bjennings04

By Darryl Aubrey
7/31/07

The RBK Summer Championships lacked the star power that the Reebok Bigtime Tournament had in years past but turned out to be an exciting event.

Players from all across the country, including Belgium and Canada came to "Sin City" to show-off their game.

The following is a list of the Top 20 Seniors and 5 underclassmen who’s name you will see and hear
at the next level and possibly beyond.

1. Brandon Jennings 6’1 PG Oak Hill Academy (Belmont Shore) — For the past two summer AAU circuits, "BJ" was a member of the Southern Cal All-Stars, where he was strictly a playmaker while being teamed with bigtime shooters and legit post players. At the RBK Summer Championships Jennings, was playing with Belmont Shore of California. Although they had a solid roster, Jennings knew that on this squad he needed to score more…and that he did. Averaged 25.4ppg including a 37pt explosion against "King of Court" from Akron, Ohio and still was an incredible playmaker. He was a virtual blur all week, pushing the tempo, finding open teammates with precision passing, using his creative and Houdini-like handle to get to the glass and finish with style. Some recruiting services have Jennings as the #3 PG in the class of 2008…In my opinion, he’s the undisputed #1 PG.

2. Malcolm Lee 6’3 PG Moreno Valley, CA. (Inland Reebok)
Thin frame but a "PHAT" game. Can get anywhere he wants to on the floor, tricky handle with a variety of slick crossovers and hesitation moves, can finish with either hand and a excellent mid-range game. With his ability to get any shot he wants, he shouldn’t settle for the deep 3, but at times he does, but still a legitimate big time prospect heading to UCLA. Averaged 21.8ppg.

3. Delvon Roe 6’8 SF Lakewood, Ohio (King of Court)
Just like a lot of SF in the class of 2008, Delvon has a decent handle, he can step out behind the arc. He’s long, rangy, athletic and a terrific defender. But what made everyone in attendance including college colleges take notice of him was his work ethic. No-one at the RBK Summer Championships outworked him. He ran the floor for every possession, he attacked the glass with passion, he defended the perimeter and the post.

4. William Buford 6’5 SG Toledo, Ohio (D-1 Greyhounds)
Recently signed with the Buckeyes, this northwest Ohio baller is the real deal. A long, wiry, athletic scoring wing guard who has all the moves that creates space for his sweet stroke and can take it to the rim and finish with either hand in traffic. Played for O.J. Mayo’s old crew, The D-1 Greyhounds. But I don’t remember them spreading the floor for Mayo and allowing him to go one on one as a strategy. The Greyhounds went to that strategy early and often giving Buford the ball and letting him breakdown the defender to find open teammates or take it strong to the cup.

5. Justin Brownlee 6’6 SG Tiffin, GA. (Smyrna Stars)
The Eric Gordon of ’08. Size, strength and power all wrapped up in a "do-it-all" wing guard. Solid handle, quick first step, deep range, excellent on the glass and a big-time finisher. And to give you an idea of his versatility, played PG for stretches of each game at RBK. Averaged 23.1 and led the Smyrna Stars to the semifinals.

6. Drew Gordon 6’9 PF San Jose, CA. (Oakland Soldiers)
The long-armed active big man was at it again this summer. Blocking shots, sweeping the glass and firing pin-point outlet passes. Still not an offensive juggernaut, but a bigtime addition for the UCLA program. Very competitive, appeared shell shocked when the Soldiers were eliminated.

7. Renaldo Woolridge 6’8 SF Sherman Oaks, CA. (Belmont Shore)
A legitimate 6’8 with a very mature skill set. A solid handle, sweet stroke, a post game, a finisher and if his skill set continues to evolve, could be a BIG two guard at the next level and beyond. Still would like to see him be more aggressive.

8. Eloy Vargas 6’10 Plantation, FL. (Team Breakdown)
Eloy sort of fell in love with his ability to handle ball on the perimeter and did it way too often. But on the few occasions when he established position in the post, was very effective with his ability to use either hand, has a nice turn-around jumper and a nice touch off the glass. At a legit 6’10 with a lengthy wing-span, should be a much better shot blocker.

9. Romero Osby 6’6 SF Meridian, MS (Southeast Elite)
I started out the week calling Romero’s game smooth. But by week’s end I realize that he is a PATIENT ballplayer. He is never in a rush. Never makes bad plays, passes or takes bad shots. And if the dunk is not there on the break, he simply lays it in softly off the glass. His stroke from downtown is not just consistent, but it’s as pretty as they come.

10. Deividas Dulkys 6’4 Henderson, NV. (Branch West Reebok)
WOW…Fun player to watch. A blonde-haired pogo stick with a jump shot. Range beyond the NBA line, can stroke it via the catch n’ shoot, the spot-up and the pull-up. Surprised everyone in the gym, when on the break going 1 on 2…he elevated in traffic and jammed with style. During a game against Worldwide Renegades of Atlanta, he was unconscious in the first half Sinking 3’s from every angle. However in the second half he was ice cold, but kept shooting 3’s. I would have loved to see him adjust and try to score in different ways. Still a solid D-1 Prospect. Best NBA comparison…A young Bob Sura.

11. Teondre Williams 6’5 SG Lawrenceville, GA. (Worldwide Renagages)
An athletic wing that can score in a multitude of ways. A skilled handle with all the moves, crossover, hesitation, an explosive first step, a sweet stroke from midrange to downtown and a big time finisher in transition and in half-court. And could be one of the top 5 defenders in the class.

12 J.P Olukemi 6’6 SF LaHabra, CA. (Belmont Shore)
California is well represented in the class of 2008 with a plethora of talented and skilled wing players. J.P.’s skill set is tremendous. Solid with the bounce, quick first step, can finish at the rim and can step out to the three. Rumor has it that he’ll be PAC 10 bound…Arizona State is the leader.

13. Tyreese Breshers 6’7 PF Gardena, CA. (Branch West Reebok)
Over the years there have been several players who been compared to Charles Barkley… Clarence Whitherspoon, Gary Trent and Glen "Big Baby" Davis. And now there is another young player who will garner those comparisons. Looks more like an D-1 offensive tackle than a power forward prospect. A baby-faced chunky kid with big time explosion in the paint. As soon as he touches the ball in the paint, he immediately makes his move, a power dribble, a ball fake then he attacks the glass with a power jam. Gets to the line and can step out to 17ft. Just can’t wait to see how his game will evolve once he looses the baby-fat.

14. Dequan Jones 6’6 SF Marietta, GA. (Worldwide Renegades)
If you look in Webster’s Dictionary under "Athlete"…you’ll see a picture of Dequan Jones hanging from the rim at the RBK Summer Championships. When his team got the defensive rebound and they took off in transition…you immediately became bright-eyed with the anticipation of what he might do next. An amazing athlete with power. And has a lot of game to go along with the crazy athleticism. Solid handle, sweet stroke from downtown and a excellent defender. Game and athleticism is very similar to recent NBA first round pick Al Thornton

15. Malik Story 6’5 SG Cerritos, CA. (SoCal All-Stars Select)
What do you get when you have a combination of a highly evolved skill set and a high basketball IQ….Malik Story. A big guard with size in the mold of a Mitch Richmond, this future USC Trojan played well in Vegas. Showed his solid handle, soft touch from deep, ability to take smaller guard to the post, capable defender and can play three positions.

16. Darius Miller 6’7 SF Maysville, KY. (D-1 Greyhounds)
Darius spent the past two summers playing with the D-1 Greyhounds out of Cincinnati, Ohio, a team that featured O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker. So needless to say that he didn’t get a lot of shots. But you could tell that the kid had talent. So this summer he became one of the offensive weapons for the Greyhounds. A legit 6’7 and he was playing power forward in Vegas, but this kid has D-1 small forward written all over him. A very strong and impressive rebounder, excellent perimeter and post defender and can score inside and out. Didn’t take a lot of 3’s in Vegas but he has legitimate range. Louisville or Kentucky has in inside track however Tennessee is making a late push.

17. Jason Clark 6’3 PG Woodbridge, VA. (DC Triple Threat)
Georgetown has always loved long, athletic guards that can defend. They found a gem in Jason Clark. He showed in Vegas that he does have an offensive game. Strong with the bounce, end to end speed, decent jumper but where he excels is defensively. And not just quick hands or anticipation either…but a true lock down defender with excellent footwork. Future Big East defensive player of the year.

18. Markieth Cummings 6’6 SF Brunswick, GA. (Smyrna Stars)
Markieth spent the entire time in Vegas playing out of position at power forward, but more than held his own in the post with his strength and athleticism. Defended bigger players in the paint and locked down smaller players on the wing. Excellent on the glass, runs the floor very well and jumps out of the gym. Just when I was going to say that he has an NBA body, I found out that he is a big time D-1 football prospect at quarterback. Body and game very similar to former UNC Tar heel David Noel.

19. Tom Pritchard 6’8 Lakewood, Ohio (King of Court)
Terrific ability to manufacture shots around the paint. Can use either hand well, loves the glass, can turn n’ face and pop it from 17ft. and a decent rebounder. Will never be considered as athletic but very crafty and totally outplayed 2009 elite junior Renardo Sidney in a head to head match up. A left-handed Brad Miller.

20. Elston Turner Jr. 6’4 Roseville, CA. (Pharaohs)
The only reason why Elston is listed so low on my list is because I only saw him play once in Vegas. I wish I had seen more, because his game is solid. A true scorer that can fill it up in a variety of ways. I can’t wait to see how his game will evolve playing with and against elite level athletes in the State of Texas. He is relocating from Cali to Texas because his father, former NBA baller Elston Turner Sr. has been offered a position as assistant coach for the NBA’s Houston Rockets.

Underclassmen

1. Kenny Boynton 6’1 Jr. PG Pompano, FL. (Team Breakdown)
You name it…he can do it. He can run the show, score, handle, shoot it from deep, get to the rim with ease and defend. Shot selection is a little questionable…but he is still young. Will play at the next level and beyond…Can’t wait.

2. Karron Johnson 6’8 Jr. SF Richmond, VA. (Squires)
Maturity…NBA body and game. Injured an ankle on the first day of the RBK and still played fearlessly. Rebounding and defending with toughness, taking it to the basket with authority and finishing at the rim. Needs to work on his stroke from outside but still a solid prospect.

3. Brandon Knight 6’3 So. Coral Springs, FL. (Team Breakdown)
Its been awhile since I’ve seen a guard this young that can control the tempo and the flow of a game like Brandon can. Great vision in transition and the half-court, solid with the bounce and excellent defender…Did the best job of any guard in three summers against Brandon Jennings.

4. John Wall 6’3 Jr. PG Raleigh, NC. (D-One Sports)
A long, thin, lightning quick point guard that can handle with flare, penetrate with ease, flashy finisher with finger-rolls,scoops, floaters and tear-drops. Did show that he can stroke it from deep also.

5. Renadro Sidney 6’10 Jr. Lakewood, CA. (LA Dream Team)
Super talent. A big man that plays like a small forward. Nice handle, decent stroke, can can finish at the rim but his play at times. But…he’s really uninspired and plays with a TOTAL lack of emotion. Was getting outplayed and outworked by lesser caliber players. He has fallen in love with his ability to play with his handle and shoot the 3. With his size and strength he should easily score more in the paint. A right-handed version of Derrick Coleman. Would love to see him play with more passion and aggressiveness.

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