Press release by Alex Kline

The 2012 Mary Kline Classic in Pennington, New Jersey, will be hosted on Saturday, May 5th, 2012. The event is expected to top the first annual event last year, which featured numerous talented players, including Khalid Lewis (Delaware), John Johnson (Pittsburgh), Jerrell Wright (La Salle), Khem Birch (UNLV), Devin Coleman (Clemson), Jabril Trawick (Georgetown), Tyler Harris (NC State), Will Wise (UMBC), Jordan Allen (Hofstra), Angel Nunez (Louisville), Isaiah Williams (Marshall) and many other talented student athletes.

In the 2nd annual event, a dunk contest and three-point shootout will be highlighted by two games. The senior game featuring twenty-six of the top 2012 players from the east coast will participate in the event. A new addition has been added to the event with the underclassmen game, featuring some of the top freshmen, sophomores and juniors from around the east coast. This year’s crop at the Mary Kline Classic is anticipated to be the best yet with all players participating being of a division one basketball caliber, as well as potential professional basketball players.

All proceeds raised from the game will be donated to the National Brain Tumor Society in support of cancer research. As $7,300 was raised last year, we are currently at $3,600 for this year. If you would like to make a contribution to the 2012 Mary Kline Classic, please email Alex Kline at AlexKlineBasketball@Yahoo.com. The game is in honor of Kline’s late mother, Mary, who passed away from a brain tumor over seven years ago. Admission into the event is a $10 donation.

The Mary Kline Classic would like to thank Vincent Robinson of The Robinson School for contributing uniforms, as well as Patrick Coombs of Reebok for contributing Zigtech sneakers.

THE EVENT WILL BE HOSTED ON SATURDAY, MAY 5TH FROM 5PM-9:30PM AT THE PENNINGTON SCHOOL – 112 WEST DELAWARE AVENUE IN PENNINGTON, NEW JERSEY. PLAYERS SHOULD ARRIVE AROUND 1:45PM FOR PRACTICE, SHOOTAROUND AND A QUICK MEAL. GEAR WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO EACH PLAYER. ADMISSION IS $10 IN GENERAL, BUT VOLUNTEERS, PARENTS AND PLAYERS ARE ALLOWED IN FREE UNLESS THEY CHOOSE TO CONTRIBUTE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE THERE!

Listed below are the four different rosters for the Blue and Red Senior and Underclassmen teams.

Blue Seniors

#33 Eric Fanning – 6’5 wing – Perkiomen (PA) – Team NJABC – Wagner signee

#22 Maurice Watson - 5’9 point guard - Boys’ Latin (PA) – Team Philly – Boston U signee

#35 Phillip Lawrence – 6’7 combo forward – Mount St. Joseph’s (MD) – Philly’s Finest – Marist signee

#30 Brandon Taylor – 6’7 combo forward – Trenton Catholic (NJ) – Team Philly – Penn State signee

#10 Charles Cooke – 6’6 wing – Trenton Catholic (NJ) – Team NJABC – James Madison signee

#44 Blaise Mbargorba – 7’0 center – Peddie (NJ) – NJ Roadrunners – SMU signee

#15 Daniel Ochefu – 6’10 power forward – Westtown (PA) – PTP – Villanova signee

#23 Daiquan Walker – 6’2 point guard – Constitution (PA) – Team Breakdown – Unsigned

#2 Anthony Gaffney – 6’1 combo guard – Taft (CT) – Team NJABC – Princeton Football signee

#14 Marcus Gilbert – 6’6 small forward – Academy of the New Church (PA) – East Coast Elite – Fairfield signee

#0 Bruce Brittingham – 6’0 point guard – Perkiomen (PA) – Team NJABC – Wagner Football signee

#24 Nizar Kapic – 6’6 wing – Perkiomen (PA) – Austria – Unsigned

Red Seniors

#42 Daniel Dingle – 6’7 combo forward – St. Raymond (NY) – Long Island Lightning – Temple signee

#12 Quenton DeCosey – 6’5 wing – St. Joe’s Metuchen (NJ) – Sports University – Temple signee

#1 Alex Mitola – 5’9 shooting guard – Gill St. Bernard’s (NJ) – Hoop Heaven – Dartmouth signee

#55 Dominic Hoffman – 6’7 power forward – Gill St. Bernard’s (NJ) – Hoop Heaven – Bucknell signee

#33 Justin Sears – 6’7 combo forward – Plainfield (NJ) – Sports University – Yale signee

#4 Chris Jones – 6’5 shooting guard – Teaneck (NJ) – NJ Playaz – Unsigned

#35 Neville Fincher – 6’9 power forward – Teaneck (NJ) – NJ Playaz – Unsigned

#25 Brandon Bolden – 6’10 power forward – Quality Education (NC) – Team Nike Florida – Georgetown signee

#2 Dallas Anglin – 6’2 point guard – Seton Hall Prep (NJ) – Sports University – Hofstra signee

#32 Melvin Johnson – 6’2 shooting guard – St. Benedict’s (NJ) – NY Gauchos – Miami signee

#5 Sekou Harris – 5’10 point guard – Plainfield (NJ) – NJ Playaz – Unsigned

#20 Georges Niang – 6’7 combo forward – Tilton (NH) – BABC – Iowa State signee

#14 Nkereuwem Okoro – 6’4 wing – St. Raymond (NY) – Long Island Lightning – Iowa State signee

Blue Underclassmen

#31 Jermaine Lawrence – 2014 6’9 combo forward – Pope John XXIII (NJ) – Positive Direction – Undecided

#11 Isaiah Briscoe – 2015 6’2 point guard – St. Benedict’s (NJ) – NJ Playaz – Undecided

#21 Chris McCullough – 2014 6’8 power forward – Salisbury (CT) – Team Scan – Undecided

#25 Davon Reed – 2013 6’5 combo guard – Princeton Day (NJ) – Team Final – Undecided

#4 Geno Thorpe – 2013 6’1 combo guard – Shaler (PA) – NJ Playaz – Penn State commit

#20 Johnnie Davis – 2013 6’4 wing – Neumann Goretti (PA) – Team Final – Undecided

#3 Conrad Chambers – 2014 6’1 point guard – Friends Central (PA) – Team Scan - Undecided

#12 Tyler Ennis – 2013 6’2 point guard – St. Benedict’s (NJ) – CIA Bounce – Undecided

#32 Jared Terrell – 2014 6’3 shooting guard – New Hampton (NH) – Expressions Elite – Undecided

#35 Abdul-Malik Abu – 2014 6’7 combo forward – Kimball Union (NH) – Expressions Elite – Undecided

#13 Lenny Kadisha – 2015 6’3 combo guard – Wadleigh (NY) – Real Scout - Undecided

#5 Reggie Cameron – 2013 6’7 small forward – Hudson Catholic (NJ) – NJ Playaz – Undecided

#1 Wayne Selden – 2014 6’5 shooting guard – Tilton (NH) – BABC – Undecided

Red Underclassmen

#15 Isaiah Whitehead – 2014 6’4 combo guard – Lincoln (NY) – Juice All-Stars – Undecided

#22 Josh Brown – 2013 6’2 point guard – St. Anthony (NJ) – Sports University – Temple commit

#24 Ben Bentil – 2014 6’8 power forward – St. Andrew’s (DE) – Team ECE/NJABC – Undecided

#30 Allerik Freeman – 2013 6’4 shooting guard – Olympic (NC) – Team Nike Florida – Undecided

#3 Hallice Cooke – 2013 6’3 shooting guard – St. Anthony (NJ) – Sports University – Undecided

#31 Jared Nickens – 2013 6’6 wing – St. Patrick (NJ) – NJ Celtics – Undecided

#0 DeAndre Bembry – 2013 6’6 wing – St. Patrick (NJ) – NJ Celtics – Undecided

#44 Karl Towns – 2015 6’10 combo forward – St. Joe’s Metuchen (NJ) – Sports University – Undecided

#23 Jaren Sina - 2013 6’1 point guard – Gill St. Bernard’s (NJ) – Hoop Heaven – Undecided

#10 Kaison Randolph – 2014 6’2 combo guard – Pennington (NJ) – Team ECE/NJABC – Undecided

#34 Isaiah Watkins – 2013 6’7 power forward – St. Benedict’s (NJ) – CIA Bounce – Undecided

#21 Tyler Roberson – 2013 6’8 combo forward – Roselle Catholic (NJ) – NJ Roadrunners - Undecided

#13 Kamar McKnight – 2015 6’4 point guard – St. Patrick (NJ) – Grassroots Canada – Undecided

Coaches

Blue Team Seniors- Matt Pauls of ECE/NJABC and Terrell Myers of ECE/NJABC

Red Team Seniors – Mergin Sina of Gill St. Bernard’s (NJ)/Hoop Heaven (NJ) and TBD

Blue Team Underclassmen - Billy Diamond of Berkley College (NJ) and Terrance “Munch” Williams of Team Scan

Red Team Underclassmen - Eric Harrield of St. Anthony (NJ)/Sports University (NJ) and a special guest coach.

Contests

Dunk Contest Participants: DeAndre Bembry, Jared Terrell, Marcus Gilbert, Dallas Anglin, Johnnie Davis, Wayne Selden & Neville Fincher

Three-Point Shootout Participants: Blaise Mbargorba, Alex Mitola, Nizar Kapic, Karl Towns, Allerik Freeman, Melvin Johnson, Hallice Cooke & Jared Nickens

The following media is expected to attend the event: SNY, CBS Sports, ScoutsFocus, Ballin 365, CourtCred, 5-Star Basketball, Recruit Recon, City League Hoops, BallasTV, Rivals, Scout, Collegiate Hoops, 24/7 Sports, NJ.com, Trenton Times, MSG Varsity, Philadelphia Inquirer, Hoop Dreams Magazine, Newark Star Ledger, Trentonian, WZBN and more.

(Photos courtesy of NJ.com and NY Post)

By Alex Kline

Not since Danilo Galinari of the New York Knicks has a native of Italy made such a splash on the American basketball scene. While Galinari did it at the professional level, one senior is making his presence felt in the high school game.

Amedeo Della Valle is a 2012 6-foot-6 point guard attending Findlay Prep in Nevada. Right off the bat, Della Valle’s skills and size strike many suitors as he has great size and continues to grow as he came in at 6-foot-5 to begin his senior year. An import from Italy, the big guard came to Las Vegas with more than hopes of attaining his basketball dream.

“I came to America because I love the country,” he said. “It can provide me with a great opportunity and the experience itself can make me a better person.”

Due to his size, Della Valle creates a number of mismatches on the court. At the same time, he has not had much of an opportunity to play the point guard with teammates, Nigel Williams-Goss and Oregon signee Dominic Artis, running the show at the point. He has exhibited a number of talents though, as he has great court vision and shooting ability for a big guard. In college, he could be placed at various positions, which makes his stock even higher for someone who will sign in the spring. In order to take his game to the next level, it is the off court preparation in his lifting and strength that will help him have a successful college career.

Currently, the talented guard has a number of options around the United States. He has received offers from, “UConn, Arizona, Gonzaga, St. Mary’s, California, Loyola Marymount, Portland, Utah, Oklahoma State and UCLA.” Ohio State also recently reached out to Della Valle and could be out to watch him play again after seeing him at the Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts.

With a decision looming after the season, Della Valle’s recruitment has been slow, as of now. He has only taken one visit – an unofficial to Arizona with his teammate and Wildcats signee Brandon Ashley.

“I want to wait it out a little bit,” he said. “My goal is to get as comfortable with the coaches and campuses as possible.” With Ohio State looming around his recruitment, official and unofficial visits are expected to be setup in the near future.

(Photo courtesy of Draftology.com)

By Alex Kline

Rare is the best word to describe Marcus LoVett.

Unnatural is how one would define his ability to score. A 2015 5-foot-10 combo guard from Providence in California, he is a dime a dozen. While most players his age are playing freshmen or junior varsity basketball, LoVett is scoring in bunches for his school. After having games in which he has scored over 20, 30 and 40 points on multiple occasions, his 57-point outburst in LoVett’s sixth varsity game came as his introduction to the high school basketball realm. The scoring stud is averaging nearly 35 points per game this year.

With the ability to score at will – especially for his size – he can also get his teammates involved using his basketball instincts. As LoVett can score in bunches, he must learn to score without the ball in his hands at all times. More than likely – depending on his growth – the California native could play the shooting guard in college. In this case, he will need to learn how to make an impact on the court without the ball in his hands, as well as getting open when opposing schools double team him.

“The reason why my name is starting to get out there is because of the working I’m putting in at the gym,” he said. “These late nights I’m working hard on my game when everyone else is out having a good time while I’m sweating hard in the gym.”

After the 57-point performance, schools from around the west coast are all over him. As a freshman, the Providence standout has already gained scholarship offers from, “UC-Irvine, Arizona, USC, Stanford and Washington.” LoVett also has interest from, “UCLA, Colorado, UNLV, Oregon State and Arizona State.” He has taken unofficial visits to the UCLA and UC-Irvine campus, and has also went to the Arizona-USC basketball game, recently.

As most players on the west coast have yet to make themselves national names outside of Shabazz Muhammad and Brandon Ashley, could the freshman phenom that is Marcus LoVett become the next great player from the west coast?

(Photo courtesy of Under Armour)

By Alex Kline

Since making the quest from New York to California, plenty of new doors have opened for Jerron Love.

A 2015 5-foot-10 point guard from Clovis West in California, Love has been labled as one of the next great freshmen. A native of New York, Love and his family decided to move out of the media-crazed atmosphere into a smaller basketball market in a lesser known school on the west coast.

Currently, his squad is 10-2 with the freshman’s individual stats peeking every game from a standpoint of points, assists, rebounds and steals, as well as a limited amount of turnovers. A true point guard who leads his team by example, his basketball IQ is beyond his years. Love can pass the rock and make plays whether he has to find a teammate or make a play to score the ball himself. With a strong ability to get to the rim and attack it, he needs to have more dimensions to his scoring. If he can improve his jumper and continue to grow, Jerron Love’s stock will rise.

That being said, his stock is already fairly high as colleges know about him. Love is receiving early interest from, “George Mason, UCLA, Fresno State, USC, Kansas, UConn, Oregon, Boston University, Santa Clara, Louisville and a few other.” While he is wide open, the fab frosh believes that UCLA and Fresno State are showing the most interest in him as the Bruins recently sent him a handwritten letter of interest. The Bulldogs of Fresno State actually attended one of the youngster’s games earlier in the season, too. Love’s stock is in high demand out on the west coast.

Along with that, he has visited Louisville, UConn and Fresno State with hopes of taking more over the next few years. While Love is trying to make a name for himself on the west coast, it will have to happen with his grit on the court as he hopes to finish the season off as strong as it started.

(Photo courtesy of the Wall Street Journal)

Press release by Alex Kline

The roster for the 2012 Mary Kline Classic event is in the process of being announced with spots being filled every week. A charity high school basketball all-star game that features some of the top talent around the east coast is in its second year as Alex Kline will host the event at the Pennington School in New Jersey again.

The official date for the spring event is Saturday, May 5th at 5PM.

The newest change to the Mary Kline Classic is that it will feature two games this year, along with the dunk and three-point contest. The first game will be the underclassmen game, which features freshmen, sophomores, and juniors from the classes of 2015, 2014, and 2013. On top of that, the senior game will feature some of the top talent from the class of 2012.

There are twelve 2011 Mary Kline Classic alumni currently playing division one college basketball. They are Jordan Allen of Hofstra, Khem Birch and John Johnson of Pittsburgh, Angel Nunez of Louisville, Jabril Trawick of Georgetown, Chandler Fraser-Pauls of Lafayette, Khalid Lewis of Delaware, Devin Coleman of Clemson, Tyler Harris of NC State, Isaiah Williams of Marshall, Will Wise of UMBC and Jerrell Wright of La Salle. In the inaugural event, it was the Black team who defeated the Red team by a score of 110-87. Jabril Trawick and Jerrell Wright were named Co-MVP of the game, while Trawick won the slam dunk contest and Isaiah Williams won the three-point shootout.

Of the fifty-two expected participants in this year’s Mary Kline Classic, here are the current invites to the game. At the moment, zero spots remain open for the Senior and Underclassmen games. Players are still being taken into consideration; however, as current invites may drop out before May 5th.

The Mary Kline Classic would like to thank Vincent Robinson of The Robinson School for contributing uniforms, as well as Patrick Coombs of Reebok for contributing Zigtech sneakers.

Underclassmen Game

Isaiah Whitehead, a 6’4 combo guard from Lincoln (NY)/Juice All-Stars (NY), who is considering Georgetown, Xavier, Seton Hall, USC, Pittsburgh, Kentucky, Syracuse, Rutgers, UConn, St. John’s, North Carolina and more.

Jermaine Lawrence, a 6’9 combo forward from Pope John XXIII (NJ)/Positive Direction (NY), who is considering Cincinnati, Florida, Fordham, Rutgers, Georgetown, Syracuse, St. John’s, Louisville, Virginia Tech, Marquette and more.

Conrad Chambers, a 6’1 point guard from Friends Central (PA)/Team Scan (NY), who is considering Providence, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Iowa State, Temple, Drexel, Villanova, UConn, West Virginia and St. John’s.

Wayne Selden, a 6’5 shooting guard from Tilton (NH)/BABC (MA), who is considering Kentucky, Duke, Boston College, Providence, UConn, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Arizona, Georgetown, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina and more.

Tyler Ennis, a 6’2 point guard from St. Benedict’s (NJ)/CIA Bounce (Canada), who is considering Arizona State, Boston College, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Florida, Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Kansas, Kentucky, NC State, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Pittsburgh, Providence, Rice, Rutgers, Santa Clara, Seton Hall, Villanova, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Wake Forest and West Virginia.

Tyler Roberson, a 6’7 combo forward from Roselle Catholic (NJ)/New Jersey Roadrunners, who is considering Kansas State, Cincinnati, Florida, Georgetown, Rutgers, Kansas, Seton Hall, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Marquette, Villanova, Providence, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, St. Joseph’s and more.

Reggie Cameron, a 6’7 combo forward from Hudson Catholic (NJ)/New Jersey Playaz, who is considering Cincinnati, Rutgers, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Miami, Xavier, Northwestern, Providence, Tennessee, Villanova, Virginia, West Virginia, Oregon State, Pittsburgh, DePaul, UMass and more.

Johnnie Davis, a 6’5 wing from Neumann Goretti (PA)/Team Final (PA), who is considering Towson, VCU, George Mason, Temple, Delaware, La Salle, UMass, Rider, Northeastern, Seton Hall, Manhattan, Florida Atlantic, St. Peter’s, St. Joe’s, Robert Morris, Boston University, Penn State and Villanova.

Kaison Randolph, a 2014 6’2 combo guard from Pennington (NJ)/Team ECE/NJABC (DE/NJ), who is considering Boston University, Cincinnati, Wagner, Drexel, Iowa State, Seton Hall, Rutgers and VCU.

DeAndre Bembry, a 2013 6’4 wing from St. Patrick (NJ)/NJ Celtics, who is considering Central Florida, Georgetown, Auburn, VCU, South Carolina, Villanova, Seton Hall, Virginia Tech and more.

Jared Nickens, a 2013 6’6 small forward from St. Patrick (NJ)/NJ Celtics, who is considering Seton Hall, Virginia, Notre Dame, VCU, Fordham, Penn State, SMU, St. Joe’s, Rutgers and Maryland.

Lenny Kadisha, a 2015 6’3 shooting guard from Wadleigh (NY)/Real Scout Express (NY), who is considering Virginia, Providence, St. John’s, Iowa State and Memphis.

Kamar McKnight, a 2015 6’4 combo guard from St. Patrick (NJ)/Grassroots Canada, who is considering Arizona, Rutgers and Seton Hall.

Isaiah Watkins, a 2013 6’8 combo forward from St. Benedict’s (NJ)/CIA Bounce (Canada), who is considering Arkansas, Cincinnati, Harvard, Indiana, Iowa State, New Mexico State, Penn, Temple, St. Bonaventure, Providence, Rice, Santa Clara, Lafayette and more.

Jared Terrell, a 6’3 shooting guard from New Hampton (NH)/Expressions (MA), who is considering UConn, Cincinnati, Miami, Boston College, Rutgers, NC State, Virginia Tech, UMass, Temple, Iowa State, Providence, DePaul, Texas, Tennessee, Arizona and Baylor.

Abdul-Malik Abu, a 6’7 combo forward from Kimball Union (NH)/Expressions (MA), who is considering Iowa State, Rutgers, UMass, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Cincinnati, Boston College and Missouri.

Geno Thorpe, a 2013 6’3 point guard from Shaler (PA)/New Jersey Playaz, who is commited to Penn State.

Hallice Cooke, a 2013 6’4 shooting guard from St. Anthony (NJ)/Sports University (NJ), who is considering South Florida, Seton Hall, La Salle, VCU, Richmond, St. Joe’s, San Francisco, Rice, Iona, Wagner, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Yale, Quinnipiac, Fordham, Cincinnati, Temple, Virginia, Rutgers and Villanova.

Josh Brown, a 2013 6’2 point guard from St. Anthony (NJ)/Sports University (NJ), who is committed to Temple.

Ben Bentil, a 2014 6’8 power forward from St. Andrew’s (DE)/Team ECE/NJABC (DE/NJ), who is considering Notre Dame, Penn State, Villanova, St. Joe’s, Boston University, Syracuse, Rutgers and Maryland.

Karl Towns, a 2015 6’10 combo forward from St. Joseph’s Metuchen (NJ)/Sports University (NJ), who is considering Michigan State, Kentucky, Florida, Baylor, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Louisville, Villanova, St. John’s, Temple and more.

Chris McCullough, a 2014 6’8 combo forward from Salisbury (CT)/Team Scan (NY), who is considering Arizona, Florida, Rutgers, St. John’s, Syracuse, Rutgers, Providence, Pittsburgh, UConn, West Virginia, Seton Hall, Villanova, North Carolina, Iowa State, Hofstra, Temple and more.

Isaiah Briscoe, a 2015 6’3 point guard from St. Benedict’s (NJ)/New Jersey Playaz, who is considering Syracuse, Duke, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Seton Hall, Baylor, Cincinnati, DePaul, Arizona, UConn, Ohio State, Georgetown, Villanova, Notre Dame and more.

Davon Reed, a 2013 6’5 combo guard from Princeton Day (NJ)/Team Final (PA), who is considering Seton Hall, Rutgers, Xavier, Harvard, Richmond, Northwestern, La Salle, St. Joe’s, Temple, West Virginia, Penn State, Drexel, Boston College, Georgetown and more.

Jaren Sina, a 2013 6’1 point guard from Gill St. Bernard’s (NJ)/Hoop Heaven (NJ), who is considering Kansas, Alabama, Virginia, Penn State, Georgetown, Miami, Seton Hall, Rutgers, St. John’s, Florida State, Michigan, Cincinnati, Clemson, Syracuse and West Virginia.

Allerik Freeman, a 2013 6’4 shooting guard from Olympic (NC)/Team Nike Florida, who is considering Florida, Villanova, South Carolina, Texas, Kansas State, Kansas, North Carolina, NC State, Marquette, Georgetown, Arizona, UCLA, UConn and Memphis.

Senior Game

Daniel Dingle, a 6’6 combo forward from St. Raymond (NY)/Long Island Lightning (NY), who has signed with Temple.

Sekou Harris, a 5’10 point guard from Plainfield (NJ)/New Jersey Playaz, who is considering New Hampshire, Florida International, San Francisco, Maryland-Eastern Shore, Colorado State, Morehead State, Fairleigh Dickinson, Rider and more.

Georges Niang, a 6’7 combo forward from Tilton (NH)/BABC (MA), who has signed with Iowa State.

Anthony Gaffney, a 6’2 combo guard from Taft (CT)/ECE/NJABC (DE/NJ), who has committed to Princeton for football.

Nkereuwem Okoro, a 6’4 wing from St. Raymond (NY)/Long Island Lightning (NY), who has signed with Iowa State.

Nizar Kapic, a 6’6 wing from Perkiomen (PA)/Austria, who is considering La Salle, Washington State, Dartmouth, St. Francis (PA), Boston College, Lehigh, Colgate, Rice and more.

Neville Fincher, a 6’9 power forward from Teaneck (NJ)/New Jersey Playaz, who is considering Hofstra, Western Kentucky, Temple, Binghamton, Manhattan, Seton Hall, Siena, Robert Morris and Monmouth.

Chris Jones, a 6’5 shooting guard from Teaneck (NJ)/New Jersey Playaz, who is considering Siena, Hofstra, La Salle, UMass and more.

Justin Sears, a 6’7 combo forward from Plainfield (NJ)/Sports University (NJ), who has signed with Yale.

Phillip Lawrence, a 6’7 combo forward from Mount St. Joseph (MD)/Philly’s Finest (PA), who has signed with Marist.

Bruce Brittingham, a 6’1 point guard from Perkiomen (PA)/Team ECE/NJABC (DE/NJ), who is committed to Wagner for football and basketball.

Melvin Johnson, a 6’3 shooting guard from St. Benedict’s (NJ)/Long Island Lightning (NY), who has signed with Miami (FL).

Blaise Mbargorba, a 2012 7’0 center from Peddie (NJ)/New Jersey Roadrunners, who has signed with SMU.

Marcus Gilbert, a 2012 6’6 small forward from Academy of the New Church (PA)/Team ECE/NJABC (DE/NJ), who has signed with Fairfield.

Daiquan Walker, a 2012 6’2 point guard from Constitution (PA)/New York Gauchos, who is considering Tennessee, UConn, Temple, Central Florida, West Virginia, Seton Hall and Niagara.

Dallas Anglin, a 2012 6’2 point guard from Seton Hall Prep (NJ)/Sports University (NJ), who has signed with Hofstra.

Brandon Bolden, a 2012 6’10 power forward from Quality Education (NC)/Team Nike Florida, who has signed with Georgetown.

Charles Cooke, a 2012 6’5 wing from Trenton Catholic (NJ)/Team ECE/NJABC (DE/NJ), who has signed with James Madison.

Brandon Taylor, a 2012 6’7 power forward from Trenton Catholic (NJ)/Team Philly (PA), who has signed with Penn State.

Dominic Hoffman, a 2012 6’7 power forward from Gill St. Bernard’s (NJ)/Hoop Heaven (NJ), who has signed with Bucknell.

Quenton DeCosey, a 2012 6’5 wing from St. Joseph’s Metuchen (NJ)/Sports University (NJ), who signed with Temple.

Eric Fanning, a 2012 6’4 wing from Perkiomen (PA)/Team ECE/NJABC (DE/NJ), who has signed with Wagner.

Daniel Ochefu, a 2012 6’10 center from Westtown (PA)/PTP (PA), who has signed with Villanova.

Alex Mitola, a 2012 5’10 combo guard from Gill St. Bernard’s (NJ)/Hoop Heaven (NJ), who has signed with Dartmouth.

Maurice Watson, a 2012 5’10 point guard from Boys’ Latin (PA)/Team Philly (PA), who has signed with Boston University.

Coaches

Blue Team Seniors- Matt Pauls of ECE/NJABC and Terrell Myers of ECE/NJABC

Red Team Seniors – Mergin Sina of Gill St. Bernard’s (NJ)/Hoop Heaven (NJ) and TBD

Blue Team Underclassmen - Billy Diamond of Berkley College (NJ) and Terrance “Munch” Williams of Team Scan

Red Team Underclassmen - Eric Harrield of St. Anthony (NJ)/Sports University (NJ) and a special guest coach.

Contests

Dunk Contest Participants: DeAndre Bembry, Marcus Gilbert, Dallas Anglin, Geno Thorpe, Johnnie Davis, Chris McCullough, Wayne Selden & Neville Fincher

Three-Point Shootout Participants: Alex Mitola, Jaren Sina, Karl Towns, Nizar Kapic, Allerik Freeman, Melvin Johnson, Hallice Cooke & Jared Nickens

For media and player inquiries, as well as anything else, please contact Alex Kline at AlexKlineBasketball@Yahoo.com and follow game updates by following TheRecruitScoop on Twitter.

(Photos courtesy of George Burgess, Stephen Goldsmith, ESPN, Rivals, BBall Spotlight, Hoop Group, Fun Sport, Expressions, NY2LA Sports & video courtesy of Ballin365)

By Alex Kline

Despite reports, Chris Thomas has not cut any schools from his list.

“No, he is wide open,” said Thomas’ high school coach, Kelvin Jefferson of South Kent Prep.

A 2014 6-foot-4 combo guard originally from Colorado, Thomas is at the Connecticut school and is doing fairly well playing alongside 2012 Providence signee Ricardo Ledo. The two led South Kent to two wins in the National Prep School Showcase over the weekend.

A report surfaced on Monday afternoon that the top-10 prospect was only interested in Xavier, Kentucky and Florida. That is not the case as a number of schools are still involved, including Arizona and UConn. Although he has not officially cut his list, a source close to the situation believes that Xavier and Kentucky have made the best impression on the talented scoring threat.

Despite this, don’t expect a final college decision out of Chris Thomas this year as he looks to focus on improving his grades and skills at South Kent.

(Photo courtesy of Rivals.com)

By Alex Kline

Stephen Zimmerman is only 15-years old, but he has quickly become the a phenom in the game of basketball. While puberty has kicked in early, it is the maturity, both on and off the court, that have stood out about the Nevada native who isn’t afraid of a challenge.

A 2015 6-foot-11 center from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, all eyes will be on the big man this winter as he aligns with the top player in the nation, Shabazz Muhammad, and Stanford commit Rosco Allen, among others. Zimmerman has already made his name known around the country after being the youngest player to participate in Adidas Nation and winning MVP of the Super 16 National Freshman Game. Zimmerman is growing at a rapid pace to as he already wears a size 19 sneakers and needs to attain 7-8,000 calories a day in order to not lose weight. With all of the hype, the freshman is living up to all of the hype dished out his way.

To continue reading this story, click here.

(Photo courtesy of Pangos All-American Camp)

By Alex Kline

Midnight Madness kicked off the first practice for college basketball teams to start the 2011-2012 season. Events will be hosted all around the country and will be packed with crazy college basketball fans and spectators. As the first practice takes place, this is a key weekend for schools to get key recruits on campus for official and unofficial visits. With hundreds of recruits, seniors to freshmen, on campus, here is a breakdown of a number of recruits who will be attending Midnight Madness this weekend.

Currently, exactly 210 recruits are listed as attending Midnight Madness. Updates will be coming every few hours.

Rider- Yosef Yacob, Dom Reid, Amir Maddred, Amar Stukes, Johnnie Davis, Terry Turner, Derek Stewart, Bryan Rivers and Karron Davis.

Harvard – Isaiah Watkins and Pat Benzan.

North Carolina – TJ Warren and Nate Britt.

UNLV – Stephen Zimmerman and Noah Robotham.

Purdue – Derek Willis

Texas A&M – Keith Frazier, Karviar Shepard, Jordan Mickey, Elijah Thomas and Austin Grandstaff.

Kansas - Kaleb Tarczewski, Branne Greene, Allerik Freemanm, Jordan Mickey, Karviar Sheppard and Chris Walker.

Michigan State- Tyler Wideman, Demetrius Jackson, Drake Harris, Paul White and Cliff Alexander.

Syracuse- Isaiah Briscoe, Nerlens Noel, Tyler Ennis, Goodluck Okonoboh, Chinoso Obokuh and Zach Radz

DePaul – Karriem Simmons, Jordan Poydras, Tevin King, Amanzke Egezeke, Evan Boudreaux, Darius Austin, Tyler Jackson, Derreon Reddick, CJ Rivers, Glynn Watson, Prentiss Nixon, Paul Turner, Jordan Ash, Roosevelt Smart, Keita Bates-Diop, Erick Locke and Jalen Brunson.

UConn- Noah Vonleh, Chris Baldwin, Austin Colbert, Amile Jefferson, Jeremy Miller, Kuran Iverson, Kyle Washington, Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Jaylen Brantley, Cane Broome, Kahari Beaufort, Jarred Reuter, Kenton Facey and Lenny Kadisha.

Georgetown- Shep Garner, Kennedy Meeks, Tyler Jackson, Josh Hart, Rysheed Jordan and Troy Williams.

Quinnipiac – Chris McCullough

Marquette – Malik Yarbrough, Diamond Stone, Phil Nolan, Duane Wilson, Domonique Matthews, Jaquan Lyle, Dennis Williams, Charles Matthews, Kevin Looney, Juwan Parker, Toby Henger, Gavin Schilling and Monte Morris.

St. John’s- Chris Obekpa, Jason Boswell, Dayshon Smith, Isaiah Lewis, Jaquan McKennon, Tyler Wilson, Chance Ellis and Jermaine Lawrence.

Rutgers- Stanford Robinson, Anthony Pate, DeAndre Bembry, Jonathan Williams, Jared Nickens, Brandon Austin, Quadri Moore, Isaiah Still, Wade Baldwin, CJ Davis, Conrad Chambers, Horace Spencer, Kyle Williams, Reggie Cameron, Nassir Barrino, Kavon Stewart, Karl Towns, John Severe, Phil Boothe, Romelo Trimble and Mike Young.

Kentucky - Shabazz Muhammad, DaJuan Coleman, Alex Poythress, Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison and Willie Cauley.

George Washington - Kevin Zabo, Ishmail Wainright, Kris Jenkins, Aaron Young and Skye Johnson.

Louisville- Malik Price-Martin, Robert Upshaw, Greg McClinton, Anton Gill, Raekwon Harney, Jackson Davis and Derek Willis.

Auburn – Daniel Dingle, Jordan Granger, Ben Carter and LeMarcus White.

Oklahoma – Alonzo Trier, Omega Harris, Juwan Parker, Shaq Morris and Jacob Hammond-Diaz.

Maryland – Will Ferguson, Tevon Saddler, Roddy Peters, John Crosby, Andre Walker, Rodney Bullock and Sam Cassell Jr.

Manhattan- Neville Fincher, Chris Jones, Naim Thomas, Myron Hickman, Kavon Williams, Kevin Johnson, Isaiah Cousins, Jarrel Marshall, Naasir Williams, Ryan Yearwood, Josh Doughty, Tariq Carey, Paul Bayt, Shane Rector, Jerome Frink, Shavar Newkirk, Tauron Bailey, Curtis Jones and Josh James.

Memphis- Jarnell Stokes, Shaq Goodwin, Tony Parker, Deontaye Curtis, Treshawn Bolden, Nick King, Jalen Lindsey, Austin Nichols and Marquan Botley.

Duke – Matt Jones and Jaquel Richmond.

New Mexico – Winston Sheppard

Indiana - Derek Willis, Johnnie Vassar, RJ Curington, Sam Singer, Gary Harris, Trevor Bluiett, Grant Evans, D’Angelo Russell, Jackson Davis, Shane Hall, Trey Grundy, Justin Johnson and Bryant McIntosh.

Illinois- Gavin Schilling, Thomas Hamilton, Devin Williams, Kieta Bates-Diop, Darius Austin, Jordan Ash, Prentiss Jackson and Tyler Jackson.

Providence- Greg Senat, Jared Terrell, Rene Castro, Orlando Sanchez and Adrian Oliveira.

Texas – Zena Edosomwan and Julius Randle.

(Photo courtesy of NY2LA Sports and ESPN)

By Alex Kline

By Alex Kline

Not since the 2009-2010 Cornell squad that made the sweet sixteen has there been a more interesting storyline in the Ivy League; and while the Harvard Crimson’s 2010-11 season ended on a bitter note, the future is bright in Cambridge.

By Alex Kline

This Labor day weekend will be a big one on college campuses with the possibility of seniors taking official visits, along with many unofficial visits going down. On top of that, college football season is starting up and prospects are ready to figure out what college they will be attending in the coming years.  Below is a rundown of scheduled visitors for the weekend.

Maryland: Amile Jefferson, Jake Layman, Jerami Grant and Nate Britt

Boston College: Joe Rahon and Joseph McDonald

Iowa State: Terrence Samuel, Shamiek Sheppard and Negus Webster-Chan

Florida Atlantic: Dallas Moore

Seton Hall: Blaise Mbargorba

Temple: Devontae Watson

San Francisco: Alex Greisen

New Mexico: Nick Banyard

Washington State: Demarquise Johnson

North Carolina: Nate Britt

Fairfield: Amadou Sidibe

St. Peter’s: Josh James and Dayshon Smith

Oregon State: Jarmal Reid (committed on visit)

Bradley: Jared Brownridge

Clemson: Schuyley Rimmer and Shelton Mitchell

George Mason: Mike Hall

Missouri: Stefan Jankovic, Darreon Reddick, Paul White, Jarred Dixon, Tony Criswell, Frank Williams, Broderick Newbill, Daylen Robinson, Jordon Granger, Jaylon Tate and CJ Rivers

Vermont: Andrew Chrabascz

West Virginia: Mike Young, Maverick Morgan, Nathan Adrian and Chinoso Obokah

Nebraska: Shavon Shields and Michael Orris

Boston: Cedric Kuakumensah

Xavier: Kyle Washington

San Diego State: Skylar Spencer

Syracuse: Isaiah Briscoe, Chris McCullough and Shavar Newkirk

Davidson: Ethan O’Day

Florida: Chris Walker, Kasey Hill, Ioannis Papapetrou and Brannen Greene

Virginia Tech: Melvin Johnson and Marshall Wood

Harvard: Joseph McDonald

Kansas State: Clayton Custer

Georgia Tech: Brandon Watkins, Devin Mitchell and Tim Rowe

Virginia: Brandon Stith, Devon Hall, Kevin Zabo and BJ Stith (committed on visit)

Michigan: Mitch McGary, Keita Bates-Diop, Amanze Egezeke and Luke Kennard

Tennessee: Elijah Staley, Ryan Rosburg and Derek Reese

Texas A&M: Connor Lammert and Alex Caruso

Arkansas: Jarnell Stokes

Oklahoma State: Travis Johnson

Pittsburgh: Elijah Macon

Baylor: LJ Rose (committed on visit)

Notre Dame: Steve Vasturia and Demetrius Jackson

St. Joe’s: Matt Willms and Isaiah Miles

Marshall: Tamron Manning

Oklahoma: Stevie Clark, Jordan Woodard, Allonzo Trier, Kendal Harris, Marcus Foster and Shaquille Morris

Memphis: Musa Abdul-Aleem

Penn State: Jalen Jenkins, Kyle Washington, Jordan Washington

Florida State: Montay Brandon (committed on visit)

Houston: Danrad “Chicken” Knowles, Wannah Bail, Derrick Griffin, Melvin Swift, Justise Winslow, Tristain Curtis, Michael Carey and Danuel House

NC State: Brice Johnson, Josh Newkirk, Rodney Purvis, Kaza Keane, MiKyle McIntosh and TJ Warren

Towson: Quentin Judd and Kahlil Dukes

Oklahoma State: James Woodard

(Photos courtesy of Rivals and Memphis Select)