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The event was loaded with Memphis Teams. Two out of town programs performed well New Orleans Rattlers, and Blytheville Steelers, but game details is not the purpose here. 

 

Player info is the modus operandi today and below you will find a list of guys who shined. I have already made the decision to extend invitations to the Underclassmen Profile Camp for some of these guys.  Because if they aren’t on the radar they should be. 

Dime Droppers and Show Stoppers

Gab Osagie 6-3 Blytheville Steelers/Arkansas Hawks (Blytheville H.S. c/o 08) If he is not rated in anyone else’s top 20. He is currently in mine.  Although his shot is not mechanically correct it goes in.  But it is his court vision that is most impressive.  With his length and athleticism, his ability to pass the ball in transition and the half court set makes him one of the best guard prospects in the region.

 

*Travis Bridges 6-0 SE/Memphis Celtics (BTW c/o 09) - His savvy is impressive and his handle is tight (Sam Cassell type PG may be the best in his class).  To really make a splash this summer he should include a lot of weight training to gain upper body strength which will enhance his ability to be a better PG.  Love his game though. Ditto for Larry McGahey 6-5 c/o09

Gavin McDaniel 6-6 Blytheville Steelers (Blytheville H.S. c/o 08) Gavin remains a very consistent post presence.  One of the most fundamentally sound post players in Arkansas his game continues to improve.  He is very comfortable playing with his back to the basket and uses the glass well and finishes the break with power.

 

*LaJuan Hightower 6-5 Blytheville Steelers (Marion H.S. c/o 08) One of the most athletic players I’ve seen recently.  Can slash and finish and has a college ready body.  He made quite an impression and if he continues to develop his perimeter game, he will be highly regarded by the summers end.  (Pictured Above)

 

Melvin Brooks 5-10 Blytheville Steelers (Blytheville H.S. c/o08) Big strong physical PG who can finish and plays with intelligence and control.  His game has improved considerably since the camp.

Bridges on the rise

Is Lajuan Hightower for real?

Player Profiles

An exciting weekend of hoops that went on forever until almost midnight presented some very interesting players in the 7th Annual DS3 Classic. 

McDaniel will continue to gain interest

Desmond Brown 6-1 Memphis Heat (Melrose H.S. c/o 08)– Why this kid was not used during the high school season is a mystery but in this game he played every minute and although fatigued and winded, made big free throws and the subtle hustle plays that led to a come from behind win against a talented Memphis Southeast Elite squad.

 

Memphis Heat c/o 10 Quinton Lowe 6-4 has a great future he has length and tenacity.  I’d like to see him matched up against Demarcus Lewis of Canton H.S. c/o 10.

 

Russell Hill 6-2 SE/Memphis Celtics (Mitchell H.S. c/o 09) - Another strong perimeter player with a great basketball IQ. 

 

 

Quinton Lowe 6-4

The Memphis Idlewild 15U Squad is special, with so many solid players it was difficult to decide what to write or what pictures to post.  I would recommend any college coach to catch one of their games.  Playing up in this tourney they were the most disciplined group.  Russell Polk, Virgil Dean, Rajheim Hart Darius Whitson, Melvin Morgan (left), Dontino Todd, and bruiser 6-2 G Barry Brunetti c/o 10 are all solid players.

 

The New Orleans Rattlers also featured some players who will undoubtedly catch the eye of recruiters. Roman Crawford a 6-5 combo guard/forward with an inside/outside game will be a tough player in the state of Louisiana and SG Louis Howard is a 6-2 spark of instant energy.  But the kid that will be the next DJ Augustine is 8th grader Tavis Joseph.  The miniature ball handler led the Rattlers team against much older competition and was able to make plays and establish the offense.  He will have to work on his shot and decision making but what 8th grader doesn’t?

Melvin Morgan c/o 09 Bolton H.S. (Idlewild)

Other Players were noted but due to videotape and movement between gyms I was unable to get rosters for each team.  Coaches were given cards to send their rosters to me.