The Boost Mobile Elite 24 HS All-American Game comes to Rucker Park again tonight Friday, August 21, 7pm, and those who witnessed the practice yesterday know full well it’s gonna be ON!
Kevin Couliau Photo
The kids were playing D, which is unusual in all-star contests. They were also having fun. In the four years of announcing the event, I’ve never seen a group joke around with each other and smile after the game as much as this year’s crop. A lot of them were asking me, “You gonna give me a nickname, right?” Only if they deserve one! Cats that super-impressed seeing them for the first time were Kendall Marshall, CJ Leslie, Kyrie Irving, Roscoe Smith and Harrison Barnes. Doron Lamb is back for his second E24 as well as Dion Waiters a.k.a. “Fresh Pepper,” and both of them have improved since last year (which is scary).
The Dunk Contest will jump off at 5:30pm; game time is 7pm (broadcast on ESPNU Saturday @ 7pm). Entry is free; take the D train to 155th St. If it rains, an indoor site will be announced, but let’s not even think about that for now–this game belongs outdoors.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:12 am
Kevin Couliau says:
I’ve been really impressed by Josh Selby, a beautiful subject for photography because of his moves and style.
August 21st, 2009 at 11:57 am
Casey Lee says:
Josh Selby is the man, Lake Clifton HS puts out only the best of the best.
I like his cousin’s game too: Will Burton, although from Baltimore, attends a prep school in New Hampshire.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:44 pm
ali says:
Lake Clifton’s crew last year was being compared to Coach Bob Wade’s great Baltimore Dunbar teams in the ’80s. And the coach is phenonemal, my man Herman “Tree” Harried, a disciple of coach Wade and the Dunbar legacy who also played with Pearl and Derrick Coleman at Syracuse. Before he tore up his knee, “Tree” was among the country’s best players. If you’re ever in B-more and want to see the real deal holyfield, charm city-style, go check the lake clifton lakers, B. i followed the team all year two years ago, before selby and barton got there and they were one of the most exciting high school teams around. keep an ear out for jason sharp, antoine allen (current miami hurricane) and big man cleveland melvin. coach tree is pumping out players.
word to muvva.
August 21st, 2009 at 4:16 pm
REDRIDER says:
rain site please?
August 22nd, 2009 at 12:03 am
TP says:
Tonight was a joke and utter embarassment.Im trying to catch both games at the Gauchos Gym and I get turned away??Many regular fans got turned away because the gym got filled up to quickly.What a joke and embarassment to streetball whoever ran this event.Now the Tri State Classic Chip will tip off at probably 1 am.What a joke!!!How about announcing an accomidating rain site ahead of time instead of this last minute??A COMPLETE JOKE!!!!!
August 22nd, 2009 at 1:24 am
Casey Lee says:
@TP,
I don’t know what the deal was with the confusion. Tri-State obviously had the gym first but did not start right away…hopefully it went down somewhere else!
The Elite 24 was held inside Gauchos Gym instead due to media coverage reasons and a date set months in advance that could not be pushed back due to the fact everybody was in NYC from out of town.
August 22nd, 2009 at 2:37 am
Joe says:
Yeah tonight was a joke, I was at rucker at 4p.m to watch the game and then got turned away at Gauchos. Hey Bobbitto, wasnt that you on the mic in Rucker saying gauchos gym fits 3 times the amount of people than the park? Good Job, I took my time getting there and still arrived at 8 30 and got turned away
August 22nd, 2009 at 11:02 am
Norv says:
Too bad the bset player for this event”RYAN HARROW” isnt playing!!!
August 22nd, 2009 at 7:09 pm
TP says:
JOE I COULDNT OF SAID IT BETTER.LETS HOPE THE T.O.C DOESNT TURN PEOPLE DOWN WITHOUT CREDENTIALS IF UR THERE ON TIME.
August 23rd, 2009 at 11:04 am
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
peoples-
my apologies for the statement that gauchos gym held more people than rucker park, however i had nothing else to do with the organization of the event whatsoever. i myself did not know the rain site was at gauchos until the organizers called the game at rucker. literally. and i was one of the people waiting outside to get in, too. hopefully elite 24 can be better planned out for everyone next year, or better yet it just stays outdoors where it was supposed to be. we had no control over the weather. that was in god’s hands.
August 23rd, 2009 at 7:49 pm
PFTB says:
Yo KBL,we know it wasn’t your fault.I myself got turned away from the show even thoguh I got to “55th” & gauchos early.I got drenched waiting on line with a few diehards at 55th,then while watching both teams warm up at the same basket endured more waterworks before heading over to gauchos around 8:15.There was more confusion when I got there cause I heard the TSC game got cancelled/postponed,and they wanted to let out those who came to see that game and then let in the Elite 24 crowd.I agree with TP & Joe just ridiculous & embarrassing.Simple solution:Clear the gym,close the doors,set up guidelines.ESPN crew I know you gotta get in.Families (with passes)of the players y’all gotta get in.Make a line for those folks and a general admission line.That way when the late comers show up someone can tell them where to stand.You had peeps on both sides of the doors AND in the middle.The reason I said families (really immediate) is cause some of these kids come from as far away as Washington state and I it would be ashame not to be able to get in to see ya child play. Lets get it together NYC!!!
August 23rd, 2009 at 7:55 pm
jaysmoove says:
didn’t go but i heard it was good anyway despite being at Gauchos Gym Josh selby threw down a memorable dunk on Kendall marshall that brought back memories to Vince Carter’s dunk back in the late 90’s
August 23rd, 2009 at 7:57 pm
jaysmoove says:
didn’t go but i heard it was good anyway despite being at Gauchos Gym Josh selby threw down a memorable dunk on Kendall marshall that brought back memories to Vince Carter’s dunk back in the late 90’s at gauchos
August 23rd, 2009 at 8:06 pm
PFTB says:
Yo Bob where was the practice at? I might head down to BMore and catch a Lake Clifton game.Josh Selby transferred from DeMatha to Lake Clifton and even though he’s not playing with his cuz Will Barton (who transferred to Wolfeboro(NH))he will be playing with his other cuz Antonio (Will’s brother)and ,Cleveland Melvin both top recruits.Yo did you catch the ups on Paul Pressey’s son Phil? He’s only about 5′9-5′10.the kid MUST have a 40 inch vert.
August 25th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Jason Gibbons a.k.a. "White Shadow" says:
KBL- Nice piece. Would have killed to get there in person! Must have been crazy to call a game like that! Had to be a trip for them to hear the voice of nba street hyping um up!!! Good to see you still livin the dream!