Big Time Bump Grab Bag
Ron Bailey, Publisher
Coaches and under-recruited players were in abundance at Big Time Bump
August 4, 2009 – Last week’s Big Time Bump grassroots tournament was a treat to all who attended; college coaches, players and fans. Hoop Magic Sports Academy once again proved itself one of the best facilities on the East Coast for hoops and sports training.
Since Big Time Bump was held at the end of this year’s NCAA sanctioned open recruiting period – enabling Division I coaches to scout players personally – the house was packed with those who run college programs, both large and small. The following coaches/programs were witnessed as being in attendance. Apologies to those overlooked:
Mt. St. Mary’s (Milan Brown and assistants), Georgetown (John Thompson III, Dave Cox), South Florida (Frank Heath, Eric Skeeters), Virginia (Tony Bennett, Jason Williford), Howard (Gill Jackson, James Wilhelmi), Princeton (Sydney Johnson), Quinnipiac (Rob Moore), Dartmouth (Terry Dunn), Davidson (Bob McKillop), George Mason (Jim Larranaga), Virginia Tech (Seth Greenberg), Xavier (Bino Ransom), American University (Kieran Donohue), Charlotte (Rob Moxley), Syracuse (Rob Murphy), North Carolina A&T (Walter Booth, Navy (Ron Ginyard), Michigan (Jerry Dunn), DePaul (Billy Garrett), Penn State (Lewis Preston), Vanderbilt (King Rice), Cincinnati (Larry Davis), Oklahoma State (Steve Middleton), Greensboro (Cory Gipson), Pitt (Tom Herrion), Villanova (Jason Donnelly), VCU, UMES, Minnesota, Elon, Greensboro, William and Mary, Richmond, Bucknell, NJIT.
Keith Crockett has the chops to be a Division I guard.
The Slept On:
Of course the above mentioned coaches and those not noted were there
to scout players competing in Big Time Bump action. For i95Ballerz.com
All-Star crews, click here.
There are several players that despite not making those teams, are talented,
but don’t get the attention deserved. They can be thought of as
sleepers:
Keith Crocket, 6’2”, 190 lbs, Sr., G, Duval (MD), Team Takeover 17u – A strong guard, Crockett can provide minutes at both guard positions. According to him “Robert Morris and George Mason” have offered. Crockett must be more consistent in all phases of the game.
Stephen Manga, 6’6”, 210 lbs, Sr., F, Archbishop Carroll (DC), Maryland Select 17u – Manga, a Parisian, is a self-described athletic slasher and finisher that must work on his ball patting and outside shooting.
Torre Summerville is an up and coming player.
Torre Summerville, 5’6”, 165 lbs, Jr., PG, Northwestern (MD), Kid’s First Basketball – A pass first lead guard, Summervile is learning to lead as well. Must continue to knock down open jumpers, and commit himself to defense.
Tyshawn Bell, 6’6”, 215 lbs, Post Grad, swingman, Maine Central Institute, Delaware Takeover – Claiming offers from the likes of South Florida (see Twitter), labeling Bell a sleeper is definitely contextual; he has the ability, with work, to be highly recruited – Tyshawn can shoot and dribble, although he needs to concentrate on the latter.
Ryan Trafton, 6’5”, 205 lbs, Jr., F, Samuel Banks (MD), Maryland 6’ers – Truly a raw player, Trafton started playing hoops “only in the ninth grade”, with an early Friday Big Time Bump game being his “third AAU game ever”. Nevertheless, Ryan plays with no fear, banging and attacking the rim. He must further his skill set, which is occurring and will continue doing so after football season (he’s hitting the gridiron this year).