Photo by Jon Lopez

Josh Selby throws it down at Rucker Park

The 4th annual Boost Mobile Elite 24 event, and it was an event indeed, was off the hook! First of all, anytime you put the top twenty-four high school ballers in the country on one court you’re bound to witness some quality hoops. But they weren’t gathered on just any court. They were gathered in the mecca: NYC. The hallowed grounds of Rucker Park, no less; however, due to poor weather conditions the game was actually moved to Gaucho’s Gym in the BX – the court that Stephon Marbury, Ed Pinckney, Sebastian Telfair, Rod Strickland and so many others have played on.

Photo by Kevin Couliau

Joe Jackson drives to the cup

If playing in the most famous basketball city in the world wasn’t motivation enough, Elite 24 alumni Kevin Love, Brandon Jennings, and Tyreke Evans were coaches alongside New York Post sports writer, Rucker legendary coach (he coached Dr. J) and basketball historian, Peter Vecsey; Coach Dwayne “Tiny” Morton of Lincoln HS; Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics; and Coach Ron Naclerio of Cardozo HS.

On top of all that – although he was there to watch his son Austin, one can’t help but soak in all that talent on the floor – Head Coach for the 2008 NBA champion Boston Celtics, Doc Rivers, was in attendance.

On Thursday, August 20th, world-renowned Denver Nuggets strength and conditioning coach, Steve Hess and his staff, trained the players – putting them through a modified NBA workout and combine. For about an hour, the players rotated from station to station strengthening and testing their agility, speed, vertical leap, explosiveness, foot-speed, bench press, endurance – you name it, they tested it or worked on it or both. Immediately following the workouts, the players sat in front of a panel of their coaches, hosted by ESPN’s Chris Broussard, where they had the opportunity to pick the brains of people in positions they aspire to occupy in the not-so-distant future.

The culmination of day one was a scrimmage where the players worked through the soreness of their workout earlier and gave a demonstration of what could be expected in the actual game. I was fortunate to witness the guys gel together as a group. They were competitive on the court, but got along well on the bench.
Photo by Jon Lopez

Bobbito Garcia commented, “This is the most fun I’ve seen the Elite 24 group have in all my years announcing it.” Bobbito has been announcing the Elite 24 since its inception. They laughed and joked on the sidelines and communicated effectively on the court.

It was as if they all checked their egos at the door and were a bunch of talented teens enjoying the game and the whole Elite 24 experience – even after Kevin Love explained that nine guys from his Elite 24 class are currently in the NBA and others still have a chance.

Photo by Jon Lopez

Team celebrates Roscoe's game-winning 3-pointer

That was all before the big game on Friday!

While the fans were ready for a goody from the jump, you could feel the tension the players felt from having a standing room only crowd, the pressure of playing in NYC, announcers on the mic delivering a play-by-play analysis and all the media attention that comes with being the best in the country – all aspects of the game they will soon grow accustomed to.

Photo by Jon Lopez

Dion Waiters sets up a teammate

The first few plays were a little shaky as the players shook off the jitters. Kendall Marshall, committed to the University of North Carolina, officially got things started with a mean up-and-under in the paint that shook his defender into the VIP section behind the baseline (and out of bounds). He finished with 8 dimes and 3 steals.

Soon after that, Marshall was on the wrong end of a Josh Selby dunk that let everybody in attendance know the jitters are gone and the game is on and poppin’.

From that point on, the alley-oops, no look dimes, step back Js, hyperized crosses and all that were in full effect.

Doron “Smooth Criminal” Lamb knocked down silky J after silky J from everywhere en route to his game leading 23 points (4 treys), 6 boards and 5 dimes that earned him one of four MVP awards on the night.

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Doron Lamb displays an MVP performance

Bobbito nicknamed Roscoe Smith “Scoe da Show” for his clutch performance in the scrimmage as well as his unforgiving offensive arsenal in the big game. Scoe da Show was everywhere. He dropped 22 and snagged 7 boards, 4 of them offensive that often led to bangers.

Teammate of Lamb and Smith, Tobias Harris put on an MVP performance with 20 on 9 of 16 shooting and 5 rebounds. He was nicknamed “Nobody Smiling” by Bobbito for his strictly business approach to the game. I had a chance to catch up with Harris after the game and asked him about his nickname. Harris said, “It’s not that I’m not having fun on the court; it’s just that I’m so focused while I’m playing. Some coaches say I have to work on smiling more while I play…. I like the nickname.” There’s nothing wrong with being focused and when your putting up numbers like Tobias “Nobody Smiling” Harris, there will be plenty of opportunity to smile come draft day.

Myck Kabongo gave the defense fits, in a very defensive game (especially for an all-star game), with serious handle and aggressive drives to the cup, he dropped 16 points in 16 minutes. Kyrie Irving also had 16 points in as many minutes and he had some fearless attacks at the basket that got the crowd on its feet. If he had played 14 more minutes he would’ve met his summer average of 30 per game. Irving is a problem – even elite guards have trouble keeping up with him.

Photo by Jon Lopez

Myck Kabongo runs the offense

The other two MVPs were C.J. Leslie, who finished with 15 points and 11 boards in 19 minutes, and Josh “The Highlight” Selby, who dropped 18 and dished out 6 dimes. Selby had about 6 dunks. And they weren’t regular dunks. They were in the teeth of the defense or anti-gravity acrobatic bangers or both! He’s about 5’10, and that may be generous, but when he jumps he’s reminiscent of the likes of Nate Robinson or Spudd Webb, but he’s as aggressive as Kevin Johnson or, dare I say, Shawn Kemp. He told me they call him “Mr. Impossible” at Barry Farms and I think the name suits him well. Selby is tenacious when he makes his way to the baha.

Photo by Kevin Couliau

L-R: Josh Selby, Tobias Harris, Doron Lamb, C.J. Leslie

Watching Lance “Born Ready” Stephenson go at it with John “Make ‘em Fall” Wall was fun last year. But this year’s Elite 24 was jam-packed with entertainment and highlights. The final score was 133-120, but don’t get it twisted – these guys were going hard on defense. There were a combined 12 blocks and 22 steals in this one and that doesn’t include altered or contested shots.

All the guys went in at this year’s Elite 24. Will Barton showcased some serious athletic ability and almost got hurt on a drive to the hoop; he finished with 18 points in 18 minutes. Austin Rivers hit a couple of mean, straight up nasty step-back jumpers in the grill piece of defenders’ outstretched arms. Harrison Barnes, ranked #1 in the nation, finished with 18 points and knocked down 7 out of 8 from the charity stripe.

Photo by Kevin Couliau

Austin Rivers drains a jumper over the defense

Joe Jackson was a strong floor general when he was on the court, he finished with 10 points, 6 boards, 4 dimes and a block. Phil Pressey directed traffic as if he’d been running with this crew for years. Dion Waiters dropped 15 on 60% shooting from the field. Perry Ellis and DaJuan Coleman showed tremendous upside as the only two rising sophomores in this year’s game. I’m so hyped, I already can’t wait to follow up on these guys this upcoming season and check out the 2010 Elite 24!

Photo by Jon Lopez

Austin Rivers signs autographs

Photo by Jon Lopez

MVP, Doron Lamb signs autographs

Photo by Jon Lopez

Josh Selby attacks the basket