Big Shots - DCA II 17u All Star teams

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Tourney had some sleepers.

May 20, 2011 - Capitol Sports Complex was again jumping with boys travel team hoops recently, as DC Assault partnered with Big Shots as they did several weeks ago. Without further ado, i95Ballerz.com brings you its 17u all star crews.

MVP

Amile Jefferson - 6'8", 190 lb junior forward, Philly Finest, Friend's Christian (PA) - Long known as one of the most versatile frontcourt players in the East, one capable of shooting, rebounding, passing and defending, Jefferson did nothing to undermine that characterization; in two words, he balled.

Now it's no secret Jefferson, whose being recruitedn and offered a scholarship by Nova, Pitt, Maryland, Gerogetown and Wake Forest, needs to get stronger. His handle/first step can be improved also. And a solid three ball would explode his game. But Jefferson, a good student academically, understands this, which portends trouble for future foes.

First Team

Kirven Rameau - 6'3", 185 lb junior swingman, DC Assault, Shenandoah Valley Christian Academy (VA) - Athletic and aggressive, Rameau always scored above 20 points, reaching 30 at least once. What's surprising is he did it by not having deep shooting range - Rameau got it to the rim in half court and fastbreak situations, always finishing or getting fouled.

Kirven Rameau gets many points on tip ins, drives and hustle plays.

Going forward Kirven must bone up on jumpshot and ball patting, allowing him to be more of a guard in college. His motor makes up for much of that in high school.

Aaron Morgan - 5'10", 170 lbs junior point guard, PA Playaz, Council Rock North (PA) - A pure point guard that loves to drive and dish, Morgan can run both a fast break and half court attack. Loves to get to the rack, where he uses strength and guile to finish or drop off.

Morgan, who indicated Boston University, Siena and Philly U are all interested, must further develop this mid to long range jumper.

Shaquille Brown - 6'5", 210 lb junior swingman, Triple Threat, Patterson (MD) - Brown makes plays, whether it’s the pass, defense, driving or shooting. Whatever needs to be done, he's capable of doing it.

That said, he must get in better physical condition - he's suffered a series of high school injuries - to become a consistently dominant player, including defensively. St. Mary's (MD), Robert Morris, USF and DePaul have shown varied levels of interest.

Ronald Scott - 6'1", 165 lb senior guard, B'More Elite, John Carroll (MD) - If you want a bucket, Scott is the one to give it to you, as this combo guard loves to shoot from three or off the stop and pop. This is despite having a weird release on his shot.

Headed to junior college next year, Scott will eventually end up on the Division I level. Getting stronger and being more of a solid defender will aid in that.

Shakari Grant - 6'8", 195 lb senior center/forward, East Coast Elite, Great Valley (PA) - Recently verballed to Duquesne, Grant takes length, athletic ability and floor running speed to that school in the fall. Is also a very good shot blocker, and seems to have a gregarious personality.

Strength development should be an immediate focus, as should in-the-paint footwork, as that is where Grant seems most comfortable.

Mo Ali-Cox - 6'7", 230 lb senior forward, Fairfax Stars, Notre Dame (VA) - Mo is a man down low, where he loves to bump, grind and finish. Since he loves to the paint a turnaround jumper would be good for his game, as would working his game more to the perimeter.

Cox indicated Mount St. Mary's, VCU, Delaware and Nevada have all offered him, while High Point and Wake are monitoring him. Could do a fifth year in high school.

Second Team

Landon Moss - 6'4", 185 lb junior swingman, VA Assault, TC Williams (VA) - Originally from Junction City, Kansas, Umass, Elon, Hampton and William and Mary have all expressed interest in Moss, an athletic finisher that loves to get out on the break. His ball handling and jumpshot needs to improve, allowing him to play a two guard in college.

TJ Huggins guarding Amile Jefferson.

Karon Davis, 6'1", 175 lb sophomore guard, Philly's Finest, Friends Central (PA) - Owner of a pretty good shooting touch that's stronger than he looks, Davis is a cerebral guard that understands he must transition to a point guard to maximize in college. To do that, his handle and lead guard instincts must improve.

Aaron Goodman - 6'5", 190 lbs junior forward, PA Playaz, Council Rock North (PA) - A deadeye shooter, Goodman loves to come off curls and staggers, typically catching the ball at the top of the key where he raises up or takes a few dribbles and does so. This quick release shooter with prodigious range must improve his handle for college, thereby adding the threat of driving, which will open up his game.

Jamel Artis - 6'6", 190 lb junior G/F, B'More Elite, St. Benedicts (NJ) - Artis has all the tools to become a dominant player - shooting, ball patting, passing, length), he just has to employ them more consistently. A guy who actually displays more point guard instincts than those of a swingman, per a source Artis is headed to this year's Deron Williams Camp to work on them. Expect him at the NBAPA Top 100 shindig as well. Artist must get stronger and quicker of foot, laterally.

Jaylen Bond - 6'7", 220 lb post grad forward, Philly's Finest, Winchendon (CT) - Bond is on the high end athletically, able to run the floor and pound rims easily. He's also a solid interior defender. On the perimeter is where Bond must improve both offensively and defensively, becoming comfortable playing in space, handling/shooting the ball from distance and out of triple threat. A former Pitt commit he's wide open recrutingwise; a source close to him indicated playing time will largely dictate his future college home.

Jaylen Bond loves working in the paint.

Andre Patton - 6'3", 180 lb junior swingman, East Coast Elite, St. Elizabeth's (DE) - Athletic and loving to slash/finish, Patton's handle in open and half court situations needs work, as does his shooting. He indicated Providence and St. Joes have expressed interest.

Tyaire Hudson - 5'11", 175 lb junior point guard, East Coast Elite, Hogdson Vo Tech (DE) - A pure floor leader, Hudson gets up and down in an hurry, always finding teammates for easy shots; asked to define his game he noted "I'm a point guard". Loves to drive and drop. Needs to establish his jumpshot. Bowling Green and St. Joes have expressed interest.

TJ Huggins - 6'5", 185 lb junior swingman, Fairfax Stars, TC Williams (VA) - Though he needs to work on his shooting and overall quickness, Huggins can do one thing well, and that's shoot, whether coming off screens or getting his own jump shot. Elon, Radford and others have expressed interest.