| 2007 Kingwood Classic Top Prospects
Big-time talents such as Greg Monroe, Brandon Jennings, Delvon Roe, and Al Farouq Aminu shined, but fast-rising players like Tyler Zeller, Toby Veal, Storm Warren, Tyreese Breshers, Elliott Williams, Jeremiah Kelly, and Rotnei Clark made the weekend in Houston very intriguing. Diaper dandies Jeremy Tyler, Reeves Nelson, and Derrick Favors made Kingwood a must-see event. Below we have listed almost 80 players who impressed us when we watched this weekend. We didn't see everyone so we missed a number of top talents. If you feel someone slipped through the cracks give us a shout out at vcoleman@cstv.com and we'll check them out. With that in mind, here's our look at the top prospects we observed in Kingwood.
2007 Kingwood Classic Top Prospects & Performers:
Tyler Zeller 7-0 (2008) C (Indiana Elite) The pre-spring No. 118 prospect made a real push to not only break into the Top 100, but maybe the Top 50 this spring. He has added strength and his efficiency is way up. He scored 21 points in the final, as his Indiana Elite squad won the Kingwood 17-Under crown. He is an excellent passer with facing skills. Schools taking a look included Iowa, Michigan, Notre Dame, Arizona, Tennessee, New Mexico, Minnesota, Butler, and Arizona State.
Greg Monroe 6-11 (2008) C (Louisiana Select) The pre-springNo. 1 prospect didn't damage his rep, but he didn't blow people away. Like he normally does, he had some freaky athletic blocks and highlight dunks, catching the ball above the rim and thundering the finish. Consistent effort is still the difference between him and a Dwight Howard, but the pieces are all there. He has LSU, Kentucky, Louisville, Kansas, Duke and USC among schools he's considering.
Tony Woods 6-11 (2008) C (Georgia Stars) The pre-spring No. 55 prospect had some nice moments when we watched. He swatted a couple shots, dunked around the hoop and showed he can step out and knock down 12-footers. He's still on the thin side, but reminds you a little of Channing Fry at this stage. He has tools to make an immediate impact in the Big East, ACC or SEC where he's receiving the most recruiting interest.
Terrence Jennings 6-10 (2008) C (PHPS) The pre-spring No. 109 prospect, this physical big man has ability to play facing the hoop, although he's at his best using his quickness and ability to explode off the floor in the paint. He exploded for 32 in one outing in Houston and looked like a top fifty prospect when we were in the gym. He had Louisville, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Arizona and Memphis at one game we watched.
Jeremy Tyler 6-10 (2010) C (California Supreme) My good friend Etop Udo-Ema has been raving about the size, mobility and potential of this young insider. We now see why. He can score on blocks, has good hands and the ability to explode to rim in traffic. All the usual western biggies are involved, look for his list to go national.
DeMarcus Cousins 6-10 (2009) PF (Birmingham Storm) The pre-springNo.2 prospect led his Birmingham Storm-16's to the championship in Kingwood. He dominated his own age group. He's mobile, plays at the rim and will be a target of every high major. Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Duke, and North Carolina were among coaches who stopped by to take a look at this blossoming big man.
Terrance Henry 6-9 (2008) PF (MBA Hoops) The pre-spring No. 110 looked like he's ready to challenge for a top-100 spot. He's thin, but very mobile. He has touch around the hoop or can pop the 15-footer, but is at his best using quicks to break down bigger opponents. He had Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi and Arkansas at a game we watched.
Howard Thompkins 6-9 (2008) PF (Atlanta Celtics) The pre-spring No. 16 prospect looked like it in the game we watched versus So Cal All-Stars, scoring 22 points in the Celtics pool play win. No doubt, he was much more aggressive and physical around the hoop in Kingwood. He can score on baseline to arc but is still more effective playing inside-out.
Derrick Favors 6-9 (2009) WF (Atlanta Celtics) The pre-spring No. 4 prospect in the sophomore class continued the high level of play he showed at Real Deal. He has range to arc, but needs to work on release to improve consistency. He can flat out fly in open court. Kentucky, Florida, Tennessee, Duke, North Carolina, Arkansas, Memphis, and Kansas were among schools watching him at Westfield High.
JaMychael Green 6-8 (2008) PF (Alabama Challenge) The pre-spring No.20 prospect showed he deserves the accolades, going off for twenty-plus twice on Saturday. He has good hops and strength to finish in traffic. His early schools include Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia Tech, Virginia and Florida State.
Toby Veal 6-8 (2008) PF (Georgia Elite) The pre-spring No. 165 prospect made a real case for moving up the rankings, maybe even picking off a top-100 spot. He has excellent hands and finishes in traffic around the hoop. He had 26 points and 10 boards versus the Miami Tropics. He is getting looks from Florida State, Clemson, Florida, Auburn, and North Carolina.
Delvon Roe 6-8 (2008) CF (King of the Court) The pre-spring No. 5 prospect was as steady as they come in Kingwood. He showed range to arc and can out quick bigger foes around the hoop. He led his team to Sweet 16 in Houston, something he should do regularly for his college choice Michigan State in the future.
Al-Farouq Aminu 6-8 (2008) WF (Georgia Stars) The pre-spring No. 6 prospect made a real strong argument with his game to challenge for one of the top two or three spots in the class. He had 18 points in Georgia Stars' upset of tourney runners-up Pump N' Run Elite. He followed that up with a 24-point output versus Greg Monroe. His pre-tourney schools list included North Carolina, Florida, Clemson, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Connecticut, and a number of SEC schools.
Storm Warren 6-8 (2008) PF (Louisiana Select) The pre-spring No. 127 prospect is on the rise with a bullet. He is athletic, physical and has a nose for the rock. He had 18 points versus Pump N' Run while we watched. He has face-up game on the elbows and can flat fill a lane in transition game. Lots of biggies were in the stands and we expect his list to grow.
Tyreese Breshers 6-7 (2008) CF (Branch West Reebok) The pre-spring No. 147 prospect has really started to develop this spring. He is picking up on the teachings of his coach Bob Gottlieb relying less on his athletic gifts and learning to break opponents down with his skills. He is a perpetual motion forward.
Reeves Nelson 6-7 CF (Pump N' Run Elite) This young man has been phenomenal in back-to-back national events. He is the "Mini-Love," and just like Kevin Love seems to find a way for his club to win. He can hit open jumpers from 17 feet as well as dominate glass and finish on big men with power and quicks. He flat-out just wins. If he keeps up this level of play, look for him to jump into the top-10 in the class before the summer.
Jordan Hamilton 6-7 (2009) WF (Lamar Odom I-Can All-Stars) The pre-spring No. 13 prospect is a smooth scorer who can stick jumpers off the screen or explode off the dribble to the hoop. He had range to arc and lit it up for 23 when we watched, then had 31 in tourney play on Sunday morning.
Matthew Humphrey 6-6 (2008) WF (Meanstreets) The pre-spring No. 140 prospect was on fire in the two games we watched - he knocked down perimeter jumpers and finished dribble drive. He had 22 points in leading Meanstreets over the Atlanta Celtics. He already has looks from Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Illinois, Oregon and New Mexico, but his school list should grow based on his play in Houston.
Demar DeRozan 6-6 (2008) SG (Belmont Shore) The pre-spring No. 35 prospect recently committed to USC, and the Trojans got another major piece of the puzzle based on his play at the Kingwood Classic. He had 29 versus Dallas Showtyme, and 32 points against Team Jones. He has range to three and can create shots or drive off the dribble. He flat out lit it up for Belmont Shore.
DeAndre Liggins 6-6 SG (2008) (Indiana Elite) The pre-spring No. 50 prospect finally showed why he's been as high as Top -25 in the class at times. He handled the rock, avoiding the turnover problems that have sometimes plagued him. He scored off the dribble and with pull-up jumpers and was a big reason that Indiana Elite went home with the crown at the Kingwood Classic. His list is evolving, and he now has Illinois, Purdue, Kansas, Arkansas, Memphis, New Mexico and Kentucky on his leaderboard.
Xavier Henry 6-6 (2009) SG (Athlete's First) The pre-spring No. 5 prospect is an exciting athlete who can score at the hoop with the best in the sophomore class. He's still a little streaky from the perimeter, but is a monster when his shot is dropping. He didn't damage his rep in Houston.
Elliott Williams 6-4 (2008) SG (M33M) The pre-spring No.47 prospect has potential to move up the rankings. He has a real motor that lets him make big plays down the stretch, and drain jumper to the final gun. As his game matures, he is becoming more than just a scorer.
Willie Warren 6-3 (2008) PG (Team Texas) The pre-spring No.13 prospect is pushing for a spot in the top ten. He can drain it from beyond the arc and has ability to finish off the dribble or deliver to the open man. He can play both spots in the backcourt equally well. He had Kansas, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Tennessee among the coaches at the game we watched.
J'Covan Brown 6-3 (2008) PG (T-Mac All-Stars) The pre-spring No. 15 prospect was solid each time we observed him in Houston. He has combo skills and can create drives or stick jumpers from arc on in. He creates opportunities for his teammates and runs the show in the transition or half-court game. He had Duke, Texas, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Arizona, Tennessee, Baylor and LSU among schools at his game when we watched.
Malcolm Lee 6-3 (2008) CG (Inland Reebok) The pre-spring No. 26 prospect had his moments in Houston. He scored from beyond the arc with the jumper and finished at the rim with the flush. He can handle running the break and showed an ability to deliver rock too. He hurt his hand on Saturday, but still bounced back to score 19 points in a round of 32 loss. He will fit right into future UCLA backcourt plans.
Jrue Holiday 6-3 (2008) SG (Pump N' Run Elite) This physical guard continues to impress us with his ability to give 100%. He gets to rack and knows how to create shot for himself or his teammates. He had Arizona, North Carolina, UCLA, Texas, Washington, USC, and Kansas among schools at his games when we watched.
Jeremiah Kelly 6-2 (2008) PG (Mac Irvin Fire) The pre-spring No. 99 prospect made a big statement with his play in Houston, leading his Fire squad to the title in the Gold Division. He scored with the jumper, but really impressed those who saw him with his take-charge style, running the show for Mac Irvin's squad. His early list includes DePaul, Iowa State, Illinois, Xavier and Virginia Tech, but that list could grow after his play here.
Brandon Jennings 6-1 (2008) PG (Southern Cal All-Stars) The pre-spring No. 3 prospect was stellar in a couple of losing causes, scoring 27 in the opener versus Meanstreets and leading a comeback from twenty down. He then had 33 points versus the Atlanta Celtics. He was as good as any individual we observed on the first two days in Houston. He has recently re-opened his recruiting and has USC, Connecticut, Arizona, Kentucky, and Kansas as his current school list.
Rotnei Clark 6-0 (2008) PG (Athlete's First) The pre-spring No. 96 prospect is a real fire plug. He can drain open threes with regularity, and has point guard skills. He plays extremely hard on both ends and doesn't back down from any challenge. He has Arizona State, Kansas, Oral Roberts, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Marquette, Arkansas, and Missouri State.
Angelo Johnson 5-10 (2008) PG (Howard Pulley) The pre-spring No. 107 prospect was stellar when we watched. He not only scored regularly with both jumpers and drives, but really did a good job setting up teammates in transition or off penetration. He recently committed to USC.
Lewis Jackson 5-8 (2008) PG (Indiana Elite) The pre-spring No. 117 prospect really impressed us with his ability to create in the open court. He did a solid job getting it to big men inside or made kicks to Matt Roth and Company on the wing. He teamed with DeAndre Liggins to give Indiana Elite a solid ball handling duo. He has interest from Illinois, DePaul, Tennessee, Indiana, Wisconsin, Clemson, and Iowa. Look for his list to grow.
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