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2008 National Summer Travel Team Rankings 6/3
#1- Atlanta Celtics (prvs. #7)
-Winner, Tournament of Champions
-Final 4, Wallace Prather
-Final 4 Real Deal
-Final 8, Jayhawk Invitational
-Won Pool, King James
-Winner, Columbus Riverfest
Top Players: PF Derrick Favors, PF Terrance Shannon, G Andre Malone, PG Trae Golden
Key Wins: Illinois Warriors, Baltimore Stars, Seattle Rotary, M33M, Dallas Mustangs, Playaz, Team Breakdown, Indiana Elite, Net Gain Sports
Key Losses: Illinois Warriors
Notes: Turned it on at the right time, winning the Nation's toughest event. Beating Team Breakdown and Indiana Elite catapulted Celtics to #1 ranking. Returning 6'7 G Noel Johnson made a big difference with this team...
#2- Team Breakdown (FL) (prvs. #1)
-Runner up, Tournament of Champions
-Sweet 16, Wallace Prather
-Winner, Real Deal
Top Players: G Kenny Boynton, PG Brandin Knight
Key Wins: IL Warriors, NY Gauchos, Birmingham Ice, SE Elite, Conn Basketball Club, Texas Select, Compton Magic
Key Losses: Alabama Challenge, Atlanta Celtics
Notes: Early exit in Wallace Prather hurt, but run to title game in TOC keeps them among nation's elite
#3- Athletes First (OK) (prvs. #4)
-Winner, Nike Memorial Day Classic
-Winner, Show Me Invitational
-Runner Up, Boo Williams
-Winner, Old School Showcase
-Final 8, Dallas Next Level
Top Players: G Xavier Henry, C Daniel Orton, F Terrance Boyd
Key Wins: YOMCA, BABC, Georgia Blazers, Boo Williams, NY Gauchos,
Key Losses: Arkansas Wings (twice), Boo Williams
Notes: As talented as any team in nation, but seems to play without energy, and had to pull out some nail biters in Nike MDC...
#4- BABC (MA) (prvs. #3)
-Winners, King James
-Final 4, Boo Williams
Top Players: PFAlex Ochiri, PG Phil Pressley
Key Wins: Indiana Elite, M33M Memphis, All Ohio, Caps All Stars, Rising Stars, CP3 All Stars, Howard Pulley, Team Florida
Key Losses: Athlete's First
Notes: May be the best team in the country, but couldn't put them #1 without playing in a major over Memorial Day. Was very surprised not to see them in Nike MDC...
#5- KC Pump ‘n Run (prvs. #2)
-Winner, Jayhawk Invitational
-Winner, Next Level
Top Players: G Justin Clark, PG Michael Dixon
Key Wins: Boo Williams, Team Texas, Indiana Elite
Key Losses:
Notes: Not playing in an event during Memorial Day drops KC a bit, but still some great wins to remain Top 5...
#6- Indiana Elite (prvs. #6)
-Final 4, Tournament of Champions
-Winner, Pitt Jam Fest
-Final 4, Jayhawk
Top Players: PF Bobby Caplianco, C Mason Plumlee, PF Stephen Van Treese
Key Wins: Juice All Stars, Midstate Ballerz, D One Sports, NCA, Las Vegas Prospects, Florida Rams
Key Losses: Atlanta Celtics, KC Pump n Run, BABC
Notes: Played great in Tournament of Champions w return of PG Jordan Hulls, but fell to Celtics w/o G Colt Ryan who dislocated his thumb the night before...
#7- Houston Hoops (prvs. #14)
-Winner, Cactus Classic
-Sweet 16, Nike Memorial Day
-Runner Up, TX Spring Showcase
-Final 4, Boo Williams
-Sweet 16 Houston Kingwood
Top Players: PG Tommy Mason-Griffin
Key Wins: Rising Stars, Al Challenge, Team Final, Memphis YOMCA, Boo Williams, Playground Elite, Georgia Blazers
Key Losses: NY Gauchos
Notes: Huge win in ultra-competitive Cactus Classic jumps Houston Hoops up to 7 spot...
#8- Compton Magic (CA) (prvs. #15)
-Final 8, Tournament of Champions
-Runner Up, Cactus Classic
-Winner, Las Vegas Spring Showcase
-Final 8, Kingwood
Top Players: F Joe Burton, G Roberto Nelson, G Joe Jackson
Key Wins: Rising Stars, NW Panthers, Portland Legends, NY Gauchos, Team Jones
Key Losses: Houston Hoops
#9- Pump ‘n Run Elite (CA) (prvs. #9)
-Sweet 16, Cactus Classic
-Winner, Double Pump Spring Classic
Top Players: PF Reeves Nelson
Key Wins: Houston Hoops, Portland Legends
Key Losses: NW Panthers
Notes: 1 point loss to NW Panthers knocked them out of Cactus, but was rolling before that...
#10- NY Gauchos (prvs. #13)
-Runner Up, Nike Memorial Day
-1-3 at Cactus Classic
-Final 4 Real Deal
-Final 8, Boo Williams
Top Players: Durand Scott
Key Wins: M33M Memphis, Franchize All Stars, MBA Hoops, AL Challenge, Houston Hoops, Illinois Warriors
Key Losses: Athlete's First
Notes: Scrappy squad came within 2 points of winning Nike Memorial Day to overcome tough showing at Cactus Classic...
#11- LA Dream Team (CA) (prvs. NR)
-Winner, Rumble at the Bay (CA)
-Won pool at Cactus Classic
-Decent April
Top Players: Renardo Sidney, Kawad Leonard, Antone Biglow
Key Wins: Boo Williams, California Supreme
Key Losses: REACH Legends
Notes: Talented team didn't play much in April, and was lackluster when they did. But good showing at Cactus Classic (including 14 point win over Boo) and big win at Rumble at the Bay puts them back on the radar...
#12- Playground Elite (WI) (prvs. NR)
-Final 4, Nike Memorial Day
-Final 4, Cactus Classic
-Good run at King James
Top Players: F Jamil Wilson
Key Wins: Georgia Stars, California Supreme, 2D1 Sports
Key Losses: Houston Hoops, Athlete's First, Bay Area Hoosiers
Notes: Great showing at Cactus Classic and Nike Memorial Day jumps Wisc PE up into Top 15...
#13- Boo Williams (prvs. #5)
-Final 32, Nike Memorial Day
-Winner, Boo Williams
-Final 4, Next Level
Top Players: G Tristan Spurlock, G Steven Pledger, F Ricardo Ratliff
Key Wins: Athletes First, Houston Hoops, NY Gauchos, Mac Irvin Fire, California Supreme
Key Losses: Seattle Rotary, Athlete's First, Houston Hoops, LA Dream Team
Notes: A 2-2 showing at Nike Memorial Day drops Boo out of the top 5...
#14- CP3 All Stars (NC) (prvs. #20)
-Good showing at Tournament of Champions
-Winner, Gold Bracket Southern Invitationall
-Final 4, King James
Top Players: CJ Williams
Key Wins: NY Gauchos, Team NLP, Team Philly, M33M Canada
Key Losses: BABC
Notes: Good run at TOC after a great run at King James...
#15- Midstate Ballerz South (TN) (prvs. #23)
-Pool Winner, Sweet 16, Tournament of Champions
-TN AAU State Champions
-Final 4, Big Shots
-Sweet 16, Real Deal
-Runner up, Hoops Classic
Top Players: G Skylar McBee, G/F Nathan Parker, 2010 F Travei Pryor
Key Wins: Miami Tropics, Birmingham Ice, Texas Select, Louisiana Future, Birmingham Raptors, New Orleans Jazz, Team Final, Memphis YOMCA
Key Losses: Indiana Elite, Brandon Bass Elite
Notes: Won tough pool at TOC including wins over Jazz and Team Final, and came up short in tough 2 point loss to Indiana Elite...
#16- Howard Pulley (MN) (prvs. #8)
-Decent showing at Nike Memorial Day
-Winner, Kingwood
-Final 8, Boo Williams
Top Players: F Royce White
Key Wins: Mac Irvin Fire, Team Jones, Carolina Celtics, Miami Tropics, Carolina Raptors, Team Texas
Key Losses: BABC
Notes: Average showing in Nike Memorial Day, but still a very good resume with some solid wins...
#17- Northwest Panthers (prvs. NR)
-Final 4, Cactus Classic
Top Players: G Avery Bradley, G Abdul Gaddy
Key Wins: Pump n Run Elite, NY Gauchos, Team Odom, D One Sports
Key Losses: Compton Magic
Notes: Looks to be a newer team on the circuit, but fantastic showing at Cactus Classic puts NW Panthers on the map...
#18 Team Jones (OR) (prvs. #12)
-Pool Winner, Cactus Classic
-Runner up, Kingwood
-Winner, TX Spring Showcase
Top Players: F EJ Singler, F Dustin Jones
Key Wins: Team Daniels Showtyme, Team Odom, Miami Tropics, REACH Legends, Utah Pump 'n Run
Key Losses: Compton Magic, Howard Pulley
Notes: Won easy pool at Cactus before 17 point loss to Compton Magic...
#19- Mac Irvin Fire (IL) (prvs. #11)
-Decent showing Cactus Classic
-Final 8 Kingwood
-Champions, Hensley Memorial Tourney (Ft. WWayne, IN)
Top Players: Michael Shaw, Derrick Needham
Key Wins: Atlanta Celtics, Team NLP, Brandon Bass Elite, Smyrna Stars, Team Odom
Key Losses: Boo Williams, 2D1 Basketball
Notes: Below average showing at Cactus Classic, including 20 point loss to 2D1 Basketball, but still great wins from earlier in the year...
#20- Illinois Warriors (prvs. #10)
-Final 16, Nike Memorial Day
-Runner up, Real Deal
-Decent showing at Boo and King James
> Top Players: G Darius Smith
Key Wins: WW Renegades, Atlanta Celtics, Spiece MoKan, Arkansas Hawks
Key Losses: Atlanta Celtics
Notes: Decent showing at Nike Memorial Day is another average showing that drops Warriors some, despite early season run at Real Deal...
#21- Memphis YOMCA (prvs. #17)
-Final 16, Nike Memorial Day
-Runner Up, Old School Schowcase
-Winner, Boo Williams Silver Division
> Top Players: G Leslie McDonald, F Farrakahn Hall, F Johnnie Williams
Key Wins: Ark Wings, Louisiana Select, King James Stars, Chicago Express
Key Losses: Athlete's First, Houston Hoops, Midstate Ballerz
Notes: Solid showing at Nike Memorial Day, until losses to Top 10 teams Athlete's First and Houston Hoops...
#22- Team NLP (IL) (prvs. #19)
-Final 8, King James
-Final 8, Kingwood
Top Players: Brandon Paul
Key Wins: Indiana Elite, M33M Memphis, WW Renegades, Houston Select
Key Losses: CP3 All Stars
Notes: Some great wins, but lack of major Memorial Day tourney drops NLP slightly in rankings...
#23- World Wide Renegades Orange (prvs. NR)
-1-2 at TOC
-Winner, Wallace Prather
-Winners, Southern Shootout
-Sweet 16, Real Deal
Top Players: Ari Stewart,
Key Wins: Nashville Celtics,
Key Losses: Cuttino Mobly Philly Pride, Triple Threat, Team NLP
Notes: Huge win at Wallace Prather, but failed to get out of pool play at TOC. Still among Nation's 25 best...
#24- Rising Stars (IL) (prvs. #18)
-Runner up, King James
-Sweet 16, Houston Kingwood
Top Players: G Jerime Richmond, G Nik Garcia
Key Wins: Playground Elite, Ill Wolves, DC Assault, Ohio Basketball Club
#25 (tie)- New Orleans Jazz (prvs. NR)
-Select Champion, Tournament of ChampionsTop Players: G Donald Williams
Key Wins: Meanstreets, Team Final, Illinois Bobcats
Key Losses: Midstate Ballerz
Notes: Playing in first tournament of the year, Jazz only loss to Ballerz, and run table in Select bracket of Tournament of Champions!
#25 (tie) Playaz Basketball Club (NJ) (prvs. NR)
-Final 4, Tournament of Champions
-Final 4, Southern Invitational
-Final 4, Providence Jam Fest
Top Players: G Dominick Cheek, F Austin Johnson
Notes: Emerged from relative obscurity this Spring to make big Final 4 run at Tournament of Champions...
Just on the Brink:
Carolina Raptors (NC) (prvs. #21)
-Winner Big Shots
-0-3 at Kingwood
Top Players:
Key Wins: Georgia Stars, Alabama Challenge, Brandon Bass Elite
Key Losses:
Notes: Below average showing at TOC drops the Raptors, despite great wins at Big Shots. Still right on the bubble!
Ohio Basketball Club (prvs. #25)
-Final 4, King James
-Final 32, Real Deal
Top Players: PG Carl Jones
Key Wins: GC Ballers, The Family, Meanstreets, Midstate Ballerz, Rising Stars, D1 Greyhounds
Key Losses: Louisiana Future
Notes: Lack of Memorial Day success just barely drops OBC from rankings, though right on the brink...
California Supreme
-Winner, BCA Memorial Day invitational
Top Players: Soloman Hill, Nick Johnson, Gary Cobbs
Key wins: Tn YOMCA Tigers
Key Losses: Boo Williams, LA Dream Team, Playground Elite
Net Gain Sports (MN)
-Great showing at TOC
-Final 4, Jayhawk Invitational
Top Players: Kellen Taylor
Honerable Mention:
Brandon Bass Elite (LA) (prvs. #16)
-Runner Up, Big shots
Top Players: F Latavious Williams, G Chris Bass, C Chris Brand, G Donald Williams
Key Wins: Midstate Ballerz, Tn Travelers, Georgia Stars
Notes: Team has essentially broken up, with Latavious Williams going to DC Assault and Donald Williams going to NO Jazz... If they re-surface in July, they will re-enter the rankings...
Dallas Heroes
-Sweet 16, Dallas Next Level
Key wins: Spiece Mo-Kan
Juice All Stars
-Runner up, Pitt Jam Fest
Franchize All Stars (TX)
Top Players: John Henson
Key Win: World Wide Renegades
M33M
-Final 8, Real Deal
Key Wins: Birmingham Storm
2D1 Basketball (CA)
-Runner Up, Rumble in the Bay
-Decent showing at Cactus Classic
DC Assault
-1-2 in Tournament of Champions
-Elite 8, King James
-Elite 8, Pitt Jam FestBirmingham Ice (AL) (prvs. #24)
-Final 8, Big Shots
-Runner up, Southern Shootout
Top Players: Eric Bledsoe
Key Wins:
Jacksonville Lee Bulls
-Wallace Prather Final 4
-Showtime Ballers Champions
Illinois Bobcats
Top Players: F Jeronne Maymond
World Wide Renegades Black
-Runner up, Wallace Prather
-Sweet 16, King James
Triple Threat (MD)
-Final 4, Pitt Jam Fest
Miami Tropics (prvs. #25)
-Final 8 Kingwood
-Sweet 16 , Big Shots
Top Players: Gaby Belardo, Ed Stinson, Isaac Sosa
Key Wins: Georgia Stars, Team Shockaz, Gold Cost, Carolina Raptors
Carolina Celtics (SC)
-Final 4, Kingwood
Top Players: Devin Booker
Key Wins: Carolina Raptors
Meanstreats (IL)
-Runner Up, Select bracket TOC
-Final 8, Nike Memorial Day
Belmont Shore
-Solid showing at Cactus Classic
D-One Sports
-Sweet 16, Big Shots
Key Wins: Belmont Shore, Nashville Celtics
Key Losses: Indiana Elite, NW Panthers
Southeast Elite
-Final 8, Real Deal
-Final 8, Texas Classic
Birmingham Storm
-Won Battle of the South
Team Daniels Showtyme Ballers
Key Wins: Team Jones
Seattle Rotary Select
Key Wins: Franchize All Stars
Georgia Stars
-Final 8, Nike Memorial Day
-Final 4, Big Shots
Top Players: Kenny Hall, Glenn Rice Jr
Key Wins: Mac Irvin Fire, Birmingham Storm
Branch West (CA)
-Final 4, Kingwood
Team Final
-Final 8, Boo Williams
Key Wins: Illinois Warriors
Texas Select (TX)
-Dallas Adidas Champions
Top Player: Shawn Williams
Key Win: Spiece Indy Heat
Nashville Celtics
-Final 4, consolation bracket Real Deal
Top Player: John Hood
Tenn YOMCA Tigers (prvs. #22)
-Runner up, Gold Kingwood
WPC Elite, Baltimore Stars (MD)
-Charlie Weber Champions