Vegas: loose change

The big three tournaments weren't the only action in Las Vegas last week. The AAU Super Showcase West Coast Nationals were also played with, ironically, Brandon Bass Elite behind five-star prospect Latavious Williams taking the crown.

Williams scored 25 points in a 67-66 win over the Arizona Rebels in the championship game. Former LSU commitment Brandon Mitchell added 20 points for the winners.

Williams had LSU, Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State and Kansas State all watched Williams during the event, and Kentucky is now involved in his recruitment according to Brandon Bass Elite head coach Scooter Owens. More than a future college decision is up in the air for Williams. He and teammate Bryant Crowder still do not know what prep school they will attend next year, and Williams is also considering playing overseas rather than attending college.

A three-star wing prospect, Mitchell is also a top notch quarterback and is in the process of deciding between playing football or basketball in college. The new staff at LSU is beginning to recruit him in basketball as is Mississippi State. An opportunity to play both sports at Kansas State might also be available according to Coach Owens.

Although he didn't score big in the finals, Crowder was a standout for Brandon Bass Elite throughout the event. In the first game of the tournament the smooth shooting 6-foot-9 forward scored 30 points. Iona is showing strong interest in the big man.

School lists from Vegas

Chris Colvin, who played well during our viewing of the Mac Irvin squad, has a top five of USC (offer), Florida, Florida State (offer), Gonzaga (offer) and Kentucky (offer).

MBA Hoops found themselves over their heads against Pump N Run Elite during bracket play at the adidas Super 64. A team full of 2011 prospects, MBA Hoops suffered a lopsided 102-62 point loss. Chalk it up as a learning experience for the talented youngsters who are poised to be one of the top 2011 travel teams in the country.

Elite prospect LaQuinton Ross is set to team up with the No. 1 2009 prospect John Wall at Raleigh (N.C.) Word of God Christian Academy next year. According to MBA Hoops coach Omhar Carter, Ross has offers from and interest in Memphis, Baylor, North Carolina State, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Florida and Kentucky.

Another top 2011 prospect Rodney Hood is being recruited by Duke, North Carolina State (offer), Baylor (offer), Ole Miss and Clemson (offer).

Whirling dervish 2011 point guard Deville Smith has a top five of Arkansas, Alabama, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Southern Miss with offers from each.

And burly 2010 big man Demarco Cox has offers from Alabama, Southern Miss, Tulane and Arkansas.