rebounds. His athleticism, length and ability to run the court at 6-foot-9 are all extremely impressive for the rising junior. If he can add a true jump shot and mid-range game to his repertoire, he could end up being similar to Memphis Grizzlies star and former UConn standout, Rudy Gay.

To continue reading this story, click here.

(Photo courtesy of FAAZ Magazine)

By Alex Kline

When second year Boston College associate head coach Joe Jones decided to put his name in the mix for the Boston University job, he had as good a chance as anyone else. The former Columbia coach ultimately got the job, beating out quality candidates such as former Eagles coach Al Skinner. As Jones depars from BC to BU, one of the lead recruiters for the Eagles is now gone with the July live evaluation period just a few days away.

Jared Terrell, a 2014 shooting guard, who recently reclassified and transferred to New Hampton, was mainly recruited by Jones. Did the departure of Jones hurt BC’s chances of landing Terrell?

“I’m sad that coach Jones has departed,” Terrell stated. “Congratulations to him, though. I wish him the best of luck at BU. BC is my hometown school and I’m still interested in them recruiting me.”

To continue reading this story, click here.

(Photo courtesy of WickedTotal.com)

By Alex Kline

After having one of the best records in school history, the Brewster Academy Bobcats of New Hampshire will add one of the best rising seniors in the country. A school that featured players graduating and heading to Pittsburgh, Villanova, Rutgers, Kansas, UCLA, Harvard and St. John’s, along with one of the top rising seniors, already, this could be huge.

T.J. Warren, a 2012 small forward out of Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina, will make the move to Brewster next season. “It’s official, I’m going to Brewster Academy for my senior season,” he exlaimed by phone on Wednesday night.

Warren, who plays with Garner Road AAU and is one of the top one-hundred players in the nation, was also being looked at by Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. “The education at Brewster is great,” he stated. “I’ve been talking to (Memphis player and former Brewster player) Will Barton and he’s been giving me good advice about it. The tradition of the basketball program is great! It’s just a good fit for me.”

With Warren’s arrival, he will play a big role in replacing Pittsburgh-bound Durand Johnson and St. John’s-bound Jakarr Sampson. He will pair up with 2012 sensation Mitch McGary and 2013 rising star Deonte Burton, as Brewster looks to gain some more additions.

“We are thrilled to have TJ join the Brewster community,” stated head coach Jason Smith. “He’s an elite level wing and one of the top scorers in the nation.” As Warren moves from Raleigh to Wolfeboro, it’s a big change, however, this will be big for him academically and make him ready for the next level.

TJ Warren is being recruited by Florida, Georgetown, Ohio State, NC State, Kansas, North Carolina, Kentucky, Louisville, Rutgers, Missouri, Syracuse, Duke and others.

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About ten minutes after that news was released, Brewster head coach Jason Smith informed me of another big time commitment.

Aaron Thomas, a 2011 shooting guard from Withrow in Ohio, decided to take a postgrad year in Wolfeboro. Thomas has already signed with Florida State and says he will remained with the Seminoles despite the move to prep school. “Right now, I’m still with Florida State,” he said by phone Wednesday night. “I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future though.”

As for the choice of prep school, Thomas’ coach had a good relationship with Smith. “I heard about the program and know of a lot of good players that went there,” he stated. Last year, Jakarr Sampson came from St. Vincent-St. Mary’s in Ohio to Brewster. He ended up at St. John’s.

As Thomas wants to work on his grades, along with maturing and getting ready for the college game, he believes Brewster will be the right destination before Florida State or another college.

(Photo courtesy of HighSchoolOT.com)

By Alex Kline

When St. Patrick (NJ) head coach Kevin Boyle decided to leave the program in order to coach at Montverde (FL), instead, the program took a big hit and numerous players were not sure whether they would return.

Jason Boswell, a 2013 6-foot-6 wing from New York, has decided to transfer out of the prestigous Elizabeth program. “I have agreed to attend Trinity Catholic High School in Stamford, Connecticut in September 2011,” he stated. “Trinity Catholic has a strong academic program, which offers great basketball opportunities.”

The New York native, who runs with the Long Island Lighting on the AAU circuit, said travel time was a big factor. “My commute will be significantly reduced to approximately 30 minutes as opposed to the 2 hours traveled each day to Elizabeth,” he said.

As Boswell heads to play for coach Mike Walsh, it leaves the question of whether or not St. Patrick standout rising sophomore Dakari Johnson will stay or not. As Boswell did not play much, coming off the bench during games, the rising junior was expected to receive more playing time with the graduation of Michael Gilchrist, Derrick Gordon and Chris Martin.

The 2013 guard/forward is currently hearing from Cincinnati, Xavier, Houston, Rutgers, Seton Hall, St. John’s, Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, Miami (FL), Dayton, George Mason, Syracuse, Villanova and others.

(Photo courtesy of Jason)

By Alex Kline

Jameel Warney is one of the most low-key basketball players out there. In a world full of pre-madonnas and phenoms who want to play the role of celebrity and hero, Warney does his job on and off the court as a role model to some and talented basketball player to others. As Warney heads into his senior year of high school, he will be faced with a difficult decision that he doesn’t want to focus on. At the same time, he wants to make the next big move in his life to become either a coach or play professional overseas.

A 2011 6-foot-7 power forward from Roselle Catholic in New Jersey, Warney will be running the the Jersey Hotshots this summer on the AAU circuit. As he could potentially be a 3/4 combo forward in college, he hopes to work on his game in order to get there. An excellent defender in the post, Warney blocks and alters shots, along with being a force on the boards and always grabbing rebounds. A quiet player who leads by example on the court, he may not the tallest power forward, but for his team he gets it done. The rising senior is a force in the low post as he can score off a mid-range shot or by going inside. He tends to averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds on an average game. While he would like to play on the wing in the future, Warney must improve on his defense on the wing, along with his ball handling ability. With the leadership ability comes motivation. He doesn’t always give 100% on the court, however, when he is playing hard, Jameel Warney is a huge factor and presence on the court.

Motivated by playing against a highly ranked or well known player, Jameel Warney’s recruitment is very good for an undersized power forward. With offers from, “Rider, Stony Brook, Drexel, Manhattan and Delaware,” Warney is in a comfortable position to make his college decision by his desired date. “I want to pick a school on September first,” he stated. “That date works for me because it is right before my senior year of high school starts and I can just focus on school and basketball.” Along with his offers, the the Roselle Catholic star has interest from, “Florida Atlantic, UMass, St. Peter’s and Iona.”

Despite all of this attention, only two schools really stand out right now. “My favorites are Rider and Stony Brook,” he stated. “Right now, those two schools are even.” Warney has visited both schools and was on the Rider campus for team camp over the weekend with his father. In Stony Brook, the rising senior likes, “the feel of the campus, good education, a comfortable relationship with the coaching staff and that I can see myself there.” In Rider, he “feels a comfortable vibe, like the coaches and can see myself there.” With a decision looming right after summer ends, Warney will base his decision on academics and wants to find a school where he can play all four years.

All and all, Warney could make an excellent European professional player in the future. If he does happen to grow an extra inch, it could go a long way as his frame and game are similar to Villanova commit Daniel Ochefu of Westtown in Pennsylvania. While he may not end up being one of the best players to come out of Union County, he will be one of the more succesful players who goes farther with their career.

(Photo courtesy of NJ.com)

By Alex Kline

Goodluck Okonoboh’s name may be tough to remember, but once you watch him play you won’t forget who he is. A 6-foot-7 forward from Tilton School in New Hampshire, Okonoboh’s squad finished at 25-5 for the season. “We did really well for a very young team,” he stated. “Individually, I thought I did really well and was definitely a force.”

On the AAU circuit, things will be the same as the 2013 recruit runs with national power, BABC. “AAU is going real good right now,” Okonoboh stated. “We are going to win everything; simple as that.” With an amazingly talented team, the level of success is extremely high for this rising star.

With a smooth but aggressive game, the combo forward is a rebounding machine. Okonoboh is a defensive stud in the Tilton and BABC frontcourt with fellow teammate Nerlens Noel, and together the two are a nightmare combination. Okonoboh has a very complete post game as he blocks and alters shots on defense, while scoring in the low post on offense. He has the ability to find the open man and can be a real play maker through his ability to play down low and still make moves. While Okonoboh needs to get stronger, the rising junior is making strides in his training and has increased his muscle over the spring.

To continue reading this story, click here.

(Photo courtesy of Rivals.com)

Press Release by Dave Krupinski of the Hoop Group

Hoop Group has a strong slate of events coming up.

With nearly 10 events from end of June until August 7th, there is plenty of opportunities for potential prospects to develop a reputation with college coaches and scouts.

“Over the course of the last 25 years Hoop Group has proven ourselves as the #1 Exposure Camp in the Country,” said Rob Kennedy, President of Hoop Group. “If you want to be able to learn from some of the top coaches in the country while also being able to play in front of college coaches from across the country then Hoop Group Elite is the place to be.”

Among their biggest events is the Elite Session I, which runs from July 5th to the 8th. Their team camp from July 9th to the 10th also has has an impressive group of teams and prospects. Also new this year is their Future All American Camp which is available to players going into the 5th grade through 10th grade.

The past three MVP’s for the Elite Camp Session 1 have been Maurice Harkless (St. John’s) , Melsahn Basabe (Iowa) and Kyrie Irving (Duke).

“Hoop Group Elite Camps are dedicated to fulfilling the dreams of high school basketball players,” said Chad Babel, Director of Hoop Group Elite. “Each session is intended for the serious player who aspires to take his game to the next level. I am looking forward to bringing players from all over the Country back to Albright College this summer and our 7 Air Conditioned Indoor Courts.”

“I am really looking forward to these two events in July,” said Rob Engemann, Director of Hoop Group Team Tournaments. “Both events (Summer Classic East and West Virginia Jam Fest) offer extremely competitive fields as well as a great opportunity to play in front of many college coaches and scouting services from across the country!”

Here’s the Hoop Group summer schedule:

Academic Elite Team Camp (June 25-26) — Haverford College; Haverford, PA
Academic Elite Camp Session I (June 26-29) — Haverford College; Haverford, PA
Elite Session I (July 5-8) — Albright College; Reading, PA
Elite Team Camp (July 9-10) — Albright College; Reading, PA
Elite Session II (July 10-13) — Albright College; Reading, PA
Elite Skills Academy (July 13-15) — Albright College; Reading, PA
Academic Elite Camp Session II (July 24-27) — Albright College; Reading, PA
Elite Session III (July 28-31) — Albright College; Reading, PA
Future All-American Camp (August 4-7) — Albright College; Reading, PA

(Photo courtesy of the Hoop Group)

Press Release by Dana Dingle

An Exclusive Live Event Sanctioned by the NCAA: Two Day Showcase

Location: Island Garden 45 Cherry Valley Avenue West Hempstead NY

Dates: July 9- July 10, 2011

Times:  July 9^th 4:00pm -11:00pm and July 10^th 9am-10:00 pm

Team Entry Fee: $450 Make banks checks/money orders (no personal checks) payable to Lightning Basketball and mail to 1616 Sherbourne Road Valley Stream NY 11580

Spectator Entry Fee:  $10 a day (Open to the general public)

Coach’s Packet: $200 

Site Directors:  Dana Dingle 646 773 4878 ddingle7@yahoo.com

                        Shandue McNeill 516 924 9921 shandue@yahoo.com

Team Registration and Payment due: No later than Wednesday July 6, 2011

(Payment and registrations will not be accepted after the deadline or the day of the event.)

(Photo courtesy of 5-Star Basketball)