It was a good day. Yes, Ice Cube has been referenced in the first sentence. You’re welcome. The last game was ugly at times, then I jinxed it when I mentioned to my friend Jamaill we haven’t had overtime yet in the showcase. Then, the basketball god’s blessed us with a double OT game. Everyone in the gym tonight, You’re welcome.. Or, I’m sorry!
Players That Impressed
Timmy Allen Texas 6’6 200 G/F
Allen was super efficient. He has a lot of toughness and physicality. He has a great feel in the m/r and mid post. Takes contact well. Strong bodied and looks thicker than 200lbs. in a good way. Allen also was chipped in with 12 rebounds. He had 25 points and went 11-14 from the field. Almost all of his damage was in the m/r.
Kris Bankston Norfolk State 6’8 220 PF
Bankston struggled to make an impact his first game. Today he flashed athleticism that may be unmatched compared to any other player here. He has great hangtime and body control in the air when attacking the rim. He’s a dangerous roll man for lobs and has a great motor as a rim runner. Bankston had a massive one hand throw down, where it literally looked like he threw the ball from straight down ala Dwight Howard in the dunk contest. I don’t think he touched the rim, because he was too far away…. but, man he was way over the rim.
Kevin “Tha Dogg” Obanor Texas Tech 6’8 225 G/F
Man…. Obanor is intense. Plays extremely hard with emotion and authority. He also takes care of his body. He had ice on both knee’s and ankle’s when he left the gym. I liked seeing that because I don’t recall anyone else ever doing the same here. He is a freak athlete and super strong he can do a little bit of everything. I would be stunned if he’s not at the combine. He can make the three, attack the lane or just p/up in m/r. He can literally guard 1-4. He’s strong enough and agile enough either way. I loved his intensity and letting everyone know he’s that DUDE. Obanor finished with 29 points, five rebounds and three blocks.
Ed Croswell Providence 6’8 245 F/C
Big Ed flashed today. He started slow, but really came on after that. Ed is strong in the paint. He showed good hands and a soft touch. He’s solid in the p/roll game. He was relentless on the boards today also. Croswell finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds….. Ten were offensive!
Sales Systems Team
KJ Williams struggled from three, but still managed to score around the rim and with a post fadeaway. Williams also chipped in on the glass. He had 15 points and 17 rebounds.
Caleb McConnell chips in wherever he can. He showed the ability to score at times and he’s always a lockdown type defender. He plays within himself and that’s always refreshing to see nowadays.
I love Erik Stevenson’s confidence. He’s a flat out scorer. He can get hot quick and has a nice stroke from deep. Stevenson can occasionally shoot shots that may not be the best, but what scorer/shooter doesn’t. Stevenson finished with 23 points, going 5-8 from three.
Nathan Mensah had three late buckets in double OT that basically sealed the game. Mensah has a nice stroke 15 feet and in. Good rotation and doesn’t fade when shooting. I’ve watched a lot of him throughout his career. He’s a steady big. Defends well, has switchability and mobility. Ohhh and a 7’5 wingspan. Mensah had 17 points, ten rebounds and went 8-10 from the field.
Tanner Groves Oklahoma 6’10 235 F/C
Tanner is not the strongest or most physically skilled player. But, I would take him with me to a fight everyday. He’s a tough son of a gun. He plays with passion and he may be the toughest dude here. He never backs down. He keeps getting up off the ground. He struggled from three tonight, yet still made an impact. He had 19 points and eight rebounds. Next time though….. Shoot the open three at the end of the game. There were two chances you passed it out.
Players That Disappointed
Trey Jemison UAB 7’0 260 C
Trey is a massive man in the post. He really struggled today though. His hands looked very questionable. There were three straight p/roll plays where he just couldn’t catch and handle the pass and fumbled it away….. And the passes weren’t bad either.
Grant Sherfield Oklahoma 6’2 190 Combo Guard
Sherfield fell back to struggling today. He couldn’t make anything. He finished with two points and 1-11 from the field…..
Dane Goodwin Notre Dame 6’6 200 SG
Goodwin clearly is a good jump shooter and has a very nice stroke. He just missed shots today. None looked bad, they just didn’t fall. I like him. Today was just not his day. He had six points, four rebounds and was 1-9 from the field.
Things I Loved Today
Kevin Obanor’s competitiveness. He is “Tha Dogg”. He has so much confidence and isn’t afraid to let people know. One other thing I liked is when he left the gym he gave a nod to the trainer that helped ice him up after the game. That was cool and she appreciated it as well.
Tanner Grove’s passion. He made an and one and then had a weird, yet awesome counting motion with both hands while laying on the ground…… I realize my explanation is anticlimactic. But, If you were here at the PIT…… It was Electric, and very much a goofy white guy thing. And as I reread this I just can’t do it justice. Sorry, I’m a goofy white guy too!
KJ Williams showed some more physicality. I’m still not sure he can or is willing to post up on offense. He had one baby hook shot and a fadeaway post jumper score….. But, both were going away from the basket……. So, maybe I just kinda had a fling and didn’t fully love it yet….
The Bier Garden in Olde Towne, downtown Portsmouth, VA. I highly recommend this place. Its very relaxed and authentic German cuisine. I make sure I eat there every year I attend and its just fun and doesn’t disappoint. They also have a ton of beer selections. And whenever you have a beer referencing James and the Giant Peach….. I have to try it…… Johann beware of the Rhinoceros in the sky. And Aslin job well done!
Oh yeah the food was awesome! I had Curry Bockwurst, with German potato salad and beer battered fries.
Paired with Aventinus Weizendoppelbock
The Young Veteran 