Ellington inspires at Super 64
LAS VEGAS- The second day of the adidas Super 64 had some exciting moments, but none were as inspiring as Bruce Ellington's clutch effort to bring his team back from a double-digit second-half deficit.
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Bruce Ellington (Team TMP)
Down around 10 points late in the game, Ellington decided to take the game into his onw hands. After one blazing drive after blazing drive for a lay up, Ellington knocked down a contested three-pointer to tie the game at 58-58 with two minutes left. TMP never looked back and scored an impressive comeback win over Net Gain Sports. Ellington was his team's leading scorer with 21 points.
A football standout with offers from Georgia Tech, Clemson, South Carolina, Maryland and Kentucky, Ellington will soon have as many if not more basketball offers. His speed and strength with the basketball, his ability to finish tough lay ups or find the open man and his competitive leadership place him easily in the high major basketball category. South Carolina and Radford have already offered, and Clemson and USC are already tracking him. Look for an explosion, however, in his recruitment after his standout performance in front of a gym ful of coaches.
R.J. Slawson (Team TMP)
South Carolina has a promising recruit in Slawson. An active shot blocker and rebounder, Slawson also demonstrated some potential as a slashing offensive threat.
Cole Stephan (Net Gain Sports)
The 6-foot-2 shooting guard led Net Gain Sports with 22 points in the tough loss. A physically strong and solid ball handler, Stephan hit three-pointers as well as some nifty shots off the dribble. A step off from being a high major athlete, Stephan is an attractive mid-major prospect.
Cory Joseph ( Grassroots Canada)
Joseph has a unique feel for the game that resulted in a high number of assists in Grassroots Canada's blowout win over the Derrick Rose All Stars. He also stepped up a position defensively and successfully defended Justin Martin. Throw on top the fact that he is a top notch shooter and you have an elite point guard prospect.
Dwight Powell (Grassroots Canada)
Powell has steadily progressed from an energy player with some athleticism to a big guy with legitimate size and a solid skill package. He's still on the up swing as a prospect and has a bright, bright future.
Tristan Thompson (Grassroots Canada)
As usual Thompson rebounded outside his area and attacked the basket with authority.
Ryan Harrow (Atlanta Celtics)
In a fast paced up and down one point win over Pump N Run, Harrow was sensational on the offensive end. As creative as any play in the class off the dribble, Harrow put up a game high 27 points.
Trae Golden (Atlanta Celtics)
Golden doesn't put on the creative show like Harrow, but he uses his explosiveness to get where he wants to get on the court and then shoots the ball with accuracy. Golden just might be as strong as any guard in the class. Against Pump N Run he put up 23 points.
Terrell Stoglin (Pump N Run)
A physically sturdy guard similar to Golden, Stoglin was on top of his game Thursday. He loves to pull up from three, but the Maryland commitment can also attack the basket going left. He led Pump N Run with 21 points against the Atlanta Celtics.
LeBryan Nash (2011 Dallas Mustangs)
A top 10 prospect in the 2011, Nash is the type of talent who has us trying to figure out ways to move him up in the rankings. His has developed a confidence in his game where he is comfortable playing within the flow of the game and then picking his spots to dominate. His physical stature and skill level make him look like a man amongst boys at times.
Devonta Abron (2011 Dallas Mustangs)
A skilled power forward in the mold of Terrence Jones, Abron stood out in the first half against Team Philly. High major coaches took notice of his performance. Abron put up 20 points as did Nash.
Juanya Green (2011 Team Philly)
A solid ball handler who knows how to score, Green was the best player for Team Philly against the Dallas Mustangs, scoring 23 points.
Jelan Kendrick (Memphis Magic)
It is a testament to Kendrick's feel for the game the way he is seamlessly fitting in with his new team. Kendrick is one of those rare players who makes winning contributions in every phase of the game. It looks more and more like Kendrick will end up a do everything type player from the point guard position.
A solidly built shooting guard with a dose of athleticism, Crawford came up with lose balls and was an opportunistic scorer for the Magic. High majors will take a close look at this bubble prospect.
Recruiting news
The New England Playaz vs. Memphis Magic game drew a slew of head coaches watching Jackson, Kendrick, Tharpe, Tarik Black and Adonis Thomas. Arizona, Kentucky, North Carolina, Connecticut, UCLA, Memphis, Tennessee and Georgia Tech were all represented by their head coaches.
Dwight Powell drew head coaches from California, Stanford and Vanderbilt.
Head coaches from Tennessee, Arizona, UCLA, Oklahoma and Texas A&M made it out to watch Trevor Releford.
Luke Cothron has Arkansas as the leader on his school list, citing his relationship with head coach John Pelphrey as the key factor.
Virginia is on the top of Trae Golden's school list which also includes Georgia, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Marquette, Florida, Connecticut, South Florida and Pittsburgh. All but Connecticut have offered.
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