NIKE Peach Jam

What's up, my fellow Johnny fans?  It's that time of the year again where I head to North Augusta, SC for the Peach Jam.  It's a who's who of players and coaches in North Augusta.  Not to mention, a handful of players who I didn't think played for any of the participating club teams.

Brandon Knight, Harrison Barnes, Michael Gilchrist (2011 class) and Anthony Wroten, Jr. (2011 class) are a few players who I wasn't expecting to see at the Peach Jam.  Nevertheless, Knight (sprained his foot or ankle on Sunday evening), Barnes and Gilchrist haven't disappointed the masses.  Wroten, Jr. has played so-so the times I've seen him.

I'll also go on record by saying, Gilchrist is the best player in the nation, regardless of classification.  Not to mention, I think he'll end up at Kentucky when it's all said and done.  'Nova is really the only other school in competition for his services.  Again....  I think he'll be a Wildcat of the Bluegrass variety.

For now, I'll give a rundown of players the Johnnies are currently involved in....  Doron Lamb is the GOODS!  He showed some of everything, imo....  From the mid range jumper; to taking his man off the dribble; hitting the 3's and playing solid defense.  Once, picking his man pocket; retrieving the ball and making a nice dish for a layup.  I know we'll be in a dogfight to gain his services, but we're very much in the thick of it. 

Anthony Wroten, Jr.:  He has looked so-so the times I've watched him on Sunday and Monday morning....  Maybe, it could be due to he and Josh Smith being far and away better than their teammates.  Who knows!?!  But, he needs to step it up a notch.  I'll say this:  He'll find the open man!  Whether, it's in the half court or on the break.  So, you better be prepared when he gets the ball in his hands.  I'll take him in a heartbeat!

Myles Mack:  He's playing for the 16U Playaz club team.  He's the best player on their team (and, possibly, the best player on the floor in the two games I've seen him in) and not sure why he's not playing with the 17U Playaz. 

He is quite athletic and has some good 'hops.'  He probably could've flushed one home, but jumped too far out and just dropped the ball in the hoop.  He hit an array of 3's and mid range jumpers.  He took a handful of bad shots, but he still wasn't too far off.  He nailed one 3 from like 30 feet out, but it was a dead whistle.  He also showed that he's a good penetrator and a solid finisher.  Mack's defense was 'okay' when I saw him. But at times I believe he was trying to maintain his stamina, as he played a ton of minutes.  All in all, I believe he's a top 75 player (or, higher) and would be a good get.

I also noticed the point guard for the Gauchos who isn't too shabby of a player.  I do not know his name and couldn't find anyone near me with a program to get his name.  As, I'm sure the Johnnies are involved with a few more players, but I'm not sure who's who!

The Peach Jam is easily one of the top 2 summer tournaments in the nation, but that is my one knock on it....  It's somewhat hard knowing who is who and who is playing for who.  Unless, you have an idea how the player(s) look; have someone near you with a roster to give you a roster rundown and/or have someone near you, whether it's a coach or family member who is familiar with the players then you may find yourself in limbo.

I think they should make a roster for the coaches and media and one for the fans.  The coaches and media rosters are filled up with the players addresses, phone numbers, what city or town they reside in; their birthdates; school they attend; hospital they were born in; social security number and dna.  LOL   I'm just clowning on the latter three, but you get my drift. 

The Peach Jam committee could print up a friendly roster for fans with just the players names, along with the club team and their classification.  Sell 'em for like two bucks and be done with it. 

I also ran into "our" very own....  Freddie Q and "Stormin'" Norm Roberts.  Roberts was on the phone while Q was lagging back and we spoke briefly before heading out the door.  I also noticed those two watching the St. Louis Eagles and BABC 16U game.  Who were they watching?  I'm not sure, but I'll assume it was someone on BABC since they are located in Massachusettes. 

As, usual.... I had a good time and enjoyed the games.  I'll return there later this evening and will attempt to give another update by Wednesday.  Take care, folk! 

good reporting mj. I think you are talking about Doron Lamb on the Guachos.

good reporting mj. I think you are talking about Doron Lamb on the Guachos.

Thanks!  Nah, it's not Lamb, as I mentioned Lamb in my report.  It's a kid who is sporting a faddish mohawk that has been quite en vogue down at the Peach Jam.  LOL 

Quote from: Dave on July 14, 2009, 10:55:59 AM

good reporting mj. I think you are talking about Doron Lamb on the Guachos.

Thanks!  Nah, it's not Lamb, as I mentioned Lamb in my report.  It's a kid who is sporting a faddish mohawk that has been quite en vogue down at the Peach Jam.  LOL

Mohammad "Mo" Lee

this guy?:
http://www.recruitrecon.com/index.php?option=com_recruit&task=showplayerprofile&id=371

Yes.

Peach Jam is a hard place to play cause of all them fly southern honeys.

Thanks for the update.

Babc has tons of good players

this guy?:
http://www.recruitrecon.com/index.php?option=com_recruit&task=showplayerprofile&id=371

I'm not sure whether it was Lee or not....  But, that could very well be him.

Yes.

Peach Jam is a hard place to play cause of all them fly southern honeys.

LOL  I guess those southern babes are fly to the ball players.  They are around those guys age. 

Babc has tons of good players

The team who is stacked are the 17U All-Ohio Red.  They are 'stacked' like Dolly Parton back in the day.  LOL   

By the time, I got there on yesterday evening....  The club teams who had players with St. John's interest were already eliminated (with the exception of the 16U Playaz).  Basically, yesterday morning was elimination morning.

The Gauchos, Seattle Rotary (Wroten, Jr.) and 17U Playaz were already eliminated from pool play once the evening session tipped off.

I did watch most of the 16U Playaz game against the 16U Spiece Indy Heat.  Myles Mack didn't play one of his better games and the Playaz found themselves in an uphill battle for most of the second half. 

I was able to watch Team Final (Michael Gilchrist and 'Cuse verbal, Dion Waiters) beat up on their opposition (for some reason I can't remember who they were playing, lol) on yesterday evening.  Gilchrist is soooo smooth with his play.  Syracuse also got a good one in Waiters.  He was even sporting a pair of NIKE's that had 'Cuse's colors (orange and blue) on 'em.  The colors were on his shoes in a rainbow'ish-like way. 

I also was able to see some of the Albany City Rocks game, as well.  I'm wrecking my brain on who they were playing, but still drawing a blank.  lol   Tobias Harris came through with a very, solid game.  He ended up with 28 points before the night was said and done. 

Geez!  I know our scholarship situation is limited, but I still wished we were involved with Harris.  Hopefully, we can lock up Pinkston and find a way to lock up another player in the 2010 class.

I ran into a guy at the Peach Jam who I've known for 20 years....  He use to coach AAU ball in the late 80's-to-the early 90's.  I'll occasionally run into this guy around the city we reside in.  Not to mention, I run into him all of the time at the Peach Jam.  I ran into him on last night before leaving for the evening.

We spoke with one another for about 20 mins. or so and were talking about the players we watched over the past couple of days and about the players who we've seen over the years at the Peach Jam.  We also talked about the coaches who are always in attendance at the Peach Jam.

We basically came to a conclusion that the Peach Jam could very, well be the best club team circuit in the nation!  No, I've never been to the Reebok tourney out in Vegas (heard it's too spread out) nor the tournament in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, but I've heard a handful of folk who are very familiar with the tournament and tournament settings of the Peach Jam, Reebok in Vegas and the tourney in Florida give an edge to the Peach Jam. 

Many of the teams involved at the Peach Jam will play in the tourney in Florida, but what a setting the Peach Jam have for the folk.  I'm telling any of y'all!  If, you get an opportunity to make it down here next year....  Do so!  Yes, it's a small, southern town and all....  But, I do not think you'll be disappointed one bit!  It'll also be fun to run into a fellow St. John's fan or two.   

Take care, folks!

The one problem with the Peach Jam is that you only get Nike teams.

Try the Bob Gibbons' Tournament of Champions next year, MJ

The one problem with the Peach Jam is that you only get Nike teams.

Try the Bob Gibbons' Tournament of Champions next year, MJ

This is true about your references of Nike teams only at the Peach Jam.  I've always thought of going to the TOC in the "Triangle" area of North Carolina, but usually change my mind before making the venture.  lol 

I may one day make it up to the TOC one of these days.