DC Blue Devil AAU standout favors Syracuse and Texas

Joston Thomas has some unfinished business matters to take care of this July.

“I’m just getting over a knee injury so the AAU season haven’t been to well for me so look for a lot better games from me in July,” Thomas told the NBE Basketball Report.

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BY JEFF BORZELLO

Although the Hoop Group Showcase at Rutgers University was chock-full of surprises throughout the two-day tournament, the ending did not catch anyone off-guard. Led by the 2010 duo of Markus Kennedy and Kyrie Irving, St. Patrick’s steamrolled its way through the field, culminating in a dominant victory over Windsor (CT) in the championship game. However, the tournament was not without surprises, as only 50 percent of the expected Final Four of St. Pat’s, St. Benedict’s, St. Anthony and Paterson Catholic actually reached the semifinals. St. Anthony, playing without Dominic Cheek, bowed out to NIA School White in the third round, while PC’s great comeback fell short against Susquehanna Twp (Pa.) in the third round as well.

One thing to note: most of the top teams were not at full strength, as several players were elsewhere this past weekend. Let’s take a closer look at some of the notable teams and players from the two-day showcase in part two of our showcase review.

For part one: Hoop Group High School Showcase, Part I.

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BY JEFF BORZELLO

Although the Hoop Group Showcase at Rutgers University was chock-full of surprises throughout the two-day tournament, the ending did not catch anyone off-guard. Led by the 2010 duo of Markus Kennedy and Kyrie Irving, St. Patrick’s steamrolled its way through the field, culminating in a dominant victory over Windsor (CT) in the championship game. However, the tournament was not without surprises, as only 50 percent of the expected Final Four of St. Pat’s, St. Benedict’s, St. Anthony and Paterson Catholic actually reached the semifinals. St. Anthony’s, playing without Dominic Cheek, bowed out to NIA School White in the third round, while PC’s great comeback fell short against Susquehanna Twp (Pa.) in the third round as well.

One thing to note: most of the top teams were not at full strength, as several players were elsewhere this past weekend. Let’s take a closer look at some of the notable teams and players from the two-day showcase in part one of a two-part series.

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You knew it was coming…so here it is, the NBE Basketball Report’s third NBAPA Top 100 Camp installment. As before, high school student athletes who have either committed or are interested in Big East schools are covered.

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A quick run through the Big East today and we find Rick Pitino excited for the upcoming season as he stays busy during the basketball down time. Isaiah Epps, a coveted 2010 recruit heads to ACC country for a visit. Several Big East schools will hope they still have a shot after his visit.

There is a little more on the South Florida recent 2009 verbal commitment with the famous basketball father. Andre Gillette has a couple Big East schools showing interest. A few of the ex-Indiana players have the Big East conference in their sights. Rutgers has an almnus return for a position within their basketball program and the wait is nearly over for Joe Alexander and it will be known on Thursday night where Joe will go in the NBA draft.

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