We feel confident saying this because it’s true every year,
from Victor Oladipo and Trey Burke to Shabazz Napier and Russ Smith. So many of
the best basketball players in the country do not receive the credit that they
truly deserve - in part because of the transformative ability of the internet and
in part because it’s a natural hazard for scouts to be more impressed by an
athlete’s physicality than his will, skill and hunger.
This 2020 group of USA National Select Team members came
together made a name for themselves; one that will long be remembered in Charlotte,
NC. Prior to their arrival in a 36-hour
period 3-players unexpectedly could not make it into North Carolina ~ once the
team came together, no one asked and it wasn’t discussed the sole focus was to
continue the long standing tradition of USA National Select.
Charlotte Elite was the first team to step onto the court
against a focused and determined group. Qaadir Maneri (NY) set the tone early
by controlling the paint on both ends, he played well in transition taking the
ball of the glass to start the fast break and then running the floor and finishing
on the other end. In this contest Jeremy Roach (VA) one of the most
underrated superstars in the country scored from all three levels with pinpoint
precision. His weekend display was
nothing short of remarkable. Montez McNeil (MD) battled early foul
trouble to finish with double-double along with 3 blocked shots. Zion
Harmon (DC) controlled the pace coming off the bench with some key contributions
– especially with all three bigs sidelined due to foul trouble all the guards
including Will Paige (VA), who
astonishingly did not commit a turnover the entire; led a late 1st
half charge to blow the game wide open.
Nursing a 4-point lead the small line-up stole the ball and scored 5 processions
in a row, using a spread offense and SA Spur like passing to get open three’s
or lay-ups. Josiah Hardy (VA) ran the floor with great fluidness in the second
half finishing and passing for easy
scores taking the 4-point lead that had ballooned to 15 at half to 25+ as the team coasted to a 72-48 victory.
The next game was played in front of a packed house of
locals; who came to see a Carolina All-Star team playing under the AIA Hoya
umbrella compete. With players from
various parts of Carolina the crowed was behind them as they attempted to upset
National Select. National Select opened
with an 8-0 run to set the tone; AIA playing from behind went to the bench and
knocked down some 3-pointers to cut into the lead. Qaadir
Maneri (11pts 13 rebounds) , Joshiah Hardy (VA)(7 rebounds 4 assist 2-blocks) ,
and Montez McNeil (10pts 10 rebounds
5 blocks) dominated the paint. Maneri
who can be considered one of the most devastating inside outside player in the
country controlled the baseline and the paint off dribble drives, dropped in
perimeter shots – adding two 3-pointers as well, and rebounder anything and
everything that touched the glass.
Pinpoint passing that put all players in good scoring position - hometown
super star Jaden Springer led the
team in scoring dropping in a game high 15-point along with 9 rebounds. Zion Harmon buried some deep three to open
things up and handled the ball down the stretch in crucial situations as well
as knocking down some key free-throws to maintain the lead at the end despite
trying to be enticed into taking his mind off the game some rough play and a
box and one set up. Khalil Brantley (GA) who played up a
year as well stepped on the court and maintained the pace playing solid defense
on and off the ball; his defense was a major key to what turned into a 50-45
victory after a late run by the Hoya’s. Jeremy Roach was a key player in this
game thwarting any thoughts of a comeback with back breaking scores at the most
crucial times. Finally special mention has
to be given to Paige whose timely defense,
decision making, and floor generalship made a major difference – combine that
with some big perimeter shots and you have great team effort that propelled the
group into the Sunday morning semi-final.
Josiah Hardy
took early control of this affair with some easy finishes –the Georgia Stars
one of the top programs in the country never recovered from the early pressure
defense from Paige, Roach, and Harmon – the relentless attacking of Maneri and McNeil; the M&M Paint Brothers, or the scoring of Springer. Brantley did a little of everything as Select
cruised by easily 61-21 on what was deemed to be statement Sunday.
The victory took Select into the championship versus the
Tidewater Wildcats out of Virginia Beach.
What proceeded was one of the greatest shooting and scoring displays in
the tournaments short history. Select
went into half time blowing the game wide open with 5 consecutive 3’s all
courtesy of Zion Harmon(21pts, 5
rebounds, 5 assist, 6 steals – 5 3-pointers) and Jeremy Roach (16 points, 5 steals, 4 rebounds, 5 steals – 2 3-pointers)
and led 44-29. With 4 players in double figures
the team was impossible to stop Will
Paige had a field day dishing out 9-assist in the contest. Both postmen Qaadir Maneri and Montez
McNeil finished with double-doubles
for a second time, Maneri who also added a 3-pointer finished with 12 points 10
rebounds and McNeil finished with 10 points 11 rebounds. Josiah Hardy who passed like a seasoned guar
d all weekend gave out 6-assit in addition to his 9 boards and 8 points. The final score made the statement Select set
out to make as they took down the championship 70-27.


Montez McNeil:
McNeil is a center with excellent size. He is long, athletic and runs the floor
well and on a consistent basis. He is excellent at facing the basket in the low
post, trialing on the break and in screen and roll situations where he is
moving towards the cup. Montez is a
tremendous prospect. He is only 11 and stands 6’4 with that size and length and
has one of the most sought after skills in basketball – SIZE & HEIGHT. Still a little raw, but coming on and quickly
and looks like a different player from earlier this summer. The Maryland big
man has all the physical tools as stated but that's not why he's going to make
it big. In addition to the tools, he has coordination, explosion and an
uncommon agility and feel for the game; PLUS he wants to be a star and will let
nothing stand in his way of doing so.
Will Paige:
Paige will not wow you with blinding quickness and speed, but he has a high IQ
for the game as well as tremendous court savvy. Paige has a consistent stroke
and jump shot and he changes speeds very well to keep defenders off balance-not
to mention his head is always up while advancing the rock. He comes from good stock as his father is a
head coach. Right now Paige is more facilitator
than scorer but he affects the game in multiple ways; especially with his on
the ball defense and passing. He is slippery while maneuvering his way to the
basket and he has a variety of ways of finishing or setting up teammates. An insane assist to turnover ratio, its
shocking when he does turn it over he’s that steady; this is a player that any team or coach wants on their team.
Josiah Hardy: Hardy has good size, length, and quick feet to
go along with precise timing and incredible mobility and agility. He is like a
one-man zone with his ability to move in the paint and make up distances. He runs the floor extremely well and has good
mobility for a player his size, Isaiah Austin like, he has the potential to
extend his game to the wing and be effective. He has excellent hands and
finishes drop off passes and clear paths with great efficiency. He has become
an consistent fisher with both hands and can be looked onto scorer in crucial
situations. He shoots a very high percentage
and passes with great vision – stretch 4 and playing all 3 frontcourt positions
is a real possibility for this well-seasoned high IQ player. His upside has not even close to being scratched
which means he will be doing big things for a longtime to come.

Khalil
Brantley: Brantley is a creative guard who is capable of making plays
for himself and others.
He's dynamic with the ball in his hands and able to
change gears with tremendous quickness, both stepping on the gas with his first
step as well as stopping on a dime to pull-up – he has three point range, is
unselfish, and is improving quickly on his pace game and being effective at all
speeds. He is your new age PG who can score but loves to operate with
flair; setting up teammates puts a smile on his face every time. Very
intense, he is an emotional leader who will be heard from. The kid works
hard, he wants it, and he exerts the necessary effort in the gym and out to get
it. He is a game changer.
MY GRANDSON QAADIR MANERI IS THE STAR
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