i95Ballerz.com’s Reebok Headliner Top Five

Ron Bailey, Publisher

June 2, 2008 – This past weekend, Chantilly, VA’s top-flight sports training facility Hoop Magic Sports Academy hosted the Washington D.C./Baltimore edition of Reebok’s Headliner Tryout Camp. Managed by Keith Stevens and his excellent cadre of coaches and administrators, the Headliner Camp afforded individuals, including those previously not nationally known, to play their way into two elite level, invitation only events: The Reebok All-American and Breakout Underclass Camps.

While the official selections will not be made until tomorrow, June 3rd, and listed on www.prepchamps.com, you know an i95Ballerz.com all-star listing had to be developed.

Following is i95Ballerz.com’s Top Five listing, composed of five student-athletes, regardless of age that distinguished themselves the most. This week, three other squads will be provided, consisting of upper and lower classmen each (campers as young as eighth grade attended), along with young people who didn’t make any of the other all-star teams but whose play demanded special acknowledgement. The i95Ballerz.com listings were composed not only by this author, but other observers of the two day event.

Top Five

1) Mike Gbinije – Only a rising sophomore, Gbinije stood out in drill and game situations; possessing three point range, the ability to attack the rim in whatever situation, handle, defensive tenacity, competitiveness and significant savvy, the sky’s the limit for the 6’6” swingman. Greater strength (upper and lower body) and experience will further advance this precocious youngster from Chester, VA.

2) Ron Gilplaye – Hailing from Newark, DE (and originally calling Boston home), one word described the 6’6” and strong Gilplaye’s work – he ‘beasted’. Not only did Ron attack the rims with force and aggression (his baseline, double pump reverse dunk through contact on Sunday probably stands as the game time slam of this event), but he also defended all positions at various times. Though he has worked on his jumper and it showed with him canning a number of foul line pull ups in drills, Ron still needs to improve his shooting, along with open court handle going into his senior season.

Ron Gilplaye (left) and Thomas Robinson listen to instructions from Keith Stevens.

3) Raphiael ‘Skinny Man’ Putney – At around 6’8” and rail thin, Putney, a Woodbridge, VA resident is aptly nicknamed. But don’t let the thin build fool you, as he will put it down on your head – as he did in drills and game play – or pull up and shoot your eyes out from distance. Deep distance. Obviously Putney, a rising senior who can jump out of the gym needs to get stronger, particularly in the upper body for college, but can also strengthen his handle in open floor and half court situations.

4) Jason West – A 6’5” two guard from the Woodbridge, VA area, West can attack the tin and fill it up from outside. Having attended prep school in Florida, it’s clear West is used to playing against big time competition, a plus for him. Jason needs to focus on the finer points of the game, like leadership and consistent effort, going forward. Greater strength and increased handle will also help the rising senior.

5) Thomas Robinson – A Washington, DC native, Robinson continued to show why he’s become so highly regarded; Thomas dominated, particularly on Sunday, where he displayed his total package in both drills and games, including paint play, defending, and the occasional long jumper. Robinson, a 6’8” long armed, rising senior frontcourt player, has worked on his outside game, and will continue to do so, along with open floor ball handling.