Can't someone be a "realist" and not be considered sarcastic? I mean, it would be great to get just one post that is not overly advertising one player, program, or region.

 

On another thread, someone is actually trying embed a message if a player(s) or team is playing up a level that they are superior to the ones in their class that are playing in their rightful age levels. I know players today that are playing up 2 classes, but it means very little in terms of who is elite and who is average for that class.

 

And for all the posters trying to say this region is great and this region is horrible, it don't really matter. Only one team reps a region, not 5 or 6.

 

One more note. College coaches recruit talent, size, quickness, and basketball skills (defense is a priority). Not points per game!!!! Or who makes it to Rupp.

I have yet to see Michael Sparks and I have seen about 5 tourneys so far this year. I will be heading up to Cleveland for an Adidas Tourney soon, as well as Cincy, Indy, and Dayton. I will be attending several major camps, both Nike and Adidas. I will try to provide some "objective" feedback. I really am looking forward to the Adidas Super 64 in Vegas too.

 

Michael Sparks I watched play in a high school game this year and had watch him play in the previous summer. I can tell you his progress is coming along well.

Can't someone be a "realist" and not be considered sarcastic? I mean, it would be great to get just one post that is not overly advertising one player, program, or region.

 

On another thread, someone is actually trying embed a message if a player(s) or team is playing up a level that they are superior to the ones in their class that are playing in their rightful age levels. I know players today that are playing up 2 classes, but it means very little in terms of who is elite and who is average for that class.

 

And for all the posters trying to say this region is great and this region is horrible, it don't really matter. Only one team reps a region, not 5 or 6.

 

One more note. College coaches recruit talent, size, quickness, and basketball skills (defense is a priority). Not points per game!!!! Or who makes it to Rupp.

 

And some college coaches recruit Mickey D's All-Americans that arent very good either

Name ONE, then just ONE, "Mickey D" player from Kentucky, this year or last or even one that will play next year.

Name ONE, then just ONE, "Mickey D" player from Kentucky, this year or last or even one that will play next year.

 

You are taking that post wrong Stripes3. I am referring to a certain UK coach.

You are starting to sound like Mel Kiper Jr.

Mel Kiper, haha. Good one!

Mel Kiper, haha. Good one!

 

I thought so

I can tell you this though from an "analyst" viewpoint after talking with a college recruiter who is a buddy of mine, they think the Kentucky Classes of 2008 and 2009 have a chance to be deep and rich with talent and rolled off a several names that will be participating in tourneys up this way. Kentucky is improving.

Hang in there stripes3!!!

 

I am looking forward to some of your viewpoints from the upcoming events.

 

Do you feel that AAU is now the centerpiece for evaluation of players contrary to the old fashioned "basketball camp"....(e.g., Cage Scope/High Potential, etc) Or are both equally beneficial for the athlete?

I have been watching Michael Sparks since he was 10 and have enjoyed each time. I think he played some with Derek Smith All-Stars & Ky Lightning last year,not for sure this year. He has always played inside with great hops & a very nice touch especially on the turn around fade away jumper.It is very difficult to defend. He has not grown to much recently so if he has to play 2 or 3 at the next level his ballhandling will have to improve a lot along with being little more consistent on his outside shot. Like all others he will have to improve defensively to gaurd someone out on the floor. A tremendous high school player with lot of potential and a great kid!

He did not play for DS Allstars last year. It was the Lightning.

Not AAU in particular, but the shoe camps and tourneys are providing the exposure for kids today like never before. AAU Super Regionals and Bci Regionals are good and keeps kids on a competitive playing court during the off season. Camps such as the ABCD, Adidas and Nike Camps, are providing a forum for coaches to see talent in bundles and begin the recruiting process.

 

The Adidas Super 64 had a huge draw for college coaches last year. The Adidas Camp and the Showtime Tourney down in Suwanee, Georgia last year that featured some of our top Kentucky players had a huge turnout of college coaches.

 

High School play is still relevant and the recruitment will include high school performances. However, big time tourneys and camps are fast becoming the centerpiece (or at least a key factor).

Another item where major camps and tourneys are playing a role is the "national rankings" such as rivals, hoopscoop, and more. These kids are being more weighted on by their camp and tourney play than their high school play in most instances. Top talent is playing against other top talent and players can be critiqued on head-to-head performances.

 

I have some national rankings for the class of 2008, 2009, and 2010 with some Kentucky players. Am I allowed to post those on here???

The 9th always fares well during the regular season against the states top compeition, the problem is we never seem to get our best teams down state or we just choke down state.

 

This being because of the year in and year out of parity in the 9th. The year CCH went to semi in state, was an exception CCH was really good and the rest of the 9th wasn't so good. In a normal 9th region year CCH might suffer the fate of other top teams in the past and not make it out.

Averaging the top 8 teams in each region from this week's Cantrell's Ratings, this is how they rank.

 

1. 11th - 77.89

2. 7th - 76.99

3. 6th - 72.04

4. 2nd - 71.80

5. 9th - 71.56

6. 10th - 70.29

7. 3rd - 68.73

8. 5th - 68.08

9. 1st - 67.80

10.13th - 67.15

11.12th - 65.25

12.4th - 64.03

13.16th - 63.86

14.8th - 62.24

15.14th - 61.86

16.15th - 60.14

Could you do this same average, except with the top four teams in each region? It would be appreciated.:thumb: