Words. Bryan Horowitz

Watching Jay Williams address the completely enrapt New Hampton Prep basketball team late Sunday night at the Hoophall Classic, it was clear he was firmly in his element. Basketball has obviously always been a big part of Williams’ life, but you could make a case he’s never been quite as immersed as he is now.

As an ESPN college basketball analyst, Williams splits his time between calling games and working on studio shows, while also commentating for the network’s rapidly expanding interest in high school ball. The latter assignment gives him the opportunity to take part in one of his favorite pastimes: mentoring young athletes. There isn’t a player on any level that doesn’t have the utmost respect for the former No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft, and he commonly takes time to pull players aside and offer a few words of wisdom. MORE >

Words. High School Hoop

Tonight, while you’re watching the Carrier Classic, be on the lookout for the matchup between Harrison Barnes and Michigan State freshman Branden Dawson.

Dawson, a 6-6, 220-lb. small forward from Gary, Indiana, will most likely be tasked with stopping NBA Lottery lock Barnes. Why does Dawson draw the unenviable task of stopping Harrison? Two reasons: MORE >

Words. Aron Phillips

Whenever you have Chris Paul involved, it’s not hard to find other elite guards around. I mean, wouldn’t they want to learn from the best? So at this weekend’s CP3 Elite Guard Camp, some of the best guards in the country from high school and college will be on display in his hometown of in Winston-Salem, N.C. MORE >

Words. Jason Jordan

Linn-Mar High (Marion, IA) junior point guard Marcus Paige ended his recruitment over the weekend, picking North Carolina over Iowa State, Iowa, Minnesota and Kansas.

“I would like to thank all the coaches across the country who have taken the time to recruit me to be a part of their basketball program,” said Paige in a press release. “The recruiting process has been exciting for me and my family. At this time I would like to announce that I have accepted a scholarship offer from Coach Roy Williams to continue my career as a student-athlete at the University of North Carolina.” MORE >

Words. Jason Jordan

Norfolk Christian (VA) forward James McAdoo has heard all of the jokes and chatter about the possibility of his future team, the North Carolina Tar Heels, having a repeat of their dismal 2009-10 season.

But McAdoo’s not buying it for a second.

“I look at it like this: You have one senior (Justin Knox) and he’s a transfer so he hasn’t even been in the system until this year,” said McAdoo, the headliner of UNC’s 2011 recruiting class who is ranked No. 7 in the HSH National Top 50. MORE >

Words. Jason Jordan

Michael Jordan‘s 10th Jordan Brand Classic high school all-star game, one of the top showcases in the country, is moving from New York’s Madison Square Garden to Charlotte’s Time Warner Cable Arena, where Jordan’s Charlotte Bobcats play.

MSG was home to the Jordan game from 2005-2010, after the first three annual games were played in the D.C./Maryland area, around the time Jordan himself was playing for the Washington Wizards. This year’s game is scheduled for April 16, 2011. MORE >