Herb Pope Shot
From the media accounts, Alquippa HS star Herb Pope was shot three times Saturday night at a party. His injuries do not appear to be life threatening, although this is just the latest incident in what has been a troubled career for Pope. He has changed high schools five different times in four years, and now was out at a party three hours before he was scheduled to fly to the Roundball game. He was driven to the hospital by an unidentified person, and told police that he did not know who shot him, nor why they shot him. DraftExpress wishes Pope the best in recovery, and hopes that this young man is able to get his head on his shoulders and stop putting himself in such compromising situations.
Practice Recap
Practices for the Roundball Classic were different from those for the McDonalds game in that both teams were on the same court, with each team having their own half. This allowed evaluators to get a look at both teams, as opposed to having to run back and forth from court to court at the McDonalds practices. Pick and roll drills were highly emphasized in the Roundball practices, with trainers stressing the fundamentals of running the pick and roll properly. There was also a short scrimmage between the two teams, and below are the top performers that day one had to offer:
O.J. Mayo, 65, PG/SG, Signed with USC
Mayo started off the Roundball practices just as he was in the McDonalds practices: Hands down the best player on the court. He simply did whatever he wanted out there, both in terms of running a team and scoring for himself. While there were a few instances of questionable shot selection on the day, he did an outstanding job of getting everyone else involved in the mean time. The Huntington star showed the ability to defend anyone on the court when he chose to exert forth the necessary effort, and put on a downright incredible shooting display after practice. As he hit countless three pointer after three pointer, a former college coach sitting next near by mentioned that he had counted Mayo hit at least 12 consecutive three pointers, all from well beyond the collegiate three point line. Things are surely starting off on the right foot for O.J., and hopefully he is able to continue his dominance all the way through the Roundball game itself, so we dont have another repeat of the McDonalds game.
Anthony Randolph, 610, SF/PF, Signed with LSU
While Randolph was not necessarily one of the best performers statistically on the day, it is always quite intriguing when you see a 610 player with legitimate small forward skills. He was outstanding putting the ball on the floor and hitting the midrange jumper, while creating problems on the offensive glass with his length and athleticism. The LSU recruit struggled a bit shooting the ball from beyond the arc and defending smaller players, despite the fact that he has shown the ability to do both on prior occasions. As Anthony will tell you himself, consistency is his biggest problem. Either way, he is one of the more intriguing prospects in terms of NBA potential that the 2007 Roundball game has to offer.
DeAndre Jordan, 70, C, Signed with Texas A&M
After going through a scare of possibly losing head coach Billy Gillespie to another school, the seven footer can sleep a little better at night knowing that Gillespie will be in College Station when he steps foot on campus this fall. Jordan showed off his remarkable athleticism throughout the practice session, blocking numerous shots and dunking absolutely everything he touched inside of the paint. The big man still needs a ton of refinement in terms of both his low post moves and face the basket game, but his upside is absolutely off of the charts. With DeAndres combination of size, athleticism, and an NBA ready body, it would have been very hard to imagine that he would have not at least tested the waters for the 2007 NBA Draft, had the age limit not been put in place.
Evan Turner, 66, PG/SG/SF, Signed with Ohio State
Chicago native Evan Turner was quietly one of the more consistent performers on the first day of practice. He handled the ball well in the open floor, got all of his teammates involved, and shot the ball much better from the perimeter then he has in the past. While comparisons to Brandon Roy might be a bit far fetched at the moment, the similarities in their game are certainly present. Turner has shown the ability to play all three perimeter positions, and might be forced into playing all three at times next year at Ohio State, if Mike Conley Jr. decides to throw his name into the NBA Draft. In order for him to effectively reach his potential however, he must work diligently upon his consistency shooting the ball from the perimeter as well as his level of strength (weighs only 185 lbs at the moment).
Gani Lawal, 69, PF, Signed with Georgia Tech
The freak athlete from Georgia carried over his gritty play from the McDonalds game into the practice sessions at Roundball, doing every little thing youd like to see out of a big man. He ran the floor well, did a good job catching the ball, and made his presence felt on the defensive end. The guards he teamed with had no problem getting him the rock inside, as he caught everything and normally finished with an emphatic slam dunk. Lawal still offers very little in terms of actual low post moves, but the potential is surely there for him and he is clearly one of the players with the most to offer in terms of NBA potential here at the Roundball.
Kevin Love, 69, PF/C, Signed with UCLA
Oregon big man UCLA has continued to quietly be one of the top performers throughout all of the high school all-star games, despite his lack of high flying dunks or blocked shots that so many of the other big men prospects offer. He did an excellent job rebounding the ball and throwing his storied outlet passes, starting a fast break before the guard has even received the ball. He was great shooting the ball from 17 feet and in, showing the potential to play as more of a face the basket player for the Bruins if need be. Of course he was a bit outmatched athletically by the freak athlete big men in the game, but this is a challenge that Love has constantly faced (and conquered) throughout his career, so it shouldnt be a problem by the time he hits the hardwood at UCLA.
Jonny Flynn, 511, PG, Signed with Syracuse
Aside from Mayo, there has not been a player who has been more impressive then Niagara Falls standout Jonny Flynn. He has done a remarkable job controlling the tempo of the game and making everyone around him better, despite the fact that he has the reputation for being a shoot first point guard. The Syracuse recruit displayed the ability to get into the lane on anybody, while also playing outstanding defense on O.J. Mayo. He has carried over his production from the McDonalds game into the Roundball Classic practices, and if he is able to keep it up, should surely contend for the starting point guard position next year at Syracuse.
J.J. Hickson, 69, PF, Signed with North Carolina State
Hicksons developing skill set was put on display yet again, with the stage now being the Roundball Classic. His face the basket game has improved leaps and bounds over the last year. His improving perimeter game in addition to his solid low post skills, great body, and good athleticism should allow him to contribute immediately next year at North Carolina State, despite their already loaded frontcourt. Along with Jonny Flynn and Gani Lawal, J.J. is the only other player to have played well in every single McDonalds practice, the game itself, and now the first Roundball practice session.
Anthony Randolph Interview
DraftExpress: Tell me a little bit about what happened with the McDonalds game? Did you get any explanation as to why you were snubbed, given that virtually everyone has you as a top 15 guy in the country?
Randolph: I dont think I was snubbed. They put the best players in the game. Im just grateful that I was chosen for the Roundball Classic and the Derby Classic, and thats what Im supposed to play in. Everything happens for a reason. I wasnt supposed to be in that game.
DraftExpress: Tell me a little bit about how your high school season went.
Randolph: We did kind of bad. We didnt make the playoffs. I dont think it was issue of talent, but it was an issue of us gelling and stuff.
DraftExpress: With Glen Davis entering the NBA Draft, have the coaches at LSU spoken with you about how your role might have to change a little?
Randolph: Not really. Its the same thing that they talked to me about. They just want me to come in as a basketball player and want me to get better as both a basketball player and a person.
DraftExpress: Now have they told you what position youre going to play next year?
Randolph: No, not really. They just said that Im going to come in and play basketball and theyre going to make me a basketball player. Thats all I can ask for.
DraftExpress: What areas of your game do you feel you need to improve upon the most?
Randolph: My consistency. Sometimes I can hit shots when Im hot, and others its just a little off. Other then that, its just my size and understanding of the game.
DraftExpress: With the AAU camp scene changing and there only being the Nike camp until Reebok recently announced that they were holding their own camp, do you prefer it with only two camps, or with all three major camps?
Randolph: I like it with all three camps because I feel its more competitive. When you have only two camps, youre focusing on a much smaller amount of people and theres not going to be as much focus of helping as many players get better.
DraftExpress: What is the pressure like from the three different shoe companies to play in their respective camps and all-star games?
Randolph: Really there is no pressure. I just play basketball to have fun. Thats what Im going to do.
DraftExpress: So how did you decide which camps and all-star games to play in personally?
Randolph: Well I knew I was going to play in the Adidas game because thats who I was with. I knew if I was selected for the Roundball Classic, I was going to play in this game because there is such a historic atmosphere. So many great players have played in it and it would have been a great honor just to be selected, so I knew I would come play here if I was selected.
DraftExpress: What are your thoughts on the NBAs age limit?
Randolph: Honestly, at first I didnt like it because I was one of the kids who thought I had a chance to go (to the NBA). Now I realize that I have a lot of work to do and its going to get me better by going to college. I will have that college experience. College will allow me to put on weight and it will make me better as a person.
DraftExpress: If there is no age limit, what are you doing? College or the NBA?
Randolph: Now, I would go to college. Before if all of this wouldnt have happened, I would have tried to go (to the NBA).
DraftExpress: Who is your pick for the Ohio State/Florida game?
Randolph: Florida. Theyve got everybody coming back. Thats just experience. Ohio State is pretty good, but I think it would be an upset if Ohio State won.
DraftExpress: When selecting a college, were you looking for a school that would give you the opportunity to be one and done after your freshman year?
Randolph: Not so much be one and done, but if I was ready and everything went right and I was able to go one and done, yes. Mostly just where Id be comfortable and where I could see myself for four years. I looked at each college and told myself can I see myself for four years and get my education, while still having fun?
DeAndre Jordan Interview
DraftExpress: What was going through your mind when all of the rumors of Coach Gillespie were leaving were circulating?
Jordan: I wasnt really too worried about it. I just tried to focus on school and stuff like that. I cant go to school if I dont graduate high school. I wasnt too worried about that, because if youre going to be successful, youre going to be successful anywhere you go. It doesnt matter what school or what coach you played for. I just kept calm while everyone else was panicking a bit. I just kept calm and waited to see what he was going to do. I just kept calm, thats it.
DraftExpress: If Coach Gillespie would have taken the job at Kentucky, or somewhere else, what would you have done?
Jordan: I cant really tell you right now. That didnt happen, so theres nothing to talk about. If he did leave, I probably would have left and went with him. I would have just looked at all my options.
DraftExpress: When selecting a college, were you looking to go to a school where you would have the opportunity to be one and done?
Jordan: I wanted to go to a school that had a good coach. I didnt care about the location, but I had to like the style of play. I wanted a lot of up and down play, a team that got the ball into the post a lot. A school who focused a lot on defense. I wanted to go to a school where I could not make a name for the school, not one necessarily already has a name for itself and I would be in the line of top recruits. I wanted to go somewhere where I could make a name for myself, and the school.
DraftExpress: What are your thoughts on the NBAs age rule
Jordan: They made the rule, so I guess they think its the right thing. I just feel that if a player is physically ready to go to the league, they should have the opportunity to do so.
DraftExpress: What areas of your game do you think you need to work on the most before you hit Texas A&M, and then possibly the NBA?
Jordan: My perimeter shot. My 15-17 footer. Then just my perimeter defense. If a team comes out with a guy whose 66 and I have to guard a guy who is 66...a wing .then I have to work on my perimeter defense.
DraftExpress: What is the pressure like from the three major shoe companies to play in their respective camps and their respective all-star games?
Jordan: Theres no pressure. Im just loyal to the people who have been loyal to me. Whether its Reebok, Adidas, or Nike, I was just going to be loyal to the people who were loyal to me.
DraftExpress: Did they give you any explanation as to why you didnt make the McDonalds game?
Jordan: No, there was no explanation. I just wasnt selected. Everything happens for a reason. I just have to come here and go hard. I cant come here and think about how I didnt make the McDonalds game. I mean, this isnt the rookie game. Half of these guys played in the McDonalds game, so I have to play this game as if it were any other all star game.
DraftExpress: I mean, youre a top 10 player in the country on every recruiting service. How does a top 10 player not get picked for the McDonalds game?
Jordan: (laughs) I dont know. I have no idea. Im pretty sure there was a reason, but I dont know what it was off of the top of my head. I cant dwell on that though. I just have to focus on Roundball.
DraftExpress: Ohio State or Florida?
Jordan: Florida
DraftExpress: Why?
Jordan: Florida is mature. Theyve been in this situation last year. I think maturity is going to get the best. Ohio State is a good team, but I think maturity is going to get the best of them.
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