Thursday, December 25, 2014
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
DC Premier Upgrades for NYBL
DC Primer 2019 |
With little fan fair, DCP enjoyed decent success in 2014 with a big win at Boo Williams’ Nike Elite Tourney, and their AAU Regional title in April. In addition, DCP demonstrated their potential last year at the King James Shooting Star Classic where they took a loaded All-Ohio Red team right down to the wire before allowing a close game to slip away late in the quarterfinals (39-45 final). After their 9th place finish at the AAU Nationals this summer (defeated Texas Express Elite 53-50) it was clear DCP would be a team to be reckoned with going forward. Most recently, DCP went undefeated in the Largo High School JV League playing up against older kids. During there run to the champioship, they took down a very competitive Team Takeover.
Makhi Mitchell, Marvin Price, Makhel Mitchell, Christian DePollar & Sharif Kenny |
Fast forward to 2015 and DC Primer’s roster will include 6 players who are ranked among the NYBL’s Top 100 payer rankings. DCP will again be anchored by twin towers Mekhi (6’7/WF/MD), and Mikhel Mitchell (6’7/C/MD). The Mitchell twins are a dynamic duo that will give DCP one of the biggest frontcourts in the class. Key returnees for DCP include: Casey Morsell (5’11/SG/MD), Tiger Simms (6’2/WF/MD), Evan Buckley (5’10/SG/VA), Anwar Gill 6'2/WF/DC), Preston Bacon (5'10/PG/VA) and Mike Sumner Jr. (5'9/PG/MD/2020). New to the team this upcoming season will be Marvin Price (6’4/WF/MD) and Christian DePollar (6’4/WF/MD). In terms of Sherif Kinney, according to Coach Perry, he (Kenny) will float between both the 2018 and 2019 teams. We had the opportunity watch DePollar, Price and Kenny this season and we were very impressed with their talent.
As currently constructed, DC Premier is legitimately among the top 3-4 teams in the nation in 2019, and has a great opportunity at a NYBL National Championship. Having been exposed to the NYBL late last season, Coach Perry is looking forward to his team participating in the elite league. "Every weekend we expect to face tough battles," said Perry. "We will have to bring our A game every week. All those teams [in the NYBL] finished high at the [AAU] Nationals last year. The league made them battled tested," continued Perry. Not only was Perry impressed with the competition the NYBL had to offer, he also recognized the camaraderie and relationships between the players, parents and coaches. "It was like a big family," offered Perry. "The kids and teams were very close knit. That's what I want for my kids," Perry said. The addition of DC Premier to an already competitive league will create some great match-ups and some very compelling games. Can't wait!
Friday, November 7, 2014
City Stars Prepares for NYBL
2014 City Stars |
Burton’s roster will remain intact, and includes elite guys like Ernest “EJ” Jackson (5’4 /PG/CA), Jaden McClanahan (5’8/WG/CA) and Jovan McClanahan (5’8/WG/CA), all of whom are ranked in the NYBL’s Top 100 player rankings. When the NYBL season tips off in in March, Burton’s upgraded roster will include the addition of Kevin White (6’4/PF/C/CA), who balled with Surf City this season, and Ethan Anderson (6’1/P/SG/CA), who ran with OC Vision this year. Also returning are: Jordon Wilmore (5’8/WF/CA), Demarjae Gilmore (5'9/SG/WF/ CA), Dorian Stewart (5'6/SG/CA) and JR OLofton (6'2 W/PF/CA).
In an interview earlier this week, Morris indicated that he and Burton had discussed the partnership last year, but the talks did not get serious until several months ago. Morris feels the collaboration is a good fit for both partys, as both organization “are keen on helping kids develop, while providing opportunities for kids to compete,” said Morris. According to Burton, his primary motivation for joining forces with Morris’ organization is all about “representing the west coast.” “They [WCAS] did not have an 8th grade team and I wanted to bring the west coast to the east coast to show the east coast we [west coast] are on the same [talent] level,” said Burton. “A lot of coaches have pride and egos and don’t want to get together to build an elite west coast team,” continued Burton. "I don’t care about the name on the jersey, I want our [west coast] kids to get the experience of playing the best,” offered Burton. "I tried to do this a couple of years ago, but everybody wants to poke their chests out…to be the man,” Burton said.
E. Williams, J. Harris, P. Dawson, D. Dupenia, W. McClendon and N. Velnzia |
With the addition of the City Stars, Morris is excited about the 3 teams that will represent his organization and will travel east to participate in the 3rd season of the NYBL. With core of the 2019 roster still intact, plus a few additions, Morris expects his 2019 team to compete for a NYBL National Championship. “We’re coming to win it,” Morris said. “I expect us to win it. We will be loaded. We will able to leverage Jason [Harris] and Ben [Todd],” continued Morris. Jason Harris, who has grown to 6’6 by the way, and Todd will see action on both the 2019 and 2020 teams. In addition, now that Paris Dawson (5'10/SG/CA) has reclassed to 2021, he will split time with the 2020 and 2021 teams. That will give Morris’ teams a lot of flexibility. “We expect all 3 of our teams to be competitive,” Morris continued. Burton is equally optimistic about his team’s chances of winning a NYBL National Championship. “It [NYBL] offers a great opportunity. I was there last year and saw all of the teams and the level of competition. I really think they [his team] they are going to play 150% better in the league. My guys are looking forward to it [playing in the NYBL]. When the lights come on, my guys come to play. We are seeking to be #1,” Burton said.
In terms of his 2020 team, Morris returns all of his top guys including: Parris Dawson, William McClendon, Nicolas Velnzia, & Tyrone Washington Jr. Morri's team also adds size and depth with the additions of Benjamin Todd (6’7/C/CA) and Dillon Depina (6’1/PF/CA). Before committing to the WCAS, there had been rumors Todd would be running with WACG next season; however, his roster spot with WCAS appears to confirm his intentions to stay closer to home. Depina was a last minute addition to the Oakland Solders’ roster last year, so he brings NYBL experience to the table. With all of the returning players plus the new additions, the WCAS have an excellent chance of claiming back-to-back NYBL National Championships. With respect to
Morris' 6th grade team, they are currently ranked as the #5 best team on the west coast, making them one of the favorites to collect another NYBL National Championship for the organization. Headlining that team ais a quartet of guards including: Dawson, Zaon Collins (5'7/G/NV), Brandon Perez (5'9/G/CA), Ricardo Samierto (5'5/PG AZ), and Mekhi Morrise (5'0 PG/CA). "Look out for for an uptempo style of run and gun play from the West Coast Stars," proclaimed Morris.
Morris' 6th grade team, they are currently ranked as the #5 best team on the west coast, making them one of the favorites to collect another NYBL National Championship for the organization. Headlining that team ais a quartet of guards including: Dawson, Zaon Collins (5'7/G/NV), Brandon Perez (5'9/G/CA), Ricardo Samierto (5'5/PG AZ), and Mekhi Morrise (5'0 PG/CA). "Look out for for an uptempo style of run and gun play from the West Coast Stars," proclaimed Morris.
2020 West Coast All-Stars-2014 NYBL National Champions |
Coming off their runner-up finish at the AAU nationals, plus the addition of some key pieces, the 2019 West Coast Stars can make a legitimate argument for the #1 spot in the nation. Of course Team CP3 has that honor right now and it's doubtful they plan to relinquish the crown until it’s taken on the court. However, in terms of the NYBL, Burton’s team has to be the favorite when the 2015 season tips off in March of next year. Get your popcorn folks, the West Coast is coming and they plan to prove a point!
On a side note, Morris and Burton are not the only coaches planing to represent the west coast in the NYBL next season, as the NGA Stars are ready to flex some muscle as well. The Stars are currently ranked as the #3 team on the west coast. More on the Stars later as we plan to introduce that team.
Friday, October 24, 2014
NYBL 2020 National Rankings
S. Morrow, T. Williams, K. Walker, J. Harris, J. Toles, D. Billings |
The NYBL staff has worked very hard to compile the most
complete and accurate National
Basketball Class of 2020 Top 60
Ranking. The NYBL staff has had the
pleasure of watching and evaluating these players during the competitive second
NYBL season, at the 6th Grade AAU Nationals in Hampton, VA, at the
Basketball Spotlight Future Phenom Camp, at the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase where
the NYBL All Star Top 20 game took place and at various other tournaments and
camps around the country this past AAU season.
These rankings are post season rankings that will be updated after this
upcoming year’s AAU season around the same time. When looking at our rankings we take into
account the performance, production and potential of the prospect. Also, the players IQ and skill set come into
the equation when we evaluate players.
Although many things can change between a player’s 6th Grade
year and his senior year of high school, we believe that this is a good
starting point in the evaluation process for the talented players that are
trying to earn college scholarships. We
understand that there will be debate that some players should be higher or
lower in the rankings, and that players will move in and out of the class due
to the reclassification phenomenon from year to year and certain players will
get better and others will not, some will stop growing and others will spout up,
but it will be our goal to provide the best and most accurate list through our
evaluation process. So let’s dig in and
analyze the Class of 2020 Top 60 National Basketball Rankings.
The
Perimeter Rules but we are Starting to see Major Size Patrolling the Paint
Right now the breakdown of the Top 60 is still heavily
weighted to the perimeter. Although the
perimeter has more depth because the class if still young and developing, some
players with major size are starting to make an impact on the circuit and in
turn in the national rankings. There are
15 Players that are 6’4” or taller or 25% of the Top 60. There are 10 Point Guards, 17 Wing Guards, 10 Wing Forwards, 10 Power Forwards,
and 13 Centers that comprise the Top 60.
The Wing Guard position (many call them Shooting Guard) is the deepest
position in the class. 22 of the Top 60 played in the NYBL. We have also included a 15 player Watch List
of players that we are monitoring and could crack the Top 60 rankings when they
are updated next fall (will be expanded to a Top 100 when this class moves to 8th
Grade).
Each
Position is Strong at the Top but Depth is an Issue
Hunter Jackson, Jaden Springer, Tyler Brelsford, AJ Hoggard & Chase Ellis |
The
Pre-Season Top 3 Teams Have a lot of Talent
Last season’s 6th
Grade AAU National Champion Oakland
Soldiers and the AAU National Runner
–Up WACG All Stars are both loaded
with top ranked players as Oakland Soldiers has four in the Top 60 and WACG has five in the Top 60 with the rumored addition of Ben Todd. The new kid on the block from Baltimore Slam City Elite boasts eight Top 60 players. Many question if this talented group has
enough balls to go around, can they put their egos aside, play as a team, and
sacrifice in order to win the National Championship. We are anxious to see what other teams and
players come out of nowhere like the St. Louis Wildcats and Rashard McDaniels
did last year at AAU Nationals.
The DMV/Baltimore
seems to Produce the Most Talent
13 of
the Top 60 players hail from the DMV/Baltimore which is DC,
Maryland and Northern VA. Team Takeover
#11 and DC Premier NR (Placed in the Top 10 8u – 11u) are the top two programs
and continue to churn out DI players.
The DMV produces approximately 75 DI players on a yearly basis. Terrance Williams (#2), Jordan Toles (#6),
Tyler Brelsford (#10), Isaiah Todd (#13) are the Top 4 ranked players in the
DMV and are all ranked in the Top 20 in the class. Cameron Byers (#24) rounds out the Top 5
players in the DMV. North Carolina is also becoming a hotbed for youth basketball’s top
talent as Five Top 60 players hail
from the Tar Heel State. (Note: The
Class of 2019 has Twelve Top 100
players from the state of North Carolina.)
The
West Coast is More Relevant in 2020
The Class of 2020 has more talent on the West Coast than the
Class of 2019 does. 6 of the Top 21 players are from the West and 9 of the Top 60 versus only 6
of the Top 100 for the Class of 2019 are from the West. This makes sense as two of the top teams in
the country are from the West in Oakland Soldiers and West Coast All Stars.
The
NYBL will also be releasing National Rankings for the Class of 2021 (Top 25) in
the next few weeks. Also please check
out the recent press release below with the announcement of the
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Slam City Elite Prepares for NYBL
Slam City Elite |
Dubbed the “Terror Squad,” by some national media, Bill Francis' newly constructed Slam City Elite (class of 2020) has caused quite a stir around the country in only a few short weeks. Boasting a roster full of nationally ranked players, the DMV based squad’s recent run through the Tri State Summer League in New York City has officially put teams on notice that there is another player on the scene and has announced their arrival to the nation. Slam City’s most impressive prize to date was the 79-72 win over the #5 ranked New Your Gauchos. This win was the first step in building a national “resume,” while providing some legitimacy to their preseason #1 ranking. In addition to the victory over the Gauchos, Slam City Elite took down New Heights, the PSA Cardinals and Milbank during their stay in the Big Apple.
As one might expect, some of the “blue bloods” of the class have taken issue with all of the hype this newly formed team has already garnered, and some have let their feelings be known through various media outlets. One has to imagine that the reigning AAU National Champions, Oakland Solders and the reigning NYBL National Champions West Coast All-Stars are taking issue with all of the hype this young team is getting. Clearly, WACG’s flamboyant coach, Carlos Williams has some serious concerns as evidenced by his frank comments in 2 recent interviews, where he questions Slam City’s resume and status as the top team.
Mike Morris, head coach of the West Coast All-Stars is not real concerned about the hype Slam City is receiving. “At the end of the day, we have to lace them up and play,” said Morris. “I don’t see their [Slam City Elite] ranking as disrespectful [to us], we plan to earn what we get any ways. You have to settle it on the court,” continued Morris. Juno Thomas, the head man for the Oakland Solders has respect for what Francis has put together, but feels the Solders are the number 1 team until they are beaten. "They [Slam City] has a great collection of talent; they have a couple of reclasses. A lot of teams are pattering themselves after the Solders, Thomas said. "They can't be considered #1 until they play some of the top teams. They beat the Gauchos by 7 points which is really not that much; we beat them by 18 points at the [AAU] Nationals this year," said Thomas.
T. Williams, J. Toles, C.Byers, AJ Hoggard & T. Brelsford |
Stacking a team with multiple elite players is not a new phenomenon (i.e., Oakland Solders, WACG, etc.), but the Slam City Elite situation is a bit different, in that most of the players hale from the same area, and several of their top guys (Terrence Williams, Cameron Byers, AJ Hoggard and Tyler Brelsford) were recently elite players in the class of 2019, which has proven to be a very talented class. Also on their roster are Jordan Toles, a top 5 talent in the class. Not only did Toles excel in the ultra competitive NYBL last season, his play in New York recently demonstrated his elite athleticism and significant upside potential, and confirmed his place among the best in the class. Also on that squad are Isaiah Todd, Montez McNeil, Ryan Conway, Demon Clowney and Austin Allison, all of whom are elite level players. In fact, according to some, Todd could eventually be the best long-term prospect on the team, and that’s saying a whole lot!
Over the last 2 seasons, the NYBL has attracted the most elite teams in the country, as evidenced by the AAU National Championships our teams (Team CP3 & Oakland Solders) have garnered. In 2015, with the addition of Slam City Elite in 2020 and DC Premiere in 2019, the league could crown another AAU National Champion, and is poised for another strong year. With the return of our 2019 and 2020 NYBL National Champions (All-Ohio Red and West Coast All-Stars), the NYBL will remain the most competitive event in the country. Can't wait for the ball to tip in March of 2015!
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
NYBL 2019 National Rankings
The NYBL staff has worked very hard to compile the most
complete and accurate National
Basketball Class of 2019 Top 100
Ranking. The NYBL staff has had the
pleasure of watching and evaluating these players during the competitive second
NYBL season, at the 7th Grade AAU Nationals in Memphis, TN, at the
Basketball Spotlight Future Phenom Camp, at the Buckeye Prep Elite Showcase where
the NYBL All Star Top 20, Top 40, and Top 60 games took place and at various
other tournaments and camps around the country this past AAU season. This ranking is a post season ranking that
will be updated after this upcoming year’s AAU season around the same time. When looking at our rankings we take into
account the Performance, Production and Potential of the prospect. Also the players IQ and Skill Set come into
the equation when we evaluate players.
Although many things can change between a players 7th Grade
year and his senior year of High School, we believe that this is a good
starting point in the evaluation process for the talented players that are
trying to earn college scholarships. We
understand that there will be debate that some players should be higher or
lower in the rankings, and that players will move in and out of the class due
to the reclassification phenomenon from year to year and certain players will
get better and others will not, some will stop growing and others will spout up
but it will be our goal to provide the best and most accurate list through our
evaluation process. So let’s dig in and
analyze the Class of 2019 Top 100 National Basketball Rankings.
The Perimeter
Rules but we are Starting to see Major Size Patrolling the Paint
Pierre, Moore, Sanders, Langley, Moseley, Antonie, Harris & Shouse |
Wing Forwards are
Still the Cream of the Crop in 2019
R, Barrett, W. Moore, C. Lawson & S. Kenny |
12 of the Top 23
players in the country are Wing Forwards led by 6’5” Rowan Barrett, Jr. who
plays for the Canadian based Brampton Warriors and many feel that he will land
in the USA for his High School career.
Barrett is also the overall #1 player in the 2019 class. Barrett is followed by Wendell Moore, Shariff
Kenny, Chandler Lawson, and Marvin Price as the Top 5 Wing Forwards in the
class.
The Best Players
Play on the Best Teams
Wendell Moore checks
in as the Overall #3 prospect and second Wing Forward in the class. He was injured during the NYBL Championship
and AAU Nationals but CP3 had 6 other Top 100 players that allowed them to take
second place in the NYBL and repeat as AAU National Champions. Chris Hinton, Kobe Langley, Keyshaun Langley,
Mike Green , Max Farthing, and Chaz Gwyn all are ranked 55 or higher and with
the addition of 11th ranked Myles
Pierre who is the #1 Wing Guard in
the Class, CP3 looks poised again to 3Peat at the 8th Grade AAU
Nationals in Orlando, FL. 34 of the Top 100 players played on a
team that placed in the Top 10 at AAU Nationals in Memphis, TN. Team CP3 (7), City Stars (3), All Ohio Red
(6), Team Takeover (4), George Hill Rising Stars (5), Memphis War Eagles (3),
Memphis Wildcats (1), DC Premier (3), WACG All Stars (2). Note:
Terrance Williams and Tyler Brelsford would have made the Top 100 and
given Team Takeover 6 players and make it 36 of the Top 100 but they have moved
into the 2020 Class.
The DMV seems to
Produce the Most Talent
16 of the Top 100
players hail from the DMV which is DC, Maryland and Northern VA. Team Takeover #4 and DC Premier #9 are the
top two programs and continue to churn out DI players. The DMV produces approximately 75 DI players on
a yearly basis. Shariff Kenny (#4),
Justin Moore (#12), Marvin Price (#14), Mekhi Mitchell (#18) are the Top 4
ranked players in the DMV and are all ranked in the Top 20 in the class. Christian DePollar (#42) rounds out the Top 5
players in the DMV.
The West Coast
Produced the Top Point Guards in 2019
T. Campbell, J. Francis, M. Walker, A. Nembhard, E. Jackson & K. Langley |
Tyger Campbell is the
#1 Point Guard and #8 overall ranked player currently lives in Tennessee
via the West Coast. Jovan
Blacksher (#4 ranked PG) and EJ
Jackson (#8 ranked PG) hail from Arizona and California respectively. We know that the West Coast doesn’t get as
much love compared to the East Coast but it is apparent that they did something
right when it comes to the 2019 Point Guard class. Many scouting services have these three point
guards in their Top 5 Points Guards and Top 20 overall.
The NYBL will also be
releasing National Rankings for the the Class of 2020 (Top 60) and the Class of
2021 (Top 25) in the next few weeks.
Also please check out the recent press release below with the
announcement of the 3rd Season of the NYBL with Dates and Locations.
Friday, September 26, 2014
NYBL Press Release
National Youth
Basketball League Returns for Third Season
Columbus, Ohio (September 26, 2014) – Season
#3 of the National Youth Basketball League (NYBL) will once again reflect
significant growth, both in terms of the number of divisions (3) as well as the
number of teams (96). With the addition
of the class of 2021, 16 new teams in the class of 2020, and an additional 8
teams in 2019, the NYBL continues to trend upward. Not only will season #3 host
more teams, but the quality of teams and the level of competition will remain
high.
The 2015 NYBL season will again encompass 4
sessions and will feature 2 new sites and 2 traditional locations. As was the
case the first two seasons, the 2015 campaign will tip off in the nation’s
capital the weekend of March 21st-22nd; Session 2 is
scheduled for April 25th and 26th in Richmond, Virginia;
Session #3 is set for Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (just south of Knoxville) May 22nd-24th;
and the league will conclude with the NYBL Finals the weekend of June 6th-7th
in Columbus, Ohio.
The NYBL’s motto, Elite Competition and Maximum Exposure, was on full display during
the 2014 season. In fact, in terms of league competitiveness last season, NYBL
teams again dominated at the AAU Nationals.
As evidence, in both the 6th & 7th grade AAU
Nationals, NYBL teams (Team CP3 & Oakland Soldiers) took home national
championships. In addition, as was the
case the first 2 seasons, the high level of exposure generated by the NYBL will
be unprecedented and unmatched, as the league has re-established partnerships
with many of the major media outlets that traditionally cover middle school
basketball. Not only will media outlets such as the Buckeye Prep Report,
Basketball Spotlight, Middle School Hoops, Prolific Performance, DMV Elite and
Lineage of Champions be covering every move the NYBL makes next season, but the
league’s official website will also be offering more coverage, including
session-by-session recaps, top performer lists, player and team profiles,
special feature stories as well as national individual and team rankings. Based
on the number of NYBL players that are ranked in the recent top 100 national
rankings, it’s clear that the NYBL-generated exposure has played a significant
role in determining those rankings!
The season-three format will mirror season
two. Specifically, each of the teams in their respective divisions will be
divided into four, 5-10 team divisions (depending on the division), and during
each of 4 sessions each team will play a total of 5 games (3 games on Saturday
and 2 games on Sunday) against teams from an opposing division. Team standings,
individual player stats, team and individual player profiles and photo
galleries will be posted on the NYBL’s website (http://www.nyblelite.blogspot.com). At
the conclusion of the first 3 sessions, the NYBL will culminate in a national
championship in Columbus, Ohio the weekend of June 6th-7th 2015. Although
others will attempt to match our success, the NYBL has built a solid foundation
in just 2 years, has established a credible reputation, and still represents
the standard by which middle school basketball leagues are judged! Come join us in year three and experience the
hottest event in middle school basketball!
2015 NYBL Session Dates & Locations:
Session #1 March
21st - 22nd, 2015 Washington D.C.
Session #2 April
25th-26th, 2015 Richmond,
Virginia
Session #3 May
22nd-24th, 2015 Pigeon
Forge, Tennessee
Session #4 June
6th-7th, 2015 Columbus,
Ohio
All-Star Weekend September 19-20th, 2015 Columbus, Ohio
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