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| USA National Select - Dream Team III - 2014 Run For the Throne Champions, Ft. Wayne, Indiana | | | | | | |
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Like all the USA National Select teams; Dream Team III was constructed of
players of major consequence throughout the nation.
On their way to their 11
th
consecutive championship National Select may have set the new standard for even
themselves; the collection of players on this team are unparalleled – nowhere
on any youth level has there been an overall collection of talent that compares
to this group.
Inside of the program
that has 3 of the best youth teams in basketball history Dream Team III 2020
would need a U-haul truck to move all of their accolades.
Shemar Morrow is the current and unquestioned #1 player in the
country at 2020,
Jordan Toles the
current #3, could make a valid argument for the #2 spot after a spectacular spring
and start to summer,
Zion Harmon (#1
2021) who less than a week ago averaged 40ppg against the top 2020 teams in the
country in the NYBL.
Jaden Springer (#2 2021) hasn’t lost in
months, everywhere he has gone on both the 2021 & 2020 level he is
producing double doubles and contributing in 4 to 5 categories in epic fashion.
All of the aforementioned players need to
simply be googled and each possesses an entire media and video library of their
individual accomplishments.
“For them to be on the court together, for them to break-bread together, for
them to get to spend time with each other as friends - transcends the game
basketball; they have a new found respect for each other and relationships and
memories that will develop for decades to come” stated National Selects’ Head
Coach, Coach Francis.
“They respect each
other as people and not just competitors; they sat together, they walked around
together, they won together.
What this
program is doing for kids throughout the country was exemplified this weekend;
if the best of the best are willing to sacrifice for each other and to play
together for each other; everyone has to do it – these kids are not just the
best in the country, they are examples to parents and other players as to what
is right in the world and in this game.
They are all a blessing in so many way; some of which no of us realize
at this point.”
Combined with the players above where
Montez
McNeil, 6’5 post who less than 30 days ago turned 12 years old is a seek
and destroy defender who brings so much and energy and talent to the floor that
his upside is literally scary.
Namari Burnett, who played with
National Select for the first time immediately, proved that he belonged not
only on the team – but also in the conversation as one of the top players in
the class.
Devin Hightower, starter for one of the nation’s best, Oakland
Soldiers brought his game and toughness – he has a refuse to lose attitude and
is like a player coach on the floor.
Ketaan “Keewee” Wyatt, as the consummate
point guard was like a kid in the candy store with all this talent at his
disposal proved he sees and plays the game at a continuously high level.
Chance Mott, a bruising 6’3 post joined
this group and gave them some great minutes as a banger and positively
contributed to the team’s championship run.
Dream Team III; opened the weekend with a victory over Team Teague 51-37 and
followed that win
They closed out the evening against the top
players Indiana had to offer; as Team Teague and The Gym Rats organization
sponsored an All-Star group from Indiana to compete against the National Select
Group.
National Select controlled the
game from the onset, though Indiana made a few runs, they never truly
challenged.
National Select turned it on
when needed against the best Indiana had to offer but cruised to the win
57-44.
Coach Francis said after the game
“I wish more states did this when we came, New York has, Carolina has, and now
Indiana –I am looking to assist coaches throughout the country put together a circuit
National Select can come and play on nationwide against the best these states
have to offer;
maybe even something
regional – we bring the very best with us so we want to play the best available.”
with a multi-dunk, multi-alleyopp affair as they out-classed,
over matched, and dominated Team Swat 64-24.
On Sunday National Select defeated Team Glory from DC and met Team Teague who
battled its way back to the finals in the Championship – Teague actually lead
for portions of the 1
st half after a slow start from National
Select, but they quickly righted the ship and sealed the deal with a 56-44
victory in the championship.
“Another tournament
another title, that’s what we come to do ~ it’s about the kids being on the
national stage and being showcased the wins are simply a result of that
goal.
When they play for each other and
share the ball, they look great…they become unstoppable.” Coach Francis
concluded.
During this trip National Select also competed in the 2019 class, going .500
in pool play; while playing 2 of the nation’s top 10 teams.
There were many realizations from this weekend here are some of them:
Shemar Morrow (CA):
By acclamation, Shemar Morrow is
the greatest basketball player in his class. He is a phenomenal athlete
with a unique combination of fundamental soundness, grace, speed, power,
artistry, improvisational ability and an unquenchable competitive desire, Morrow
is redefining the standard by which future players at this juncture will be
judged.
Much has been written and all is
well deserved, he is one of the few players at the middle school level where
pro considerations can even be mentioned.
His package contains all the necessary skill sets at a high level,
mid-range, trey ball, pull-up, finishing ability – he is playing above the rim
already.
What is required now is a
script regiment of refinement, lateral defensive movement the ability to sit
down out front and in space.
The building
and adding of strength to what is already a basketball frame – in short he is
ready for professional type training including diet and all necessary reps.
His time is now.
Jordan Toles
(MD): One of the nation true marquee players Jordan Toles
is a "Human
Highlight Film"; he continuously shows viewers a plethora of spectacular
individual plays – those watching closely will notice a change in the frame of
Toles and its not a good change for opponents; he is getting stronger and
already one of the best athletes in this class; he is running faster and
jumping higher – dunking is now second nature in the 6th grade. But please do not get it confused, Toles isn’t
an athlete playing basketball he is a basketball player who is a phenomenal
athlete. The improvement to his pace and
change of speeds and IQ/court presence is what is truly turning him into a
dynamic star. Each year Toles has added
a significant skill set addition and speaking with people in the know that
conversation will continue; could the country picture Toles as a Westbrook like
lead guard? Well they may be seeing that
sooner than later; this is not good for the rest of the country but very well
may have college coaches paying attention within the next 12 to 18 months.
Zion Harmon (DC): Zion Harmon is pound for pound one
of the nation’s top player his only
peers appear at the top of each class – why because at this juncture he is
playing and competing with the same effectiveness at all these levels. So many articles have been written about
Harmon’s skill set but that is driven by what makes him tick. Zion is the grittiest performer to play the
position, a feisty competitor who offers no quarter and expects none in return.
Harmon possesses the skill and determination to take over a game at will; look
closely and you will always see Harmon smiling in his photo’s, that sunny smile
is belied by an inner toughness that has made him what he is, one of the most
respected and most feared players in the country. This weekend Harmon shot the ball less than
we have ever seen, making sure the players around him were happy and involved,
this only further proves that Harmon and Point Guard go together like cereal
and milk and if asked to score for you, well let’s just say, he’s got that
covered.
Jaden Springer
(NC):
One of the game's top perimeter
players, Jaden is becoming known for his high-flying yet
seemingly effortless swoops to the basket, a picturesque spin move and being a relentless competitor on
the court. There is no one who plays
harder than Springer; the more you see him and the better the competition the
more you get out of him. One of the
sweetest, respectful, and humble kids you will ever meet off the court he is
the exact opposite on the court. He is
the player you want to go to battle with, the player you know what you are
going to get from. Such a consistent
scorer; he rarely takes a bad shot – he shoots an out the world percentage and
takes what the defense gives him and/or he just takes…offensive boards,
transitions penetration, he is what you call a game changer. His work and his effectiveness on the levels
he operates on is very clear as his improvement on those levels and his level
of play versus higher level comp. He
plays his best against the best and when it means the most. This is a skill that cannot be taught and a
player who is not your typical normal player; Springer is going someplace
bigger with this game and with a bunch of size in his future it begin with a “N”
and end with an “A”.
Montez McNeil
(MD): Known for his strong shot-blocking skills and power game; his energy and
toughness are uncontainable. He is like
a horse in the starting gate he just wants to play, run, and bang. Yet, he still a baby in every sense as it relates
to learning the game. How many elite
players, shoot how many NBA players actually turn on every play and look for a
man to put a body on? 5 McNeil’s on a
team would win a lot of games, they could when a lot of wars too! What is funny is the Montez could go and grab
the ball off the rim without this on occasion – understand this ceiling on this
player? His growth is staggering and is
being seen in short periods of time and in large burst; everyone knows that TRUE
bigs, not the ones that are bigs and will become pg later, come on a little later and McNeil is that
big. One of the best back to basket
players in the class he is still very raw but has all the intangibles, skill,
size, and work ethic to be great. He
will be one of the best, mom 6’2 and dad 6’6, him 6’5 at 12 any questions? We didn’t
think so – put him on your list now in pen.
Namari Burnett
(IL): Why hasn’t the world heard of
this player before now? Burnett is a
smooth as silk shooting guard. He has a sweet stroke with range to 22 feet. A
combination guard that can run the point guard position. Burnett plays under
control and makes good decisions. He has solid strength and can make shots, breakdown
defenses off the dribble and off the catch.
Namari also boast a very high basketball IQ knowing when to push and
when to pull; he thinks the game just as well as he plays it. We also like his floater/mid-range package
and ability to finish in the lane and the 5 to 15 foot area outside of it. Off the catch and shoot, and outside the
three-point stripe Burnett has one a picture perfect release point and shoots
it high, this is a shot that can be refined and will not require much
adjustment at the next level, with your ideal basketball frame Burnett is “built”
for success – only one thing of note for Burnett, he has takeover the game ability
but is such a team player this killer aspect must be developed; this may be why
he has been under the radar for some, but it’s NOT ability it’s attitude. When
he takes on that assassin attitude the sky is the limit for Burnett.
Devin Hightower
(CA): Get to know this kid and you
will find he is very special; he isn’t your typical point as many have said, he
is actually more of a scoring 2-guard, a Anthony Peeler –type where his catch
and shoot must be utilized, along with his defensive toughness and
prowess.
He exhibits a very quick
release and interior scoring package that when feature make his very effective especially
in tight spaces.
He will float and
penetrate off the catch in transition opposed to being your traditional lane
filler; as a catch, pump, and go player he makes a living and name in this
fashion.
We also believe with his size, strength
and skill set Hightower can serve as a defensive stopper on the perimeter
giving him even more value as he has a desire to contribute there too.
Once he become a proficient finisher in the
lane and combines that with a mature lead guard game he will be very difficult
to contain on all 94-feet of the court.
Ketaan “Keewee”
Wyatt (OH): A pure point guard who
displays quickness and speed in the open
His handle cannot be
questioned, and he developing a firmer understanding of how to use that handles
and the different passing angles to kill opponents with scoring a single
point.
Players
who can impact a game is this way are truly
special and do not come around every day – becoming a more aggressive and consistent
scorer combine with some increased size and strength to be more a physical
problem; which would be combined with is speed/quickness problems he already possess
will make him very attractive as him level increases.
We like his knock down shooting ability and
we can see the catch and shoot and ability to get into the lane on
penetration.
The Two S’s which is coming
will get him there and to his most effective spots where Wyatt will hurt you of
you let him.
Excitement personified and
the son of a coach ~his best days are his next days don’t take your eyes off
this star.
floor. Wyatt thrives in a fast tempo
game but is known for his leadership the game stops. He understands his role is
to set up the offense and settle down his team when the pace of the game is not
favorable.
Chance Mott (OH): Mott is skilled young forward with the
potential to develop into a mismatch four-man; Chance has good hands and good
feet. He is a solid athlete that can make plays within the paint and make a
difference on the board. Mott does an excellent job of laying down the law in
the lane. He goes up strong for rebounds and gets his elbows extended. He's the
kind of center who takes pride in owning his realm and usually does; not a
prolific scorer he is able to get the ball off glass and finish as well he is
effective when catching – he understands the space on the post and always gives
maximum effort; you can see his love for the game and the budding of some very
good skills.
Watch this player; great
size already his best days will be forthcoming without question.
When a team has 5 Division I players on it; as a scouting
service you pay very close attention to that team. When a team defeats that team in a
championship caliber game; you must immediately investigate the matter. Our investigation has revealed a national
gem; and further investigation has determined that this gem will not step foot
into high school for another year as a member of the 2019 class. Marvin Price out of Baltimore, Md. and a member
of the up and coming club program Team Melo (yes Carmelo Anthony for those
wondering) as well as a star in the nations top regional summer league, The PYBL, has changed his entire trajectory with his inclusion in the 2019
class. A left-handed 6-6 wing forward
Price is dominant inside and out; possessing a silky smooth handle Price simply
cannot be guarded by any big in space and with his excellent footwork and ball
skills smaller guards don’t have a chance in the post. Price has a weight barring framing that translates
up one to two levels already; combine that with a motor that doesn’t stop and you
have the basics of player that will be sought after by top High School and
Colleges alike. 
