The Hoop Scoop

Covering Grassroots Basketball Since 1983

A national recruiting web site and scouting service providing analysis, rankings, and coverage of grassroots basketball since 1983

Summer Circuit: 5 Burning Questions

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The single Spring Evaluation Period has passed and the summer circuit is about to hear up. We take a look at the national scene and answer five pressing questions surrounding this summer’s travel ball circuit.

1. Will the Under Armour and adidas circuits make waves against the Nike EYBL?
The other shoe companies involved in grassroots basketball have finally figured out the only way to make a dent on Nike’s strange hold on the nation’s top talent is to create a league similar to the Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL). The Under Armour Association and adidas Gauntlet is off to a good start with enough talent to get the attention of the recruiting networks and other national media who cover the grassroots scene. Top 10 talents such as Diamond Stone of Dominican (Whitefish Bay, Wis.)

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5 Things Young Players Must Do

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We spend most of our time evaluating and ranking high school players and teams, but we had a chance to take in the John Lucas Future of the Game West Camp for fifth and sixth graders and came away with some general observations that will help players of that age range maximize their potential.

RELATED: 35 Standouts From Lucas West Camp | Quicken Adjustment To HS Hoops 

There were approximately 100 players at the John Lucas Future of the Game West Camp in Las Vegas over the weekend and all of them were eager and willing to learn about what it takes to play at a high level. There was about 15 to 20 players whose talent level was clearly more advanced than the others, but every player in attendance needs to improve in at least one of the five areas of the game mentioned below.

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National Coaching Updates

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Eddie Martin of Greater Atlanta Christian named Student Sports National Coach of the Year. Jerome Williams won’t return as coach at Findlay Prep, Kevin Boyle will begin post-graduate team at Montverde Academy and two coaches close in on 1,000 wins.

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Ballislife All-American Game May 3

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Many of the nation’s best boys high school basketball stars will participate in the 4th Annual Ballislife All-American Game set for May 3 at Long Beach City College in Long Beach, Calif. Mr. Basketball USA Cliff Alexander of Chicago and Maxpreps National Player of the Year and Cal-Hi Sports Mr. Basketball Stanley Johnson headline participants.

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Student Sports All-American First Team

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Mr. Basketball USA Cliff Alexander, Jahlil Okafor, Stanley Johnson and Emmanuel Mudiay highlight 20th annual Student Sports All-American team. Elite honor squad includes 20-man first team and 30-man second team.

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Student Sports All-American Second Team

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The 30-man 2013-14 Student Sports All-American second team includes five underclassmen, including National Sophomore of the Year Josh Jackson and Thon Maker, a tenth-grader who’s already built a national following for his unique blend of size and skill. The second team also includes four players from California and three from Virginia.

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Underclass Players Of The Year

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Underclass Players of the Year Ben Simmons, Josh Jackson and Jalek Felton made a tremendous impact this season and are selected the nation’s top players among juniors, sophomores and freshmen, respectively. The next end-of-season honors squad published with be the 20th Annual Student Sports All-American team. 

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