Selected B’More Elite Invitational Players

Ron Bailey, Publisher

May 10, 2011 – Nike Baltimore Elite held’s its now annual boys travel team confab, this time at spots throughout the greater Baltimore area. To everyone’s treat, squads from locals such as Philly, New York, Houston, New Jersey, Virginia and of course the Baltimore-Washington region participated.

Following are some standout players witnessed.

Kyle Anderson, 6’7”, 210 lbs, junior G/F, NJ Playaz (17u), St. Anthony’s (NJ) – Still one of the best passers in sub-collegiate basketball, Anderson dimes whoever is open. Uses his length, size, and understanding of the game, ball handling and change of pace moves to get to the hole. Foot speed is still an issue, one that he acknowledges. Will play multiple positions offensively, in college. Seton Hall, Georgetown, St. John's, UCLA, Florida and Arizona comprise his recruiting list.

Marques Johnson, 5’10”, 170 lbs, junior G, FBCG (17u), Millbrook (NC) – Tough penetrating combo guard with a good first step. Is not afraid of contact. Jumpshot needs improvement.

Marques Johnson showed he can score the ball.

Amille Jefferson, 6’8”, 190 lbs, junior F, Philly’s Finest (17u), Friends Central (PA) – Long and athletic, Jefferson rebounds, defends, hits mid-range shots, attacks the rim and makes plays for others. Needs to get stronger but nevertheless will battle. The likes of Villanova, Maryland, Georgetown, Pitt, MD and Wake are the schools recruiting him.

Dionisio Cephas, 5’9”, 150 lbs, senior, G, Philly’s Finest (17u), Penncater Charter (DE) – Combo guard that must become more of a point guard in college. Excellent shooter. Is walking on at Coppin State next year.

Jayen Bond, 6’6”, 220 lbs, senior F, Philly’s Finest (17u), St. Thomas Moore (prep school)– Former Pitt recruit is now headed to prep school, where he brings an athletic, strong package to the table. Capable of finishing, rebounding and defending. Must further develop shooting and dribbling.

John Papale, 6’2”, 175 lbs, junior G, NE Playaz (17u), Choate Rosemary Hall (CT) – A dead eye shooter, Papale is seemingly automatic out past three point land. Doesn’t penetrate much, but plays fairly tough defense. Wake Forest, BC, and Atlantic 10 schools are showing interest.

Kaleb Tarczewski, 7’0””, 240 lbs, junior C, NE Playaz (17u), St. Mark’s (MA) – Tarczewski’s best ball is ahead of him, as he’s long and somewhat skilled, owning a decent perimeter shot and in-the-paint foot work. Must get stronger, as he can get bumped off balance. Also must keep his center of gravity low. Sometimes settles for jumpers, which strength will help.

Jerious Lyles slips through defenders.

Josh Hart, 6’3”, 180 lbs, sophomore G, Team Takeover (16u), Sidwell Friends (DC) – Hart’s penchant for hitting long ball jumpers and finishing at the rim have allowed him to explode on the national scene this spring. Likes to slash to the cup. Must get faster/quicker.

Jerious Lyles, 6’2”, 170 lbs, sophomore G, Team Takeover (16u), DeMatha (DC) – When his team needed a bucket, Lyles got one by driving and converting and/or getting fouled. Will pull up for jumpers, but could strengthen that part of his game, along with lifting weights and becoming more of a point guard. According to him "NC State, Miami, VCU, Maryland and some others" are interested.

Derrick Griffith, 6’7”, 215 lbs, sophomore F, Houston Defenders (17u), Terry (TX) – Athletic to the point of absurdity, Griffith will slam on anybody. Excels in alley oop and stick back work. Runs the floor well, as a wide receiver (which he is) should. In fball, is reportedly special. Hoop-wise, must work on dribbling and shooting. Texas, Texas A&M and Baylor are showing hoops love, while those three Lone Star State schools, plus Oregon, have expressed football interest also.

Andrew Harrison, 6’3”, 185 lbs, sophomore G, Houston Defenders (17u), Travis (TX) – A combo guard that is fairly solid running a team, Harrison listed Kentucky, Kansas, Baylor, Arizona and Maryland, while also noted he visited Georgetown. Solid ball handler, but seems to favor his right. Can shot, but must become more consistent and expand range. Athletic player that can get up and down. Could stand being stronger.

Jordan Parks gets a block in on Derrick Griffith.

Aaron Harrison, 6’3”, 185 lbs, sophomore G, Houston Defenders (17u), Travis (TX) – A combo guard like his brother, Aaron is more of the scorer, one that has mid-range and long distance shooting ability. His handle is not quite point guard ready. Can also get stronger, and like Andrew, lists Kentucky, Kansas, Baylor, Arizona, Maryland, and has visited Georgetown.

Jordan Parks, 6’6”, 200 lbs, senior F, Riverside Hawks (17u), Campus Magnet (NY) – Parks makes plays around the cup, finishing and blocking shots, using length, skill, anticipation and competitiveness. Must get more adept at shooting and ball handling. Shared St. Peters, St. Francis (PA), Del. State, Hofstra, Quinnipiac and Northeastern are all involved. Is mulling all possible options, including prep school (Thomas School, others).

Keith Shivers, 6’3”, 180 lbs, junior G, Triple Threat (17u), Wise (MD) - Shivers is a shooter that's broadening his game, developing his ball handling skills, work that is still continuing. Has gotten stronger as well. Mid-majors are starting to be interested.

Keith Shivers has worked on his dribble drive game.

Jose Reyes, 5’9”, 170 lbs, senior PG, Albany City Rocks (17u), Summit Christian (NY) – Push man point guard that can find people in traffic. Will also attack the rim. Seems to eschew shooting open shots, evidencing a need to improve in that regard. Will attend prep school.

Sajae Pryor, 6’4”, 185 lbs, senior G/F, Albany city Rocks (17u), Summit Christian (NY) – A slasher and shooter, Pryor can score at the rim or from the perimeter. Must become a better dribbler in college.

Chris Jones, 6'4", 185 lb junior swingman is further developing his handle and jumper. Presently he does some of everything fairly well.

Jamel Artis, 6’6”, 200 lbs, junior F, Nike Baltimore Elite (17u), St. Benedicts (NJ) – Artis has the goods to be outstanding – he is long, skilled and his decent size. Can drive and shoot, as well as find teammates, which sometimes he does to excess in that he needs to be a little more offensively aggressive. Lateral quickness must be improved as well. Colorado State, Syracuse, Marquette, George Mason and to a lesser degree Maryland are showing interest.

Audio Extras:

Cephas on walking on at Coppin State

Chris Jones (G/F, NJ Playaz and Teaneck HS) on recruiting and development

Griffith on hoop and football development/recruiting