July 2015 | Page 11 of 17 | Zagsblog
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Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
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    • Articles, Recruiting

    Screen_Shot_2015-07-01_at_1.02.10_PMNORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — Kassoum Yakwe and his PSA Cardinals teammates are a perfect 5-0 entering Saturday night’s Peach Jam quarterfinal matchup with Team Takeover.

    The 6-foot-7, 205-pound power forward from Our Savior New American and the reigning Nike EYBL Defensive Player of the Year, Yakwe has led the Peach Jam through pool play in both rebounds (11.8) and blocks (5.6).

    So it’s no surprise that he has attracted numerous coaches here. One source close to Yakwe said St. John’s, Kansas and Oregon are “working very hard on Kassoum.”

    As previously reported here, Yakwe is targeting a decision soon after Peach Jam on what he will do next year. Yakwe could end up on a college campus in 2015 or attend prep school for one season.

    Recruiting

    ATLANTA, GA - July 10, 2015:The adidas Gauntlet Finale at North Gwinnett High School in Atlanta Georgia. (Photo by Kelly Kline/adidas)

    The NY Rens won the adidas Gauntlet Finale championship behind 34 points from Rawle Alkins. (Photo by Kelly Kline/adidas)

    Rawle Alkins went off for 34 points and the NY Rens defeated the Atlanta Celtics, 80-66, Friday night to win the adidas Gauntlet Finale championship in Suwanee, Ga.

    Coach Andy Borman’s team led 45-31 at the break when the 6-foot-5 Alkins had 25 points.

    “Rawle played like a top-5 player in the country,” Borman told SNY.tv. “He played well in all facets of the game and is going to be an impact player wherever he goes to school.

    “I absolutely love coaching him.”

    Alkins’ recruitment has taken off this spring and summer as he’s added offers from numerous high-major programs.

    Articles, Recruiting

    4_2917411NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — This could be the year that the Houston Hoops win the Peach Jam.

    After two straight quarterfinal losses with teams that featured Justise Winslow and other stars, the Houston team may finally be poised to win it all this year.

    And that is certainly what senior point guard De’Aaron Fox has in mind.

    The 6-foot-4 floor general from Katy (TX) Cypress Lakes went for 19 points and 7 assists Friday night in a convincing 89-66 win over Miles Bridges and The Family that improved Houston to 3-1.

    Coaches have flocked to see Fox and the Hoops at this event, but he says four schools are showing the most interest.

    “At this point, Kansas, Texas, Louisville and LSU,” he said. “LSU’s really come on strong in about the last two weeks. So those four I would probably say are coming at me the strongest.”

    He also mentioned that he has interest in N.C. State, Baylor and other schools.

    Articles, Recruiting

    MILES-BRIDGES-140508-PRO

    NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — Miles Bridges has been one of the most impressive players here at the Peach Jam, with coaches like Kentucky’s John Calipari and Michigan State’s Tom Izzo among those regularly watching his games.

    The Michigan native currently features a list of eight schools — Michigan State, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana, North Carolina, N.C. State, Iowa State and Louisville — but plans to cut his list after Peach Jam.

    “Shortly after Peach Jam I will [cut it] down to a top five,” he said Friday night after going for 25 points and 7 rebounds in an 89-66 loss to Houston Hoops.

    Articles, Duke, Kentucky, Recruiting

    NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — I have seen the future of basketball and his name is Marvin Bagley.

    Standing at 6-foot-11 and weighing 215 pounds, the 16-year-old Bagley attracted a crowd at the Peach Jam on Friday afternoon that included Kentucky coach John Calipari, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and two assistants and a slew of other high-major coaches who all came to see basketball’s next big thing.

    “It was a crazy feeling,” Bagley, who plays for Tempe (AZ) Corona Del Sol High, said in the corner of the gym after putting up 20 points and 16 rebounds in We All Can Go’s 65-53 win over Mokan Elite in the 16s division. “I wasn’t expecting them to come watch these games. But I’m just thankful, man. It’s been a great experience.”

    Articles, Duke, Recruiting

    4_2971152NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — It’s not much of an exaggeration to say that Duke has huge recruiting momentum here at the Peach Jam.

    Many observers feel the Blue Devils are the favorites to land 2016 stars Jayson Tatum and Harry Giles, and Duke is also heavily in the mix with several elite 2017 stars.

    The latest player to say so was 6-foot-10 Wendell Carter Jr., who says that Duke is recruiting him the hardest and that he hasn’t heard as much from Kentucky.

    If all the dominoes fall for the Devils, Duke’s big men could go from Jahlil Okafor to Chase Jeter to Giles to Carter Jr., with 2018 Marvin Bagley waiting in the wings.

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