MDC Player Evaluations-Part 2

Ivan McDowell, Southeast/Mid-South Editor

June 6, 2007 –More Memorial Day Classic evals follow:

Frankie Sullivan, 6’2, CG, Alabama Lasers- Led the Lasers in scoring in all four contests, dropping 39 points against Tyreke Evans and Team Final on a barrage of three-pointers and a myriad of drives to the cup with acrobatic finishes. It was the Lasers only victory of the weekend. The slashing guard has clearly worked on his jump shot since I last saw him and schools like Auburn, Alabama, UAB, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Memphis and Florida, all are on board for this rising ’08, Southeast performer. Sullivan says he’s wants to go where he can play immediately. Frankie gets to the rack fearlessly, while sticking the jumper off the dribble if driving lanes are shut off. Defensively, Sullivan is a good on the ball defender and plays the passing lanes well.

Joshua Langford-6’6, PF, Alabama Lasers- Langford was very active on the frontline versus SYF, Boo Williams and Louisiana Select. While his numbers won’t blow you away, keep in mind this youngster (he just turned 15) is just beginning to tap into his enormous potential. Heading into his sophomore year, Josh is a run and jump athlete right now. He battled bigger foes all weekend and despite being undersized, he slithered inside for put backs and even showed an occasional face up jumper out to three-point range. Langford is also still growing and may project to be a combo forward once he adds size and strength, while continuing to expand his offensive repertoire. A high-major SEC target already, he’s receiving attention from just about everyone.

Mobile, AL's Nick Williams

Nick Williams-6’5, WF, Alabama Challenge- The Marquette commit played well as the tourney went on. Struggled in the early games with his jumper, but played to his strengths with his energy and scored on a number of follows and chippies. Nick is a high-flyer who had his jumper working against Team Florida, making three ‘J’s’ from deep, while continuing to take the ball strong to the hole on his way to 18 points in a blowout victory. Williams says he is still firm with the Golden Eagles, but wants to discuss the commitment with his mom to make sure. Florida State, Ole Miss, Miss State, Oklahoma, Cincinnati, Alabama and Auburn are still monitoring.

Aubrey Bethea-6’6, PF, Alabama Lasers- Bethea is an athletic, undersized four, who needs to develop facing the basket offensively to play at a high-major level. He has a good build, runs the floor like a deer and rebounds and blocks well. Finishing around the rim is also an issue at this point. Like Langford, he didn’t score much, but stayed active on the glass; getting his points on chippies. Bethea is in the ’08 class, so he’ll probably play at the low-mid major level based on his skill set. I was told Auburn, UAB and Iowa, as well as a host of low D-1’s are showing interest right now.

JaMychal Green-6’8, PF/C, Alabama Challenge- The 16-year old, was a beast all weekend and was one of the best big men at camp. JaMychal was a force around the basket in the Challenge’s game against the Illinois Warriors and The Family, scoring 19 and 18 points in those contests. Green showed an advanced post game, although he had a tendency to get off to slow starts. Once his teammates decided to get him the ball, he was relentless in attacking the glass and pounded the rim for dunks on numerous occasions. Defensively he still needs to add strength to his young frame, and while not a great athlete, he’s a good one with length and a growing mean streak. Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss, UNC, and Marquette are all schools Green is interested in.

Andrew Steele-6’3, PG, Alabama Challenge- The comparisons to his older brother are obvious and justifiably so. Steele is a fine athlete (he plays quarterback too), who brings strength, quicks, toughness and a high basketball IQ to the court: He is literally a quarterback on the floor. Steele needs to continue to work on his jump shot, but that’s not what he does best. He can hit the open three or the mid-range ‘J’, but his game is predicated on getting to the basket and either finding teammates or finishing for a lay up. Steele was one of the best guards in camp; scoring in double figures in four of the Challenge’s five games. Alabama, Tennessee, Kansas, Texas, Ole Miss, UNC and Kentucky, headline his list of schools.

Ralph Sampson, III

Ralph Sampson III-6’10, PF, Georgia Stars- Baby Ralph has improved his game over the last year, but still has a ways to go heading into his senior season at Northview High in Duluth, GA. Sampson benefits on the AAU circuit from playing with high-majors Al-Farouq Aminu and Tony Woods along the frontline, so he should continue to improve his toughness this summer. He still tends to be timid and hesitant in some of his decision making, but will now dunk on you. Of course, he may also help you up afterward. Ralph is such a nice kid it’s as if he’s playing not to hurt anyone sometimes. Developmentally, he has improved his strength, athleticism and toughness around the basket, while stepping away from the basket to shoot the 15-footer. Scored 15 points versus Louisiana Select and even blocked Greg Monroe’s shot once. If he can consistently stay in attack mode and maintain his confidence, Ralph will be a force at a high level. Another kid you have to root for. Auburn, California, Georgia, Minnesota and NC State are monitoring. Word has it that Tubby wants him badly.

Malcolm Armstead-6’1, PG, Alabama Challenge- This lefty did a lot of damage for the Challenge, either when spelling Steele or playing along side him. Armstead has nice handle and is quicker than he looks. He consistently got by his man off the dribble and finished in the paint. Didn’t look to shoot the jumper as much, but hit the occasional mid-range shot. I didn’t see him shoot many three’s, but it’s in his arsenal. I first saw Armstead at last summer at the Nike Peach Jam where he displayed a crafty left-handed dribble; at MDC, Malcolm showed the propensity to get in the lane with either hand. Malcolm currently likes South Carolina, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Memphis, Georgia and Murray State. He has no leader at this point.

Click here for MDC Evals Pt. 1