Friday, September 28, 2012

AQUILLE CARR DROPS DEFENDER - ALL-MET ELITE

AQUILLE CARR
 DROPS
DEFENDER 
 ALL-MET ELITE
PATTERSON HS.
BALTIMORE MD.
 

DC's OWN BABY SHAQ WINS REDBULL ONE on ONE CHALLENGE AGAIN - ALL-MET ELITE

DC's OWN BABY SHAQ
 WINS
REDBULL
ONE on ONE  CHALLENGE
AGAIN
  ALL-MET ELITE
SPINGARN HS.
WASHINGTON D.C.
 
 
In reality, this 64-man tournament, basketball’s version of a decathlon, solidified the legacy of Baby Shaq in streetball lore. The DC native—whose game more resembles a young Charles Barkley—built his reputation as an unstoppable force on the blacktop because of his combination of explosive athleticism, grown-man strength and skill.
But after this autumn night in San Francisco, no doubt remained about his heart, his resolve. On a landmark where only the strong survived, Jones overcame a ton of odds to be the last man standing.
This was his Baby Shaq’s blueprint for the tournament. Pound. Pound. Pound. It was like watching carpaccio being made, with Baby Shaq’s shoulders being the mallet tenderizing the chests of his opponents.
“I couldn’t pick him apart as much as I wanted to,” Giyoh Shey, the No. 62 seed who made it all the way to the final four. “He’s built for this kind of game. I can’t really explain it. You’ve got to get out there and play him. I was one of those people talking about ‘I think I can take him down.’ I’m a believer now.”
Baby Shaq’s strategy was obvious. He didn’t expend much energy on defense. He simply relied on used his renowned leaping ability to rebound whenever his opponent missed. Then he went to work.
He used his slippery handle to get to his spots on the court. Then, he used his strength and low center of gravity to set up his post moves. He used impressive touch and a clear understanding of angles and how to use the glass to convert seemingly every tough layup. When he didn’t, he flashed his quick leaping ability to tip it in.
No jumpers. None of the crazy dunks and fancy moves he was known for on the AND 1 Mixtape Tour. Quite the opposite. More simple, fundamental, methodical.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

KENDALL MARSHALL - PHOENIX SUNS ROOKIE PHOTO SHOOT - ALL-MET ELITE

KENDALL MARSHALL 
 PHOENIX SUNS ROOKIE PHOTO SHOOT 
 ALL-MET ELITE
BISHOP O'CONNELL HS.
ARLINGTON VIRGINIA
 
 
 

NEW YORK KNICKS - CARMELO ANTHONY WORKS OUT WITH HAKEEM OLAJUWON - ALL-MET ELITE

NEW YORK KNICKS
CARMELO ANTHONY
WORKS OUT
WITH
HAKEEM OLAJUWON
ALL-MET ELITE
TOWSON CATHOLIC HS.
BALTIMORE MD.
 
 
 DEFENDERS BEWARE
This upcoming NBA season will have the subtext of, “battle of the big men” thanks in part to Hakeem Olajuwon. The NBA legend has already spent time this summer working out with Knicks forward Amar’e Stoudemire and was spotted on Wednesday working out Stoudemire’s teammates center, Tyson Chandler and Carmelo Anthony at their practice facility.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

U16 USA BASKETBALL DEVELOPMENTAL TEAM - ALL-MET ELITE

U16 USA BASKETBALL DEVELOPMENTAL TEAM 
INVITES
 ALL-MET ELITE
 
BRYANT CRAWFORD
GONZAGA HS.
WASHINGTON D,C.
CLASS OF 2015
 USA Basketball is looking to restock the shelves in its Developmental National Team.
That process begins with a mini-camp Oct. 6-7 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Invitations have been accepted by 46 of the most promising Class of 2015 and 2016 prospects in the country.The ultimate goal of the participants is to position themselves for one of 12 roster spots for next summer's FIBA Americas U16 Championship. Only 34 of the 46 expected to attend meet age requirements for that event. The remaining 12 will train for events like the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 Championship and the Nike Hoop Summit.




CLASS OF 2015
 Bryant Crawford (6-2, 165, G), Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.)
Franklin Howard (6-4, 170, G), Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.)
Marcus Derrickson (6-6, 225, F), Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.)
 

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

NBA2K13 PROMO POSTER - KEVIN DURANT - ALL-MET ELITE

NBA2K13 PROMO POSTER  
 KEVIN DURANT 
 ALL-MET ELITE
MONTROSE CHRISTIAN HS.
ROCKVILLE MD.
 
 
 Kevin Durant is seen wearing the yet-to-release KD V in the ‘Away’ Thunder colorway.
 
 

ANTHONY "CAT "BARBER COMMITS TO N.C STATE - ALL-MET ELITE

ANTHONY "CAT "BARBER
COMMITS TO N.C STATE 
HAMPTON VA.
 ALL-MET ELITE
The 6-foot-2, 170-pound floor general – nicknamed "Cat" – is ranked No. 12 in the MaxPreps Class of 2013 Top 100. His decision to run with the Wolfpack is a bit of a surprise move considering Alabama and Kansas both looked like favorites in recent months.

Barber averaged 21.3 points per game as a junior at Hampton (Va.), leading the Crabbers to a 26-5 record and the Group AAA state title.


Barber's speed and quickness, athleticism and length are all in the elite category at his position. He is the No. 3-ranked point guard prospect in the 2013.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

LEVI COOK COMMITS TO WEST VIRGINIA - ALL-MET ELITE

LEVI COOK COMMITS
 TO
WEST VIRGINIA
ALL-MET ELITE
 
MORGANTOWN -   Levi Cook would have committed to West Virginia University a month ago, but the timing just was not right. The Liberty High School (Raleigh County, W.Va.) center has been a Mountaineer fan his entire life, so when Bob Huggins and his staff extended an offer to the sophomore for the class of 2015, he knew exactly what his response would be.
But Cook felt an obligation to his late grandfather, who passed away in 2007, to hold off his commitment for another month. On Wednesday, he let the WVU staff know his decision.
"It's my Papaw's dream for me to commit and today's his birthday," Cook said late Wednesday. "I wanted to commit the day they offered me, honestly, but I waited until today because it was only a month away. I just wanted to do it for him."
Cook has been in touch with just about every member of the Mountaineers staff recently, discussing what the future could hold if he jumped at the offer to join the men in Morgantown. His commitment is now the first for the coaches in the 2015 recruiting class.
As a freshman, Cook averaged 18.6 points, 15.4 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game for the Raiders.At 6-foot-10 ("and a half," Cook adds) and 300 pounds, Cook is a large prospect, to say the least. At this point, he uses his size to bully other high school athletes in the post, but when he gets to the college level, his new coaches expect to see a slimmed down player.
In talks with Huggins and others on the staff, Cook says they would rather see him trim his frame to around 275 to 285 pounds, while developing more muscle.
"I'm sure when I get to West Virginia, Andy [Kettler], the strength coach, will have me ready to play," says Cook. "They want me to keep my weight down as much as I can right now, gain some lean muscle."
Not only was Cook's grandfather's dream that he will suit up for WVU, but it's been Cook's as well.
He can recall going to games at the Coliseum throughout his childhood and up to a recent trip in the 2009-10 season when he watched Da'Sean Butler hit a buzzer beater to take out Marquette on the home court.
Those experiences convinced Cook that he wanted to be a Mountaineer. The only question was which sport he would play.
"Ever since I was little, I wanted it," he says. "I knew I would play for West Virginia – football, basketball or whatever. It turned out to be basketball and that was always my dream, to play West Virginia University sports."
After all those years of dreaming, he knows what it means to be a Mountaineer.
"I know how West Virginia basketball is, I know how the fans are and I know the people in the state," says Cook. "If I go to West Virginia and we win them a championship, I mean, I'll be the king of the state."
As a fan, Cook can look back at his own memories of watching his future team fall short of its championship aspirations to know just what that accomplishment would bring to his neighbors around West Virginia.
"I remember how it felt when we lost in the Final Four and I just want to help win it for the state," he says. "Coach Huggins always says the people in this state are the greatest people in the world and I just want to help them win, I want to help Coach Huggins win and I just want to do well for the state of West Virginia."
Now all that's left for Cook is three years of high school ball before he can join the Mountaineers. Now, officially, he is committed. Though in reality, he has been for years.