May 14-15 BIG SHOTS DC Assault 2 Wrap Up - DC Assault takes 6 of 7, Amile Jefferson Shines!

District Heights, MD -  The talent was out and the battle was on for I-95 bragging rights in the star studded-115 team event held at the Capital Sports Complex. BIG SHOTS DC Assault 2 had numerous BIG SHOTS Top 100 prospects, sleepers and diaper dandies crawling out of the crib deserving some attention for their skills. With their name on the trophy DC Assault came to represent and did they ever as DC Assault cleaned up shop winning 6 of the 7 division titles (16U,15U,14U,13U,12U,11U). However, the show was shared with two of the finest 2012 wings in Amile Jefferson and Jaylen Bond as they put on a clinic for Philly’s Finest in capturing the 17U Orange championship.

The 1-2 punch of Amile Jefferson and Jaylen Bond was a Rocky Balboa KO as Philly's Finest 17U stole the show and the 17U Orange crown in BIG SHOTS DC Assault defeating East Coast Elite(DE) feisty guard set of Andre Horne and Andre Patton. 17U MVP Amile Jefferson was everything as advertised plus more. The 6'8 versatile wing showcased the entire package handling, passing, posting, even shooting the perimeter shot.  He plays at a controlled pace with a mix of a high basketball IQ, incredible feel, and extraordinary length.  He is clearly a top 20 prospect with a mountain of upside that allows you to open up the playbook with his versatility and tools. 

6'7 2012 F Jaylen Bond (Winchendon(CT) is a workhorse that thrives on hustle plays and has a knack for finding the ball on both ends. He works well within the zone in finding gaps and playing to their strengths.  Jaylen moves extremely well without the ball and gets out wide on the wings as well as any I've seen this spring. Damion James-esk that gets it done off heart, face ups, mismatches, and in transition.  As good a hybrid forward-duo as you will find on the circuit in 2012 class.

17U Blue Championship: Bull City Select 17U def. DC Assault Blue behind the scoring guard trio of Jalen Ford (MVP), Evan Collins, and David Robertson.

DC Assault Gold 16U and Juice All Stars 16(NY) collided for the 16U title with DC Assault Gold coming away on top. DC Assault Gold earned their stripes this weekend going through the gauntlet of games surviving Elijah Moore of Bay Rivers Select 67-65 and Kam Williams & Baltimore Elite to reach the final.  Scoring combo 16U MVP Romelo Trimble and glass menace 6'8 2013 Junior Etu were too much inside-outside combo for the scrappy group from NYC to handle. Shot blocking Rashard Kelly, high flying Trey Boykins, and speedy Will Ferguson were worth taking note of.  Juice knocked off a talented East Coast Elite(DE) in the semis behind a handful of scrappy guards led by Sean Taylor with John Patron doing work in the paint.  The DC Assault 2013 group will be making noise for the next 2 years on the circuit with their big dogs the primary go-getters now on the Gold 17U.

The 15U final came down to a DC Assault showdown with DC Assault Gold 15U holding bragging rights over DC Assault Gold 14U.  DC Assault Gold 15U was led by MVP Isaiah Washington and Bradley Jacks.  While Isaiah Buck-Lownan had a solid weekend for DC Assault Gold 14U.

There's a reason why prep high schools surround whatever court DC Assault Gold 13U is playing on.  This team is for real and as good as any 13U team in the country as they knocked off Basics 1st 14U to win their 2nd consective BIG SHOTS DC Assault 14U title and remain undefeated on the season. MVP Sam Green is a load down low and the guard/wing play is superb. Another special DC Assault group in the making that you will hear great things about for years to come.

The 13U championship had DC Assault 12U over 6th Man Warriors.  DC Assault hit you with an all around attack headed by MVP Prentis Hubb. 

The 11U title game paired up DC Assault 11U vs. Caveman Carmody 11U(PA) for the glassware with DC Assault coming out on top.  MVP Kenneth and Demarcus were too tough to handle. Kenneth had handles on a string and was a dual threat in creating off the bounce or draining shots from deep off the catch. Kenneth is another special DC Assault No.2 wearing PG in the making. Caveman was a well coached and skilled group led by scoring guard Robbie Carmody and big man Tristan Green.

Notes:

-DC Assault made a strong statement in all ages setting a Big Shots record in capturing 6 of 7 age titles in the 115 team tournament

-Recent VCU commit 6'6 PF Mohamed Alie-Cox continued his Ben Wallace like work on the glass and domination around the tin.  The big man plays to his strengths and plays extremely hard.  Led his team to the semis before being knocked off by Philly’s Finest.

-Jack of all trades! With Ryan Arcidiacono down with a back injury, Big Shots 2012 Top 100 Donovan Jack (PA Playaz) rose to the occasion as the 6’9 lefty showcased his inside-out game with a number of nice drives and swooping shots as well as knocking down the trifecta.  Jack has over 20 offers and will be a hot commodity in the wing market come July.

-East Coast Elite (DE) has a solid program in the 17s and 16s with top players Andre Horne, Marcus Gilbert, Shakire Grant, and Andre Patton receiving strong D-1 interest on the 17s. The 16s have scoring, floor general Nick Lidner and High major prospect to look out for in 2013 6’9 Ben Bentil.  Big time body with a motor, very similar to sleeper found earlier this year in 2013 6’8 Mike Kobani (NCA).

-2013 chart rising PG Karonn Davis (Friends Central/Philadelphia,PA) and one of the better unsigned 2011 PG Joey Gripper (Manhattan heavy on his list) were impressive for Philly’s Finest 17 dime dropping all weekend to their horses and pouring in counted on buckets late in games with the ball in the hands.  Although Jefferson and Bond carry the load, these guards are going to a big piece to the puzzle for them to continue winning in July. In July, Philly’s Finest will be at Desert Duel 4 as well as Big Shots DC Assault.

-Zach Elcano (Team Takeover Dunbar 17) is a 6’10 220 sleeping giant that may slide under the radar in the 2012 big man market. For mid majors or higher do not sleep on him, the big lefty can is a big body that can shoot the 15’ and is effective with hooks on the block.
-Artie Jones has a scrappy, loaded up mid major plus prospect group in Threat 220 that plays at a high level and advances deep into Sunday in every Big Shots event they attend.  Threat is led by scoring SG Jujuan Shivers and do it all wing Shakir Brown.