USA National Select opened the tournament with a dominating performance
in pool play beating Youth Academic Athletes 45-1. They used pressure defense and a balanced
scoring attack; 6 players had at least 6 points in the victory. The next day in pool play they suffered a
upset loss but bounced back quickly for a 39-21 win over the Comets from
Concord. USA National Select had to win the rest of it
games in pool & bracket play to get to the hardware – after a point deferential move occurred after finishing tied for second at 3-1 in the pool - they stepped onto the floor and did just that; and in convincing fashion
defeating a huge Queen City Thunder Team 38-21 in the Final 4. That put National Select in the American USBA
National Championship game vs the Durham Mites; National Select who was much
smaller used pressure defense, transition
basketball that included excellent court spacing and jump shooting to take home
the trophy as the 2014 American USBA National Championship.
Everyone contributed to the championship – the stars of the
week can be found below; these players are some of the very best in the nation
and they proved it taking home the chip on a 6-1 week!
Congratulations to USA National Select and Coach Francis; to
learn more about them and their group you can visit
www.middleschoolelite.us
Anthony Benard (Michigan)
- One of the best knockdown shooters in the class of 2023; Benard
showed that
he was much more than a jump shooter all week at the USBA Nationals. Anthony has truly expanded his game which
speaks to his time and dedication in the gym – and he showed it off for all in
attendance to see.
Benard who is sneaky
quick; displayed a crafty handle, which included moves on moves and a very nice
crossover which he used to beat defenders off the dribble – we love his ability
to finish in the paint and on both sides of the basket.
When this aspect of his game is combined with
his dead-eye shooting Benard becomes a scoring force from all areas of the
floor.
While his offensive game is
developing to an elite level we were most impressed by his on ball defense and dedication
to playing the game at both ends.
Often
used as the head of the snake on defense he played passing lanes and made many good
things happen.
As a on the ball man to
man defender he worked hard and made an impact turning steals into transition points.
Anthony Benard has grown a tremendous amount
in recent months and saved his best for the national stage with USA National
Select..
Amari Farr (Washington, DC)
– When you look for the picture perfect jump shot, you need to look no further
than Farr.
He is the standard bearer for
proper technique and the results can be as expected with such a stroke; Farr
knocked down his fair share and at an excellent percentage for the 3-point
shot.
With such a stroke he was a
threat anywhere beyond the stripe and once he figured out that he had the
defense on its heels, his pump and go/dribble drive game opened up.
One of the best mid-range pull up games we
have seen in this age group blossomed into an arsenal of scoring opportunities
for Farr. When Farr decided to put the rock on the floor and attack the paint
he was unstoppable for long stretches; the value of his outside game and using
it set up his dribble drive package is starting to become clearer as he
matures.
Farr is a player that can space
the floor and expand the defense; a coach’s dream and an opponent’s nightmare
he can move the score board very quickly and efficiently. A strong body that
can absorb contact he also stepped to the parameter in various sets to handle
and act as a facilitator – Farr showed an expanded skill set and is poised for
future success.
Jeremiah Dorsey (New York)
– Rarely are you able to determine the proper positional fit for a player at
such a young age.
In cases when you can
this player has a tremendous long term advantage as he can continue to develop with
specific skill set.
Dorsey is your
prototypical combo guard; Dorsey handles the ball and can run the lead guard
position and run your team with patience and with pace.
He has the vision and the selfless nature needed to find
the open man; and not only get them the ball, but to deliver it in a scoring
zone.
He is a quarterback when handing
the point and is a player that you can trust and believe in.
As a SG Dorsey does it all; he spaces the
court with a jumper that expands outside the 3-point stripe and he knows when
and to shoot the long ball and when to press the paint; which he does
excellently.
As a penetrator and in
transition Dorsey finishes well with both hands and he knows how to use angles
NOT just offensively but also as a defender.
Dorsey is a defensive maven; he can most importantly guard both backcourt
positions and is excellent on the ball and in the passing lanes.
He never gives up on a play on either end and
is a mature beyond his years as a player and as a child.
He cares about only one thing and that is
winning, and he does whatever he has to, to ensure the victory.
Jakhary Towns (Michigan) –
Towns was tested during the course of the week and a huge weight was place on
his young shoulders – Towns stepped up to the challenged and passed all test
with flying colors.
Towns who is a
natural scoring guard was asked to take on ball handling duties, asked to be a
defensive stopper, asked to the be the attack man in the press break, all while
helping on the boards and working as a point on press and trap defenses.
Needless to say his role and what we saw with this group was different from the last time we saw him with in PA.; Towns showed he can do it
all and still give you buckets when needed.
He possesses that special “it factor” and “clutch
gene” which allows him to have ice water in his veins and knock down big shot
after big shot.
We believe Towns has
some Westbrook in him and that ultimately he can be a very scary scoring lead
guard; his quickness and moves along with his defensive prowess make him the
ideal candidate when combined with his IQ and knowledge of game for the PG
position.
He has many years to develop this
and all the while he will be terrorizing the nation as one of its best players.
Jaylin Lyn (New York) –
Lyn is steady as rock and was the glue that held the squad together – the plus
minus ratio while Lyn was on the floor proved his value in ways that couldn’t be
statistically computed.
Lyn is a player
whose been here before, no situation is too big for him, he handles pressure
without skipping a beat, he runs the offense and is one of the few guards
regardless of age group that counts transition numbers is able to evaluate
angles for himself and others and determine if attacking or setting up with a
secondary or primary scoring attack is necessary. He naturally adapts his game
to the flow, the competition, and to the level of intensity. He plays within
himself yet he boast the full and complete skill set of a player much more his
senior.
He has a solid text book jumper,
an actual jumper not a set shot, that he works off the catch and the bounce.
He is able to breakdown his defender off
the dribble and his overall handle is only typically used at a 50% level of
what he can actually do b/c no one can challenge him to another point.
A pure stopper on defense, he knows how to
use his length on the ball and as a recovery or help side defender.
Because he gives you what you need when you
need it his steadying force is often overlooked, we can assure you it won’t be
once the national boards are computed in the upcoming months – flat out Lyn is
one of the very best in 2023.
Tristan Nichols (Michigan)
– “Baby Barkley” Tristan Nichols looks like a young Sir Charles; he dominated not
just the paint but the entire 12-foot and in area; often times operating as the
only true big and having to secure the boards independently.
Nichols displayed a soft mid-range jumper
that he used at the high post and in the short corner.
Ultra-soft hands he caught and FINISHED all
week long.
An excellent percentage
shooter; he was also able to put the ball on the floor and create shots for
himself and teammates.
Very tough he played great
second level and help defense causing and getting many steals – when he did, his
IQ was high enough for him to pitch ahead and then to fill the lane; his lane
running was dedicated and hard and he set an example and tone for the entire team.
Coachable and with a passion to play each possession
to the end Nichols is a dream come true and will further dominate as a combo
forward when paired with a true big.
You
don’t see this combination at this age which makes Tristan very special as he
moves into the next class.
Jayden Lorenzo (New York) –
Lorenzo leaves it on the court, he dives, he sprints, he bangs – whatever you
ask he does and does it with a love for the game.
Best when catching and finishing he is able
to find spots and open passing windows to receive the ball where he uses a quick
shot to compete many assist.
A solid
frame Lorenzo uses his body well as a defender and can move players off their
spot as both an offensive and defensive rebounder.
A underrated ball handler he impressed us
most with his ability to pass the ball over and ahead of defenders to create
easy scoring opportunities, Jayden played at least 4 positions during the
tournament proving his worth as a versatile player and often sacrificed so that
others could lead, the true definition of an elite player – doing whatever it
took to win. A soft touch but a willing passer no one knew what to guard
against when the ball was in his hands and Jayden made them pay each time he
had a chance.
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