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Hasina Muhammad Says Yes To Auburn
 Hasina Muhammad 6'1 G/F (Ridgeway High School) Congratulations goes out to Ridgeway G/F Hasina Muhammad for choosing Auburn University as the school of her choice once she leaves Ridgeway next year. Muhammad will bring versatility to Auburn where I think she will immediately remind some of former Auburn and current WNBA player, 6′4 guard, Dewanna Bonner. At her position, Muhammad bring energy as well as her vast talent from scoring with the jumper to attacking the rim to her defensive presence where she will use her long arms to disrupt passing lanes and her lenght to block shots with her timing. Not only is she a great basketball player, she is also one of the areas best high jumpers, where she will look to set the high jump record this year. She is well spoken young lady who will do extremely well at Auburn. Congratulations Hasina and represent Memphis to the fullest in the SEC.
Another Great Event For Memphis Product, Patosha Jeffery
 Patosha Jeffery - MemphisGirlsBasketball.com
The End of The Summer Shootout took place this past weekend with several local teams and players looking to take advantage of that one last opportunity to be seen in front of college coaches. Among the teams with some local flavor were Team Memphis Elite- Coach Little, Tennesse Glory- Richardson, Idlewild Fury and the Memphis Disciples. Jeffery always puts on great events and as usual, this was a success. The former Hamilton High School and former University Of Memphis standout said, ”When I look at Memphis Girls Basketball, I think of myself, I was that girl once and if the talent is their, why not let it been shown so the girls can get a free education” There were several colleges in attendance including, the University of Memphis, Arkansas State, Ole Miss, Missouri State, Binghampton (New York) Alabama A&M, Christian Brothers, Tennesse Tech, Three Rivers and Pearl River Community College.
Her next two events, one an exposure event, the Pre-Season Show Off Camp, October 2nd and the other a tribute to her grandmother called the Grannie’s Girls Basketball Camp will be held at Ridgeway Baptist. Once again, I would like to thank Patosha for even extending an invite to me and letting me come out to the event.
RIP LORENZEN WRIGHT
 True Memphis Hero As I got in my car today after work, I get a instant message from a co-worker and my heart literally fell. “Man they found a body today on Winchester and Hacks Cross” My instant thought, Wow!!! Damn, its Lorenzen but I got a slight glimmer of hope but most of the time the police find a body, its normally not good. As to much of people’s darkest thoughts,everyone found out that it was Memphis product, Lorenzen Wright. Former BTW product, former University Of Memphis star and former Memphis Grizzly found dead, fatally shot. I felt almost like it was a family member that had passed away. Me and Lorenzen were not friends, we never hung out, I never went to his house and had dinner with him and his family but I felt like someone I knew personally was gone. My nephew played on a team this past year that included his two twin sons and he came to a few games. I had a chance to meet him after a game and he seemed like a really nice and genuine guy. Why do I feel this way for a guy who I really didn’t know? Why? Because he a Memphis product, young and gone to soon from his family and friends. I started to think, his children will never see his face again, his mother will never see him again, his father, the people who’s lives he touched. So senseless and tragic, I can admit, it brought a tear to my eye. No matter what happens in anyones life, no one deserves to be killed in such a tragic manner but this is not uncommon. People it seems are unfazed by murder in Memphis now and rightfully so. Hell someone dies every day, a tragic death but Lorenzen is different. True, his celebrity and accomplishments on the basketball court are the reason that everyone and I mean everyone has a feeling or something to say about it but that is rightfully so. 7TH overall to the Clippers in the 1996 draft, he played 3 years there and left for Atlanta in 1999 before coming home to play for the Memphis Grizzlies from 2001 to 2006, where he played and started on a Grizzly playoff team. Some insensitive people may say, what makes him any different from anyone else killed in Memphis. Its simple, he’s Lorenzen Wright, he was not the average person. He’s Memphis through and through, a guy that made it from Memphis. Everyone knows his father, Herbert Wright, a damn good player I might add in his day. Everyone knows Lou Wright, his younger brother whom I know personally from my days as a trainer at Southwest. This is why it touches me, I remember on some occassions where Lorenzen would come up to Southwest and play one on one against Lou. That was the kind of thing that he did because he was so close to his brother. I truly hate this for his family, words can’t describe losing a family member but definitely not in this way, not for a guy like Lorenzen. Then we have some of the most insensitive people in the world, trying to hear the crying and screams from his house. That is wrong on all levels and personally dispicable in my mind. Who does that? Story or not, isn’t grieving a family thing? Do his kids deserve that? What about his 13 yr old that called him every day that he was missing? Do they deserve to hear their screams and crying heard just to say, you can hear emotion in their house? Lorenzen was a celebrity but no one deserves that. For the next several days, people will make up some of the most out of this world stories about him and that part is sad as well. I heard a guy on the radio ask, I wonder how many baby mommas does he have, what the hell does that have to do with anything? I love to write and talk about positive things that have to do with basketball so at times like these, this is hard for me. Imagine what his family feels like right now. This is a truly tragic story with a sad ending but nothing is like knowing that God can see you through anything in life. Please pray for the Wright family, I know I will.
Class of 2010 Signees
* Please Note, There are I’m sure dozens of other signees but the list below is of the players I know of.
 Harry Green 6'0 PG - Christian Brothers University 1. Joe Jackson - University Of Memphis
2. Chris Crawford - University Of Memphis
3. Tarik Black - University Of Memphis
4. Frankie Bougher - Jacksonville State
5. Nick Mason - Idaho State
6. Austin Hollins - University Of Minnesota
7. Jordan Hulsey - Xavier
8. Montez Fifer - Southwest Tn CC
9. Anthony Green - Southwest Tn CC
10.Reshaun Brown - Southwest Tn CC
11.Walter Davis - Mott
12. Rashad Harris - Coahoma CC
13. Robert “Tank” Brown -Paris CC
14.Anderson Cunningham - Northwest Ms CC
15.Marcus Tarrance - Paris Tx CC
16.Bobby Jones - Eastern Oklahoma CC
17.Theodore King - Eastern Oklahoma CC
18.Allen Farmer - Eastern Oklahoma CC
19.Brandon Wright - Eastern Oklahoma CC
20.Maceo Harmon - Columbia State CC
21.Daryl “Boo” Marshall - Mott
22. Todd Mayo - Prep
23. Chris Jones - Prep
24. Carlos Denton - Columbia State/Prep
25.Antwan Cathey - Eastern Oklahoma CC
 Chris Crawford - University Of Memphis Signee
Jerron Washington 6′5 G/F - Kirby High School (2012)
 Washington's Play Key In Kirby's 2010-2011 Season Chances are, you don’t know much about the 6′5 forward from Kirby. Thats because Kirby was at the bottom of the year in, year out toughest league in the city, 15-AAA but things could change this year. No I’m not saying they will win district but head coach Retushas Spears has the team improving and it starts with Washington’s play. He has an unorthodox game, kind of old school feel. He’s crafty around the basket and he handles the ball well enough to play some off guard but he’s usually more of a 3-4 player for Kirby. His mid range jumper is nice but he may need to extend his range just a little bit more, out to the 3 point line to make him more of a threat beyond 12 feet. He can guard 4 positions on the floor and is a very versatile player. He will be key to Kirby’s improvement along with new pg, Trevail Lee if Kirby is to improve on their wins this year.
Darius Gibson 6′6 PF/C - Craigmont High School (2012)
 Player To Watch For The 2012 Class
I remember seeing the long and pretty skinny 8th grader at Craigmont Middle a few years ago when his team went undefeated on their way to a middle school state championship and wondering, why doesn’t he play that much. Not to worry though, he’s playing now and turning into one of the better post players in the city. Gibson at 6′6 has filled a little bit since his days of running with his super talented middle school team and turned into a confident shot blocker/rebounder with good hands and a knack for offensive rebounding. He highly active around the rim making him hard to box out and he can put finish it with a bucket if fouled at a high rate. He likes to go to the jump hook as a weapon in his offensive game but right now, he is raw and he’s more a rebounder and big time defensive presence than scorer on the block. He has great anticipation which makes him an above average shot blocker and he will only get better offensively with experience and coaching. Still a bit light in weight, Gibson is a player that college coaches should know about because he is a classic post guy who actually wants to play in the post.
Which Is These Players Will Rise In The Rankings?
 Left-Right(M.Newby,A.Anderson,R.Houston,W.Atwood,D.Moore,D.Hampton) Not that is a surprise to many but the 2012 in Memphis is serious. From Jarnell Stokes, a top 20 player in the country to Darius Moore (pic-up top) some players have yet to scratch the surface of how good they could be. Alex Anderson of East High School is one of the city’s top point guards in any class and his recruitment should be begin to pick up as I think he has elevated himself so far this summer. Martavious Newby is without a doubt is the best combo guard in this class and probably a top 5 guard in his class across the state. Moore and Willie Atwood, both of Melrose are looking for breakout years in the coming season and Robert Houston has been the consumate contributor for Craigmont the last two years. Davonte Hampton, also of Melrose will be asked to take over the point guard spot that was held by all everything, Chris Jones
Question is, can any player in this class overcome Stokes as the number 1 player? Maybe not but not of the realm of possibility. For the next two days, I will look at some players from this class that some don’t know a lot about but you will by this year and they could have big seasons. First up tomorrow, Darius Gibson of Craigmont High School.
Memphis Super Shootout
 John Hudson -6'4 Guard (Memphis Select)
 David Pledge - 5'11 G (Memphis Hoopers) A weekend filled with basketball ended on Sunday with the two of the city’s best summer tournaments coming to an end. The Memphis Super Shoot Outs best games were on Saturday afternoon with a top 10 player in the country arriving on Saturday. Ben Mclemore, the ESPN number 9 rated player in the country has top flight athleticism and showed it off with a couple of impressive dunks through out the day but the game of the day was against the tournament host, the Memphis Select featuring an impressive player of its own, Cedric Mcafee. The game was close for awhile but the Select’s talent took over late in the game. John Hudson (pic at top) shot the ball extremely well as Select closed out the game and took a double digit lead with under4 minutes left. Mcafee while not shooting the ball that well, showed his passing ability with a few nice passes in the exhibition game of the tournament.
After a tough game with the Elite Ballers, it was on to the Memphis Hoopers in what was supposed to be a win for the Select right? Not quite, down as many as 12, the Memphis Hoopers just kept hanging around and hanging around till the second half, where they pretty much outplayed the Select who did not play Octavious Ellis, Im assuming due to two technical fouls in the game before. The Hoopers were led by Westwood guard, David Pledge who shot the cover off the ball including 7 3 pointers for 33 points in the game. Does he have a came as one of the top 10 guards in the Single A? Assuming he stays healthy, along with Westwood’s other top 4 returning, expect them to be in the hunt again for a birth in the state.
River City Classic
The All-Stars found new life in the second half of the 14s championship game as they got the win,58-55 on a good effort by Cedric Anderson Jr, Reggie Jackson Jr and Kelvin Bates Jr, who got a big steal with under 1:00 minute left to seal the deal for New Life. Andre Bell of the All-Stars was named MVP of the tournament with Anderson and Marcus Deanes being name to the all tournament team.
 14's Tournament Champs (New Life All-Stars)
In the 16s game, the Memphis Magic 15s took on the Memphis Stars and the Stars jumped all over them early. After being up as many as 16 and down by 12 at the half, the Magic put together a run and cut it to 7 a few times but the Stars countered. Rod Tucker was key for the Stars and Alex Anderson who finished with 18 points on his way to being named to the all tournament team. The Stars captured the 16’s championship 55-46. Leading the way for the Magic was Matthew Butler who played like the Matthew that I know in the second half. I still think he could lead the city in scoring by his junior or senior year, big statment but I think the talent is there. He had 15. Other all tournament players include Cameron Golden, Mattew Butler and Billy Rosenberg, the tournament MVP.
 16s Tournament Champions (Memphis Stars)
Memphis Magic Elite Take Aim In Classic
 Memphis Magic Teammates (Andre Hollins- Nino Johnson) The Memphis Magic Elite have the best talent of any tournament without any doubt. They are lead by trio of high school teammates in 6′7 Nino Johnson, 6′2 guard, Andre Hollins and 6′6 F/C Marvin Williams all of White Station High School. Johnson looked really impressive against M33 and pretty much did whatever he wanted to do on offense as well as his teammates on their way to over 100 points. Hollins sliced and diced his way to rim on repeated occassions but another guard played his way hopefully into the eye of the several division 1 coaches in the gym. 6′1 Joe Northington shot the ball extremely well in the first half knocking in 4 treys but it was his ability to get to the basket and score with the floater and lay ups that really showed the kind of talent he has. His frame must get bigger but he proved that he can score the best guards in the tournament with 27 points.
Another player that played well was Jarekious Bradley formerly of East High School. The 6′4 forward was lights out shooting the ball as he hit his first 6 jumpers including going 3 of 3 from the trey spot. He had 22 points. He is looking to go prep but with his effort on Friday afternoon, he may not be there long.
Other game of note: The Memphis Stars beat the Memphis YOMCA 15s on a great performance from Rod Tucker who had 24. The 6′2 undersized forward was every where for the Stars but he had help. Billy Rosenbery rebounded the ball well using his physique to muscle his way to 13 rebounds. Demetrius Bryson of the Y had his moments but often found himself fading on shots and not squaring up on his shot. He is an intriguing player to watch though at 6′4 with a chance to grow a few more inches. Sophmore to be, Markell Crawford oozes potential, Im waiting for that breakout stretch of games or one game to really get him going.
13&under: The Memphis Magic destroyed the Trotters who were without some key players by 25 plus with a great effort from Malik Hicks, Chris Mcneal and Khalil Spencer. The player who stood out in the game to me was Christian Wilkerson, brother of Tevin from Melrose. Talk about confidence, he must have at confidence skittles before the game because he attacked the rim and finished getting a few and ones as well for a great effort of 31 points. His handle must get better and his shooting but the talent is there to turn into a sleeper in that 7th grade class.
 Joe Northington 6'1 PG - Making Noise
Hillcrest Guard Starting To Garner Lots Of Attention
 Kerrel Davis (Ball In Hand) Hillcrest High School 2011
You have your Adonis Thomas and your Cedric Mcafee’s hot on the minds of Division 1 colleges across the country but here is a name you should soon know, Kerrel Davis. The 5′10 lightning quick pg has become full qualifier and he now be pursued by the likes of Missouri, MTSU and other colleges around the country. Davis is virtually impossible to stay in front of, don’t believe me, ask someone who has seen him play. He may be as fast with the ball as any guard in the state and his ability to get to the rim is unmatched in the city. His first step lets beat most if not all off the dribble and he is pass first which makes him a prime pg for a college who is looking for a player to get others involved and not worry as much about his scoring output. His speed and quickness could make him a really good defender on the college level depending on his effort level. I think he could be a major division type player if he starts to finish with both hands and learn to hit the mid range jumper on a more consistent basis. Shooting is not his strong suit but that can be worked on and Im sure he will become a better shooter as he continues to get better. Right now, he plays with the Memphis YOMCA 17S travel squad where he has made a name for himself around the country and as the summer continues, his offers should increase.
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