So I went to check out the University of New Mexico Lobos
Elite Camp tonight with camera in hand, recorder in tow, and cell phone
ready
for some updates… A funny thing happened on the way to the Davalos Dome
aka
“The Dav” Per NCAA rules no videos, still shots, or interviews with
perspective
athletes is allowed on UNM property.
Not
a problem, I was still able to catch some pretty
exciting hoops action as “The Dav” was split into two courts and some
unbelievable talent I was able to “Witness” (sorry Lebron I stole your
catch
phrase!) Anyway, I’m not going to try and pretend that I’m some sort of
basketball analyst that break it all down for you, just like in
football I will
give some of my observations for one and all…
First
current Lobo players
Roman
Martinez- Holy smoke Roman was on fire tonight
stroking it from beyond the line. Seriously the guy couldn’t nor would
he miss.
You all know I’m not a huge fan of the 3pt shot but Roman made it look
effortless tonight.
Jamal Fenton- Oh baby, does this young man have freaking
wheels! He is a magician on the court and his size he gets lost on the
break
quickly which just gives him the opportunity to find any open man.
Matt
Staff- I was very impressed with his abilities mid
range to under the hoop.
Phillip McDonald- Looks quicker and confident tonight. Still
has that nice “J” and can penetrate to the hoop. As he polishes his
game, he
will continue to star.
Will
Brown- Oh yeah, Will can take it to the rack! Those
tennis rackets he calls hands are awesome when throws up the hand… Yeah
he can
block, or finish a break no problem…
Nate
Garth- I’m really like Garth’s game. He isn’t as quick
as Fenton, but he is a smart point guard that seems to look for his
shot as
much as he does for the assist.
AJ
Hardeman- AJ’s game is improving big time. Now granted
this is pick up hoops, and the level isn’t the same, but man AJ sure
seems to
have grown in leaps and bounds.
Chad
Adams- I liked Chad doing the little things. He finds
his open spot, goes to the hole, fights for boards
Dairese Gary- Still a bulldog. I love the way he plays guard
like a linebacker!
Okay
I know you all want to hear about Isaiah Rusher!
irst,
I don’t want to be one of those, "Isaiah is the
greatest player since insert name here."
But
jeez was Rusher impressive. Do not, I repeat do not
come in with any kind of weak stuff because Rusher will gather it up
and spit
it out! The guy is a monster down low on the offensive side, but it was
the
defense that was just freaking SICK tonight! Literally the guy looked
like a
hungry shark that hasn’t had any chum thrown his way for a couple of
years.
Okay
recruits, recruits, recruits…
6’11”
Alex Kirk (Los Alamos NM)
I expected Alex to be the biggest man out there, obviously
with the 7 footers coming in from Indiana Elite he wasn’t, but having
to battle
with other 7 footers got the red head fired up. Especially when it
started to
get physical. Obviously playing with Houston Hoops and playing in the
larger
tournaments has done a lot for Alex’s confidence as he more then held
his own
and at times showed he has a mean streak.
Lavonte Dority- Reminds me a lot of Dairese Gary… Just a
little smaller. Dority doesn’t avoid contact… Shoot he looks for it! He
doesn’t
mind getting physical for one minute. Definitely, a player to keep your
eye on.
Mardracus Wade- Wade showed up a little later then the rest
of the campers but still shows that he has serious skills, I was really
impressed watching him move the ball around.
Kory
Alford (La Cueva, Albuquerque, NM) Continues to improve
his game, and is a solid shooter from behind the arc.
David
Nyarsuk- 7-1 Sudanese center Nyarsuk was one of the
Indiana Elite players that made the trip down to the 505 and didn’t
disappoint.
I see him listed as 7-1 everywhere, but it looks like he may have
grown. He
isn’t thick but plays large, and battles. Nyarsuk and Alex Kirk battled
hard
today and this little battle should be watched the rest of this weekend.
Emery
Coleman (Tularosa NM) A definite hidden gem here,
Coleman has a nice shot, and can take it to the hole. If Coleman was
living in
Albuquerque or another big city he would be looked at as a solid
prospect. Look
for Coleman to make a name for himself during the summer AAU season
with
Granger Hurricane.
Cheir Ajou 7-0 Sudanese center Indiana Elite- Ajou is a 2011
recruit and in my opinion had the best night of the younger players.
Keep an
eye on him as he is a solid finisher, has post moves, and plays good
defense.
Ronnie Daniels (La Cueva, Albuquerque, NM) Ronnie’s biggest
decision is will he play football, basketball, or both? What a talented
athlete! Ronnie is big enough to take the rock down low, and has no
fear of
contact.
Obij Aget- 7-0 center- Another Indiana Elite post player
that is tall and is a quality post player. He is a 2012 recruit so the
chances
to still grow and get better are there. Aget like the other big men
coming from
Indiana Elite are extremely athletic and the sky is the limit.
Bryce
Alford- A sweet deep 3 ball that, Granger Hurricane
Pres. Marty Saiz says, “He can make that all night long.”
Austin Etherington- Indiana Elite Those young men from the
Indiana Elite camp can flat out ball! Etherington just seems to do
everything
right on the ball court. It wasn’t that he did one thing that caught my
eye as
much as he just did everything to command notice.
Kody
Salcido Sandia Prep- Salcido had to battle some pretty
large young men today and he didn’t back down for one minute.
These
are just initial thoughts on this year’s Elite Camp.
Tomorrow morning Wes and I will be out bright and early to get more
information
and thoughts on the current and potential Lobo players.
Some
other news:
We
noticed that Wyking Jones was in attendance for tonight’s
Elite Camp. TheRedMenace.com has learned that Jones is in town
“interviewing”
for the assistant coach job recently vacated by Chris Walker, so no
audio
interviews at this time. Also missing was Cullen Neal who is with his
high school
basketball team in Colorado.
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