B'More Elite Invitational All Star Teams

Ron Bailey, Publisher

All Star teams boast major league talent.

May 11, 2010 - The 2nd Annual Baltimore Elite Invitational wasn't long on the number of teams participating, but was stacked with talent nonetheless. Following are its i95Ballerz.com All-Star teams. These lists indicate standout players, but are by no means the only talented players that competed. Names of guys left off, like James Robinson, Greg Lewis, Myles Mack, and John Crowder attest this.

17 u
MVP: Mike Gilchrist – 6’6”, 195 pound forward, Class of 2011, Team Final – Though his squad didn’t win the title, Gilchrist proved himself the event’s best player, as when he was in, his team excelled, when out, they struggled at times. He’s not a pure guard or forward, has an awkward release on his shot, and seems to get banged up a lot. So what. Gilchrist goes hard ALL the time, has worked on his patting which enables him to go coast-to-coast, will find open teammates, and holds it down rebounding in the paint. Has orally committed to Kentucky.

First Team

Savon Goodman – 6’7”, 215 pound forward, Class of 2012, Team Philly – The winner of this tourney’s ‘Wow’ award, Goodman relentlessly attack the tin, taking no prisoners. Needs to develop a jumpshot and refine his ball handling.

Kyle Anderson - 6’6”, 215 pound swingman, Class of 2012, Playaz – Nicknamed ‘Slo-Mo’ by his teammates, Anderson is a forward that can play point guard, creating major mismatches along the way. His jumper has improved, but needs to be shown consistently and foot quickness is an issue, but Anderson can pat and pass with some of the best.

Tyrone Johnson - 6’2”, 190 pound guard, Class of 2011, Team Final – Strong and tough, Johnson, a former football quarterback seems to do well in pick and roll situations. Formerly having to do it all in high school, he’s learning to play with talent now, which when coupled with getting more lift on his jumper could make him a prime, big college league guard.

Ty Johnson (left) dribbles against James Robinson, a Class of 2012 guard that played solidly.

Rakeem Christmas - 6’9”, 210 pound center, Class of 2011, Team Final – A weak side shot blocking machine, Christmas has worked hard on his half court offense, including mid-posting and releasing shots on the move. Must get stronger and develop a power drop step, or at least jump hook, for college.

Mike Gbinije - 6’6”, 200 pound swingman, Class of 2011, Team Takeover – Solid all around and doing everything smoothly, Gbinije seems to glide while shooting, rebounding, slashing and dribbling. For college the Duke-bound player must play hard consistently and pat the rock better with his off hand.

Ricardo Ledo – 6’4” 175 pound swingman, Class of 2012, Expressions – This guy gets the ‘Who’s he’ award, given a penchant to pat, shoot, finish and scrap. Playing out of position – as a four/three man – Ledo still showed the chops to battle players like Gilchrist tooth and nail. Though he can pat the rock, he must be more proficient in doing so, and get stronger for college.

Second Team

Desmond Hubert – 6’9”, 200 pound center, Class of 2011, Playaz – Hubert is getting much high major love, as he’s capable of running the floor and hitting mid-range shots. Not playing as ruggedly as he will need to, Hubert must get stronger.

Myles Davis - 6’2”, 185 pound guard, Class of 2011, Playaz – Smooth shooting from all points of the court is his specialty. Davis is definitely a high major bound guy, and must work on seamlessly running a show in college.

Trevor Cooney - 6’3”, 185 pound shooting guard, Class of 2011, Team Final – Headed to Syracuse, Cooney’s jumpshooting should fit in well at that Big East School. Can also drive and will finish hard in the open floor. Must work on defensive focus, which will be masked to some degree by Syracuse’s 2-3 zone.

Amille Jefferson is svelte but talented.

Amile Jefferson - 6’8”, 185 pound forward, Class of 2012, Team Philly – Though he’s skinny and needs to get stronger/bulk up, Jefferson does a lot of things, including rebounding, shot blocking and attacking in the halfcourt.

Khem Birch – 6’8”, 190 pound forward, Class of 2012, Expressions– Runner up for the ‘Who’s he’ award, Birch is very, very athletic and long, which helps him finish at the rim and block shots. Must bone up on his jumper and ball handling to take advantage of his gifts in college. Is a fast rising and developing player.

Akil Carr – 5’6”, 150 pound guard, Class of 2013, Nike Baltimore Elite– One of the most dynamic scorers in this competition, Carr is the type of player that has observers scratching their heads saying ‘How did he do that??’, as he scores against anyone. That said, at his size, Akil needs to be more of a disher, shooting less and getting everyone involved more; his teammates many times seemed to stand and watch him. Has supreme confidence and ability to put the ball in the net.

16u

Richard Peters – 6’8”, 255 pound center, Class of 2012, Canada Takeover –Peters is a man child, at times capable of dominating play by cleaning the glass, hitting mid-range shots, tallying rejections and running the floor hard. He simply needs to refine his footwork and illustrate all the above constantly. Has orally committed to Oklahoma.
Anthony Bennett – 6’7”, 245 pound forward, Class of 2012, Canada Takeover – Athletic to a supreme level, Bennett was impressive despite playing with an injured hamstring. Must work on a go-to move and playing hard all the time.
Jerami Grant – 6’8”, 180 pound swingman, Class of 2012, Team Takeover – Long, athletic and cerebral, Grant has can’t miss written all over him. By next year two of his siblings will be in the high major ranks, and his father is an ex-NBA player; they surely will tell him he must play more consistently and physically to maximize his skill set, which includes dribbling, shooting and passing.

Richard Peters posting up.

Ajent English – 6’0”, 170 pound point guard, Class of 2012, Team Takeover – Athletic and aggressive, English will drive and/or dish. His jumpshot, while improved, must be made consistent.
Aaron Roundtree – 6’7”, 175 pound forward, Class of 2012, Carolina Elite – Long and athletic, Roundtree is a good passer capable of handling the rock. Must get stronger for high major ball.
Beejay Anya – 6’7”, 280 pound forward, Class of 2013, Takeover – A rugged interior player, Anya must develop a go-to post move.

Mike Young – 6’6”, 190 pound forward, Class of 2013, Playaz – Can shoot and post high and low. Handle needs work.
Navel Carey – 6’5”, 200 pound forward, Class of 2012, Delaware Takeover – Finishes hard, needs to develop perimeter touch.
Sim Bhullar – 7’4”, 280 pound center, Class of 2012, Canada Takeover – Not the quickest of feet but can do work around the rim and even has a nice release on his three-ball. Must get stronger and work on lowering his center of gravity.

15u

Stan Robinson – 6’3” wingman, Class of 2013, Team Takeover – Super smooth, Robinson can do everything reasonably well. Must start to think the game better.
Tevin Findly - 6'0" point guard, Class of 2013, Canada Takeover - Herky Jerky guard is heady and controls game's tempo. Must get stronger and become a better shooter from distance.
Will Ferguson – 5’9” point guard, Class of 2103, Team Takeover – Very quick and athletic, next up for Ferguson is a steady jumpshot.

Savon Goodman drives in 17u competition.

Isaiah Lewis - 5’11” point guard, Class of 2013, Riverside Church – Good passer who will take and hit key shots. Strength development necessary.
Shane Kennedy - 6’3” wing, Class of 2013, Riverside Church – Athletic and aggressive, Kennedy must continue developing ball skills.
DaQuan “Day-Day” McNeil – 6’2” guard, Class of 2013, Baltimore Elite – McNeil can drive at a high level and shoot solidly. Once he gets stronger, the sky’s the limit for him.
Kennedy ‘Baby’ Leach – 6’7” center, Class of 2013, Team United – Liking to rebound and play hard, Leach is a grinder with high upside. Has a decent mid-range jumper as well. Needs to become stronger, thereby solidifying his pedigree is a banger. Honor roll student.
Brandon Austin – 6’6” forward, Class of 2013, Team Philly – Long and athletic, Austin can pat and pass. More strength is necessary.