Playaz Spring Fling Recap
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Final Four is the main event this weekend, no doubt. But this weekend also marks the unofficial start of the spring AAU season, led by the Playaz Spring Fling in northern New Jersey. Pool play took place mostly at Seton Hall, while the final playoff rounds on Sunday were mostly at the New Jersey Nets practice facility in East Rutherford.
The event was enough to draw out actor Bill Murray, who was spotted in attendance with his kids on Saturday at Seton Hall. We know Bill has long loved the game of basketball, so it’s no surprise he found this of interest.
In the 16-under semifinal, DC Assault took over the game inside in the second half, getting a number of offensive rebounds and giving the Long Island Lightning no second chances at the other end. They scored the first 10 points of the second half to take the lead, then used their edge on the glass to wear down the Lightning for a 67-56 win. MVP Rodney McGruder (6’4″ So. SF, Washington (DC) Archbishop Carroll HS) led the winners with a game-high 29 points (21 in the second half), while fellow all-tournament selection Darryl Traynham (5’9″ Fr. PG, Upper Marlboro (MD) Dr. Henry Wise HS) added 15. Winston Graham (6’1″ So. SG, Bronx (NY) All Hallows HS) led the Lightning with 26 points and Omari Lawrence (6’3″ So. SG, Bronx (NY) St. Raymond’s HS) added 19.
In the 17-under final, the Playaz used an early second half run to break the game open, going up 38-30 early on and later taking a 47-36 lead. They made it stand up, holding on at the end for a 69-63 victory over the Metro Hawks. Kenneth Fareed (6’8″ Jr. PF, Newark (NJ) Technical HS) led the Playaz with 14 points, while the Metro Hawks got 22 points from Samardo Samuels (6’9″ Jr. PF, Newark (NJ) St. Benedict’s Prep) and 18 from Sylven Landesberg (6’6″ Jr. SG, Flushing (NY) Holy Cross HS).
The Playaz almost didn’t reach the final. In the semifinal, they trailed DC-based Triple Threat by six with a minute to go, then rallied to force overtime with a little help from an unforced turnover. Then as time ran down in the extra session, Fareed hit a short post basket to give them the win.
The 17-under all-tournament team featured several members of the Playaz. Recent Fordham commit Jio Fontan (5’11” Jr. PG, Jersey City (NJ) St. Anthony’s) was the MVP, joined by Fareed and Chris Gaston (6’6″ Jr. SF, Jersey City (NJ) St. Anthony’s) of the Playaz, Samuels, Landesberg and Desmond Wade (5’11” Jr. PG, Linden (NJ) High) of the Metro Hawks, Darryl Bryant (6’0″ Jr. PG-SG, Bronx (NY) St. Raymond’s HS) of the Gauchos, and Kevon Moore (6’3″ Jr. SG, Severn (MD) Archbishop Spalding HS) of Triple Threat.
The 16-under all-tournament team was led by DC Assault members McGruder, Trayham and Wallace Judge (6’8″ So. SF-PF, Bladensburg (MD) High).
The champion Playaz didn’t just get big games from their all-tournament performers. While Fareed, who will prep at St. Benedict’s next year, impressed as an active post forward who can run the floor, Gaston continues to be a nice developing story and Fontan very capably ran the show and made clutch shots, they were just part of the story. We also liked how Austin Johnson (6’8″ Jr. PF, Philadelphia (PA) Cheltenham HS) filled in the blanks as a role player who quietly did his job. Another key contributor, although he didn’t play the best we’ve seen him on Sunday, was Jarrett Mann (6’4″ Jr. SG, Middletown (DE) High).
The runners-up had a couple of elite prospects in Samuels and Landesberg, while Wade is one of the better guards in New Jersey that has flown under the radar. Samuels showed up late for one of the Hawks’ games on Saturday, but had some moments of dominance with his post scoring and rebounding. A couple of times, he got the ball near the elbow and made a quick move for a close field goal. Landesberg seemed to try too hard at the beginning of one game, but after a few minutes he got going and couldn’t be stopped. Wade was a nice complementary player at the point and showed some range on his jumper. We also liked the play of Michael Sands (6’7″ Jr. PF, West Hempstead (NY) Carey HS), who has committed to Yale. He’s not very athletic, but he went to work inside and was very active on the boards at both ends, making his mark as a max-effort player. Zach Rosen (6’1″ Sr. PG, Newark (NJ) St. Benedict’s Prep) is a nice floor leader who isn’t quick but can find gaps to drive and dish.
The powerful Triple Threat team from the nation’s capital had its share of players. The biggest names, Chris Braswell (6’9″ Jr. PF, Hyattsville (MD) DeMatha Catholic HS) and Jason Clark (6’2″ Jr. SG, Arlington (VA) Bishop O’Connell HS), have both committed to Georgetown. Braswell had his moments but has looked better, as has Clark, an athletic wing who went inside and blocked some shots in one game. The player who impressed the most was Moore, as the lefty shot the ball well from long range all weekend long and also scored in transition en route to his all-tournament selection. Moore’s high school teammate, Brad Bald (6’8″ Jr. SF, Severn (MD) Archbishop Spalding HS) also had a good showing as he was aggressive at both ends, although he didn’t play as much in the semifinal.
The Unique All-Stars brought some impressive players from Maryland. Leading the perimeter was Troy Franklin (5’11” Jr. PG, Baltimore (MD) Mt. Carmel HS), who was a difference-maker against one team’s press. When Franklin was out of the game, the press had some effect, but when in the game the quick floor leader, who at times looks a little too unselfish but scores plenty with his high school team, broke the press by himself often. One of the top players in the class of 2009 was with them as well in Terrell Vinson (6’6″ So. SF, Baltimore (MD) Montrose Christian School). Vincent has the chance to be a special player, as he’s active, athletic and versatile with some combo forward abilities. Henry Sims (6’10” Jr. PF, Baltimore (MD) Mt. St. Joseph HS) is a nice prospect whose body is maturing some and plays stronger than he looks, but his hands are a question mark. At times, he lost balls he shouldn’t. Another young prospect to keep an eye on is Tabias Harris (6’6″ Fr. SG-SF, Dix Hills (NY) Half Hollows Hills West HS), who played a limited role but can shoot it and has good size.
The New Jersey ShoreShots had a few nice mid-major prospects. Sam Mushman (6’7″ Jr. SF-PF, Sparta (NJ) Pope John HS) showed a good stroke from long range at his size and did a little work inside. The lefty went for 22 points in one game we saw. Mike Kuhn (5’11” Jr. PG, Lincroft (NJ) Christian Brothers Academy) looked like a capable point guard and rebounded well from that spot. Matt DeSouza (6’8″ Jr. PF, Absecon (NJ) Holy Spirit HS) looked effective inside and showed some post moves, and if he loses some weight he could be even better as he’s not the most mobile player.
We also got a look at the New England Playaz, a team that had a little size on hand. Jake O’Brien (6’8″ Jr. PF, Dorchester (MA) Boston College HS), whose team won the Massachusetts Division I title without losing this season, continues to improve and rebounded well. Unsigned senior T.J. Robinson (6’6″ Sr. SF, Bridgeport (CT) Kolbe Cathedral HS) was just like he usually is – he’ll score and he’s athletic, and a little more mature physically. Andrew Van Nest (6’10” Jr. PF-C, Northfield (MA) Mount Hermon) could use more strength but has good face-up skills at his size. Dartaye Ruffin (6’8″ So. PF, Winchendon (MA) School) has a good body but doesn’t look to be a very good basketball player right now. Derrick Thomas (6’3″ So. SG, Northfield (MA) Mt. Hermon) led them in scoring in one game and will be worth keeping an eye on.
DC Assault’s victorious 16-under team has plenty of talent, as can be expected. McGruder is very athletic and active on the wing, playing bigger than his size. In the title game, he grabbed a number of offensive rebounds and was constantly out in transition as they took over the game. Traynham ran the show very well and can score, as he’s quick and stronger than he looks with his small body. Judge joined them on the all-tournament team and had a good showing as well.
