Baby Baller Bonanza Makes Return In February!

The new influx of young talent in the country has Basketball Spotlight very excited. Therefore we decided to bring back the Baby Baller Bonanza. This event for is AAU teams 9U thru 12U. This event allows the young ballers to take front stage and garner all of our attention. The information for this event is below. 

Event: Baby Baller Bonanza 
Date: February 7th and 8th 
Place: Neptune, NJ (All Games At Hoop Group Headquarters) 
Ages: 9U Thru 12U 
Price: $300 Per Team

Click Here To Register

Hotel Unlimited Group To Host Tip Off Classic

The Hotel Unlimited Group has decided to host the Tip Off Classic. The group has several hotels under their umbrella with great deals. Below is a list of the hotels and the rate that have. Please register quickly because they will sell out soon especially with the rate. ASK For BBS Code!

Doubletree by Hilton Tinton Falls 
700 Hope Road Tinton Falls, NJ 07724  (732)-544-9300
Basketball Spotlight Team rate: $89 + tax including Hilton’s Hot Deluxe breakfast (up to four guests) Beautiful Full Service Hilton hotel featuring Aqua Restaurant and Lounge 

Holiday Inn Express & Suites West Long Branch 
294 Route 36 West Long Branch, NJ 07764  (732) 542-1234
Basketball Spotlight Team Rate: $79 + tax including Hot Express Start Breakfast Nice clean hotel with indoor pool and complimentary WiFi 

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Neptune 
3510 Route 66 Neptune, NJ 07753  (732)-922-9600
Basketball Spotlight Team Rate: $79 + tax including Hot Express Start Breakfast Newer, super clean hotel with indoor pool and complimentary WiFi

Basketball Spotlight Exclusive Feature: Isaiah Briscoe (The Name That Changed The Game!)

Isaiah Briscoe At NBA Players Camp

A few days ago AAU dropped a bombshell on middle school basketball when they decided to eliminate grade exceptions from participating in their events. This historic decision has continued to cause debate around the country.

Basketball Spotlight would like to dig deeper and examine when this grade exception and reclassifying trend started to explode. For that we don’t have to look no further than highly touted high school senior guard Isaiah Briscoe who decided to reclassify his 8th grade year (2010-2011 season). His father George Briscoe felt the move was needed at the time, “After talking to many middle school scouts such as you, I felt that Isaiah needed to reclassify so his body could catch up to his game. Once he became more mature and worked hard he just took off” said George.

No, Briscoe wasn’t the first grammar school player to reclassify but he was the first that had a full media following (Basketball Spotlight) and went from a virtual unknown to the most talked about grammar school player in the country. Briscoe’s talk wasn’t just hype he totally dominated the Spotlight circuit (POY) and numerous camps around the country. This kid was stacking up MVP honors at every tournament he stopped through. His celebrity went to another level once the college offers started rolling in. Rumors of college's offering 8th graders surfaced before but Briscoe took it to another level. He had to be the most recruited 8th Grader not only in Spotlight history but in the AAU basketball history.

During this time because of Diary Of A Baller and Basketball Spotlight coverage the basketball world had an inside look into Isaiah Briscoe’s life and the trend was set. Beginning the next season a serious trend of players reclassifying begin to take effect. It was as if Isaiah Briscoe had taken a magical pill and others lined up to swallow. This trend snowballed for the next few years and became normal once many felt it was necessary in order to compete. On one hand Briscoe’s pattern was effective as more and more 8th Graders began garnering attention from colleges and making immediate impacts on the high school level once reaching 9th grade. On the other hand basketball and academic purest were outraged about the competitive advantage and non-academic stance the reclassifying epidemic insinuated.

Once Isaiah reached the high school level his move really proved to pay dividends as he became one of the top ranked guards in America. Most recently he led the Playaz Basketball Club to their first Nike EYBL Peach Jam Championship, won a Gold Medal with USA Basketball and was voted by many as the National Summer Player Of The Year. His play virtually guaranteed him to be a lock for the McDonalds All American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic. His college choices also became top notch as they have been narrowed down to Kentucky, St. John’s and Connecticut. When asked does he thinks the move paid off his father just smiles and says, “We wanted Isaiah to be in the upper echelon in his class and have a chance to get a good scholarship. This has been a wonderful experience but you can’t discount the work he also put in to get better. It worked out to be a win-win for us” he ended. 

Which brings us to the point of matter and an interesting question. Would we be facing this AAU situation if Isaiah Briscoe had decided to go straight to high school?

Diary Of A Baller: Marquise Walker (Chicago, IL) Entry #7

Marquise In Between Is Little Brother And Sheron Collins

Hello Basketball Spotlight World, 

Monday, I woke up and ate some breakfast and got ready and went to school. I got all my homework done and turned it in to all my classes. My CSI class was very fun. We have to find out who was the murderer and how did they do it. That class is really expanding my wisdom. After school I went to the high school and my coach pulled me in the office before practice. I had gotten my first letter from a college. It was LSU. I didn’t know much about them but my dad said Shaq went there and this cold guard he liked named Chris Jackson. I was excited to receive the letter it had a bunch of questions for me to answer. We had practice afterwards and we had a good workout as a team but I was off, I dont know what it was but I was off. Then I went home took a shower, did my homework and went straight to bed. 

The next day I got ready to go to school and I was just thinking a lot of why I was off yesterday. I have been down lately because the people that have passed around me. And just thinking of everyone like my both of my great-grandmothers, my uncle Damion, and lastly my cousin Poon. I missed them a lot and I was frustrated about it and it affected how I was playing. I went to school and got all my work done. We had practice after school and it was the same as yesterday and after that I knew it was going to be a long week. Then I got home and went to bed. On 

Wednesday I woke up with the same feeling as the other two days of my week. I got ready and went to school. After school we had practice again and I was even worse. I was just so down and disappointed. The feeling was terrible and I hope no one has to go through it. My teammates were asking me what was wrong but I had no response. So afterwards I went home and took my shower and fell asleep. 

On Thursday I had an even worse day. School was fine but me in general was just so off. I can’t even explain the feeling. So in practice I had an ok session but I still was down and off. Afterwards I did a lot of homework including math and science. Then I fell asleep. 

On Friday I woke up and took my shower and was still a little worried about the situation because that made me even mad on the court and less patient. So I went to school and after school I had a bad practice again. This was not my week at all. Afterwards Coach Breeze asked me what’s wrong with me and why am I so moody. I answered I have no confidence and I’m not focused. I got to talk to my father and he told me to be confident because if you don’t have confidence you don’t have anything. He said that I have to patient and seeing that my dad would take to time and help me boosted my confidence quickly. Then later that night I played 2k all day and fell asleep on the phone. 

The next day I was on the phone all morning. And I was playing 2k15. Then I went to the gym worked out for a while and did the exact same thing I was doing in the morning which was on the phone and playing 2k until I fell asleep. 

The next day I thanked God for another day and I ate some breakfast and I got on the phone until we left. Then I headed to practice. Today I had A Fantastic practice. I did really well in the half court set and I played really hard and everyone saw the difference between Sunday and all of last week. My dad really helped my confidence. Then I went home, ate some food and spoke to my mother until I fell asleep. Then I woke up did my diary and then I talked to my dad and (Shoutout to my dad and Mother because they are in Hawaii I hope they turn up!) after that I talked to my boy Tyger Campbell, we were talking about how are season is going to go. Then I fell asleep. 

See you next week. 

Marquise Walker

Fan Poll Results: Fans Say Terrence Williams #1 In The Country!

Terrence Williams Was Voted #1 7th Grader 

It took a fierce battle all the way to the last as Terrence Williams of Slam City Elite was voted #1 7th Grade in the country by the fans. Jaden Springer tried to make a late run and ended with 1031 votes while Shemar Morrow from California came in 3rd with 136 votes. Basketball Spotlight would like to congratulate Williams and we will see if the fans were right in a few more hours when we release our Class of 2020 player rankings.

Basketball Spotlight Feature: The Impact Of The New Rules!

The AAU Rule change concerning no grade exceptions was the hot topic yesterday. Now Basketball Spotlight will give you a few ways this ruling will impact the game of grammar/middle school hoops.

Reason For Change! 
Several years ago AAU decided to change the three grade exception rule to unlimited grade exceptions. At first look the ruling looked to be a move in the right direction because it seemed to give them less reason to police the eligibility of players. They felt as though there would be no reason to cheat if you were allowed unlimited grade exceptions. But the ruling also caused an influx of players reclassifying which changed the level of competition at their national events. When the competition level got higher, most middle tier clubs decided to seek refuge in other organizations such as YBOA or USBA. Majority of the departing clubs pointed to the unlimited grade exception rule as their reason for leaving. AAU also took a hit publicly from purest that felt the rule went totally against academics because he seemed to promote players repeating grades to compete. I believe these two factors led to them abolishing the grade exception rule. 

Other Options Opened! 
 I think the rule change has opened options for teams that feel like they are on the elite level. Instead of busting up dynasties that teams took years to build I think most will opt to play on circuit such as Basketball Spotlight and NYBL. This way they are still competing against top level teams and keeping their troops together. Quite honesty most of the directors of the elite programs on the middle school level were looking for a reason to escape the huge cost of going to the AAU Nationals. Now they have it. 

Sneaker Influence! 
It is my feeling that as long as the sneaker circuits keep their current rules most of the top tier teams will also stay intact. Since majority of the top level sneaker teams have developed feeder systems on the grammar school level I can’t see them blowing it all up because of the rule change. They will still want to stock pile the best talent according to grade to give them the best chance to compete on the sneaker circuits once they reach high school. In fact they might even get stronger if they snatch the top grade exceptions from those teams that have chosen to conform to the new rules.

Choice Is Yours! 
Finally, I think the new rules have made travel teams have to choose the route in which they want to perform. Will they chase the national championship dreams or will they opt for the competition, bright lights, media coverage and sneaker deals giving to them by opposing circuits? We will find out soon because the season kicks off in no time. Basketball Spotlight will keep you posted.

Basketball Spotlight Statement Concerning AAU Rule Change!

Yesterday AAU Basketball dropped a bombshell while at their National Convention. According to their new standards as of now they no longer will allow grade exceptions to compete in their events. Now their team levels will be age based and the cut-off date will be September 1st. Basketball Spotlight has always been now as one of the most competitive circuits in the country and we will move forward with our current rules. Our Orange Division will invite and accept teams that have grade exceptions while our Blue Division will give teams the option of playing other teams on their level. Stay tuned as Basketball Spotlight will bring you an exclusive article detailing the impact of this historic ruling.

Basketball Spotlight Tip Off Classic Gets Early Interest Update!

The Basketball Spotlight Tip Off Classic has become the official start of the AAU season for many teams around the country. This year has not been any exception as many top teams have already showed interest for the December 6th and 7th event. This event is very limited in space therefore you need to register early. 

8th Grade Teams 
1. DC Premier 
2. Philly Triple Threat 
3. Slam City Elite 
4. Brooklyn Rens 
5. NYC Rens 
6. We R 1 
7. I 10 Celtics 
8. Playtime Panthers 
9. MJ Mavericks 
10. Bos Basketball 
11. Turbo/CTA 
12. NYC Gauchos 
13. Team Philly 
14. Team Twelve Watchmen
15. NJ Warriors 
16. New Heights
17. Hilltoppers Heat
18. St. Michaels 
19. Harlem United 
20. CMEK
21. Give and Go
22. Harlem Jets 
23. Newark Pharaohs 
24.

7th Grade Teams 
1. Slam City Elite 
2. Team Final 
3. Havoc City (Red)
4. I 10 Celtics 
5. Playtime 
6. PSA Cardinals 
7. Bos Basketball 
8. Boston Spartans
9. Philly Triple Threat
10. Team Philly
11. Hilltoppers Heat
12. NY Rens 
13. St. Michaels 
14. Wiz Kids 
15. NJ Shore Shots
16. Playaz 
17. Havoc City (Blue)
18. Gym Rats Basketball 
19.
20.

6th Grade 
1. Rens 
2. Havoc City 
3. Glory Unlimited 
4. Playtime 
5. S Elite 
6. Hoops Nation
7. Riverside Hawks
8. Philly Triple Threat
9. Hilltoppers Heat
10. Gauchos
11.
12. 

5th Grade 
1. Rens 
2. Havoc City 
3. Playtime Panthers 
4. Riverside Hawks
5. Philly Triple Threat
6. MJ Heat
7. Hilltoppers Heat
8. Bannaker Kings 
9. CMEK
10. 

4th Grade 
1. Rens 
2. Havoc City 
3. Playtime Panthers 
4. Riverside Hawks (National Champs)
5. Philly Triple Threat
6. Hilltoppers Heat 
7. New Heights 
8. USA National Select
9.
10.

Basketball Spotlight Withdraws From Super Skillcase!

Due to circumstances beyond our control Basketball Spotlight Media has withdrawn from the Super Skillcase in Atlantic City in November. Basketball Spotlight would like to wish I’m Possible Training the best of luck with this event and would also like to thank them for the great memories of the last few years. We look forward to seeing everyone when our circuit kicks off December 6th and 7th. Thank you for your time.

In The Spotlight: Afamdi Achufusi (Havoc City)

Name: Afamdi Achufusi 

AAU Team: Havoc City 

Position: Forward 

Class: 2021 

Breakdown: A fresh face to the Basketball Spotlight scene, the straight A student truly impressed. The 5’9 6th grader can play any position from the 1-5. He grabbed rebounds and pushed the ball the length of the court with ease. He even has range beyond the arc. Achufusi had a game high 22 points and 9 rebounds in Havoc’s final game against Team Philly scoring from just about everywhere on the floor. We will keep our eye on this kid.

One On One Feat: Keyford Langley (CP3 All Stars)

CP3 All Stars Looking To 3 Peat!

Winning an AAU National Championship is one of the hardest feats in youth basketball. It becomes the pinnacle moment for most coaches that get to this level. Therefore if a coach is capable of winning back to back crowns they have to enter legendary status. That being said we sat down with AAU Coaching legend and reigning back to back national champion Keyford Langley. He gave us some insight on their past and upcoming season. 

One On One Feat. Keyford Langley (CP3 All Stars) 

BS: How did it feel to win back to back national championships? 
KL: Words can’t express the feeling of winning the national championship for the 2nd time. The first time was amazing, but this time was truly special. We had challenges coming into the season as well as going into the AAU Nationals. Winning the Nationals the 2nd time was the best feeling b/c we were not in the conversation of elite teams. We heard all of the talk about some teams that were put together and have not won anything, but came to the Nationals as the favorite. It takes more than “All-Stars” to win it all. It takes a team of tough-minded individuals willing to grind all week. It takes unselfish individuals willing to sacrifice and commit to each other. It takes a family… 

BS: What were some of the obstacles the second time around? 
KL: The first obstacle was having the pressure of repeating. Playing against the odds, history of a repeat was not on our side. Playing in the biggest tournament of the season without our #1 guy, Wendell Moore. Man, I had sleepless nights leading up to the tournament. He does so much for our team, there was no way to replace his productivity. The one thing that people did not consider was the heart, skill set and the mental toughness the other kids on the team have. These kids have been through the fire so to speak. Some of the players like Keyshaun, Kobe, Mike, Nick, Jeremiah were in the National Finals (4th grade) before w/o Wendell. 

We also lost a game in pool play against the City Stars (Ca.). Super guards and a great coaching staff are from that team. Much respect to that group! We had to mentally get ready to keep competing when we lost. We knew that the City Stars had a unique team and they just competed until the end. We also knew that we still had a chance after the lost. Playing against teams that we just played against 4 weeks prior to the Nationals…AOR and George Hill. Two major competitive teams in the country. AOR had not lost a game up to that point. 

BS: With so much winning in your program how do you keep the players motivated? 
KL: Honestly, I can’t take credit for their motivation. Each season, people leave us out of the conversation when it comes to winning it all. Even in our state of NC, there are individuals who continue to think and publicly say that we are not the team to beat. Those individuals still don’t get it. Each year, kids re-class and join a team in hopes of knocking us off in the NCAAU tournament. Our kids read and listen to the disrespect and how we get overlooked as being a good team. They take this personal and love to prove others wrong. They play with a chip on their shoulder. We also have very humble kids. They only give their best and compete. They hate to lose more than they love to win. 

BS: It’s always an interesting dynamic when coaching your son, how is it coaching two sons together? 
KL: Mike, coaching your child is the most challenging thing I have done. You stand the chance of destroying the father-son relationship, people want to say you are playing daddy ball etc… On the flip side, it has been very rewarding. We leave all basketball “talk” in the gym. I don’t just focus on their development; all of the kids get coached up. Keyshaun and Kobe loves to compete and they are like sponges. They listen and give you what you want and then some. They have also given me extra grey hairs as well (lol), but it has been an honor to coach them since they were 6 years old. 

BS: Word is highly touted players Myles Pierre and Chris Hinton have come aboard, how will these pickups affect your squad? 
KL: Myles joining us will put us at another level. This kid has done a great buying into our team concept. He plays with such a high motor it is unbelievable. His energy is contagious. Myles has improved in so many areas, rebounding, shooting, ball-handling, decision making and defense. He is a perfect fit for us and he will also benefit from joining our team. Chris gives us an instant low post threat. Our team never had this type of elite play in the post. He’s also a very welcomes addition. 

BS: What are the benefits of playing with an organization such as CP3? 
KL: The family concept of CP3 is the biggest benefit (God, Family, School, and Basketball). The connections and how they nurture these kids was huge in our decision in becoming a part of this organization. They are able to connect our kids with people that can help develop them on and off the court. Lastly, the idea of maybe being able to play/being a part of the EYBL is a major. At the end of the day, it’s about getting the scholarship dollars and developing productive young men. 

BS: Wendell Moore is regarded as one of the top prospects in the country, How has the experience been coaching him? 
KL: Mike, you saw him 1st when he was in 4th grade in Concord, NC playing with us (Gaters) in the Spotlight/Spiders tournament. The kid has “it”. He always seems to make the right/big plays. He is a coach’s dream. With such a high basketball IQ and skill set, Wendell has become a major problem for opposing teams. I enjoy coaching him and being around him off the court. He is a quality kid. 

BS: It’s been a few years since the last time you played in a Spotlight event; do you look forward to the AC Showcase and the Carolina Collision? 
KL: I always look forward to your events Mike. I know you will have quality teams that are ready to compete. Your reputation exceeds our expectation when it comes to tournaments. We are excited to go against some of the best teams in the country. 

BS: What can we expect from the CP3 All Stars this season? 
KL: Our team will continue to compete and leave it all on the floor. The players have gotten bigger, stronger, faster, and their skills continue to develop. You will see a more determined and focused team. We have upgraded the roster and the expectations that we set for ourselves are high. We also added a dynamic young coach, Dominic Bishop, to our staff. He is one of the best young trainers out there. The kids respond to him and will go through the wall for him. Our 2015 Motto is “All In”.

BS: What are your chances of a 3 peat?
KL: I like our chances a lot especially when other teams over look us. We upgraded and the players we had last year are so much better. Winning it all is not our goal, we just want o get better and if the result is a championship then that would be special. We are gearing up for another productive season. The Formula For Success is there and the kids are buying in. 

Unlimited Glory Off To A Great Start! (Video Highlights)

Team Glory Unlimited

The newly formed Unlimited Glory made its debut at the Hoop Group Fall Jam Fest and had an impressive showing. The DMV squad featuring the top duo in the nation (Zion Harmon and Trey Patterson) cruised to the championship by defeating Canada Elite. This group is another top squad from that loaded Potomac Valley and we look for them to make some serious noise. Check out their highlights and be on the lookout for them at the Basketball Spotlight Tip Off Classic. 

 

Diary Of A Baller: Marquise Walker (Chicago, IL) Entry #6

Marquise Walker and Coach Breeze

Wassup its Marquise Walker with my weekly diary. 

On Monday I just got back home in Kentucky from a nice and wonderful visit from my family. I went to school and it was the usual, nothing different. I was really tired from last night I had to finish my diary for last week. Then after school I went off to practice and it was really good, we ran a lot which is good to stay in shape. We did a whole lot of defensive work. Coach Breeze also coaches with W.A.C.G the 2019 team and he believes that defense wins championships. I went home and did my homework, played my Xbox, and I went to bed. 

The next day I woke up got ready and felt much better this morning. I went to school and talked to a couple of my friends before school. Then we went to school, I turned in all my homework and saw my test and my lowest grade was an 87% B+ which is really good since I just enrolled. We were supposed to practice after school but it rained a lot and the football team had to move into the gym for their practice so we had to cancel. The football team at South Warren is ranked #1 in the state and is 9-0 this season. After school I went home for a while and came back to school to work out with my bro Jordan, Cannon who is a freshman and Coach Breeze. We did a lot of dribbling drills and we did some shooting on “The Gun”. Then I went to the soccer game which we won. Afterwards I went home and fell asleep. 

Wednesday I took a shower in the morning because I fell asleep the day before. Today was try-outs for the high school team. I went to school but I was thinking about the try-outs the whole time. After school I went to try-out and I did really well. And I hoped the next day I made the team. We played pickup for tryouts, there was like 45 kids there. Coach made us run a lot at the end of the tryouts for not sprinting up the floor hard enough during pickup. I went home and went to sleep thinking about how my try-out went. I woke up and got ready and left for school. I finished my project in my social studies class. 

Thursday after school, I came home and did some homework before going back to the high school for basketball practice that night. This was the last day of tryouts but today we actually had a practice and not pickup. I played really good defense and created for my teammates in practice. We have a bunch of great shooters that stretch the floor and give me room to operate. After practice I went to the soccer game, it was the district championship. We lost to Bowling Green but will have a chance to play them again next week at regionals. I actually like soccer a lot; it is my secret favorite sport after football. 

Friday after school everyone met with Coach individually about if they made the team or not and their roles on the team. I didn't go alone; Coach brought me and Dayton Gumm (junior PG / SG) in to meet with him. Coach told us we are the backcourt and we have to control the games and he expects us to be the best backcourt in the region this year and state next year. I was so excited to hear that I made the team. Afterwards I went home for a little while and did my homework and got a shower before going to the high school football game. Our team beat Monroe County to win the regular season district title; we were up 28-0 about 10 minutes into the game. 

On Saturday I just chilled all day. I relaxed and played X-box and Playstation before going to the gym with coach and another guard, Jordan (senior). We did some ball handling drills but we also did a lot more shooting, game shots. Jordan works really hard and I have to keep my intensity up to work with him. Practicing in our gym that night was an ABA team; I think I could get out there and play with them guys today. Then I got home played my PS4 and then I got on my phone for a while before falling asleep. 

On Sunday we had practice at 2:30. We practiced from about 2:30-5:15. We worked on various defensive schemes for about two hours of the practice. At the end we did offense and we are getting better on both ends but we are getting really good on defense. I did really good today causing turnovers, protecting the ball, finding my teammates and scoring without taking bad shots. I went in early before practice and got a bunch of shots up on the gun. I went home, ate Dairy Queen, played my PS4 and did some good night.

See You Guys Next Week
Marquise Walker

Here Comes EJ Jackson!

EJ Jackson City Stars 

The East Coast is known for flashy guards that love giving the crowd a show. But now the West Coast has their own showman in the Class of 2019 in Super Guard EJ Jackson. Jackson has the national reputation of cutting up defenders throughout the country. His name really rang bells at the 7th Grade AAU Nationals in Memphis as helped the City Stars reach the AAU National Championship Game. Check out his official mix-tape but no other than Ty Kish. Stay tuned because we have more from EJ Jackson coming soon.

One On One Feat: Mike Saunders (George Hill All Stars)

George Hill All Stars 2020 Team

Last season the George Hill All Stars made their Basketball Spotlight debut at the AC Showcase. Their then 6th Grade squad made an impressive run through this stacked event and won the championship. We sat down with the George Hill skipper Mike Saunders and got his thoughts about a few subjects. 

One On One Feat: Mike Saunders (George Hill All Stars) 

BS: What’s new in the George Hill program this year? 
MS: Working on finalizing a partnership with Indiana Elite/Adidas to maximize exposure for my kids once they move to high school. Adding a 2021 team called George Hill Elite-2021 (formally RBC), we got two kids 5'9 and two kids taller than 6 foot. Josh Davis is #1 2021 player in state and will challenge Zion for the #1 spot in country. Added a 5'10 kid named Max Sullivan to my 2022 team. 

BS: You guys once again had an impressive run in the Class of 2020 and others, what do you attribute your success to? 
MS: We put a lot of time in at the gym. We are real hands on. Kids get up lots of shots, ball handling, and learn lots of defensive concepts. A lot of are kids play up a grade or two before travel season starts. We have 3 coaches on high school staffs. 

BS: Who are some of the top prospects that we need to look out for in your program? 
MS: You guys and other websites have done a great job of covering alot of the kids in the program. I would say in terms of kids that might take people by surprise this year, Jason Morton(2020) is 6'6 now and two other 2020 kids new to the program last year Jamari London(6'0) and Sabastin Murillo(6'0) have been in the gym all summer, both will be dunking by March. I think Brevin Jefferson will have an unbelievable season now that he is healthy. Hunter Jackson has been working out with the high school team so he is going to surprise people with his strength.. Michael has been working on his strength and explosiveness and Kenny Tracy has grown another two inches. In 2019 David Bell and Isaiah Moore should have very strong seasons 

BS: Who are some of the top 7th grade teams in the country you look forward to playing against and why? 
MS: Oakland Soldiers (because they National Champs) WACG and Wisconsin United (Lots of mutual respect always exciting games). We see these preseason rankings and articles, it’s like people forget about us because we lost to Wisconsin and Florida in nationals, but yet we beat Izod and the Gauchos by 20 last season. Plus we beat St. Louis, Minneapolis FAB and Worldwide. I know Worldwide added lots of pieces, but just don't write us off quite yet. 

BS: Tell us something about the George Hill program that we don’t know. 
MS: 85% of kids in private school 90% on Honor roll. EDUCATION FIRST!!!! 

BS: You guys won the AC Showcase last year, how was the experience playing in your first Basketball Spotlight event? 
MS: The #1 tournament that we played in last year! Great competition, location was great and kids enjoyed activities off the court. For us to be able to play against Izod, Glory, Gauchos, and Takeover in one weekend was worth the trip. That doesn't include the fact that WACG was also there. We look forward to coming back with more teams. 

BS: What are some of the aspects of AAU basketball that you like and others that you dislike? 
MS: I like the relationships that the kids make. I dislike the rule bending in AAU. It’s getting out of control. I believe it does kids an injustice especially once they start playing in NCAA Certified Events and high school.

Basketball Spotlight Tip Off Classic Getting Early Interest!

The Basketball Spotlight Tip Off Classic has become the official start of the AAU season for many teams around the country. This year has not been any exception as many top teams have already showed interest for the December 6th and 7th event. This event is very limited in space therefore you need to register early. 

8th Grade Teams 
1. Team Final 
2. Philly Triple Threat 
3. Slam City Elite 
4. Brooklyn Rens 
5. NYC Rens 
6. We R 1 
7. I 10 Celtics 
8. Playtime Panthers 
9. MJ Mavericks 
10. Bos Basketball 
11. Turbo/CTA 
12. NYC Gauchos 
13. Team Philly 
14. Team Twelve Watchmen
15. NJ Warriors 
16. New Heights
17. Hilltoppers Heat
18. St. Michaels 
19.  
20.

7th Grade Teams 
1. Slam City Elite 
2. Team Final 
3. Havoc City 
4. I 10 Celtics 
5. Playtime 
6. PSA Cardinals 
7. Bos Basketball 
8. Hoops Nation
9. Philly Triple Threat
10. Team Philly
11. Hilltoppers Heat
12. NY Rens 
13. St. Michaels 
14. Wiz Kids 
15.
16.

6th Grade 
1. Rens 
2. Havoc City 
3. Glory Unlimited 
4. Playtime 
5. S Elite 
6. Hoops Nation
7. Riverside Hawks
8. Philly Triple Threat
9. Hilltoppers Heat
10. Gauchos
11.
12. 

5th Grade 
1. Rens 
2. Havoc City 
3. Playtime Panthers 
4. Riverside Hawks
5. Philly Triple Threat
6. MJ Heat
7. Hilltoppers Heat
8.  
9.
10. 

4th Grade 
1. Rens 
2. Havoc City 
3. Playtime Panthers 
4. Riverside Hawks (National Champs)
5. Philly Triple Threat
6. Hilltoppers Heat 
7. New Heights 
8.
9.
10.

Fan Poll: Who's The #1 Player In The Class Of 2020?

Who's The #1 Player The Class of 2020?

Next week our Class of 2020 National Player Rankings will drop and Basketball Spotlight will once again ask the fans for your opinion on who you think the #1 prospect is in the country. The top prospects listed below with their case on why they could be #1 on our list. Cast your vote in the right column. 

Class of 2020 #1 Candidates 

Shemar Morrow Guard (California) 
Case: This lefty needs no introduction as he took the nation by storm last season with his scoring prowess and leading his team to an AAU National championship. His half-court game winner in the finals will go down as one of the best moments in AAU history. 

Kyree Walker Forward (California) 
Case: It’s rare to have a teammate also vying for the #1 spot but Walker has to be considered. Standing 6’3 and looking to grow several more inches Kyree has the game and potential to be the best in this group. He has the unique feel of a top notch play maker and scorer combined. 

Jaden Springer Guard (North Carolina) 
Case: Jaden Springer is an intriguing prospect because of his young age, will to win, genes and potential. He comes from a family of Division 1 players, played in two national championship games last season and recently just turned 12 years old. Therefore this young cub is nowhere near his ceiling. 

Terrence Williams Forward (Maryland) 
Case: Williams was a double-double machine last season while leading Team Takeover to the 7th Grade Final Four so it’s no surprise that he might be the most dominant player nationally in this class. Playing with the Terror Squad puts Williams in the unique position of leading his team to the national title. 

Jason Harris Forward (California) 
Case: Harris was oozing with potential when I saw him at the NYBL last season. The scary part was he still didn’t have control of his body thus he has a lot more growing to do. He led the West Coast All Stars to the NYBL Championship and potentially he could be the best player in the class.

Hoop Group Fall Jam Fest 6th Grade Top Performers

Zion "The Lion" Harmon (Slam City Elite)

The 6th Grade Division at the Hoop Group Fall Jam Fest was very interesting because it featured the top tandem in the country and a look at some upcoming new talent. Here are the players that impressed us with their play this past weekend. 

Hoop Group Fall Jam Fest 6th Grade Top Performers 

Zion Harmon Guard (Glory Unlimited) 
The last few years I had “The Lion” pegged as a super guard but a certified shot hunter. This weekend I got a different perspective of his game. Yes he did put up numbers while dominating the 6th Grade level and leading his team to the title. His range and accuracy is something that’s unmatched on this level at this time. He literally got a clean look anytime he wanted. But when I saw him on the 8th Grade level I saw his willingness to share the ball and run a team. Harmon is a polished point guard and showed the ability to get anywhere he wanted on the floor. He withstood the physical defense of the 8th graders while slicing through the lane very often. Even more eye popping was the court vision he showed when dropping dimes to his cutting teammates. This kid logged heavy minutes for both age groups while still performing on a high level.

Trey Patterson Forward (Glory Unlimited) 
Now this where things get scary! Trey Patterson came down to hang with Harmon and that made things unfair. Patterson’s size combined with his skill size allowed him to totally dominate the opposition. He has the ability to grab a rebound and push the pill up the floor himself. He also can step back and nail the trey ball. When Patterson gets a little stronger he will convert on all those little chippies that seem to roll off the rim. All in all this kid is a blossoming prospect.

Knasir McDaniel Guard (Havoc City) 
This DMV crew ran into a tough match up with Glory Unlimited but that didn’t stop the 5th grader from showing his worth. Knasir is not known as a scorer but he had to carry the load in this one. He did most of his scoring damage with a mean floater. He was a nightmare to keep out of the lane and showed he could breakdown any defender that was put in front of him. Trapping Dug was a waste of time as he zipped through the double teams while advancing the rock. This kid is tough as nails and possesses that special it factor.

Keon Baker Guard (Canada Elite) 
Baker was cooking when I saw him get down. He has the swagger and confidence of a top lead guard. He’s difficult to contain because he has the ball on a string and can score from anywhere. The transition game gives him a chance to show off his best attributes. I don’t think this will be the last time hear this name.

Chance Westry Guard (Class Acts) 
Chance was everything you need in a lead guard. He has the handles and the good stroke from the perimeter. What really stood out was his natural feel for the game and playmaking ability. Harrisburg, PA has been known to produce some legit guards over the years and he seems to be next in line. Hopefully I get another look at this kid.

AJ Jones Guard (Class Acts) 
Jones is a strong Charles Barkley type forward with some skills. He got a lot of rebounds and powered his way back up for put backs. I like his motor and wiliness to be engaged in the physical aspect of the game.

Hoop Group Fall Jamfest 7th Grade Top Performers Part 2

Keshaun Hammond (Team Philly)

The Hoop Group Fall Jamfest took place this weekend and the 7th Grade division had some top talent. In Part 2 we take a look at some of the other Class of 2020 players that got busy in Neptune. 

Hoop Group Fall Jamfest 7th Grade Top Performers Part 2 

Keshaun Hammond Guard (Team Philly) 
Hammond made a name for himself during the semifinals matchup with Slam City Elite. The lanky guard showed he could separate from defenders and score off the dribble. Hammond used his Philly style handle to breakdown defenders and cause fits for the highly ranked squad. He scored from all three levels and has the size to be an interesting prospect. He definitely caught our eye.

Ahmad Fair Guard (Team Philly) 
Fair has grown over last year and his game shows the effects. His impact on the floor is shown when he attacks and either scores or drop dimes. His confidence seems to be flowing and now expects to make big plays and get things done. His new attitude and play helped them make it to the final four.

Darius Miles Guard (Havoc City) 
The southpaw still has a smooth game and playmaking ability. He plays the game with a good pace and it’s very difficult to speed him up. I believe once he grows into his body he will be a name to know in the DMV area.

Aaryn Parks Forward (Havoc City) 
Nicknamed Big Baby Parks has a soft touch and usually positions himself deep on the blocks. He showed the ability to box out well and grab rebounds. We will keep our eye on him.

Marcus Dockery Guard (Havoc City) 
This other southpaw was very aggressive this past weekend. He created off the bounce and faded to the corner to hit the deep jumper. He also was eager to show his game in the open floor. This kid was new to our radar and he really impressed us with his play this past weekend.

Dimingus Stevens Guard (Havoc City) 
Ming has earned a national name while playing on the circuit for years. This past weekend he showed some of those all around attributes. He can play inside or outside while being able to score from anywhere. Havoc City will be depending heavily on Stevens to make a big run.

Noah Charles Guard (Havoc City) 
Charles is a speedy point guard who can also score. He got into the lane often this weekend and really showed a burst of explosiveness in transition. He has the keys to this offense and will have to drive the car. 

Riley McMahon Guard (NJ Shore Shots) 
McMahon is a patient point guard that picks his spots but will break you down if you sleep on him. I like how he handles the rock with both hands and can get into the lane against some of the best. He reminds me of former Shore Conference point guard Mitchell Kates who was a joy to watch. 

Charlie Gardiner Forward (NJ Shore Shots) 
When you think of Gordiner think about a miniature Kyle Singler type. He can venture out to the three point line and knock down the trey ball while also using his size inside as a mismatch. He was a problem all weekend and even went over 30 points in a game. 

Chris Sica Forward (NJ Shore Shots) 
Sica used his size to score inside and rebound the ball. He moved well within the offense and got deep position on the blocks. He showed a face up game and good touch around the tin.

Hoop Group Fall Jam Fest 7th Grade Top Performers Part 1

Slam City Elite AKA Terror Squad 

The 7th Division of the Hoop Group Jam Fest had a few fireworks and some talented players. Here’s a recap of what players impressed us down in Neptune. 

Hoop Group Fall Jam Fest 7th Grade Top Performers

Terrence Williams Forward (Slam City Elite)
If these past two weekends are an indication than Williams would be a lock for Player Of The Year. When we first mentioned the Terror Squad we talked about how Williams could be unstoppable on this level. He saves his best games until the competition stiffens. He catches the rock, uses polished moves and finishes with ease. He could be seen often feasting on the competition down low.

Isaiah Todd Forward (Slam City Elite)
This was my first look at Todd and standing close to 6’7 he might be the best long term prospect on this loaded roster. He didn’t show total dominance because he’s still developing physically and skill wise. As the weekend progressed so did his game and he even found himself in the starting line-up. As he becomes more comfortable finishing around the rim expect his numbers and name to rise.

Jordan Toles Guard (Slam City Elite)
Toles showed off his athleticism in the open floor with a couple of dunks. He’s a top notch athlete on this level and thrives in transition. I would like to see him improve his range and ball handling. Also if Slam City is trying to make a championship run I believe he will have to become a lock down defender

Tyler Brelsford Guard (Slam City Elite)
Brelsford once again turned in a solid weekend. His assist to turnover ratio was great and he did a great job of keeping his horses happy. One of his best assets is calming his troops down when the other team makes a run. His vocal skills have improved and will need to continue for this team to be successful. One thing is for certain; Brelsford is used to being in the trenches.

AJ Hoggard Guard (Slam City Elite)
Hoggard operated like a homerun hitter this weekend. He loves making the big play and when he converted he looked like one of the best guards in the country. Other times he got into a little trouble by dribbling into traps which caused a few turnovers. In final four he stepped and made some big buckets to help them preserve the win. I know once he’s accustomed to his teammates and system he will find a happy median.

Demon Clowney Forward (Slam City Elite)
This intimidating force had his moments. He’s a little more skilled than I anticipated and also showed some athleticism with a hard dunk. He’s interchangeable in terms of guarding a wing or post player.

Cameron Byers Forward (Slam City Elite)
Byers muscled his way to the hole for a few easy buckets. Once he lowers that shoulder most defenders on this level will be at his mercy. Once he got them off balance he used a soft touch to finish. Cameron also was a beast on the glass while playing in two age groups.

Jaylen Murray Guard (PSA Cardinals)
Murray is the top scoring guard for this bunch. He specializes in using the floater and mid-range pull up to score. He has enough handle and savvy to beat defenders off the dribble even if they play zone.

Andre Washington Guard (PSA Cardinals)
The little guy gave Slam City fits with his penetrating style and ability to hit the open trey when the ball rotates his way. He dribbles the rock low ++which helps him zip throw the defense.

Tysheem Pickett Guard (PSA Cardinals)
Pickett is another quick guard in the PSA arsenal. He’s a pest on defense and provides another attacking guard on the offensive end. If he gets clicking PSA becomes a tough out.

Brandon Weston Forward (PSA Cardinals)
Weston used his versatility to score and make plays for this NY squad. He’s one the tallest on the squad so he has the help out on the glass and defend some big opponents.