All over the country, high school basketball players are headed back to the classroom (or will be soon) following another summer of AAU tournaments, elite skills camps, and national showcase games. The crew at YAY AREA’S FINEST put together a comprehensive highlight of this year’s best rising seniors and the work they put in on the summer circuit.
If it were up to Pike H.S. (Indianapolis) point guard Marquis Teague, he would’ve picked Louisville a year ago. But his dad, Shawn, wanted the junior point guard to hold off and see what other schools had to offer.
“It was the right decision to wait, I believe,” said Teague, who is ranked 9th in the HSH National Top 50. “Now I’ve looked at everything and I’m about ready to decide.”
Teague said that his list includes Cincinnati, Kentucky, Louisville, Indiana and Purdue. MORE >
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — In one of the showcase high school games of the season in the Tar Heel State, Kinston H.S. senior guard Reggie Bullock scored 23 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to lead the Vikings past P.J. Hairston and Dudley High, 68-63, Saturday at the Dean Dome. Hairston, a junior guard, managed 24 points in the loss.
Hairston and Bullock, both committed to UNC, played in front of Roy Williams and the entire Carolina basketball team along with more than 500 fans. MORE >
GREENSBORO, N.C. — P.J. Hairston sits in a rolling chair inside the cramped Dudley High basketball office, legs sprawled in front of him and leaned back with his fingers interlocked behind his head. He’s stylishly underdressed in basketball shorts, a white T-shirt, and a jogging suit top. He’s the picture of tranquility, as he cuts up with his mother Wendy and three of the Dudley basketball coaches. MORE >
WILSON, N.C. — When a 5-8 guard sprinted from the top of the key and retrieved the ball on his way up from a seated fellow camper while soaring over top of him for an authoritative slam, everyone in Barton College’s gym was ready to anoint him the 2009 Elite 80 Fall Showcase Slam Dunk Champion.
Everyone except Word of God Academy guard Bishop Daniels.
Amidst the leftover “oohs” and cheesy imitations of the unbelievable dunk, Daniels, who stands 6-2, calmly asked Dudley High’s P.J. Hairston, a guard who stands 6-5, to stand in front of the rim. Then he walked three feet behind the left wing, turned around and bolted toward the basket where he took flight clear over Hairston’s head, without him even slightly ducking, and threw down the contest-winning dunk. MORE >
Just a day after North Carolina extended Dudley High (N.C.) star P.J. Hairston a scholarship offer, the 6-6 shooting guard gave the Tar Heels their first commitment from the class of 2011 Monday night.
One of the deadliest marksmen in the country, regardless of class, Hairston picked North Carolina over heavy interest from Wake Forest, Arizona, Memphis, Florida and North Carolina State. MORE >
Rivers' quickness makes defenders want to back up, but his shooting ability makes them have to guard him close. No player in the country hunts and finds his shot as aggressively as Rivers, who tallied more 40-point games than anybody in the country this summer. The scary part is that he's getting better and better every day.
Miller dominates all facets offensively, but his best attribute may be his ability to keep the defense off balance with his shooting ability from deep. Miller averaged 32 points during the 2010 AAU season.
Committed to Kentucky. Combines a quick first step with some of the best handles on this list to dominate opponents. Teague is a gifted scorer in a variety of different ways and involves teammates to balance his repertoire.
Committed to Texas. Kabongo may be the best leader in the senior class, and his ability to create for his teammates is exceptional. He's ultra quick and breaks down the defense with ease to finish in the lane or knock down the jump shot.
Committed to North Carolina. Solid with his back to the basket, but better at finishing plays. He's skilled enough to knock down the short jumper and has an overactive motor.
Muhammad is smooth but effective, evidenced by his 31-point average during the AAU season. His jump shot is accurate and he uses his big, strong body to absorb contact and finish in the paint.
Committed to Kentucky. Lean and quick, Davis uses his athleticism and skill to dominate in the paint. He's versatile enough to consistently knock down jump shots and has a solid handle. Davis gave opposing big men fits all summer.
The youngster ranked this high? Yes indeed! Purvis is the perfect combination of athleticism and skill and has a gear that most only dream about. His jumper has improved, and he's a lockdown defender that gets to the cup whenever he wants against whoever he wants.
Committed to Ohio State. Don't let the height fool you, Ross is quicker than most perimeter defenders and long enough to finish in the lane for high-percentage shots, yet has the ability to consistently hit outside shots. He's added a fadeaway that's almost as automatic as a layup.