It’s a New World in the Sneaker War

High level grassroots basketball – which is incorrectly referred to as 'AAU' -- features three top circuits funded by shoe companies: Nike, Adidas and Under Armour. All three companies have begun a substantial push to attract talent at a younger age groups with NIKE introducing the MADE Hoops League, Under Armour The Proving Grounds, and Adidas beginning sponsorship of the NYBL.  In many minds the structure of grassroots ball has improved greatly over the last few years with the birth of these middle school leagues to coincide with Nike's EYBL tour, The UA Association and Adidas' Uprising Gauntlet. The bottom-line is those three companies essentially vie for players they hope will blossom into pros who can eventually sell shoes.

In the past few years in the DMV; we have seen many teams rehashed as they trade one tennis shoe for another; Baltimore Elite (formerly NIKE) now Adidas, DC Blue Devils (formerly NIKE) now Under Armour, as has been the history for many years.  The “new” Baltimore United Group is a mixture as well of former clubs that held “deals” at different levels that, shall we say saw power in numbers and moved forward with the Under Armour brand.  Let us not forget one of the more intriguing power plays of 2016 the merger of former Adidas brand DC Thunder with the Baltimore based Jordan Brand/NIKE Team Melo.

Yet it has been several years since a new upstart group; a fresh face to the shoe game; where the services to the top players within the DMV will be able to impact both the middle school and the high school market. 

New World Basketball Academy now formally maintains a sponsorship relationship with Adidas and the impact that this will have will most certainly impact the already competitive environment of the DMV.  New World has teams and formal rosters from the 2^nd grade all the way through grade 9 and is actively building.  They have a contingent of coaches, staff, trainers, and support personnel that immediately allow them to reach multiple players and prospects within the market.  They have experience at the high level high school and Prep School arena as well as college relationships, facility access, and young leadership with a business mindset and hunger combined with the requisite tools to be a major player.

New World is set up better today than a lot of organizations who have been around for several years and the impact will be two fold.  Their current relationships and immense opportunity available there will be major selling points and of course the “new” access for kids in the DC market to compete on a major circuit that part sells itself.  Again with DC Thunder out the picture New World are “those guys” and without question with the aforementioned attributes they will have success and players will flock.  Its has been a while since anyone truly had an opportunity to impact the area balance of power substantially; New World is that group without question and those that know, know it and are keenly aware.   

If you still wonder how competitive does it get between the companies and programs? Consider the recent example of Under Armour's Elite 24 event. The Elite 24 has had a monopoly on the end of the summer calendar for a few years and is considered THE PREMIER EVENT  each year – The Elite 24 brings every top player to New York City for what amounts to a TELEVISED OUTDOOR ALL-STAR GAME. At least that was the case until last summer when Nike decided it didn't want its kids seen in the UA logo.

Nike created an event seemingly on a whim that overlapped with Elite 24 to keep kids away from Under Armour. Best yet, they put the event in the Bahamas. It worked: top recruits Harry Giles and Jayson Tatum skipped the Elite 24 event to attend Nike's event, as did most of the top NIKE prospect on the High School side.  But Middle Schoolers went untouched and are now competing with impunity in the Elite 24 events without a competitor on the NIKE side….but wait for it one of these companies will jump in soon as they continue to do.

 

There won’t be any overlapping of New World, but the new competitor in the market is one that must be paid attention to as any group with the backing of a brand not only can change the game but can do so very quickly.  Congratulations to the New World group and congratulations to the DMV for developing a plethora of talent that continues to attract attention and ultimately give more kids and opportunity.

More information can be found on the New World Basketball Academy by visiting:  http://newworldbb.com/

 

Note to DMV: New World Was Who We Said They Were & Now They Are Champions #1 In Nation

 We have talked about and congratulated two of the very best teams in the DMV; finishing 2^nd and 3^rd in the nation respectively.  It is now time to celebrate our area champion – New World Unlimited AKA “The Lynch Mob” was noted on this very site to be the cream of the crop for the class of 2021. 

Since that proclamation they have done nothing to sway us from this position.  For those that have followed their title ridden season they value has been proven on the court.  As they entered the NYBL the stage was set and the lights were bright.  They opened the season with a 14-game win streak, falling to Team Teague in session 3 with a slightly depleted roster. 

Entering the championship session New World had the proverbial target on their backs and received the others squads best effort each time out.  True to their name, it’s a New World after last weekend as these young guns stepped onto the stage and stole the show.

The advanced to the Final 4 without truly being tested; they controlled the games and tempo throughout.  The irony of having to meet another local DMV squad in the final 4 may have been the only thing preventing an all DMV championship.  In a exciting up and down battle New World opened up the margin in the 3^rd and secured the win down the stretch.

Entering the championship game pitted against S Elite out of Canada; one of the biggest teams in the league; they were not fazed continuing to play their up tempo, disruptive style.  In the end they left no doubt as to who was king of the hill or should we say world as they took home the title 49-41 and the right to call themselves the #1 team in the country.

What made the wins special as we saw star power from multiple players, the definition of team. Elijah Hawkins was heady, scored when needed, and ran the show like a cagey veteran.  Jalen Hall was who they said he was, getting anywhere at any time that he wanted and making the play that his squad needed on both ends of the floor.  Brayon Freeman made the defense pay for leaving him open, force them to honor and in turn space the floor, and rang up the score board as well with pin ball shooting while still remaining active in transition and on the break. Arial Goddot continued to show his value as he battle any and every big thrown his way, he altered shots he didn’t block, made an impact on the glass, and finished around the hoop when he had opportunities.

You can call them New World, you can call them “The Lynch Mob”, you can call them the pride of the DMV – but whatever you choose to call them; make sure you call them champions. 

DMV Preps Karim Coulibaly: The New Beast of the Beltway

We witnessed the future of DMV Basketball this weekend as we stepped into the gym to evaluate a name that has been the talk of the town since his arrival – Karim Coulibaly.   The French speaking Mali Native, who stands 6’8” 220lbs is THE DMV’s  8^th grade super prospect with a solid sleek lengthy build making him one of the most impressive specimens we have seen in some time. 

The statement that Caulibaly is far from a finished product takes all new meaning with this player – this is a phase typically used on players whose upsides and potential outweigh their current status as a player on the court.  In instances where a player is dominant and excelling on a high elite level with physical tools and a skill set having such a high ceiling means tremendous opportunity for the player at the next level.

Karim Coulibaly is one of those unique prospects who has immense talent combined with a huge growth trajectory that makes him a candidate for a high major institution after high school and possibly more. 

What We Saw

We noted a very strong back-to-the-basket offensive skill package including an effective face-up and post-up game.  Karim showed the talent to shoot with either hand and was caught the ball well on the move showing excellent hands.  He displayed the ability to the handle the ball in transition and in traffic – and seeing him as lane or basket runner is a scary site and will be for the next 4-years at the high school level.  We like his ability to catch and maneuver in traffic and noted impressive continuity in his employment of high quality well-drilled footwork and actual low post moves.  His game is well refined and is nowhere near bully ball; though he showed strength and toughness which are must haves at the next level.  Put up very solid scoring numbers and did it from all over the floor; worked well off the block – but also displayed great mechanic and shooting technique, including solid free throw shooting.

Final Analysis

Currently the No. 4-rated player in the DMV but potential wise could easily be listed at the No. 1 spot is the very definition of the ultimate court warrior.  Coulibaly has the ability to play multiple positions and we believe he has the fast-twitch package to even possibly play a wing-forward position even though he is currently being groomed in the Chris Bosh mold.  His arm span and leaping ability make him a game changer as a shot-blocker.  He can also control both boards, with different jumping methods (vertical, timing, and sheer strength) and understands the value of positioning to get the ball outside of his rebounding zone.  As previously stated he is producing solid offensive scoring numbers, but is still developing offensively.  Under the tutelage of Taj Hawkins the import is progressing excellently and he picking up the English language very quickly.  Playing for the New World 8^th grade group he displays attributes of being a phenomenal teammate staying engage on and off the court as well as being respectful to his opponents. 

The kid at the end of the day is flat out special and whoever is lucky enough to win the lottery for his services will likely have a 4-year varsity candidate.  Stay tuned later this week for our initial high school commitment update of which Coulibaly will be one of the hot topics.