Slick PG Names Top Schools

FT. WAYNE, Ind. -- We can't admit to knowing to much about Johnta Hammond of the Portland Inner City Players prior to this weekend's 9th Annual Spiece Run N Slam Tournament, but his play in an easy victory over Bloomington Silver on Friday night certainly opened some eyes.

A slick and quick scoring point/combo guard, the 5-10, 161 pounder from Jefferson H.S. in Portland was seemingly all over the place in a lopsided victory over Bloomington.

An adroit passer on the break who is dangerous off the dribble and going to the hole, the wiry Hammond was a major factor in his squad's decisive victory.

Hammond also played well last month at the Houston Superstars' adidas tournament in Texas, and he told the Insiders Report/Rivalshoops.com that he had generated from interest in such programs as Florida State, Ohio State, Oregon, UCLA and Florida.

Many of those schools will no doubt want to get another look at Hammond this summer before deciding whether he will be in their long-range plans, but his continued fine play here this weekend could open some more doors for him.

Hammond said he was academically ineligible the first semester at Jefferson H.S. during the 2001-2002 season, but wound up averaging 21 points, four rebounds, seven assists and one steal per contest for the state power.

While his academic picture might be unclear at this time and he has yet to take the SAT or ACT exams, Hammond should get plenty of exposure this summer. He plans on attending the adidas ABCD Camp in New Jersey and then traveling with ICP to tournaments in Seattle (finalscore.com), Las Vegas (adidas Big Time) and Los Angeles (Best of Summer).

We'll keep you posted on his play and recruitment in the weeks to come, so stay tuned.