Memphis Magic Invitational
Carver,Treadwell, Mississippi Boulevard, A Maceo Walker and Binghampton Life Center played host to the 1st annual Memphis Magic Invitational this past weekend and the talent level was off the charts. From St Louis to Arkansas teams came into Memphis all looking to leave here with an idea of their team identity and a chance to see what they needed to work on. From Friday, the best team in the tournament was the Memphis YOMCA. They won every game by 20 plus including two wins against a very talented Arkansas Wings who I will talk about later on this week. On Sunday, the Y beat the Wings by 21 points grabbing their championship. I was very impressed with their play, particularly on defense using their quickness and length to disrupt teams from sometimes not giving the other team an inch. Their was a couple times when teams looked as though they would not get it past half court against this nice group of talent. They are led at the guard spot with two very talented guards in Blake Johnson and Cameron Golden but don’t let me forget Newby.
Carver,Treadwell, Mississippi Boulevard, A Maceo Walker and Binghampton Life Center played host to the 1st annual Memphis Magic Invitational this past weekend and the talent level was off the charts. From St Louis to Arkansas teams came into Memphis all looking to leave here with an idea of their team identity and a chance to see what they needed to work on. From Friday, the best team in the tournament was the Memphis YOMCA. They won every game by 20 plus including two wins against a very talented Arkansas Wings who I will talk about later on this week. On Sunday, the Y beat the Wings by 21 points grabbing their championship. I was very impressed with their play, particularly on defense using their quickness and length to disrupt teams from sometimes not giving the other team an inch. Their was a couple times when teams looked as though they would not get it past half court against this nice group of talent. They are led at the guard spot with two very talented guards in Blake Johnson and Cameron Golden but don’t let me forget Newby.
That’s right, for some that don’t know, Booker T. Washington freshman guard Martavious Newby is now with them after leaving the Bearcats and he will pay huge and I mean huge dividends. He gives them the best collection of guards among any 15 & under team in the city bar none. His defensive ability is catching up to his offensive capability and he one of the best passers that I’ve seen. Former Arkansas Hog Scotty Thurman, who won a national championship in 1995 asked me who was this Newby kid, I’m sure he got his answer when he left the gym Sunday. Tournament host, the Memphis Magic won the championship in their age group and a couple of their players turned some heads.
AAU: Players To Watch
As I sat down Friday to watch the YOMCA play the Wings, two things stood out to me. One, who was the 6’6, long player with special written all over him and two, what is Martavios Newby doing playing with the Y. I didn’t catch his name until Saturday but when I found out, I couldn’t forget it. Kedorian Sullivan is his name and I don’t know if their was a player in the Tournament with more upside other than Arkansas Wing forward, Jalen Jackson. Sullivan is long; he could have the wing span of a 7 footer. He has ball handling ability and he can guard 3 positions right now, the 3, 4 and the 5. He can shoot the jumper with range out to the 3 line with a nice looking stroke and he rebound and finish in traffic. Sullivan just has the look of major division 1 player but he will have to learn to become a little more aggressive offensively and defensively. He had a tendency to depend on his freakish long arms for rebounds making him vulnerable to being yelled at by his coach for not rebounding. He didn’t play much this season as I was told that he hurt his shoulder and was limited. If he plays like the player he could be, Jarnell who is what some people will be saying. He not type of player Stokes is but his offensive ability gives the YOMCA , maybe more fire power than last year’s team. You want the truth, I see D-1 in his future if he keeps his head on straight and he and Reshaun Brown could form one of the best 1-2 punches in the City next year. Be on the look out for “Special K”.
As I sat down Friday to watch the YOMCA play the Wings, two things stood out to me. One, who was the 6’6, long player with special written all over him and two, what is Martavios Newby doing playing with the Y. I didn’t catch his name until Saturday but when I found out, I couldn’t forget it. Kedorian Sullivan is his name and I don’t know if their was a player in the Tournament with more upside other than Arkansas Wing forward, Jalen Jackson. Sullivan is long; he could have the wing span of a 7 footer. He has ball handling ability and he can guard 3 positions right now, the 3, 4 and the 5. He can shoot the jumper with range out to the 3 line with a nice looking stroke and he rebound and finish in traffic. Sullivan just has the look of major division 1 player but he will have to learn to become a little more aggressive offensively and defensively. He had a tendency to depend on his freakish long arms for rebounds making him vulnerable to being yelled at by his coach for not rebounding. He didn’t play much this season as I was told that he hurt his shoulder and was limited. If he plays like the player he could be, Jarnell who is what some people will be saying. He not type of player Stokes is but his offensive ability gives the YOMCA , maybe more fire power than last year’s team. You want the truth, I see D-1 in his future if he keeps his head on straight and he and Reshaun Brown could form one of the best 1-2 punches in the City next year. Be on the look out for “Special K”.
Arkansas Wing forward Jalen Jackson was what more can I say, the best player in the tournament. Some may think different but his play proved why some think he’s the best 9th grader in Arkansas. At 6’5 and still growing, he has the physique of a player much older and the basketball IQ of a freshman in college. He just knows how to get it done. You want him to snag it out the air, lead the break and finish with a two hand dunk with power, he can do it, matter of fact he did. Just ask the Arkansas Hawgs. You like players that can finish with both hands at times looking ambidextrous, go see Jalen. Jackson is everything you want in a small forward or 2 guard prospect but his rebounding ability and post up game make him the best freshman in the area. Did I mention the 18 blocked shots over the weekend? So much for he doesn’t play any D theory. The only thing I would say about Jackson that he needs to work on is hit shooting from the trey line and he sometimes tends to lob passes because the game seems easy to him at times. He’s everything people say about him and more and if I had to make a bet on a pro from West Memphis, I would bet money on Jackson. Don’t be surprised if Jalen is able to pick from whatever college he wants and I mean whatever college (SEC, ACC) once he becomes a senior. If you’re ever in West Memphis next year and you want to see a treat, take a ride over to West Memphis High, you will not be disappointed.
The Wings were not just a one man show though as Archie Goodwin, showed what kind of game he had to and to put it bluntly, AG got mad game. The 6’2 guard is as smooth as any 9th grader that I’ve seen in some time. He can score the basketball with anyone in his class in Arkansas or in Memphis. He’s uses his sneaky good but not great handle to finish around the rim with finger rolls and scoops but he can shoot it a bit too although he seems to love the drive as well. He feeds off a crowd which could make for 20-30 point games once he hits the 11th or maybe even 10th grade but if it takes a crowd to get him going, that could cause his high school coach to take him out of some game. Sometimes he appears as though he’s kind of going through the motions because of his cool demeanor which makes him seem lackadaisical but I don’t think he is that. I think like with most young scorers, he goes in and out of games but that will change once he sees that he has to bring it at all time against players his caliber. On D, I would like to see him play harder but I don’t ever think he will be known as a defensive specialist. Goodwin is a lock to be D-1 player, maybe high major. It’s up to him how far he goes and with his ability, that road could be endless.
I really like Darrion Robinson’s potential. He can shoot, take it off the dribble and go and rebound with his 6’1 frame. The Memphis Storm also won the 12’s beating the Memphis Wareagles by double digits winning the championship after losing to them on Saturday. They definitely have the talent to make a run and maybe win the state in their age group. They are led by Khalil Spencer, Dennis Price Jr and Jeremiah Martin. 5TH grader Zavion Hamlet gives them another guard with scoring ability and an attitude of a winner. He is one to watch. I will do previews of all the teams mentioned above so keep checking out 901PrepScoop.com