[SwaggyVCParticipant]

 Im sure someone has an interesting story….. And when i say see, i mean in close proximity.

For instance i played pick up with Dante Exum gaurding me….. I held my own on offense but defensively there wasnt much point even trying…. Sooo fast.

[B EazyParticipant]

 Jimmer…

 Hand down, man down.

Also, hand up, man down

 

 

[B EazyParticipant]

 Jimmer…

 Hand down, man down.

Also, hand up, man down

 

 

[Mr. FrisbeeParticipant]

 A good friend of mine had Kobe Bryant as his coach for a week at a summer camp.  My friend was 14 and Kobe was going into his senior year of High School.

[Mr. FrisbeeParticipant]

 A good friend of mine had Kobe Bryant as his coach for a week at a summer camp.  My friend was 14 and Kobe was going into his senior year of High School.

[Scott42444Participant]

 I sat on the bench, but to be fair I was an 8th grader GOING IN to high school, but my High School team played Farragut High School.  Senior Kevin Garnett and Ronnie Fields were just scary good.  My silly ass wasn’t prepared for the jump from Junior High to High School and this was literally the first game I suited up with the team (the coach invited a couple guys to sit in with the team, but none of us played).  Ronnie was actually more dominant.  I played against Thornton in both Football and Basketball and Melvin Ely and Antwaan Randle El were great.  But in football, they had Tai Streets, Napoleon Harris, and Antwaan Randle El and they were GOOD (we lost 18-8, not bad playing against some NFL guys AT Thornton).  Lupe Fiasco was in the stands that day too, which is weird.  I just was reminded of that recently.

In college, I went to Iowa and played some games with Dean Oliver, Reggie Evans, Luke Recker, Jared Reiner, Glen Worley and Duez Henderson in basketball.  I also played against some of the football guys like Joey Gallery, Ladell Betts, Steinbach, Kasper, etc.  in basketball with some of the basketball guys.  I could hang, but I was DEFINITELY NOT the best on the court.  Ever.

 

[Scott42444Participant]

 I sat on the bench, but to be fair I was an 8th grader GOING IN to high school, but my High School team played Farragut High School.  Senior Kevin Garnett and Ronnie Fields were just scary good.  My silly ass wasn’t prepared for the jump from Junior High to High School and this was literally the first game I suited up with the team (the coach invited a couple guys to sit in with the team, but none of us played).  Ronnie was actually more dominant.  I played against Thornton in both Football and Basketball and Melvin Ely and Antwaan Randle El were great.  But in football, they had Tai Streets, Napoleon Harris, and Antwaan Randle El and they were GOOD (we lost 18-8, not bad playing against some NFL guys AT Thornton).  Lupe Fiasco was in the stands that day too, which is weird.  I just was reminded of that recently.

In college, I went to Iowa and played some games with Dean Oliver, Reggie Evans, Luke Recker, Jared Reiner, Glen Worley and Duez Henderson in basketball.  I also played against some of the football guys like Joey Gallery, Ladell Betts, Steinbach, Kasper, etc.  in basketball with some of the basketball guys.  I could hang, but I was DEFINITELY NOT the best on the court.  Ever.

 

[Sewok15Participant]

Wayne Ellington was on my summer league team when he was going to 9th grade and I was going to 10th….I knew he was going to be really good…but Final Four MOP was even better than I thought. It goes to show you how tough it is to make it considering he is averaging 3 PPG this year and is the best player I ever played with and against.

The first time I saw him was when he was in 7th grade in the tournament our middle school team hosted. He was playing on the 8th grade team and was hands down the best player in the tourney. Luckily his team was defeated in the semi-finals and we went on to beat the team that beat them in the finals.

Then I played on his high school summer league team because most of our team played baseball or other sports and we couldn’t put out a consistent 5+ guys. He was the go to guy on that team before he was even in high school and that team had 2 other 1000+ point scorers who were seniors when he was a freshmen. I think the team had 4 college players not including Wayne….and they didn’t even win their division (which was D2) that year. The team that did win that division was Conrad Weiser and they had 6 college players on their team…My sophomore year we started 5 sophomores and played them in the first round of the playoffs and they beat us 72-27 (possibly the worst I have ever felt on a basketball court).

Now the game we played Wayne’s team Daniel Boone wasn’t much closer but we scored almost 40 that game. I remember guarding him and doing a decent job most of the game but he blew by me one time with a crossover the likes I had never seen before. They actually had their football teams QB throw an alley oop on an out of bounds play from half court to this 6-2 white kid and he slammed it on us something fierce. They dunked on us at least 5 times and that is when I decided maybe I wasn’t as good as hoops as I had thought.

After his freshmen year Wayne transferred to Episcopal Academy in Philly and played with Gerald Henderson before he went on to UNC and the NBA…but at least he gave Berks County ball a good year first.

The best player I saw up close was Kobe in high school…Jameer Nelson was also an incredible high school player at Chester.

[Sewok15Participant]

Wayne Ellington was on my summer league team when he was going to 9th grade and I was going to 10th….I knew he was going to be really good…but Final Four MOP was even better than I thought. It goes to show you how tough it is to make it considering he is averaging 3 PPG this year and is the best player I ever played with and against.

The first time I saw him was when he was in 7th grade in the tournament our middle school team hosted. He was playing on the 8th grade team and was hands down the best player in the tourney. Luckily his team was defeated in the semi-finals and we went on to beat the team that beat them in the finals.

Then I played on his high school summer league team because most of our team played baseball or other sports and we couldn’t put out a consistent 5+ guys. He was the go to guy on that team before he was even in high school and that team had 2 other 1000+ point scorers who were seniors when he was a freshmen. I think the team had 4 college players not including Wayne….and they didn’t even win their division (which was D2) that year. The team that did win that division was Conrad Weiser and they had 6 college players on their team…My sophomore year we started 5 sophomores and played them in the first round of the playoffs and they beat us 72-27 (possibly the worst I have ever felt on a basketball court).

Now the game we played Wayne’s team Daniel Boone wasn’t much closer but we scored almost 40 that game. I remember guarding him and doing a decent job most of the game but he blew by me one time with a crossover the likes I had never seen before. They actually had their football teams QB throw an alley oop on an out of bounds play from half court to this 6-2 white kid and he slammed it on us something fierce. They dunked on us at least 5 times and that is when I decided maybe I wasn’t as good as hoops as I had thought.

After his freshmen year Wayne transferred to Episcopal Academy in Philly and played with Gerald Henderson before he went on to UNC and the NBA…but at least he gave Berks County ball a good year first.

The best player I saw up close was Kobe in high school…Jameer Nelson was also an incredible high school player at Chester.

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

Anybody remember Teddy Dupay? Little white dude from Cape Coral, ended up playing a few years for the Gators. Was a Macdonalds All-American and had a fearless scoring vibe in HS, was practically unstoppable when he got going.

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

Anybody remember Teddy Dupay? Little white dude from Cape Coral, ended up playing a few years for the Gators. Was a Macdonalds All-American and had a fearless scoring vibe in HS, was practically unstoppable when he got going.

[redeyejediParticipant]

 Had to cover Armon Johnson in high school; held him to 20 something instead of his customary 30 something (averaged over 30 his junior/senior years). Played against, but didn’t guard, Luke Babbit.

[redeyejediParticipant]

 Had to cover Armon Johnson in high school; held him to 20 something instead of his customary 30 something (averaged over 30 his junior/senior years). Played against, but didn’t guard, Luke Babbit.

[DolanCareParticipant]

 I played on the same court as Kemba when he was at Rice- pretty sure he was a sophmore at the time, not completely sure. He was so damn good I couldn’t believe it. What makes great players so amazing is the fact that they can cover so much ground so quickly. Kemba would glide from the 3pt line to the rim in 3 steps. Thank god I didn’t guard him. 

[DolanCareParticipant]

 I played on the same court as Kemba when he was at Rice- pretty sure he was a sophmore at the time, not completely sure. He was so damn good I couldn’t believe it. What makes great players so amazing is the fact that they can cover so much ground so quickly. Kemba would glide from the 3pt line to the rim in 3 steps. Thank god I didn’t guard him. 

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Wrote in this thread:

http://nbadraft.net/forum/favorite-high-school-player-0

Played against, probably nothing too special. Shot around with Aaron Brooks when I was in college, that was cool. Guess my playing days were nothing spectacular, just have been privileged enough to see some really good players when they were still in HS.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Wrote in this thread:

http://nbadraft.net/forum/favorite-high-school-player-0

Played against, probably nothing too special. Shot around with Aaron Brooks when I was in college, that was cool. Guess my playing days were nothing spectacular, just have been privileged enough to see some really good players when they were still in HS.

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 my first year of high school (soph) we played a exhibition game against Bradleys team.  He was only about 7’3" back then,  I was the shortest player on my team, 5’2" (i didn’t grow till my senior year) our coach thought it would be funny to send me out to do the jump ball.

So there I was excited to be not only playing in my first high school game, but to be starting.  I rember looking up and being able to see in his nose.

 

The ref got us set and tossed the ball up.   I jumped with all my might and swatted at the ball.  I miss. What I did do was get high enough to slap him across the face. I got called for the foul and the coach pulled me from the game.

 

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 my first year of high school (soph) we played a exhibition game against Bradleys team.  He was only about 7’3" back then,  I was the shortest player on my team, 5’2" (i didn’t grow till my senior year) our coach thought it would be funny to send me out to do the jump ball.

So there I was excited to be not only playing in my first high school game, but to be starting.  I rember looking up and being able to see in his nose.

 

The ref got us set and tossed the ball up.   I jumped with all my might and swatted at the ball.  I miss. What I did do was get high enough to slap him across the face. I got called for the foul and the coach pulled me from the game.

 

[ChrispyParticipant]

 The best player I have played against in terms of that player’s future success or simply the best player? I will break it in to two parts

1) best player(s) I have played against success-wise: I still play with Rock Lloyd, former McDonald’s All-American and Big-West player of the year. I have played with/against the Danish National team -not saying much, but more than a little 😉 – and Mustapha Shakur back in high school camps

2) Best players I have played against period: Onidjae(last name unknown)- growing up in urban north-east New Jersey he was the best in the mid-late ’90’s. He had scouts literally handing him stuff. Handles on top of handles. My dad used to come to the YMCA to watch him mess us up…. and my dad would laugh. Also, Horace the Helicpoter Jenkins from William Patterson D3 in Jersey. Won the NCAA slam dunk title back in the day- 5’11” of pure slashing ability, he had a year or two in the league in his late 20’s with the Pistons during their title years. 

That said, Steve Greene from Duarte, CA was the best I have ever played against. He broke a guys ankle in a pick up game…literally broke his ankle. He also caught a rebound over my 6’7" best friend and dunked it on him. Steve was 5’7". Unfortunately legal stuff was his downfall. He must be 35 now, and I wonder if he is a free man. Sad.

 

 

 

 

[ChrispyParticipant]

 The best player I have played against in terms of that player’s future success or simply the best player? I will break it in to two parts

1) best player(s) I have played against success-wise: I still play with Rock Lloyd, former McDonald’s All-American and Big-West player of the year. I have played with/against the Danish National team -not saying much, but more than a little 😉 – and Mustapha Shakur back in high school camps

2) Best players I have played against period: Onidjae(last name unknown)- growing up in urban north-east New Jersey he was the best in the mid-late ’90’s. He had scouts literally handing him stuff. Handles on top of handles. My dad used to come to the YMCA to watch him mess us up…. and my dad would laugh. Also, Horace the Helicpoter Jenkins from William Patterson D3 in Jersey. Won the NCAA slam dunk title back in the day- 5’11” of pure slashing ability, he had a year or two in the league in his late 20’s with the Pistons during their title years. 

That said, Steve Greene from Duarte, CA was the best I have ever played against. He broke a guys ankle in a pick up game…literally broke his ankle. He also caught a rebound over my 6’7" best friend and dunked it on him. Steve was 5’7". Unfortunately legal stuff was his downfall. He must be 35 now, and I wonder if he is a free man. Sad.

 

 

 

 

[llperez]

summer before my senior season my high school team played in the 1999 Watts summer games where it was a 64 team tourney and we had a solid squad that advanced to the elite 8 where we faced Dominguez Compton featuring Tyson Chandler. I knew all about Chandler ahead of time so I only played like 5 minutes but still remember the whole game because I knew I was playing vs a future nba’er.

A month later I played in another tourney vs Grant High of Los Angeles. This skinny baller lit us up who I never heard of. A week later my teammate told me that guy was committed to Arizona to play ball. I followed him ever since. His name was Gilbert Arenas.

[llperez]

summer before my senior season my high school team played in the 1999 Watts summer games where it was a 64 team tourney and we had a solid squad that advanced to the elite 8 where we faced Dominguez Compton featuring Tyson Chandler. I knew all about Chandler ahead of time so I only played like 5 minutes but still remember the whole game because I knew I was playing vs a future nba’er.

A month later I played in another tourney vs Grant High of Los Angeles. This skinny baller lit us up who I never heard of. A week later my teammate told me that guy was committed to Arizona to play ball. I followed him ever since. His name was Gilbert Arenas.

[MalcolmxParticipant]

The summer before my 8th grade year, I played AAU ball for the New Jersey Playaz. I faced off against Team Philly which had Dion Waiters. He was a monster to be in that grade. Was already about 6’1 and about 190 pounds.Superior guard skills. I held my own. At the time I was one of the better middle schoolers in New york city. I could of been something but I was lazy and wanted to be a bad a**, I realized to late that I messed up. Any way though. Dion had 30 plus he was doing anything he wanted.I guarded him a few time. About 15 of his points had to be on me.He is the best future NBA player I have faced.

Due to me playing travel ball when I was younger I face a lot of future D1 players. Jabari Peters(Sam houston state)Sidiki Johnson( Arizona then Providence) Shaquille Stokes (Hawaii then Hofstra).

Most eye popping player I have seen but didn’t play against were Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre.

Drummond’s size and mobility and athleticism at 16 looked just unreal to me. I thought I was dreaming. He could do anything he wanted whenever he wanted

Kelly Oubre just has such a smooth game and has a skilled game and then he has high level athleticism to throw on top of it. First time I seen him play live he had 35.

Isaiah Whitehead is also another good one that I have seen. I see him play pretty often and he never disappoints.

 

 

 

 

[MalcolmxParticipant]

The summer before my 8th grade year, I played AAU ball for the New Jersey Playaz. I faced off against Team Philly which had Dion Waiters. He was a monster to be in that grade. Was already about 6’1 and about 190 pounds.Superior guard skills. I held my own. At the time I was one of the better middle schoolers in New york city. I could of been something but I was lazy and wanted to be a bad a**, I realized to late that I messed up. Any way though. Dion had 30 plus he was doing anything he wanted.I guarded him a few time. About 15 of his points had to be on me.He is the best future NBA player I have faced.

Due to me playing travel ball when I was younger I face a lot of future D1 players. Jabari Peters(Sam houston state)Sidiki Johnson( Arizona then Providence) Shaquille Stokes (Hawaii then Hofstra).

Most eye popping player I have seen but didn’t play against were Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre.

Drummond’s size and mobility and athleticism at 16 looked just unreal to me. I thought I was dreaming. He could do anything he wanted whenever he wanted

Kelly Oubre just has such a smooth game and has a skilled game and then he has high level athleticism to throw on top of it. First time I seen him play live he had 35.

Isaiah Whitehead is also another good one that I have seen. I see him play pretty often and he never disappoints.

 

 

 

 

[surveParticipant]

 Being from Raleigh, I have seen a lot of talent up close by attending games.  John Wall, T-Mac, Stat, David West, Chris Wilcox, Donald Williams, Courtney Alexander,  etc.  Nate McMillian is cousin by marriage.

Best player I have been on court with is Rodney Rogers.  Followed by Corchiani and Monroe when they were at NC State.  These were pick up games in the park.   Transferred to Millbrook my senior year but didnt play.  On the team at the time was Anton Gill, who I still know to this day.  He played overseas and son plays for Louisville.

The best player I played the most with however is a guy many of you probably never heard of.  Gary Mattison.  Was CIAA leading scorer about 10 years before Flip Murray.  Avg 30ppg.  Had NBA potential.  6’5" SG/SF.  A lot of scouts came to see him his senior year at St. Aug.  Flip made the most of his opportunities.  Gary definitely couldve played overseas at the very least.  Wont get into why he didnt but I am sure you can use your imagination.  Just didnt have his head on straight.

 

 

[surveParticipant]

 Being from Raleigh, I have seen a lot of talent up close by attending games.  John Wall, T-Mac, Stat, David West, Chris Wilcox, Donald Williams, Courtney Alexander,  etc.  Nate McMillian is cousin by marriage.

Best player I have been on court with is Rodney Rogers.  Followed by Corchiani and Monroe when they were at NC State.  These were pick up games in the park.   Transferred to Millbrook my senior year but didnt play.  On the team at the time was Anton Gill, who I still know to this day.  He played overseas and son plays for Louisville.

The best player I played the most with however is a guy many of you probably never heard of.  Gary Mattison.  Was CIAA leading scorer about 10 years before Flip Murray.  Avg 30ppg.  Had NBA potential.  6’5" SG/SF.  A lot of scouts came to see him his senior year at St. Aug.  Flip made the most of his opportunities.  Gary definitely couldve played overseas at the very least.  Wont get into why he didnt but I am sure you can use your imagination.  Just didnt have his head on straight.

 

 

[NJHooper95Participant]

 The best player I seen up close was Dajuan Wagner no doubt. IMO the greatest high school scorer ever!! 

The best I ever played against was Jay Williams while we were in AAU. Damon Santiago of Rutgers was good as well, we played one on one in the park. He ran off ten straight on me after I had a 9 to 1 lead

[NJHooper95Participant]

 The best player I seen up close was Dajuan Wagner no doubt. IMO the greatest high school scorer ever!! 

The best I ever played against was Jay Williams while we were in AAU. Damon Santiago of Rutgers was good as well, we played one on one in the park. He ran off ten straight on me after I had a 9 to 1 lead

[FastAndFuriousParticipant]

 Best player I played against was Ramar Smith he was rated the #5 in the nation by rivals back in 06 he was older than me at the time in HS but he was sooooo strong and fast with crazy hops he had 42,10, and 8 should have made the league but everybody knows he choose the streets over ball.

Best person I seen play once again was HS, the D1 Greyhounds came to my city to play a game and OJ Mayo was before his time he made it look so easy and he was playing against big name guys who were also rated in the country within the top 25 but OJ stood out his skills were just on another level from everybody back in HS.

Most exciting player was in the same game as OJ…… BILL WALKER, MANNNNNN its a shame what happened to his knees think of Young Vince Carter but playing against a bunch of Highschoolers and you had Bill Walker dude was a highlight reel waiting to happen had 9 dunks that game and crazy blocks.

 

 

[FastAndFuriousParticipant]

 Best player I played against was Ramar Smith he was rated the #5 in the nation by rivals back in 06 he was older than me at the time in HS but he was sooooo strong and fast with crazy hops he had 42,10, and 8 should have made the league but everybody knows he choose the streets over ball.

Best person I seen play once again was HS, the D1 Greyhounds came to my city to play a game and OJ Mayo was before his time he made it look so easy and he was playing against big name guys who were also rated in the country within the top 25 but OJ stood out his skills were just on another level from everybody back in HS.

Most exciting player was in the same game as OJ…… BILL WALKER, MANNNNNN its a shame what happened to his knees think of Young Vince Carter but playing against a bunch of Highschoolers and you had Bill Walker dude was a highlight reel waiting to happen had 9 dunks that game and crazy blocks.

 

 

[Prime TimeParticipant]

 I played with Keith Clanton(UCF) and Kevin Elliott(WR for the Bills) in summer leagues. One game, one of our guards got out on a break, threw an alley-oop off the backboard and ducked down a little bit, and then Elliott jumped over him and slammed it home. I still believe Keith will make it in the NBA one day, I believe he’s playing in Turkey right now.

We played against Austin Rivers(Pelicans). Truthfully, I D’d him up and he didn’t do much. I had the opportunity to play college ball, but I went another route. In hindsight, I should’ve played. I did get to meet Doc Rivers that day which was huge for me because I’m a Celtics fan, and he was the coach at the time.

The best high school team I seen play was Lake Howell when they had Joey Rodriguez(VCU), Nick Calathes(Grizzlies), and Chandler Parsons(Rockets). I think Calathes is severely underrated, and I believe he can be a full-time, above-average starter in the league. His basketball IQ is off the charts and he has great size for a point. Parsons would be an all-star if he was a 1st or 2nd option instead of 3rd. I believe Rodriguez is/was playing professionally in Puerto Rico.

[Prime TimeParticipant]

 I played with Keith Clanton(UCF) and Kevin Elliott(WR for the Bills) in summer leagues. One game, one of our guards got out on a break, threw an alley-oop off the backboard and ducked down a little bit, and then Elliott jumped over him and slammed it home. I still believe Keith will make it in the NBA one day, I believe he’s playing in Turkey right now.

We played against Austin Rivers(Pelicans). Truthfully, I D’d him up and he didn’t do much. I had the opportunity to play college ball, but I went another route. In hindsight, I should’ve played. I did get to meet Doc Rivers that day which was huge for me because I’m a Celtics fan, and he was the coach at the time.

The best high school team I seen play was Lake Howell when they had Joey Rodriguez(VCU), Nick Calathes(Grizzlies), and Chandler Parsons(Rockets). I think Calathes is severely underrated, and I believe he can be a full-time, above-average starter in the league. His basketball IQ is off the charts and he has great size for a point. Parsons would be an all-star if he was a 1st or 2nd option instead of 3rd. I believe Rodriguez is/was playing professionally in Puerto Rico.

[jwet33Participant]

I saw LeBron put up I think 52 against Trevor Ariza in Trenton, NJ. LeBron in high school was amazing, unstoppable. LeBron even hit a half court buzzer beater during that game, unbelievable.

[jwet33Participant]

I saw LeBron put up I think 52 against Trevor Ariza in Trenton, NJ. LeBron in high school was amazing, unstoppable. LeBron even hit a half court buzzer beater during that game, unbelievable.

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 I went against Michael Adams, former Bullet and three point marksman when I was very young at a basketball camp in Richmond, Virginia.  I remember popping a jumper right in his face and he was extremely impressed.  Very nice guy and it was a lot of fun to say I played against an NBA player.

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 I went against Michael Adams, former Bullet and three point marksman when I was very young at a basketball camp in Richmond, Virginia.  I remember popping a jumper right in his face and he was extremely impressed.  Very nice guy and it was a lot of fun to say I played against an NBA player.

[Prime TimeParticipant]

 Also, when I was like 13, I beat Steven Hunter(DePaul and played on multiple NBA teams) in a 3pt shoot out at the Illinois State Fair.

[Prime TimeParticipant]

 Also, when I was like 13, I beat Steven Hunter(DePaul and played on multiple NBA teams) in a 3pt shoot out at the Illinois State Fair.

[druchrisParticipant]

Im from Philly, but I spent alot of time playing with guys in and outside the city. To name a few of the best players I ever played with or against… I’d say 

1. Gerald Henderson Jr. {Duke, Charlotte Bobcats}

(Too many games at LA fitness to count, bul always had crazy f*ckin hops, at the time I was in maybe 9th grade and he was a Junior at Episcopal, and his level of athleticism even at the time showed me how gifted NBA players are, he completely dominated everybody with just his jumping ability.)

2. Jamal Wilson {U. of Rhode Island}

(We both started on the same middle school team together in Norristown, he was 6’5 in 7th grade, and was errilly reminiscent of Tracy McGrady who was everybody’s favorite player around 2001-’02. He ended going to University of Rhode Island, led the nation in scoring for a minute, before he got kicked off the team. I still think he could play in the league tho, dude was on some Lebron shit as a kid. Looked "Chosen" to play.)

3. Nurideen Lindsey {St. Johns, Rider}

(This dude completely dominated my high school team in the city, I think he dropped 40 that night. All I remember is him completely embarrasing the entire team, thank god I was ineligble. I remember him doing some very Jordan-esque sh*t. I was done when homie, on back to back plays, dunked all over our Center from the baseline, than stripped our Point and jumped from what I think was the foul line for another bang-bang lol.. crazy smh)

4. Malik Wayns {Villanova, LA Clippers?}

(We grew up on the same playground, had some intense battles against homie, and even when he was like 5’8 and what I would call "chubby to fat" he was probably the fastest dude I ever seen with the ball in his hands. Im proud to say he made it to the league straight from Uptown.)

5. Kyle Lowry {Villanova, Toronto Raptors}

(Another Uptown product, I was like in 8th grade when he was Senior at Cardinal Dougherty, and I can say he plays the same way for the Raptors as he did back than. ALL HEART, homie would lock dudes the hell up and get to the rack like he was 5 inches taller. Never played against him, but whenever he was in the gym I was in awe of his speed and power.)

6. Khalif Wyatt {Temple, China?}

(Another dude I grew up with, still friends with to this day. Im super proud of homie, he probably came the longest way of any of the dudes I’ve listed. He was, at one time, a "fat-kid with a pretty good jumpshot". In fact, I was the better player of the both of us in like ’03, but he was really a gym-rat and worked to take his game to the next level.)

7. Raymond "Doodles" Sims {South Alabama}

(I had to include "Doodles".. never got close to the league, but his handle was better than ANYBODY I’ve ever seen not named Allen Iverson. He was only like 5’6, but could cross the sh*t out whoever tried him. His passing skills were above average, but his athleticism wasnt enough to compensate for the height disparity, but man this dude could dribble.)

8. Brad Wanamaker {U. of Pitt, Italy}

(Another AAU teammate, remember going to a tournament in Providence, RI and he was going at everybody. Had a pretty good career playing for Pitt, I think he’s playing professionally in Italy now, but dude was an animal. Good defender, good athleticism, good shot, but too unselfish. If he was more agressive, he be in the NBA right now smh)

Others.. Bilal Benn (Villanova, Niagara, Israel) Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris (NBA), Matt Griffin (Boston U.), Courtney Stanley (Loyola Chicago)..

[druchrisParticipant]

Im from Philly, but I spent alot of time playing with guys in and outside the city. To name a few of the best players I ever played with or against… I’d say 

1. Gerald Henderson Jr. {Duke, Charlotte Bobcats}

(Too many games at LA fitness to count, bul always had crazy f*ckin hops, at the time I was in maybe 9th grade and he was a Junior at Episcopal, and his level of athleticism even at the time showed me how gifted NBA players are, he completely dominated everybody with just his jumping ability.)

2. Jamal Wilson {U. of Rhode Island}

(We both started on the same middle school team together in Norristown, he was 6’5 in 7th grade, and was errilly reminiscent of Tracy McGrady who was everybody’s favorite player around 2001-’02. He ended going to University of Rhode Island, led the nation in scoring for a minute, before he got kicked off the team. I still think he could play in the league tho, dude was on some Lebron shit as a kid. Looked "Chosen" to play.)

3. Nurideen Lindsey {St. Johns, Rider}

(This dude completely dominated my high school team in the city, I think he dropped 40 that night. All I remember is him completely embarrasing the entire team, thank god I was ineligble. I remember him doing some very Jordan-esque sh*t. I was done when homie, on back to back plays, dunked all over our Center from the baseline, than stripped our Point and jumped from what I think was the foul line for another bang-bang lol.. crazy smh)

4. Malik Wayns {Villanova, LA Clippers?}

(We grew up on the same playground, had some intense battles against homie, and even when he was like 5’8 and what I would call "chubby to fat" he was probably the fastest dude I ever seen with the ball in his hands. Im proud to say he made it to the league straight from Uptown.)

5. Kyle Lowry {Villanova, Toronto Raptors}

(Another Uptown product, I was like in 8th grade when he was Senior at Cardinal Dougherty, and I can say he plays the same way for the Raptors as he did back than. ALL HEART, homie would lock dudes the hell up and get to the rack like he was 5 inches taller. Never played against him, but whenever he was in the gym I was in awe of his speed and power.)

6. Khalif Wyatt {Temple, China?}

(Another dude I grew up with, still friends with to this day. Im super proud of homie, he probably came the longest way of any of the dudes I’ve listed. He was, at one time, a "fat-kid with a pretty good jumpshot". In fact, I was the better player of the both of us in like ’03, but he was really a gym-rat and worked to take his game to the next level.)

7. Raymond "Doodles" Sims {South Alabama}

(I had to include "Doodles".. never got close to the league, but his handle was better than ANYBODY I’ve ever seen not named Allen Iverson. He was only like 5’6, but could cross the sh*t out whoever tried him. His passing skills were above average, but his athleticism wasnt enough to compensate for the height disparity, but man this dude could dribble.)

8. Brad Wanamaker {U. of Pitt, Italy}

(Another AAU teammate, remember going to a tournament in Providence, RI and he was going at everybody. Had a pretty good career playing for Pitt, I think he’s playing professionally in Italy now, but dude was an animal. Good defender, good athleticism, good shot, but too unselfish. If he was more agressive, he be in the NBA right now smh)

Others.. Bilal Benn (Villanova, Niagara, Israel) Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris (NBA), Matt Griffin (Boston U.), Courtney Stanley (Loyola Chicago)..

[kazamParticipant]

 Tristan Thompson, Andrew Nicholson, Wiggins, Bennett, Cory Joseph, Harrison Barnes, Marcus/Markief Morris.

 Harrison really got the best of me with a pretty ferocious tip slam.

Also as a kid once, Chris Childs challenged me to a game of one on one but we never ended up playing.

 

 

 

[kazamParticipant]

 Tristan Thompson, Andrew Nicholson, Wiggins, Bennett, Cory Joseph, Harrison Barnes, Marcus/Markief Morris.

 Harrison really got the best of me with a pretty ferocious tip slam.

Also as a kid once, Chris Childs challenged me to a game of one on one but we never ended up playing.

 

 

 

[TRC1991Participant]

Aaron Bright in AAU…He was just so quick and had ridiculous range…He’s had a pretty decent career at Stanford but he’s been on a short leash offensively and can’t really show what he can really do

[TRC1991Participant]

Aaron Bright in AAU…He was just so quick and had ridiculous range…He’s had a pretty decent career at Stanford but he’s been on a short leash offensively and can’t really show what he can really do

[cavsfan1118Participant]

 Lebron i met him at a store we lived like 5 minutes away from each other when he was on the cavs

[cavsfan1118Participant]

 Lebron i met him at a store we lived like 5 minutes away from each other when he was on the cavs

[3 No Biases 3Participant]

Corey Brewer went to my rival middle school.  I played against him in 2 games back then.  Dude was about 6’5" 120lbs in eigth grade and had the best handle on the court…lol   He dunked about 3-4 times each game and would shoot 3’s from NBA range I remember.  Nobody had ever seen anything like it where I’m from…

[3 No Biases 3Participant]

Corey Brewer went to my rival middle school.  I played against him in 2 games back then.  Dude was about 6’5" 120lbs in eigth grade and had the best handle on the court…lol   He dunked about 3-4 times each game and would shoot 3’s from NBA range I remember.  Nobody had ever seen anything like it where I’m from…

[teropParticipant]

 Let’s see I’ve played pick up with former MOP/UK/NBAer star Tony Delk. Besides Dajuan Wagner, Tony Delk was the best high schooler i’ve ever seen up close. Had 33 in am aau game against Shawn Marion and Marques Maybin(former Louisville hooper). Played Antonio Burks(CUSA player of the year) in juco and held my own pretty good. Also one of the best that I faced was Shaheen Holloway(Mcdonald’s all american and Seton Hall standout) in the Vegas Big Time…my two cents

[teropParticipant]

 Let’s see I’ve played pick up with former MOP/UK/NBAer star Tony Delk. Besides Dajuan Wagner, Tony Delk was the best high schooler i’ve ever seen up close. Had 33 in am aau game against Shawn Marion and Marques Maybin(former Louisville hooper). Played Antonio Burks(CUSA player of the year) in juco and held my own pretty good. Also one of the best that I faced was Shaheen Holloway(Mcdonald’s all american and Seton Hall standout) in the Vegas Big Time…my two cents

[Skeating12345Participant]

 I am a senior in high school right now. From 8th grade till now, I have played against Jahlil Okafor, Myles Turner, Kelly Oubre, Justise Winslow, the harrison twins, Julius Randle, LJ Rose (Houston) Grant Jerret (OKC Thunder) Rasheed Sulaimon, James Blackmon (Indiana Commit), Tre Lyles (Kentucky Commit), Emmanuel Mudiay (SMU Commit), Malik Newman (#1 in 2015), Thon Maker (#1 in 2016), and many other top 100 players

[SwaggyVCParticipant]

 I wish i lived in america…. So many kids i know that would be hyped out of this world if they lived in America. But thats cool.

[SwaggyVCParticipant]

 I wish i lived in america…. So many kids i know that would be hyped out of this world if they lived in America. But thats cool.

[Skeating12345Participant]

 I am a senior in high school right now. From 8th grade till now, I have played against Jahlil Okafor, Myles Turner, Kelly Oubre, Justise Winslow, the harrison twins, Julius Randle, LJ Rose (Houston) Grant Jerret (OKC Thunder) Rasheed Sulaimon, James Blackmon (Indiana Commit), Tre Lyles (Kentucky Commit), Emmanuel Mudiay (SMU Commit), Malik Newman (#1 in 2015), Thon Maker (#1 in 2016), and many other top 100 players

[WolfRobParticipant]

 Scored 20 something on Tony Wroten’s team in 8th grade… Was hitting everything until he started guarding me.

Jamal Crawford is also consistently unreal, but Isaiah Thomas is virtually unguardable when he gets going.

I was also part of a 2 man team tasked with guarding Josh Smith (ucla, Georgetown) in high school. He was pretty unstoppable… If he got the ball, there was really nothing you could do. 

 

My phone won’t let me copy the link, but YouTube decatur vs Kentwood (Winner to State) to see it, if anyone cares lol

[WolfRobParticipant]

 Scored 20 something on Tony Wroten’s team in 8th grade… Was hitting everything until he started guarding me.

Jamal Crawford is also consistently unreal, but Isaiah Thomas is virtually unguardable when he gets going.

I was also part of a 2 man team tasked with guarding Josh Smith (ucla, Georgetown) in high school. He was pretty unstoppable… If he got the ball, there was really nothing you could do. 

 

My phone won’t let me copy the link, but YouTube decatur vs Kentwood (Winner to State) to see it, if anyone cares lol

[4ngetnmoreDUKEParticipant]

 I am from Kokomo indiana and I played for Spiece Indy Heat and Indiana Elite for 6 years. I played with Gordon Hayward Walter offut Stu Douglass and Henry Simms played a couple times with us. Best I played with was offut from warren central in indianapolis. His soph n junior year here tore his achilles then his other one the next before that was very athletic fast huge hands got in the lane whenever and was about 6-2 went to ohio state and transferred to ohio in the MAC. Best players i played against would have to be one of three Brandon Jennings Demar Derozan or Tyreke i guarded tyreke held my own scored 21 but he had 26 lol Demar was dunking on ppl at 13 and jennings was the flashiest and mosf athletic scoring guard in the country. Hayward was always small and skinny smartest point i ever played with but didnt grow until he was a siphmore. Overall w no injuries derailing him Offut was the best I played with by far.

[4ngetnmoreDUKEParticipant]

 I am from Kokomo indiana and I played for Spiece Indy Heat and Indiana Elite for 6 years. I played with Gordon Hayward Walter offut Stu Douglass and Henry Simms played a couple times with us. Best I played with was offut from warren central in indianapolis. His soph n junior year here tore his achilles then his other one the next before that was very athletic fast huge hands got in the lane whenever and was about 6-2 went to ohio state and transferred to ohio in the MAC. Best players i played against would have to be one of three Brandon Jennings Demar Derozan or Tyreke i guarded tyreke held my own scored 21 but he had 26 lol Demar was dunking on ppl at 13 and jennings was the flashiest and mosf athletic scoring guard in the country. Hayward was always small and skinny smartest point i ever played with but didnt grow until he was a siphmore. Overall w no injuries derailing him Offut was the best I played with by far.

[wd40rocksParticipant]

 While I was in NYC on vacation I saw Greg Monroe walking down the street (Georgetown was playing in the Big East tournament at the time) and I said something to the degree of "Hey Greg! I’m a big fan, can I get a high-five?" and the guy just kept on walking. Greg Monroe killed my confidence that day :c

[SwaggyVCParticipant]

 lol yeah…. Asking for a high5 might have came off a bit wierd but thats cool. :}

 

[SwaggyVCParticipant]

 lol yeah…. Asking for a high5 might have came off a bit wierd but thats cool. :}

 

[wd40rocksParticipant]

 While I was in NYC on vacation I saw Greg Monroe walking down the street (Georgetown was playing in the Big East tournament at the time) and I said something to the degree of "Hey Greg! I’m a big fan, can I get a high-five?" and the guy just kept on walking. Greg Monroe killed my confidence that day :c

[KanyEvil27Participant]

I played with  Devon Hardin who was supposed to be a top 5 pick back around 2006 from Cal and Lillard at the park a few years back. Also Aaron and Drew Gordon, uber athletic. 

[KanyEvil27Participant]

I played with  Devon Hardin who was supposed to be a top 5 pick back around 2006 from Cal and Lillard at the park a few years back. Also Aaron and Drew Gordon, uber athletic. 

[PhillySports0Participant]

 Played against Andre Drummond. No need to explain what he did to us. 

[PhillySports0Participant]

 Played against Andre Drummond. No need to explain what he did to us. 

[4ngetnmoreDUKEParticipant]

 I am from Kokomo indiana and I played for Spiece Indy Heat and Indiana Elite for 6 years. I played with Gordon Hayward Walter offut Stu Douglass and Henry Simms played a couple times with us. Best I played with was offut from warren central in indianapolis. His soph n junior year here tore his achilles then his other one the next before that was very athletic fast huge hands got in the lane whenever and was about 6-2 went to ohio state and transferred to ohio in the MAC. Best players i played against would have to be one of three Brandon Jennings Demar Derozan or Tyreke i guarded tyreke held my own scored 21 but he had 26 lol Demar was dunking on ppl at 13 and jennings was the flashiest and mosf athletic scoring guard in the country. Hayward was always small and skinny smartest point i ever played with but didnt grow until he was a siphmore. Overall w no injuries derailing him Offut was the best I played with by far.

[4ngetnmoreDUKEParticipant]

 I am from Kokomo indiana and I played for Spiece Indy Heat and Indiana Elite for 6 years. I played with Gordon Hayward Walter offut Stu Douglass and Henry Simms played a couple times with us. Best I played with was offut from warren central in indianapolis. His soph n junior year here tore his achilles then his other one the next before that was very athletic fast huge hands got in the lane whenever and was about 6-2 went to ohio state and transferred to ohio in the MAC. Best players i played against would have to be one of three Brandon Jennings Demar Derozan or Tyreke i guarded tyreke held my own scored 21 but he had 26 lol Demar was dunking on ppl at 13 and jennings was the flashiest and mosf athletic scoring guard in the country. Hayward was always small and skinny smartest point i ever played with but didnt grow until he was a siphmore. Overall w no injuries derailing him Offut was the best I played with by far.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Fast as all hell and could pull up and drain shots from anywhere.  Sean Connoly was tough tough too. He scored 56 on us in a summer league. His jumper was water and in HS his athleticism was good, but in NCAA it showed how much more athletic pro level opponents were compared to him.

[Meditated StatesParticipant]

 Fast as all hell and could pull up and drain shots from anywhere.  Sean Connoly was tough tough too. He scored 56 on us in a summer league. His jumper was water and in HS his athleticism was good, but in NCAA it showed how much more athletic pro level opponents were compared to him.

[tuck243Participant]

Both were in the 8th when I was a Senior. I always thought Bill was going to be better (honestly majority of scouts back then projected him to be the best in that class). I remember in a AAU game Bill went to block a shot and his hand legit was above the backboard. Clearly, OJ was the better all-around player, but damn Bill was so freaking athletic man. You just knew they were going to be NBA players just by the things they did. Bill was shooting NBA range 3’s with his left hand at open gym. LOL…

I moved to NC and they were Juniors in HS then. Durant and Oden were seniors, so I went to the AAU tourney they had around Duke and MAAAAAAAN that era of HS players were amazing.. I saw KD, Love, OJ, Oden, Gordon, D. Rose, Beasley etc… Looking back on it, everyone in that building saw probably the best mix of amateurs ever…

I was also able to see Brandon Jennings at Oak Hill, dude was just out to get his points and dazzle the crowd sometimes. They lost to Yates in Houston vs. the Nation at the buzzer. I remember seeing Thomas Robinson and Dexter Strickland and thinking they were overrated as all hell. Tommy Mason-Griffin was pretty damn good though.. Had that ball on a string… and explosive to be that small…

With all the players I’ve seen as amateurs I think the best was J’Covan Brown. Dude did whatever he wanted. The pace he played with was reminiscent of Chris Paul with the ball. He could take contact and “gracefully finish”. I remember him hitting step back and fade away NBA range 3’s when he was a senior. This versus one of the top teams in the nation at that time. Just laughing while doing it. In fact I would say if he had ambition then, he would be the same type of player Kyrie is today…

[tuck243Participant]

Both were in the 8th when I was a Senior. I always thought Bill was going to be better (honestly majority of scouts back then projected him to be the best in that class). I remember in a AAU game Bill went to block a shot and his hand legit was above the backboard. Clearly, OJ was the better all-around player, but damn Bill was so freaking athletic man. You just knew they were going to be NBA players just by the things they did. Bill was shooting NBA range 3’s with his left hand at open gym. LOL…

I moved to NC and they were Juniors in HS then. Durant and Oden were seniors, so I went to the AAU tourney they had around Duke and MAAAAAAAN that era of HS players were amazing.. I saw KD, Love, OJ, Oden, Gordon, D. Rose, Beasley etc… Looking back on it, everyone in that building saw probably the best mix of amateurs ever…

I was also able to see Brandon Jennings at Oak Hill, dude was just out to get his points and dazzle the crowd sometimes. They lost to Yates in Houston vs. the Nation at the buzzer. I remember seeing Thomas Robinson and Dexter Strickland and thinking they were overrated as all hell. Tommy Mason-Griffin was pretty damn good though.. Had that ball on a string… and explosive to be that small…

With all the players I’ve seen as amateurs I think the best was J’Covan Brown. Dude did whatever he wanted. The pace he played with was reminiscent of Chris Paul with the ball. He could take contact and “gracefully finish”. I remember him hitting step back and fade away NBA range 3’s when he was a senior. This versus one of the top teams in the nation at that time. Just laughing while doing it. In fact I would say if he had ambition then, he would be the same type of player Kyrie is today…

[machu46Participant]

Basketball players don’t really make it that far where I live, so the best that I personally played against was probably Javon McCrea (averaging 18 and 10 at Buffalo right now).  I also played against Thomas Bryant (very highly rated 2015 recruit that has a bunch of big offers right now), but he was really young at the time so I don’t think he was able to get on the court.

Also, not really playing against them, but still cool: I live next door to a couple of Syracuse’s basketball players and I’ve shot around with a lot of them at one of the gyms here.  I can hold my own if it’s just a shootaround, but I’m tiny and not nearly athletic enough to hang with their starters in pick up games lol.  I remember last year I was in a pickup game against James Southerland (after the season was already over, so they were free to play in pick-up games) and I hit three 3’s in back to back to back possessions.  My team got killed since he could obviously have his way with anyone playing pick-up ball here, but that sequence was pretty cool for me lol.

[machu46Participant]

Basketball players don’t really make it that far where I live, so the best that I personally played against was probably Javon McCrea (averaging 18 and 10 at Buffalo right now).  I also played against Thomas Bryant (very highly rated 2015 recruit that has a bunch of big offers right now), but he was really young at the time so I don’t think he was able to get on the court.

Also, not really playing against them, but still cool: I live next door to a couple of Syracuse’s basketball players and I’ve shot around with a lot of them at one of the gyms here.  I can hold my own if it’s just a shootaround, but I’m tiny and not nearly athletic enough to hang with their starters in pick up games lol.  I remember last year I was in a pickup game against James Southerland (after the season was already over, so they were free to play in pick-up games) and I hit three 3’s in back to back to back possessions.  My team got killed since he could obviously have his way with anyone playing pick-up ball here, but that sequence was pretty cool for me lol.

[Hacker90Participant]

I played against John Henson my Sr year of HS. I’m from a little town south of Austin, Tx and we held a pretty big tournament for all the teams in the central texas area every year. He was just a freak athlete, and pretty cool bc Mack Brown, Roy Williams and the coach for UCLA were all there watching the game.

I also got to play against Nick Foles when he was going to Westlake HS. Pretty cool seeing him playing in the NFL now. He was a beast at basketball also, 6’6 guard draining NBA 3s

 

  

[Hacker90Participant]

I played against John Henson my Sr year of HS. I’m from a little town south of Austin, Tx and we held a pretty big tournament for all the teams in the central texas area every year. He was just a freak athlete, and pretty cool bc Mack Brown, Roy Williams and the coach for UCLA were all there watching the game.

I also got to play against Nick Foles when he was going to Westlake HS. Pretty cool seeing him playing in the NFL now. He was a beast at basketball also, 6’6 guard draining NBA 3s

 

  

[Author]

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