Memorial Day Classic Player Evaluations

Ivan McDowell, Southeast/Mid-South Editor

Memphis guard Leslie McDonald

July 3, 2007 - The Memorial Day Classic annually features some of the best high school talent in the summer. The 2008 Bobby Hussey MDC was no different and below are some evaluations from the players I saw.

Steven Pledger-Boo Williams- The Atlantic Shores Christian scoring guard recently gave Jeff Capel and Oklahoma University a verbal commitment. The Sooners are getting a tough, strong, 6-foot-2 combo guard capable of playing the one or the two effectively. He is fearless going to the rack and has the strength and handle to finish around the rim. Leave him alone and he’ll bury the jumper. Good get for OU.

Leslie McDonald-YOMCA-The 6-foot-4 shooting guard clearly looks stronger and healthier than he did last summer when he suffered from exhaustion, shin splints and a bum ankle. McDonald has the best mid-range game in his class and is now equally effective from deep. Where Leslie looks stronger is taking it to the basket. During the MDC, McDonald consistently showed his total game; be it from deep, middle or close range. Still quiet in demeanor, this silent assassin is one of the best in 2009.

Boo Williams guards Steven Pledger (Oklahoma) and Kendall Marshall(UNC)

DeMarcus Cousins-Birmingham Storm-“Big Cuz” consistently dominated his defenders by pulling them away from the basket and displaying his impressive handle and scoring ability. A top 10 talent, Cousins preferred to face rather than post during the MDC and at 6-oot-10, 240-pounds, I’d like to see him do more of the latter than the former. That said he is a definite get for UAB. Look for him to dominate C-USA the minute he arrives in 2009.

Joshua Langford-Alabama Lasers- The undersized four-man continues to develop despite having to play out of position for the smallish Lasers. A 2010 recruit, Langford has the ability to step away from the basket and shoot the 15-foot jumper, while still using his athleticism to work effectively around the basket. The 6-foot-6 forward from Huntsville must stay composed when on the floor and continue to move his game outward if he hopes to play at the highest level. A mid to high major player at this point.

Kendall Marshall-Boo Williams- Kendall is Kendall and that’s a good thing. He just gets things done. He doesn’t make many mistakes and always seems to make the correct basketball play. Not a blazer, but deceptively quick, Kendall lulls you a lot. Play off of him and he nails the three. Guard him too close and he’s by you for the score or the pass. The UNC commit is the quintessential point guard in that he always makes everyone around him better. He still struggles guarding quicker opponents, but way more positives than negatives. An eventual All-ACC performer.

Alabama Lasers forward Josh Langford

Austin Rivers-Team Stat- Another of Celtics’ Coach Doc Rivers sons, Austin is definitely a scoring guard. Possessing the ability to blow by you and stop and pop, Rivers may be the best shooting guard in the Class of 2011. A better shooter than older brother Jeremiah, Austin has a little ways to go to catch up to big brothers’ lock down defense. He already has good size and athleticism at 6-foot-3; once his strength catches up with his game he’ll be almost unstoppable. With many heavyweights already on him, Rivers is a definite top 10 player now in his class.

Xavier Henry-Athlete’s First- The accolades Henry gets are well warranted. The most physically imposing guard in the class of 2009, Henry is 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds of muscle, athleticism and skill. His inconsistent jumper of last summer is gone and now completes this high major baller. He teamed with fellow OKC kid Daniel Orton to form the best inside-outside duo in the tournament. Henry is a fearless warrior with no stand out weaknesses in his game. He is clearly a top five player in his class.

Doron Lamb-NY Gauchos- Lamb is a wiry, 6-foot-4 guard/forward, who excels in transition, but does a lot more than score on the break. Lamb can score consistently from mid-range, but like most Gauchos, he’s deadlier going to the rack. He slides and slivers into the lane and finds ways to score with his athleticism and basketball savvy. He must continue to get stronger and work on his jumper from deep. He reminds me of a shorter Julius Hodge, in that he brings a lot of intangibles to the floor. A top 40 player in 2009.

Tristan Spurlock-Boo Williams- Aadd Spurlock to the ever-growing list of 6-foot-7 do-everything forwards. His height and 225-pound frame allow Spurlock the flexibility to play and defend multiple positions. His evolving skill set translates his game from the perimeter to the post seemingly with little effort. He will need to continue to work on his jump shot; which now has range to three, and patting the rock going to the hole. Spurlock’s refinement of skills may lead him to becoming a top 10 player in the class of 2009.

Young boy Tavares Sledge

Tavares Sledge-Alabama Lasers- a very intriguing player in that he’s close to 6-foot-9, but has a good handle and nice stroke and is more comfortable on the perimeter than in the post. Very skinny, Sledge played the five for the Lasers in Nashville out of necessity. That will only help his game as it progresses forward. The long, dread-locked freshman must get much stronger, but should benefit from being banged around inside at the MDC. This Tuscaloosa native will definitely be one to watch in years to come.