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2011 Super Showcase & AAU Nationals Day One Top Performers

Friday, 29 July 2011 12:29 Written by Van Coleman

The 2011 AAU Nationals got underway in earnest for us today as we had a chance to see thirty-two teams today at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports complex. We split our time between the Milk House and the Josten Center to see some of the top talent that was at the Disney Complex. Today we were watching the 17’s and tomorrow we are looking for the 16’s to play their games at the Josten Center. We had a chance to see some of the top teams in the 17-Under field including the Georgia Stars, All- Iowa Attack, Garner Roads, All-Ohio Red, Houston Hoops, Boo Williams All-Stars, Alabama Challenge, and the Connecticut Basketball Club. But, it was some of the players on the not as well known teams, which made the day for us. So with that in mind here’s a look at some of the best players we saw today in Orlando –

 

Super Showcase & National AAU Day One Top Performers –

 

Trayvon Reed 6-11 C (2013) Snellville, GA Shiloh (Atlanta Express) – This lean, but very long young post can really run the floor and block shots. He has a nice touch to the free throw line and finds a way to finish with his length in paint. Once he adds strength he will be an enforcer in the paint.

 

Nerlens Noel (pictured) 6-10 C/PF (2013) Tilton, NH School (BABC) – This explosive and long shot blocker continues to alter or swat shots in prolific numbers, but it is his new found ability to pop, face and score with 10-12 footer or attack the rim on offense that has his stock rising in our eyes.

 

Tony Parker 6-9 C/PF Lithonia, GA Miller Grove ( Georgia Stars) – This versatile insider was back to dominating the glass on day one in Orlando. He hit the glass with a vengeance in the game we watched and finished around hoop with turnaround or power up and slam. Flat out dominated when we watched!

 

Shaquille Cleare 6-9 C Houston , TX The Village School ( Houston Defenders) – This massive low block scorer can catch it in traffic, score with either hand and finish with slam too!. He is surprisingly mobile at 280-pounds and uses his body to control the paint. One of rising senior class’ best inside scoring threats!

 

Jimmy Taylor 6-9 PF Greensboro, AL High ( Alabama Challenge) – This explosive and long power forward, can attack the hoop off the dribble or knock down 8-10 footer off face-up drive or pop out. He showed an ability to dominate around hoop on defense by blocking a number of shots from help side on “D”!

 

Georges Niang 6-8 PF Tilton, NH School (BABC) – This physical post forward can flat out score in the paint with either hand. He has ability to seal defender and score over or around them with either hand on the blocks. He is a good passer and should make an immediate impact with the Cyclones next fall in the Big 12, so stay tuned.

 

T.J. Warren 6-8 W/PF Wolfeboro, NH Brewster Academy (Garner Road Elite) – This smooth combo could be the best front court scorer in the class, as he can knock down jumper from three with regularity or attack off face–up and finish with variety of athletic finishes. He makes it look easy and may even be better than most think.

 

Tyler Roberson 6-7 WF Roselle, NJ Roselle Catholic (NJ Roadrunners) – This versatile and skilled wing is just starting another growth spurt, and according to his coach Sandy Pyonin, is projected to be 6-9 or 10! He has great offensive moves can create with dribble; knock down shots from three or pull-up and pop 15-footer. He has a knack for finding way to finish off the drive and is a good passer too!

 

Aaron Harrison 6-6 SG (2013) ( Houston Defenders) – This sweet shooting wing man, can flat out knock down jumper if left open on the perimeter. He has tools to attack the rim off the dribble and finish with flush or kick it to open man on the wing. He showed all the tools to become a dominant scorer at the next level!

 

Fred Thomas 6-5 SG Jackson, MS High (Byram Ballers) – This athletic and explosive wing can flat out stroke jumper to the arc with consistency as he showed today. But, it was his ability to get to hoop and finish with bounce at the rim that set him apart today. He is on the rise in our eyes based on his play in Orlando today!

 

Kris Dunn 6-3 PG Wilbraham, MA Wilbraham & Monson School (CBC 2012) – This quick and explosive floor leader can flat out get to rim with quickest in the class, then use his length to score over bigs in the paint. He hit three to set up penetration and pass.

 

L.J. Rose 6-2 PG Houston , TX Westbury Christian ( Houston Hoops) – He played his best game of the summer in our opinion yesterday showing a consistent long range jumper that set up pass to open man or pull-up off the dribble from 15-17 feet. He didn’t force game, as we’ve seen earlier this summer, but took what defense gave and made them pay with solid decisions and pinpoint passes or drained shots. May be back on rise if he continues to play within himself!

 

Marcus Paige 6-1 PG Marion, IA Linn-Mar (All- Iowa Attack) – He was the key that started the engine for the Attack, who bounced back for two straight wins in opening pool play. He can flat out deliver the rock to open man inside or knock down three when opponents started to close the gap. He has all the tools to be a big-time floor leader in college.

 

Super Showcase & National AAU Day One Surprise Performers –

 

Blaise Mborgorba 7-0 C Hightstown, NJ Peddie School (NJ Roadrunners) – The is massive big man has a solid 240-pound body, good hands on blocks, finishes in paint and can pop out and hit 10-12 footer facing hoop. He blocks shots and gets from end to end in a hurry. High majors should get to his games here in Orlando!

 

James Ziemba 6-9 C/PF (2013) Metuchen, NJ St. Joseph’s (Atlantic Arsenal) – This lanky left handed post man held his own versus the long athletes who played for the Alabama Challenge. He has good hands, can turn and score from 12-feet to the rim. He runs floor well, but needs to get stronger to draw high major interest, so stay tuned on this active insider.

 

Josh Smith 6-8 C/PF Charlotte , NC Olympic ( Charlotte Nets) – This mobile big has good hands, can catch and finish around the hoop or board, outlet and run the break. He showed ability to pop out and hit 12-footer too. Mids and up should take a look…facing gam key to above mid-major.

 

Tony Sabato 6-8 PF Cincinnati , OH Moeller ( Cincinnati Royals) – This skilled low block scorer showed he has great footwork going around and scoring over bigger foes on the blocks. He showed a high basketball I.Q. and made excellent decisions to score or pass out of post-up. He hit face up from 12-feet to keep “D” honest. Mids on up should take a look at this skilled big!

 

Bruce Beckford 6-6 WF Rockville, MD Montrose Christian – This athletic wing can stroke jumper from arc or attack the hoop off the dribble and finish with dunk in traffic. He gets on glass and fills a lane in transition too! Mids on up should be taking a hard look at this athletic wing man.

 

Marcus Posley 6-3 SG Winnebago, IL High (Prymetime) – He led his squad to the Showcase Silver Championship hitting three from all around the arc with regularity, then took it to another level with his ability to get to hoop off dribble or knock down pull-up jumper from 15-feet. Mid s on up should be all over him!

 

Khalil Dukes 6-0 CG New Haven, CT Capital Prep (CBC 2012) – This quick combo guard was on fire from three, as he hit 4-threes in the half we watched. He can knock it down from NBA arc and has tools to run break and get rock to open man with regularity.

 

Stirling Lamar Thomas 6-0 PG Heidelberg, GR High (Euro Elite Ballers) – This long range bombing combo guard can flat out score from the NBA arc to the rim. He has explosive quicks to the rim and showed he can pass rock, but is more of a scorer at this point. If he can make transition to point, high majors should monitor him.

 

We will have more on the top players in Orlando, as we continue to watch the play at the 2011 17U and 16U Nationals. We hope to switch to 16U championships once they move into the Josten Center today or tomorrow. Watch for our continuing coverage from the ESPN Wide World of Sports.