I just back from the Boost Mobile Elite 24 HS All-American Game Work-out and Scrimmage, and let me tell you . . .
John Wall out of North Kakalak impressed the blueberries out of me. Kid had a handle, hops, jumper, D, and a good attitude. I predict he will come out of the Elite 24 as a national name like Brandon Jennings did. He will definitely be the player I’m looking forward to shouting out on the mic as he entertains the crowd.
Oh, and a career moment for me. After the scrimmage, I played 1-on-1 with my homeboy. Afterwards, Kenny Anderson said to me, “I see you got a nice handle!” Wow. Yes, Kenny A. a.k.a. “Chibbs,” former Nat’l HS Player of the Year, NBA All-Star, all that, gave me props. I was buggin’! His yo-yo was legendary. He’ll be coaching at Elite 24 along with Chauncey Billups, Ron Naclerio, and “Tiny” Morton.
The 2008 Boost Mobile Elite 24 Roster:
Name High School Position Class
Abdul Gaddy Bellarmine Prep (Tacoma, Wash.) PG 2009
Brandon Knight Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) PG 2010
Derrick Favors South Atlanta (Atlanta, Ga.) PF 2009
Dexter Strickland St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.) PG 2009
Dominic Cheek St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) SG 2009
Doron Lamb Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) PG 2010
Durand Scott Rice (New York, N.Y.) SG 2009
Erik Murphy St. Mark’s (Southborough, Mass.) PF 2009
Jared Sullinger Northland (Columbus, Ohio) PF 2010
Jereme Richmond Waukegan (Waukegan, Ill.) SF 2010
Jeremy Tyler San Diego (San Diego, Calif.) PF 2010
John Wall Word of God (Raleigh, N.C.) PG 2009
Jordan Hamilton Dominguez (Compton, Calif.) SF 2009
Josh Smith Kentwood (Covingon, Wash.) C 2010
Karron Johnson Mount Zion Academy (Durham, N.C.) PF 2009
Kenny Boynton Jr. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) SG 2009
Lance Stephenson Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.) SG 2009
LaQuinton Ross Word of God (Raleigh, N.C.) SG 2011
Maalik Wayns Roman Catholic (Philadelphia, Pa.) PG 2009
Michael Gilchrist St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.) SF 2011
Ryan Kelly Ravenscroft (Raleigh, N.C.) PF 2009
Tony Wroten Jr. Garfield (Seattle, Wash.) SG 2011
Trae Golden McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) PG 2010
Launched in 2006 by RISE Magazine, the Boost Mobile Elite 24 is the only event in the country to feature the top 24 high school male players regardless of class year or shoe affiliation. Played at Rucker Park, Elite 24 touts alumni that include top 2008 NBA draftees Michael Beasley, Jerryd Bayless and Kevin Love, and college bound freshmen Brandon Jennings (Arizona), Tyreke Evans (Memphis) and Jrue Holiday (UCLA). The game has featured guest coaches that include NBA stars Ben Gordon, Jason Kidd and Baron Davis; and its inaugural game was the subject of the documentary Gunnin’ for that #1 Spot.
Info: risemag.com/elite24
August 11th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
A. Ford says:
Looking forward for this event. This is gonna be crazy seeing Malik Waynes and Lance Stephenson in the backcourt. I pray for the players that got to guard them. Remember I said that.
August 13th, 2008 at 9:09 am
dat dude says:
Who cares about Malik Waynes and Lance…their alright…but me being from North Carolina (the state where jordan played his college days lol) we love basketball and John Wall is a good friend of mine…the #1 player in the class of 2009 who happens to be from Raleigh, NC thats pretty darn exciting NOT TO MENTION we have 4 players from North Carolina in this game…
1. John Wall (Word Of God Christian Academy)
2. Ryan Kelly (Ravenscroft Academy)
3. Karron Johnson…the next Brandon Rush type player from NC (Mt. Zion Christian Academy)
4. Laquinton Ross (YES LAQUINTON ROSS arguably the best player in the class of 2011…he’s officially transferred to Word of God to team up with Wall and CJ Leslie…NORTH CAROLINA PREP BASKETBALL is the biggest story of the Elite 24 this year…PS. John Wall will make somebody fall this year…”REMEMBER I SAID THAT”
August 13th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
dat dude-
i’ll be announcing that game, so if john wall makes someone fall, i’m gonna tell the crowd, ‘dat dude told ya’ so!’
August 15th, 2008 at 10:07 am
dat dude says:
Appreciate the love Bobbito…by the way whats up with a journalist job? e-mail me
womansbesfriend@aol.com
August 20th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Kemp4Prez says:
This is gonna be off the rib-rack! Especially with Bob on the mic givin cats names. Lance impressed me last year the most, but Don’t sleep on Strickland! He had that lefty leaner jam that was bonkers!
Can’t wait…
August 20th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Saku 39 says:
Who’s in the dunk contest for EBC?
What’s Skywalker been up to?
August 20th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
the EBC contestants have not been announced yet as far as i know. if i find out, i’ll definitley share. as for skywalker, i really don’t know what he’s been up to, should look into it. he won the city slam dunk contest on espn in ‘05, but haven’t heard much since. anyone out there know?
August 20th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Mad_Boogie says:
Bobbito:
Do you know what times the Tri-State Classic playoff games are running this weekend?
Case
August 21st, 2008 at 11:06 am
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
tri-state is over, money train took it. they’ll be playing saturday as part of teh nike tournament of champions at goat park. will post info in a second, just check back.
August 21st, 2008 at 11:19 pm
A. Ford says:
Let me tell u something dat d I’m from NY Lance Stephenson is not gonna let no dude from another state come expose him in his home. John wall better lace his sneakers tight because u in for a treat. My mans Malik Waynes gonna show u something trust me on that.John Wall #1 in the country all that is gonna change after tomorrow. ONE
August 21st, 2008 at 11:24 pm
A. Ford says:
Trust me you gonna care about Lance Stephenson when he expose your man from NC. Let me tell you something your boy John Wall is ranked #1 in the country but that’s gonna change after tomorrow showdown. That’s lance park where he score 38 last year. Coney Island finest. Malik Wayne will show u something. MJ has Brooklyn in Him he just had to make a move to give yall something to talk about. Hit me after tomorrow DD
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:53 pm
e says:
a.ford u speak truth lance is going to WASH SOMEBODY UP TONIGHT WASH THEM UP!!!! i dont know about the wall kid but hell most likely be scared on the big stage this will be LANCES SHOW
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:17 pm
dat dude says:
What will John be scared of…he from Eastwood Court housing projects in Raleigh, NC come see about it…Yall better stop hyping lance up and go check draftexpress.net John Wall projected #1 pick 2010…RALEEEEEEIIIIIGGH (RALEIGH)!
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
FLORIDA BALLER says:
KENNY B. HAD ARGUABLY THE BEST SUMMER PLAY ALONG WITH BRANDON KNIGHT. KB AND BK IS THE BEST BACKCOURT IN THE COUNTRY(HANDS DOWN) BUT YET, THEY ARE NOT BOTH IN THE TOP #3 RATING IN THEIR RESPECTIVE CLASSES. WHERE’S THE LOVE?
LOOK AND SEE HOW HOT THEY THEY WILL PLAY IN RUCKER CLASS!!!
August 22nd, 2008 at 11:56 pm
mikey says:
Boynton was good so was Knight but John Wall stole the show with several thunderous dunks after crazy crossovers.One think about all the guards is that are crazy quick.Probably the quickest class of guards Ive seen in a long while.Lance of course was Lance and Dominick Cheek played well.2 local guys Doran Lamb outta Loughlin but now at Oak Hill at Durand Scott of Rice put in work too.Lance got into it with Nate Robinson’s cousin who is outta Seattle who is pretty good player.Lance schooled him.John Wall is by far the best coming out this year.He is so athletic for his 6′1 height its insane.Shout out to Chauncey Billups and KEnny Anderson as well as Nate who were at the Rucker.
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:38 am
e says:
idk who got mvp i left before they gave it out lance and john wall did their thing his man dat dude was right john is nice and dat dude bobbito gave you your shoutout lol and john came close to making some big dude drop lance was sick but i think he got john beat still he looks like a man amongst boys everything about lance is pro ready everyone in the crowd was shaking their head nobody in that class is capable to guard lance period in the paint or off the dribble
August 23rd, 2008 at 1:48 pm
PFTB says:
MVP’S were:Lance & Wayns for the White team and Cheek & Wall for the Blue team.Maalik Wayns’ handle was nicer than Wall.”Ammo” Wall was trying too hard and and even fell down a couple times tryin to cross cats up.Brandon “Weezy 2″ Knight played good D on him the times he checked him.But “Ammo” is mad explosive. “Lik-Lik So Unique” had the best handle and was strong going to the lane AND finishing. Lance was Lance just doing what he ALWAYS does.I had doubts Tony Wroten was Nate’s cousin,but I soon saw the resembelance…..THE MOUTH.The kid was yapping at Lance and even got up in his face,I said OH YEAH this Nate’s family for real!
August 24th, 2008 at 9:47 am
E says:
yeah nates cousin fouled lance 3 straight possesions to avoid getting crossed up
August 28th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
dat dude says:
ur crazy if u think malik wayns handle is better than john wall’s…