"HoopLife Over Violence" Is Huge Success for Baltimore

If the 2016 “Hoops Over Violence” proved one thing, it's that next year's high school basketball season is going to be an electrifying one in the Baltimore region.  In the event sponsored by current Olympian and NBA Star Carmelo Anthony who has recently mounted efforts against violence by advocating open dialoged between community and police nationwide; put his plan into action in the city to which he is a native.  The event which partnered with the Baltimore City Police Departments Office of Community Engagement was a success as Carmelo Anthony set the example for civic responsibility for adults and youth alike.   

The participants in Saturday’s game at St. Frances Academy showcased unique abilities to score from all over the court. Now, we understand this was an all-star game, but many guys look like stars in the making by their performances this past weekend.

CLASS OF 2020

Isaiah Todd – John Marshall High School



Isaiah Todd performed well all game long. After looking like the best player in the first half, Todd capped it off with an impressive one on one battle in the second half, Todd showed his prowess and that he is a freak athlete with a smooth touch from beyond the arc. His ability to hit the open jumper and create his own shot combined with his ability to guard on the other end was all on display. He was active the entire game and asserted himself as one of the top players in the class; all in attendance very well may have been looking at the future #1 player in the country. He displayed his elite athleticism on the finishing end of oops and court vision setting up others to score.  



Che Evans Jr. – Delaney High School

🦁|| @Dwayne_Wise @SportsMajors pic.twitter.com/q6Q1R9KT0H

— Ig: cevans10 (@CevansJr10) August 15, 2016

Evans scored had ton of points and stuffed the stat sheet himself. Evans is an high school-ready small forward who possesses a litany of moves off the deck and is quickly proving that he can step out and hit jump shots. At 6-6, he is one of the most versatile players in this class Evans got hot from outside knocking down jumpers and his drives to the basket brought a spark to the gym. He has natural scoring ability and is developing exceptional athleticism.

Anthony Thomas – St. Frances

Thomas is a long lean and very athletic wing that is a high light in the open court where he can play above the rim with flare. He can make open threes with time and space and can execute quick short straight line drives. Thomas makes plays with length and athleticism as opposed to strength.

Cameron Byers – Undecided

Byers continues to make steady progress and has added another inch spouting up to 6’7; he displayed a versatile game by scoring, rebounding and blocking shots. When you combine Byers ability to knock down the 15-footer, accuracy and confidence at his size with better than you think athletic ability his future potential looks strong. Byers is comfortable and is effective handing, passing and shooting along with a quickly developing IQ he will only continue to blossom down the road.










Montez McNeil – Calvert Hall


McNeil has excellent size. He is long and is an excellent athlete. He runs the floor well and can score in and around the lane and short corner areas when he receives drop off or kick out passes. MeNeil is a good area rebounder and gets his share of block shots letting nothing come easy in the paint. Adding the ability to finish with the dunk and improved athleticism along with an already chiseled frame he will be beating the competition into submission for years to come.





Justin Lewis – Calvert Hall

Justin Lewis (@jusbuckets_5) of @Dwayne_Wise put on a show tonight at #HoopLifeAgainstViolence pic.twitter.com/d9zgtP68wV

— Hoop Major (@Hoop_Maj0r) August 14, 2016

Lewis has excellent range for a 6-8 prospect. Lewis to lock and load off the catch. This is a guy that will craft his game around his ability to play facing the basket as a perimeter forward. Does have an awfully good looking half game in the paint. Rebounds his area well. Does a tremendous job of rebounding and igniting the break with crisp outlet passes. Has size and sees the floor so you can run offense through him. Justin is also very physical and compete on both ends every possession. He is deceiving but very productive.

CLASS OF 2019

Jason Murphy – Chapelgate


He's a highly talented, high motor, finisher and has the type of run and jump tools at his size that just can't be taught. He'll be a rim protector, defender and finisher from day one, but has the potential to develop into a more accomplished scorer as his career goes on he showed some solid footwork in his face up game showing that he has been in the gym; no one works harder and that in itself with his tools will put him in many conversations.




James Bishop – Mt. St. Joe’s


He has a lean frame with long arms and active hands. He can snatch rebounds in traffic, lead the break, and make the appropriate pass or slash his way to the rim. He has excellent body control while attacking the rim and he can finish with either hand. However, he is at his best when spotting up for the 3-point shot, his shot was a little off Saturday but you can see the consistency with the mechanics.



Gerard Mungo – St. Frances

Mungo is a jack of all trades prospect who projects well to the next level and is someone who you want to go to war with. Defensively, he is tough showing great physicality, and active hands to guard multiple positions. Offensively, he has the ball skills, savvy, and an innate ability to get into the lane off the dribble. His jump shot has improved tremendously and he is solid in the mid-range area and he has the length and athleticism to finish off the bounce while attacking the paint. He is at his best in transition. Whether it be leading the break (after snatching a rebound) or filling the lane in transition, Gerard has a knack to making the right basketball play.

Ziggy Reid – St. Paul

He has excellent body control while maneuvering his two-dribble pull-up, he is solid in the mid-range and he can get to the rim utilizing his length and scoring savvy. In transition he can finish over the rim but he needs momentum. He has shown he can knock down of the catch. In areas other than scoring, he has shown savviness as a passer and overall has a nice feel for the game on the offensive end. One of the biggest area sleepers.

Will Thomas – Mt. Carmel

Thomas is a strong and athletic combo-guard prospect for the next level. He has good length, solid quickness, and he is vertically explosive. His burst has improved where he can separate from defenders in the open court as well out of the triple threat position. He can split double teams, get into the lane and either drop a floater or pull-up. He gets excellent lift on his shot and he has deep range but must become more confident in actually shooting it. He can nail the mid-range pull-up off the bounce or off a pin-down. In terms of other areas of the game he is a very productive rebounder and he competes at all times at both ends.  One of those players who when they put it all together stock will rise tremendously.

Jalen Willis - Dunbar

Jalen is a long and athletic wing with a non-stop motor. He is a good scorer that can score at all three levels as he often simply out works his opponent. He is a exceptional athlete that scores very well in transition. He is a good shooter from both mid range and long range improvements in this area will open even more doors for Willis.  Willis has the tools to be a very good defender with his size and length and can be considered a defensive stopper in every sense of the word - his on the ball defense is one of the best we have seen and he looks to enjoy stopping his man just as much as he does scoring the ball.  Rebounds well for a guard outside of his area; we like his ceiling and consider him one of the best kept secrets in Baltimore this is a player whose stock is rising quickly.

Logan Curtis – Calvert Hall

Curtis is a straight-up bucket getter. He plays with maximum effort (good speed and quickness) and is always in attack mode. He can splash jump shots out to the stripe and he is one of the few prospects that uses glass in his mid-range pull-up. He handles it well in the open court and has a knack of converting buckets in the paint area over length.

Jalen Wiggins – Delaney

Jalen is a gifted scorer and shooter. Once he learns to get others involved and improve his ball handling against pressure, his stock will elevate.  In the half court set he is quite good in a drive and kick situation and if the defense sags he can knock down the jump shot. Defensively, he has the strength, lateral quickness, and active hands to be a reliable defender. Overall, Wiggins is a gamer and plays to win each and every time out.

Jalen Rucker – Gilman

Rucker has a very good burst in transition and he has the power to carry defenders on his hips. While in the paint he has the body control and physical frame to finish through contact. He excels in transition where he puts defenders on their heels, but also has the vision to drop off the nice assist.

CLASS OF 2018/2019

Montez Mathis – Oak Hill

Mathis is a rangy scoring guard and at 6’4 he has an excellent upside. He has long arms, broad shoulders, and he possesses a quick 1st step. He can face-up his defender and his burst allows him to get into the lane for the score. He excels in transition due to his explosive nature. He can finish above the rim and exhibited the type of athleticism to slash his way to the rim or finish over the top of defenders. He can knock down the 3-point shot and his release looks solid. In addition, he showed glimpses of an evolving mid-range stop and pop game. Defensively, he has the length and lateral quickness to be a defensive stopper.

Jalen “Sticks” Smith – Mt. St. Joe

Smith is a lean power forward prospect with long arms and an excellent motor. His shot blocking an ability to sprint in transition is impressive. He has excellent timing and his initial burst is exceptional. He can explode to the rim in transition and finish with a dunk and he also has the ability to get numerous points off of tip-ins. He showed the ability to face up  and knock in jump shots and a face-up driving game as well.  A high major prospect due to his excellence with a specific skill set as his offence develops the sky is the limit.

Demitrius Mims – Poly

Mims is a terrific athlete who plays at a relentless pace. The term scoring machine quickly comes to mind while evaluating Mims. He has a chiseled frame with good length and he is an exceptional athlete. He excels in transition where he uses his strength, quickness, and bounce to explode to the rim. He has an innate ability to slash his way to the rim and he has the strength to finish through contact. His jump shot is decent out to the 3-point stripe, but overall it will need to get more consistent for the next level. Defensively, he has the physical tools (length, active hands, lateral quickness) to be a lock-down defender at the next level; this is a player whose ceiling is extremely high and has the potential raise his stock tremendously as 2018/2019 wing.






Nate Roberts – John Carroll

Roberts is one of the better up-and-coming bigs in the DMV and Baltimore. He has very long arms, broad shoulders, solid hands, good feet. His motor is terrific at both ends, whether it be crashing the glass, finishing through contact, or going after loose balls. He can toss in the occasional jump hook, but overall his offense is still in it's developing stages. Defensively, he shows good timing as a rebounder and weak side shot blocker. In addition, he has active hands while defending in the post.

Terry Nolan – Mt. Carmel

Nolan took away MVP honors showing he can score the pill; Nolan is a solid looking shooting guard prospect. He has long arms, broad shoulders, and he's a good athlete. He affects the game in multiple ways due to his overall feel for the game. He can knock in the 3-point shot, slash his way to the rim, snatch a rebound in traffic, or make the appropriate pass. Overall, he projects as a mid-major at the next level.





Dre Perry – Poly

Dre Perry (@Dreperry22) of Team Melo (@Dwayne_Wise) highlights at #HoopLifeAgainstViolence pic.twitter.com/7bWFlc4Ast

— Hoop Major (@Hoop_Maj0r) August 15, 2016

Perry is a multi-skilled wing who impacts the game on both ends of the floor and has improved at a rapid rate in the second half of his high school career. He has a good basketball body with long limbs, developing muscle mass and solid athleticism. Offensively, he's a potential mismatch problem who can thrive in transition, make open shots out to 20 feet, straight line drives to the rim and even has a little in-between games with floaters and pull-ups. Defensively, he guards multiple positions in both full and half-court situations because of his length and mobility and is also a good rebounder from the wing.

Tyler Foster – Middleburg Academy

Foster look like a scorer who can drain shots out to 23-feet with ease. He can nail shots off the catch, but looked even better off the dribble. He has a nice burst off the bounce, can stop on a dime, and deliver an impeccable looking shot. His shot mechanics are excellent as his release and delivering are high-level. He changes speeds well to keep defenders honest while attacking and owns a very dependable middle game.

Andre Rafus – Roselle Academy

Andre Rafus (@cantstoprafus) abused the rim at #HoopLifeAgainstViolence pic.twitter.com/zuEPEYsyyl

— Hoop Major (@Hoop_Maj0r) August 15, 2016

Rafus is a combo-forward who can play either forward position, although he is more shooter/scorer than penetrator. He has a wiry frame with long arms and he's a solid athlete. He excels in the open court where he slashes his way to the rim and he has the dexterity and skill to finish in traffic. In the half court set he can run high-screen-and-roll and his vision is excellent. He can knock in the 3-point shot with the best of them, is an excellent court spacer – putting pressure on the paint with the bounce will further open up his shot and potentially propel him to a high major when its all said in done as he can already flat out light it up from beyond the stripe.

Darryl Morsell – Mt. St. Joe’s

Morsell who easily qualifies as the highest stock riser this summer is entertaining offers from Notre Dame, Villanova, and Maryland amongst others is a flat out show stopper. Morsell is an explosive combo guard who can create his shot off the dribble at will. He has good length, excellent bounce, and his slashing ability to the rim is special. He can score over and through defenders and is a menace in the open court. He can finish with a dunk or lay it in with either hand. If the scoring opportunity is not there he has the court savvy to find open teammates. If the lane cuts off, he can rise up and nail the jump shot. Frequently he can take the rebound and lead the break as well and his motor is excellent.

Noah Locke – McDonogh

He has floor vision and creativity alike and his teammates love playing with him because he will "pass out the sugar". Locke also shoots the ball with deep range and can also score it off the bounce. Defensively he's solid, and probably at his best playing the passing lanes for steals.

Believe the Hype Jason Murphy is the Real Deal

Jason Murphy went into his freshman year rated as one of the Top 50 prospects in the country, Top 10 in the DMV, and was rated as the #2 center in the DMV.  So far Murphy has stayed true to form and done nothing to diminish those honors bestowed upon him.  In fact Murphey who kept the trend alive of top rated DMV Prep players competing on the varsity level from day one; is not only competing but thriving.  He is being considered the top player as freshman in all of Howard Country where he attends Chapelgate Christian Academy.  

Whereas detractors devalue the middle school ranking system, the trend continues at a 75%+ clip of players noted in said ranking competing on the varsity level and in the case of Murphy and the Top 10 contributing and making an impact.  If that isn't validation enough then the interest he is drawing from JT3 and Georgetown University should be.

When using the word impact, Murphy is without question Top 3 in the area and is vying for DMV Preps Freshman of the year.  At 6’9 his combination of size, length, and bounce is off the charts. He's got a massive, yet still mobile, frame and can go up to catch lobs. He not only runs the floor well for a guy his size but also has relatively good agility, allowing him to patrol the lane at a wide radius with his shot-blocking ability. He's similarly active on the glass and consequently able to rebound out of his area. Offensively, he's a terrific finisher around the rim and starting to show an instinct for passing.  His physical tools are off the charts and are the basis for his tremendous upside. While he needs to continue to develop his muscle and skill, he's the type of guy who is only just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential.

Murphy is no hype; and if see is believing enjoy the show below:

DMV Domination Continues in Hot-Lanta at Exclusive Under Armour Best of the Best Camp

From Left to Right (Che Evans, Karim Couliby, Jason Murphy, Tyler Brelsford, Isaiah Todd, Marvin Price, Terrance Williams)

Atlanta, Ga. -  In an impressive show of power this past weekend the DMV loaded up a van and headed to Atlanta, Ga. to compete in the Under Amour Best of Best Camp – the invitation only event consisted of a virtual whose of who in the area.  The common theme for those receiving invites?  Their games translate and they look to be next level ready either physically and/or mentally.

 

The size and length rolling out of the DMV was phenomenal and consisted of what has previously been documented as the area’s top up and coming high school prospects.  This exclusive event  attracted 125 of the top middle school players not only from this area but from across the country; as they battled for a spot in the UA Middle School Elite 24 game to be held under the Brooklyn Bridge on August 22, 2015. 

Six of the seven players in attendance made the events Top 20 game and Karim Couliby received the dual honor or being name as the camps and the All-Star games  M.V.P.  In attendance at the event where the following players from the DMV:

*Karim Coulibly, (6’8, New World): Did yeoman’s work on the low block, showed an exceptional motor; no one played harder, rebounded well against like size.  Showed he wasn’t afraid to get physical – finished well and displayed a phenomenal skill set even putting the ball the floor on several occasion but was at his very best finding and hitting the outlet man and then filling the lane.  Above average passing skills also highlighted his dual MVP weekend.

*Marvin Price, (6’4, Team Melo)  –  Price had a great weekend and continued to solidify his national stock; he easily could have walked away with M.V.P honors, he too was one of the hardest workers in the camp, finished almost everything , and was unstoppable getting to the tin.  His jump shot was falling all weekend long and he did it at all levels as a man amongst boys.  As an added bonus Price showed some serious bounce competing in the camp slam dunk contest were he finished second in a controversial decision.  When the jumper is falling he is one of the toughest covers in the 2019 class.

*Terrance Williams, (6’6, Team Takeover) – Williams as always saves his best performance for the big game; while he was solid all weekend he  lit up the All-Star game, where he may not have missed a single shot going for a double-double in the contest.  He knocked the trey-ball down consistently during the weekend, as well as hitting the mid-range shot, and even threw down a dunk with authority.  Williams as always showed he is an excellent passer whose best attribute as a player may be his patience and IQ.  You are beginning to see the wing skills start to develop and they look true to his nickname “Big Smooth” as he shook a few people on his way to the basket.

*Che Evans, (6’5, Team Melo)  - Knocked the socks off everyone in the gym on day one with his versatility, got to the spots he wanted at will, the jump shot looked vastly improved and scouts say he is a jumper away from being unstoppable.  He is very creative with the ball and showed a strong handle, made the right pass and the right play and made an impact in multiple categories.  He rebounded his position and showed a great motor.  He walked away from the event as clearly one of the top 2020 wings in the country his defensive ability and shot blocking skills were also impressive – a special note was given that the dunk package was also impressive.

*Jason Murphy, (6’8, Team Melo) – Didn’t give up on a single play the entire weekend – plays the game 94-feet and buzzer to buzzer – not a skill that can be taught. Murphy tries to dunk everything and you can see the long term benefit of this mindset in his play.  Dominated both glasses, kept the ball high, and played a true post game playing to his strengths and looked good doing it - he is tough as nails and plays with passion – is an excellent shot blocker and lane filler.  Scored exceptionally well around the basket and you can see future stardom with this kid easily.

*Isaiah Todd, (6’8, Team Silk) – His catch and shoot game looked excellent from all over the floor, showed solid mechanics – needs very little adjustments and simply requires reps to what is already becoming an exceptional strength.  He is now pushing 6’8/6’9 and his versatility is very apparent; a young 13, he can guard any front court position on the floor and made impact on the defensive end and on the boards.  The handle only requires confidence but showed tools and a complete package in the drill sessions.

Tyler Brelsford, (5’8, Team Melo) – Showed great awareness and court vision, knocked down the mid-range pull-up throughout; played the game the right way making the right pass and decision.  Finished well in the paint against size and competed on the defensive end using positional defense to stymie his opponent – made the players around him better and went to the floater when necessary.  Didn’t shoot many threes in game situations but knocked them down during skills and drills showing the shooting prowess he is becoming known for.  

Team Melo Makes Power Moves - Takes Over the Future of the DMV

With the national high school summer season heating up across the country,  with all the major shoes brands NIKE, Adidas, & Under Armor all opening their circuit play. Attention in the DC Metro area, as well as all over American has shifted slightly to the high school arena. 

There have been numerous rumors and rumblings in the DMV area regarding a shift in the balance of power at the middle school ranks and it deals directly with the NIKE circuit.  At the collegian level 44 of the 65 BCS institutions don the NIKE swoosh and historically their circuit houses the largest stable of the nation’s top players.

For several years the DMV area has been dominated by the Team Takeover program led by Keith Stevens.  Stevens and the TTO brand have consistently attracted the top area players to the circuit and have established its program and players as a premier competitor each year at multiple age levels.   In what may turn out to be one of the most strategic moves locally and nationally; program Dwayne Wise and Kirk Lee who represent NIKE Team Melo has partnered with national middle school guru Coach Francis to fully load their entire middle school grassroots program.

Previous reports had Francis and some of the nation’s top talents at various age groups affiliating themselves with quickly floundering Team Durant brand; that presumable has lost some of the country’s top team faster than they had gotten them.  The demise of Durant was epic, as in some cases never having any top elite players put on uniform to represent the brand at all.  In speaking with an anonymous source familiar with the situation it was stated that “…the Team Durant group made a lot of promises they either were unwilling or unable to keep – they let down a lot of people in the area and hurt a lot of kids. “  Additionally the source revealed, “What the top guys at Durant have done is an embarrassment that will dramatically affect their ability to compete in the future if ever”. 

 

Not Pictured: Montez McNeil '20, Odell Dickinson '19 & Cameron Byers '20

Team Melo immediately went to work this weekend; putting their “new”  2019 product on the floor for the first time and was very impressive in winning the Spring Jam Fest Championship in the 2018 age group playing up a year.  The most valuable piece of them all may be the nationally renowned “Terror Squad” (class of 2020) who many recognize as the #1 7^th grade team in the country and the former Durant coo at the 2021 level, the former Team Glory leader requires no introduction – Team Melo now boast undisputed national #1 player Zion Harmon as part of their future construct. The building blocks for the future positions Team Melo to be the top high school program in the area in very short order.  

Standout performers from the 2019 championship group from this weekend who will garner immediate national attention and become household names in quick order with the construct and coaching infrastructure in place are as follows:

Che Evans ( 6’6 Wing/Forward) – Five position players has begun to come into his own while showing a whole new package of tools and intangibles.  Evans played freely & w/ passion never seen before making an impact on both ends of the courts.  Defensively his length paid tremendous dividends as he played the passing lanes, worked the glass, and both altered & blocked shots.  Offensively he passed well and showed vastly improved court vision, while working exceptionally well in the mid-range with pull ups and floaters – but was special when attacking the backboard and finishing with both hands; even looking to dunked missed shots.  Rumors have been confirmed & Evans will be reclassing which will position him as a top national prospect and the Melo program the home of country’s #1 team.

Jason Murphy (6’7 Center) – Jason Murphy has improved so dramatically in recent months that he very well be the bests back to the basket bigman in the entire DMV area. Murphy has the size, strength, and length to dominate – literally he is trying to duck everything at the rim and when he does; he is doing so with authority.   Showed great dexterity around the rim and finished with both hands; as well as a jump hook with both hands that make him truly difficult to find and answer for on the block.   He post up strongly and is able to establish block side position and his strength allows him to hold it.  A surprisingly good passer off the post – he understands the value of the kick and repost process; and he is very unselfish focusing on winning the game.  Where Jason is next level and dominant is on the boards and as a shot blocker; he changes shots and blocks the ball on the release at its highest point the definition of an elite shot blocker.

Cameron Byers (6’6 Forward) – Byers has come into his own in the last few months by staying in constant rotation against high level talent.  His confidence is at an all-time high and watching Byers play with another premier post has put on display an entirely different skill set.  Known as a power big; Byers has diligently worked on this face up game and he is able to cause havoc with a face up game that few can rival.  An above average ball-handler for his size spacing him away from the basket has accentuated his ability to put the rock on the floor and finish.  Rebounding continues to improve and he love to defend and block shots.  When Byers is engaged and focused there are not many in his league; dominated for long stretches even at the 9^th grade level – and even with him playing with Melo 2019 Byers is a 2020 kid.   

  Mahki Long (6’4 Wing Guard) – The wildcard of the bunch, we hadn’t seen much of the lanky wing this season, but with the Team Melo group he played major minutes and was a major producer.  Somewhat of a hybrid at this juncture, Long looks to be long-term a big two who can guard multiple positions – operating with a unbelievable motor he made a difference in virtually every possession.   Long grabbed boards, blocked shots, guarded the primary offensive threat, and still had energy to get in out on the lane on the break and showed he is an elite level finisher.  Good vision and unselfish he is the ideal teammate for this ultra-talented bunch.  An underrated shooter, Long knocked down a few jumpers from distance, but is comfortable and at his strength attacking the paint – the beauty is that it simply may be a confidence issues as the shot mechanics look solid.  A summer with the ball in his hands could dramatically change the rankings in the area as Long will make a bigger impact at the high school then he ever did in middle school.

When Team Melo played the above players together they made up one of the biggest teams in the country across the board and it isn’t just size is talent and a diverse grouping of skill and talent.  There is no longer an invisible boarder between Maryland, DC, & Virginia.   The best kids clearly want to play with the best kids regardless of zip code – and parents have finally figured out that it makes no sense to watch someone else play when you can have an opportunity on the same circuit; as parents look out for the best interest of their kids opposed to the best interest of the program the climate is quickly changing  and right now the winner is NIKE Team Melo.