Big Shots DCA Standouts

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Big Shots DCA was chock full of talented guards.

April 13, 2010 – Below are players who stood out in Big Shots DC Assault tournament action. The lists were chosen through observation and consultation and focus primarily on the 17 and under age grouping. Positions were not a metric for team inclusion. A special acknowledgement goes out to Hoop Magic Sports Academy and its staff for hosting Big Shots DC Assault.

17u First Team

Quinn Cook gets some air.

MVP – Quinn Cook, 5’11” junior point guard, DC Assault Gold – There is little wonder schools in the Big East, ACC, SEC, Pac 10 and other conferences like Georgetown, Virginia, Tennessee, Arizona have offered Cook, who can score and dish at a high level; his points come from long distance, mid-range and at the rim. Quinn has to get stronger for the upper reaches of college ball, but his skill level will greatly aid him until that development occurs. Must also focus upon defense more.

Jarvis Threat, 6’2” junior combo guard, VA Assault – Capable of playing both guard positions, Threat plays with moxie and skill, being able to shoot, drive and dish. Strength development is necessary.

Jarvis Threat off the bounce.

Kris Jenkins, 6’5” freshman forward, DC Assault Gold (16u)– Jenkins’ move to the perimeter is in full effect, as the former power forward now can hit the deep corner jumper, as well as post, rebound, and pass. Needs to work on his handle – particularly attacking from 20 feet – and defense in space, but Kris is proving a very talented young player.

Teon Barnes, 6’3” junior forward, DC Assault Blue – Hyper athletic, long and aggressive, Barnes likes to finish everything at the rim. Needs to refine his ball handling and outside game.

Junricho Walker, 6’6” senior forward, Boo Williams-Woods – Headed to prep school next year, Walker should develop his back to the basket and face up games. Doing so will add to his skill set, which now consists of finishing everything around the tin, as he’s long and athletic.

Durand Johnson, 6’6” junior swingman, Cecil Kirk – Johnson will slash and/or pull up from long distance, doing both well. Going forward in prep school, where he’s headed, Durand needs to strengthen his open court handle, allowing him to bring the ball up more steadily. He also must get stronger to take the punishment Division I, skilled slashers, endure.

Durand Johnson with the sweet finger roll.

Second Team 17u

Tyler Hubbard, 6’2” junior guard, DC Assault Blue – A shooter, Hubbard will pull up from deep on breaks and in half court settings. Handle has improved, and must continue to do so. Also, mid-range stop and pops will open up his game, as will more finishing at the rim.

Jesse Kanadu, 5’10” junior point guard, Fairfax Stars – Heady and smart (is a solid honor roll student), Kanadu likes to operate a team’s controls and can do it well. He also will attack the rim in full court situations, find open players and play solid defense. His jumpshot needs improvement.

Jamal Lewis loves to use the rim in sheilding his shot.

Nate Britt III, 6’2” freshman guard, DC Assault Gold (16u) – Britt is a floor leader that can score, one that hits jumpers and drops off well. Needs to work on finishing, which will come with strength. Crafty, intelligent player with a high upside. Is turning high major heads.

Jamal Lewis, 6’1” sophomore guard – As the tourney bore on, Lewis improved, helping carry DC Assault Gold (16U) to the 17u championship. He’s athletic, a competitor, and by continuing to develop is becoming the point guard many envision when comparing him to ex-NBA player Kevin Johnson.

Briante Weber, 6’2” senior guard, Boo Williams–Woods – A two time defensive player of the year in the Tidewater, VA area, Weber is tough and athletic, and enjoys defending the opponents best perimeter player. Is working on his jumper.

Briante Weber is athletic enough to attack the rim.

DJ Fenner, 6’4” freshman swingman, DC Assault (16u) – Son of former NFL running back Derek Fenner, DJ is an athletic finisher with high upside. His handle driving to the cup provides scoring opportunities, but patting in the open floor and functioning more as a distributor will aid him going forward, as will displaying more mid-range shooting ability.

Greg Lewis, 6’8” junior forward, B’More Assault - Lewis has solid post moves and will defend/block shots. His mid-range jumper needs to become more 'money', and playing with great effort consistiently is necessary. Maryland and Xavier have offered.

Third Team 17u

Christian Leach, 6’2” junior swingman, DC Assault Blue – Leach likes to use his body to create separation and score, either via the shot or being fouled. Has to change body type and lift his jumpshot’s release point.

Victor Blakley, 5’9” junior point guard, Triple Threat – A quick point guard, Blakley attacked the rim with a vengeance, where he scored or passed. Needs to display more jump shooting.

Vic Blakley perfomed well.

Mike Holley, 6’1”, senior guard, Eclipse – As it stands, Millersville (D2) is one of the only schools who have offered Holley, which is shocking as he can shoot the lights out, plays hard, and makes winning plays. Holley will need to mix the shot and pass better, thereby complimenting each.

Ali Kazani, 6’2” junior swingman, Fairfax Stars – Very athletic, Karzani is being pursued by the likes of Catholic and other D3 schools, because of his athletic ability and willingness to mix it up. Possesses a 3.2 GPA. Must work on ball handling.

Trey Freeman, 6’1” combo guard, Boo Williams-Woods – ODU is looking at Freeman, who can score and pass. Must work on his situational understanding, thereby allowing him to be a point guard at the next level.

Justin Goldsbauch, 6’7” sophomore forward, DC Assault Gold (16u) – Long, athletic, and smart, Justin must continue his face up footwork development.

Kevin Smith, 6’1” junior guard, B'More Assault - Smith is a scorer, plain and simple. That said, he needs to develop more of a set up man mentaility, though he has improved in that area. Baylor and others are rumored to have offered or be in the mix.

16u

(MVP) Mo Ali-Cox, 6’5”, sophomore forward, Cardinal – Though he doesn’t possess good footwork or handle, Ali-Cox physically dominated, finishing around the rim, hard.

Kevin Robbins, 6’4” freshman swingman, DC Assault Blue (15u) – Did work at and away from the hoop. Battles and competes. Greater dribbling skill will allow him to be more of a mis-match on the perimeter.

Mo Ali-Cox (12) challenges the shot of Coleman Johnson.

Romello Trimble, 6’3” eighth grade swingman, DC Assault Blue (15u) – A good shooter who will slash, Trimble can also dribble. Needs to work on his feel for the game.

Josh McNeal, 6’5”, freshman forward, DC Assault Blue (15u) – Finisher who will run the floor. Didn’t display advanced perimeter skills.

Mo Haynes, 6’1” sophomore point guard, United Force – Solid floor leader is tough and smart. Must work on his outside shooting to round out his game.

Garland Owens, 6’5” sophomore forward, Elitehoops MD – Athletic and mobile, Owens has a high upside, potential that will be maximized by being able to pat the rock in open floor settings.

Coleman Johnson – 6’5” sophomore forward, Team Takeover – Johnson is a player that makes solid winning plays; the key rebound, the post move, the block. Needs to further his perimeter skill base.

DaQuan Page, 6’4” sophomore forward, DC Assault – Has solid footwork and good hands. Perimeter skills need work.

Mike Hemsley, 6’4” sophomore forward, Eclipse – Strong, athletic and possessing solid interior footwork, Hemsley has to expand his game to include perimeter work.