On Hoop Group’s second day in Boston, Elite Top 100 brought out some of the Northeast’s finest.
As with all Top 100 clinics, the day began by focusing on skill development, through stations and drills. Players worked on shooting, dribbling, and passing with coaches who have experience in both the high school and college ranks.
Live games featured the same intensity, with players taking what they learned in stations and applying it at game speed.
Between stations and games, players attend the “Separate Yourself” lecture, which focuses on giving players what could be termed a “full basketball education.”
“With so many players trying to get college scholarships for basketball, it’s important for them to know how to differentiate themselves from their peers,” said Chad Babel, a Hoop Group Elite Director. “That means not only on the court, but off-the-court and in the classroom, as well.”
And the effects reach far.
Charlie Jones, who has attended a number of Hoop Group events, including Academic Elite and other Top 100s, made the trip all the way from Baltimore to be here in Boston.
“It’s a good experience,” said Jones. “I’ve been to Hoop Group events in Philly and Baltimore and I can see the different types of players from those areas, which helps me become better.”
Here are some stand-out performers at Hoop Group’s Boston Elite Top 100:
Mitchell Cross | 6’2” G | Loyola Blakefield (MD) | Class of 2013
Cross is friend of the aforementioned Jones and also made the trip from Maryland. He is a shooting guard with a smooth stroke in the mid-range and has shown the ability to take it to the rim and draw contact.
Sean Doncaster | 6’3” G | Medford HS | Class of 2013
Doncaster is a bouncy shooting guard with quickness, to boot. His athleticism allows him to make plays on the floor and should continue to work on his game to make him a more well-rounded player.
Daivon Edwards | 6’0” G | Brighton HS | Class of 2013
He is a compact, physically-built guard who plays strong on-the-ball defense. He seems to have a good grasp of the game and that shows.
Elijah Early | The Governor’s Academy | Class of 2015
Early’s fundamentals are what make him stand out. His jumpshot is crisp and can step out into the mid-range to knock it down.
Matt Sherlock | 5’10” G | Melrose (MA) | Class of 2013
Sherlock is athletic and muscular, which gives him a physical advantage. Though just 5’10”, he used that frame to do a number of things with the ball in his hands.
Zachary Zingelbaum | 6’7” F | Beverly | Class of 2012
Zingelbaum is a big man who knows how to throw his weight around. He gets down under the basket and does a good job rebounding and working around the rim.
BGarrett Hanlon | 5’11” G | Hopkinton (MA) | Class of 2012
This senior is a good passer and ballhandler, making him a solid point guard and floor general. On one play, he spun into the lane, drew two defenders, and dished it off to a teammate for the dunk.
Ron Taylor | Concord (DE) | Class of 2012
Another player who traveled a significant distance to be at Boston Top 100, Taylor is a lanky forward-type who uses his size to his advantage offensively and defensively.
Stephen Basden | 6’2” G | Governor’s Academy | Class of 2013
This guard is confident when going to the basket and is not afraid to draw contact and finish through it.
Aaron Welch | Class of 2013
Welch is a smart point guard. He knows when to make the right pass, including on one occasion, when he threaded a pass on the fastbreak to a teammate, for the layup.
Nisre Zouzoua | 6’1” G | Brockton (MA) | Class of 2014
Zouzoua is a taller guard who can run the offense. He sees over the defense well and finds that open man, because of it.
Curtis Howe | 5’9” G | Cathedral (MA) | Class of 2012
This smaller point guard has shown the touch from 3-point land. That extends the defense and opens up opportunities for his teammates.
Joseph Kuo | 6’7” F | The Governor’s Academy (MA) | Class of 2013
Gabriel is a long, lanky big man who is developing his shot blocking ability. He may not be done growing, which will draw more attention to his recruitment.
