ESPNHS Boys' Basketball

Each week this summer leading up to the AAU National Championships in Orlando in July, ESPNHS will profile one of the nation's top AAU teams and tell you why you should be paying attention.

Team: Oakland Soldiers
Location: Oakland, Calif.
Coach: Mark Olivier

What you need to know about the Oakland Soldiers:

The Oakland Soldiers are probably best known for being one of LeBron James' AAU teams back when the King was in high school, but the program has produced enough NBA talent in addition to James to form its own All-Star team.

Coach Mark Olivier says that's one of the reasons why the Soldiers are able to draw such elite talent, year after year.

"I think we have a history that makes kids want to play for us," says Olivier. "Guys like LeBron James played for us. And in the last couple years we've had Nick Johnson, Jabari Brown. That's a draw for kids."

The current roster is loaded with elite prospects, led by Aaron Gordon and Jabari Bird, both of whom are highly ranked in the Class of 2013. Gordon, a 6-foot-7 forward, can dominate the paint and play in the open court, while Bird is one of the nation's top scoring guards. Small forward Stanley Johnson is ranked No. 28 in the Class of 2014, with multiple Division I offers already on the table.

"We've got a really well-rounded team," says Gordon. "We don't have a lot of bigs, but we have a lot of athletes who can get out and run. We outrun other teams."

The Soldiers are currently playing without Gordon, who is resting a foot injury, and Bird has been forced to miss time with a shoulder injury. But the team has hardly missed a beat, compiling an impressive 9-5 record in Nike Elite Youth Basketball League play. Johnson has come up big, leading the team with 16.1 points per game in EYBL action.

"My role kind of changed when we had the injuries," says Johnson. "I went from basically having one-third of the scoring load to having two-thirds of the scoring load. I'm just trying to do a little bit of everything."

Key Players:

Aaron Gordon, F, 2013: Gordon is currently sitting out with a broken bone in his foot, but he's progressing nicely and expects to be back by the end of the summer. "He told me he could play right now if he had to," says Olivier. "But the foot needs rest. He'll be back at 100 percent." Gordon is No. 4 in the ESPN 100.

Jabari Bird, G/F, 2013: A 6-foot-5 swingman, Bird possesses a deadly outside shot. "I think he's the best mid-range shooter in the country," says Gordon. "I know that's a bold statement, but I really think he's the best." Bird is averaging 11.2 points per game during EYBL play. He's ranked No. 11 in the ESPN 100.

Stanley Johnson, F, 2014: A 6-foot-5 forward, Johnson has stepped up in Gordon's absence, averaging a team-high 16.1 points during EYBL play. He's also posting 6.6 rebounds per game and shooting 50 percent from the floor. "He's a meat-and-potatoes player," says Olivier. "He's just so fundamentally sound. He's the ultimate team player."

Key Dates:

EYBL Session 4: May 25-27 in Oakland, Calif.
Nike Peach Jam: July 18-22 in Augusta, S.C.
Fab 48 AAU Finals: July 22-28 in Las Vegas

The Soldiers came up short at last year's Nike Peach Jam but rebounded to take the FAB 48 title in Las Vegas. They would like to win both crowns this season, and once Gordon returns to the lineup, they may have to be considered the favorite at both events.

"When we had everybody playing, we were really good," says Johnson. "So I think as we start to get them back and the season goes on and we get more practice, I think we'll be able to compete for the final four at Peach Jam, or even win the championship."

"That's our main focus this summer," says Gordon. "We don't just want to get to Peach Jam, we want to compete and come out on top there."

Famous Alums:

LeBron James (Three-time NBA Most Valuable Player)
Kendrick Perkins (2003 1st-round NBA Draft pick)
Chauncey Billups (2004 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player)
Brandon Jennings (2009 1st-round NBA Draft pick)

Follow Mike Grimala on Twitter (@MGrimalaESPN).

On May 4, the California Interscholastic Federation’s State Federated Council approved two measures that will have a big impact on the 2012-13 season and beyond.

The CIF, California’s governing body for interscholastic athletics, currently requires students who transfer schools without a valid change of residence to sit out varsity sports for one calendar year unless they are granted a hardship waiver. Beginning July 1, student-athletes in this situation will have to sit out of varsity competition for 30 days. For winter sports, which include basketball, student-athletes would re-gain eligibility on Dec. 31.

The change in transfer rules coincides with the rising legal costs the CIF has endured in recent years when many eligibility rulings were challenged in court. In one documented case involving a single student-athlete, the CIF endured legal costs of $150,000.

"The revisions to the transfer rule are designed to provide a better experience for students in California," said Rebecca Brutlag, CIF Media Relations Officer.

The State Federated Council also approved an open division for state boys and girls basketball championships beginning next school year. The open division will be comprised of the state’s best teams, regardless of the school’s enrollment or the strength of the league in which it competes in. Since the 1987-88 season, the CIF has conducted state championships in five divisions based on enrollment. Next season, there will be a sixth state champion crowned with the other divisions remaining intact.

The CIF hopes the open division will spark interest in an event that has seen attendance and interest wane in recent years. The transfer rule could create more powerful teams and possibly more interest if two nationally-ranked programs meet in the open division state final.

"The Open Division will allow the best teams in the State of California, regardless of division, to compete for a State Championship," Brutlag said. "We believe this will bring a renewed level of interest to the event that will be beneficial to all involved."

The weekly rankings compiled by ESPNHS Cal-Hi Sports will play a role in which teams are selected for the open division. For more on the new open division, click here.

Recruiting updates: Readers beware

Amile Jefferson of Friends' Central, the No. 25 ranked player in the ESPN 100, signed a letter of intent with Duke after a long and exhaustive process the day before the end of the spring signing period.

According to Jefferson, some of the articles published on recruiting sites the past two months contained information that was just plain inaccurate.

"For a couple of months I've read stories where it said I was going to announce the next day, or that I had trimmed my list ... I wasn't sure where they made up that stuff from," Jefferson said.

He also read stories consisting of pure speculation and not based on direct quotes from the 6-foot-8 forward or his immediate family.

"People would say I was down to two schools or knew I wasn't leaving the state (of Pennsylvania) regardless of what schools I had on my list," Jefferson said. "People are going to say what sells or appeals to a certain crowd."

On the flip side, Jefferson stated he did read some good points of view once in a while on Twitter or Facebook that got him thinking, but the factors that eventually pointed him to the Blue Devils were the ones generated and discussed with his inner circle.

"I wasn't sure within myself, much less anyone else know what I was going to do," Jefferson said. "At the end of the day, I made my decision with my family. Some schools really recruited me hard and stuck with me and I'm glad for that. It was a tough decision but I feel I made the right one in the end."

Farmer stands alone

When Garfield Heights (Ohio) star Tony Farmer hits the court next winter, head coach Sonny Johnson is expecting a man-child.

He made that prediction largely based on Farmer's stellar play with All-Ohio Red so far this spring. Farmer has improved significantly playing alongside Ohio State commit Marc Loving and highly touted prospects Nigel Hayes and Zach Denny. Farmer is averaging 8.2 points in nine contests at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball as All-Ohio Red is off to an 11-3 start atop Division C in the EYBL standings at press time.

Farmer, 6-foot-6 forward, is coming off a monster junior campaign in which he pumped in 20 points and grabbed 10 boards per contest to lead the Bulldogs to the district finals. On the AAU circuit, he's displayed an improved handle and increased accuracy on his pull-up jumper.

According to Johnson, Farmer holds more than 10 offers with Penn St., Xavier, Illinois and Pittsburg all in the running for his services. He is targeting a September commitment date.

Tweet of the week

“I will not lose, for even in defeat, theres (sic) a valuable lesson learned, so it evens up for me. I gtta (sic) get #9."

-- @NerlensNoel3

Nerlens Noel, the No. 1 ranked player in the ESPN 100, received a boost in Twitter followers (now more than 53k) after committing to play for Kentucky in mid-April. Noel has continued to endear himself to Big Blue Nation with a series of tweets ending in the phrase, “I gotta get #9" -- a reference to the Wildcats’ pursuit of a ninth national title this upcoming season. The tweets have been well received by UK fans, resulting in plenty of retweets and multiple replies from fans who believe Noel will have an Anthony Davis-type impact in 2012-13.

This summer, ESPNHS will sit down with some of the nation's elite players to break down their game, talk about the inevitable comparisons to college and pro players and get their take on who they pattern their game after.

Player: Matt Jones
School: DeSoto (Texas)
Position: Shooting Guard
Height/Weight: 6-4/180
ESPN 60: No. 22

Who is Matt Jones?
Rated the No. 9 shooting guard in the Class of 2013, Jones is a stone-cold assassin. His 3-point shot is already developed at an NCAA level, and he's capable of exploding at any moment. As a junior, he led DeSoto to the regional finals of the Class 5A state tournament, averaging 18.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Jones has been just as good during the summer season. Going against some of the most talented AAU teams in the country during Nike Elite Youth Basketball League play, Jones is averaging 17.7 points per game and hitting 48 percent of his 3-point attempts. Jones has committed to Duke, and he seems destined to continue the Blue Devils' tradition of lights-out shooting guards (Trajan Langdon, J.J. Redick, Jon Scheyer, Austin Rivers).

Scouting Report
According to ESPN RecruitingNation, Jones has the prototypical build for a shooting guard. He's athletic enough to make plays in the open floor and around the rim, but his calling card is his sweet jumper. Jones might be the purest shooter in the country, with consistent catch-and-shoot range out to 20 feet.

"He's an extremely respected shooter," says Scott Pospichal, his AAU coach with the Texas Titans. "Teams know not to leave him. We run him off screens, and he's good at the pull-up, too. He can really shoot the ball."

Most frequent comparisons: Ray Allen, J.J. Redick

ESPNHS Comparison: Gordon Hayward
Jones' range and size make observers think of classic snipers like Ray Allen and J.J. Redick, but we see his game resembling that of up-and-coming Utah Jazz star Gordon Hayward. There is a size difference, as Hayward is one of the NBA's taller shooting guards at 6-foot-8, but everything else lines up. While Allen and Redick rely on deft footwork to curl around screens and pop long jumpers, Jones (like Hayward) is more of a spot-up shooter with less elevation on his release.

Jones also has enough length, athleticism and quickness to occasionally jump into passing lanes and disrupt things defensively. Gordon makes a living by deflecting passes, sneaking in for offensive putbacks and drilling 3-pointers (38.6 percent for his career), and we can see Jones evolving into the same type of player.

"I like to do a little bit of everything," says Jones. "I take pride in my defense. I can shoot off the dribble, and I have a quick first step. I try to contribute any way I can."

Matt’s Comparison: Ray Allen
Jones has been hearing the Ray Allen comparisons for a long time, and he takes it as a compliment.

"A lot of people like to compare me to Ray Allen or J.J. Redick," he says. "I just feel blessed and grateful to be compared to great shooters like that. Ray Allen is one of the greatest of all-time, so that's an honor to be mentioned with him."

Jones says he is trying to get stronger over the summer, and he's also working on his ball handling. Allen was an underrated slasher in his prime, so Jones will need to continue tightening his handle if he wants to be the next "Jesus Shuttlesworth."

Mike Grimala covers high school sports for ESPNHS. Be sure to follow him on Twitter (@MGrimalaESPN).

With graduation right around the corner, it’s almost time to bid adieu to the class of 2012. Before the veteran ballers flip that tassel, we’re going to bless them with some last-second love and immortalize them in the form of senior superlatives. We’ll gaze into our crystal ball to make a few predictions as well as reflect on the myriad achievements of this talented crew.

These are our picks, but feel free to chime in with your selections on Twitter @espnhs.

Most important commitment
Kyle Anderson, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.)
Sure, Anderson’s commitment to UCLA might have been overshadowed by the subsequent pledges of Shabazz Muhammad and Tony Parker. But who knows if the Bruins would’ve landed those two prized recruits had it not been for Anderson -- the ultimate team-first guy and winner -- jumping on board first. Anderson's versatility will be valuable as the heralded class looks to restore UCLA's lore after a tumultuous last few years.
Runner-up: Baylor lands Ike Austin, Grace Prep (Arlington, Texas)

Most likely to succeed in the NBA
Shabazz Muhammad, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
We’re not the only ones envisioning Muhammad going toe-to-toe with Bron Bron and the rest of the league's heavyweights. The consensus among pro scouts at the Nike Hoop Summit was that ‘Bazz was the most pro-ready domestic prospect in the class. His Kobe-like demeanor and ability to get buckets in a variety of ways should bode well for whatever squad scoops him up in the Association.
Runner-up: Anthony Bennett, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.)

Most likely to land an acting role
Nerlens Noel, Tilton (Tilton, N.H.)
The high top fade alone should be enough to land this menacing shot blocker in the reboot of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” or if they ever recast Kid or Play for the next “House Party.” Combine his tight 'do with his affable personality and his ability to take over defensively on the hardwood, and we could be looking at a star both on and off the court.
Runner-up: Justin Anderson, Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.)

Read More »

Each week this summer leading up to the AAU National Championships in Orlando in July, ESPNHS will profile one of the nation's top AAU teams and tell you why you should be paying attention.

Team: CIA Bounce
Location: Brampton, Toronto, Canada
Coach: Tony McIntyre

What you need to know about CIA Bounce:

With a roster comprised of players attending schools across two countries, CIA Bounce is often at a disadvantage when it comes to assembling for practices heading into the AAU season. But when the opening whistle blows, few teams can keep pace with this loaded squad. McIntyre and his staff have cultivated a program that stands out as one of the premier AAU clubs. Last season, the Nike-sponsored club finished 26-2 and won the AAU Super Showcase.

This year’s Bounce team is a veritable who’s who from the sophomore and junior classes, and is out to prove it can compete on the same level -- if not higher -- with its neighbors to the south.

"Our guys aren’t playing for scholarships; (they're) just playing for wins,” says McIntyre. "They play with a chip on their shoulder because they’re from Canada and sometimes people ask, ‘can you guys even play basketball up there?’ Our talent is phenomenal and people are starting to take notice.”

Those in attendance at the NIKE Elite Youth Basketball League session in Hampton, Va., were on hand to witness the squad's on-court dominance in late April. Bounce went 9-0 at the talent-filled event and took down perennial AAU contenders Team Takeover (D.C.) and King James (Ohio) in the process. They went on to run through the competition at the Dallas EYBL, highlighted by a monster Andrew Wiggins double-double (31 points, 15 boards). Few teams can match up with Bounce’s versatility and scoring punch when it employs its three-guard set. And on defense, the team’s length, instincts and quick switches makes it a tough unit to score on.

Key Players:

Andrew Wiggins, F, 2014: This 6-foot-7 athletic freak has insane bounce and an explosive scoring arsenal that has scouts labeling him the nation’s No. 1 pro prospect regardless of class. The Huntington Prep standout and West Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year is the team’s leading scorer and an underrated defender.

Tyler Ennis, G, 2013: The reigning Gatorade State Player of the Year in New Jersey is a talented floor general who keeps everyone on the court engaged in the offense with a steady diet of easy buckets. Ennis is a deadly player in transition and will score in bunches when the situation requires him to.

Xavier Rathan-Mayes, G, 2013: A knock down 3-point shooter with a progressing mid-range game, Rathan-Mayes is beginning to rocket up recruiting charts. His perimeter scoring is crucial to the team's attack as it opens up driving lanes for his high school teammate, Wiggins, and Ennis and allows the bigs to go to work in the paint free from double teams.

Key Dates:

EYBL Session 4: May 25-27 in Oakland, Calif.
Nike Peach Jam: July 18-22 in Augusta, S.C.
Fab 48 AAU Finals: July 22-28 in Las Vegas, Nev.

Player breakdown:

Boasting the No. 41-rated junior (Ennis) and the No. 1 player in the Class of 2014 (Wiggins), expectations are extremely high for this squad. But don’t expect Ennis and Co. to wilt under pressure; they’re intent on wrapping up the summer by bringing a championship trophy home to Canada.

“Our goal is to go undefeated and go as far as possible,” says Ennis. "I think it will come down to how deep each team is. We can go five on and five off and play with the same talent level. Outside of the talent, we have good chemistry and everyone on here loves winning. We’re gunning for that No. 1 spot."

Famous Alums:

Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavs, 2011 first round pick)
Anthony Bennett (No. 7 in the ESPNU 100, UNLV commit)

David Auguste is an associate editor and basketball writer for ESPNHS. Follow him on Twitter @DAugusteESPNor email him at David.Auguste@espn.com.

The last time Sports Illustrated featured a high school basketball underclassman on its cover, it was a 17-year-old prodigy from Ohio named LeBron James. Now you can add Simeon (Chicago) star Jabari Parker to that exclusive club, as the junior will grace the front of SI's May 21 issue.

Parker was the Gatorade National Player of the Year this season, and he's ranked No. 1 in the class of 2013 by ESPN. Most scouts believe he's a sure thing to become an All-Star in the NBA, and SI even touts him as "the best high school basketball player since LeBron James." The smooth, 6-foot-8 forward has led Simeon to three consecutive state championships, and he's spending his summer playing with the elite Mac Irvin Fire AAU team.

This is a huge moment for Parker. Lots of players are ranked No. 1 at one point or another, but few reach a level where Sports Illustrated feels the need to put them on the cover. Parker will now have a ton of pressure placed upon him during his senior season, especially since he hasn't committed yet. His college decision is likely to become a huge national media story until he signs his letter of intent, and that kind of intense spotlight can have a negative effect on some players. After all, since LeBron in 2002, the only other high school baller on the cover of SI has been Sebastian Telfair (March 8, 2004), who never quite lived up to the hype.

But as the SI story points out, Parker is a humble, faith-driven kid who seems to have his head on straight. It's up to him whether he becomes the next Sebastian Telfair or the next LeBron James.

MCI drops post-grads

Maine Central Institute (Pittsfield, Maine) will drop its post-graduate basketball team, according to The Portland Press Herald. Last week, MCI’s Board of Trustees voted to discontinue the team beginning July 1.

Post-graduate teams traditionally exist to allow student-athletes an extra year after high school to raise their academic marks in order to meet NCAA athletic eligibility standards for incoming freshmen and to further develop their basketball skills after their regular high school eligibility has expired. The school’s post-graduate team produced more than 130 Division I players and 10 who eventually played in the NBA, but MCI Athletic Director Earl Anderson told the newspaper, “the post-graduate basketball program no longer fit into the vision for MCI’s future.”

The school opened in 1866 and the student body is made up of both boarding and local students. According to the school's website, tuition for boarding students for the 2012-13 school year is $40,850.

In year’s past, prominent MCI post-graduates -- including future NBA players Erick Barkley and Caron Butler -- came under NCAA scrutiny in regards to who paid part of their tuition.

Last season, MCI’s post-graduate team went 10-17 while competing in the New England Prep School Athletic Conference after winning the NEPSAC's Class AAA title in 2011. During a 10-year period in the 1990s under former coach Max Good, MCI went 275-30, won five NEPSAC titles and managed a 79-game winning streak. Good developed nine of MCI’s 10 NBA players including Barkley, Butler, DerMarr Johnson and Brad Miller.

It's not clear at this time if MCI will compete only as a regular high school team in the Maine Principals' Association division of interscholastic activities.

More on post-grad front

The news about MCI dropping its post-graduate team came on the heels of The Winchendon School (Winchendon, Mass.) also leaving the NEPSAC's Class AAA ranks. The Winchendon School is looking to move down to Class C.

Despite the NEPSAC’s Class AAA ranks losing two members once considered flagship programs, the news shouldn’t be considered any sign of the demise of post-graduate basketball at prep schools in New England.

The NCAA’s Division I Board of Directors recently implemented new eligibility requirements that will take effect in 2016 and those requirements will be tougher than ever for freshman eligibility. That will continue to make prep schools a desirable option for student-athletes looking to improve their academic marks.

Under the new NCAA academic standards, potential scholarship players must complete their required 16 core courses before their four years of high school are complete. That is likely to lead to an increased number of student-athletes leaving to a prep school prior to the completion of their senior season of high school in order to increase their chances of qualifying under the new guidelines.

NYC AAU figure passes

Ernie Lorch, the founder of the New York Riverside Church AAU program whose legacy was tarnished amid charges of sex abuse, died on May 13, according to the New York Daily News.

Lorch, who reportedly suffered from dementia and diabetes, was 80.

Lorch, a Manhattan-based lawyer, founded the Riverside Church program in 1961 as an avenue to help underprivileged New York City kids. Erick Barkley of Christ the King (Queens, N.Y.) was one of the kids he helped and the NCAA ruled Lorch paid $3,150 of Erick Barkley’s tuition at Maine Central Institute for the 1997-98 school year in violation of its rules. During the NCAA’s investigation of Barkley’s eligibility for St. John's University, Lorch admitted to financially assisting many student-athletes over the years.

During the Riverside Church’s heyday in the 1980s and 1990s, the flagship program won countless national tournaments and produced future NBA players such as Chris Mullin, Mark Jackson, Malik Sealy, Ron Artest (now Metta World Peace) and 1989 Mr. Basketball USA Kenny Anderson. The 1996 unit that included Barkley, Artest and Elton Brand, was honored in July 2007 by the Grassroots Basketball Association of America as the best Nike-sponsored AAU team ever.

Over the last decade, Lorch’s legacy as an AAU pioneer was tainted by accusations of sex abuse. Because the incident was said to have occurred in the late 1970’s, New York’s statue of limitations laws prevented him from ever being charged. Massachusetts’ statue of limitations laws are different, and Lorch was indicted in that state but never extradited to stand trial on those charges because of his dementia.

Former dropout signs with D1 school

When a 6-foot-8 junior college transfer signs with a Big Sky conference school, it usually isn’t big news. When that player was a highly-regarded prospect in high school who dropped out of school before his senior season and is a main subject of a critically acclaimed book, however, it’s noteworthy.

Aaron Moore, who was a freshman standout at Dominguez (Compton, Calif.) in 2005-06, signed with Portland State for the 2012-13 school year after a standout season at San Bernardino (Calif.) Junior College.

Moore’s youth career and turbulent high school career was chronicled in George Dohrmann’s “Play Their Hearts Out.” Dohrmann, a Pulitzer Prize winner and a writer for Sports Illustrated, followed the triumphs and tragedies of a Southern California AAU team over a period of eight years. Based on the content in the book, it looked like Moore was going to be the most tragic figure among the players on the team and now he has a new chapter.

Ronnie Flores is a senior editor for ESPNHS. He can be reached at ronnie.flores@espn.com. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonFloresESPN

This summer, ESPNHS will sit down with some of the nation's elite players to break down their game, talk about the inevitable comparisons to college and pro players and get their take on who they pattern their game after.

Player: Nick Emery
School: Lone Peak (Highland, Utah)
Position: Combo Guard
Height/Weight: 6-2/180
ESPN 60: No. 52

Who is Nick Emery?
Emery is a smooth-stroking lefty whose game consists of seemingly endless range on his jumper, combined with an uncanny ability to get to the rack at will. The combo guard’s immense talents, non-stop motor and extreme competitiveness endears him to fans and coaches while frustrating opponents to no end. Emery pumped in 21.7 points, ripped down 4.3 boards and dished out 2.4 dimes a contest to cop Class 5A MVP honors this past winter. The BYU commit led the Knights to their second consecutive state crown in April and earned a spot on the ESPNHS Underclass All-American squad. He is the younger brother of former Cougar guard Jackson Emery and garnered Gatorade State Player of the Year honors as a sophomore.

Scouting Report
According to ESPN RecruitingNation, Emery is an extremely confident player who is a prolific shot-maker and can finish in the lane through contact despite not having prototypical 2-guard quickness. He is a calculated player who bides his time with the dribble before unleashing a textbook jumper and makes sagging defenders pay with his NBA range. When he’s not filling up the basket, Emery is adept at creating easy buckets for teammates. His knack for burying long-range daggers helps space the floor for other wing players and could make him an instant hit whenever he lands on BYU's campus.

Most frequent comparison: Jimmer Fredette, Manu Ginobili, Jackson Emery

ESPNHS Comparison: Jimmer Fredette
Come on, a 6-foot-2 guard heading to BYU with ridiculous scoring ability and range? You know you were thinking it, too. ESPN senior analyst Dave Telep cosigns the comparison stating, “During his formative basketball years, the guy Nick saw the most was Jimmer. It's easy to say, here's a white kid from Provo, Utah, going to BYU and think Jimmer. But I think with this kid it works. Someone else could try and take some of the things Jimmer could do and it would look fake. But this guy has that game and an unwavering confidence."

Before slaying Mountain West Conference defenders to the tune of 18.7 career points, Fredette made a name for himself at Glen Falls High (N.Y.) with his scoring punch. The 6-foot-2 scoring machine kept rolling once he got to BYU, emerging as Division I's premier perimeter shooter while leading the nation in scoring as a senior (28.9 ppg).

Emery's height, ability to play either guard spot and penchant for pulling up from long distance mirrors that of Fredette's. There’s no questioning either player’s ability to score, but one constant knock on their game is their ability to defend at the other end. Quickness and ball handling are other areas of concerns but take a back seat to the duo's production on the offensive end.

Nick’s Comparison: Fredette
Emery fully embraces the comparisons to Fredette and admits he models his game after the BYU legend.

“My brother was at BYU, so I watched Jimmer play a lot in college,” Emery said. “I try and emulate the way he moves and the way he finishes around the basket.

The similarities in Emery’s game can also be attributed to one-on-one sessions the two engaged in at BYU's practice facilities. There, Emery got a first-hand look at what catapulted Fredette to the 2011 AP Player of the Year.

"He likes to shoot from deep and I like to shoot from deep,” Emery says. "If I feel open once I cross halfcourt, I’m shooting.”

To become a more well-rounded player and a better offensive threat, Emery is looking to incorporate more of Ginobili’s repertoire into his own arsenal. This summer’s focus will be on honing his handle and crossover as well as fine-tuning an already potent euro step.

“I want to be a blend of those two guys and I love how crafty Manu is,” Emery said. “I love winning, and being in a winning environment. Both of those guys are winners.”

David Auguste covers high school sports for ESPNHS. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @DAugusteESPN or email him at David.Auguste@espn.com.

MOUTH OF WILSON, Va. -- When you've been running the same program for as long as Oak Hill Academy coach Steve Smith -- 27 years and counting -- you tend to build rituals that become part of maintaining excellence. Every year after the first three practices, Smith writes down what he expects of his team. He keeps the paper in his desk drawer in the basketball office alongside the numerous trophies and artifacts he's accumulated in winning 860 games against only 53 losses since the 1985-86 season.

"I felt like we'd probably lose a couple games because of our scheduling," Smith said. "I didn't tell that to the guys, of course, but they were 11 guys that bonded together and got it done."

In the end, the team exceeded expectations and set a school record with 44 victories. In a school assembly May 11, they were honored for that feat and for capturing their seventh FAB 50 national title. The Warriors’ received medals, special Jordan Brand shoes and the ultimate team prize, the 2011-12 POWERADE FAB 50 national championship trophy.

"This is awesome," said point guard Tyler Lewis of the 200-person assembly that included Oak Hill's student body, administration, longtime supporters and parents who make the trek from out of town to rural southwest Virginia. "Finishing No. 1 and winning a ring is the reason why you come to Oak Hill."

Lewis' season at Oak Hill embodied the makeup of this year's team. Traditionally, Oak Hill players transfer in from all over the world, usually just for a season or two. So when Smith's coaching brethren heard Lewis arrived from Statesville, N.C., they were a bit skeptical. Lewis, an N.C. State recruit, ended up being Oak Hill's 28th McDonald's All-American.

"I told them 'guys, I think this kid is a little better than you guys think,'" Smith said. "He helped ground the other players like D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera. He knew what play to run, what side of the floor to run it on and knew what guy needed the ball."

In the spirit of this team-first oriented group, Smith named team tri-MVPs for the first time ever: Lewis, two guard Smith-Rivera (Georgetown) and wing Jordan Adams (UCLA).

Smith has named team co-MVPs twice in his tenure -- in 1992-93 with Jerry Stackhouse and Jeff McInnis and in 2003-04 with Josh Smith and Rajon Rondo. Not surprisingly, all four of those players made the NBA and both those unbeaten teams are not only considered Oak Hill's two best ever, but two of the best teams in high school basketball history.

This season Oak Hill's sum was greater than its individual parts and 7-foot center A.J. Hammons (Purdue), the team's best rebounder, put it best.

"If somebody wasn't playing well, there was always somebody willing to step up," Hammons said. "We weren't the most talented team [at Oak Hill], but we came together as a team and with 44 wins and zero losses we made a statement."

Ronnie Flores is a senior editor for ESPNHS. He can be reached at ronnie.flores@espn.com. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonFloresESPN

WINSTON SALEM, N.C. -- SEBL (N.C.) forward Tyrek Coger knows that for the first time in at least six years he won’t be able to look to Rodney Purvis to bail the team out with a much-needed basket.

Purvis and Coger have teamed up on Upper Room Christian Academy (Raleigh, N.C.) for the last four years and played AAU together since they were 11, but with Purvis headed off to North Carolina State next season, Coger knows it’s his time to step into the role of the leader.

“It’s just my time,” Coger said. “I’ve definitely got a lot more motivation this summer knowing that a lot more will be on my shoulders next season. I’m using this time to improve. I know I’ll have to produce even more.”

So far so good.

Coger scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead SEBL to a 73-67 win over Team Loaded (Va.) in the Reebok Showdown Series Southern Regional title game Sunday at the Gateway YWCA here.

“I just know that this is my summer,” said Coger who is averaging 18.7 points and 12 rebounds per game this AAU season. “I have been working really hard, and I know that this is the time to step things up and produce. It’s a lot different without Rodney, but I feel like this summer will set the tone for my senior year so I’m going hard at all times.”

Lewis’ Mom the Ring Bearer

Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) point guard Tyler Lewis turned plenty of heads when he walked into the Reebok Showdown Series last weekend.

Most were looking to see if he was sporting his brand new national championship ring.

Lewis, a North Carolina State signee, and his teammates received their rings Friday at a ceremony where they were presented with a trophy for finishing No. 1 in the POWERADE FAB 50, posting a 44-0 record.

But Lewis said if people want to see his ring they’d have to ask his mother, Margaret.

“I ended up just giving it to her,” Lewis said. “The ring is crazy, and I didn’t want to lose it or have anyone try and steal it. It’s all hers.”

D-ONE has Young Studs

You’d be hard pressed to find any team in the country in the 17-and-under division with one seventh grader on its roster. D-One Sports (N.C.) has three.

J.J. Smith, Jordan Riley and Chris Wilson all log solid minutes for D-One who went 2-1 this past weekend at the Reebok Showdown Series.

D-One coach Kendrick Williams said, in the long run, the trio will benefit from the exposure.

“It’s about the maturation process and giving them a greater challenge,” Williams said. “All three guys have grown a lot already. It’s like deferred gratification. It’s tough for them now, but they’ll be very well prepared for this level well before they would normally.”

Just Two Years for Djitte

It’s hard to believe that Upward Stars (S.C.) big man Sidy Djitte has only been playing organized basketball for the last two years. The 6-foot-10 center was all the talk of the Reebok Showdown Series after averaging 15 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks a game.

Djitte, a junior, came to Northwood Temple (Fayetteville, N.C.) in January from Senegal and his guardian, Craig Spradlin, said this summer is all about “getting him more and more exposure.”

“He came over here to have a better opportunity through basketball,” Spradlin said. “So he’s just working hard and we’re trying to get him in position to be seen by schools. He’s already had a good amount of schools inquiring about him and showing interest, but he’s got lots of potential. I think this can be a breakout summer for him.”

Entertaining Division I offers has become old hat for members of the Milton basketball team.

The nation’s premier coaches as well as legions of evaluators have flocked to the Alpharetta, Ga., school in recent years to catch a glimpse of coach David Boyd’s wealth of talented ballers. The veteran skipper has watched as seven members from the past two season's starting lineups signed with major D-I programs.

The Eagles’ latest prospect could very well be the team’s most intriguing to date. Not because the volume of interest in him, but because he hasn’t even donned a Milton jersey yet. In fact, he’s only 14 years old and still taking eighth grade courses at Milton feeder school Northwestern.

Chris Lewis, an athletic 6-foot-7 double-double machine, received a pair of offers from New Mexico and Memphis earlier this month. And as his game continues to evolve, you can count on several more schools joining in the running for services.

“I was really surprised when I heard of the offers. My coach told my dad and my dad told me,” says Lewis. “It took me a while to take it all in, but I’m just trying to stay humble and work hard.”

The significance of an early offer and a program showing continued interest throughout a player's prep career shouldn’t be discounted. Current Milton seniors Evan Nolte (Virginia) and Shaq Johnson (Auburn) were both offered early in their careers and rewarded those schools when it came time to sign.

Lewis isn’t the only middle school hoop star college coaches have set their sights on. Eron Gordon, who is expected to attend North Central (Indianapolis) next year and is the younger brother of NBA star Eric Gordon, is another hot name. He already holds an offer from Indiana.

“It shows that (young) players are working hard, too,” says Lewis of the attention. “Yeah, it could have a negative effect, but that depends on how you take it. It should make you work harder and inspire you.”

Lewis has distanced himself from his peers with his non-stop motor and commitment on the defensive end. His penchant for swatting balls into the stands has made him a deterrent to opposing scorers both on and off the ball, and he has also made significant strides on offense with a developing mid-range game and his ability to finish above the rim.

Count Boyd, who sees shades of Dennis Rodman in Lewis' game, among those enamored with the youngster’s potential.

“He’s the first player in our program’s history to receive a scholarship this early,” Boyd said. “I was sort of surprised, but at the same time when you look at Chris, he’s been playing at a high level for the last three years. He’s always played up (in competition) and scrimmaged our varsity last year.”

Considering Lewis’ rich bloodlines, it was only a matter of time before the major programs came knocking.

His older brother Mo IV, a sophomore, was the sixth man on Milton’s Class AAAAA championship squad this past winter and his mother, Christalyn, also claimed a state title playing for Baldwin County in the late '80s. His father, Mo Lewis, starred in the NFL for 13 seasons, making three Pro Bowls during his tenure as a hard-hitting linebacker.

“He’s just doing what he’s supposed to do; going out and playing hard and the coaches are looking at his potential,” Mo said. “I tell him, ‘there’s no way they can sign you now and it doesn’t solidify where you will go. You still have four years of high school to play.’”

Not to mention an incredibly difficult summer working out with a personal trainer and hooping with the Georgia Stars 15U AAU team. Earning significant minutes with four-time state finalist Milton isn’t necessarily a given, either.

Last year’s squad captured the program’s second title in four years and finished No. 7 in the POWERADE FAB 50. And even though the cupboard was stripped with Nolte, Johnson and Charles Mann (Georgia) departing for the next level, freshmen rarely get the opportunity to start for this talent-rich squad.

“We hope he can play at a high level for us,” Boyd said. “If he gets to be as solid as his older brother, he’ll be scary.”

As good as he is on the court, Lewis might be even better in the classroom. He is a straight-A student with a fascination with robotics and hopes of being an engineer, leading Mo to affectionately label him “a nerd.”

“It’s fascinating that he is also such an excellent student,” Boyd said. “He has Duke, UNC and Harvard as his top three schools. That just tells you all you need to know about him.”

David Auguste covers high school sports for ESPNHS. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @DAugusteESPN or email him at David.Auguste@espn.com.

Each week this summer leading up to the AAU National Championships in Orlando in July, ESPNHS will profile one of the nation's top AAU teams and tell you why you should be paying attention.

Team: Mac Irvin Fire
Location: Chicago, Ill.
Coach: Mike Irvin

What you need to know about Mac Irvin Fire:

This team has star power. Leading the way is small forward Jabari Parker, the No. 1 junior in the country and reigning Gatorade National Player of the Year. But he's not the only elite talent on the squad. Power forward Jahlil Okafor is the No. 2 player in the class of 2014. There are two other ESPN 60 players in the starting lineup: Tommy Hamilton at No. 42 and Billy Garrett Jr. at No. 50.

Coach Mike Irvin likes to play an up-tempo, open-court game in order to take advantage of all his playmakers.

"We get up and down," he says. "Jabari is 6-9 and runs the floor like a deer, and even Jahlil can run for a big man. We try to showcase the guys like that."

Key Players:

Jabari Parker, F, 2013: If there's a way to defend Parker effectively, we haven't seen it yet. The offense runs through the 6-foot-8 forward, who can score from any spot on the floor. "When you've got the No. 1 player in the country, you've got a shot to win any tournament," says Irvin.

Jahlil Okafor, F, 2014: Okafor gives the Fire a luxury that few other teams have -- an old-school low-post scorer. The 6-foot-9 forward has excellent touch around the basket, and the size to control the paint. "He's very strong around the basket," says Irvin. "He's a dominant big man."

Billy Garrett Jr., G, 2013: The No. 8 point guard in the ESPN 60, Garrett brings size and athleticism to the position. Irvin likes to let his 6-foot-5 floor general push the ball in transition. "We've got a lot of talent," says Garrett, "so I just try to get guys their shots."

Tommy Hamilton, F, 2013: A 6-foot-8 forward, Hamilton's smooth offensive game complements Okafor's power. When Hamilton, Okafor and Parker are on the floor at the same time, the Mac Irvin Fire boasts the nation's best frontcourt.

Key Dates:

EYBL Session 3: May 11-13 in Dallas
EYBL Session 4: May 25-28 in Oakland, Calif.
Nike Peach Jam: July 18-21 in North Augusta, S.C.
Las Vegas Fab 48: July 26-29 in Las Vegas

Garrett played on last year's Mac Irvin Fire team, which was bounced in the quarterfinals at the Nike Peach Jam, and he believes this squad has enough firepower to come out on top this time around.

"I think we have a great chance," says Garrett Jr. "We've got the players, we've got the coaches, we've got everything we need to win it this year. We can definitely do it."

Famous Alums:

Antoine Walker, Juwan Howard

Follow Mike Grimala on Twitter (@MGrimalaESPN).

With the McDonald's All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic now in the rear view mirror, the second annual Mary Kline Classic this past weekend offered a glimpse of tomorrow's stars.

The New Jersey-based event, which featured an underclassmen game, senior game, three-point contest and dunk contest, was organized by 17-year-old Recruit Scoop publisher Alex Kline and featured some of the best talent in the East. More importantly, $20,000 was raised toward cancer research, a cause close to Kline's heart after his mother died from brain cancer when he was 10. Here are some of the event's highlights:

• Jaren Sina earned MVP honors for the Red team, dishing out 14 assists in a losing effort to the Blue team in the underclassmen game. The junior guard from Gill St. Bernard (Gladstone, N.J.) had the crowd in awe with his passing skills, finding teammates on alley-oops and in transition while handling the ball like a yo-yo. Sina, who said he was going for 20 assists, talked afterward about how his passing will be just as important as his scoring next season. "Part of leadership is getting guys involved, dishing out assists and making plays," said Sina, whose recruitment remains wide open after decommitting from Alabama last year. With three-point specialist Alex Mitola and talented forward Dominic Hoffman graduating, all eyes will be on Sina to help the Knights build on last year's 27-4 campaign and run to the Non-Public B title game.
• On the Blue team, St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) guard Tyler Ennis offered more evidence to justify his selection as Gatorade State Player of the Year. The junior poured in 24 points on an array of jumpers and drives. Fresh off picking up new offers from LSU and UCLA, Ennis showed great floor chemistry with St. Benedict's freshman Isaiah Briscoe, who played a key role in the Gray Bees' 35-3 campaign. "We're adding some more guys next year and playing with Isaiah today is great for our chemistry," Ennis said. "He averaged about 10 or 11 points last year and we're expecting him to score even more next year."
• Ennis also talked some about the recent rise of fellow Canadian players like Huntington Prep (West Va.) sophomore Andrew Wiggins and Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) senior Anthony Bennett. Despite his countrymen getting the best of the U.S. at the Nike Hoop Summit, Ennis wasn't quite ready to give Canada the edge over the American basketball scene. Still, he knows there's plenty of reason for coaches to keep an eye up north. "Playing in Jersey has really helped with my recruitment because you have more coaches coming to see you," Ennis said. "We've got a ways to go to win the Olympics or anything, but there's definitely some talent coming out of Canada."
• While all-star games are often a place to rack up the points, Karl Towns Jr.was more concerned with performing well on the 3-point rack. Standing 6-foot-11 with a size 20 shoe, the St. Joseph (Metuchen, N.J.) freshman was easily the biggest participant in the 3-point contest. Towns, who hit 70 3-pointers last fall, didn't disappoint, reaching the finals before falling 8-7 to Hallice Cooke of St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.). "My coach kept telling me 'Show them big men can shoot,' so I said I'm going to go out there and show them" Towns said. "For me, I always practice 3s, so when I missed those I felt bad because those are usually like chippies for me. I was mad I lost but I was here for a bigger reason." Expect a breakout sophomore season for Towns, an inside-outside threat who will be the star for St. Joseph with Quenton DeCosey graduating.
• Two other Jersey guys who impressed were Jermaine Lawrence, who won MVP honors for the Blue team after dropping 27 points. The Pope John (Sparta, N.J.) junior has been on a tear of late, opening the eyes of recruiters with his play on the New Rens AAU squad. The other was Tyler Roberson, a junior from Roselle Catholic and the No. 16 player in the ESPN 60. A transfer and injuries made for a "frustrating" sophomore campaign, but Roberson said "that all has motivated me to play even harder next year."

Aaron Gordon injury update

Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) forward Aaron Gordon may be sidelined at the moment with a broken bone in his toe, but the No. 3 player in the ESPN 60 is adamant he'll be back to 100 percent by the end of the summer.

"I'm just gonna let it rest," said Gordon, who said surgery was unnecessary for the nagging injury. "I've been in a boot for two weeks, and I'll probably be in it for three more weeks. Then I just have to come back and knock off the rust."

The 6-foot-8 Gordon averaged 22.9 points and 12.8 rebounds while leading Archbishop Mitty to a state championship this winter. The foot had been bothering him for the better part of a year, so Gordon decided this would be the opportune time to let it heal. He figures he'll be back for most of the key AAU tournaments, and his big target is the Team USA U-17 trials.

"My goal is to be back in time for the USA Basketball tryouts in mid-June," he said. "I should be fine by then."

Future is now

College coaches’ pressure to win has never been greater. The never-ending pursuit to get an edge on the competition has caused coaches and their staffs to spend more time evaluating, and in some instances offering scholarships, to players who have yet to play a high school game.

For decades, college coaches have known about the best middle school players. Nowadays, coaches are forging relationships with middle school prospects and, when permitted, spending time watching middle school games.

One of the country’s top eighth graders in 6-foot-2 Eron Gordon. He is the younger brother of 2007 ESPNHS All-American Eric Gordon, who attended Indianapolis’ North Central High School and currently plays for the New Orleans Hornets. This past season, Midwest colleges such as Michigan State, Butler, Indiana and Purdue watched Eron’s games at Indianapolis' Westlane Middle School.

According to the Indianapolis Star, Indiana and Purdue have offered Eron a scholarship.

A decade ago, early offers were noteworthy when a prospect was in ninth or tenth grade, but the recruiting game is constantly changing. Some college coaches don't like watching middle school games, but it comes with the territory when coaching at a school where winning a NCAA title is the goal.

Like his older brother, Eron will also attend North Central next fall.

Love (sometimes hate) and basketball

When you’re an elite hoop prospect, just about everyone shows you love -- from the coaches recruiting you to the former players and alums of those programs. Then of course, there are the die-hard fans that show up at your games, create websites and Twitter pages in your honor and send you messages about how you will achieve immortality playing at the school they religiously follow.

But when the final commitment is made and ties to those other programs are severed, things can get ugly in an instant. Scorned fans can be relentless in their attacks -- especially with the access to top recruits afforded by Twitter and Facebook -- leaving recruits to ponder what they did wrong.

This past week, Anthony Bennett of Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) was the target of such an attack after he trimmed his list to UNLV and Oregon. He was met with a barrage of profane-laden tweets from Kentucky and Florida fans incensed by his decision, including several that wished injury on the No. 7 ranked player in the ESPN 100.

Amid the hostility, Bennett remained professional and focused on making a sound decision regarding his future. He responded to his detractors with one meaningful tweet: “… Motivation …” He is expected to make his final choice in the coming days.

David Auguste and Mike Grimala contributed to this report.

This summer, ESPNHS will sit down with some of the nation's elite players to break down their game, talk about the inevitable comparisons to college and pro players and get their take on who they pattern their game after.

Player: Aaron Gordon
School: Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.)
Position: Small forward/power forward
Height/weight: 6-8/210
ESPN 60: No. 3

Who is Aaron Gordon?

With a devastating inside-out game and elite athleticism, Gordon has been one of the top frontcourt prospects in the country for the past few years. He's led Archbishop Mitty to back-to-back state championships, posting a line of 33 points and 20 rebounds in the most recent title game win. For the 2011-12 season, Gordon averaged 22.9 points, 12.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game, earning him Cal-Hi Sports Mr. Basketball honors. He should be on the short list for Gatorade National Player of the Year next season.

Scouting report

According to ESPN RecruitingNation, Gordon uses his length, athleticism and high-energy motor to dominate the paint. He does major damage on tip-ins and putbacks, relentlessly attacking the ball off the rim. He's also improving his perimeter skills, taking bigger defenders outside and driving past them with a tight handle and quick first step. Gordon is one of the top finishers in the country, easily getting above the rim and slamming the ball with authority. He's the type of recruit who can change a college program as a freshman, which is why schools like Kentucky and Arizona are going after him hard.

Most frequent comparison: Blake Griffin

ESPNHS comparison: Derrick Williams

The most obvious similarity between Gordon and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Derrick Williams is that they can both fly. At Arizona, Williams put himself on the map by viciously dunking on Duke repeatedly in the 2011 NCAA tournament, and Gordon has that type of ability. And just as the 6-foot-8 Williams is carving out a role as a swing forward in the NBA, Gordon also falls somewhere between being a classic 3 or 4. Williams shot 51 percent from 3-point range in college, so Gordon is going to have to keep working on his stroke in order to make the transition to the perimeter. He's already got good ball-handling ability and solid mechanics on his jumper.

Gordon's comparison: Scottie Pippen

Gordon doesn't necessarily agree with the comparison he hears most often -- Blake Griffin. "I think that's people's way of saying that I'm one-dimensional, that all I can do is dunk," says Gordon. "I think I have more perimeter skills than that."

In fact, Gordon sees himself resembling one of the most skilled small forwards of all time in former Chicago Bulls star Scottie Pippen. At 6-foot-8, 228 pounds, Pippen wasn't much bigger than Gordon is now. He won six NBA championships and earned a reputation as one of the most well-rounded stars in NBA history, averaging 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.0 steals for his career. He often served as a primary ball-handler and distributor, and he was selected to the NBA's All-Defensive first team eight times.

Gordon believes he can develop that type of skill set.

"I'm definitely more of a Pippen," he says. "I think eventually I'm going to be most effective facing the basket and working out near the 3-point line. I could even develop more explosiveness and play as a really big 2."

Follow Mike Grimala on Twitter @ESPNHSGrimala.

Three juniors already named ESPNHS All-Americans headline a group of 60 elite players selected to the 2011-12 ESPNHS Underclass All-American boys' basketball watch list.

Headlining this year's watch list heading into the intense AAU summer season are junior forwards Jabari Parker of Simeon (Chicago), this year's National Junior Player of the Year, Julius Randle of Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas) and Aaron Gordon of Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.).

While the trio and the 57 other honorees all had standout campaigns for their high school teams, others are sure to emerge this summer as bona fide All-America candidates heading into the 2012-13 season. Nearly every summer on the circuit, well-known players are eclipsed by lesser-known commodities, and every so often a prospect comes out of nowhere to emerge as a Mr. Basketball USA candidate.

The last player to make such a quantum leap was Kentucky's Anthony Davis, who attended Perspectives Charter (Chicago). In the spring of 2010, he was a virtual unknown on the high school basketball scene. Two years later, he's the likely No. 1 pick of the 2012 NBA draft.

Parker and Randle were Mr. Basketball USA candidates as juniors, and Sophomore Player of the Year Andrew Wiggins of Huntington Prep (Huntington, W.Va.) will likely be in the same situation next season. The 6-foot-7 wing averaged 24.2 points and 8.5 rebounds for a 28-2 team and his play so far this spring has put him in the conversation as the best player in the country, regardless of class.

Wiggins just missed making the ESPNHS All-America team, while guard Tyus Jones of Apple Valley (Minn.) just missed selection to the 30-player honorable mention list. Jones' play so far in the Nike EYBL puts him right on par with any underclass guard in the country, including honorable mention pick Kasey Hill of Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.). The Minnesota Gatorade State Player of the Year is the EYBL's third-leading scorer (20.8) and is leading in assists (6.5) through the first two sessions.

2011-12 Underclass All-American watch list

Juniors to watch (2013)
C -- BeeJay Anya, DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.) 6-9
G -- Anthony Barber, Hampton (Va.) 6-2
F -- Jabari Bird, Salesian (Richmond, Calif.) 6-5
F -- Brian Bridgewater, Episcopal (Baton Rouge, La.) 6-6
G -- Aquille Carr, Patterson (Baltimore, Md.) 5-6
G -- Stephen Clark, Douglass (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 5-10
G -- Nick Emery, Lone Peak (Highland, Utah) 6-1
G -- Tyler Ennis, St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) 6-3
G -- Conner Frankamp, North (Wichita, Kan.) 6-1
G -- Keith Frazier, Kimball (Dallas) 6-5
F -- Aaron Gordon, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) 6-8
G -- Isaac Hamilton, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) 6-5
G -- Aaron Harrison, Fort Bend Travis (Richmond, Texas) 6-4
G -- Andrew Harrison, Fort Bend Travis (Richmond, Texas) 6-4
F -- Isaiah Hicks, Oxford (Oxford, N.C.), 6-9
G -- Kasey Hill, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 6-1
F -- Rondae Jefferson, Chester (Chester, Pa.) 6-7
F -- Kris Jenkins, Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) 6-6
G -- JaJuan Johnson, Southwind (Memphis, Tenn.) 6-5
G -- Matt Jones, DeSoto (DeSoto, Texas) 6-4
F -- Nick King, East (Memphis, Tenn.) 6-7
F -- Jabari Parker, Simeon (Chicago) 6-8
G -- Juwan Parker, Booker T. Washington (Tulsa, Okla.) 6-4
F -- Bobby Portis, Hall (Little Rock, Ark.) 6-9
F -- Roschon Prince, Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) 6-6
F -- Julius Randle, Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas) 6-9
G -- Tahj Shamsid-Deen, Columbia (Decatur, Ga.) 5-10
C -- Chris Walker, Holmes County (Bonifay, Fla.) 6-9
C -- Jonathan Williams III, Southwind (Memphis, Tenn.) 6-9
G -- Nigel Williams-Goss, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 6-3

2012 Junior of the Year: Jabari Parker

Sophomores to watch (2014)
C -- Cliff Alexander, Curie (Chicago) 6-9
F -- Evan Bailey, Jackson (Massillon, Ohio) 6-5
G -- Casey Benson, Corona del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.) 6-2
G -- Joel Berry, Lake Highland Prep (Orlando, Fla.) 6-1
F -- Trevon Bluiett, Park Tudor (Indianapolis) 6-5
G -- Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Loyola (Los Angeles) 5-9
G -- T.J. Haws, Lone Peak (Highland, Utah) 6-2
G -- Tadric Jackson, Tift County (Tifton, Ga.) 6-2
F -- Stanley Johnson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 6-6
G -- Tyus Jones, Apple Valley (Minn.) 6-1
F -- Jalen Lindsey, Christ Presbyterian Academy (Nashville, Tenn.) 6-6
F -- Kevon Looney, Hamilton (Milwaukee, Wis.) 6-7
F -- Trey Lyles, Arsenal Tech (Indianapolis, Ind.) 6-8
F -- Ja'Quon Newton, Neumann Goretti (Philadelphia) 6-3
C -- Jahlil Okafor, Whitney Young (Chicago) 6-9
F -- L.J. Peak, Gaffney (Gaffney, S.C.) 6-4
F -- Wayne Seldon, Tilton School (Tilton, N.H.) 6-5
G -- Romelo Trimble, Bishop O'Connell (Arlington, Va.) 6-2
G -- Isaiah Whitehead, Lincoln (Brooklyn, N.Y.) 6-4
F -- Andrew Wiggins, Huntington Prep (Huntington, W.Va.) 6-7

2012 Sophomore of the Year: Andrew Wiggins

Freshmen to watch (2015)
G -- Tyler Dorsey, Ribet Academy (Los Angeles) 6-4
G -- Isaiah Briscoe, St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) 6-2
C -- Marcus Derrickson, Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) 6-7
G -- Hyron Edwards, Central (East Chicago, Ind.) 6-0
F -- K.J. Lawson, East (Memphis, Tenn.) 6-5
G -- Marcus LoVett Jr., Providence (Burbank, Calif.) 5-11
F -- Mickey Mitchell, Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas) 6-6
G -- Malik Newman, Callaway (Jackson, Miss.) 6-2
C -- Diamond Stone, Dominican (Whitefish Bay, Wis.) 6-9
F -- Karl Towns, St. Joseph (Metuchen, N.J.) 6-11

2012 Freshman Player of the Year: Malik Newman

Note: All selections based on high school accomplishment. Similar to the Mr. Basketball USA honor, those ineligible due to age or academics are not eligible for this honor.

Ronnie Flores is a senior editor for ESPNHS. He can be reached at ronnie.flores@espn.com. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter: @RonFloresESPN

HAMPTON, Va. -- Clearly, Tyus Jones is new to this whole “marked man” thing.

It’s not that he doesn’t agree, it’s more that he doesn’t want to come across as arrogant. But when pressed, Jones had to be honest when asked if he can tell that players on the AAU circuit this year seem to see him as an opportunity to make a name for themselves.

“I’d have to say, yes,” said Jones, who runs with the Howard Pulley Panthers (Minn.). “Guys go at me more and defenses are keying in on me more. It’s like they know who I am before the game and are ready for me. I just have to be ready at all times.”

Such is the life of the top point guard in the ESPN 25.

From ferocious face-guarding to box-and-one defenses to facing determined, energetic guards, Jones has noticed that his bull's-eye has grown from big to immeasurable.

“I forget sometimes that he’s 15 years old,” Panthers coach Antwan Harris said. “Just the way he handles kids going at him. They all know where he’s ranked and they want what he’s got. They want to be in his position. It’s become much more physical this year, but he’s up for the challenge.”

Rasheed Sulaimon said he’d better be.

Sulaimon, a senior shooting guard at Strake Jesuit (Houston), has faced the same intense attention on the court ever since he committed to Duke in February last year.

“Everyone is gonna keep coming at Tyus because he’s on top,” said Sulaimon, who is ranked No. 12 in the ESPNU 100. “The best way to deal with that is to work harder and keep getting better. It will only get more intense from here. It’s tough.”

Good thing Jones, a sophomore, has had a little practice.

It’s the same thing he went through this season at Apple Valley (Minn.), where he averaged 28 points and eight assists per game and led the Eagles to a runner-up finish in the Class 4A Section 3 tournament.

Jones’ secret?

“I don’t get rattled,” he said. “I just always stay calm. It’s crazy because people expect me to play perfect and never miss a shot and always make the right play and just be perfect. I know that’s crazy so it helps me to stay cool and play my game. I just go out there and try to get it done.”

So far, so good.

The Panthers (5-4) are third in scoring in the EYBL, putting up 69.9 points a game. Jones ranks third in scoring, dropping 20.8 points per game, and leads the league in assists with 6.6 per game.

“Tyus handles all of the attention very well,” said ESPNU national recruiting director Paul Biancardi. “He doesn’t force the issue. He makes the play that the possession calls for versus trying to get his. He’s very efficient and he’s under control, yet he plays the game at a fast pace. That’s what makes him elite.”

That and the fact that heavyweights like Kentucky’s John Calipari, Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, Minnesota’s Tubby Smith and Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, among others, sat courtside for most of his games last weekend.

“The thing I love about Tyus is that he’s never satisfied,” Harris said. “He’s driven to be the best point guard in the country.”

Jones echoed those sentiments immediately, and when reminded that he’s already considered the top point guard in 2014, he was quick to point out that he’s “not just playing against players in my class.”

“I’m playing 17U, so I want to be the best of the best,” Jones said. “I think it’s important to have goals and that’s one of mine. I want to be the best point guard, period.”