The “Are You From Here?” Tour will stop in Brooklyn on Wednesday and Friday where the Under Armour athletes will play an exhibition game against Boys & Girls High School on Wednesday and Lincoln High School on Friday. Both games are set for 3:30 p.m.

“These guys are excited,” Lincoln coach Tiny Morton told SNY.tv. “If you’re a high school kid, if you’re a kid trying to be an NBA player, you wouldn’t mind trying to test your skills against them.

“I think it will be more entertainment than a real basketball game. It’s great to be on the same court as those guys.”

Lincoln has produced NBA players Stephon Marbury, Sebastian Telfair and Lance Stephenson, while Connie Hawkins, Lenny Wilkins and Pearl Washington all played at Boys High.

Walker, who led UConn to Big East and NCAA Tournament titles last season, played at the now-defunct Rice High School.

After the games, Jennings, Williams, Walker and Vasquez will visit the Fulton Street Foot Locker (Wednesday, 5:45 p.m.) and 34^th Street Foot Locker in Manhattan (Friday, 6:45 p.m.) where they will interact with fans, sign autographs and participate in Q&A sessions.

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NEW YORK — Isaiah Whitehead

He feels it paid off as he was named Co-MVP of the Hoop Group Future All-American Camp earlier this month.

“[I got] a lot better. I definitely got stronger, [worked on my] ball-handling and jump shot,” Whitehead said Friday in Harlem during practice for The Franchise Classic.

The 6-foot-4  2014 shooting guard holds offers from Syracuse, St. John’s and Rutgers and said “UNC is close.”

Whitehead is also hearing from Kentucky, UCLA, Miami and Florida.

“It makes me feel great,” he said.

“My favorite player came from Syracuse, Carmelo Anthony. I know Michael Jordan is from North Carolina, a lot of NBA products.”

Still, he said Kentucky may be his favorite school of all.

Following in the footsteps of Stephon Marbury, Sebastian Telfair and Lance Stephenson, Whitehead still has several years to make a decision, and said he’s targeting the “end of AAU’ season in 2013 before making one.

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After spending last season at Lincoln High School, the 5-foot-9 guard said he will likely land at either Trinity (Conn.) Catholic or Northwest (Conn.) Catholic, where he would play with Long Island Lightning teammate Kuran Iverson.

“I’m definitely transferring out of Lincoln,” Telfair told SNY.tv by phone. “I’m looking at some schools in Connecticut and New Jersey. I’m leaning toward Trinity Catholic and Northwest Catholic.”

Telfair also said he plans to reclassify into the Class of 2014 from 2013.

“When school starts I’ll be Class of 2014,” he said.

In June, Telfair put up 19 points, 10 assists and five rebounds to help the  Long Island Lightning 16U team beat Grassroots Canada in the Hall of Fame National Invitational championship game in Springfield, Mass.

Telfair was arrested in May on charges of carrying guns and trying to bribe a police officer. According to the Daily News, he had three loaded guns on him when he was picked up at the O’Dwyer Gardens houses in Coney Island.

“I was at the wrong place at the wrong time,” Telfair told the New York Post in June. “[Lightning coach]  Shandue McNeil says 30 seconds can change your life and he’s right.”

Sean Adams, Telfair’s coach with the Metrohawks said, “That’s over with. I want him to have a second chance.”

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Trevor Lacey

The 6-foot-3 shooting guard from Huntsville (Ala.) Butler High finished up his official visit to Kansas Monday.

He is down to Kansas, Kentucky, Alabama and Auburn and will reportedly announce at 2 p.m. on May 18 at his high school. Lacey had also considered a visit to UConn and or N.C. State, per KUSports.com.

The No. 24 ranked player in the Class of 2011 and the No. 6 shooting guard, Lacey averaged 31.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 2.6 assists a game this past season.

TRAYLOR LIKELY TO VISIT TEXAS TECH

Jamari Traylor, a 6-8 forward from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academies, will likely visit Texas Tech.

“It is very, very likely that he will visit Texas Tech,” IMG coach Andy Borman said Tuesday. “They’re going to finalize the details tonight.”

Traylor is considering Kansas, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. He has visited the first two schools.

DeAndre Daniels, a 6-8 wing from IMG, is down to Duke, Kansas and Texas, but has yet to announce.

STOKES TO HAWAII

Lincoln point guard Shaquille Stokes signed with Hawaii, becoming the first New York player in recent memory to head to the Aloha State.

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Isaiah Whitehead

Now the freshman has picked up a scholarship offer from North Carolina, according to the New York Post.

“I know they have a great program,” Whitehead told the Post. “A lot of [NBA] players came out of there like Michael Jordan, Vince Carter. I’m real excited.”

The paper also reported that St. John’s, USC, Pittsburgh and Syracuse have offered the 6-foot-4, 175-pound wing.

“It makes me feel good, but I know I still have to keep working and I can get some more schools,” Whitehead told the Post.

Whitehead scored 25 points Sunday to pace the Juice All-Stars to an 86-63 victory  over Team Albany at the iS8 Nike Spring League.

Whitehead and 6-10 St. Patrick frosh Dakari Johnson are among 24 players chosen to the 2011 USA U16 Developmental National Team tryouts.

That players will train June 10-18 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., before a 12-man team is selected for the 2011 FIBA Americas U16 Championship June 21-25 in León, Mexico.

(Photo courtesy NY Post)

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NEW YORK — Lance Stephenson

“Born Ready” was courtside Saturday night to watch his old friend Kemba Walker and the UConn Huskies beat Louisville, 69-66, for the Big East championship.

The Brooklyn native will be right back at the Garden on Sunday at 1 p.m. to watch his alma mater, Lincoln High School, take on Boys & Girls for the PSAL championship.

And then Stephenson will cap off his Big Apple weekend when his Indiana Pacers visit the Knicks at 6 o’clock.

“I hope they win [Sunday],” Stephenson said of the Railsplitters (28-2), whom Lance led to an unprecedented four straight PSAL titles from 2006-9.

“It’s weird seeing the young fellas play. A lot of kids [were] on the team when I was on the team, so I’m going to come out and support them and hopefully get that win tomorrow.”

Stephenson is a fan of talented Lincoln freshman Isaiah Whitehead, a 6-foot-4 wing averaging 14 points, five rebounds and three assists.

“He’s good,” Stephenson said. “I [saw] him when he was younger, but now that he’s in high school I’ve seen he’s grown a lot. He’s a better player and he’s helping the Lincoln team get better as team.”

Whitehead, ranked among the top freshmen in the nation, is considered the next in a line of Lincoln stars that includes Stephon Marbury, Sebastian Telfair and Stephenson.

Whitehead said Stephenson gave him some words of advice when they spoke last summer.

“[He said] come in and play a role and this team will be yours at some time,” Whitehead recalled.

Said Stephenson: “I told him, ‘Work hard, stay focused in school. School comes before basketball and when you do good in school, then the basketball comes easy.’”

Lincoln coach Tiny Morton said Whitehead, a supremely athletic wing with a high basketball IQ, could be as good as any of the Lincoln legends before him.

“He’s got a chance to be right there,” Morton said. “He’s not as skilled as those guys [were] earlier. But he’s got a chance to be right there.”

The all-time leading scorer in New York history, Stephenson said he hopes someone — perhaps Whitehead — breaks his scoring mark at some point.

“I want somebody to break my record so he’s coming off as a good start as a freshman,” Stephenson said. “I just want to see somebody that’s doing better than me.”

From where he sits, Whitehead tries to avoid comparisons to Stephenson, Telfair and Marbury.

“I just want to be Isaiah Whitehead,” he said.

Whitehead’s favorite NBA player is another Brooklyn native, Carmelo Anthony, who sat in the front row wearing sunglasses for the UConn-Louisville game.

After spending much of the NBA season glued to the bench under former coach Jim O’Brien, Stephenson may get some run against Anthony and the Knicks.

Under interim head coach Frank Vogel, Stephenson is averaging 4.6 points and 1.9 rebounds in 13 minutes per game.

“Frank is a great coach,” Stephenson said. “I’m just happy I’m getting playing time and I’m just trying to help my team win.”

Asked if he was excited to conclude his hoops-happy weekend by playing at the Garden instead of watching, Stephenson said, “I can’t wait to get here.”

(Photo courtesy Daily News)

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Murphy, 6-foot-9 senior forward, scored 20 points, including a highlight-reel breakaway dunk, and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Lincoln, No. 21 in the USA Today Super 25, to a 63-52 victory over St. Raymond’s in the PrimeTime Shootout at Kean University’s Harwood Arena.

“I definitely had a lot of anger behind me,” Murphy said. “The incident that happened wasn’t even that serious for me to get suspended for two games. But I just felt like you’ve got to try take advantage sometimes.

“And I just came out to prove a point this game to show that I am one of the best big men in the city.”

Murphy was given a two-game suspension by the PSAL for allegedly punching a South Shore player during Thursday’s Brooklyn Borough semifinals.

He had to sit Saturday when the Railsplitters beat Jefferson, 78-61, for the Brooklyn Borough championship.

He will miss his second game in Lincoln’s first PSAL playoff game.

“It will definitely be hard,” he said, “but I’m not going to sulk, I’m not going to complain. I’m just going to sit on the bench and cheer my team on.”

Murphy and freshman teammate Isaiah Whitehead (18 points, 6 rebounds) were named Co-MVPs for the Railsplitters (24-2), while Lawrence Graves was St. Ray’s MVP after scoring 13 points.

“Everything is looking good for us right now,” Lincoln coach Tiny Morton said. “I think we’re going to miss Murphy for one more game and then we should have our whole team and get ready for a city run.”

Murphy’s dunk came late in the fourth quarter on a breakaway when he flushed home a one-handed jam to to put Lincoln up 58-47.

“I was on the trailer,” Murphy said. “I told one of my guys, ‘I’m trailing,’ he threw a perfect pass. I just had to finish hard.”

Murphy said he was motivated for Lincoln, a public school that won four straight PSAL titles from 2006-09, to beat St. Ray’s, a Catholic school power.

“We came out as the underdogs,” Murphy said. “I know a couple of guys said we’re going to have a hard time time with the game.”

Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon, Rutgers coach Mike Rice, Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard, Texas Christian coach Jim Christian, La Salle coach Dr. John Giannini and Wagner coach Dan Hurley were among those on hand to watch Murphy, Whitehead and St. Ray’s juniors Daniel Dingle (7 points) and Nkereuwem Okoro (15 points).

“I noticed a lot of coaches,” Murphy said. “That’s why I came out and played hard. Everybody on my team played hard. We all want the opportunity to play D1. More than likely we’re going to get our chance at a big-time college.”

Murphy plans to attend prep school next season to polish his game, although he hasn’t decided where yet.

“I feel like now I don’t have a lot of confidence in my dribble game, my pullup game,” he said.

“Once I go to prep school I’ll get that confidence and I’ll be a complete player.”

(Photo courtesy Daily News)

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Among the uncommitted players expected are Andre Drummond of St. Thomas More (Conn.), the No. 1 junior in the nation; junior forward Amile Jefferson of Friends (Pa.) Central; 2012 guard Myles Davis of Notre Dame Prep, who’s considering Pitt, Georgetown, Villanova and Xavier; and 6-11 center Lekan Ajayi of Quality Education (N.C.), who’s looking at Seton Hall, Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Loyola Marymount.

A dozen players signed or committed to Big East programs are also expected, including three future St. John’s players, Maurice Harkless, Sir’Dominic Pointer and Dwight Meikle. Derrick Randall (Rutgers), Freddie Wilson (Seton Hall), Achraf Yacoubou (Villanova), Khem Birch (Pitt), Angel Nunez (Louisville), Jermaine Sanders (Cincinnati) and Ricardo Ledo (Providence) are also on the docket.

Fordham and Maryland also have commits playing in the event.

For more information, check out BigAppleBasketball.com here.

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They are only high school freshmen, but in just a small amount of time they have already made an impact on the basketball court.

While there is no clear-cut top prospect in the class of 2014, a number of players around the country appear destined to become stars

2014 features two top players who verbally committed to schools before they played a single game in high school.

Indiana head coach Tom Crean picked up commitments from Tre Lyles, a 6-foot-7 forward from Arsenal Technical (IN), and James Blackmon Jr., a 6-foot-2 shooting guard from Bishop Luers (IN).

While this was part of a recent trend in which the Hoosiers picked up some of the top local and national talent around the country, Indiana is stacked and loaded for the class of 2014. Lyles, who committed in September, plays AAU ball for the same program Kentucky-bound Marquis Teague ran with, Spiece Indy Heat. Blackmon Jr comes from the same program and will be coached by his father, James Blackmon Sr., a former Kentucky All American.

Despite no one emerging yet as the top player in class, one big man may end up being the best.

Coaches are drooling over New York native Dakari Johnson, the 6-foot-8 big man who attends New Jersey powerhouse St. Patrick, which won the prestigious City of Palms Classic Wednesday night on a last-second 3-pointer from Jarrel Lane.

Johnson put up 10 points and 12 rebounds in the semifinal win over Mater Dei (Calif.) and averaged 9.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in the event.

One opposing coach said of Dakari, “He has size and can score down low. I’m very impressed with him. He is the next big time St. Pat’s kid.”

St. Pat’s coach Kevin Boyle thinks Johnson could grow to 7-feet or taller.

“It would surprise me if he doesn’t end up 7-foot to 7-2 , 300 to 310 [pounds] and be able to carry it well,” Boyle said.

As far as his recruitment, Boyle added: “He went unofficially to Georgetown [and Xavier] and I don’t think there’s anybody who’s not going to offer him. He just has terrific potential. His biggest thing is to get in great condition.”

Boyle also has another son who will play basketball at St. Patrick. Although he won’t get much time on the varsity level this year, Brendan Boyle, a 5-8 guard and the younger brother of former St. Pat’s standout Kevin Boyle, will make an impact in the near future for his father’s team.

The youngest Boyle and Johnson have become great friends and Brendan is one of Dakari’s biggest supporters.

“To me, Dakari is the most skilled, smart and well rounded players at his heights and weight that I’ve ever seen,” he said. “That is saying a lot considering I have been around some of the top high school, college and pro players throughout my life.”

Illinois is another state that is stacked with talent for 2014.

One school, Whitney Young, is the home of two of the best. Forwards Paul White and Jahlil Okafor are absolute beasts and people are starting to notice.

White stands at 6-7 while Okafor is a force inside at 6- 8, 260 pounds. Multiple coaches have told me that they “love” the duo and landing both in a package deal would be ideal. Both have been on the Illinois campus a fair amount and would fit in well at the home-state school.

Don’t sleep on Canada, though. Grassroots Canada coach Ro Russell may no longer have Cory Joseph, Tristan Thompson and Myck Kabongo at his dispatch, but he has a number of freshmen who will walk in their footsteps.

Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Kevin Zabo and Andrew Wiggins are all making big names for themselves in different locations. Rathan-Mayes, a 6-3 guard, plays high school ball with Russell and his Christian Faith Academy team in North Carolina. Zabo, a 6-2 guard, attends St. Mark’s (Mass.). Wiggins elected to stay in Canada for his freshman year and play at Vaughan.

“They are the cream of the crop for the 2014 class,” Russell said. “They all have Top Ten potential. When they play together in AAU, it would be a joy to watch, even for me.”

While he hasn’t established himself as a big name nationally yet, Kaison Randolph is a local prodigy.

A 6-2 native of Trenton, N.J., Randolph plays the guard position for the Pennington School. Randolph thrives off the dribble and finishes at the basket in traffic. His ability to grab his own offensive rebounds makes him even more dangerous as he gives himself second and third chances. With loads of potential, he has not hit his peak yet according to his AAU coach.

“Kaison has a lot of work ahead of him, but as of now he is definitely one of the top freshmen around,” said Matt Pauls of Team NJABC.

Pauls has coached a number of talented guards over the years including Steve Rennard (Penn), Frantz Massenat (Drexel), Tony Chennault (Wake Forest) and Khalid Lewis (Delaware), among others. Look for Randolph to grow into one of the top 2014 players in the Garden State.

With the days of Sebastian Telfair and Lance Stephenson over at Lincoln High School in Brooklyn, it’s time for one freshman to step into the spotlight and follow in their footsteps.

Isaiah Whitehead, a 6-3 guard, had Lincoln coach Tiny Morton as his math teacher last year.

Now Morton is a teaching Whitehead the fundamentals of being the next great New York guard. Although he is not starting right off the bat, he is putting up good numbers and contributing to Lincoln’s great season so far.

The Railsplitters are currently unbeaten and have key wins over Brooklyn Thomas Jefferson, in which Whitehead scored 17 points, and Brooklyn Boys & Girls, in which he scored 12. While Whitehead is not flashy and does not like the attention of the media like Telfair and Stephenson did, he has the marketability. Isaiah will be Isaiah Whitehead and no one else.

The New England area is loaded with talented seniors, juniors and sophomores. While the top freshmen have not been established yet, one player is making a big name for himself: Wayne Selden, a 6-4 forward from the Tilton School (N.H.).

With a number of different schools after him, look for Selden to be the best up and coming talent to come out of New England for his grade.

“He’s going to be a very special player,” said one coach on Wayne.

For the Class of 2014, the talent level is there and the star power is already emerging.

It will only be a matter of time until we are all talking about their recruitment and watching them play in the McDonald’s All American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic.

(Isaiah Whitehead photo courtesy Daily News)

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BoxofMess.com

Special to ZAGSBLOG.COM

TRENTON, N.J. -- Here’s a complete rundown on Saturday and Sunday”s action at the PrimeTime Shootout at the Sun National Bank Center…

In the last game Saturday night, Doron Lamb scored 49 points — three shy of LeBron James‘ 2003 tournament-record 52 — on 21 of 29 shooting but Oak Hill Academy fell to St. Peter’s Prep, 84-81.

Lamb’s college list now includes five schools: Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, UConn and West Virginia. West Virginia assistant Larry Harrison was in the house.

“Coach [Jim] Calhoun’s leave of absence got me a little worried, but now he is back so I am not concerned,” Lamb said of his decision to add UConn to his list.

In the win for St. Peter’s Prep, Myles Davis had 33 points, while St. John’s-bound forward Ron Roberts had 23.

Davis and Plainfield junior guard Tyrone Johnson attended the Georgetown-Rutgers game Sunday at the RAC, won by Rutgers,71-68. Georgetown just offered Johnson last week.

***Earlier Saturday, Life Center knocked off Our Savior New American for a second year in a row at the Primetime Shootout, 75-58, behind 34 points from Syracuse-bound guard Dion Waiters and 14 points from uncommitted junior LaQuinton Ross, who transferred from Murrah (Miss.) High.

LaQuinton on his transfer, “My people thought it was time for me to play in some better games against some better competition.”

LaQuinton’s list, “Villanova, Georgetown, UConn, the ‘Cuse, Mississippi State, Mississippi, Florida, Texas, the list goes on.”

On visits, “I plan to take some visits this summer.”

On a college decision, “Probably next year. I’m going to narrow it down to a top 5 by the end of the summer.”

Dion reflecting on the list of 5, “Next year they going top 5 and Syracuse is gonna be in there.”

Dion jokingly talking about not being selected to the McDonald’s game, “They jerked me, that’s motivation man, they jerked me, I know I deserved to be there.”

AND ON A DIFFERENT NOTE….. LaQuinton Ross does not know who Van Gogh is….

***Lincoln defeated Middle Township 61-47 behind Shaq Stokes who had 17 points and Kamari Murphy finished with 7.

Shaq Stokes on when he will commit, “Next year before the season starts”

Shaq Stokes’ list, “Florida, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Stanford, and some more.”

Kamari Murphy’s list, ”Seton Hall, Virginia Tech, Auburn, Rutgers, Providince, Virginia, Pittsburgh.”

Kamari Murphy on when he will commit, “This summer”

Kamari Murphy’s favorite, “Virginia”

Ethan Telfair on early favorites (despite not having much interest or offers), “Syracuse”

Tiny Morton when I asked if I could ask him any Lance Stephenson questions, “Oh please no, no, no. I get that to much.

Tiny on Kamari’s Recruiting, “Kamari will most likely reclassify. I see Shaq going D1.”

Tiny on the upcoming AAU Season for Juice All Stars, “I have something new I’m going to try. I am canceling all of April to do individual training with all the players to get them better for the summer. (Later in the interview) “You’re the first one to know that.”

***Coming off Friday night’s nationally televised loss to Oak Hill at Kean College, St. Patrick was led by Michael Gilchrist and Kyrie Irving, who combined for 39 points, as they knocked off Rice, 74-56.

Irving on one thing most people don’t know about him, “I was invited to play for both the Australian and U.S. National teams. I was born in Australia so I have dual citizenship. Both invites are a big honor to me.”

***In Sunday’s action, Half Hollow Hills West defeated Christ the King, 73-69, as Tyler Harris’ free throws sealed it at the end. Tobias Harris, despite fouling out, had 19 points, while Tavon Sledge led the way with 22. Omar Calhoun led CTK with 24 points.

Among the coaches on hand were UConn’s Jim Calhoun, Villanova’s Jay Wright, Pitt’s Jamie Dixon and Rhode Island’s Jim Baron.

Tyler Harris’ list, “It’s going a lot better this year. West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Indiana, a lot of Big East and ACC schools. I’m getting more offers like Seton Hall.”

Tobias Harris on Tyler Smith being kicked off Tennessee, “No, not at all. They’re just taking steps up after that.”
Tobias on being a McDonald’s All American, “It’s an honor, it feels great. I’m excited to have a lot of fun.”

Tobias on one thing most people don’t know about him, “Not to many people can beat me in ping pong.”

Omar Calhoun’s list, “Villanova, Rutgers, Louisville, UCLA, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, St. John’s, …. the list goes on.”

Calhoun’s visits, “I visited Pitt and St. John’s unofficially. St. John’s was fun and so was Pitt.”
Calhoun’s college decision, “By my junior year.”

Calhoun on possibly playing for John Calipari, “It would be great. I’m not going to think about that now. I’m just going to keep getting better so I can in that situation.”

Calhoun on location, “Location will not be a factor for me.”

Despite Jayvaughn Pinkston getting in foul trouble, Bishop Loughlin beat Cherokee 55-36. Kareem Canty led Loughlin with 13 points.

Pinkston on being a McDonald’s All American, “It’s a big honor. It’s a big basketball and it’s a great honor for me, you know.”

Pinkston on why he didn’t sign yet, “No, I’m signing in April. I was originally going to commit to Tennessee but some things happened along the way so I went with my 2nd option in Villanova. Tennessee was my first.”

Pinkston on one thing most people don’t know about him, “I’m a good kid.” (smiling)

Coach Calhoun on how he is doing, “I’m doing pretty good.”

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