1st Annual Reebok Right Bounce Basketball Showcase

5/17/04 John P Miciotta: 'Saturday's Right Bounce Classic at LIU Brooklyn hosted games featuring the best players in our region who will be starting 9th and 10th grade respectively this September. During the next few years debates will rage on this sight and others, as well as in conversation between local basketball fans about who's better than whom, and which college programs provide the best opportunities for which kids. The one thing that's not in dispute however is that the future of high school basketball in our region is extremely bright. And the kids in both games proved it yesterday, showing both outstanding athleticism, great skill, and save for some instances of trying to do too much, high basketball IQ.

As one might expect in the 9th graders game, point guards, who are the mainstays of "the city game" stood out. And as city hoops fans in the know might expect, Brooklyn's Erving Walker and Bronx native Ian Umpierre were the stars. Both are point guards who are also outstanding outside shooters, and both are mature enough at an early age to know when to look for teammates and when to look for their shots. While Erving played great as always, it was Umpierre who led his white clad team on a spurt that eventually won the game.

It's important to note first of all that the two "stars" of this class were not the only point men that played well yesterday. Queens native James Johnson, New Jersey native David Johnson and Brooklyn native Vincent Council combined with Umpierre to provide the pressure defense and penetration for the winning rally. Each also showed good ability to pressure the ball on defense as well as make open shots. For the blue team Blaise French combined with Erving to share point guard duties and play very well.

Although point guard is in many ways a hallmark position in both New York and New York and New Jersey, the guys on the wings and on the baseline were not to be outdone. Newark's Ashton Gibbs was outstanding in capturing MVP honors while Queens natives Sylven Landesberg and Justin Newton along with Manhattan's Kafele Carty, along with Brooklyn's Brandon Romain and Nigel Henderson all showed that they are quick and athletic wing prospects with fine shooting strokes.

On the baseline, Brooklyn native David Imes and Lenny McNeil each showed good rebounding ability and the beginnings of a fine face up game. AJ Rogers was outstanding in the pivot. His footwork is getting better to go along with his fine passing and rebounding. There was one other post player who was admittedly unknown to us at "High Hoops" until yesterday Bryant Crowder, a 6'6" Manhattan native is not quite as polished facing the basket as Imes or McNeil. Nor is he as polished in the pivot as Rogers but his running ability and good hands bode well for his future should he continue to work hard.

The 10th graders game also showed the riches of talent at every position in our region in that class. Again, point guards lead the way as CK's Malik Boothe, Xaverian's Zamal Nixon, and Loughlin's Mike Douglas, who are well known to this site each had good moments as point guards. But so did three point men whom we got to see for the first time yesterday. Paul Scotland of Urban Peace Academy and Josh Spivey of Wings Academy are both physical point guards who go to the basket strong while Terrell Holloway is a little more slight but very quick and heady.

On the wings TJ Carey, Marcus Matthews and Rocco Rubino played well, as we have come to expect but John White from St. Agustine High in New Jersey was a player we saw for the first time and we loved his combination of rugged play and outside shooting. Markeys Deans of St. Dom's on Long Island showed an improved outside shot to go along with his typically tough play around the basket. Pivot men Chris Abney of CK, Christian Morris of Loughlin and Elon DeJourdan of Park East High in Brooklyn each played well. Morris in particular demonstrated that the progress he showed at the end of the High School season has continued this summer. Abney showed he's getting more comfortable playing in the pivot while DeJourdan showed an outstanding knack for getting offensive rebounds.

Two other players deserve special mention each for different reasons. I got my first extended look at Devin Ebanks, Loughlin's fine 6'5" wing man who missed the high school season due to an injury. While stamina and speed are still things he's struggling with as he recovers, his length, rebounding ability and his passing skills were in clear evidence. He's also very thin so once he catches up to everyone in his class physically, look out he will be a special player if his work ethic matches his substantial tools. Also seventh grader Lance Stephenson of Brooklyn played and excelled in both ballgames. He has been very blessed in that he has had a growth spurt (from about 5'5" the last time we saw him to his present height of about 6'3") More than that though he has, for lack of a better word survived the growth spurt with his quick feet and great balance in tact. The growth spurt has allowed him to use his great skill and poise to their maximum and the result may be the next truly special player to come out of the city.'

5/15/04 The White team beat the Blue team in the 8th,  9th grade (it's the grade they'll be in next year) boys game. On the left 6-5 Marquis Grant (Christ the King) gets off his shot against 6-3 Lenny McNeil.  To the right the winning White team pictured from left to right is MVP Ashton Gibbs (20 points), Kafele Carty, Albert (AJ) Rogers and Bryant Crowder.  Ian Umpierre (17) and David Imes (13) were strong for the White team while Sylven Landesberg (24), Erving Walker (21) and  seventh grader Lance Stephenson (18) were high for Blue.

From left to right the stars are 5-3 Erving Walker (going to Christ the King), 6-6 Bryant Crowder (undecided), 5-11 Justin Newton (heading for Poly Prep) and 6-5  Marquise Grant (Christ the King).

5/13/04 Saturday's games are at LIU's Brooklyn campus with the boys 8/9th game at 12:00 noon, the girls 8/9th at 2:00 and the boys 10th graders at 4:00.

2004 Right Bounce Basketball Showcase Confirmed Participants

Rising 8/9th Grade - Boys -  Lance Stevenson, Jay Gillman, Ashton Gibbs, Kafale Carty, AJ Rogers, Vincent Council, James Johnson, Blaise Ffrench, David Imes, Devon Elliott, Khalif Staten, Maurice Marley, Marquis Grant, Lenny McNeil, Ian Umpierre, David Johnson, Justin Newton, Andrew Ransom, Bryant Crowder, Sylvan Landesberg, Irvin Walker, Brandon Romain, Treadwell Lewis

Rising 10th Grade - Boys -- Terrell McKenzie, John White, Phil Martin, Andrew Gabriel, Joshua Spivey, Chris Abney, Dakell Glenn, Elan DeJourdan, TJ Carey, Zhmal Nixon, Christian Morris, Marcus Matthews, Rashid Issler, Paul Scotland, Rocco Rubino, Michael Douglas, Kidani Brutus, Markeys Deans, Devon Ebanks, Bradley Wanamaker, Eric Wallace, Malik Boothe, Tramaine Holloway, Nathanial Lester

Rising 9/10th Grade - Girls -- Anjale Barrett, Sky Lindsey, Anaiis Cisco, Tasha Harris, Amelia Horton, Jessica Gatlin, Shakira Leary, Christina Dellille, Andrea Rapacciuolo, Demi Quintana, Dorothy Hunt, Jaleah Sidney, Chanel Chisholm, Erica Morrow, Elon Sidney, Kiara Johnson, Abigal Lindo, Natasha Smalls, Tasha Bartlett, Shemika Smith, Ismatu Tropiano, Alexa Roche.

4/9/04 Rudy King: 'May 15, 2004 @Long Island University - Brooklyn Campus. The 1st Annual Right Bounce Basketball Showcase sponsored by Reebok features the Tri-State regions top rising 8th, 9th and 10th grade boys & girls Student Athletes. All students selected to participate in this years games received nominations from fans, coaches, parents, teachers and friends to be eligible for votes via Right Bounce email or by calling our 24hr Telephone Hotline March 4th – 31st. A grand total 2017 votes were received and we would like to congratulate all of this years selected players. For those coaches, parents and selected players who we haven't contacted we need for you to contact us immediately at our 24 hr hotline (212) 545-5303 for conformation of your participation, sneaker size, uniform size and contact information. You can also email us at rightbouncebball@msn.com. You can also visit us at: www.rightbounce.com.

Rising 8th / 9th Grade Boys Final Selections - Leader James Southerland – 310 Votes.  Ervin Walker - Brooklyn, NY - 5'5", Jay Gillman - Trumbull, CT - 5'6", Joe Swift - Brooklyn, NY - 5'5", James Johnson - Queens, NY - 5'7", Ashton Gibbs - New Jersey - 5'11", Justin Newton - Queens, NY - 5'11", Brandon Romain - Brooklyn, NY - 6'1", James Southerland - Queens, NY - 6'4", Jonathan Riggs - Bronx, NY - 6'4", Darius Mitchell - Westchester, NY - 6'2", Frederick Dominguez - Newark, NJ - 6'8", Ian Umpierre - Bronx, NY - 5'5", David Johnson - South Shore, NJ - 5'6", Vincent Council - Brooklyn, NY - 5'6", Blaise Ffrench - Queens, NY - 5'8", Sylvan Landsberg - Queens, NY - 6'1", Lance Stephenson - Brooklyn, NY - 6'2", Lenny McNeil - New York, NY - 6'2", Devon Elliott - Brooklyn, NY - 5'11", David Imes - Brooklyn, NY - 6'4", Allen Forbes - Bronx, NY - 6'4", Albert Rogers - Queens, NY - 6'5", Nigel Henderson – Brooklyn – 5’10”, Marquis Grant - Queens, NY - 6'5" (Injured)

Rising 9th / 10th Grade Girls Final Selections – Leader Anjale Barrett – 116 Votes. Anjale Barrett – St. Michael’s Acad. – 5’9”, Erica Morrow – Murry Bergtrum – 5’8”, Chanel Chisolm – North Babylon – 5’9”, Talia Chaskley – St. Michael’s Acad. – 6’1”, Sky Lindsey – Christ The King – 5’8”, Lauren Dixon – 5’5” – Christ The King – Anaiis Cisco – Orange, NJ – 5’6”, Tasha Harris – St. Michaels Acad. – 5’8”, Leah Goodwin – St. Michaels Academy – 6’1”, Cailyn Wheeler – Poly Prep – 6’2”, Megan Mahonie – St. Peters – 5’8”, Wykeema Gray – Canarsie – 5’10”, Natasha Smalls – St. Michaels Acad. – 6’1”, Maria Laterza – Bishop Kearny – 6’1”, Chenell Stukes – Thurgood Marshal Acad. – 5’9”, Shemika Smith – Brooklyn – 6’1, Shakira Leary – Brooklyn – 6’0”, Alexa Roche – Mepham – 5’10”, Christina Dellille – IS 59 – 5’5”, Sophia Malone – St. Mary’s Secondary, Natasha Pegan – Queens – 6’1”, Demi Quintana – Marc Twain – 5’9”, Samantha Demo – St. Clares – 5’4”.

Rising 10th Grade Boys Final Selections – Leader Darius Gabriel – 172 Votes. Darius Gabriel – Far Rockaway, NY – 6’0”, Zhamal Nixon – Brooklyn, NY – 5’9”, Mike Colburn – Mt. Vernon, NY – 5’11” – John White – Richland, NJ – 6’2”, T.J. Carey – Long Island, NY – 6’3”, Chris Abney – Queens, NY – 6’5”, Devon Ebanks – Queens, NY- 6’4”, Melquan Boolding – New York, NY – 6’4”, Malcolm Pope – New York, NY – 6’0”, Andrew Gabriel – Brooklyn, NY – 6’5”, Christian Morris – Bronx, NY – 6’8”, Cori Fisher – Bronx, NY – 6’0”, Malik Booth – Queens, NY – 5’7”, Marcus Matthews – Queens, NY – 6’1”, Joshua Spivey – Yonkers, NY 5’10”, Mike Douglas – Queens, NY – 5’9”, Ray Jones – Amityville, NY – 6’0”, Rocco Rubino – Queens, NY – 6’0”, Paul Scotland – New York., NY – 5’11”, Justin Rivers – New York, NY – 6’3”, Rashid Issler – Brooklyn, NY – 6’5”, Morgan Kelly – Queens, NY – 6’7”, Brandon Walters – Brooklyn, NY – 6’8”.

4/1/04 Rudy King: 'Right Bounce Basketball Showcase is May 15, 2004 @Long Island University - Sponsored by Reebok.

Just wanted to say thank you to all of the basketball community who participated in nominating and voting for the Right Bounce Basketball Showcase participants throughout the tri-state region. Overall there were 2017 votes calculated and this year's leaders in total votes were rising 8th/9th grade boys James Southerland with 310 votes, 10th grade boys Darius Gabriel 172 votes, 9th/10th grade girls Anjale Barrett 116 votes. The final selections for the 2004 Right Bounce Basketball Showcase basketball teams will be announced on Tuesday April 5th. Once again thank you all for your great participation and we look forward to seeing everyone on May 15th @LIU.'