Mark
08-26-2007, 08:36 PM
KINGWOOD CLASSIC
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2007 Kingwood Classic Preview
Over 600 teams will participate in this weekend's event
April 19, 2007
By Van Coleman
The Kingwood Classic features a deep field with recent tournament champions like the Southern Cal All-Stars (Las Vegas Easter Classic), the Pump N' Run Elite (Real Deal on the Hill) and Boo Williams Invitational runner-up Meanstreets heading the field in Houston.
This illustrious trio will receive some major challenges along the way from the Atlanta Celtics, Louisiana Select, Houston Hoops, EBO/EA Sports, Team Texas, Athletes First, Indiana Elite, Miami Tropics, Oakland Soldiers, Texas Bluechips, TMAC All-Stars, Dallas Mustangs, Martin Bros. Select, Jackson, Tigers, Belmont Shore, Arkansas Wings, M33M Magic, Compton Magic, Arizona Magic, King of the Court, Georgia Stars, Howard Pulley Panthers, and Branch West-Reebok among many of the top squads at this deep and talented tournament.
Tournament Director Hal Pastner, who heads up the Houston Hoops program, will oversee over 600 teams in the nine age groups that will be playing in the 43 gyms across Houston this weekend. We will be spending most of our time at Westfield High (three courts), Westfield Ninth Grade (two courts) and Bammel Middle School (two courts) this weekend. We will see between 70 to 80 teams before we leave on Sunday, so we'll see most of the top talent that will be strutting their stuff this weekend.
The individual talent is going to be out in force at the Kingwood Classic, we look forward to writing about some of the nation's best this weekend. Here's some of the players we expect to be in the gyms this weekend.
From the Class of 2008:
No. 1 - Greg Monroe 6-10 C (Louisiana Select)
No. 3 - Brandon Jennings 6-1 PG (Southern Cal All-Stars)
No. 5 - Delvon Roe 6-8 CF (King of the Court)
No. 6 - Al-Farouq Aminu 6-8 WF (Georgia Stars)
No. 7 - Jrue Holiday 6-3 SG (Pump N' Run Elite)
No. 11 - Drew Gordon 6-10 PF (Oakland Soldiers)
No. 13 - Willie Warren 6-3 PG (Team Texas
No. 15 - J'Covan Brown 6-3 PG (T-Mac All-Stars)
No. 16 - Howard Thompkins 6-9 PF (Atlanta Celtics)
No. 24 - Troy Guillenwater 6-8 PF (Southern Cal All-Stars)
No. 26 - Malcolm Lee 6-3 CG (Inland Reebok)
No. 27 - Emmanuel Negedu 6-7 PF (Indiana Elite)
No. 28 - Larry Drew 6-1 PG (Pump N' Run)
From the Class of 2009:
No. 2 - DeMarcus Cousins 6-10 PF (Birmingham Storm)
No. 4 - Derrick Favors 6-9 WF (Atlanta Celtics)
No. 5 - Xavier Henry 6-6 SG (Athlete's First)
No. 9 - Stephen Van Treese 6-9 PF (Indiana Elite)
No. 10 - Joe Burton 6-9 PF (Compton Magic)
No. 12 - Junior Cadougan 6-0 PG (Georgia Stars)
No. 13 - Jordan Hamilton 6-7 WF (Lamar Odom I-Can All-Stars)
No. 16 - Shawn Williams 6-6 WF (Team Texas)
No. 20 - Travis Wear 6-9 CF (Pump N' Run Elite)
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Okay fans today was really busy...but 2008 is by really loaded with wings ang bigs. I had the privledge of watching Beas Hamga, Emmanuel, and DeAndre Liggins play today. I was covering a lot of UOFA targets. And I watched the North Riverside Slam-n-Jam (CA) play the Indiane Elite's which Hamga, Liggins, and Negedu play for.
Liggins is a bull...he can shoot from deep, he's a tenacious defender and an excellent rebounder. He's a legit 6'6. He's extremely quick and take his man off-the dribble at any time. Liggins will average almost a triple-double in college. Liggins makes the big-shots down the stretch when his team needs him the most. Liggins is very intrigued about UNM. From what I have heard Liggins will make a visit to UNM. He's a beast and he's Jamal Williams with more skills and a better attitude. He's got that toughness about him that rubs-off on all his teammates.
Hamga is really an agile big-man. He's a beast down-low...and he's very skilled and raw. His offensive game is coming along. But his rebounding and shot-blocking is his strength. For a big-man he stays away from cheap fouls. He knows when to throw it down for easy buckets. I would put no stock into what delusional IU fans say about Hamga being a done-deal. He's very interested in UNM. He's excited for Darrington Hobson and Dairese Gary going to UNM. He will take a visit to UNM.
Negedu really is a beast. He's 6'7 and uses every bit of his frame. He's so active and plays above the rim. Negedu kept up with UOFA target Drew Gordon on the boards. Negedu is a highlight-reel. But he does not rely on just his athletic ability, he works very hard...but the game comes easy to him but he's work ethic is amazing. As of now he favors Arizona...but he may take a visit to UNM. I would not underestimate Coach Alford's coaching staff to get him to Albuquerque for a visit.
Another player intrigued me was Tyrese Breshers. UNM needs to recruit him. This guy at 6'7 is a very active player around the glass. He's so ferioucious around the glass. Right now he likes UCLA a lot. But he was high on UNM at one time and he can be again.
I'm tired but I promised some info. I will be able to give a lot more possible UNM targets tomorrow. If anyone has any questions on any prospects they're interested in UNM pursuing just ask. I watched 7 games today so I have a lot of games to watch tomorrow as well. Lobo Lair certified Scout ready for questions...right RedPitSea?
Today was even more competitve than yesterday. I was intentively locked into the PUMP N RUN VS INDIANA ELITE game. There were players that impressed a lot of coaches in building.
Larry Drew was phenomenal on saturday. Tweaked his ankle and saw limited time on sunday. At the moment he favors UNC over Arizona. Drew is so quick, he can get to any spot on the court by beating his man off the dirbble. His passing is very developed and makes great decisons without forcing the issue.
Jrue Holiday was quite impressive and there's no doubt that he's the second rated player in the country. Holiday can play in the post just as effectively as he can on the perimeter. Holdiay stands at 6'3 is such a versatile player who can play inside-outside. He's a shooting guard who plays much like a wing. His list includes Arizona, UCLA, UNC and others.
Tyrese Breshers really impressed me this weekend. He's so smooth that he's still growing at 6'6. He's so athletic he can get any shot he wants at any time. His rebounding is improving. His outside shooting is really impressive. He can play above the rim and bang inside. UNM needs to get on this kid. I think Coach Alford will go after him....because Breshers is one of the top players in California for 08' and He would fit UNM's style of play.
Jeff Taylor caught the eye of many elite coaches. He's so impressive in the way he rebounds, because he beats his man to the boards. His athletic ability was so impressive that UNM will have to recruit hard so they can keep him in state. as of now I would say that UNM is the team to beat for his services. Lute Olson, Bill Self, Billy Donovan, Roy Williams and others were on hand watching him play.
Fellow In-State player Marcus Williams will be pursued by Arizona. Coach Olson loves what he see's in him. Williams is not a sleeper. He's so talented...his speed to get around his man is so scary. He's not even begun to take into his potential. Arizona, Kansas, UCLA really liked what they saw in Williams.
Willie Warren 6'4 shooting guard had a lot of attention on him. He plays for Team Texas...really an explosive guard with skills as a point guard and shooting guard. He has Texas, Arizona, Kentucky, and Others on his list. UNM may try to recruit him, but it may be too late. It's worth a shot.
Will Brown who plays for the Dallas Hereos has a wide-open recruitment despite what has been reported about him committing to UTEP. He's a 6'8 Power-Forward. He's a beast inside and can score with power and finese. He's so strong on the boards. And he runs the floor so well he is really athletic for his size. Texas and Vandy want him the most out of all the teams on his list.
Steve Tchiengang a extremely athletic Power Forward who plays for the T-Mack All-stars is an exciting athletic freak who runs the floor like a guard. He can shoot, Rebound, and blocks shots very well. He's got some serious hops. Arizona wants him bad. But UCONN and INDIANA are hot pursuit for his servies as well. Another possible UNM recruit. He has not favorite at this point.
Enoch Andoh 6'8 Power Forward from Tucson AZ plays for the Sporting Chance. Talk about Athleticism and raw ability...this kid has it all. He's so quick and has improved immensly since I saw him last. Kentucky is making a hard push for him. UOFA wants him more and will look to keep him in the state of Arizona. UNM was recruiting him at one time when Richie McKay was at UMN. I look for Alford to re-recruit him.
Now on to Negedu. He really likes Arizona as stated last night. However he is considering a visit to UNM. He wont commit right away. He's am athletic freak who has such a great vertical leap that none of the players I saw can beat him to the ball when it's in the air. He's so much like Andre Igoudala who plays for the 76ers and played at Arizona. The comparison is so similar it's scary. Negedu is steadily improving so fast that every major program is on him now.
Liggins and Hamga here's the deal with these fellas. I heard all weekend from IU fans how much of a lock Hamga was, they were disappointed he had no favorite and he's going to take a visit to UNM. And one assistant coach says he's likely to Commit to UNM because he loves Coach Alford more than he does Kelvin Sampson and IU. Liggins is being recruited hard by Illinois. But as stated earlier he really wants to see what UNM is like as far as the facilities and the campus.
<table id="quote" border="0" width="95%"><tbody><tr><td class="FirstAlt" style="border: 1px solid ;" width="100%">
2007 Kingwood Classic Preview
Over 600 teams will participate in this weekend's event
April 19, 2007
By Van Coleman
The Kingwood Classic features a deep field with recent tournament champions like the Southern Cal All-Stars (Las Vegas Easter Classic), the Pump N' Run Elite (Real Deal on the Hill) and Boo Williams Invitational runner-up Meanstreets heading the field in Houston.
This illustrious trio will receive some major challenges along the way from the Atlanta Celtics, Louisiana Select, Houston Hoops, EBO/EA Sports, Team Texas, Athletes First, Indiana Elite, Miami Tropics, Oakland Soldiers, Texas Bluechips, TMAC All-Stars, Dallas Mustangs, Martin Bros. Select, Jackson, Tigers, Belmont Shore, Arkansas Wings, M33M Magic, Compton Magic, Arizona Magic, King of the Court, Georgia Stars, Howard Pulley Panthers, and Branch West-Reebok among many of the top squads at this deep and talented tournament.
Tournament Director Hal Pastner, who heads up the Houston Hoops program, will oversee over 600 teams in the nine age groups that will be playing in the 43 gyms across Houston this weekend. We will be spending most of our time at Westfield High (three courts), Westfield Ninth Grade (two courts) and Bammel Middle School (two courts) this weekend. We will see between 70 to 80 teams before we leave on Sunday, so we'll see most of the top talent that will be strutting their stuff this weekend.
The individual talent is going to be out in force at the Kingwood Classic, we look forward to writing about some of the nation's best this weekend. Here's some of the players we expect to be in the gyms this weekend.
From the Class of 2008:
No. 1 - Greg Monroe 6-10 C (Louisiana Select)
No. 3 - Brandon Jennings 6-1 PG (Southern Cal All-Stars)
No. 5 - Delvon Roe 6-8 CF (King of the Court)
No. 6 - Al-Farouq Aminu 6-8 WF (Georgia Stars)
No. 7 - Jrue Holiday 6-3 SG (Pump N' Run Elite)
No. 11 - Drew Gordon 6-10 PF (Oakland Soldiers)
No. 13 - Willie Warren 6-3 PG (Team Texas
No. 15 - J'Covan Brown 6-3 PG (T-Mac All-Stars)
No. 16 - Howard Thompkins 6-9 PF (Atlanta Celtics)
No. 24 - Troy Guillenwater 6-8 PF (Southern Cal All-Stars)
No. 26 - Malcolm Lee 6-3 CG (Inland Reebok)
No. 27 - Emmanuel Negedu 6-7 PF (Indiana Elite)
No. 28 - Larry Drew 6-1 PG (Pump N' Run)
From the Class of 2009:
No. 2 - DeMarcus Cousins 6-10 PF (Birmingham Storm)
No. 4 - Derrick Favors 6-9 WF (Atlanta Celtics)
No. 5 - Xavier Henry 6-6 SG (Athlete's First)
No. 9 - Stephen Van Treese 6-9 PF (Indiana Elite)
No. 10 - Joe Burton 6-9 PF (Compton Magic)
No. 12 - Junior Cadougan 6-0 PG (Georgia Stars)
No. 13 - Jordan Hamilton 6-7 WF (Lamar Odom I-Can All-Stars)
No. 16 - Shawn Williams 6-6 WF (Team Texas)
No. 20 - Travis Wear 6-9 CF (Pump N' Run Elite)
</td></tr></tbody></table>
Okay fans today was really busy...but 2008 is by really loaded with wings ang bigs. I had the privledge of watching Beas Hamga, Emmanuel, and DeAndre Liggins play today. I was covering a lot of UOFA targets. And I watched the North Riverside Slam-n-Jam (CA) play the Indiane Elite's which Hamga, Liggins, and Negedu play for.
Liggins is a bull...he can shoot from deep, he's a tenacious defender and an excellent rebounder. He's a legit 6'6. He's extremely quick and take his man off-the dribble at any time. Liggins will average almost a triple-double in college. Liggins makes the big-shots down the stretch when his team needs him the most. Liggins is very intrigued about UNM. From what I have heard Liggins will make a visit to UNM. He's a beast and he's Jamal Williams with more skills and a better attitude. He's got that toughness about him that rubs-off on all his teammates.
Hamga is really an agile big-man. He's a beast down-low...and he's very skilled and raw. His offensive game is coming along. But his rebounding and shot-blocking is his strength. For a big-man he stays away from cheap fouls. He knows when to throw it down for easy buckets. I would put no stock into what delusional IU fans say about Hamga being a done-deal. He's very interested in UNM. He's excited for Darrington Hobson and Dairese Gary going to UNM. He will take a visit to UNM.
Negedu really is a beast. He's 6'7 and uses every bit of his frame. He's so active and plays above the rim. Negedu kept up with UOFA target Drew Gordon on the boards. Negedu is a highlight-reel. But he does not rely on just his athletic ability, he works very hard...but the game comes easy to him but he's work ethic is amazing. As of now he favors Arizona...but he may take a visit to UNM. I would not underestimate Coach Alford's coaching staff to get him to Albuquerque for a visit.
Another player intrigued me was Tyrese Breshers. UNM needs to recruit him. This guy at 6'7 is a very active player around the glass. He's so ferioucious around the glass. Right now he likes UCLA a lot. But he was high on UNM at one time and he can be again.
I'm tired but I promised some info. I will be able to give a lot more possible UNM targets tomorrow. If anyone has any questions on any prospects they're interested in UNM pursuing just ask. I watched 7 games today so I have a lot of games to watch tomorrow as well. Lobo Lair certified Scout ready for questions...right RedPitSea?
Today was even more competitve than yesterday. I was intentively locked into the PUMP N RUN VS INDIANA ELITE game. There were players that impressed a lot of coaches in building.
Larry Drew was phenomenal on saturday. Tweaked his ankle and saw limited time on sunday. At the moment he favors UNC over Arizona. Drew is so quick, he can get to any spot on the court by beating his man off the dirbble. His passing is very developed and makes great decisons without forcing the issue.
Jrue Holiday was quite impressive and there's no doubt that he's the second rated player in the country. Holiday can play in the post just as effectively as he can on the perimeter. Holdiay stands at 6'3 is such a versatile player who can play inside-outside. He's a shooting guard who plays much like a wing. His list includes Arizona, UCLA, UNC and others.
Tyrese Breshers really impressed me this weekend. He's so smooth that he's still growing at 6'6. He's so athletic he can get any shot he wants at any time. His rebounding is improving. His outside shooting is really impressive. He can play above the rim and bang inside. UNM needs to get on this kid. I think Coach Alford will go after him....because Breshers is one of the top players in California for 08' and He would fit UNM's style of play.
Jeff Taylor caught the eye of many elite coaches. He's so impressive in the way he rebounds, because he beats his man to the boards. His athletic ability was so impressive that UNM will have to recruit hard so they can keep him in state. as of now I would say that UNM is the team to beat for his services. Lute Olson, Bill Self, Billy Donovan, Roy Williams and others were on hand watching him play.
Fellow In-State player Marcus Williams will be pursued by Arizona. Coach Olson loves what he see's in him. Williams is not a sleeper. He's so talented...his speed to get around his man is so scary. He's not even begun to take into his potential. Arizona, Kansas, UCLA really liked what they saw in Williams.
Willie Warren 6'4 shooting guard had a lot of attention on him. He plays for Team Texas...really an explosive guard with skills as a point guard and shooting guard. He has Texas, Arizona, Kentucky, and Others on his list. UNM may try to recruit him, but it may be too late. It's worth a shot.
Will Brown who plays for the Dallas Hereos has a wide-open recruitment despite what has been reported about him committing to UTEP. He's a 6'8 Power-Forward. He's a beast inside and can score with power and finese. He's so strong on the boards. And he runs the floor so well he is really athletic for his size. Texas and Vandy want him the most out of all the teams on his list.
Steve Tchiengang a extremely athletic Power Forward who plays for the T-Mack All-stars is an exciting athletic freak who runs the floor like a guard. He can shoot, Rebound, and blocks shots very well. He's got some serious hops. Arizona wants him bad. But UCONN and INDIANA are hot pursuit for his servies as well. Another possible UNM recruit. He has not favorite at this point.
Enoch Andoh 6'8 Power Forward from Tucson AZ plays for the Sporting Chance. Talk about Athleticism and raw ability...this kid has it all. He's so quick and has improved immensly since I saw him last. Kentucky is making a hard push for him. UOFA wants him more and will look to keep him in the state of Arizona. UNM was recruiting him at one time when Richie McKay was at UMN. I look for Alford to re-recruit him.
Now on to Negedu. He really likes Arizona as stated last night. However he is considering a visit to UNM. He wont commit right away. He's am athletic freak who has such a great vertical leap that none of the players I saw can beat him to the ball when it's in the air. He's so much like Andre Igoudala who plays for the 76ers and played at Arizona. The comparison is so similar it's scary. Negedu is steadily improving so fast that every major program is on him now.
Liggins and Hamga here's the deal with these fellas. I heard all weekend from IU fans how much of a lock Hamga was, they were disappointed he had no favorite and he's going to take a visit to UNM. And one assistant coach says he's likely to Commit to UNM because he loves Coach Alford more than he does Kelvin Sampson and IU. Liggins is being recruited hard by Illinois. But as stated earlier he really wants to see what UNM is like as far as the facilities and the campus.