AAU Super Showcase: Battle of the guards
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Louisville, Ky. - The intensity cranked up a notch as Friday marked the start of eliminations at the AAU Super Showcase. The day was highlighted by impressive guard play throughout by some 2017 prospects and some under-the-radar players who could soon be emerging as well.
Atlanta Express 16U's dominate
It's hard not to notice the Atlanta Express 16U team on the basketball court with their size and ability. In the mid-morning session they handled the Durham Hurricanes (N.C.) easily by a final score of 58-34, a margin that was sprung by Rivals150 guard M.J. Walker, who dropped 20 points in the first quarter alone.
"I was just in a rhythm," Walker said. " I was feeling it and I appreciate coach for giving me the green light because I'm a scorer and he just gave me the green light and if I'm feeling it, I'm going to keep shooting."
The Jonesboro (Ga.) product ran the point for a majority of the game, it's an aspect of his game he's emphasized during the summer.
"So far my summer has been going good," Walker said. "Some things I feel like I'm getting better at are handling the point, getting my teammates involved, and just being patient and slowing the game down in my head."
Already with an established offer list, Walker talked about some of the schools that are currently recruiting him the hardest.
"University of Florida is recruiting me hard," Walker said. "Maryland, Ohio State - I get a lot of letters from them, Virginia Tech and Florida State." p>
Shooting guard Elias Harden didn't fill up the stat sheet point-wise for the Atlanta Express, but he more than made up it by hitting the glass and using his lengthy 6-foot-4 frame on defense.
"Today, I had an off game," he said. "My shots weren't going down so I just tried to get to the rack and draw fouls and grab some rebounds. My rebounding and finishing around the basket has improved a lot this summer."
The three-star prospect already has an impressive early offer list that will continue to grow into the fall.
"I have three offers right now from Auburn, Georgia Tech and Winthrop," Harden said. "I have interest from UAB, LSU, Georgia, College of Charleston, and Wofford. Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Wofford are the schools that are wanting to get me on campus."
Harden has already visited Auburn and the Tigers are also wanting to get the sharp-shooter back on campus as well.
Another Atlanta Express 2017 prospect to keep an eye on is Lance Thomas, a power forward out of Norcross (Ga.), who notched 11 points in their win. At 6-foot-8, Thomas is a versatile player who handles the ball well and creates many mismatch nightmare for any opposing defender.
"One thing I've learned this summer is with my height, length, athleticism, and versatility that I need to get to the basket more and lately I have," he said. "I've been using my quickness against bigger and slower defenders."
Currently, Thomas has offers from solid mid-major programs and he's also gaining interest from some SEC programs as well.
"I have six offers right now from Western Kentucky, Florida International, North Florida, College of Charleston, Middle Tennessee State, and Kennesaw State," Thomas said. "Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Alabama - a lot of high majors are showing interest but no offers yet."
As Thomas' game continues to evolve, the SEC interest will eventually turn into offers.
Battle of 2017 point guards
There isn't a better way to start off the day than a battle between Rivals150 point guards Markell Johnson and David Sloan, and that's what the masses got in a 16U Super Showcase matchup between King James Shooting Stars and the Louisville Magic.
Both point guards faced off against each other on numerous occasions with Sloan and his Magic team winning the overall battle. Sloan slashed to the basket at will and consistently finished around the basket, scoring 17 points and preserving a 61-54 win.
The three-star Sloan has learned a lot about the point guard position this summer and it's shown so far in Louisville.
"I learned a lot playing in the EYBL and playing behind a kid named Jordan Barnes, he helped with my vision and how to become a leader," Sloan said
The Taylor County (Ky.) product has also seen his offer list grow throughout the July evaluation period.
"Right now, I have offers from Western Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, Samford, Murray State, Missouri, Tennessee, SEMO, Louisville, and Missouri," Sloan said.
After this week's performances, that list will continue to grow.
While Markell Johnson's shooting game was off during the morning session, he still finished with 10 points and flashed top-level explosiveness with the ball in his hands while getting his teammates involved with his vision. His athleticism also showed up on defense as well, as the East Tech (Oh.) product showed off his vertical in blocking a couple of attempted jump shots from the top of the key.
Unfortunately for Johnson, he wasn't able to finish the game due to a knee injury late in the fourth quarter during a loose ball scramble. He had to be carted off for further medical treatment.
Another guard that emerged for the King James Shooting Stars was St. Vincent-St. Mary's (Oh.) combo guard Jayvon Graves, who used his 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame to get buckets on all levels of the court - both inside and out - in leading his team with 18 points.
Graves has been working on becoming a better floor general this summer.
"I've really improved on running the point and making good plays and good decisions," Graves said. " It's good competition and that's why I like King James."
His lone offer is from Kent State, but many schools are currently showing him some interest and could be close to offering as well.
"I'm hearing from Xavier, Ohio, Akron, Eastern Kentucky, Oakland, DePaul," he said. "Coaches like that I can do a lot of things for my size - rebounding, passing, and I'm a good scorer."
Boo Williams 16U's impress
The afternoon session featured a dominating performance by the Boo Williams 16U team as they cruised past the SEMO Bulls (Miss.) by a final score of 67-42. Leading the way was the duo of point guard Deshaun Wade and wing Omar Habwe.
Habwe has a developed 6-foot-4 frame and uses it to muscle for rebounds inside and post-up defenders down low. He's also a shot-blocking threat and is athletic and quick enough to defend guards on the perimeter.
He currently has a VMI offer, but things are starting to pick up in his recruiting process in July.
"I've been hearing from Mount St. Mary's, The Citadel, Bethune-Cookman, St. Peter's, and Lehigh," Habwe said. "They like that I can play defense and can also be a mismatch on the floor. I can take a big guy outside and attack him to the bucket and can also take a small guy inside and post him up."
The biggest thing Habwe has learned this summer is leadership.
"I learned a lot being with Boo Williams" Habwe said. " You have to be a great teammate and also be a leader on the floor, help out on defense, and encourage your guys to be even greater with the team."
Wade is a very smooth point guard with good size and a polished mid-range jumper that extends beyond the three-point line. On Friday, he was quick and effortless on breakaways and in transition, using his quickness and exceptional ball-handling skills to push the ball up the court and convert opportunities into points.
The Green Run (Va.) product has focused on advancing his game to another level throughout the summer with Boo Williams.
"I learned how to do the pick and roll game. When I did it in high school I wasn't very good at it, but I've picked up a lot more things," Wade said. "I know how to see the floor a lot more now playing with my team because we have a lot of great players, so I can kick and dish it and get my teammates involved."
A lot of East Coast programs have reached out to Wade during the July evaluation period.
"Right now I've got interest from Nebraska-Omaha, Old Dominion is looking at me, George Mason, Mount St. Mary's and Maryland-Eastern Shore," Wade said. "Virginia and Stanford were showing me some interest as well."
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