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[Lynn Burke]

10 to watch at Boo's tournament

By Jason Jordan | jjordan@dailypress.com

Top 10 players at this week's tournament

1. Xavier Henry
THE ID (City, high school, height, position, invitational team): Oklahoma City, Putnam City High School, 6-6, F, Athletes First 17-and-under.
CONSIDERING: Kansas, Memphis, North Carolina, Ohio State, Texas and UCLA.
THE SKINNY: Long and wiry, Henry, rated the No. 3 prospect in the class of 2009, is the total package. He can knock down the perimeter and mid-range jump shot, drive the lane and post up effectively.
CATCH HIM: Tonight vs. Louisiana Select, 7:30 on Court 1; Saturday vs. Team New Jersey, 8 a.m. on Court 2; Saturday vs. Georgia Blazers, 2 p.m. on Court 2.

2. DeShawn Painter
THE ID: Norfolk, Booker T. Washington High School (going next season to Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham), 6-9, C, Boo Williams Summer League 17-and-under.
CONSIDERING: Florida, Louisville, Kentucky, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Duke, North Carolina and Ohio State.
THE SKINNY: He's rated the No. 8 prospect in the class of 2009, and Painter's athleticism is his finest attribute. He finishes, runs the floor and provides a defensive presence.
CATCH HIM: Tonight vs. Team STAT, 7:30 on Court 3; Saturday vs. King James, 9:30 a.m. on Court 2; Saturday vs. Albany City Rocks, 3:30 p.m. on Court 2.

3. John Wall
THE ID: Raleigh, N.C., Word of God Academy, 6-2, G, SC Ravens 17-and-under.
CONSIDERING: Kentucky, Memphis, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Indiana, Kansas, Miami, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Arizona and Tennessee.
THE SKINNY: Wall is rated the No. 12 prospect in the class of 2009, but could make a case for being the top point guard in the class. He's exceptionally quick and finishes well in the paint, and his ability to create for himself and his teammates often overshadows his streaky jump shot.
CATCH HIM: Tonight vs. NY Gauchos, 9 p.m. on Court 4; Saturday vs. Alabama Challenge, 11 a.m. on Court 3; Saturday vs. DC Blue Devils, 5 p.m. on Court 3.

4. Kendall Marshall
THE ID: Arlington, Bishop O'Connell High School, 6-3, G, Boo Williams Summer League 17-and-under.
COMMITTED TO: North Carolina.
THE SKINNY: Marshall's been in the spotlight since a recruiting site dubbed him the country's top fifth-grader. Now he's rated the No. 6 prospect in the class of 2010 and has the total package to back that up.
CATCH HIM: Tonight vs. Team STAT, 7:30 on Court 3; Saturday vs. King James, 9:30 a.m. on Court 2; Saturday vs. Albany City Rocks, 3:30 p.m. on Court 2.

5. Daniel Orton
THE ID: Oklahoma City, Bishop McGuinness High School, 6-9, C, Athletes First 17-and-under.
CONSIDERING: Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, Maryland and Syracuse.
THE SKINNY: Rated the No. 14 prospect in the class of 2009, Orton erases shots and finishes with authority in the paint.
CATCH HIM: Tonight vs. Louisiana Select, 7:30 on Court 1; Saturday vs. Team New Jersey, 8 a.m. on Court 2; Saturday vs. Georgia Blazers, 2 p.m. on Court 2.

6. DaShonte Riley
THE ID: Beverly Hills, Mich., Detroit Country Day School, 6-10, C, The Family 17-and-under.
CONSIDERING: Duke, Boston College, Florida, Georgetown, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, UCLA and USC.
THE SKINNY: Rated the No. 16 prospect in the class of 2009, Riley isn't as polished offensively, but his defensive presence and rebounding ability are what makes him tough.
CATCH HIM: Tonight vs. Howard Pulley Panthers, 9 on Court 2; Saturday vs. Chicago Express, 11 a.m. on Court 1; Saturday vs. Team Texas, 5 p.m. on Court 1.

7. Alex Oriakhi
THE ID: Tilton, N.H., Tilton School, 6-9, F, BABC 17-and-under.
COMMITTED TO: Connecticut.
THE SKINNY: Big, strong and athletic, Oriakhi uses the physical aspect of his game on both ends. Oriakhi is rated the No. 19 prospect in the class of 2009.
CATCH HIM: Tonight vs. Team Florida, 6 on Court 4; Saturday vs. Memphis YOMCA, 9:30 a.m. on Court 4; Saturday vs. SYF Players, 3:30 p.m. on Court 3.

8. Leslie McDonald
THE ID: Memphis, Briarcrest Christian School, 6-4, G, Memphis YOMCA 17-and-under.
CONSIDERING: Clemson, Duke, Florida, Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kansas, Louisville, Memphis, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio State, Tennessee and Wake Forest.
THE SKINNY: Rated the No. 18 prospect in the class of 2009, McDonald is a matchup problem because of his athleticism and accurate shooting ability.
CATCH HIM: Tonight vs. SYF Players, 7:30 on Court 4; Saturday vs. BABC, 9:30 a.m. on Court 4; Saturday vs. Team Florida, 3:30 p.m. on Court 4.

9. Marshawn Powell
THE ID: Charlottesville, Miller School, 6-7, F, Boo Williams Summer League 17-and-under.
CONSIDERING: Clemson, Kansas State, Oklahoma and Virginia.
THE SKINNY: Rated the No. 45 prospect in the class of 2009, Powell -- a former Menchville High star -- is athletic and quick enough to cause matchup problems for bigger forwards on the perimeter and skilled enough to be effective in the lane.
CATCH HIM: Tonight vs. Team STAT, 7:30 on Court 3; Saturday vs. King James, 9:30 a.m. on Court 2; Saturday vs. Albany City Rocks, 3:30 p.m. on Court 2.

10. Kenny Hall
THE ID: Stone Mountain, Ga., Redan High School, 6-9, C, Georgia Stars 17-and-under.
COMMITTED TO: Tennessee.
THE SKINNY: Rated the No. 48 prospect in the class of 2009, Hall uses his athleticism and length to finish in the paint and erase and change shots.
CATCH HIM: Tonight vs. Team Melo, 10:30 on Court 3; Saturday vs. Oakland Soldiers, 12:30 p.m. on Court 4; Saturday vs. Charlotte Royals, 6:30 p.m. on Court 3.

[EnergyRecruitm]

hi,
Tonight marks the start of my “Christmas in March” … Arch Madness Week!

I’ve spent at least three days in St. Louis in early March in each of the past nine years; this Thursday amounts to a decade of traveling (in sometimes horrible weather) to watch Dana Altman and the Jays partake in the Missouri Valley Conference postseason tournament in the Gateway City. It also marks the 9-year anniversary of Altman’s first MVC tournament title, secured by Rodney Buford and the boys during the 1998-1999 season.

To celebrate that accomplishment and the 5 other tournament titles secured in the previous nine seasons by the Jays, this week will feature a feast of blog entries. At least that’s the plan. Let’s start with recapping last week’s games. While the loss to Illinois State left much to be desired, Saturday’s Senior Night festivities were pretty fun, if you haven’t heard (*sarcasm included free of charge*). And it wasn’t just because of Nick Bahe’s Dana Altman impression, featured in the interview below.

[EnergyRecruitm]

hi,
e wasn't AI or The Answer yet. He was still Allen Iverson, or, around here, Bubbachuck. And Zo wasn't Zo yet nationally. He was still Alonzo Mourning. Before they were stars, there were here, at the Boo Williams Invitational. The man and the tournament bring the best high school basketball talent in the nation to the Peninsula every spring. And this year is no different. Heading into the invitational, which starts today, we give you the top 10 male alumni of the Boo Williams Invitational (ranked by their success at the event and according to Boo himself) and the top 10 players to watch this year.

Top 10 Boo Williams Invitational Alumni

1. Alonzo Mourning -- One of the first big stars on the Boo Williams Summer League AAU team, Mourning played in this tournament from 1985-87. Even back then, Mourning was famous for swatting shots into the stands and finishing with monster dunks in traffic. Mourning went on to play at Georgetown in college and won an NBA title with the Miami Heat. He's retired, but based on what he did in this invitational, Mourning is the top dog.

2. Kenny Anderson -- Went on to star at Georgia Tech and was the second pick in the 1991 NBA draft by the New Jersey Nets. Anderson is retired.

3. Jason Kidd -- Went on to star at California, then in the NBA, and currently is with the Dallas Mavericks. Kidd was a member of the USA team that won gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

4. Allen Iverson -- After starring for Bethel High School and Georgetown, Iverson was named NBA rookie of the year in 1997 and MVP in 2001. Currently, he's with the Denver Nuggets.

5. Anfernee Hardaway -- After starring at Memphis State, Hardaway starred for the Orlando Magic. He was released from the Miami Heat in December and is not in the NBA.

6. Dwyane Wade -- After starring at Marquette, Wade led the Miami Heat to an NBA title in 2006, averaging 34.7 points per game in the finals. He's still with the Heat.

7. Kevin Durant -- Was named national player of the year in 2007 after a stellar freshman season at Texas. Durant, who plays with the Seattle SuperSonics, is a shoo-in for this season's NBA rookie of the year.

8. Chris Webber -- Was a member of Michigan's famed "Fab Five" recruiting class in 1991. Went on to star in the NBA and recently retired from the Golden State Warriors.
9. Chris Paul -- After starring at Wake Forest, Paul was picked No. 4 overall by the Hornets and won the Rookie of the Year award in 2006. The New Orleans point guard is in contention for the NBA's MVP award.

10. J.J. Redick -- Went on to become the leading scorer in Duke and ACC history and now plays for the Orlando Magic.
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