Allen Iverson Roundball Classic 2019: Duke's Boogie Ellis, Cassius Stanley Shine
Apr 26, 2019
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 20: Cassius Stanley #4 brings the ball up the court during the Jordan Brand Classic boys high school all-star basketball game at T-Mobile Arena on April 20, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The third annual Iverson Classic took place on Friday with Isaiah Wongleading Team Honorto a 159-155 win over Team Loyalty.
Wong scored a game-high 38 points in the win, followed by Duke commit Boogie Ellis with 21. Kahlil Whitney (31 points), Cassius Stanley (26 points) and Tre Mann (22 points) also had strong showings.
After spending this week training with Allen Iverson, the nation's top recruits got to showcase their skills on teams coached by former NBA All-Star Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson in front of a raucous crowd at Souderton Area High School in Pennsylvania.
Duke commit Cassius Stanley, who is 247Sports' No. 30 overall recruit in the 2019 class, showed the skills that he will put on display at Cameron Indoor Stadium next season:
Cassius Stanley (@DukeMBB) with the finish. He has four points early and Team Loyalty trails 9-6 with 7:48 left in the 1Q pic.twitter.com/f8PWNRY74w
Duke and Kentucky briefly joined forces when Stanley found Whitney on the wing for an early three-pointer:
Kahlil Whitney (@KentuckyMBB) drills the triple from the wing from Cassius Stanley. He has nine points to lead all scorers as Team Loyalty leads Team Honor, 13-12 with 5:57 left in the 1Q of the @iversonclassicpic.twitter.com/HK3WKO2mM1
The Iverson Classic is still in its developing stages, but it's rapidly becoming a prominent showcase event for college basketball's future stars. This year's incoming freshman class was well represented with stars who are either already established or will make a name for themselves very soon.
On the court with well-established names, Wong turned in his second consecutive standout performance. The future is bright for him as he prepares to attend Miami, as it is for the rest of the players who showed off their skills Friday.
5-Star PF Prospect Matthew Hurt Commits to Duke over Kansas, Kentucky
Apr 19, 2019
Duke landed a commitment Friday from Matthew Hurt, one of the top players in the 2019 recruiting class.
The power forward from John Marshall High School in Rochester, Minnesota, announced his decision at the school auditorium. He was also considering Kansas and Kentucky before picking the Blue Devils.
Hurt is a 5-star recruit and the No. 8 player in the country in 247Sports' composite rankings.
Hurt has dominated at the high school level, averaging 33.9 points, 15.0 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game in his junior season. He scored his 3,000th career point during his senior year and was named a McDonald's All-American.
He was also a key player on the Team USA squad that won the FIBA Americas U18 championship in 2018, along with Coby White and Cole Anthony.
At 6'9" with good athleticism and outstanding skill, Hurt is a force inside on both ends of the court. He has good timing on defense to block and alter shots near the basket, while his advanced post moves allow him to score with consistency offensively.
He can also run the floor well and is capable of knocking down shots from the outside, while his length makes him extremely difficult to defend. Meanwhile, his mentality will also be a plus as he gets to higher levels.
"The moment is never too big for him. Ever," a coach told CJ Moore of The Athletic. "The pressure, the anxiety, the moment will never get to that kid. Ever."
The talented youngster could benefit from added strength before he reaches the college level, as his thin frame could cause problems against top competition inside. However, he is skilled enough to be effective even at his current weight.
Hurt's potential earned him scholarship offers from top schools around the country, including Kansas, North Carolina and Kentucky, but he ended up choosing Duke.
The Blue Devils have produced numerous elite one-and-done players over the years. Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett and Cameron Reddish continued the trend last season, and the newest recruit could do the same.
Whether Hurt does leave after one season or stays for a longer stretch, he could be a star at the college level.
Adding Hurt, Vernon Carey and Wendell Moore to a lineup that will return Tre Jones and more should keep the Blue Devils in the national title conversation in 2019-20.
Jordan Brand Classic 2019: Rosters, Live-Stream Schedule and Preview
Apr 19, 2019
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 12: James Wiseman #12 of USA Team defends against against the World Team on April 12, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of USA Basketball. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 (Photo by Sam Forencich/USA BAsketball)
The 18th annual Jordan Classic will be held in a new venue Saturday, with many of the nation's top high school seniors descending on T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with an opportunity to show off their skills and abilities
This year's All-Star game will get underway at 8 p.m. ET, and the event will be live streamed on Twitter at Jumpman23.
The two teams competing are listed designated Home and Away.
Away Team
Name, Pos, Hgt, Wgt, High School (School Location), College
Name, Pos, Hgt, Wgt, High School (School Location), College
Cole Anthony, PG, 6'2", 185, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, VA), Undecided Armando Bacot, C/PF, 6'10", 240, IMG (Bradenton, FL), North Carolina Vernon Carey Jr., C/PF, 6'10", 275, University School (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), Duke Anthony Edwards, WG, 6'4", 205, Holy Spirit (Atlanta, GA), Georgia Rejean "Boogie" Ellis CG 6'1", 170 Mission Bay (San Diego, CA) Duke Alonzo Gaffney, CF, 6'8", 190, Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, NH), Ohio State Trayce Jackson-Davis, PF, 6'9", 230, Center Grove (Greenwood, IN), Indiana Wendell Moore, WG, 6'5", 210, Cox Mill (Concord, NC), Duke Jahmius Ramsey, WG, 6'3", 190, Duncanville (Duncanville, TX), Texas Tech Chris "C.J." Walker, CF, 6'8", 200, Oak Ridge (Orlando, FL), Oregon Mark "Rocket" Watts, CG, 6'2", 175, Spire Academy (Geneva, OH), Michigan State Romeo Weems, WF, 6'6", 225, South Haven (South Haven, MI), DePaul Patrick Williams, WF, 6'7", 215, West Charlotte (Charlotte, NC), Florida State
Top Stars
BR Video
C James Wiseman
James Wiseman is a game-changing center who checks in at 7'0" and 230 pounds, and he is ESPN.com's No. 1 recruit in the nation.
This left-handed superstar has an extremely long reach (wingspan of 7'4 ½") and excellent skill around the rim and on the defensive side of the ball.
Despite this, he needs to work on his jump shot, which is not a strength.
PG Cole Anthony
Cole Anthony is the son of former NBA star Greg Anthony, and he is the nation's No. 2 recruit on ESPN.com's rankings.
He plays with an attacking style, and ESPN.com's scouting report says he has a "killer instinct." Anthony can shoot three-pointers, has a mid-range game and also take the ball to the hole.
There is little doubt about his skill level and ability to take over a game, but as a point guard, he has to do a better job of distributing the ball and getting his teammates more involved.
Anthony has received scholarship offers from Georgetown, Miami (FL), North Carolina, Notre Dame, Oregon and Wake Forest, per ESPN.com, but he is undecided.
C Vernon Carey Jr.
The 6'10", 275-pound Vernon Carey Jr. is on his way to Duke next season, and like Wiseman, he is another skilled left-handed pivot.
Carey is more of a wide-bodied player who can overpower opponents, but he will surprise opponents because he has an excellent outside shooting touch that extends all the way out to the arc.
While Carey has wonderful skills and looks like he is going to be a mismatch on the offensive end, there are questions about his energy level and how high his motor runs.
As long as he makes sure his feet are moving, he should be a spectacular player as he progresses in his career.
WG Anthony Edwards
Anthony Edwards is a 6'4", 205-pound shooting guard who will enroll at Georgia in the fall, and he is ESPN.com's fifth-rated recruit in the nation.
Edwards is much stronger than nearly all of those he competes against, and that means he can always find a way to make plays after contact. However, he is a lot more than a bully on the court.
The Georgia-bound shooting guard handles the ball well, can be a dynamic passer and shows excellent poise under pressure. He already has a man's body and can dominate the competition, and while others catch up in that area, he also has the basketball intelligence to advance his game to an even further level.
Nike Hoop Summit 2019: Viewing Info, Rosters and Players to Watch
Apr 11, 2019
With the 2019 NCAA Tournament now in the rearview, and top-tier players like Duke's RJ Barrett headed to the NBA and Zion Williamson likely to follow suit, men's college basketball is left with one simple question: Who's next?
This year's Nike Hoop Summit is meant to provide a resounding answer to that all-important inquiry.
Twenty-four of the best prep players will play in the 22nd annual showcase at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, on Friday.
In a game that has had nine of the past No. 1 overall NBA Draft picks showcase their talents, 12 of the top-ranked high school seniors in America will represent the USA team, while the World team will have 12 of the best international players 19 years old or younger.
Not only will these young players be battling for bragging rights, but they'll also be vying for the mantle of college basketball's next big thing.
Here's a quick look at how to catch the action and which players to watch.
The rosters are courtesy of the event's official website.
Team USA (Position, Height, Weight, Age, School/*Letter of intent, Hometown)
Rosters for the 2019, Nike Hoop Summit, Friday April 12 @ModaCenter. USA Team Roster 🇺🇸 Cole Anthony, Vernon Carey Jr., De’Vion Harmon, Matthew Hurt, Scottie Lewis, Tyrese Maxey, Justin Moore, Wendell Moore Jr., Isaac Okoro, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Isaiah Stewart, James Wiseman. pic.twitter.com/RoPRWYzDbr
Cole Anthony | G | 6'3" | 175 lbs | 18 | Oak Hill Academy, New York, NY Vernon Carey Jr. | F | 6'10" | 230 lbs | 18 | University School/*Duke, Southwest Ranches, FL De'Vion Harmon | G | 6'2" | 196 lbs | 18 | John Guyer H.S./*Oklahoma, Corinth, TX Matthew Hurt | F | 6'8" | 215 lbs | 18 | John Marshall H.S. Rochester, MN Scottie Lewis | G | 6'5" | 185 lbs | 19 | Ranney School/*Florida, Hazlet, NJ Tyrese Maxey | G | 6'4" | 185 lbs | 18 | South Garland H.S./*Kentucky, Dallas, TX Justin Moore | G | 6'4" | 200 lbs | 19 | DeMatha Catholic H.S./*Villanova, Accokeek, MD Wendell Moore Jr. | F | 6'6" lbs | 210 | 17 | Cox Mill H.S./*Duke, Charlotte, NC Isaac Okoro | F | 6'6" | 201 lbs | 18 | McEachern H.S./*Auburn, Powder Springs, GA Jeremiah Robinson-Earl | F | 6'9" | 230 lbs | 18 | IMG Academy, FL/*Villanova, Overaland Park, KS Isaiah Stewart | F | 6'9" | 248 lbs | 17 | La Lumiere School, IN/*Washington, Rochester, NY James Wiseman | F | 7'1" | 240 lbs| 18 | East H.S./*Memphis, Memphis, TN
Team World
Rosters for the 2019, Nike Hoop Summit, Friday April 12. World Team Roster 🌍 Andre Curbelo, Nico Mannion, Joshua Obiesie, Josh Green, Marcos Louzada Silva, Matthew Alexander-Moncrieffe, Haowen Guo, Precious Achiuwa, Oscar Tshiebwe, N’Faly Dante, Marko Pecarski, & Kofi Cockburn. pic.twitter.com/sX7HGSMOJa
Andre Curbelo | G | 6'1" | 165 lbs | 17 | Long Island Lutheran, NY (2020), Puerto Rico Nico Mannion | G | 6'4" | 192 lbs | 18Pinnacle High School, AZ/*Arizona, Italy Joshua Obiesie | G | 6'6" | 190 lbs | 18 IBAM/s.Oliver Wurzburg, Wurzburg, Germany Josh Green | G | 6'6" | 205 lbs | 18 | IMG Academy, FL/*Arizona, Australia Marcos Louzada Silva | G | 6'6" | 190 lbs | 19SESI/Franca, Sao Paulo, Brazil Matthew Alexander-Moncrieffe | F | 6'7" | 200 lbs | 18 | Orangeville Prep, Ontario (2020), Canada Haowen Guo | F | 6'6" | 180 lbs | 19 | Bayi Military, Zhejiang, China Precious Achiuwa | F | 6'9" | 215 lbs | 19 | Montverde Academy, FL/Undecided, Nigeria Oscar Tshiebwe | F | 6'9" | 250 lbs | 19 | Kennedy Catholic, PA/*West Virginia, D.R. Congo N'Faly Dante | C | 6'11" | 230 lbs | 17 | Sunrise Christian, KS (2020), Mali Marko Pecarski | F | 6'10" | 220 lbs | 19 | KK Partizan, Belgrade, Serbia Kofi Cockburn | C | 6'11" | 290 lbs | 19 | Oak Hill Academy, VA/*Illinois, Jamaica
Players to Watch
James Wiseman, F/C, Team USA
When it comes to this year's upstart wave of talent, James Wiseman is the equivalent of Chopes in Teahupoʻo.
The 7-footer is the top-ranked player in the class of 2019 on the ESPN 100, and he plays like it.
The Memphis-bound defensive anchor is a versatile big with an array of low post moves and an affinity for protecting the rim.
Wiseman averaged 25.5 points, 14.3 rebounds and a whopping 5.4 blocks per game this season and led East High School to the state championship.
The shot-blocking machine was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year for 2019 for his efforts and plans on reviving basketball for the Tigers and getting them back to the world stage for the first time since Derrick Rose led them to the championship game in 2008.
The 17-year old five-star prospect is known for his athleticism and ability to run the floor. He's also skilled offensively and has a soft touch around the basket.
"I think he has all the ingredients, for him it's just been putting it together on a consistent basis, playing hard every possession," ESPN NBA Draft analyst Mike Schmitz told Adam Zagoria of Forbes before the McDonald's All American game. "I think out here, he's shown that, that he's improved his motor. Whether that's something that's going to be consistent moving forward is obviously something that we'll track."
Considering how he played in the McDonald's All American game, look for Wiseman, who is projected to be the No. 1 draft pick in 2020, to come out swinging for this one.
Cole Anthony, G, Team USA
Cole Anthony showed up and showed out at this year's McDonald's All American game.
With a stat line of 14 points, five rebounds and seven assists, the 6'3" combo guard from Oak Hill Academy led the East team to a 115-100 victory and took home the game's MVP award.
Still undecided on where he'll play college ball, the player nicknamed "The Phenom" for his combination of quickness, court vision and ability to create off the bounce, left his imprint on the game on both ends of the floor, getting his teammates involved and blowing by defenders on the way to the rack.
Anthony's all-around impact should come as no surprise to those who caught his highlight-reel act at Oak Hill, where he averaged a triple-double as a senior: 17.8 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists per game.
He also averaged 26.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists last summer at Nike's EYBL tournament and earned an MVP nod for his performance.
Additionally, Anthony checks a lot of boxes in the talent column. He's got the athleticism with a 43-inch vertical and lightning-fast first step. He's born for this, too. Literally. His father is 11-year NBA veteran Greg Anthony, and Cole projects to be better than his dad as a professional.
For now, though, he'll be choosing from a shortened list of schools (Oregon, Notre Dame, Georgetown and North Carolina) and will make his mark against top competition in Portland.
Josh Green, G, World Team
If Josh Green looks familiar to Hoop Summit fans, it's not just a case of deja vu.
The Australian guard out of IMG Academy played in the game last year, finishing with 11 points and three assists, helping the World Select Team get an 89-76 win over Team USA.
Now armed with experience, expect the 6'6" slasher to make an even bigger impact and showcase his athleticism and shooting ability in front of scouts.
Just as Green said he enjoys playing in transition, IMG head coach Sean McAloon agrees that Green is at his best when wheeling and dealing on the run.
"He's the best transition player I've ever been around—absolutely unbelievable," IMG head coach Sean McAloon told ESPN's Thomas Neumann back in January. "People don't realize that he's a really good passer. He sees things that other people don't see."
While Green is drawing some comparisons to his fellow Aussie Ben Simmons, he's quick to set the record straight.
"I don't really pattern my game after anyone else. My goal is just to be me," Green said. "I love to get in transition and either score or make plays. It's a team game, so I love to make plays and get my teammates involved."
Green is headed to Arizona this year, so look for him to deliver an encore performance on Friday to help his squad walk away with another big win.
5-Star 2019 Guard Cole Anthony Narrows College Decision to UNC, Notre Dame, More
Mar 31, 2019
Oak Hill Academy's Cole Anthony is seen before a game against IMG Academy during a high school basketball game at the Hoophall Classic, Sunday, January 20, 2019, in Springfield, MA. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
North Carolina, Oregon, Notre Dame and Georgetown will all be watching the Final Four from home, but they can take solace in one thing—they are finalists in the recruitment of guard Cole Anthony.
Anthony announced he trimmed his list of potential schools to four on Sunday:
According to 247Sports' composite rankings, Anthony is a 5-star prospect and the No. 4 overall player and No. 1 combo guard in the class of 2019.
Anthony is the son of Greg Anthony, who won an NCAA championship at UNLV and played 11 seasons in the NBA for the New York Knicks, Vancouver Grizzlies, Seattle SuperSonics, Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks.
Evan Daniels, who is 247Sports' director of basketball recruiting, listed Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell as Anthony's NBA comparison and pointed to the latter's explosive first step as an offensive playmaker that helps him get into the lane and out in transition.
"He has also improved a great deal as a shooter from long-range" and "gives terrific energy, slides his feet well laterally and has a great motor" on the defensive side as a notable two-way player.
North Carolina stands out among his four finalists as one of the best basketball programs in the country that routinely competes for national championships and sends players to the NBA. The Tar Heels are waiting on NBA decisions from Nassir Little and Coby White and may need Anthony to help make up for their production.
Elsewhere, Oregon is no longer just a football school thanks to head coach Dana Altman and advanced to the Sweet 16 this year even though it needed to win the Pac-12 tournament just to make the Big Dance. It also made the Final Four in 2017 and Elite Eight in 2016.
Georgetown hasn't made the NCAA tournament since 2015 but improved by four wins from head coach Patrick Ewing's first to second season, while Notre Dame went to the Elite Eight in 2015 and 2016 before missing the past two March Madness fields.
The 42nd annual McDonald's All-American Game took place Wednesday night at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. While another exciting weekend of the 2019 NCAA men's basketball tournament ...
The 2019 McDonald's All-American Game was full of superstar talent. The nation's 18 highest-rated college basketball recruits ― plus six more ― gathered for the all-star showcase in Atlanta...
Two dozen of the best college basketball prospects have convened in Atlanta for Wednesday's 2019 McDonald's All-American Game, and fans should get familiar with these high-profile recruits...
4-Star SF Prospect Christian Brown Commits to Georgia over Georgetown
Mar 15, 2019
Christian Brown gave Georgiamen's basketball fans reason to be excited about the future when he verbally committed to play for the Bulldogs.
Brown informed 247Sports' Evan Daniels of his decision Friday.
"I'm headed to Georgia and I'm picking Georgia because it's close to home and Georgia has always been a second home to me since I was younger," the South Carolina native said. "Knowing I have good people, it's relaxing. I just love the environment. I know the plan is to go to the next level and to get better I think I needed to go to Georgia."
Georgia now has the fifth-ranked recruiting class of 2019, per 247Sports, with Brown's commitment. Tom Crean's class also includes 5-star guard Anthony Edwards, whom 247Sports ranks as the No. 2 overall recruit for 2019.
Prior to picking the Bulldogs, Brown was being recruited by the likes of Georgetown, Oklahoma State and South Carolina.247Sports rates him as a 4-star prospect and Virginia's third-ranked recruit.
There's a lot to like about the 6'6", 205-pound small forward's game, as Rivals.com showed:
And as this clip from Overtime displays, the star from Oak Hill Academy in Virginia has no trouble sending fans into a frenzy:
When going up against the top-ranked power forward in the class of 2018 and fellow South Carolinian Zion Williamson, Brown didn't back down, via Take Flight Hoops:
BrowntoldMike Grimalaof the Las Vegas Sun in April:
"People say I can have a Kawhi Leonard type game on defense. That's why I've been working on my defense and trying to get quicker on D so I can lock down multiple positions.
"I can shoot, I'm a good driver and slasher. Don't let me get to the basket or somebody's going to get on a poster. Highlight reel. That's what I know I'm good at."
While many recruits are drawn to storied programs such as North Carolina and Kentucky, this teenager wanted more than just name recognition.
"I don't really care about the name of the school," Brown said, via Eric Bossi of Rivals.com. "I care about the relationships."
As it turns out, Crean and Co. were the ones to establish the best relationship with the highly touted youngster.
"He's a great coach," Brown said of the first-year Bulldogs coach, per Daniels. "I've been knowing Tom Crean since my sophomore year. He coached me at Nations. I know his coaching style. He'll push you and get you to where you need to be. That's what I need."
Brown will now have the opportunity to try to help the Bulldogs return to relevancy. This is a program that just one NCAA tournament appearance since 2011 and none since 2015. Then again, the Crean era is only just beginning in Georgia, as the former Indiana coach previously led the Hoosiers to the Big Dance four times during his tenure in Bloomington.
Many believe the hype surrounding the recruit is real. Now, he will have the opportunity to prove it himself at Georgia.
When you get to the 5-star level of college basketball recruiting, the notion of being overrated is a relative concept. Of course, all of these kids can play. Most—if not all—programs would go to great lengths to land them...
