August 22, 2008
ESPN RISE held the third annual Boost Mobile Elite 24 game and the inaugural ESPN RISE All-American Slam Dunk Contest at Rucker Park. The game featured the nation’s top 24 prep players, regardless of grade or shoe affiliation, from across the country.
Before a packed crowd that included the Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch and New York Knicks’ Nate Robinson, Skip to My Lou/Blue Team, coached by Detroit Piston’s Chauncey Billups, defeated The Goat squad coached by playground legend and former pro-basketball player Kenny Anderson 135 to 121. Dominic “Peek A Boo” Cheek and John Wall a.k.a. “Ammo” stood out on the winning team garnering co-MVP titles; Lance “Born Ready” Stephenson a.k.a. “Reborn” and Maalik “Lik Lik So Unique” Wayns were co-MVPs for The Goat/White Team. Stephenson was the game’s high scorer with 29 points.
In the play of the game, John Wall “Make’em Fall” a.k.a. “Ammo” dribbled through three defenders, sliced down cherry lane, and cuffed it with his left (he’s a righty)! The crowd went bazonkers!
Up against Jeremy Tyler, Dominic Cheek and Jordon Hamilton, St. Patrick’s Dexter Strickland took home the top title in the inaugural ESPN RISE All-American Slam Dunk Contest.
BOX SCORE
Name
High School
Position
Class
Score
Abdul Gaddy
Bellarmine Prep (Tacoma, Wash.)
PG
2009
0
Brandon Knight
Pine Crest (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
PG
2010
12
Derrick Favors
South Atlanta (Atlanta, Ga.)
PF
2009
16
Dexter Strickland
St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.)
PG
2009
17
Dion Waiters
Life Center Academy (Burlington, N.J.)
SG
2010
8
Dominic Cheek
St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.)
SG
2009
23
Doron Lamb
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
PG
2010
25
Durand Scott
Rice (New York, N.Y.)
SG
2009
15
Erik Murphy
St. Mark’s (Southborough, Mass.)
PF
2009
9
Jared Sullinger
Northland (Columbus, Ohio)
PF
2010
6
Jeremy Tyler
San Diego (San Diego, Calif.)
PF
2010
8
John Wall
Word of God (Raleigh, N.C.)
PG
2009
10
Jordan Hamilton
Dominguez (Compton, Calif.)
SF
2009
13
Josh Smith
Kentwood (Covingon, Wash.)
C
2010
11
Karron Johnson
Mount Zion Academy (Durham, N.C.)
PF
2009
4
Kenny Boynton Jr.
American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.)
SG
2009
16
Lance Stephenson
Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
SG
2009
29
LaQuinton Ross
Word of God (Raleigh, N.C.)
SG
2011
9
Maalik Wayns
Roman Catholic (Philadelphia, Pa.)
PG
2009
10
Nolan Dennis
Richland (Richland, Texas)
SG
2009
4
Ryan Kelly
Ravenscroft (Raleigh, N.C.)
PF
2009
2
Tony Wroten Jr.
Garfield (Seattle, Wash.)
SG
2011
4
Trae Golden
McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)
PG
2010
5
Tristan Thompson
St. Benedict’s Prep (Newark, N.J.)
SF
2010
4
Full story on www.bouncemag.com with photos will come on Monday. For more info, check:
August 23rd, 2008 at 9:57 am
gabrielo says:
that john wall slam and a born ready no-look both made the espn top 10…dominic cheek reppin’ jersey city
August 23rd, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Rebelaire says:
CAN’T WAIt till MODAY for the pics…
August 23rd, 2008 at 1:25 pm
PFTB says:
In the poll I predicted Dominic Cheek would be MVP.Th kid has a good midrange game, even though he hit some 3’s from Jersey,and is very versatile.I was glad to be able to see “ammo” Wall.Heard much about this kid,very explosive.But to tell you the truth I was most impresssed with “Lik-Lik So Unique”.Able to penetrate at will and not only finish,but finish whether contact is made.Got that ol’ Philly toughness.Yo KBL,came up with my own nicknames for Peek-a -Boo aka “Anyway You Want It”,cause he can score on you in many different ways.Lik-Lik So Unique aka “The Penetrator”.Did you see anyone actually try to stop his pentration? Gets to the lane anytime he wants AND the handle is sick!Oh yeah Brandon “Weezy 2″Knight.Looked a little like Lil Wayne in the face.He was probably the best defender in the game.Check his work on “Ammo”.
August 23rd, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Rahim Thompson aka The Commish says:
Maalik Wyans aka killa instinct aka lik lik so unique 2008 Elite 24 MVP,Chosen League 08 Championship,A true Philly Guard!!!
August 23rd, 2008 at 8:20 pm
A. Ford says:
That was a great game, ESPN Rise gave Rucker park a treat. Bobbito keep up with what u doing well respected how u got the crowd into it. Looking forward for next year. Big up to Chris Rucker and Dexter Gordan and the Rucker Apparel keep the legacy alive. Holcombe Rucker would be proud of you guys. Much respect to Kris Stone the founder of the Elite 24.
August 25th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Saku 39 says:
I thought the game was only alright but that’s because I thought there was less talent. Then again it’s hard to follow games featuring Beasley, Love, Bayless, Jennings, etc…
Best news of the night was the announcement for EBC America next year.
August 25th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
A. Ford says:
EBC America that was the best news to you, wow I thought u was gonna say who cares about EBC america. EBC is done we all know this. Good luck like I said Tri-state and Dyckman is the only Lone Survivors of the street Ball era. EBC is buried the only bright thing about EBC is Its using Rucker Park to keep it going.
August 25th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Saku 39 says:
Well, I agree it’s been down but did you watch the EBC America finals in ‘06?
Crawford, Nate, and Brandon Roy against Secret, Skip, and Lance. Intense game with bragging rights on the line.
I think they could put this together again. Why shouldn’t I look forward to this happening again?
August 26th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
E says:
LOL EBC IS FINISHED THE LOCAL CHILDREN GO THERE TO DANCE AND FOR FREE GIVEAWAYS THAT LEAGUE IS DONE AND SAKu 39 YOUR FORGOT WEST 4tH st , hoops in the sun,and pro city