Brian Crownover set out from Philadelphia early Saturday morning for New York City and the much anticipated Rumble in the Bronx on the Fordham University campus. Brian took in contests played by the NY Gauchos, Team Final, Raising Champions and LA Dream Team while sneaking a peak at Sherrod Wright for the NJ Playaz. His review of the players in action from Saturday can be found below.

(more…)

A look at the action from the Rasual Butler All-City Classic and Rutgers team camp

The calendar might say today is only June 10th, but judging by the temperature outside the last few days in the northeast as well as the amount of basketball Brian Crownover has seen of late, it could easily be mistaken for the middle of July!

This coming weekend Crownover plans to check out some of the action of the Villanova team camp Friday night before heading to the Rumble in the Bronx on Saturday. This past weekend he warmed up by taking in the action of the Rasual Butler All-City Classic in Philly and stopping in Saturday night at the Rutgers team camp on Saturday evening. Read on for his weekend re-cap of some of the top players he got to see at both events.

(more…)

Pitt-bound guard working hard to prepare for the Big East

By Brian Crownover

Northern New Jersey is known for producing a ton of basketball talent and the Class of 2008 was no exception. Big East coaches often flock to this area to find players. Among the best players this year was University of Pittsburgh bound guard Ashton Gibbs from Seton Hall Prep.

Ashton had a strong senior season, averaging 23.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. He finished his high school career as the school’s all time leading scorer with 1882 points. The NBE Basketball Report recently caught up with Ashton for his thoughts on his future with the Panthers as well as reflecting on his high school years.

(more…)

Brian Crownover set out from Philadelphia early Saturday morning for Long Island to check out the action of the GBOA East regional basketball tournament. Looking forward to seeing teams such as the NY Panthers, Gauchos, Team Philly, Grassroots of Canada, Juice All-Stars and others, Brian drove to Half Hollows Hills West High School in anticipation of catching the early action, however, a late scheduling change moved the tournament play to Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn, but no notices were posted.

Not to waste a trip to the Big Apple, the ever resourceful Brian decided to catch the exciting action of the IS8 semifinals instead and he filled us in on the performances of some of the better 2008 Big East recruits as well as some younger talent that could fine their way to the Big East in the future…

(more…)

The live period my be over, but the action this spring on the AAU circuit continued last weekend with the Hoop Group organized Southern Jam Fest on the University of Virginia campus and surrounding area. Brian Crownover, lead recruiting analysts for CAA Insider, was on hand along checking out the exciting action from the weeknd. Here is a look at some of the top players throughout the weekend that Brian checked out for the NBE Basketball Report…

(more…)