California Ramel Lloyd Jr., a 6-foot-6 Calabasas High freshman guard, helps boys' basketball team win Marmonte League title. Calabassas (19-9) will face Crespi (23-6) in the first round of the CIFSS 2018-19 Basketball, Boys Division 1 on Feb. 8th at 11 pm. Bryce Zephir helped turn around Santa Monica (20-7) who finished second in the Ocean conference. SaMo is set to take on Capistrano Valley (16-10) in the 2019 CIF-SS FORD BOYS BASKETBALL DIVISION 2AA CHAMPIONSHIPS.
FLORIDA Jahsean Corbett scored 16 points for Poinciana (15-7) in the win or Tavares (2-18), 66-38. Poinciana will host Osceola on Friday to be crowned OBC Champions. Je'hvonni Hogan Avant Garde Academy (17-3) Jovaughn Douglas and Sanford Seminole (18-4) J-Quan Ferrol, Jemal Davis, Kimani McIntosh, Ky'Ode Walters, Jemoi Davis Okeechobee (18-4) play Clewiston today. http://www.maxpreps.com/video/watch.aspx?videoid=5fd47efa-665f-454e-bacd-b9c6a514b45d Keniyah Attidore- Meyers Orange HS (14-9) Shukiou Sprauve, Boone HS (10-10) Steven Burr and Oak Ridge HS (15-5) overwhelmed Winter Park 81-48 in the regular-season finale. The reigning Class 9A state champion got scoring from nine players in its final tune-up before it hosts next week's Class 9A, District 5 tournament.
VIRGINIA Amir Nesbitt ofVirginia Academy (15-12) had a great week taking unofficial visits to North Texas and Baylor University. The 2020 guard has committed to represent the Virgin Islands in international competition this summer in the Pan American games. Kylah Franklin and the 11th ranked Bishop Ireton (17-7) has rebounded from three consecutive losses with a 65-54 win over Elizabeth Seton. Naja Ngongba and Paul VI JV sits at 13-3
TEXAS J'Wan Roberts and Killeen Shoemaker (28-5) is ranked 16th in Class 6A Public School Boys in the state of Texas by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches for the week of Feb. 4. De'Jah and Da'Jah Vigilante are juniors at Fort Bend Bush (16-15)
GEORGIA Ja'Shir Kean and Stephenson is set to face Mt. Zion Wednesday in the 2019 Boys Region 4 AAAAAA Tournament. JaRon Charles and Creekside HS defeated Northgate, 79-73 in the first round of region playoffs. The journey continues on Wednesday on the road versus Douglas County. N'Fari Benjamin and Rabun Gap (14-14) got mauled by Christ School, 66-41, Tuesday night. Charkim Joseph and New Faith (18-9) K'Shouri Hodge, Jer'Maya Moore and Hapeville Charter (17-8) season came to an end falling to Washington. Moore has two more years in high school. 'Sad to say but it's officially over,' said the senior Hodge. 'It was a tough loss, again, but we knew we had all odds against us. I can honestly say we fought to the end and came up short. I love each person on the team from players to coaches and even managers. Love y'all.'
ILLINOIS Champaign Central 85, St. Thomas More 35. The host Maroons (12-9) produced their largest point total of the season when taking down the Sabers (12-13) in a non-league event. Khailieo Terry (23 points) reached double figures for Central, which drained 16 three-pointers.
COLORADO Aubree Raimer and the #7 ranked in 4A Greeley Central (19-1) roughed up Niwot, 45-23. Raimer, a senior, is averaging 7.4 points and almost ten rebounds (9.4) per outting. 'This team is legit,' said Raimer. 'As the season goes by, we're slowly working on turnovers and we're still working on our defense, but I think overall we definitely played a great game with defense and with turnovers.'
MARYLAND Zion Ware and Stone Bridge battled back from a 15 point deficit to beat John Champe 76-72. Stone bridge has now won 5 out of 6 at the right time. https://twitter.com/i/status/1092970381764411393
Frank Elegar selected the top Virgin Islander playing abroad in last week's games - 1 day ago
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Traditionally, every week we bring you a list of the top performances of Virgin Islanders who are currently playing abroad. This week's number one is an experienced former international center Frank Elegar (208-86). He was the major contributor in Tofas' victory against one of league's weakest teams Afyon Bld in the Turkish BSL in Sunday night's game.
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FRANK ELEGAR
Traditionally, every week we bring you a list of the top performances of Virgin Islanders who are currently playing abroad.
#1. This week's number one is an experienced former international center Frank Elegar (208-86, college: Drexel, currently plays in Turkey). He was the major contributor in Tofas' victory against one of league's weakest teams Afyon Bld (4-12) crushing them 95-74 in the Turkish BSL in Sunday night's game.
Elegar scored 17 points, had 7 boards, dished 3 assists and stole 4 balls in 20 minutes on the court.
Tofas Bursa (10-9) is placed third in the BSL.
It's Elegar's first season with the team.
He has relatively good stats this year: 12.6ppg, 6.0rpg, 2.1apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 66.0%(33-50) and FT: 75.9% in seven games he played so far.
Elegar has a dual citizenship: U.S. Virgin Islands and Guyanese.
He played for the U.S. Virgin Islands senior national team three years ago.
#2. Second place goes to an international forward Jamaal Samuel (206-93, college: La-Monroe, currently plays in Mexico). He could not help Huracanes (6-32) in their last game. Despite Samuel's very good performance the seventh-placed Huracanes (6-32) lost 113-121 at home to the higher-ranked (#5) Correcaminos in the North group.
He had a double-double by scoring 23 points and getting 14 rebounds. Samuel also added 5 assists in 38 minutes; not bad, considering it's only his third season in pro basketball. It was Huracanes' eighth consecutive loss in a row.
There are only two games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
This year Samuel has relatively solid stats: 13.3ppg, 5.6rpg, 1.8apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 37.8%, 3FGP: 36.0% and FT: 62.5% in 12 games.
He is another player who holds two passports: U.S. Virgin Islands and American.
Samuel is in the roster of the U.S. Virgin Islands senior national team.
#3. The U.S. Virgin Islands player who performed third best last week abroad was former international forward Jordan Murphy (201-97, currently plays college basketball in the States), who plays in the NCAA. He was not able to help the Minnesota (4-3) in their last game on Wednesday. Despite Murphy's very good performance his team was defeated 56-51 on the road by the University of Wisconsin.
He recorded a double-double by scoring 16 points and getting 19 rebounds.
Murphy is one of the most experienced players in a team as it's his fourth year in Minnesota's roster.
Murphy has reliable stats this season: 14.5ppg, 11.9rpg, 2.7apg, 2FGP: 51.2%, 3FGP: 25.0% and FT: 69.7%.
He has both American and U.S. Virgin Islands nationalities.
Murphy played for the U.S. Virgin Islands national team three years ago.
#4. Small forward Nicolas Claxton (211-99, currently studies in the States), who plays in the NCAA was not able to secure a victory for the Georgia (1-4) in their last game. Despite his very good performance his team was badly defeated 73-56 on their home court in Athens by the Texas A&M University.
Claxton had a double-double by scoring 18 points and getting 10 rebounds in 38 minutes.
Claxton's stats this year are: 12.7ppg, 9.2rpg, 2.0apg, 2.6bpg and 1.3spg in 24 games.
He is also U.S. Virgin Islands national team player.
#5. International guard Deon Edwin (190-92, agency: Interperformances, college: Kent St., currently plays in Ukraine) contributed to Khimik's victory against the sixth-ranked Odessa (7-13) 92-78 in the Ukrainian Superleague on Friday night.
Edwin recorded 6 points and added 3 assists.
BK Khimik-OPZ Yuhzny (16-6) is placed first in the Superleague.
Edwin has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 15.6ppg, 5.7rpg, 4.4apg and 1.7spg.
Edwin plays currently for the U.S. Virgin Islands national team.
#6. Point guard Georgio Milligan (187-90, college: Franklin & Marshall, currently plays in Liga Americas) managed to help Guaros de Lara in a 3-point victory against the closely-ranked Capitanes (2-1) 84-81 in the Liga Americas in Friday night's game.
He recorded only 4 points and added 3 passes in 7 minutes on the court.
It was the game of the round between two top 4 ranked teams. Guaros de Lara (3-0) is placed first in the Liga Americas.
So far his team won all three games in the Regular Season.
The Regular Season already ended in the Liga Americas.
This year Milligan's overall stats are: 4.0ppg and 2.0apg in two games.
He also holds two passports: U.S. Virgin Islands and American.
Milligan is an international player who is currently on the senior U.S. Virgin Islands National Team roster.
#7. International forward LaRon Smith (204-93, college: Auburn, currently plays in Bulgaria) contributed to Yambol's victory against the closely-ranked Rilski (9-7) 87-78 in the Bulgarian NBL last Wednesday.
Smith scored 8 points, had 11 rebounds and made 4 blocks.
Tundja Yambol (6-10) is placed seventh in the NBL.
It was his team's third consecutive victory in a row.
Smith's stats this season are: 12.4ppg, 8.8rpg and 3.8bpg.
He holds both American and U.S. Virgin Islands passports.
Worth to mention he played also at Eurobasket Summer League, which helped him get the job in pro basketball. Smith is also U.S. Virgin Islands national team player.
#8. Guard Kyle Clarke (196-95, is currently at the American university) couldn't help the Kennesaw St. (0-4) in their game against the Jacksonville University (3-2) in the NCAA.
He scored 8 points and grabbed 5 rebounds in 22 minutes.
his team lost 73-82 on their home court in Kennesaw to the University.
So far Kennesaw St. lost all four games in the conference Clarke has been at the team for four years.
This season Clarke's total stats are: 5.2ppg, 3.0rpg and 1.3apg in 23 games.
He plays currently for the U.S. Virgin Islands national team.
#9. International forward Justin Gray (198-95, college: Texas Tech, currently plays in United Kingdom) couldn't help Bristol Acadamy Flyers (7-1) in their game against Glasgow Rocks (9-8) in the British BBL.
Gray scored only 4 points.
The league leader Bristol Acadamy Flyers was badly defeated 99-82 in Glasgow by the much lower-ranked Rocks (#8).
Gray averaged so far 13.1ppg, 3.7rpg, 2.4apg, 1.3bpg and 1.2spg.
He is also in the roster of the U.S. Virgin Islands national team.
#10. Guard Stephaun Adams (185-96, currently plays in NAIA) couldn't help the the league outsider Campbellsville University in their last game on Monday. Despite his very good performance the Campbellsville University was edged 65-64 in Williamsburg by the University of the Cumberlands.
Adams scored 25 points.
This season Adams has very high stats. He averages: 17.7ppg, 5.1rpg, 4.4apg and 2.1spg.
Adams is an international player who is currently on the senior U.S. Virgin Islands National Team roster.
#11. Former international swingman Rashawn Fredericks (196-96, currently plays college basketball in the States) contributed to Cincinnati's surprising victory against the University of Memphis 69-64 in the NCAA last Thursday.
He scored only 2 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.
Fredericks has averaged so far 2.7ppg and 2.2rpg.
He used to play for the U.S. Virgin Islands national team
two years ago.
The list of other players, who all have U.S. Virgin Islands passport but never been selected to any of U.S. Virgin Islands national teams:
#1.John Collins (208-PF-97, college: Wake Forest, currently plays in NBA) led Atlanta Hawks to a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers (28-29) 117-113 in the NBA last Tuesday.
Collins was MVP of the game. He recorded 22 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists; quite an impressive performance considering it's only Collins' second season in pro basketball. The Atlanta Hawks have rather weak 19-38 record this season.
It was his team's first victory after three consecutive loses.
Collins has individually a very good season with high stats. He averages: 19.4ppg, 9.7rpg and 2.1apg.
Collins has a dual citizenship: U.S. Virgin Islands and American.
#2.De'Quon Lake (208-F, currently plays college basketball in the States), who plays in the NCAA could not help the Arizona St. (4-2) to beat the Washington State University (2-5). Lake cannot count Thursday's game as one of the best ones.
He scored only 2 points in 9 minutes on the court.
The Arizona St. was crushed 91-70 on the road by the Washington State University.
Lake has averaged so far 4.6ppg and 4.2rpg in 22 games he played so far.
#3.Quennel Francis (183-PG, currently plays in NAIA) was not able to help the the league outsider one of league's weakest teams Southeastern University in their game against the Thomas University in the NAIA. He cannot count Saturday's game as one of the best ones.
Francis recorded only 2 points in 15 minutes.
The Southeastern University was edged 71-70 in Thomasville by the Thomas University.
There are only two games left until the end of the NAIA Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
This year Francis averages just 2.4ppg in 14 games.
John Collins(208-PF-97, college: Wake Forest) felt snubbed. That's how much the Hawks forward wanted to be a part of the Slam Dunk Contest, even as a rookie, during the NBA's All-Star Weekend last year. Collins is on that stage now. He will again compete in the Rising Stars Challenge and debut in the Slam Dunk Contest this weekend in Charlotte. There is a long list of reasons Collins wanted a chance to show his above-the-rim abilities and join a list of Hawks who have won the contest.... [read more]
That's how much the Hawks forward wanted to be a part of the Slam Dunk Contest, even as a rookie, during the NBA's All-Star Weekend last year.
Collins is on that stage now.
He will again compete in the Rising Stars Challenge and debut in the Slam Dunk Contest this weekend in Charlotte. There is a long list of reasons Collins wanted a chance to show his above-the-rim abilities and join a list of Hawks who have won the contest. Dominique Wilkins (1985, 1990), Spud Webb (1986) and Josh Smith (2005) won the event as Hawks. Current teammate Vince Carter won with the Raptors (2000).
'The Hawks pedigree, the right timing, also being in the Rising Stars, having a nice year,' Collins said Wednesday of reasons he wanted to compete. 'I feel like I got snubbed a little bit last year. I definitely wanted to come back and jump a little bit and see if I can go out there and win it, for sure.'
The Hawks and Knicks are tied for the most Slam Dunk winners, with four each, since the NBA began the contest in 1984.
The Rising Stars Challenge will be played Friday night and the Skills Competition, 3-point Shootout and Slam Dunk Contest will be Saturday night. The All-Star game will be played Sunday.
Collins is still thinking through his dunk array. There might be some tributes. There might be a pass from rookie teammate and fellow Rising Star Trae Young. Collins has sought the counsel of Wilkins and Carter.
'It's like a double-edge sword,' Collins said. 'Everyone has a niche of dunks that they are experts at. They have definitely given me a bunch of help but there is only so much help they can give me. It all comes down if I can actually complete it.
Oh yeah, if you are going to dunk, you better make it.
That was the advice from Carter.
'Make 'em,' Carter said of his words of wisdom. 'Seriously. I lot of people get caught up in the moment. That was something I wanted to do. I took it seriously. I approached it as a playoff game, just being focused and understanding what I wanted to do. … Push the envelope but make the dunks. I hate missing dunks.'
Collins will compete against Dennis Smith Jr., Miles Bridges and Hamidou Diallo.
Collins played in the Rising Stars Challenge last year, the exhibition from rookie and sophomore players. As a member of Team USA, he was on the losing end of a 155-124 decision to Team World. Collins had 11 points and three rebounds in 22 minutes in the game.
'They didn't play so well last year against the world,' Young said. 'We all want to get a win.'
Since missing the start of the season with an ankle injury, Collins has been one of the Hawks' more consistent players. He leads the team with 19.4 points and 9.7 rebounds in 41 games.
Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce called the All-Star Weekend a 'big stage.' It's one that Collins can relish. Perhaps for years to come.
'Being around it is the key part,' Pierce said. 'For John to walk out on the court, surrounded by his elite peers, being viewed by many, whatever accomplishment he has that night, he's going to have the LeBron James, the Kevin Durants, the Charles Barkleys shaking his hand and talking to him. If you don't feel welcome and appreciated at that moment, I don't know what moment you can.'
By Chris Vivlamore, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By Adam Bushman Royce O'Neale(198-SF-93, college: Baylor)< paid many dues throughout his journey to the NBA. Splitting his collegiate eligibility between the University of Denver and the University of Baylor, O'Neale did his best to prepare for the NBA draft. He would spend the 2015 draft night waiting for his name to be called, only to end the night disappointed with his name uncalled. Spending the next two years in Europe playing professionally, he worked to hone the skills necessary... [read more]
By Adam Bushman Royce O'Neale (198-SF-93, college: Baylor)< paid many dues throughout his journey to the NBA.
Splitting his collegiate eligibility between the University of Denver and the University of Baylor, O'Neale did his best to prepare for the NBA draft.
He would spend the 2015 draft night waiting for his name to be called, only to end the night disappointed with his name uncalled. Spending the next two years in Europe playing professionally, he worked to hone the skills necessary for him to succeed in the NBA.
Year 1 He finally signed a non-guaranteed, three year contract with the Utah Jazz after impressing the front office and coaching staff during the 2017-18 training camp.
Royce only saw the floor in six of Utah's first 15 games that season, playing an average of just 5.4 minutes. It was clear he had work to do and improvements to make...and that he did.
O'Neale would play in 65 of the next 68 games, averaging just over 17 minutes per game.
His skills began to reveal themselves.
Royce was an elite rebounding wing, snagging over 11% of all available rebounds while he was on the floor. He could shoot from the outside, launching 118 threes his rookie year and making nearly 36%.
His best skill was defense, recording a 1.7 Defensive Box Plus-Minus (7th among qualified rookies) and a 1.97 Defensive Real Plus-Minus (a top 50 mark for the entire NBA).
Royce would go onto improve both his shooting and defensive numbers in the playoffs, matching up against the league's best in Paul George, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden.
Year 2 The Utah Jazz were quick to pick up Royce O'Neale's option and guarantee his salary for the 2018-19 season. They would not be disappointed.
After a slow start to the season, Royce O'Neale flipped the switch at the quarter mark of the season. Over his last 35 games, O'Neale has been playing 20+ minutes, taking 2.4 threes a game, making 47% of his threes, and scoring nearly six points a game.
His defense has continued to take strides. He improved both his BLK% and STL% from his rookie year, and his Defensive Box Plus-Minus has drastically risen. He's already matched the offensive win shares from his rookie year with nearly a third of the season left to play.
Two consecutive, stellar seasons to start the career of an undrafted NBA player got us thinking. How good can Royce O'Neale be?
Royce O'Neale Player Comps We set out to find comparisons for Royce in NBA history. We designed our criteria to best represent the unique skills and profile of O'Neale.
Comps had to measure between 6'5' and 6'8'; they were required to shoot better than 38% from 3; their usage had to be under 13%; and their Defensive Box Plus-Minus had to be over 1.5.
The results were astounding. No one in NBA history had put together a start to their career similar to Royce O'Neale. This was the first sign as to how unique a player he truly is.
Unsatisfied, we loosened the criteria. The 3P% threshold dropped to 35%; usage raised to include up to 18% of possessions; Defensive Box Plus-Minus dropped to 1.0; and games played during the first two years of above 50 sharpened the results.
Only seven players in NBA history fit the criteria specifically designed for Royce. They are: Daniel Theis (active), Kawhi Leonard (active), Nicolas Batum (active), James SIngleton (retired), Scott Burrell (retired), and Shane Battier (retired).
In order to project the future career of one Royce O'Neale, we took the most interesting comps from this list, those being Leonard, Batum, and Battier. How Good Can Royce O'Neale Be? Of these three comparisons, the most outlandish is Kawhi Leonard. Regardless, O'Neale can match several of the things Leonard does/did well: 3 point shooting, rebounding, and defense.
The most likely comparison has to be Shane Battier. Battier's box stats should be easily attainable over an entire career. The advanced numbers a slightly more daunting (particularly in offensive efficiency) but Royce has a good chance to sustain a mix of his own stats and those of Shane's over the length of his career.
The comparison to Nicolas Batum, at least offensively, is probably the best case scenario for O'Neale. Nic is a natural scorer and has offensive skills Royce may never develop. However, Batum's box score production may very well be attainable, and some of the advanced stats fall perfectly in line with Royce's current abilities.
O'Neale's Career Trajectory Assuming good health throughout his career, Royce should have an above average career length. His defensive abilities and long range shooting improvement is the prototypical 3-and-D wing that's, at worst, a career 'gun for hire'.
If we use PTS/36 of Battier/Batum, the 3P% of Battier/Batum/Leonard, the 3PArate of Battier/Batum, the FTArate of Battier/Batum, the USG% of Battier/Batum, the TRB% of Battier/Batum/Leonard, the DBPM of Battier/Batum/Leonard, and the WS/48 of Battier/Batum, we'd settle on the below mix of career stats for O'Neale.
This would be incredible production from a truly unique skill set and usage combination. Despite the uniqueness of this profile, the statistical thresholds above seem well within the possibility for a full length career based on what we've seen from O'Neale thus far.
The Utah Jazz brass and fans alike would be ecstatic for a several year career of production like this. We can see Royce being a key role player for the Jazz throughout many seasons and during many future playoff runs.
Could O'Neale be this Utah Jazz's iteration of the famous Bryon Russell for the late 90's Utah Jazz? By our estimation, it's entire possible.
While we may have identified a plausible career outline for Royce O'Neale, one thing is made clear by his path to the NBA. He has constantly beat the odds and outperformed expectations.
Can he continue such a feat? We can't wait to find out!
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