Boo Williams: Nine stand out
HAMPTON, Va. - Here were nine of the top standouts in the 17-Under division at the Boo Williams Invitational last weekend.
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Boo Williams Invitational Standouts
6-8/260, Columbus (Ohio) Northland
Sullinger was far and away the most dominant big man over the course of the event. The Ohio State commitment bullied his way to buckets by going through defenders when he couldn't score over them. As a rebounder, Sullinger controlled the glass on both ends of the court. His talented and physical play set the tone for an All-Ohio Red team that knows how to win.
6-6/190, Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick
Gilchrist is making a strong claim for the No. 1 spot in the 2011 rankings. A top-notch athlete with a motor to match, Gilchrist is progressively taking his game to new levels. Over the weekend he attacked the basket off the dribble and finished with strength while also knocking down jumpers from behind the arc and from midrange. He is also a high-level defender both inside and on the perimeter.
6-2/170, Indianapolis Pike
Teague is staking his claim as the top point guard in the 2011 class. His handle is as tight as any guard presently on the circuit, and his ability to stop and go and change direction is unparalleled. Play the drive, and he can kill defenders with his pull-up jumper. Teague also has the makings of being a high-level defender.
6-6/206, Ames (Iowa) Ames Senior
Barnes simply has the complete package as a wing player. He is shooting the ball well from deep and has a physical presence around the basket. Most notable is the improvement in his dribble game from last summer. Barnes consistently got by defenders and created positive plays for his team. And his versatility as a defender gives him extra value as a prospect.
6-3/175, Winter Park (Fla.) High
Rivers might not be as explosively athletic as Teague, but does he ever have a plethora of crafty dribble moves. The bottom line is that defenders can't keep him in front of them. That is unless they play him with a gap and then Rivers buries 3-pointers. His feel for the game offensively is superb. Now he just needs to amp it up on the defensive end.
6-3/185, Coral Springs (Fla.) Pine Crest
Knight played the role of a scorer this past weekend much more than a distributor. Constantly on the hunt for his points, Knight got them. He shot the ball well from deep and also punished the defense with his increased strength and aggressive drives to the basket. In fact, Knight might have shot more free throws than any other player in the event.
SG Will Barton
6-5/165, Baltimore Lake Clifton
Barton is a scoring machine in the mold of something between Rip Hamilton and Michigan's Manny Harris. Despite his thin frame, Barton's length and strength with the ball allow him to make plays against contact. His funky dribble game is sure to create space for his accurate jumper, and his instinct for coming up with loose balls gets him bonus buckets.
SG Nick Johnson
6-2/175, Gilbert (Ariz.) Highland
Rarely do you find a freshman prospect who has such a high-level combination of athleticism, control and skill as Johnson. The combo guard did a fine job running the point for the Oakland Soldiers while also being a constant scoring threat. Johnson has an impressive and athletic jumper on the move, and when there is a lane to the basket, Johnson will finish with authority.
6-4/190, Chesapeake (Va.) Atlantic Shores Christian
Dawkins, a Duke commitment, was superb throughout the event. He shot the ball with precision and with range, attacked the basket and completed some tough finishes in the midrange. As impressive as Dawkins was on the wing offensively, he was just as impressive all over the court as a defender. Dawkins' game warrants the addition of another star by his name.
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