BREAKING NEWS: St. Vincent Pallotti; Karim Coulibly Is Signed, Sealed, Delivered He’s Yours

The last domino has finally fallen; one of the area’s premier players has officially selected a home and what an interesting situation it creates moving forward.  Karim Coulibly, the versatile 6’9 man-child will be taking his talents to St. Vincent Pallotti and play with the season veteran Coach Dennis Murphy.

Coach Murphy is one of the most experienced coaches and best teachers in the DMV; additionally the little school based out of Laurel, Md. may have the best location of any institution in the area sitting smack dab in the middle of PG, Howard, and Montgomery Country.  Now they have one of the area’s best player in Couliby and he is a big; expect a shift in power in the DMV and watch for Pallotti who has been one of the top teams in the MIAA to become a major A-Conference power in the next couple years as premier players move Pallotti up there list of considerations and wisely so; this school has long been and with Murphy and Karim in tow especially now the best kept secrets as far as academics and basketball powerhouse potential in the area.

The game has changed at Pallotti and in the DMV because Karim is one of the most athletic players in the class of 2019 and he uses that athleticism defensively to block shots, get deflections and gain offensive rebounds with a quick second jump. His post-up game against a set defense is developing as he can score with either hand in the paint. Love the way he finishes lob passes and drop off passes in the lane. His length and soft touch in close would make him a great weapon in the middle or short corners against a zone defense. He has added the pump fake at the rim which will keep help him balanced and create more free throw opportunities as he is smooth and solid from the line.

With a world of potential because of his size, wing span, advanced athletic ability and blossoming skill he owns all the markers to be a difference maker at the rim defensively and a legitimate offensive threat. He is more active and alert on the glass than ever before and is at the point where you expect him to dominate the game on both ends of the floor.  Offensively we compare him to a young Chris Bosh and we believe his impact will be very similar to the program as Bosh’s was to the league.

We congratulate Karim Coulibly, Coach Dennis Murphy, the Pallotti program for transcending the game in the DMV creating another major option for players to be seen and compete at the highest level.  This move is a program changer that is sure to make ripples for the next few years.  Finally we offer our condolences to the area as the effects of the move will be felt for years as the high major prospect who is already being sought by major D1 institutions and who wouldn’t want to play with someone of this stature on the front line.  Murphy has sent many players to school in his over 20+ years in the game and Karim Coulibly has a chance to be his and Pallotti’s best ever.  

It All Comes Down to This: Zion Harmon VS Ryan Conway Who Is #1?

To Get the Answer Visit:

http://www.p2bball.com/2015/09/it-all-comes-down-to-this-zion-harmon.html

Rahiem Ali Jr. Says it With His Chest - Makes His Statement in the Class of 2020

Reclassification has created opportunity for players throughout the country for years in various sports and situations.  While it is a known phenomenon scouts and evaluators can only make an initial guess when players appear and are compared to a new class of players. Ultimately the proof is in the pudding and any accolades or honors must be proven on the floor.

Enter Rahiem Ali Jr. – he has earned his keep as a member of the 2020 class.  First Ali arrived as the Basketball Spotlight Future Phenom Camp where he was named to the Top 20 All-Star Game; he showed a diverse skill set throughout the weekend in Maryland proving that he can score the rock, facilitate, and defend the position.

The fool me once theory was then tested, this past weekend as we had an opportunity to view “Rah Rah” Ali compete in the Buckeye Prep Showcase in Ohio.  The results?  Another Top 20 All-Star Appearance as well as being named a Top 5 Overall Performer with some of the nation’s top talent in the class in attendance.  Say no more point proven, Rahiem Ali Jr. must now and moving forward be in any discussion when you are referring to top players in the DMV and top players in the country at his position.

Ali is a true point guard that is quick and smart with a score first mentality although he can facilitate, run pick and roll, operate within structure while acting a leader. Ali Jr. is an excellent ball handler that really likes to attack with the double crossover.

He pushes that ball in the open court and understands when to slow down and make plays with his basketball IQ. Ale’s maturity, feel and court vision makes him an elite passer and excellent at setting up teammates. He also knows how to run a team and knows all his looks when executing a set play.  He understands the value of getting and keeping ALL his teammates happy and will often give up a look to set up a teammate – yet call his number and he can get you a bucket from all three levels with a solid percentage especially off the catch. 

Rahiem’s status has now been earned not given and thus he must be respected in any gym that he walks into in the country moving forward.  Yes we said it, and yes we mean it. 

Anthony Harris has Earned Your Full & Undivided Attention

Anthony Harris - Harris is a long and extremely athletic guard that excels on the break with his ability to attack the basket and finish above the rim with ease and flare. Anthony  is terrific at making plays off the dribble especially in the arc with an improving middle game that he is working off the catch and the bounce.

We like the footwork on his step back jumper and mechanically he shows a consistent stroke and and excellent elevation on his shot. Reps take his jump shooting game to another level and with his work ethic defenders may want to take out causality insurance now.  Harris who is already winning the genetic lottery becomes possibly the “next guy up” from the DMV (yes we are saying it) when talking two levels up from now – if he can reach 6’5 or above, and from what we have seen he is well on his way.   

Harris plain and simple gets where he needs to on the court with a strong handle and can pass when he draws a second defender but frankly when Harris puts that thing on the floor he is attacking to score first. Showing a complete package Harris is also a threat on the offensive glass. He gets his share of put backs and does a great job of keeping the ball alive in a crowd. Anthony is also is very capable of easily defending both guard positions as well. 

Simply stated, understand when looking and evaluating Harris that he is a high level athlete with matching athletic ability. He is an attacking guard with a good handle and play making ability, that will be able to operate as a big lead guard when it’s said and done. He can score in a variety of ways and is a tough cover for opposing shooting and point guards; conversely he can and will shut down many who choose to oppose him. 

EJ Jarvis is the DMV's Top Under The Radar Prospect

EJ Jarvis – One of the biggest and best UTR players in the country and the DMV can be found suiting up for the Maryland Playmakers.  Having the opportunity to witness the development of Jarvis over the past few years we are convinced that our area has another special player in its midst.

EJ is that prototypical 4/3 that has college coaches and scouts alike intrigued about his potential. He is the latest example of the saying, "it's not where you start off, it's where you end up."

His frame oozes potential with extremely long arms and he is extremely bouncy. He can fill the lane and finish with authority or drain a 3-point shot now mostly off the catch, but witnessing his development we know it won’t be long before he’s doing it off the dribble as well. We noted that his shot is smooth and easy (gets great lift on his shot) and he has range out to 18-feet.

He is showing signs of being able to face up his defender and slash his way to the rim despite being 6-foot-7. In addition, he has the agility to play in the passing lanes, utilize his quick hands, and get the steal.

Versatility is his gift and blessing as a basketball player he showed he can score in a variety of ways all season and again against the areas best in the Coach Francis Classic. He is long, athletic, skilled and can be considered a potential high major prospect that’s loaded with upside.

He is so close to becoming a major problem for anyone that has to face him and he is so humble he has no idea as of yet - his secret lies in his ability to become a consistent performer on each possession, as when his motor is fully charged he is tough to stop or score on, on the defensive end. Overall and as scary as this may be, Jarvis is still very raw and once he gains strength and savvy which is a when not if statement his upside is immense. There is no such thing as a “can’t miss kid”, but this one is very close for success at the college level without question.

Dimingus Stevens Long Lean Basketball Machine

Dimingus Stevens - He's blessed with a terrific basketball body Stevens when you see him coming at you is all legs and arms; length personified - already long and deceptively strong with a frame capable of sustaining plenty more muscle before it's all said and done.

He's also a good athlete, his bounce, lateral quickness, and straight-line speed have all been noted as improved vastly in the last year – bottom-line Stevens moves very well for a guy his size.  With the possibility of being a big-wing or a possible match-up nightmare as a stretch-4 when he maximizes his height potential Steven’s currently standing 6’3 is more than capable of defending bigger players around the rim, he's a legitimate perimeter threat offensively who handles and passes well and has the touch to continue to extend his shooting range which is already beyond the 3-point stripe. One of the top shooter for several the year the expansion of his game make him one of the area’s most intriguing prospects and one that has a very high ceiling and upside. His size and strength along with his versatility and solid understanding of the game give him some point forward type potential as well. 

Conclusion when discussing Dimingus Stevens is that he is loaded with potential and upside and so it really seems to be a question of when, not if, he'll assert himself as a premier national talent.

BE SEEN: Basketball Season Has Returned - Bigtime Basketball at Bullis Register TODAY!!!!

2015 Bullis Fall Invitational

DATES:	October 2- October 4
LOCATION:	Potomac, Maryland
DIVISIONS OF PLAY:	Boys , 7th and 8th graders
TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR:	Bruce Kelley  -240.888.3403  Bruce_Kelley@bullis.org
AGE DETERMINING DATE:	Boys:  September 1, 2015
ENTRY FEE:	$275 Per Team Forward check payable to “Bullis Basketball” to: Bullis School Attention:  Bruce Kelley 10601 Falls Road Potomac, MD 20854 Note:  A $30 fee will be charged for any check returned by the bank.
ENTRY DEADLINE:	September 15, 2015 We will take the first teams to register in each division, which will fill quickly!
GAME GUARANTEE:	Each team will receive a 3 game guarantee.  A team’s 3rd game may be pool play or the 1st round of bracket play.
RULES OF PLAY:	This event will follow National High School Federation rules. Ties in round robin will be broken based upon head to head competition.  Three way ties will be determined by plus scores among the three teams.