Words. High School Hoop

The following press release just came through on the wire…

Following in the shoes of Jordan Brand Classic alumni Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James,Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin, the next generation of basketball’s brightest stars will take the floor in the 11th annual Jordan Brand Classic at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte on Saturday, April 14th. The Jordan Brand Classic will be nationally televised live on ESPN. MORE >

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. Bryan Horowitz

Shabazz Muhammad certainly knows how to leave a lasting impression.

With about 30 seconds left in Bishop Gorman’s 73-65 victory over No. 5 Dematha at the Hoophall Classic on Monday, the No. 1 player in the Class of 2012 punctuated a 37-point performance with a sensational windmill dunk, later named No. 3 on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays. Even Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, sitting two seats down from Kentucky counterpart John Calipari on the baseline, raised an eyebrow. MORE >

Words. Aron Phillips

Thankfully, our friends over at Hoopmixtape have started up their Top Ten Tuesday’s again – a collection of the best of the best. In this addition, watch Justin Anderson, Aquille Carr, Shabazz Muhammad, J.P. Tokoto, Shaquille Johnson, Glenn Robinson III, Gabriel Snyder, and more do work. MORE >

Words. High School Hoop

Something funny happened in last night’s Mater Dei/Bishop Gorman national-power tilt at the City of Palms Tournament – not only did Shabazz Muhammad get dunked on, but he was also blown a kiss by the player who put it on him.

Muhammad (No. 3 on our Top 50 List) got caught in transition … and then he got caught by future Colorado Buffalo Xavier Johnson. Johnson dunked on him, then looked right at him and blew him a kiss. MORE >

Words. Aron Phillips

Landing Shabazz Muhammad is akin to winning the lottery. And while at the City of Palms Tournament in Fort Myers, Fla., Muhammad made it clear that four schools of his final six stand apart from the rest.

Muhammad told Rivals.com that Duke, Kentucky, UCLA and UNLV are the four schools that stand out to him, leaving Kansas and USC on the outside looking in. He also noted that UCLA’s recent struggles have definitely affected his recruitment. MORE >