The biggest AAU basketball tournament in the Midwest is here. The ninth Annual Jayhawk Invitational will take place May 2nd, 3rd, and 4th at Allen Fieldhouse, the home of the KU Jayhawks, in Lawrence, Kansas. Highly rated prospects from around the country will be playing in the tournament. The Jayhawk Invitational, hosted by Roger Morningstar and LJ Goolsby, is the nation’s premier basketball tournament of the spring dead period.
This year, top talent from Southern California, Atlanta, Texas, Minnesota, Las Vegas, and Kansas City will play in the 3-day tournament and compete for exposure from top colleges from around the country.
College Coaches Network will sponsor the event and will be hosting the video for college coaches, parents, and players to watch online right here at www.collegecoaches.net where athletes can promote profiles and game film to college recruiters throughout the nation.
The talent for this event is proving to be among the best and most exciting in years. Spectators are welcome and will have the opportunity to see nationally ranked players at their best.
GUIDE TO THE JAYHAWK- PLAYERS TO WATCH
Throughout the years, the Jayhawk Invitational has been a place for some of the most talented high school players in the country to show off their considerable game. Among the well known players who took the floor at the Jayhawk Invitational are guys like Deron Williams, Chris Bosh, Ike Diogu, Keith Langford, Brandon Rush, Gerald Green, Davon Jefferson, Cole Aldrich and many others.
In 2008, the Jayhawk Invitational once again features a field loaded with talented players from across the country. Here’s just a few of the many nationally ranked prospects scheduled to be in attendance that fans will want to keep an eye out for in addition to Derrick Favors, the #2 ranked player in the country.
Derrick Favors, 6'9" PF, Atlanta, GA - Atlanta Celtics- Considered a top player and prospect. Favors is a dominant force inside with great foot work and hands. Excellent on the glass. Recently played well in Real Deal on the Hill tournament. Shoots it well from mid range, great turn around jumper.
Mike Dixon, Jr., 6-1 PG, Lee’s Summit (MO) West- KC Pump ‘N Run– One of the premier players in the Kansas City area, Dixon is one of the top floor generals in the class of 2009. Confident ball handler gets others involved and can score thanks to a solid mid-range game.
Dominique Ferguson (2010), 6-8 BF, Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence North- Indiana Elite LNO- This long and slender insider moves extremely well and is too quick for most opponents around the basket. He’s ranked among the top 25 prospects nationally in his class.
Trae Golden (2010), 6-1 PG/WG, Powder Springs (GA) McEachern- Atlanta Celtics- Having already committed to Ohio State, Golden is highly regarded. A strong and athletic scoring machine, Golden has deep range and good quickness off the dribble.
Joe Jackson (2010), 5-11 PG, Memphis (TN) White Station- Compton Magic- While he’s quite skinny, this quick guard is an electric scorer. He’s just as likely to drive for a dunk as he is to hit a deep three pointer.
Elijah Johnson, 6-2 PG, North Las Vegas (NV) Cheyenne- Pump ‘N Run Elite- One of the premier athletes in the class of 2009, Johnson has a lightning quick first step and can hit jumpers from all over. He’s also one of the most exciting dunkers in high school basketball.
Reeves Nelson, 6-7 BF, Modesto (CA) Christian- Pump ‘N Run Elite- A burly power forward, Nelson has already committed to Ben Howland’s UCLA program. He’s tough, bouncy around the rim and likes to play physical ball.
Anthony Marshall, 6-3 WG, North Las Vegas (NV) Mojave- Las Vegas Prospects- This smooth guard made the all tournament team at last year’s Jayhawk Invitational. He’s capable of hitting jumpers or attacking the basket.
Jeff Reid, 6-5 WG, Topeka (KS) Hayden- KC Pump ‘N Run- Likely the best player in the state of Kansas, Reid led his high school to a state championship as a junior. An excellent shooter with a terrific feel for the game.
Mason Plumlee, 6-10 C, Arden (NC) Christ School- Indiana Elite- Having already committed to Duke, Plumlee is one of three talented brothers. Older brother Mason is headed to Stanford while his younger brother Marshall is emerging as a high level prospect in the class of 2011.
Jeremy Tyler (2010), 6-10 C, San Diego (CA) High- Compton Magic Elite- Ranked by many as the top prospect nationally in the class of 2010, Tyler is a big time athlete with long arms. Capable of dominating the paint on both ends of the floor, he can also face up and score from 15 feet away.
Stephan Van Treese, 6-8 BF, Indianapolis (IN) Lawrence North- Indiana Elite- One of several talented big men on a deep Indy Elite roster. He runs the floor, cleans the glass and scores without forcing the issue.
Christian Watford, 6-8 BF, Irondale (AL) Shades Valley- Atlanta Celtics- This smooth big man has the skills of a small forward on the offensive end. Runs the floor, handles the ball and can shoot with range to the three point line.
Royce White, 6-7 WF/BF, Hopkins (MN) High- Howard Pulley Panthers- Howard Pulley recently won the prestigious Kingwood Classic and White was a major cog. An inside/out player with athleticism and toughness, he’s having a super spring along with his Howard Pulley teammates.
Ryon Wiggons (2011), 6-9 BF, Duluth (GA) GSMST- Atlanta Celtics- This youngster hasn’t been watched by many national scouts and coaches, but those who have seen him are excited. He’s long, athletic, runs like a deer and is a force on the glass.
Kendall Williams (2010), 6-2 PG/WG, Rancho Cucamonga (CA) Los Osos- Pump ‘N Run Elite- Like Reeves Nelson, Williams has already committed to play his college ball at UCLA. Smooth combo guard can score or run a team.
Rodney Williams, 6-6 WF, New Hope (MN) Robbinsdale Cooper- Howard Pulley Panthers – Perhaps the most dynamic athlete in the class of 2009, Williams is a leaper supreme who ignites crowds with his aerial antics. Rapidly improving in all areas of his game, Williams has tremendous potential down the road.
Shawn Williams, 6-7 WF, Duncanville (TX) High- Texas Select- He’s a wing scorer with nice size and range to the three point line on his jumper. He’s added strength and has emerged as one of the better rebounders at his position in the country.
KC Pump and Run Wins Jayhawk Invitational
The KC Pump and Run 15U, 16U, and 17U teams all made it to the championship game in this weekend's Jayhawk Invitational. Two of three KC teams won it all.
The 17U team led by coach LJ Goolsby showed their true spirit in a 73-65 come-from-behind win over Howard Pulley in the semi-final game at Allen Fieldhouse. After watching Howard Pulley forward Carrington Tankson sink 3 after 3 after 3 in the first half, and after enduring the talented Rodney Williams, Jr. on both ends of the court, KC Pump and Run had enough. KC guard Mike Dixon came out in the second half ready to make a difference. In addition to slicing through the Pulley defense for layups and quick handed assists on offense, Dixon put a zip lock defense on the hot handed Tankson and clearly frustrated his game.
Defense, rebounding, and the impressive Justin Clark brought KC back for their first lead with five minutes to play in the second half. Despite struggling in the first half, Clark's consistency from three-point land is something to see. His calm, graceful shot gained confidence in the second half and Clark reigned.
Of course, Clark had some help. Bruce Reed, the 6'6", 200 pound 3/4, was powerful down low with good foot work and strong rebounding, oh, and he drilled a crucial three to take the lead. Jeff Reid contributed inside and out with a dangerous outside jumper. Rian Pearson penetrated the lane and hit from the outside. Jon Ekey hit a few key threes as well. And the list goes on.
KC Pump and Run 17U cruised past High Intensity 62-42 to win the championship. Again, everybody contributed. Justin Clark and Mike Dixon led the way offensively, as Clark continued his impressive shooting streak from long range, and Dixon continued to make plays, displaying the ability to hit the three and mid-range jump shot. Jeff Reid and Alex Hall were both feeling it from beyond the arc, and Rian Pearson flushed break away dunks and made an impact (as did Bruce Reed) around the rim.
Unselfishly working together, as simple as it sounds, can be difficult to achieve. What makes the KC Pump and Run winners is their ability to truly play together, as members of a team. The offensive motion, ball movement, and timely picks open up the floor and players end up with open, high percentage shots. The open shots result in confident shots and confident shots are made. KC snaps back on defense and rarely gives up a break away. The focus on fundamental basketball and team play seems to be a theme with all the teams representing KC Pump and Run, as all three teams made it to the finals wading through talent-filled brackets.
The Jayhawk Invitational recognized key players in the 2008 Jayhawk Invitational. Listed below are the tournament teams and MVP honors for the 17U, 16U, and 15U divisions. To watch these players in action, just click on the appropriate team in the Windows Media game files.
2008 Jayhawk Invitational All Tournament Teams and MVP
17U Tournament MVP
#15 Justin Clark (KC Pump and Run)
17U All Tournament Team
#15 Justin Clark (KC Pump and Run)
#22 Rodney Williams, Jr. (Howard Pulley)
#34 Derick Favors (Atlanta Celtics)
#1 Jordan Hulls (Indiana Elite One)
#2 Josh O'Neill (High Intensity)
#11 Mike Dixon (KC Pump and Run)
16U Tournament MVP
#1 Trevor Relaford (KC Pump and Run)
16U All Tournament Team
#1 Trevor Relaford (KC Pump and Run)
#2 D.J. Peterson (Howard Pulley)
#23 Marvin Singleton (Howard Pulley)
#43 Harris Barnes (All Iowa Attack)
#2 Rico Richardson (KC Pump and Run)
#3 Zack McCabe (All Iowa Attack)
15U Tournament MVP
#1 Reggie White (All Iowa Attack)
15U All Tournament Team
#1 Reggie White (All Iowa Attack)
#32 Alex Savage (All Iowa Attack)
#34 Christian Kirk (KC Pump and Run)
#3 Brett Comer (KC Pump and Run)
Sheldon Rotellas (Houston Swoosh)
Jamal Branch (Houston Swoosh)
Check out the CCN basketball blog zone for more posts on the CCN Jayhawk Invitational. Use the links below to watch the games.