THE FUTURE IS NOW IN THE PHILADELPHIA/EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA/SOUTH JERSEY AREA

by Clark Francis, Editor & Publisher of the HOOP SCOOP

                    It's always important to give credit where credit is due.  And this is especially the case with our Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey Editor Allen Rubin, who for the last several years has been singing the praises of 6'8 Jr Amile Jefferson from Wynnewood (Friends Central) PA.  Rubin also has stood fast with regards to ranking Jefferson over 6'6 Jr Savon Goodman from Philadelphia (Constitution) PA, who is currently ranked #14 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP and is a great choice for the McDonald's All-American Game in his own right.  Jefferson doesn't always get the credit that he deserves, because his game is not flashy, he is very unselfish, and his perimeter skills are still evolving.  On the other hand, Jefferson runs the court and is a thoroughbred in transition, gets more than his share of offensive rebounds, is an excellent defender, and is always one of the best players on the court.   He also was our #1-ranked player based on performance at the NBA Players Association Camp and, in our opinion, was the best player on the court in the Boost Mobile Elite 24 Game.  However, it's his upside and potential that gets us really excited.  Thus, explains why we have this guy ranked #5 nationally in the senior class.  And, if he lives up these lofty expectations, Rubin is going to look even more like a genius than he already does.  We're still waiting on his college decision (as things stand right now Jefferson still has schools like N.C. State, Kentucky, Villanova, Ohio State, Stanford, Maryland, and Temple on his list), but the coach college who lands Jefferson will probably end up getting raise, because players like this help you win a lot of games.  The same also can be said about Goodman, 6'3 Jr Ryan Arcideacono from Langhorne (Neshaminy) PA, and 6'10 Jr Daniel Ochefu from Westtown (Friends) PA, who represent the cream of the crop in this area's senior class.  Goodman is a relentless warrior, a big time athlete, and the kind of guy who does all of the dirty work inside.  And, up until three months ago, Goodman was apart of that terrific trio, which also included Arcideacono and Ochefu, that was Villanova-bound.  Arcideacono has great ball handling and passing skills, is like a coach on the floor, and is a deadly outside shooter, which makes him equally adept at playing either guard position.  Ochefu's game is raw offensively, but he is ranked #46 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP and has a combination of size, athleticism, and ability to block shots and rebound that makes him one of the most intriguing prospects to come down the pike in this area in a long time. 
                    Rubin also appears to have a major sleeper on his hands in 6'11 Xy Tao from Haverford (School) PA.  We're talking about a member of the 19-Under Chinese National Team who just arrived in the country a couple of months ago and, believe it nor not, Rubin has already seen him play.  "He does not have a lot of lift," says Rubin.  "But he has excellent low post moves, good footwork, and a soft touch out to 15-feet.  He also is a good passer, is effective on the boards, and is good enough to be ranked in the 50-100 range nationally."  And, if that weren't enough, 6'11 Norvel Pelle, who originally is from Los Angeles (Price) CA and signed St. John's a year ago, has ended up in prep school at Malvern (Phelps School) PA and is ranked #1 on Rubin's list of the  area's Top 5th Year Players.  Rubin also tells us that the class has a good depth and a good balance of big men, like 6'8 Devin Thomas from Harrisburg (Central Dauphin) PA, Duquesne-bound 6'9 Donovan Jack from Reading (Berks Catholic) PA, East Carolina-bound 6'9 Mike Zangari from Lewisberry (Red Land) PA, and 6'8 Matt Banas from Hershey (H.S.) PA; point guards, like Boston University-bound 5'9 Maurice Watson from Philadelphia (Boys Latin) PA, James Madison-bound 6'3 Ron Curry from Haddonfield (Paul VI) NJ, and 6'2 Daiquan Walker from Philadelphia (Constitution) PA; and perimeter players, like Rider-bound 6'6 Terry Turner from Scranton (H.S.) PA, St. Peter's-bound 6'4 Ronny Paden from Willingboro (H.S.) PA, 6'4 Jordan Reed from Ambler (Wissahickon) PA, Vermont-bound 6'5 Brendan Kilpatrick from Malvern (Prep) PA, 6'3 Nafis Walker from Wyncote (Cheltenham) PA, American University-bound 6'4 Billy Dooley from Philadelphia (Chestnut Hill Academy) PA, and 6'4 Marquis Marshall from Reading (Berks Catholic) PA.
                    Rubin also is excited about the Class of 2013, which features a top 20-ranked player in 6'6 Jr Rondae Jefferson from Chester (H.S.) PA; a top 35-ranked player in 6'3 Jr Rysheed Jordan from Philadelphia (Vaux) PA; two 50-100 range ranked players in Notre Dame-bound 6'3 Jr Steve Vasturia from Philadelphia (St. Joseph's Prep) PA and 6'6 Jr Brandon Austin from Philadelphia (Imhotep Charter) PA; and at least four more players who are expected to get high major looks in 6'3 Jr Miles Overton from Philadelphia (St. Joseph's Prep) PA, 6'6 Jr B.J Johnson from Ardmore (Lower Merion) PA, 6'6 Jr Jeremiah Worthem from Philadelphia (Math, Civics, & Sciences) PA, and 6'9 Jr Jai Williams from Philadelphia (Electric) PA.  Jefferson is a multi-dimensional athlete who dominates around the basket at the high school level, but has the skills, quickness, and mobility necessary to project as a big time wing forward.  Jordan was the MVP last summer at the Reebok Breakout Challenge and, with his added height (he's grown two inches in the last year), he now has the size, athleticism, court vision, and knack for making those around him better to pretty much write his own ticket at the high major level.  Vasturia is the best 3-point shooter in the class and he now holds the Philadelphia Catholic League record for most consecutive free throws made during the course of a season.  Austin is a combination guard and has a great advantage when he plays point guard due to his length and ability to see over everybody else on the court.  Overton has a great pedigree and this powerful 2-guard makes a living slashing to the basket, where he either scores or draws the foul and get to the foul line.  Johnson can beat you with either his outside shot or ability to get to the basket.  Worthen can also score both inside and outside and is a good rebounding small forward.  Williams has a nice hook shot, is a good rebounder, and is the best big man in the class. 
                     Looking even further into the future, Rubin tells us the Class of 2014 is totally guard dominated class, but the jury is still out with regards to just how good it will turn out to be.  In contrast, the Class of 2015 promises to be the next great class in the Philadelphia/Eastern Pennsylvania/South Jersey.  And the two most coveted spots by college recruiters, nine of the top 12 players are either point guards or post players.  We also find that when we dig a little deeper that there are 11 point guards and seven post players ranked among Rubin's top 30 players in the class.  A quick look at the All-Area Teams above also reinforces just how good this class is as 6'9 Frosh Horace Spencer from Warminster (William Tennett) PA is included on the Fourth Team,6'6 Frosh Trevaughn Wilkerson from Philadelphia (Roman Catholic) PA is included on the Seventh Team, and 5'11 Frosh Lamarr Kimble from Philadelphia (Neumann-Goretti) PA and 5'9 Frosh Sam Foreman from Haverford (School) PA are included on the Ninth Team before they have ever played a high school game.