By Cardell Dudley
With a great line-up of high caliber teams from the area and from various areas on the East Coast, the DMVelite Baltimore Holiday Tip Off Classic 2014 became a must see event. Held at Baltimore's St Frances Academy, prospects stood out all weekend long pleasing the folks on hand to watch which included coaches from top tier college programs such as Georgetown, Maryland, St Joseph and VCU among others. Here are the players that stood out amongst the field.
Josh Ayeni - St Frances/ Forward/ 6'8/ 2015
Versatile scoring forward who is a legit walking double double. Sneaky athletic, capable of playing guard, forward and even center in spurts at the next level.
Blair Bowes - Philadelphia E&T/ Point Guard/ 5'10/ 2016
Feisty combo guard who looks to make the players around him better. A pest on defense, he gave Millford Mills point guard Justin Jenifer fits, forcing Jenifer to a 10 point (1-4 FG), 9 assist, 7 turnover performance.
Daquan Bracey - St Frances/ Guard/ 5'11/ 2016
An amazing talent. An equal threat running the show as a point guard or switching over to shooting guard and focusing on putting the ball in the basket. Short in stature, Bracey is a strong kid which helps him battling on the boards and playing defense. A wizard with the basketball, no one could keep him in front of them, as he broke down the defense at will making plays for others or finishing himself. His 15 point, 7 assist, 5 rebound performance against Genesis Academy earned an offer from Georgetown.
Kobie Eubanks - Elev8 Institute (Fla)/ Shooting Guard/ 6'5/2015
Eubanks came in the most highly touted of all the prospects with offers from Missouri, Maryland, Baylor and Minnesota among others and after a rough start proved why that is so. Eubanks is a complete guard which is rare for the prep level. He can score from all three levels, is very athletic and can score in bunches when he is on. I immediately thought Ray Allen ceiling after watching him score 20 points and grab 9 rebounds in a win against Mt. Zion. Stay tune.....
Andre Fox - Mt. Zion Prep/ Guard/ 6'3/ 2015
Impressive doesn't even begin to do Andre Fox justice. Fox improvement as not only a quality player but a quality point guard is incredible. The 6'3 guard and High Point commit was a one man wreckimg crew for Mt. Zion, posting 27 points (8-15 FG), 6 rebounds and 3 assist against Elev8 Institute. Once just an athlete, Fox now has strong guard skills and an improved understanding of the game to match his athleticism and the results are scary. Expect bigger programs to come knocking down the road as the season progresses.
Collin Goss - St Stephens & St Agnes (VA)/ Forward/ 6'10/ 2015
The George Washington commit displayed a skill set and mobility that is rare for a 6'10 forward. Goss pulled up from three, knocked down the mid range and was able to put it on the floor and finish. The only knock on him is his limited strength as he can be pushed around, although that will be improved once he gets to GW. An intriguing prospect to watch grow.
Jamall Gregory - Elev8 Institute (Fla)/ Guard-Forward/ 6'5/ 2015
A VERY intense player who loves to play with an edge.....it works for him. Gregory put on a show against Mt. Zion turning timely steals into highlight reel dunks, he is simply a gamer. As of right now he is a combo guard as he is a reluctant shooter, however that doesn't take away from his value to Elev8 Institute. He was clearly the heart and soul of the team and sparked them to a close 84-82 win. Reminds me a lot of the Memphis Grizzlies lockdown defender Tony Allen.
Kurk Lee Jr - St Frances/ Point Guard/ 5'10/ 2016
After missing last season due to injury I was excited to see the son of the former Dunbar legend finally play. He didn't disappoint. A true floor general who is a throwback to the days where pass first point guards ran basketball, Lee displayed a on court savvy that is rare for this era of score first point guards. While looking to create for others is his primary objective, do not get it twisted....Lee Jr can put the ball in the basket. A small point guard, he uses his speed and quickness to drive pass defenders while also disrupting opposing guards very well. Against Genesis Academy, Lee Jr also showed the ability to be a spot up shooter as he shot 5-9 from the field including 3-6 from three point range. Him in the backcourt with Bracey is as dangerous a backcourt you will find throughout the DMV.
Bobby More - Millford Mill/ Guard/ 6'0/ 2015
As Justin Jenifer struggled, Bobby More stepped up in a big way. More torched Philadelphia E&T with 24 points (8-10FG/ 6-7FG) and 6 rebounds, single handedly keeping Millford in the game. A knockdown shooter with playmaking ability, More is an underrated prospect in the deep talent pool of guard that engulfs the 2015 class.
Caleb Tanner - Elev8 Institute (Fla)/ Guard/ 6'1/ 2015
One of the best pure shooters around at any level. The shooting display he put on against Mt. Zion in the first half had everyone in attendance in awe. The Radford commit went off for 23 points on 7-12 shooting from the field, 6-9 from three in 13 minutes of play in the FIRST half. Don't be surprise if bigger programs come calling soon.
William Thompson III - Wilson High School (DC)/ Forward/6'6/2015
A raw, high motor forward. Relentless on the boards especially offensive rebounding where he generates the majority of his offense. Not the most skilled, although he more than makes up for it with his effort. Finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes against Philadelphia E&T.
Greg Williams - Genesis Academy (VA)/ Guard- Forward/ 6'6/ 2016
Explosive player capable of playing both guard positions and small forward. A rare two way player that can impact the game on both ends. Williams is at his best when he is attacking the basket either off the dribble or in transition, putting constant pressure on the defense. An underrated passer as well which will separate him at the next level and possibly beyond. Has an offer from Georgia and is on the radar of UConn, Kansas State, UCLA, Virginia Tech and Xavier.