What are you supposed to explain when talking about someone sought by the likes of UConn, FSU and Michigan State? Most probably greatness. Ask Rocket Watts, the No. 1 prospect coming out of Ohio in 2019 and future MSU Spartan. And yet, with all of this, we can consider him only the second-best player in a Spire team led by Melo (yes, bullies are coming packed in full.)

It ain’t a unique routine, for sure, but don’t get surprised if you catch Rocket awake and putting up shots in the gym barely by the time your father gets to bed. Watts is ahead, and he only wants more. Actually, what started as a middling career with a dubious future ahead (he was ranked No. 100+ in the nation just one year ago) has turned into a sure-thing waiting to hit the NBA. Excuse me, I better say smash it.

Just check this out. This summer playing for The Family on the summer Nike U17 tourney, Rocket hung 20 buckets per game. He can handle the ball, move it around and find his targets, spot on. You know the best thing about playing along LaMelo Ball? He can hook you up anytime. Tell Rocket about it and he’ll show you an endless string of killer dunks, so start getting some free time in your schedule cause it may take a while to cover all of them.

And still, he shares the court with yet another stud. Spire can’t stop, won’t stop.

* * *

The class of 2020 looks strong. Michigan State, well, they pounded on Watts and could strike gold on Isaiah. Why would you get satisfied just scoring one of them? Bring Rocket in 2019, build a solid team around him, hope he stays for a second year (sorry Spartans, he won’t) and pair him again with Jackson later. One can dream and East Lansing looks like the place of dreamers nowadays, to be fair.

Don’t get fooled by that messy hairdo though. Isaiah is ditching offers from top-dog colleges and looks like he would be pleased to greet Sparty every week in a couple years when he arrives in campus. Can’t say he doesn’t deserve it now, and much less that he won’t deserve it even more in 12 months time when he finishes his high school run. Melo could be anywhere, Rocket is NCAA-bound, but Isaiah Jackson will keep bringing his game to Spire. No little business.

The kid is putting up 15.2 PPG and it is hard to watch him drop below the 10-point mark. And then, there are the rebounds. The rock can’t escape Isaiah’s hands in the paint. He’s turning the ball over no more than he’s sharing dimes and we’re talking about a big guy. And don’t look now, but he’s blocking almost five shots per outing while also getting a good couple of steals a game. Complete package, they say.

So yes, this is Spire Academy 2019 and if you don’t know, now you know. Being undefeated is a thing. Coasting is another, and the Academy is surely bringing flair to the game.

​

​After transferring out of Texas, Jonathan Jackson has had to sit out the first half of the season. Last night he made his junior season debut and he went crazy! Check it out!

The Rematch is set. Find out how it all shook out in our official recap video below!

​Jada Williams is back again, this time against the only team thats beaten her this season. Grain Valley is a solid team that runs their sets and scores efficiently, their bigs have nice size with a solid skill set making them a tough cover for defenders. 

This game would go into overtime where Jada would hit a clutch shot to give her team the lead!

Check out the come behind victory!

​Christian Braun committed to Kansas this week. After doing so, he made his way to Rockhurst College with his high school squad, Blue Valley Northwest where he destroyed Wyandotte high school in his only fall league game of the day.

THE Warriors are one win away from the perfect postseason.
The Golden State Warriors took a commanding three games to none lead in the 2017 NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers after a stunning comeback in game three. On Wednesday night in Cleveland at Quicken Loans Arena, the Cavs took a lead in the third quarter, their first lead not in the first quarter all series.  The team carried it late in to the fourth quarter before the Warriors storming back in the finals minutes of the game. The comeback was capped by a Kevin Durant (41 min., 31 pts, 8 rebounds, 4 assists) three pointer over LeBron James (46 min., 39/11/9)  to put the Warriors up by one with 45 seconds remaining. The final 45 seconds for the Cavs were a scramble to get shots off while also trying to keep the Warriors from furthering their lead.

Ishmail Wainright reflected on his recruitment and discussed what young prospects should be aware of during their own recruitment processes.
In Kansas City, MO, I was able to catch up with former Baylor University letterman, Ishmail Wainright at Team Rush practice. During the interview, he expressed warnings about self-conduct and social media, and touched on how to be the best prospect possible.
Wainright has been through the recruitment process so he’s familiar the dos and don’ts. He says how a player presents himself on and off the court is a key contributor to a player’s image. He stressed the importance of keeping body language up as to not show discontent. He believes that positive body language can improve a player’s attitude from a singular mindset to a team mindset. He reflected on his time at Baylor and said he could remember times where he or his teammates had gotten frustrated early on in a game, took some possessions off and, “we left early from the [NCAA] tournament.”
Wainright also stressed the importance of self-awareness. He says every team has personnel designed to fit their own role to allow the team it’s highest chance of success. If a player is a strong defender but lacks a jump shot, don’t be a free shooter and take the ball from the team’s scorers. Wainright wants young players to know their own strengths and weakness, and to be aware of risky decisions in a game. “If you’re not doing it in practice, you shouldn’t do it in the game.”
He also wants young players to be aware of how they present themselves on social media. Wainright, who has recently deleted his social medias had this to say, “Social media can kill a kid. You know, that’s all some guys look at. Kids will have their mixtape on social media only showing the best part of their game, leaving recruiters to believe that player can’t, play defense, or shoot the three. It can just drain a kid’s confidence if the coaches don’t like what they see.”
He used Zion Williamson as a comparable example, “I want to see how he [Zion Williamson] does when he gets to college. I’m not knocking him or anything, that’s a tough kid. But I want to see how he plays defense, or how coachable he is.”

BRYANT Mocaby is stronger and more physical than most, showing the crowd at the KC Classic why he has gained so much interest from schools in recent weeks.
This past weekend, Kansas Pray N Play shooting guard Bryant Mocaby showcased his entire skillset at Hardwood Events KC Classic at the Sports Pavilion in Lawrence, Kansas. When asked if playing physically came naturally to him he said, “On defense it’s always been there. It comes naturally and it gets physical down there [under the rim], so I have always had to play to that.”
His defense is tight and physical. He bodies players his size, or uses his length to suffocate and clamp the smaller, quicker guards. Mocaby would often force the ball handler into the corner, effectively using the baseline or other out-of-bounds lines as a second or third defender. He can stop a fast break by just getting in front of the movement and forcing a pick-up, allowing the rest of the defense to catch up.

ON the offensive front, Mocaby has really worked to transition his game from passive to aggressive. “I’ve always had a long range shot but I’ve never really went for it because I played very passive. Now that I’ve been really playing more aggressive on offense and carried more confidence in my shot, it’s been falling a lot more.”
This aggressive mindset has made him a prolific shooter. Whether he had an open three-pointer or a contested mid-range jumper, the confidence in his shot was there. From the very first game of the tournament he showed that he can drain the long ball from a shooter’s position with his feet set. He also displayed ability to hit the three on the run after a screen for a quick catch-and-shoot.
In his opinion, Mocaby could improve on his ball handling skills to give him more of an edge. Despite not being a strong ball handler, he still finds opportunities to score outside of his catch-and-shoot play style. His size and physicality allow him to body bigger defenders under the rim and go up strong against contact. On day two of the event, Mocaby received a pass from beyond the arc, made one quick feint to the right, and then broke left towards the rim. Leaving his defender behind him, he picked up his dribble, switched to his right hand, and violently threw down a dunk on the jumping defender under the rim. This play was a true visual of Mocaby’s physical strength as he was able to finish the dunk through mid-air contact. It also displayed the obvious development of his confidence in his offensive game.

MOCABY tries to model his defense after NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Kawhi Leonard, for his quiet yet unrelenting demeanor. He looks to Oklahoma City Thunder point guard, Russell Westbrook for his game-time mindset, “He just plays so hard, every motion is fun with him.”
Mocaby has gained interest from a number of Division II programs and an official offer from Washburn in Topeka, Kansas. Going into his senior year of high school, Mocaby’s big goal is to reach state for the first time before graduation.
Mocaby is 6’5” and currently attends Goddard High School located in Goddard, Kansas.   

RJ Lawrence showed that he can set the tone on offense and control the pace of an entire game if given the minutes.

AT the KC Classic by Hardwood Events at the Sports Pavilion in Lawrence, KC, RJ and MO Team Carroll Premiere 17u played the duration of the tournament undermanned. Schedules, injuries, and other personal matters allowed for no more than six of their players to be at the event on any day for the weekend. Being short staffed, RJ could shine. When asked if having just enough guys to suit up for a game changed the team mentality or attitude he said, “We knew when we came out and gave it the 110% as always, but having just six, seven guys it would be tiring. We knew that no matter what we just had to keep fighting through.”

RJ played every game, sometimes playing point guard, other times switched over the shooting guard. When playing point, he effectively set up the offense, called plays, and the team would develop fluid ball movement until the opportune shot could be taken. Other times at point guard RJ would size up his defender and spin by or just blow passed him if the lane was available. Many times, Lawrence drove to the rim where he was met with strong contact in the paint. Going up strong against the defenders, he was still able to get the shot off, draw the foul, and gain himself a trip to the free throw line for two shots. In the first three games of the tournament, RJ shot at least six shots from the charity stripe where there was no open shot but was able to draw a foul and create his own scoring opportunity. He converted those opportunities at a high rate.

WHEN  playing as the shooting guard, RJ played with a very different style. At all times he was moving. Whether he finding space to shoot, maneuvering a quick catch-and-pass, or setting up a screen, RJ was a nuisance for the defense. Often at this position, the play would bring the ball to RJ’s hand while he was in a perfect shooters position beyond the three-point line. To get to this position, he would cut across the baseline and rub his defender on the men in the paint, would roll off a screen and find himself open at the top of the key, or the play would be specifically designed for him be open for the shot. Once the ball was to him in these situations, Lawrence let it fly. From all around the arc, and from seemingly limitless depth, RJ made it rain threes. Twice in the tournament he made back-to-back-to-back threes in consecutive possessions.

RJ is a self-proclaimed combo guard, saying he can play both point and shooting guard, but says he really tries to work on becoming a better point guard and finding the mismatches on the court, especially down low. As a stronger shooting guard, naturally his scoring ability is the highlight of his game. He has range from three and can make an easy jumper at mid-range. He can effectively drive the lane and draw a foul or make the defender miss and finish the lay-up.
His defense is tight and annoying for the offense. He works at his defense in the weight room to become physically stronger against the ball handler, and works on his agility regularly to maintain lateral quickness. When challenged on defense his focus does not waiver. “Get me mad enough and I can guard anybody,” he said with a wry smile when asked if he is a confident defender, “I try to play somewhat conservative on defense, but if the big steal is needed, or the big move, I take it.”

RJ Lawrence standing at 5’11”, is gearing up for his final year and season of high school at Blue Springs High School in Blue Springs, Missouri. He has garnered interest from some well-known Division II schools as well as some smaller Division I programs despite being undersized. With his senior campaign of high school and another AAU circuit next summer still to come, RJ’s high offensive ceiling paired with a year of training could make him a serious prospect for the next level.

EACH year the Kansas City Classic tournament hosts a number of talented individuals and teams with the 2017 event being no different. The main site for the KC Classic this year is the Sports Pavilion in Lawrence, KS. Games are set to begin tonight (Friday) with bracket play beginning Sunday.


HoopFocus Watch List 

1. Tyreke Locure - MoKan Elite 
2. Rj Lawrence - Team Carroll
3. Tyem Freeman - MoKan Elite
4. Isaiah Mosley - MoKan Elite
5. Rodvon Jennings - MoKan Elite
6. Clay Gayman - KC Pacers
7. Andre Luiz - Kansas Pray N Play
8. Hadge Diallo - Kansas Pray N Play
9. Wes McCullough - KC Magic 
10. Dajaun Harris - MoKan Elite 

Predicition:

17u: Kansas Pray N Play Champions
16u: MoKan Elite (15u) Champions
15u: Kingdom Hoops Champions


Visit HardWoodEvents.com for the full list of teams participating in this event as well as all schedule information and changes!

LANDON Harrison is a rising senior point guard from Jefferson City, MO generating low-major division I interest with several division II offers already. He competes throughout the summer with Team Carroll, underneath Coaches Ben Lyles and Tim Ward. 

UNFAMILIAR with Landon? Let me catch you up to speed. Landon is a lightning quick guard who is ALL energy the entire time he is on the floor. He is a willing defender and a crafty scorer. Landon is at his best when shooting off the dribble, mid-range or beyond it doesn't matter, his sweet shooting stroke and elevation on his jump-shot make him a tough cover for opposing defenders. Although undersized, Landon is fundamentally sound when handling the basketball and has a solid build for his frame, allowing him to finish inside against bigger defenders.

I caught up with Landon after a Team Carroll win in their first game in the Ramey Jets tournament this past weekend: 

AW: How would you describe your game to a fan or coach who  hasn't seen you play?

LH: I just want people to know that no matter what, I am going to go out and give everything I can all game long. 

AW: What're you working on each day in the gym?

LH: I have been working  my jumpshot, attempting to develop a quicker release. Also, I am working on my floater because of my size. It will allow me to score over taller defenders.

AW: Are you holding out in hopes of playing Division I?

LH: I just want to play, man. No matter the level. 

AW: Dream school?

LH: Honestly, I can't see myself going too far. Illinois would be great. I am being patient with the process and enjoying the last summer of AAU.

AW: How have you enjoyed playing with Team Carroll?

LH: I've loved it. Coach Lyles and Tim have done a lot for me. 

Prediction: Landon will find himself a home at the Division II level following high school and be very successful as he would be a great addition to any program at that level.