Nate Blue has worked on the playground and AAU circuit in New York City for many years. He has a highly-regarded site (www.RealScout.net) that coaches around the country frequent. If you want to know who is the next one on the come up in New York City, talk to Nate. Nate hit me with an e-mail and said a kid from Rosedale, Queens was the next Skip-to-my-Lou! If this is the case, get your bags packed, get your playground pass and head to the city next summer to see for yourself if this young one can live up to the hype!
Check Nate’s words:
Mike Poole at Jim Couch Reunion Games…as the defender tumbles
“The late Rodney Parker took a look at a then 13-year old Mike Poole and made one last great observation, “Nate, the kid got pro potential.” Now at 16, Mike Poole doesn’t care about the rankings. He knows the road to the NBA is tough. Poole’s a 6 feet-6 inch 11th-grader at National Powerhouse St. Benedict’s Prep, NJ. He has a jumbo jet wingspan at 7 feet-3 inches. Poole’s ball handling has drawn comparisons to Rafer “Skip to my Lou” Alston. As for schools, “M.P.3’s” early list includes Kansas, UConn, USC, and Florida.”
If you’ve seen him on the playground and feel this is true or reckless, let us know.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
nosmelone says:
He may have comparible handles but its the work ethic that skip has thats incredible. Just look how he’s made the transition. I was impressed at how much the rockets needed him in the playoffs last year against Utah (I’m from SLC). I was just all around impressed with skip. But MP3 has 3-4 inches on skip and as we all know you can’t teach heighth.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Doug C says:
Saw him in a league in Queens I play in. Does not have Skip-like handles, or work-ethic. Seems to coast at times, and seemed a bit underwhelming (is that a word?) when playing against men (granted, that’s not really a bash against a 15/16 year old).
Tons of ability. Silky smooth – so the effort may be deceiving. Reminds me of a Jerrod Mustaf (remember him?) type at this point. Tons of all-around skills – not extreme athletic ability or desire. But, he’s young, so who knows?
November 7th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
S.J says:
The Kid Mike Poole Can Flat Out Play He Is Real
Nice Stroke 6′6 Can Handle The Ball
I Think He Will Be The Go To Guy At St. Benedicts
M.P 3 Is Humble And Has Great Work Ethic
November 7th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Roget Romain says:
Mike Poole is the truth..he has a bright future ahead of him and I wouldn’t be suprised to see him a Mcdonalds all American..his game is tall version of skips he is a very versatile player and he has a high basketball IQ..Nate Blue molded dis prospect into a top country recruit
November 7th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
derek sullivan says:
There was one time I saw MP3 play in a queens tournament, he came late and his team was down 15 and dey ended up winning by 7..he is very aggrasive and he can’t stop on a dime and hit da jump shot..he can explode to the rack at any given time,when I watch him play I see a younger version of Lance stephenson with a better attitude..if he keeps progressing he will easily be the talk of high school basketball at 6′6 he is a force to be wreckend with. If you see him in da lane move out the way or he will flush it on you…and if your in front of him on the wing just let him go by you becuz he will break ur ankles…MP3 is the ambassador of queens don’t say I didn’t warn you
November 7th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Sean Couch says:
I’ve seen Mike play and indeed he is very smooth and at 16 he could grow a few more inches. If his handles are skip like at 6-8 what are we talking about???
I need to here about some yo-yo handles and how many kids have received the blender ska-stumble to the asphalt for the Bounce in us.
November 8th, 2008 at 10:10 am
nosmelone says:
I don’t know how many of you are aware of Matthew Bryant out of England. I know he’s playing here in the states last I heard, but he had an amazing handle and was like 6ft 10in.(once again you can’t teach heighth)but has anyone heard anything about this cat lately? Nhamo you may have if so let me know, thanks.
November 8th, 2008 at 10:50 am
nosmelone says:
I did a little research and Mathew Bryan is now playing as a sophomore for Washington Huskies. He had a decent game against Western Washington on 11/6 with 12 points. This kid is exciting hopefully with more playing time this season we’ll get to see his true colors.
November 8th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Seldom Seen says:
St. Benedict’s is only a Path or NJ Transit stop away to downtown Newark, NJ Penn Station from NYC and a short walk from there…did MP3 make that dude in the picture fall on his rear or what?…sure seems so doesn’t it…
November 8th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Tom rivers says:
I seen Poole numerous of times and he impresses me every time I watch, every time I see him he’s getting stronger taller faster at times he doesn’t play all out but then we he’s needed turns on it in a quick second he has the lance Stephenson mind set with a better attitude and I can see him in the NBA in the near future if he makes the right decisions but with Nate Blue by his side that shouldn’t be a problem….he reminds me of a taller Russell Westbrook which is scarey
November 8th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
J.J says:
M.p.3 Is Pro Bound
Great Handle
nate blue knows pros and he knows mike’s a pro
no one can guard him in an open court
he makes realscout realscout
November 10th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Casey Lee says:
I wouldn’t draw comparisons to Skip…that’s almost disrespectful. Rafer was pretty much put into his own category from Day 1.
November 10th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
hopefully he plays in teh elite 24 next year, would love to do play-by-play announcing while watching him if he’s as nice as everyone is saying, plus i can give him a nickname!
November 10th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Sean Couch says:
If Mike elevates his game at St. Benedict’s and puts numbers up, and the team remains in that top 25 territory, I don’t see why he shouldn’t strongly be considered.
November 11th, 2008 at 10:21 am
ali says:
6′6″ with a 7′3″ wing span. goodness. i can’t wait to see the young fella.
November 11th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Sean Couch says:
Extremely smooth handle, quick ups, and moves well with and without the ball. When he played in the Reunion game I didn’t see the park doogie chop and go, but I’m hearing from Nate it’s in him.
November 17th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Top Scout says:
M.p.3 Is Nba Bound He is Gonna Tear up elite 24 if he plays will be the go to guy at st.bendicts the best wing player in 2010 in the nation to me. yea has a list of offers west va,uconn,memphis,kansas,and the list goes on mike poole remind me a lot of tracy mcgrady same height and everything 6 7 wow!