Caron Butler Classic All Star Teams
Ron Bailey, Publisher
January 14, 2009 – In conjunction with yesterday’s coverage of the 2nd Annual Caron Butler Classic, All Star Team follow. This squad was created with input from several, informed sources.
First Team
Erick Green - Paul VI– Headed to Virginia Tech next year, this 6’2” guard has constantly shown this year he’s ready for that level of ‘bump’; no longer is Green simply a scoring guard, he can now ind teammates as well as put the ball in the hole.
Developmentally, Green must continue to get stronger and defend more consistently.
Ferguson ‘Ferg’ Myrick - Prep Charter – After the game, this senior, 6’6” player indicated “New Hampshire, Binghamton, LaSalle, Hampton and Howard” populated his school list, with all but LaSalle having offered. He’s an active forward that is transitioning to the perimeter, so there is no surprise Ferg noted “I have to work on my handle and jumper” to facilitate that transition.
South Philly's Ferg Myrick.
Ayodeji ‘Deji’ Egbeyenu - National Christian – The unsung hero of National Christian’s squad, Deji supplies an outside/inside presence, as the Nigerian can hit jumpers or slash to the cup. His long arms, 6’4” height and athleticism also allow for rebounding.
A sure-fire high major recruit, Deji must continue to strengthen his handle.
Andre Mattison - Coolidge – Enrolling in Florida Atlantic University next year, Mattison will bring that school what he provides Coolidge; rebounding, energy and intelligence. Standing 6’6”, Andre has to work on his footwork and perimeter package – including lateral quickness, handle and shot.
PJ Lockridge – Heat Academy – Lockridge, a 6’6’ junior swingman can and did do a lot of things, including run the floor, hit shots, attack the rim and defend. PJ’s similar to his cousin, Caron Butler, in that he is athletic yet skilled.
High and mid-majors are recruiting him, including Auburn, Winston Salem State, Oral Roberts, West Virginia and Miami. Improved handle and understanding of the game should allow Lockridge to shine at any collegiate level.
Second Team
Darius Gilmore – Princeton Academy – A tough, Baltimore point guard, Gilmore never backs down from an opponent, and seems to transfer that ethos to his teammates. Given his 5’10” stature, Darius has to make sure pass-first becomes his marching orders, thereby enabling him to play a number of college levels.
Dante Taylor - National Christian – Taylor, though not as explosive as usual (he’s set a heckuva a standard), still had a strong game, rebounding and running the floor. At Pitt next year, Taylor, 6’9”, must continue refining his footwork and will have to display the outside touch he exhibits from time to time.
Vaughan Jones (left) and Andre Mattison.
Miles Holley – Heat Academy – Uber-athletic and around 6’7”, Holley, a senior, loves to dunk – hard – and get out in transition. At times he seemed to be a good defender as well. High-majors are all over him, with more to follow as he strengthens his handle and shooting range.
Kelvin Gaines – Heat Academy – Schools such as BC, Miami and others are interested in Gaines, a 6’9” shot blocking machine. To say he changes the game with his presence is an understatement.
Offensively, Kelvin, a senior, must develop back to the basket footwork, and defensively not attempt to block every shot, but there is no doubt he can compete on the high major level.
Brandon Gibson – Another athletic forward, Gibson, who stands 6’6”, loves to pound the rims and maneuver inside. Being recruited by mid-majors presently, Gibson’s stock will rise tremendously as he improves his handling ability and mid-range game (he can shoot the long ball, but that probably should be tightened).
Honorable Mention
Jeremy Underwood – Coolidge – Spunky junior
guard becoming more of point man
Christian Leach – Coolidge – The sky’s
the limit for this sophomore perimeter player
Blake Bozeman – Paul VI – Junior Shooter
who can do much more
John Underwood – Princeton Academy – Senior
big man with some perimeter skills
NBA’ers in Attendance: Caron Butler, Nick Young, Antoine
Jamison, JaVale McGee, Juan Dixon, Charlie Bell.