BOOST MOBILE ELITE 24
"PoP" | Aug 11, 2010 | Comments 0
Bradley Beal
Chaminade College Prep (St. Louis, Mo.) 6-3/177 SG 2011
Although his father and two older brothers played college football, Beal’s has his eye on hoops. Ranked No. 6 in the ESPNU 100, he earned ESPN RISE Underclass All-American honors following a strong junior season (29 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists) with his 21-6 team. Beal also led the St. Louis Eagles to the final of the Nike EYBL and earned MVP honors at the FIBA U17 World Championship where he averaged 18.3 points and hit 48 percent on threes.
Quddus “Deuce” Bello
Westchester Country Day (High Point, N. C.) 6-4/180 SG 2011
Bello burst onto the high school basketball scene in 2008, averaging 17 points per game as a freshman for WCD. Last season, he made a national splash when he made ESPN’s SportsCenter highlights with a between-the legs, one-handed, windmill dunk. This premier dunker will surely bring the house down a few times at the Venice Beach Courts this year. Last season WCD went 27-2 and they expect big things this year, too, as fellow Elite 24 participant Quincy Miller will join his good friend on this year’s team.
Jabari Brown
Oakland (Oakland, Calif.) 6-4/200 SG 2011
After beginning his junior year at Findlay Prep in Nevada, Brown returned home mid-season and played at a high level. He led the Wildcats to the Oakland Athletic League title while averaging 23.5 points per game. Brown is having a spectacular summer, as he led the Drew Gooden Soldiers to a 11-3 Nike EYBL record. He then turned in a MVP performance at the Las Vegas Super 48 and will represent NorCal strongly at Venice Beach.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Greenville (Greenville, Ga.) 6-4/190 SG 2011
He is from a small school, but Caldwell-Pope is a big-time talent. Ranked No. 11 in the ESPNU 100, Caldwell is a triple threat – able to drive, knock down jumpers and hit the open man at the right time. He pumped in 29.7 points per game for the Patriots in 2009-10, earning Class A Player of the Year honors as a junior. Caldwell-Pope will stay close to home for college, as he chose Georgia in July.
Jahii Carson
Mesa (Phoenix, Ariz.) 5-11/160 PG 2011
A crowd-pleaser, Carson can sky with the giants around the rim. He’s more than a dunker; his 3-point shooting ability complements a muscular frame that allows him to finish in traffic. Carson turned heads on the AAU circuit with his spectacular play for the Compton Magic. Last season, he pumped in 23.7 points and dished out 5.6 assists for a Mesa team that finished 25-5. He was the only junior named to the Arizona Republic’s All-Arizona team.
Rakeem Christmas
New Church (Bryn Athyn, Pa.) 6-9/225 PF 2011
A skilled post player and talented shot blocker, Christmas’ best days are still ahead of him. He runs the floor as well as any big in the class of 2011, and his perimeter game is expanding. As a junior, Christmas was first team Class A all-state after averaging 14.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and three blocks per game. Also a summer standout, he helped Team Final reach the Nike EYBL semifinals. The No. 8 ranked prospect in the ESPNU 100, Christmas makes his second Elite 24 appearance.
DaJuan Coleman
Jamesville-DeWitt (DeWitt, N.Y.) 6-9/280 PF 2012
As one of only two sophomores-to-be at last year’s Elite 24, Coleman showed that he could play with the nation’s best, no matter his age. After earning ESPN RISE National Freshman of the Year in 2008-09, Coleman followed up with a monster sophomore campaign. He led Jamesville-DeWitt to a 25-1 record and a Class A state title. In the state semis, he put together an outstanding game with a 23-point, 31-rebound performance in a 13-point victory. Coleman is undecided, but local Syracuse Orangeman want to see him stay home for college.
Quinn Cook
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 6-1/180 PG 2011
Long considered one of the best players in his class, Cook spent three years at national powerhouse DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) and looks to lead Oak Hill to its first POWERADE FAB 50 title since 2007. As a junior, he earned player of the year honors on the prestigious Washington Post All-Met team, averaging 20 points, 5.9 assists and 3.3 rebounds, with DeMatha finishing 32-4 and ranked No. 40 nationally. Cook was the leading assist man on the FIBA U17 World Championship team earlier this summer, averaging 7.4 in Team USA’s eight games.
DeAndre Daniels
Taft (Woodland Hills, Calif.) 6-8/190 SF 2011
A combo forward, Daniels impacts the game 84 feet. He can finish in transition or step back and shoot the 3-pointer. He’s also a good rebounder and underrated shot blocker. Ranked No. 28 in the ESPNU 100, Daniels was a key clog for a team that finished 26-6, but struggled when he wasn’t on the floor. Daniels averaged 16.2 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the No. 3 ranked team in the state of California.
Amir Garrett
Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 6-5/175 SF 2011
One of the fastest-rising prospects in the nation, Garrett is a smooth lefty. Before moving to Las Vegas, Garrett led Leuzinger (Lawndale, Calif.) to the school’s first section-ever section title. Garrett averaged 16.8 points and 7.2 rebounds and was named the CIF Southern Section Division I-A Co-Player of the Year. He is headed back to Las Vegas as a senior where he’ll be a major contributor to a program eyeing its second POWERADE FAB 50 title in three years.
Michael Gbinije
Benedictine (Richmond, Va.) 6-6/195 SF 2011
Following a standout NBPA Camp, Gbinije helped Team Takeover win the Nike EYBL with 19 points in the Peach Jam title game. This Duke recruit was one of ESPN RISE’s top five performers at the AAU 17U Super Showcase. If he has a big game at the Elite 24, it would be difficult to say any player in the country had a better summer. Last season, he averaged 17.8 points and 6.0 rebounds for a 23-7 team.
Nick Johnson
Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 6-3/185 SG 2011
The Arizona native wants to prove he’s the nation’s best dunker in the Under Armour Slam Dunk Contest. He’ll have stiff competition from Deuce Bello and Jahii Carson. Win or lose, Johnson plays second fiddle as a dunker in his family to his father – L.A. legend “Jumpin” Joey Johnson. Nick averaged 14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game last season for a balanced team that finished No. 3 in the POWERADE FAB 50.
Myck Kabongo
Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 6-2/170 PG 2011
The No. 7 ranked prospect in the ESPNU 100, Kabongo takes over as the Pilots’ floor general for good friend and fellow Canadian Cory Joseph. As a junior, Kabongo helped St. Benedict’s Prep (Newark, N.J.) to a 20-1 record and a No. 4 ranking in the POWERADE FAB 50. Headed to Texas, Kabongo averaged 18 points and 6 assists for the Gray Bees on his way to ESPN RISE Underclass All-American honors. He kicked off his summer with MOP honors at the Pangos All-American Camp.
James McAdoo
Norfolk Christian (Norfolk, Va.) 6-8/210 PF 2011
One of the most highly decorated players in this year’s Elite 24, McAdoo is the reining Gatorade State Player of the Year in Virginia. He led the Ambassadors to a 26-4 record and a Division II state title game appearance, averaging 22.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals. Ranked No. 5 in the ESPNU 100, McAdoo was named a second team All-American by ESPN RISE in 2009-10 and USA Basketball Athlete of the Year in 2009, after leading the U.S. to the FIBA Americas 16U championship.
Quincy Miller
Westchester Country Day (High Point, N. C.) 6-9/210 PF 2011
The Chicago native had a standout junior season at Quality Education Academy (Winston-Salem, N.C.), averaging 25.5 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and three blocked shots. He led QEA to a 22-8 mark and the National Christian Schools Athletic Association title, earning second team ESPN RISE All-American honors in the process. Ranked No. 4 in the ESPNU 100, Miller has as much upside as anyone in the 2011 class. He will join Elite 24 teammate Quddus Bello at Westchester Country Day next year.
Shabazz Muhammad
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) 6-5/195 2012
One of the country’s young stars, Muhammad is eager to showcase his talents at Elite 24. With two years to go, he could develop into one of Nevada’s all-time best preps. As a freshman, Muhammad was key to a miracle state title team. And as a sophomore, he averaged 19.5 points and 10 rebounds on a loaded Gaels’ team that won another Class 4A state crown. Muhammad’s athletic talent seems to run in the family, too. His father played basketball at USC; his mother was Olympic-caliber in basketball and track; and his sister is a pro tennis player.
Alex Murphy
St. Mark’s School (Southborough, Mass.) 6-8/215 SF 2012
With the graduation of Nate Lubick, Murphy will be the main man at St. Mark’s and heads back to school carrying the positive momentum of a standout summer with the New England Playaz. The Venice Beach crowd might fall in love with his throwback game, because the Rhode Island native can do so many things well offensively, including stroke the 3-ball. Ranked No. 10 in the ESPNU Super 60, he’s the younger brother of Florida forward Erik Murphy.
LeBryan Nash
Lincoln (Dallas, Texas) 6-7/225 SF 2011
Strong and explosive, Nash draws comparisons to L.A. Lakers’ forward and noted playground baller Ron Artest. Ranked No. 10 in the ESPNU 100, Nash is coming off a junior season where he led Lincoln to a 28-4 record. He averaged 17.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. A 4A all-state selection and first team all-area by the Dallas Morning News, Nash is undecided on a college.
Johnny O’Bryant
East Side (Cleveland, Miss.) 6-10/245 C 2011
O’Bryant’s favorite team is the Los Angeles Lakers. Don’t be surprised if the NBA players seated courtside are impressed with him, too. Ranked No. 17 in the ESPNU 100, O’Bryant is coming off a junior season that saw him average 15 points and 7.2 rebounds for a 26-7 team. He’s been a standout with USA Basketball the past two summers. In 2009, he was a starter on the FIBA Americas 16U title team and earlier this summer started on the FIBA U17 World Championship team and did not taste defeat in either tournament.
Austin Rivers
Winter Park (Winter Park, Fla.) 6-4/190 SG 2011
The bigger the stage, the better Rivers plays as evidenced by his performances at this year’s ESPN RISE NHSI and the City of Palms Tournament last December. The son of Celtics coach Doc Rivers, this gifted shooting guard averaged 24.3 ppg and 4.3 rebounds, including a 45-point outing in the Wildcats’ win over FAB 50 No. 4 St. Benedict’s (Newark, N.J.). He also went for 41 points in a win over Pine Crest (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.). Rivers was named ESPN RISE National Junior Player of the Year.
LaQuinton Ross
Life Center Academy (Burlington, N.J.) 6-8/200 SF 2011
Ross had a standout summer and joins Stephenson and 2010 NBA Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans as the only players to make three appearances in the Boost Mobile Elite 24. Mid-way through his junior season, the No. 22 prospect in the ESPNU 100 transferred from Murrah (Jackson, Miss.) to Life Center. The change energized Ross, as he scored 42 points and grabbed 26 rebounds in his first two games. He finished the season with averages of 18 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Shannon Scott
Milton (Alpharetta, Ga.) 6-2/170 PG 2011
The son of Rucker Park legend Charlie Scott, this fast-rising point guard is making a name of his own. Last season, Milton captured the Class AAAAA state title and Scott earned second team all-state honors. With its returning talent and Scott at the controls, Milton could claim the mythical national title in 2010-11. Scott shares the limelight at Milton, but this summer he’s developed from a good player on a great team into a true national prospect.
Adonis Thomas
Melrose (Memphis, Tenn.) 6-6/210 SF 2011
He earned ESPN RISE Underclass All-American honors after leading Melrose to a Class AAA title with averages of 18.0 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, and 3.2 steals per game. Scouts and college coaches love Thomas’ frame and athletic ability, but he’s more than just potential. Before leading the Memphis Magic Elite to the Adidas Super 64 title game, he helped the U.S. capture the 2010 FIBA U17 Gold Medal game in Germany with eight points, eight rebounds and three steals.
Kyle Wiltjer
Jesuit (Portland, Ore.) 6-9/220 PF 2011
In high school and AAU, Wiltjer simply wins. He teamed with Elite 24 participants Jabari Brown and Nick Johnson on an Oakland Soldiers AAU squad that won the Las Vegas Fab 48 and Pump-n-Run Best of Summer tournaments. In his junior season, Wiltjer averaged 16.5 points per game as Jesuit finished 26-2 and ranked No. 33 in the POWERADE FAB 50. He’s led the Crusaders to back-to-back Class 6A state titles.
Original artlicle and all rights reserved for ESPN.com
http://rise.espn.go.com/boys-basketball/articles/2010/08/elite-24-roster-bios.aspx
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