Team Boston Elite Invitational Recap
MANSFIELD, Mass. – The Team Boston Elite Invitational took place at the Mansfield Sports Plex, about 20 miles south of Boston. The event was a small one that brought in a few teams from outside New England, but mainly featured teams from the six northeast states. All told, 30 teams competed in high school divisions, as well as eight in a 14-under division and four more in an 11-under division.
The event was generally well-run and at a fine facility. Tournament director Claude Pritchard has the idea of bringing at least one good event to the Boston area every spring, as that is one thing the area hoop scene is lacking. Next year’s event already holds plenty of promise.
The 17-under final was a bit ugly at times as two Boston teams went at it and exchanged words at times, with multiple technical fouls being called as well. Team Boston Elite scored the first seven points of the game, but the Boston Saintz stayed in it and kept it a single digit game for most of the contest. In the end, the hosts made the plays and pulled out a 69-67 win.
The 16-under final saw Hoop Excellence score the first nine points of the game and have a clear edge for the opening minutes. But Team Boston Elite came alive later and took a 20-19 halftime lead, then carried the momentum into the second half with a near-double-digit lead for most of it en route to a 64-53 win. Ike Azotam (6’6″ So. SF-PF, Roxbury (MA) John D. O’Bryant HS) led the winners with 13 points, while Jarrad DeVaughn (5’10” So. PG, Brockton (MA) High) added 11.
In the 15-under final, BABC started slowly before taking over in the first half, though they never broke the game open as Basketbull stayed close for most of the half. The second half was a little sloppy at times, and Basketbull took the lead on several occasions as the game went back and forth for a while. Then, with BABC up 54-50, Jordan Johnson (5’10” Fr. PG, North Andover (MA) Brooks School) made a key three-point play that made it a seven-point game en route to a 60-55 win. Johnson and backcourt mate Rodney Beldo (5’10” Fr. PG, Scituate (MA) High) each had 17 points to lead the winners.
Now, a look at some of the notable prospects at the tournament.
Toso Adebamowo (6’5″ So. SF, Thompson (CT) Marianapolis Prep) Athletic forward is a bit lanky and played a bit out of position at the power forward spot. He showed some ball skills but clearly needs to upgrade them going forward, and he also missed a couple of dunks, which suggests he’s just a good, not great, athlete. We saw him go for 15 points in one game and 14 in another.
Javon Alvarez (6’5″ So. SF, Bronx (NY) Kennedy HS) He hasn’t been playing the game for long (and it shows), but there is some potential there. Right now he plays like an undersized combo forward, as he’s lanky and showed some shaky ball skills. But he also found a way to score 13 and 20 points in two games, and with more experience that should continue.
Ike Azotam (6’6″ So. SF-PF, Roxbury (MA) John D. O’Bryant HS) Active forward is a bit slight but isn’t done maturing physically yet. Besides his good effort in the 16-under final, he also went for 16 points in another win, showing a touch from about foul line distance on his jumper and displaying enough ball skills to think he can develop more on the wing.
Rodney Beldo (5’10” Fr. PG, Scituate (MA) High) This excellent floor leader played well and will only get better as his body matures, and there’s a lot left to come in that regard as he’s a baby physically. He penetrated at will and showed that he can go to his left without a hitch, passed on the move and finishes very well around the basket.
Jeron Belin (6’6″ Jr. SF, Meriden (CT) Maloney HS) Well-built athlete is a lefty who gets plenty of opportunities and scores in transition and off broken plays. He finishes well, although whether or not he can finish with the right hand is an open question, has a nose for the ball and has a jumper that must be respected although he doesn’t look to shoot often. Mid-major/mid-major plus prospect.
Denzel Brito (5’11” Fr. SG, Groton (MA) Lawrence Academy) Although he didn’t play his best basketball in one game in trying to do a little too much, it’s clear that he has the tools to one day be a solid scorer on the wing. At times he tried to handle the ball more than he should, as he’s not at his best with the ball in his hands. He has a good upper body and uses that to his advantage when he drives inside. He went for 18 points in one game along the way.
Ray Burton (5’9″ Fr. SG, Durham (NC) Riverside HS) In one of the first games of the tournament, this thin guard impressed with his shooting touch. We didn’t have final stats available from the game, but he shot the ball well from long range against eventual champion BABC and kept his team in the game for a time. If he grows a few more inches and keeps improving, he’ll be a good prospect.
Andre Davidson (6’5″ So. SG-SF, Bronx (NY) Kennedy HS) Lanky athlete is a baby physically but already has good physical tools. We saw him blow by his man once for a basket, and that wasn’t the only way he scored as his jump shot looked good from mid-range and out to three-point range, leading him to a 20-point outing in one game. His ball skills are okay and will need continued improvement, and a potential issue with his jump shot is a low release point he has since he launches it from about chest-high.
Romeo Diaz (6’6″ Jr. SF-PF, Methuen (MA) High) The word “potential” can come into play with this long wing who at times has had to play inside with his team. He’s shown in the past that he can score the ball, before he grew a few more inches and he still may not be done growing. We saw him go for 14 points in one game here.
Aziz Dieng (6’3″ Jr. SG-SF, Nashua (NH) North HS) Well-built wing has a bit of baby fat but is a plus athlete. He showed some ball skills, although he doesn’t do any one thing very well, was active and needs to improve his overall offensive game as he’s not a big scoring threat.
Gabe Fumudoh (6’7″ Jr. SF-PF, Brighton (MA) High) Athletic forward has a mature body and some skills for both forward spots. Although the skills are there, you get the impression that he’s a better player than he shows, as he didn’t play his best ball here, and despite the tools for both forward spots, he doesn’t seem to have a position. Mid-major prospect.
Troy Gillenwater (6’7″ Jr. PF, Boston (MA) Notre Dame Prep) As he continues to try to be a small forward, he also continues to look a little less impressive since he’s trying to be what he isn’t. He’s bulky and could stand to lose a few pounds just for the power forward spot, doesn’t get up off the ground much on his jumper and isn’t athletic enough to get by most small forwards. He did go for 25 points in one game, although he got it in part from taking enough shots. High-major prospect.
Leroyal Hairston (6’1″ Jr. SG, West Roxbury (MA) High) Long known for his shooting ability, it was on display here although he was a little inconsistent with it. The range is definitely there, and he showed some combo guard skills although he’s best playing off the ball, and he has a mature body. We saw him go for 18 in one game and 24 in another, largely from his good shooting.
John Hegarty (6’11” Jr. C, Winchendon (MA) School) Wide-bodied post player looks to be moving better inside, although he can still stand to improve in that regard. In limited minutes here, he scored a few baskets inside and also blocked a few shots. In a game where the pace is fast, he might not play much as he still needs to improve his conditioning, although he looks to be on that path right now. High-major minus prospect has committed to Rhode Island.
Tyren Heggs (5’8″ So. SG, Taunton (MA) High) He impressed with his shooting early on, going for 28 points on five three-pointers and an array of jumpers from other spots on the court. His body has a ways to go physically and he’s very undersized for even the point guard spot, but if he grows a few more inches and continues his good shooting, he’ll be one to keep an eye on.
Emmanuel Hutcherson (6’3″ Fr. SF, Milton (MA) High) We really like the way this well-built but undersized forward gets after it when he’s out on the floor. He’s very active on the boards and in his team’s press, where he can really disrupt an opposing team, and runs the floor very well. If he can grow a few more inches, there’s plenty of potential for him, as his game right now is clearly that of a 4/3 combo forward and he’s just 6’3″.
Jordan Johnson (5’10” Fr. PG, North Andover (MA) Brooks School) Already a very good running back, he’s quick and athletic and shows very good lateral movement, which one would expect from a running back. He’s a capable scorer and shooter, although he struggled at times from long range in the final, and also an excellent student.
Peter Kaasila (6’8″ So. PF, Southborough (MA) St. Mark’s School) Bulky post player has solid fundamentals and could really jump his stock up with some improved conditioning. He’s a little slow getting up and down the floor and at times his hands look questionable, but he rebounds well, showed a touch from mid-range on the baseline as well as post scoring moves. He went for 16 points in one game and generally was a role player for his team.
James Kennedy (6’4″ Fr. PF, Dorchester (MA) Jeremiah Burke HS) Well-built post player has a good body but is undersized for the power forward spot he usually plays. He gets his fair share of easy baskets in his team’s press and can rebound at both ends, but he also looks a little soft at times as he gets fouled by weaker players and doesn’t finish because he goes up soft, and his passes often look like they could use a little more zip on them.
Stevie Mejia (5’8″ Jr. PG, Groton (MA) Lawrence Academy) He did what we’ve come to expect from him: good, solid basketball. In addition to doing the things he does well, like making the team go and scoring from mid-range, he also snuck inside for a stickback along the way en route to 21 points in a blowout win. Mid-major plus prospect has committed to Rhode Island.
Malachi Mitchell (5’10” So. PG, South Bronx (NY) High) Quick and aggressive guard will drive the ball inside all day, using his body and athleticism to help him get chances at the basket. He can finish close and will get some offensive boards and draw fouls, though at times his body control isn’t good, and he is a threat from long range. He went for 26 points in one game, and defensively he can be a pest although he doesn’t always exert the same effort throughout the game at that end.
B.J. Monteiro (6’5″ Jr. SG-SF, Waterbury (CT) Crosby HS) Scoring wing had his struggles in his team’s first game, a losing effort, but he came back in their next two games. He went for 12 points in one and 15 in another, although he looked more like a complementary player than we’ve previously thought. High-major minus prospect.
Mike Myers-Keitt (6’7″ Jr. SF, Fairfield (CT) Prep) Long wing is athletic and has a very thin upper body. He gets plenty of scores in transition and from finding the ball, but did show a little touch shooting the ball as well. Mid-major prospect.
Daniel O’Keefe (6’5″ So. SG-SF, Lexington (MA) High) Skilled wing did what we expected coming off his good showing in the 16-under Massachusetts AAU in May. That is, he showed that he can shoot from long range and pass it, has a nose for the ball and will rebound well for his size and from the wing, and that he can make plays like scoring foul getting fouled. We saw him go for 20 and 15 points in two games. One noticeable down side point is that he often seems to jog up and down the court instead of going at full speed.
Tyler Patch (6’3″ Jr. PG-SG, Seekonk (MA) High) Also a baseball player, this well-built guard can capably play either backcourt spot and has good fundamentals. He’s not very athletic and doesn’t seem ideally suited to be a go-to guy, as he has to be on his team, but his skills could work very well on a team full of scorers.
Raheem Singleton (5’10” Sr. PG, Boston (MA) Notre Dame Prep) Mature-bodied point guard isn’t the quickest at his position, but he’s strong and tough and uses every bit of each to his advantage. Although his jump shot has range out to the three-point line, that’s not his forte as he instead likes to drive and will finish with contact, drawing some fouls along the way. Mid-major prospect.
Josh Turner (6’6″ So. SG-SF, Waterbury (CT) Sacred Heart HS) Playing on both of his program’s teams this weekend, he looked good overall and not surprisingly showed better in the 16-under division. He has a good body and showed a touch from long range, evidenced nicely in a 21-point outing where he knocked down three trifectas.
Aaron Williams (6’4″ Jr. SG, East Boston (MA) High) His school has had plenty of players his size that are combo forward types, but he’s decidedly not that. Instead, he’s athletic, tough and plays bigger than his size, and has the skills to play the wing position and even handles the ball reasonably well. He’s quick and will score often on drives and at times on stickbacks, and his three-point shot must be respected. Right now he’s a bit lanky and still has some physical maturing yet to do, but the tools look promising. Mid-major prospect.
Akeem Williams (5’11” So. PG, Brockton (MA) Avon HS) His good shooting touch was again on display, as the three-pointers were going and especially when he got open. With that and some driving field goals that reflect a little more growth in that area, he went for 13, 11 and 21 points in his three games, with five three-pointers in the last one. Going forward, he’ll need to improve his conditioning and keep running, as there are times he doesn’t run up the floor on offense or defense.
Corey Wright (5’10” So. PG, Pawtucket (RI) St. Raphael’s HS) Scoring point guard has a good body for the position and seems to have a good feel for running the team. We saw him go for 23 in a win for his team during pool play.
Jamie Zajac (6’0″ So. PG, Nashua (NH) Bishop Guertin HS) A classic example of a floor leader who won’t hurt a team, he can run a team and get others involved. He has a good body and takes good care of the ball, but on the down side, he doesn’t make himself much of a scoring threat and rarely took a jump shot.
Other players who caught our attention:
Corey Andrews (6’5″ Fr. SF, Waterbury (CT) Sacred Heart HS)
Jerome Cohen (6’5″ So. PF, West Roxbury (MA) High)
Jarrad DeVaughn (5’10” So. PG, Brockton (MA) High)
Ndubisi Ezeigwe (6’5″ So. SF-PF, Barrington (RI) St. Andrew’s School)
Chris Flores (6’1″ Jr. SG, Roxbury (MA) John D. O’Bryant HS)
Shane Gibson (6’2″ Jr. SG, Danielson (CT) Killingly HS)
Greg Langston (6’3″ Jr. SG, Trumbull (CT) St. Joseph HS)
Troy Robinson (6’5″ So. SF-PF, Roxbury (MA) John D. O’Bryant HS)
Jamal Turner (6’3″ Jr. PG, Dorchester (MA) Thayer Academy)
Kyon Watkins (6’7″ So. PF, Everett (MA) High)
