Words. Patrick Cassidy

So is Syracuse still in the running for Brooklyn sophomore Isaiah Whitehead (Lincoln HS) or not? Reports hit yesterday that the 6-4 star guard had crossed the ‘Cuse off of his list of schools because of the allegations of molestation against Syracuse assistant Bernie Fine, but now the reports of Whitehead’s decision are being refuted by his Lincoln coach, Dwayne Morton.

So what’s the real story? MORE >

Words. Austin Burton

This past weekend, Converse invited 150 of Philadelphia’s finest youth ballplayers, ages 12-18, to Girard College in North Philly for a Converse Open Gym event that doubled as the official launch for Elton Brand‘s “EB3″ signature sneakers.

Over the course of about six hours of organized pickup ball and one senior showcase game, here are the six players that stood out the most: MORE >

Words. Casey Mack

New York City high school stars traditionally have a large amount of hype behind them. Looking back over the past 15 years, there are so many names who were once praised as the Next Great One who are now lost in the wind: Lenny Cooke, Omar Cook, Erick Barkley, Sebastian Telfair … the list is long enough to support the theory held in other regions of America that NYC prep stars are too often overrated.

Lately, the New York City hype machine has lost some of its steam — Lance Stephenson notwithstanding — and now it seems players have to truly earn their keep from national recruiting services. MORE >

Words. Jason Jordan

In the closing seconds of the Boost Mobile Elite 24 game at Venice Beach, Calif., last weekend, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) point guard Quinn Cook came down awkwardly on his right knee.

The freak accident will cost Cook, a senior who is ranked No. 25 in the new HSH national Top 50, three to four months.

“I’ll be back though,” Cook told HSH Tuesday night. MORE >

Words. Jason Jordan

When listing the top point guards in the 2011 class, it’s hard not to mention Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) star Quinn Cook near the top.

All Cook has done is remain consistent throughout the summer while running DC Assault, win gold with USA Basketball’s under-17 team, and cap off the AAU season with an MVP performance at adidas Nations.

“It’s been fun,” said Cook. “There were things that I felt I could’ve done better, but all in all I was OK with how I did this summer.” MORE >