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RBK U - Day Two- Top Prospects and Performers

RBK U - Day Two- Top Prospects and Performers
Jul 11, 2007, 09:51 am
Philadelphia University - Philadelphia, PA

Instead of going through game by game like yesterday's post, today's post will focus on the players who seem to be separating themselves from the pack. For the next post, there will be full game recaps of Tuesday's three playoff games and the championship game as well.

Day 2 -- Top Performers

Best of the Best (in no particular order)

Courtney Fortson 2008 - 5'10" 175 lbs - Point Guard - Jefferson Davis H.S., Montgomery, AL - considering Florida State, Missouri, Kentucky, Cincinnati

Fortson didn't show the crowd much from the perimeter, but he was a lighting rod for Team Rondo, getting to the hoop at will scoring 16 points in each of his two games Monday. It seemed like every time you looked up he was slashing and finishing again. Fortson is a very speedy point guard who is almost as strong as he is fast. His ball handling and decision-making could use some work, but his overall nose for the hoop makes him a very intriguing prospect. If he adds a jumper to his game, this guy could be scary good.


Maalik Wayns - 2009 - 5'10" 160 lbs - Point Guard - Roman Catholic H.S., Philadelphia, PA - committed to Villanova

While fellow hometown surprise Andrew Randall (Communications Tech/Philadelphia, PA/2008) came back to earth on day two, Wayns cemented himself as one of the top guards at camp Monday. In the morning game, Wayns lead Team Sefolosha with 22 points in a losing effort on an impressive 9-of-13 from the floor. In the afternoon game he put together another nice performance, nailing bucket after bucket down the stretch to seal a victory over Team Rasual Butler. Wayns is very much like former 'Nova guard and Philly guy Kyle Lowry. He is not afraid to initiate contact or take the big shot. Wayns also is an excellent rebounder for his size. With a little over a minute to go in the afternoon game with his team down one, he drove to the bucket missed the lay-up, got his rebound and went back up in the face of two 6'8" guys to put it back in and give his team the lead. There's a real bulldog element to his game.


Brandon Jennings - 2008 - 6'2" 170 lbs - Point Guard - Oak Hill - Temecula, CA - committed to Arizona

Jennings continued his torrid camp by throwing up a camp high 28 points in the morning session before settling for 15 in Team A.I.'s afternoon game. While he did put up impressive numbers, he was forcing up a lot of bad shots and struggled to hit from outside, going just 3-of-12 from deep in his first two games. To be great on the next level, Jennings really has to concentrate on balancing himself on his jump shot, because he has all the ability in the world. Many of his shots are of the step back or off-balance variety, and they really affect his shooting percentage.


Renardo Sidney - 2009 - 6'10" 245 lbs - Power Forward - Artesia H.S. - Lakewood, CA - considering UCLA, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio State

Sidney really didn't have one of the best performances of the day, but I felt inclined to include him since he is considered by many to be the best big at the camp. In fact, the big fella seemed OK with taking a back seat to A.I. Teammate Jennings on day two, scoring just 17 points combined in the morning and afternoon. Unlike Sunday, when he seemed to be cementing himself in the post and working on his back to the basket game, Sidney was content hanging around the perimeter on Monday and seemed reluctant to post up down low. For a number one rated prospect, he does not show the tenacity and hunger you would expect. He seems very content with drifting in and out of games.


Ari Stewart - 2009 - 6'7" 195 lbs - Small Forward - Wheeler H.S. - Marietta, GA - considering Wake Forest, Clemson, Georgia, Xavier

Stewart cemented himself as one of the most athletic players at camp with Monday's performance. He showed the ability to finish in traffic with his great leaping ability. The Marietta native also showed great range by stepping out and hitting four three's in the morning contest finishing with 18 points.

In his afternoon performance, Stewart's athleticism was on full display as he converted a number of highlight reel dunks. He was also very aggressive on the defensive glass and showed off some impressive ball handling skills in the process.


J'Mison Morgan - 2008 - 6'11" 260 lbs - Center - South Oak Cliff H.S. - Dallas, TX - offers from Kentucky, Texas A&M, Texas Tech

Morgan shook off a knee injury Sunday to come back strong on Monday, displaying some of the softest hands at the camp. In addition to that, Morgan is very, very big target and uses that to his advantage, getting into the lane and sealing his defender on a consistent basis. When he does get that position in the post he has been unstoppable thus far. He also demonstrated great footwork for a guy his size.


Olu Ashaolu - 6'7" 215 lbs - Small Forward - Chrisitan Life Academy - Brampton, ON - solid verbal to Rutgers

Ashaolu really started coming on in day two. Attacking the rim from every angle, Ashaolu is built like a linebacker and is hard to stop when he sets his sights on the hoop. He also has the ability to take his defender outside and hit the three if it is there. Add to that leaping ability that is second to none and you have one of the best players thus far at RBK. His 26-point (12-15 fg) performance on Sunday night was the performance of the camp thus far. Overall, a very well rounded player who should step in and make an immediate impact under Fred Hill at Rutgers.


Andy Poling - 6'11" 220 lbs - Center - Westview H.S. - Portland, OR - committed to Gonzaga

After a quiet day one, Poling proved himself worthy of mention on day two. Poling is a solid rebounder and can beat you by facing up or posting up. He showed his rebounding and scoring moxy by posting two double-doubles in his first two games Sunday (there had only been 3 in all of camp on day one). No doubt Poling is set to become be the next in a long string of big men to come out of the great northwest following in the footsteps of Spencer Hawes, Kevin Love and Kyle Singler.



Youth Was Served

Five players (Joe Jackson - TN, Tristan Thompson - CN, Pe'Shan Howard - OH and John Wall -NC) awarded invitations after excelling at the RBK Breakout Underclass Camp from June 22nd-24th in Chicago. A few of them turned in some pretty impressive performances on day two.

Joe Jackson - 2010 - 5'9" 150 lbs - White Station H.S. - Memphis, TN

Jackson's performance in the afternoon session Monday had heads turning all over the gym. Combining his speed with his ability to finish in the lane, Jackson was successful to the tune of 14 points on 7-of-9 from the field.

In the night cap, Jackson continued to shine dropping a team high 20 points. The super soph also showed no signs of slowing down after already playing two games earlier in the day, when a lot of guys on the court were visibly tired and ready to go back to the hotel.


John Wall - 2009 - 6'4" 180 lbs - Word of God Christian - Raleigh, NC - no major offers yet

Wall took the title of camp's biggest leaper and ran with it on day two. He turned in a 20-point performance in the morning session followed up by a 17-point performance in the afternoon. He scored in every possible way -- getting into the lane, cashing in from deep, pulling up from 16 feet -- were all part of Wall's arsenal on this day.

Standing a shade over 6'3", Wall exhibited guard speed more suited for a guy much smaller. No one on the court could guard him. If there is a player who has exploded onto the national radar at RBK, Wall is that guy.


LeBryan Nash - 2011 - 6'7" 210 lbs - Small Forward - Undecided - Cedar Hill, TX - no offers entering freshman year

While Nash didn't excel on day two in the boxcore, he did give a sampling of the world of potential he possesses. Considering he is just entering his freshman year, he was able to hold his own against older, stronger and more advanced competition. On several occasions Nash pulled down boards in traffic and was able to bring the ball up the court, not bad for a guy who is supposed to grow into the power forward position.

The majority of his points came off the glass, but his shooting mechanics weren't bad. A very raw talent, but definitely one to keep an eye on as we move through the summer and back to prep play.


News and Notes:

-With the LeBron Academy closing up shop, a slew of top coaches made their first appearances at RBK Monday. Among them: Billy Donovan, Coach K, Lorenzo Romar, Bob Huggins, and Jim Calhoun.

-Sitting in the crowd, I heard several rumblings that the talent level was much better at the LeBron Academy. A lot of coaches weren't impressed by the sloppy level of play in day two.

-Polish national Olek Czyz, who we mentioned in yesterday's post, rebounded nicely in day two scoring 13 points and putting his athletic ability on full display. He should be headed for the All-Star game Tuesday night.

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