ESPN

ESPNHS unveiled its All-American basketball team for the 2011-12 season today, and making the list is Tilton (N.H.) center Nerlens Noel and New London (Conn.) point guard Kris Dunn.

The 6-foot-10 Noel, who last week announced his commitment to Kentucky on ESPNU, was named to the First Team, alongside Bishop Gorman (Nev.) swingman Shabazz Muhammad, St. Anthony (N.J.) forward Kyle Anderson, Flower Mound Marcus (Texas) guard Marcus Smart, and Simeon (Ill.) forward Jabari Parker. Dunn, a Providence signee and the nation's No. 2 overall point guard, was named to the Fourth Team. That adds to what was a dedicated career at New London -- a state championship, four All-State selections, a McDonald's All-American selection, Gatorade Player of the Year, and over 2,000 career points.

You can view the entire team by clicking here. Below is what ESPNHS' panel had to say about its selections of Noel and Dunn:

FIRST TEAM
C -- Nerlens Noel, Tilton School (Tilton, N.H.) 6-11 Sr.
The nation's best shot-blocker impacted the game on the defensive end more than any player in the country. Noel averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots for the New England Preparatory Schools Athletic Council Class AA runner-up. With his timing and ability to stay out of foul trouble, many national scouts think the Kentucky recruit is the best long-term prospect in this group.

FOURTH TEAM
G -- Kris Dunn, New London (New London, Conn.) 6-3 Sr.
As a senior, the Providence recruit was a scoring machine for the 23-3 team with a 31.4 per game average. He also had norms of 12 rebounds, five assists and four steals a game while shooting 60 percent on 2-point goals. In one game versus Stonington, he had 32 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists and 10 steals. Dunn, a three-time all-state selection, is the first elite team selection from Connecticut since former NBA forward Charles Smith of Warren Harding (Bridgeport, Conn.) in 1984 and earned numerous end-of-season honors: McDonald's All-American, Gatorade State Player of the Year and media state player of the year.

A total of five players either from the New England region or playing at a New England school will be participating in tomorrow night's Jordan Brand Classic high school all-star game, in Charlotte, N.C. ESPN's Paul Biancardi breaks down players to watch for the game, and mentions several locals, today on ESPN's Basketball Recruiting section:

Kris Dunn (New London, Conn./New London)
PG, 6-3, 180 pounds
College: Providence
He possesses the blow-by speed and quickness with the basketball that's necessary to score at the highest level. Dunn is a high-level athlete who can change directions on a dime in the open floor, break the ankles of a defender with a crossover, get into the lane at will and finish drives at the rim. Once he adds a jump shot, he will be special.

Nerlens Noel (Everett, Mass./Tilton School)
C, 6-10, 215 pounds
College: Kentucky
He has established himself as the best shot-blocker in high school and emerged as the top player in the nation without ever worrying about his numbers on the offensive end. The future Wildcat can score the ball inside by using a jump hook or driving from the foul line, but his real value comes from protecting the rim.

Kaleb Tarczewski (Claremont, N.H./St. Mark's)
C, 7-0, 240 pounds
College: Arizona
It's rare to find a big man, like Tarczewski, who is willing to run the floor and has good hands. He works hard to gain deep, low-post position whenever possible, understands the value of screening to free up his teammates and goes after missed shots on both ends. Tarczewski continues to work hard on improving his game and it shows.

Steven Adams (New Zealand/Notre Dame Prep)
C, 6-10, 235 pounds
College: Pittsburgh
Adams is the most physically-imposing player in the game thanks to his unique combination of strength and athleticism. He will attack the rim and score with his excellent mobility, huge hands and soft touch inside 15 feet. Defensively, he is very difficult to score over and Noel has said he is the hardest guy he's ever tried to score on.

Just moments ago, Tilton (N.H.) center and Everett native Nerlens Noel committed to the University of Kentucky, in a live special at ESPN's Charlotte studios.

Noel, a 6-foot-10 shot swatter and the nation's No. 1 overall player, chose the Wildcats over Georgetown and Syracuse.

He revealed his decision on national television in an unusual yet playful manner, turning around in his chair to reveal the school's logo shaved into the back of his head. He then lifted up a No. 5 away Kentucky jersey.

"I just thought it was the best fit for me personally," Noel said. "I talked to my mom and she liked it as well. She liked all three schools, but when it came down to it, she liked Kentucky, Coach Orlando [Antigua], Coach Cal [John Calipari]. I see what they did with Anthony Davis, she thought it was the best fit for me, and I did too."

Tilton (N.H.) senior center Nerlens Noel, the nation's No. 1 overall player, checks in with his latest blog entry today on ESPNHS' boys basketball section, which you can read here.

Following last weekend's All-American Championship high school all-star game in New Orleans, Noel told reporters that he would make his decision for college on April 11, choosing between Kentucky, Syracuse and Georgetown. Bishop Gorman (Nev.) senior forward Shabazz Muhammad, the nation's No. 2 overall player, will also be making his decision at the same time.

Noel discusses the three finalists for his services, and bats down the rumors circulating that Kentucky is the favorite to land both him and Muhammad:

OK, so by now I assume most of you guys know that I cut my list to Kentucky, Georgetown and Syracuse a few weeks back. I just thought it was time to get it down to the schools that I was really looking at the hardest.

Kentucky had the big win Monday night and I had a good time watching that game. I was really liking how Anthony Davis continued to be effective even without scoring the ball. I know how it feels to not be able to get it going on the offensive end at times and that makes you just want to go even harder defensively. I loved that he got Most Outstanding Player, too.

Just seeing him have all the success that he’s had this year definitely makes me think a lot about what I could be doing there. That’s really appealing to me.

His IQ on the court is crazy. I talked to him a lot while I was down there and he told me all about how much better he’d gotten since he got there. He told me that I’d have to be ready when I got there because it was going to be a lot of hard work.

I’d definitely say it makes me think about Kentucky more, and with them winning with all of those freshmen was very attractive. Just seeing that it doesn’t matter how young you are, you can win a national title.

I talked to (Kentucky assistant) coach Orlando (Antigua) after they won and he was really happy, of course. He said that all he could think about was me being a part of something like that next season.

I wouldn’t say that all of that stuff gives Kentucky an advantage though. It’s just something I think about a lot.

With Syracuse, they’ve been on me the longest of the three schools on my list. That factors in heavy with me. That’s big for me. With Georgetown, I would've been crazy not to really give them a look with all the history they’ve had with big men and the development that I could get there.

This is going to be a hard decision y’all.

I’ve decided to announce my decision a week from today on ESPN so I’ve got a lot of thinking to do between now and then. And I’ve heard the rumors about me making a decision already. That’s not true. Rumors are rumors, what can you do, but just know that I'm far from a decision no matter what you hear.

Like I always say, don’t believe things you don’t read from me right here in my blog. I definitely haven’t made up my mind yet.

Me and Shabazz Muhammad are deciding at the same time on ESPN so that should be pretty cool. It’s definitely just a coincidence because me and Shabazz have never even talked about schools or anything like that.

I would love to play with him in college though, but we’ve never talked about that and he’s got to do what’s best for him like I’ve got to do what’s best for me.

I will say that one of the biggest factors in my decision will be who will be there on the team when I get there because my No. 1 goal is to win a national title.

ESPN's Dave Telep checks in today with Tilton (N.H.) senior center Nerlens Noel, who recently eliminated North Carolina from his list of suitors and is down to Georgetown, Syracuse and Kentucky.

The entry can be found here on ESPN's Basketball Recruiting Blog. Here is an excerpt:

“I cut it a little bit today,” Noel said Sunday night. “I took North Carolina off. I didn’t want to delay the process.”

A potential March 19 visit to UNC isn’t happening. While Georgetown, Syracuse and Kentucky –- Noel’s final three –- have been with him a long time, the Tar Heels tried to make a run at him following his reclassification. Turns out it was too late. Connecticut was also trimmed from the final list.

“I think I’m getting close,” Noel said. “I think after my mom talks to coaches and Kentucky does an in-home visit. Then Syracuse is on Wednesday and my mom already met with Georgetown when she went with me on my visit.”

Each of the three remaining schools has a different angle with which to approach the shot-swatter. The Wildcats, well, they could be four games away from replacing probably No. 1 NBA Draft pick Anthony Davis.

“I don’t like to think like I’m replacing somebody,” Noel said. “I want to go in there and play my own game. I don’t want to replace him and I know we’re similar but I want to go in there and do my own thing.

“Kentucky, when I was there they showed me how good of a job they do with their players and that maybe in 1-2 years in college I could be a professional.”

Then there’s Syracuse. Noel’s always been fond of the Orange. “Syracuse has a great tradition. Whenever I go there it’s a family thing and I like (Jim) Boeheim and (Mike) Hopkins a lot. Playing with Mike Carter-Williams again would be real good. They do a great job of explaining the place.”

The Hoyas' past is not easily lost on Noel. Some of the game's great shot-blockers roamed the lane under the watchful eye of two generations of Thompsons. From Patrick Ewing all the way through Roy Hibbert, the Hoyas have always loved having an anchor in the middle.

“Georgetown really showed me what they’re about. I watched video about how they utilized their big men and I can pass the ball and get assists in that system.”

USA Basketball today named the roster for the 2012 USA Junior National Select Team, which will take on the World Select Team in the 2012 Nike Hoop Summit, April 7 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore.

The Nike Hoop Summit is the country's premier annual basketball game for high-school boys and features America's top seniors playing against a World Team comprised of international players who are 19-years-old or younger.

Everett native and Tilton (N.H.) senior Nerlens Noel, the nation's No. 1 overall player, was named to the team, as was St. Mark's 7-foot center and Claremont, N.H. native Kaleb Tarczewski. Brewster Academy (N.H.) big man Mitch McGary, an Indiana native, was also named to the team.

The three will be joined by Kyle Anderson (St. Anthony H.S./North Bergen, N.J.); Archie Goodwin (Sylvan Hills H.S./Little Rock, Ark.); Gary Harris (Hamilton Southeastern H.S./Fishers, Ind.); Shabazz Muhammad (Bishop Gorman H.S./Las Vegas, Nev.); Marcus Paige (Linn-Mar H.S./Marion, Iowa); Tony Parker (Miller Grove H.S./Lithonia, Ga.); and Rasheed Sulaimon (Strake Jesuit College Prep/Houston, Texas).

ESPN's Adam Finkelstein recaps the top performances from the NEPSAC Boys Basketball Tournament's Class A, AA, and AAA Finals, last weekend at Endicott College.

You can view the entire entry here on ESPN's Basketball Recruiting Section. Here's the highlights:

Standout prospects
Nik Stauskas (Mississauga, Ontario/St. Mark’s)
2012, SF, 6-6, 205
College: Michigan
Stauskas finished with 19 points but his impact on the game far exceeded that total, as he not only scored the ball in different ways but also facilitated for others in both pick and roll as well as drive-and-kick action. While the complete versatility of Stauskas’ offensive repertoire was on full display, the most impressive part of his performance was that innate star quality that allowed him to make big play after big play at the most pivotal moments of the game.

Nerlens Noel (Everett, Mass./Tilton)
2012, C, 6-10, 215
Noel’s biggest contributions once again came on the defensive end, where he not only anchored the team with his shot-blocking presence but also showed his ability to defend a dominant low-post player as he utilized his quickness and agility to prevent Kaleb Tarczewski (Claremont, N.H./St. Mark’s) from being able to establish any type of seals on the low post. Offensively, his 10 points included one incredible alley-oop finish which he caught literally above the box, in addition to a number of high-level passes.

Chris McCullough (New York, N.Y./Salisbury)
2014, PF, 6-9, 210
McCullough scored a game-high 26 points in the class A final, continuing to show his potentially lethal combination of length, athleticism and skill. McCullough brought good energy throughout the game, running the floor and being active on the offensive glass, while continuing to show a consistently expanding offensive repertoire. He was a consistent threat at the 3-point line, turned the corner in big-to-big ball screen action, and then iced the game with great poise at the free throw line.

Surprise performer
Spike Albrecht (Crown Point, Ind./Northfield Mount Hermon)
2012, PG, 6-1, 180
Albrecht showed great resiliency and endurance, playing all 40 minutes of an incredibly hard fought AAA final and serving as the team’s primary ballhandler from start to finish. He was at his best down the stretch, knocking down a deep 3-pointer and two clutch free throws in the game’s final 30 seconds. Albrecht is a cerebral point guard who is super crafty inside and is especially adept at keeping his dribble.

Keep an eye on
Rodney Sanders (Linden, N.J./St. Thomas More)
2012, SG, 6-4, 185
Sanders' Division I stock has consistently grown over the last couple of months and it got another boost on Sunday. The big southpaw guard showed an ability to make shots in bunches from behind the 3-point line, which provides only added value for a utility guard who can impact the game by defending multiple perimeter positions, playing with a very high motor and showing general versatility on the offensive end.

BEVERLY, Mass. -- Nik Stauskas wrapped his arms around Eli Lubick, as his St. Mark's teammate approached the free throw line to shoot the game-clinching free throws.

It was poetic in a way: the son of St. Mark’s coach David Lubick had the opportunity to put an exclamation point on the season and secure the NEPSAC Class AA Championship that had eluded this senior class the last two seasons.

His older brother Nate, now a starting forward at Georgetown, watched in the right corner, hoping his brother would have the opportunity to feel the championship feeling he had when he won the same title at St. Mark’s years ago.

Eli hit them both. The clock hit zero, and the whole team rejoiced at center court, celebrating the Lions’ 59-53 victory over the Tilton Rams. It was an unknown feeling for Tilton, which had previously won four straight NEPSAC championships -- three straight Class B titles from 2008-10, and last year's Class AA title against these same Lions.

“This is so crazy for us, because after last year’s loss to them, for like, a year exactly to this day, we’ve been thinking about this rematch against Tilton,” said Stauskas, who finished with 19 points and has signed with Michigan for next season. “There’s no better feeling in the world than just working hard and achieving your goals.”

St. Mark’s (26-1) jumped out to an early lead behind the shooting of players like Jaymie Spears (eight points, four steals), Aaron Falzon (eight points, five rebounds), and Lubick (12 points).

While Stauskas and Arizona-bound 7-footer Kaleb Tarczewski get their share of publicity, and rightfully so, it was the contributions of the players around them that allowed them to end their high school careers on such a high note.

“Those are all big-time players,” said Stauskas. “A guy like Jaymie has been working so hard this year and really stepped up big for us today. Eric Green (four points, five rebounds) stepped up big, Aaron is only a freshman so he’s definitely going to have some big years ahead of him.”

As the crowd thinned outside the Endicott College gymnasium, players trickled out of the locker room and into the lobby to board their respective buses back to their campuses. The Tilton (27-5) players were gone just moments after Lubick entered the St. Mark’s locker room.

Months from now, the St. Mark’s starting five will be at different colleges around the country beginning a new chapter in their lives. Who knows where their basketball careers will take them. No matter, they will always be able to look back and know they went out a champion.

Neutralizing Nerlens: St. Mark’s accomplished what so many teams want to do when playing Tilton: keeping the ball away from Nerlens Noel on offense. The nation's No. 1 overall senior can single-handedly change a game with his defense. St. Mark’s has it’s own big man in Kaleb Tarczewski, the No. 5 overall player in the Class of 2012.

When looking at the scorebook and seeing Tarczewski’s eight points and nine rebounds, one can think it was because Noel neutralized him. It had more to do with Lubick’s decision to play his offense out on the perimeter.

The team took advantage, hitting 10 three-pointers. Twelve of Stauskas’ 19 points came from behind the 3-point line.

“We know Nerlens and Goodluck (Okonoboh) are big-time shot blockers,” he said. “Our main goal today was to get a lot of drive-and-kicks for threes. We have a lot of guys that can shoot the ball. Our real key was to get into the key as far as we could and kick it right back out for open three’s.”

Noel’s shot-blocking is so feared that in one possession in the first half, Eric Green caught an outlet pass and saw Noel separating him from the basket. Rather than going at the 6-foot-11 center and risk getting his shot blocked, Green circled back to the perimeter and waited for his teammates to set up the offense.

“We wanted to not challenge them at their strength, which is the rim,” said David Lubick. “We thought if Kaleb could challenge Nerlens and get into his body and get him into foul trouble, that’s great. He used a couple of nice up-fakes and stuff like that, but we didn’t want the rest of our guys attacking the basket. Even an athletic guy like Eric Green or Nik Stauskas who can attack the basket, we didn’t want them to do it because we were afraid we’d get our shots blocked, then they’d go off to the races the other way.”

“Our focus was on making plays on the perimeter and getting into the paint in order to find somebody,” he added. “Consequently, they had to take Goodluck out of the game and adjust to us. If we had gotten behind, they wouldn’t have had to do that. Our guys doing what the gameplan dictated allowed us to dictate the terms on personnel.”

Loss of Selden hurt: Tilton appeared to struggle at times without its starting point guard Wayne Selden. The Boston resident and one of the nation's top sophomore players in the country, has been sidelined for weeks with an ankle injury. He had no choice but to watch the game from the bench in street clothes holding crutches.

“Him playing definitely makes a big difference for them,” said Stauskas. “We wish he could have played because it’s obviously not the same without him, but injuries happen. You just have to deal with them, so it is what it is. He’s probably one of the guys that creates most off the dribble for them, so he’s definitely a huge difference-maker.

"Georges Niang played a huge game for them (19 points, six rebounds) so he definitely stepped up. Everyone else was doing their normal job. They’re a heck of a team, so we feel blessed just to beat them.”

Warm surprise: Lubick received a nice surprise just moments before tipoff. As he was standing on the sideline during team warmups, he turned around and was noticeably taken aback when he saw his son Nate, a sophomore at Georgetown, standing their to greet him.

He was not expecting him to be there, since he had played against Marquette the previous night, but he flew up to surprise his dad and cheer him on during the important game.

“That was a huge surprise for me,” he said. “I was a little steamed and perturbed that my wife didn’t show up early and on time. I was thinking, ‘Where is she?’ We’ve been through this together for a long time, and then I figured out why she was late: she was picking up Nate. It was great, just unbelievable.”

ESPN Recruiting Nation has updates on the nation's top uncommitted seniors. Locally that includes a number of players from prep schools around New England: Tilton (N.H.) center Nerlens Noel, Brewster Academy (N.H.) wing Jakarr Sampson, Bridgton Academy (Maine) forward Markus Crider, and Notre Dame Prep's Sam Cassell Jr.

The entire list can be found here. Below is the latest recruiting update on the locals:

Nerlens Noel, C
Everett, Mass./The Tilton School
Player rank: 1 | Position rank: 1 | Grade: 98 | Stars: 5
Height: 6-10 | Weight: 215 pounds | Evaluation
Recruiting update: While Noel continues the process of formally reclassifying back to his original class, he has begun to take unofficial visits. First up was a quick trip to Providence alongside future Friars Kris Dunn and Ricardo Ledo. Next up was a visit to Syracuse to check on old friend and AAU teammate Michael Carter-Williams. Most recently, Noel visited Kentucky to learn more about becoming Anthony Davis' replacement. Florida, Georgetown, North Carolina and maybe Connecticut are expected to also get visits in the coming weeks but Syracuse and Kentucky have to be considered the favorites right now.

Jakarr Sampson, SF
Akron, Ohio/Brewster Academy
Player rank: POST | Stars: 4
Height: 6-8 | Weight: 200 pounds
Recruiting update: Sampson is a long, athletic forward who has visited Baylor, Pitt and most recently Kansas this past weekend. His recruitment is still wide open.

Sam Cassell Jr., SG
Baltimore, Md./Notre Dame Prep
Player rank: POST | Stars: 3
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 170 pounds | Evaluation
Recruiting update: Cassell took his only official visit thus far to Maryland back in October and has since decided to play out the rest of his senior season before making any decisions. Florida State and South Florida have been on him as long as anyone while Connecticut jumped into the picture back in late January and hosted him for an unofficial visit last weekend for their matchup against Syracuse. Even still, the plan remains to play out the rest of the prep season and see what new schools come along before using his official visits in the spring. The latest places to express interest have been Purdue and Villanova.

Markus Crider, SF
Huber Heights, Ohio/Bridgton Academy
Player rank: POST | Stars: 3
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 195 pounds
Recruiting update: With his postgraduate season now in its final week, you would think Crider's recruitment would be starting to wind down, but really that isn't the case at all. He has yet to take any of his visits and is still very much open. At the end of the day he's going to have to decide between levels and fit with places such as St. Bonaventure and Iona recruiting him the hardest, others such as George Mason and Dayton are definitely involved, and Memphis, Clemson, Cincinnati and Xavier are doing enough to keep him warm.

Tilton (N.H.) center and Everett native Nerlens Noel sheds light on some of the recent developments in his world today in his diary on ESPNHS.com. Among other things, the nation's No. 1 overall senior created some confusion when he began to take visits this month.

Earlier this month, Noel told ESPN's Dave Telep that he was reclassifying to the Class of 2012, and would begin to take official visits. On Friday, however, the Boston Herald reported that Noel had yet to be granted his request to re-classify from the Class of 2013, meaning his two visits this month -- Syracuse on Feb. 10, and Kentucky last weekend -- were technically unofficial visits.

Noel clarifies the matter:

I’ve taken two visits since I reclassified, first to Syracuse and I’m actually just getting back from Kentucky now. Both of the visits had to be unofficial because I have to get a lot of paperwork processed at my school before everything’s final, so until that happens all of my visits have to be unofficial. I think everything will be final by around early March.

Noel talks about the joys he had on his visits to both Syracuse and Kentucky, and talks about how much steam has picked up in his recruiting since he made his move to 2012. That includes some conversation with legendary Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski:

I’ve had a few schools call me more since the news broke about me reclassifying. I actually talked to coach Mike Krzyzewski the day after my first blog. That was pretty cool just talking to him. I like Coach K a lot. He was telling me about the situation down there for next year.

I talked to him twice after that, but I ended up telling them that I wasn’t interested in Duke. I like Coach K, but I just didn’t have any interest in them.

Noel also declares where he will be visiting next:

I’m excited about my next few visits to Florida, North Carolina and Georgetown, but I don’t know what order those visits will be in and I don’t have any dates on those yet. I’ll definitely let you guys know, though.

I’m gonna visit Providence and UConn too because they’re so close to me. I’ve been hearing from all of the coaches from those schools for the most part.

Multiple news outlets have reported over the last day that Everett native and Tilton (N.H.) center Nerlens Noel will take an official visit to the University of Kentucky this weekend.

Earlier this month, the 6-foot-10 Everett native re-classified back to the Class of 2012, and is now ranked the nation's No. 1 overall senior. ESPN's Dave Telep reports that Noel recently passed through the NCAA Clearinghouse, meaning he is now eligible to take official visits.

Last weekend, Noel visited Syracuse. Telep has more on that visit, and this weekend's one, today on his blog on ESPN's Basketball Recruiting Section:

Last weekend, he was courtside for a Syracuse home game, and more than a few students were sporting their own version of Noel’s signature flattop.

“It was good,” said Noel, who is close friends with Orange SF Michael Carter-Williams. “The crowd was packed and mad loud. I enjoyed it a lot.”

You better believe that Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim is going to try to use the relationship between Noel and Carter-Williams to land the big man.

However, this weekend Kentucky coach John Calipari will make his own unique pitch to Noel, who will be making his official visit to Lexington. Why not take over for Anthony Davis and try to break his shot-blocking record?

The second-most frequent question I’ve gotten in the last week (the first being about Jeremy Lin) links Davis and Noel. People want to know who the better shot-blocker was in high school. If you can believe it, Noel owns the distinction.

As a senior, he has a longer résumé and a more menacing profile as a rejecter than Davis had at the same time. Having said that, Davis’ rookie season at Kentucky is historic, and the improvements he’s made are astronomical. It would be difficult for Noel, or Dwight Howard for that matter, to replicate Davis’ defensive season.

Florida, Georgetown, North Carolina, Providence and Connecticut also remain on Noel's list of schools. Some of them will receive official visits, others may get unofficial visits. With the college season winding down, Noel is tracking for an April decision, provided taking more visits remains the order of the day.

The Atlanta Tipoff Club released the finalists for the Naismith Boys' High School Player of the Year award yesterday, and among the four finalists was Everett native and Tilton (N.H.) center Nerlens Noel.

The 6-foot-10 Noel -- who reclassified to the Class of 2012 last month and is now the nation's No. 1 overall player -- joined Bishop Gorman (Nev.) forward Shabazz Muhammad, Grace Prep (Texas) center Isaiah Austin and St. Anthony (N.J.) swingman Kyle Anderson among the finalists.

The winner will be recognized by the Atlanta Tipoff Club at its season-ending Naismith Awards Banquet March 22, at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta.

“This was one of my goals,” Noel told ESPNHS' Jason Jordan. “It’s a great achievement to be recognized as a finalist. I thank God for this opportunity.”

ESPN's Dave Telep is reporting tonight that Tilton School big man and Everett native Nerlens Noel, previously the nation's No. 2 overall junior, will re-classify from the Class of 2013 to his original Class of 2012.

Noel transferred from Everett High to the Tilton, N.H. prep school over the summer of 2010, following his sophomore season with the Crimson Tide. But he re-classified to the Class of 2013, repeating his sophomore year.

More so, Noel will soon be taking college visits. Telep has more on the Basketball Recruiting Blog:

"I just thought over the season that I thought I was getting a higher level of competition and was working on my game," Noel said. "I reclassified because I was hurt but I feel like I'm ready to play at the next level."

Two weeks ago, Noel was the dominant big man at the HoopHall Classic. Though he'd been thinking about making the move since November, that event helped to push him toward the decision. "It kind of put me over the top but it was on my mind for a while," Noel said.

Noel and Jabari Parker (Chicago, Ill./Simeon) were head to head engaged in a battle for the top spot in the loaded 2013 class. There is reason to believe that Noel will slide past Shabazz Muhammad (Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman) and take over the No. 1 spot in the Class of 2012.

Next up for Noel is selecting a college. He has five visits and his first will be to Syracuse the weekend of Nov. 11. He’s been to Providence and Connecticut and may not need official visits to the local schools.

"I'm ready to do it. It's a short window of time to pick a school and that's a concern to get out there and visit and maintain all my schoolwork." In addition to Syracuse, UConn and Providence, Kentucky, Florida, Georgetown and North Carolina are on his list.

"I think I'm going to visit Kentucky, Florida, Georgetown and North Carolina," Noel said. "Some of the coaches gave me dates but I have a couple of big games on those days so they're not really planned yet."

Noel won't rush his decision but his recruiting will be conducted quickly and will culminate this spring. “There’s not really a timeframe for me to wrap it up. I just want to get in as many visits to these schools before signing day.”

Each week during the high school basketball season, ESPNU highlights the top performances around the country from players ranked in the ESPNU 100 (Class of 2012), Super 60 (2013) and Terrific 25 (2014). Making the list this week are King Philip's Jake Layman, Tilton (N.H.) stars Georges Niang and Nerlens Noel, and Brewster Academy (N.H.)'s duo of Mitch McGary and T.J. Warren.

The entire list of top performances can be viewed here. Below are how the locals did:

CLASS OF 2012

No. 21 Mitch McGary, PF
The future Michigan man had 15 points and 14 rebounds in Brewster’s 88-44 demolition of Proctor on Wednesday.

No. 28 T.J. Warren, SF
Warren led the way for Brewster with 21 points in a 98-57 rout of Winchendon School on Friday night. On Monday, he scored 23 as the Bobcats moved to 17-0 following a 125-68 romp over Maine Central Institute.

No. 61 Jake Layman, SF
Layman led King Philip with 27 points in an 84-69 win over Attleboro on Friday night. He had 30 points and 13 rebounds on Tuesday but the Warriors fell to Stoughton, 73-69.

No. 68 Georges Niang, PF
Niang led all scorers with 27 points in leading Tilton past Villa Angela-St. Joseph, 65-49, on Friday at the Mountaineer Showcase. On Saturday, the senior scored the 2,000th point of his career and finished with 29 in a win over Arlington Country Day (Fla.).

CLASS OF 2013

No. 2 Nerlens Noel, C
Noel posted 20 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in a win over Arlington Country Day (Fla.) on Saturday.

Media Director Pat Stevens forwards along a press release on what to expect from the annual National Prep School Invitational, February 2 through 5 at Rhode Island College.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. --- Thirty of the country’s top prep school basketball teams, up to 100 college coaches on hand to evaluate prospects, and several NBA scouts will gather for the 14th annual National Prep School Invitational.

Held at Rhode Island College from Thursday, February 2 through Sunday, February 5, the nation’s elite exposure event during the school year will once again have its top games broadcasted on COX Sports.

With an upwards of 50 players impressively already committed to colleges, the event’s main goal is to provide a springboard for many more to join that group.

The featured young talent competing ranges all the way from the traditional powers of the New England Prep School Athletic Conference to as far as the Canarias Basketball Academy of the Canary Islands.

Highlighting the field is last year’s National Prep Championship Tournament winner St. Thomas More (CT) and NEPSAC champion Maine Central Institute (ME). Previous titleholders Brewster Academy (NH), Bridgton Academy (ME), Notre Dame Prep (MA) and Tilton School (NH) return as well.

Considered the strongest All-American candidates for their success throughout their high school and prep school careers are South Kent’s Ricardo Ledo (Providence) and Tilton’s Nerlens Noel (Undecided) along with Brewster Academy duo Mitch McGary (Michigan) and TJ Warren (North Carolina State). Notre Dame Prep recently welcomed Steven Adams (Pittsburgh) for the second semester, a talented center from New Zealand who made waves this past summer with his play at the Adidas Nations global event. Some of college basketball's top contenders are also showing high interest in a number of underclassmen on the rise - Tilton's Wayne Selden and Goodluck Okonoboh, New Hampton's Noah Vonleh and Jared Terrell, and Vermont Academy's DaQuan McNeil, Dominic Woodson and Jamel Artis.

St. Andrew’s (RI) star All-American guard Michael Carter-Williams (now at Syracuse) took home back-to-back NPSI MVP awards in 2011 and 2010. The 2009 MVP went to Lawrence Academy’s Shabazz Napier, who has since gone on to win a NCAA National Championship at the University of Connecticut.

Currently, 28 active NBA Players have participated in the NPSI. Those once awarded the NPSI MVP for their performances in the event include Michael Beasley (Notre Dame Prep ‘07/Kansas State/Minnesota Timberwolves), Lazar Hayward (Notre Dame Prep ’06/Marquette/Oklahoma City Thunder), Shawne Williams (Laurinburg Institute ‘05/Memphis/New Jersey Nets) and Dorell Wright (South Kent ‘04/1st Round Draft Choice out of prep school).

For more information, visit NPSIhoops.com and NationalPrepInvitational.com.

Tickets are $10 per day or passes for the entire event can also be purchased at the door.

MEDIA REQUESTS please contact Pat Stevens at pat@npsihoops.com


2012 NPSI SCHEDULE

Thursday, February 2
10 - Lee Academy (ME) vs. Robinson (NJ)
11:30 - St. Thomas More (CT) vs. CJEOTO Academy (NJ)
1:15 - Brewster Academy (NH) vs. St. John’s Northwest Military Academy (WI)
2:45 – NIA Prep (NJ) vs. Canarias Basketball Academy (Spain)
4:15 - Notre Dame Prep (MA) vs. Wilbraham & Monson (MA)
5:45 - La Jolla Prep (CA) vs. South Kent (CT)
7:15 - Phelps (PA) vs. Cushing Academy (MA)
9 – Mont Clare (PA) vs. New Hope Academy (MD)

Friday, February 3
9 –CJEOTO Academy (NJ) vs. Lee Academy (ME)
10:30 - Robinson (NJ) vs. La Jolla Prep (CA)
12 - SJNWMA (WI) vs. New Hampton (NH)
1:30 – Canarias Basketball Academy (Spain) vs. Notre Dame Prep (MA)
3 - South Kent (CT) vs. NIA Prep (NJ)
4:30 - Mont Clare (PA) vs. St. Thomas More (CT)
6 - Worcester Academy (MA) vs. Phelps (PA)
7:30 - Vermont Academy (VT) vs. Winchendon (MA)
9 - New Hope Academy (MD) vs. Bridgton Academy (ME)

Saturday, February 4
9 – Marianapolis (CT) vs. SJNWMA (WI)
10:30 – Winchendon (MA) vs. Mont Clare (PA)
12 – Cushing Academy (MA) vs. New Hope Academy (MD)
1:30 – REDA (Canada) vs. Vermont Academy (VT)
3 – Bridgton Academy (ME) vs. Northfield Mount Hermon (MA)
4:30 - La Jolla Prep (CA) vs. Notre Dame Prep (MA)
6 – New Hampton (NH) vs. Canarias Basketball Academy (Spain)
7:30 - Maine Central Institute (ME) vs. Next Level Prep (Canada)

Sunday, February 5
9 - Canarias Basketball Academy (Spain) vs. Bridgton Academy (ME)
10:30 - Wilbraham & Monson (MA) vs. Winchendon (MA)
12 – Next Level Prep (Canada) vs. St. Thomas More (CT)
1:30 - Tilton (NH) vs. REDA (Canada)
3 - Northfield Mount Hermon (MA) vs. Lawrence Academy (MA)
4:30 - St. Andrew's (RI) vs. Maine Central Institute (ME)
6 - New Hope Academy (MD) vs. Worcester Academy (MA)

2012 NPSI COLLEGE COMMITTED PLAYERS
Semaj Christon (G - Brewster Academy - Xavier)
Mitch McGary (F - Brewster Academy - Michigan)
Jalen Reynolds (F - Brewster Academy - Xavier)
Aaron Thomas (G - Brewster Academy - Florida State)
TJ Warren (F - Brewster Academy - NC State)
Jarryn Skeete (G - Bridgton Academy - Buffalo)
Alex Furness (G - Cushing - Bentley)
Tyler McFarland (G - Cushing - Bentley)
Darrell Bowie (F - La Jolla Prep - Northern Illinois)
Strahinja Gavrilovic (G - La Jolla Prep - Southern California)
Darnell Harris (F - La Jolla Prep - Cleveland State)
Jarion Henry (G - La Jolla Prep - Oklahoma)
Travion Leonard (C - Lee Academy - Fordham)
Jean Yves Toupane (F - Lee Academy - Saint Bonaventure)
Barry Webster (F - Lee Academy - Maine)
Jared Brandon (F - Maine Central Institute - Cal State Fullerton)
James Farr (F - Maine Central Institute - Xavier)
Tobe Okafor (C - Maine Central Institute - Loyola Marymount)
Barrington Alston (F - New Hampton - Towson)
Zach Auguste (F - New Hampton - Notre Dame)
Olivier Hanlan (G - New Hampton - Boston College)
Ramon Johnson (F - NIA Prep - Coastal Carolina)
Tommy Carpenter (F - Northfield Mount Hermon - Dartmouth)
Evan Cummins (F - Northfield Mount Hermon - Harvard)
Ethan O'Day (F - Northfield Mount Hermon - Vermont)
Steven Adams (C - Notre Dame Prep - Pittsburgh)
Myles Davis (G - Notre Dame Prep - Xavier)
Adonis Filer (G - Notre Dame Prep - Clemson)
Shawn Valentine (G - Phelps - Rider)
Richard Audu (G - REDA - Siena)
Naz Long (G - REDA - Iowa State)
Jarrod Davis (F - Robinson School - Maryland Eastern Shore)
Laimonas Chatkevicius (C - South Kent - Kansas State)
Ricardo Ledo (G - South Kent - Providence)
Chris Ortiz (F - South Kent - Kent State)
Cedric Kukamensah (F - St. Andrew's - Brown)
Josh Hall (F - St. John's Northwest Military Academy - Cal Poly)
Andy Martin (C - St. John's Northwest Military Academy - Montana)
Curtis Jones (G - St. Thomas More - Manhattan)
Barrington Stevens (G - St. Thomas More - South Alabama)
Dominique Bull (G - Tilton - Missouri)
Kevin Crescenzi (G - Tilton - Dartmouth)
Georges Niang (F - Tilton - Iowa State)
Tevin Falzon (F - Winchendon - Sacred Heart)
Akosa Maduegbunam (G - Winchendon - Penn State)
Nick Victor (G - Winchendon - Yale)