News & Notes From ABCD
by Ray Floriani
TEANECK, N.J. – A quick rundown of some of the action of the first two days at ABCD. The players are represented on 14 teams. Each team plays a game in the afternoon and one in the evening. The schedule allows for action on two to four courts at FDU’s Rothmam Center on a given time slot. Naturally, a great deal of talent is present for what Reebok bills as “America’s # 1 Elite Proving Ground”.
Miles Beatty and Travon Woodall represented New Jersey prep power St. Anthony’s. Beatty, a 6’3″ guard with the ability to get to the basket and hit from the perimeter spoke about his college intentions. A senior, Beatty is closely looking at the likes of Virginia, Maryland, St. John’s, Rutgers, Seton Hall and Miami. “Academics and playing time are my priorities,” Beatty said after his initial contest on Thursday. “I want to go to a place where I don’t have to wait until my junior year to get a lot of playing time. I don’t expect to come in and start but I would like to get playing time right away. Beatty is also taking a close look on how Fred Hill and Bobby Gonzalez are doing at Rutgers and Seton Hall. “It’s interesting,” Beatty said about the two New Jersey Big East programs. “I’m going to sit back awhile and watch.” Beatty also added that he could be very intrigued and cast his lot if one of the programs, Rutgers or Seton Hall, makes a significant upgrade in the very near future.
Woodall, a junior guard, is a rarity at ABCD. Don’t expect and Iverson-esque crossovers or whirling twists and turns to the basket. Woodall is here to work on an almost forgotten art: passing. The St. Anthony’s point guard told writers he was in camp specifically to work on his passing and running the team.
Spent a good half on Thursday just watching Kevin Love. The 6-10 star out of Lake Oswego, Oregon, is the total package. Love is a force inside, can step out to hit a jumper and throws a wicked yet accurate outlet pass. As one scout noted, “I’ve seen him (Love) a number of times and never get tired of watching him.” Agreed. Case closed.
At halftime of a game Thursday evening, a long line was forming from the base of the bleachers to about twenty rows up. It was a number of middle and high school aged youngsters seeking the autograph of Mike Krzyzewski. Coach K in gracious form patiently accommodated each with a person message.
Entering the Rothman Center on Thursday evening with his wife Chris, St. Anthony’s coach Bob Hurley was greeted by several young fans.
“Mr.Hurley may I have your autograph?” one of them asked. “Sure,” Bob replied. He signed the group’s programs and then posed for pictures with them. Another class act by a class individual.
A few player notes while surveying the courts:
- James Tyler, Murfreesboro (NC). The 7’2″ Tyler has skills and ability, but conditioning is a factor. Tyler, a junior, “tips” the scale at 330 pounds. One scout tells me he was 390 not too long ago. The more weight he loses the better he will be. At ABCD’s pace Tyler often struggled to get up and down the floor. Still, he’s got size and skills and shouldn’t be written off.
- Jeff Teague, a 6’1″ guard out of Indianapolis, caught my attention by hitting fifteen footers from the wing. Too many players today do not even attempt a fifteen footer, opting for a trey. On closer inspection, Teague showed the ability to slice through a defense and finish his penetrations to the basket.
- The half I watched Love, I really became interested in Tracy Smith. The 6’8″ senior out of Detroit (MI) plays well inside and runs the floor exceptionally well on the break. Simply, a very effective player.
- DeAndre Jordan, a 6-11 senior out of Houston, had some impressive post moves and dunks. Jordan needs to shore up and work harder on the offensive end.
- St. Benedict’s has a load of talent, but a lesser-known name, 6’2″ senior guard Zach Rosen, impressed a number of observers with his guard skills and savvy.
- Best block of the first two days: Jon Leuer was attempting a right corner jumper as a running Percy Miller cleanly rejected it into the stands. Leuer (Long Lake, MN) is 6’10” while Miller, whose dad is well-known rapper and entertainer Master P (Beverly Hills, CA), is 5’11”.
- They face each other on the prep courts. Starting the fall of 2007 they will be teammates at Villanova. During ABCD Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes are together on the Celtics.
“We played against each other before so it’s good we are teammates,” said Fisher, a senior at St. Patrick’s (NJ). This winter Fisher’s St. Pat’s team edged Stokes’ St. Benedict’s club in a game at Kean University. “We talk about our games against each other and I mention that game,” Fisher said smiling.
The 6’6″ Stokes is a solid two guard. Fisher, at 6’2″ is running the point as he does for Kevin Boyle’s club during he regular season. “I’m just trying to play hard,” Fisher said, “get along and keep my teammates happy.” He certainly did with a few lane penetrations that resulted in deft passes to open mates underneath.
