Bobby Martin Jr. made his Spotlight debut last season with a splash. He took home All Tournament honors at the MDC and earned recognition was his big play at the AAU Nationals. We sat down with him after his game in Massachusetts and here’s our One on One.
One on One
BS: What school do you attend?
BM: Shadyside Academy (Pittsburgh, PA).
BS: Who’s your favorite player?
BM: Lebron James, I want to model my game after his style.
BS: What’s the strongest part of your game?
BM: My face up game.
BS: What part of your game needs the most work?
BM: Becoming more aggressive.
BS: What’s your dream college?
BM: Michigan State, because they a great team and good education.
BS: What do you like about the Basketball Spotlight events?
BM: The intensity is great.
BS: What are your career goals?
BM: To play in the NBA or overseas.
BS: How has having a father that played big time basketball helped your game?
BM: I got where I am because of him. I learned so much about the game of basketball and life from my father.
BS: Who’s your favorite rapper?
BM: Lil Wayne.
Yo, Yo what’s up?,
It’s “The General” again with another week of school and basketball. On Monday and Friday I had the chance to go to an open gym in Jersey City with my buddy Hallice Cooke. I like playing there because it helps my game and it’s like a preview of what high school is going to be like. On Tuesday I went to a restaurant with my family also in JC to celebrate my 14th birthday. Seems like only yesterday I was 13. LOL. I had a good time and it was nice to hang with my family, especially my sister Alex who goes to St. Peter’s College. It was the first birthday my sister Hayley wasn’t there. She’s in Oregon and we all miss her a lot.
On Wednesday I worked out doing push ups, sit-ups, toe-raises, lungesand dips. On Thursday I went to my brothers St. Michaels practice. On Saturday I had a workout with Coach Pete Marston and after that I went to my brother’s practice. Sunday I had my zoo crew fall league game. No real news as far as school. Just working and studying. No tests back this week.
Monday was my first time going to that open gym and I got there late so I didn’t get to play as much. When I did get in, the guy I was guarding was bigger than me (of course) so he was just posting me up. I think I played pretty good defense though. I learned that when I get to High School bigger players are going to try and post me up, so now I’m working on my post defense. On Friday I got there earlier so I played a lot more. I played well because I was just having fun playing and my teammates were fun to play with. I made a few 3’s and some floaters and dished off some nice passes.
Wednesday I was just working out and getting stronger. I was thinking about where and what I wanted to be in the future, and that was what I was thinking about during my workout. On Thursday I went to my brother’practice. My brother, Marcellus, plays 13u, and my other brother,Marquis A.K.A Kiki Torch, plays 10u. I like watching them play because I can see their mistakes and help them get better, and tell them my mistakes so they don’t make them. They played well, and St. Michaels should have pretty good teams.
On Saturday I had the early morning workout with Pete Marston. Once again it was a tough one but it got me better. Some of my Got Game teammates were there, and so was Jamir Harris of Team Final. He works hard and pushes other players and that’s what I like. We worked on ball handling, and shooting. The drills are tough, so it really helps me. On Sunday I had the Zoo Crew game. I played well with 13 points, 8 assists and 3 steals. As a team we played well but we have to keep working harder. The team we played was good but we executed well and played good defense. We were shorthanded with only 6 players but we all played hard and focused. I can’t wait until our first practice on Saturday.
Holla at ya next week,
Otis “The General” Livingston Jr.
What's Up Everybody; it's the "Shoota". This week was on and poppin. I had three exams and I got A's on all three. This also was the first time I didn't have any projects or homework to do over the weekend.
Monday I had a game with Team Final we're playing in a high school league, we lost by 4 or 5. Right now I'm happy with the chemistry we're building and not worried about the wins and losses. Both our big boys were there, this is the first time I've played on a team with 2 Biggs. Those boys hit the boards like crazy, but I had to get in there and snatch a few, they finish around the rim exceptionally well, shout out to Tim and Trey. Coach P said we have another big boy coming, so skies the limit for Team Final.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday I went to my workouts and practice. They were hard but competitive and fun, especially the round robin 4 on 4. My man Q Ross always pick the young boys on his team (me and Fresh). During the 4 on 4 you only have 10 seconds to get the ball down the court and score, we be rocking going hard.
Saturday we had a game in Brooklyn (Funsport). This was the first time I played in NY in like two years. The atmosphere, the type of ball played; the swagger of the players, it's just different, I love playing there. We won in a blow out, everybody played together and played hard.
Sunday morning, I got up early to get some shots up and work on my dribbling and conditioning. I use one side of the gym and the older guys play full court on the other side. For some reason it was packed in there, it must have been 25-30 guys waiting to play. It was a lot of arguing going on, cause guys know if you lose you might not get back on the court. After I finished my workout I went to church. Before we were about to leave my older sister Brielle came out of her cave and asked what time church starts cause she was going. Me and my mom had the same look on our faces what's wrong with you, but we didn't say anything. She did make it to church late and she left before it was over, that's my sister doing her own thing and always got somewhere to go.
Sunday afternoon I went to the Eddie Griffin Challenge at TCA. It was three games, a sophomore, junior, and senior game (Philly v NJ). My boys Q. Ross and John John (Life Center Academy) played in the senior game. Q. Ross had a productive but quiet game. But John John was a problem; he did what he wanted when he wanted. I can't wait to see him play at Pitt. John John did his thing and they gave the MVP to someone else. John deserved the MVP. Philly came to Jersey and won all three games, but everybody knows Jersey is better than that.
Catch me next week!!
"Shoota"
Basketball Spotlight Alum Amile Jefferson Was One Of The MVP's Of The Junior Game. (Photo Courtesy Of ESPN.com)
The Eddie Griffin Memorial Challenge took place this weekend at Trenton Catholic High School. This event pits the best high school players from New Jersey against their Pennsylvania counterparts. This event featured an enormous amount of Basketball Spotlight Alumni. Here are a few of the reports.
NJ Hoops Report by Jay Gomes
ESPN Report by Dave Telep
PS: Special Shout Out To My Man Dave Telep For His Move From Scout.com to ESPN. I had the pleasure of watching talent with Dave for years on the high school scene and he deserves all the accolades his gets. Also, whats up Norm Evanson (a real scout). I miss you guys!
The Basketball Spotlight Grand Finale is receiving early interest. Some of the top teams in the region are confirmed. If you are interested please register quickly because this event will eventually sell out. This tournament will be held Dec. 4th and 5th at Hoop Group Headquarters. Please keep in mind of the November 14th deadline.
Click Here To Register
Teams Confirmed
14U (24 Spots)
1. MABC
2. Linden Ballers
3. Hoop Heaven
4. Team Takeover
5. Showtime All Stars
6. Team Final
7. NJ Pirates
8. F.A.C.E.S.
9. Philly Aztecs
10. VBC
11. Montgomery County
12. Team Scan
13. MJ Heat14. Fairfax Stars Black15. Fairfax Stars Maroon
16. JS Devils17. TTown Ballerz18. Abyssian Church19. Albany Dream Team20. Team Thoroughbreed21. NJ Got Game22. Team Rebels23. Philly Triple Threat24. Team MVP25. Future Players26. Team Dynasty27. Team Scan NY28. New Heights (Blue)29. New Heights (White)
13U (20 Slots)
1. MABC
2. Gauchos
3. Lloyd Daniels Rebels
4. Team Scan
5. NY Panthers
6. F.A.C.E.S.
7. DC Assault (Gorham)
8. Riverside Hawks
9. Philly Aztecs
10. CT Elite
11. Fairfax Stars
12. TTown Ballerz13. Team Elite
14. SI Ironmen
15. Team Elite
16. Philly Triple Threat17. Team Dynasty
18. New Heights (Blue)19. New Heights (White)20.
12U (12 Slots)
1. MABC
2. Playtime Panthers
3. TTown Ballerz
4. Team Nelson
5. VCB
6. JSL Hoops
7. Delaware Talent
8. Philly Triple Threat9. Juice All Stars10. NY Rising Stars11. PA Falcons12.
11U (8 Slots)
1. MABC
2. Fastbreak Basketball
3. Riverside Hawks
4. TTown Ballerz
5. Natural Ballers
6. We Run
7. Delaware Royalty
8. Gauchos9.
10U1. TTown Ballerz2. VCB3. Gauchos4. Future Players5.6.7.8.
What’s good everybody this is Blair “Fresh” Howard and this my first diary entry for Basketball Spotlight. Before I start I just want to give thanks to Mike Melton and Basketball Spotlight for giving me this opportunity.
This past weekend was the Columbus Day challenge in Mass and my team did not do as well as we usually do. I think it’s my fault because I was rushing things and not taking my time. I was matched up against Chris Atkinson (Team Scan) and Juwan Gooding (Expressions) in two much hyped games. The game against Expressions my team fought hard in, but we only had 7 players (a lot of our players play Pop Warner Football) and we lost. It was a good match-up between Juwan Gooding and me going head to head the whole game, but he led his team to the win. I felt bad for my coach and teammates because I felt like I let them down by getting to hyped and not focusing on team ball. We are without our big man (Chir Maker) so it puts more of the responsibility on me. My coach (Reggie Hatchett) is always talking to me about the life lessons within basketball. He said this was a lesson in humility. No matter how good I am on the court, if I don’t learn how to be humble, God will find a way to humble me. I think he is right because I could not find my rhythm all weekend. It was a hard lesson, but I understand now.
In a few more weeks practice will be starting for the Central Connecticut Travel League. I play for the squad from Hartford. Last year we won the championship in all three grades and were going for that goal again this year…WE RUN THIS STATE!!! Soon our 5am practices will begin, my coach stresses conditioning to keep us in shape and I am so glad he does that. These next few weeks I am going to chill and relax. But even when I say I/m relaxing, I still work out at home because my dad is a personal trainer, so I can’t ever get away from it. LOL.
I am also grinding right now to get my GPA up so I can satisfy my school requirements. I go to Capital Preparatory Magnet here in Hartford and it’s one of the best schools in the country (Google us!!!) so I have to produce in the classroom just as much as I do on the court. But I am focused on finishing middle school on top and making a run for the Basketball Spotlight’s Player of the Year Trophy. I’ll holla back at ya’ll next week.
“Fresh” out!
Hello Basketball World Its your boy "Fresh". This week was the start of something new. Well Monday Team Final had a game, we lost by 5 because we played horrible defense. I like this league because we're playing up and it gives me all kind of challenges. It brings out the good and bad in me which gives me a different outlook of the game. Shout out to Malichi, he was hot with the threes. We gotta show my boy some more love. Tuesday, we had practice and things are really getting intense because the new ball handling and conditioning drills are no joke. Seems like everybody has one mind set and that is to get better. Wednesday, I didn't touch the ball because I had a project to start for school. Thursday was Team Final practice after drills we ran 4 0n 4 we were going in with the JV and Varsity. I like when we do that because it prepares me to play against older players because it helps me learn how to take more contact.
Friday I came home after school and worked on my project and played a little bit of Mafia 2. Saturday was my nephew birthday shout out to DYHEIR. He had his 4 birthday party but I missed it because Team Final had a game in N.Y. The league is called Fun Sport. This league will give us the chance to play against team we might not usually play against. We played against Abyssinian Church, we won 61-39 it was a good game not because we won but because we played as a team on offense and defense. After the game, Malik Ellision and I went to my house and played 2k11 all night. Best out of 5 but, in the end you know who won. Sunday we got up and ate some Cinnamon Toast Crunch and went back to playing the game. After he got tired of me winning in 2k I gave him a crash course in Mafia 2. Til next week remember THERE'S NO I IN TEAM.
Stay Tuned For More From Lamarr "Fresh" Kimble .
Coach Paul Suber’s team captured Gauchos Roundball Championship by the score of 50-31over NY Panthers. “Nacho” Nwanna led the way with 21 points. This team is really evolving and it’s a pleasure to watch them; as these kids move the ball and play team basketball. Amanie Craddock, Idris Joyner; and Nacho Nwanna earned all tournament selections. Nacho also earned MVP honors for his dominant performance.
Are you looking for an AAU basketball club to play for? Do you want to measure your basketball skills against the countries top basketball players?
TEAM FINAL will be hosting tryouts on Saturday, November 13th
Ages: 11U & 12U, 5th and 6th grade
Time: 10am to 12pm ( Registration to start at 9:30am)
Location: Life Center Academy
2045 Columbus road
Burlington NJ 08016
If interested you can pre register with your-
Name:
Date of birth:
Grade:
Height:
Weight:
Travel & AAU experience: including position & starter information
GPA:
Email: teamfinalaau@yahoo.com
A $10 registration fee will be charged at tryouts.
Feel free to contact us with any questions- at (609) 509-1859
You can also visit our website at: www.eteamz.com/teamfinalaau
Devonte Green is one of the smoothest players in the region. He has displayed these skills for the last 3 years while leading the Gauchos to multiple titles. We got a chance to run into him at the Gauchos Round Ball after he scored 27 points against the Playaz 15U team. Here’s our One on One.
One On One
BS: What school do you attend?
DG: Robert Moses (Long Island).
BS: Who’s your favorite player?
DG: Kevin Durant because I like what he can do at his size.
BS: What’s the strongest part of your game?
DG: I would have to say my jump shot.
BS: What part of your game needs the most work?
DG: Probably going hard left.
BS: What’s your dream college?
DG: North Carolina, my brother went there and I love their program.
BS: How has having a brother in the NBA helped your game and development?
DG: He has helped me out a lot. He told me things to improve my game and informed me about the mistakes he went through.
BS: What’s your fondest basketball moment so far?
DG: I remember I made a buzzer beater at halftime against U Turn at the Basketball Spotlight MDC.
BS: What’s special about the Basketball Spotlight tournaments?
DG: I love them because of the great competition.
The New Jersey Nets will be playing in Newark, NJ at the Prudential Center. They want to bring in the new season the correct way so they have teamed with Basketball Spotlight to bring you a special promotion. They have Super Savings for their first two home games against the Detroit Pistons and the Sacramento Kings featuring reigning ROY Tyreke Evans. Click the Link Below to get this great deal. Don’t miss the chance to watch Evans as he makes his only trip to the Garden State the entire season. The prices are unbelievable!
Click Here For The Ticket Deals
Fall ADIDAS Phenom Basketball Camp
October 30-31, 2010
New Haven Athletic Center
New Haven, Connecticut
Sponsored by: adidas
Hosted by: Elite Sports
CAMP INFORMATION
• All players get an adidas shirt.
• 2 day Camp.
• 4 Exposure Games.
• Guest Speaking and Lecturing by National adidas All-American Camp Director Dave Taylor.
• adidas Phenom Basketball Camp Regional Director Jay Riccitelli will be in attendance evaluating players.
• Basketball Insturction and Drills by adidas’s Skill Instructor Coach Taylor.
• Entry fee is $175/player for 4th-9th grades. Entry fee is $100/player for 10th-12th grades.
• Camp hosted at top notch facility.
• Players are being evaluated by adidas National Camp Director for an invitation to the National adidas Camp in the Summer of 2011.
• Recruiting Services are covering the camp with articles, pictures, & future college recommendations.
• College Coaches will be in attendance.
Vendors and More
• Adidas Phenom & adidas Sneaker, Apparel, & Gear
• Elite Athletic Apparel, LLC will be presenting samples of custom uniforms, shooting shirts, & warm ups.
Please note that player participation in the camp is based on first come first served basis and a spot is confirmed once full payment is received.
To register go to www.EliteSportsEvents.com for all camp information, registration form, and Schedule.
For all camp questions email Joann at EliteSportsEvents@hotmail.com
What's happening everybody?,
My week was pretty laid back as far as basketball goes. I didn't have my usual workouts with Coach Vinny, and I spent most of the week helping my family move into a new house. I had to help unload the truck, unpack boxes, and move stuff around. That was tiring! Between that and school I felt busy. But I did get a chance to go to open gym at my middle school one day and to the outdoor courts across the street from my school on another day. Not too many days are going to go by without playing at all. It may not be a "workout" or anything, but playing with friends or my brothers, or in my driveway, or even in my house (which drives my mom crazy after awhile) I find a way to play.
The weekend was another story. I had an early morning workout with Coach Pete Marston. We worked on dribbling and shooting off the dribble and screens. I like Coach Pete's workouts because he brings out the best in me and inspires me to push myself even more. He says that the stuff he teaches us is not only used in games but also in life. I'm going to miss him coaching our team. After that we had breakfast then went to a NJ Got Game pre-practice. Our official first day of practice isn't until October 23rd, but we wanted to work on some things before our Zoo Crew game against West Ward. I'm excited for our first official practice. I think we are going to come out hard and set the tone for the year.
In our game against West Ward we played better than last week. We won the game and overall we felt good. We had a lot of fast break opportunities and played pretty solid defense. We had our teammates Owen and Marcus back with us for the first time and that was cool to play with them again. I tried to get all my teammates involved and get them going. I had about 7 pts. about 8 assists, and 3 steals. There are always things to get better at and this week I will be back in the gym working on them.
In school we got our district Math test results back and I got a 95%. I felt I deserved it because I had studied really hard. Now that it is October I've gotten used to the amount of school work and I'm getting better at managing my time. Progress reports come out soon. I'm not worried.
Check with you next week,
Otis "The General" Livingston, Jr.
What's Up Everybody! It's your boy the "Shoota". This was a slow but decent week for me. I missed my game Monday and my Tuesday workout, because I had two school projects due this week.
Wednesday, I got back to work on the court. I worked out at TCA, and I was able to get a lot of shots up on the GUN (shooting machine).
Saturday I got back with my boys (Team Final). It was a nice workout going at each other and trying to make each other better. Shout out to Coach Pervis and Coach Fresh for paying attention to the little details during the drills; that's really preparing us for the next level (high school). Saturday night I hung out at the movies, I saw the movie Devil; it was a good movie but really scary.
Early Sunday morning I went to TCA to get some more shots up on the GUN, and work on my conditioning and ball handling. I went to church after my work out and played ball with the older guys Sunday evening at the local park.
Sunday night of course I watched my Eagles win, my dad wouldn't watch the game because his Cowboys (bums) lost.
Catch me next week!
"Shoota"
I'm Out!!
Hello Basketball World its "Fresh". This week was a good one. Monday it was school as usual, even though I didn't go to bed until 1am from Louisville. By the way I have a 98% average in Algebra a 94% in Latin, a 88 in Communications (I know I have to bring that up), 94% in Science and 99% in Bible. Our classes are like college courses so we don't have that many at one time but, we're in the classes for 1 1/2 hours and some for 45 minutes.
Monday night we (Team Final) had a game. We lost by 5 we were down by 20 but we weren't organized. I played a factor in that lost by being late, which I would like to apologize to my coach and my teammates. Even though I had a long weekend that is no excuse I made a commitment. We played a team of seniors which made the comeback even harder. Tuesday was Team Final practice we started working on some new drills. Wednesday, I ran full up the recreation center for a couple of hours after school. Thursday, Team Final practice had me sweating like crazy as usual. Friday upper class went on a trip. Well they went on a trip because I already live in Philly.. lol. We went to the Wells Fargo Center where the Sixers and Flyers play and also the Lincoln Financial Field where the Eagles play. We went on tours and I had a lot of fun. The best part was it was dress down day!!! Friday night, I came back home took of my jeans and polo shirt, put on some basketball gear and grabbed my Gatorade for a 3 on 3 up the rec until the lights went out.
Saturday Team Final had practice after Team Final (Team Battle) tryouts. Yo, it was a lot of people like a basketball tournament. Later that day I went to the rec center until the sun went down before going to Tyheem's house. We got up Sunday about 7:30am to go workout with the ball handling and conditioning trainer Marty until 12pm. I like him he's good. After we took a nap I killed Tyheem in Madden 11 and 2k11. He don't want none of me in Halo Reach...
Til Next Week Stay Busy and Stay Tuned for more from Lamarr "Fresh" Kimble.
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