Bill Hensley Memorial Run ‘N Slam: Day One

FT. WAYNE, Ind - The Bill Hensley Memorial Run 'N Slam is always one of the top events on the AAU circuit, and this season is no different. On the first night at the Spiece Fieldhouse there were some notable performances, but absolutely no one stole the show like Anthony Davis.

Five-Star Potential

It is nearly unfathomable to think that a kid from the city of Chicago who is 6-foot-9 with skill could fly under the radar on the high school hoops scene, but that is apparently what has happened. Hailing from Perspectives Charter is Anthony Davis, and he is absolutely no joke.

In a game against Team NLP, Davis completely stole the show. The Meanstreets big man nearly posted a triple-double and flashed potential that is absolutely through the roof. Davis needs to add strength, but his 6-foot-9 name frame with extremely long arms is very impressive, and then once he shows off the skills, it is incredible to think that he was barely known before last week.

Davis was blocking shots with his elbows at times during the game, but he is far more than a raw defensive kid. His offensive game is also very diverse. He started off his scoring with a post up move that turned into a fade away jumper off the glass, he then followed it up with an above the rim dunk, a mid-range jumper shortly followed, and then he scored by beating his man off the dribble. As if that wasn't enough, in the second half Davis posted on the right block, faked over his right shoulder, came back and hit a pretty 10 foot baseline hook shot.

Still he wasn't done, though he isn't physically the strongest kid, he knows how to attack the glass. Davis got on the boards out of his area, and also got to the offensive glass. Beyond that he runs the floor like a guard, and has advanced skills handling the ball.

Overall there wasn't much that Davis didn't do, and he flashed serious five-star potential. After flying under the radar for a long time, high-majors are beginning to call in droves.

Other notable performances

Also playing well for Meanstreets in their big win was Darwin Davis. Playing in his first tournament with the squad, Davis showed a tremendous ability to harass the ball on the defensive end combined with an ability to really set up the offense. Anthony Davis was the beneficiary of many looks from Darwin Davis.

While the two Davis' played well for Meanstreets, so did Jamari Traylor. The 6-foot-6 forward is an absolute specimen with serious athleticism and strength. He attacks the glass with reckless abandon and when he is around the rim he finishes with authority. While he isn't the most skilled player, Taylor knows what he can and can't do and plays to his strengths. His athleticism and power was simply too much for any NLP player who tried to get in his way.

Playground Elite has an absolute freight train of a forward in Cimeon Bowers. The powerfully built Bowers loves to get to the rim off the bounce using his strength, and then can create space down low once in the lane. Against C-BIZ, Bowers put his skill set on display and scored inside and out. He is also a high level rebounder and a fairly solid athlete for such a powerfully built player. As a 2012 prospect he is making big strides, and looked good on Friday night.

Along with Bowers, Playground Elite has a solid looking wing in Kevin Mays. Mays could play the small forward or shooting guard position, and is a big time athlete. He finished above the rim with ease, and handles the ball very well. He didn't show too much from the perimeter, but his ability to get into the lane and finish helped Playground Elite to the win.

Recent Akron commitment Blake Justice did an excellent job for C-BIZ. Though he has a pure stroke from beyond three point range, Justice is more than just a shooter. He is a solid athlete who can create space for himself, and also knows how to pass the ball. His ability kept C-BIZ in the game against Playground Elite and almost willed them to a win.

The explosion of Cody Zeller continues. Zeller is a legit 6-foot-10, and just has a motor that never stops. He runs the floor as well as any big guy in the country, and once he catches the ball he always holds it high and finishes. Add in that he hit a three, which has been a growth area for him, and his offensive game is becoming complete. On defense Zeller impacted numerous shots, and simply controlled the paint for Indiana Elite. He is emerging as possibly the best of the three Zeller brothers.

Also playing well for Indiana Elite was Jeremiah Davis. The combo guard played under control the entire game, and showed some increased ability with his decisions of when to look to score and when to look to pass. He still is more of a shooting guard, but Davis can certainly slide on the ball when needed. He was hitting shots from deep, using his strength and handle to get into the mid-range and finish, and then also set up his teammates. Overall it was a definite positive performance for Davis.

Along with Davis, Kevin Ferrell was very strong in the backcourt. The 2012 floor general has some times where he makes spotty decisions with the ball, but that is coming. He has a sick pull up jumper in which he utilizes a crossover dribble, and then also has an extra gear that allows him to really push the pace and beat his man off the dribble. On top of that Ferrell is a defensive pest who can really pressure the ball.

School Lists

For Anthony Davis the calls are just beginning, but he has one lone offer from Syracuse. Also he has heard from Memphis, Ohio State, Xavier, Kentucky, Harvard, Bucknell, DePaul, and Illinois. He noted he has a visit set up to Xavier next week and one to Syracuse in June.

Jamari Traylor doesn't have an offer yet, that should change, but he is hearing from Indiana State and Bradley.

Indiana Elite power forward Vinny Zollo has offers from Oklahoma State, Ohio University, and Miami-Ohio. Also interest is coming from Notre Dame, Butler, West Virginia, Stanford, and Xavier.

At this point Jeremiah Davis insists that he has no timeline, and said he has standing offers from Michigan State, Indiana, Cincinnati, Miami-Florida, and Dayton. Also Ohio State and Purdue are in the mix.

Cimeon Bowers says interest is coming from LSU, Marquette, Michigan, Illinois, Wichita State, Texas, Miami-Florida, and Minnesota.