Various shoe and apparel companies have made sponsoring grassroots events and basketball teams at the high school level a priority over the years. In recent years, Nike has established itself as the premier sponsor, with adidas and to a lesser extent, Reebok, also involved in the game.
Now, Under Armour seems to be making a strong push into the spring and summer calendar, by becoming a sponsor of several pre-existing tournaments to formulate the new “Under Armour Summer Championship Series”. Under Armour also entered the crowded Memorial Day Weekend tournament landscape, by hosting their inaugural Are You From Here? Classic, in Dallas, Texas.
The weekend tournament hosted Under Armour’s growing stable of grassroots programs, which now includes the Houston Defenders, Philly Pride, DC Assault, Juice (NY), Illinois Wolves, and several other traditionally strong “AAU” programs. With other grassroots basketball teams mixed in with Under Armour’s squads, there was formidable field on hand at the sprawling facility at Duncanville High School, which is notable for a first year event.
The star of the weekend was unquestionably 6-5 shooting guard Aaron Harrison of the Houston Defenders. He and his twin brother Andrew Harrison have established themselves as top-10 prospects in the 2013 class nationally, but it was Aaron’s turn to shine on the final day of the tournament.
A bullish and extremely physical guard, Aaron Harrison was faced with his star brother going down to an injury in the first half of their quarterfinal game against a Kansas City Run GMC with two high-major backcourt commits in Conner Frankamp (Kansas) and Travis Jorgenson (Missouri). Harrison ended up with 29 points and turned the tide to push his team to come from behind victory.
After that performance, Harrison logged a mind-blowing 42 points as his team, still missing Andrew Harrison, suffered a one point semifinal loss to eventual event runner-up Net Gain Sports, of Minnesota. Harrison was at another level from his opponents in those two games, as he was consistent from 3-point range, was impossible to stop in transition, and created huge scoring swings with heads up defensive play. His physicality prevents even forwards and posts from locking him down.
Prior to the event, the Harrison’s college list was composed of Kentucky, Maryland, Baylor and Villanova. Now, it seems as if SMU can be added to that list. The Harrisons, along with several of their teammates on the Houston Defenders, trekked to SMU’s campus to meet with new coach Larry Brown on an unofficial visit. To no surprise, Brown reportedly has scholarships available for the twins if they want to attend SMU. It probably more likely though that Brown can add some of the supporting cast on the Houston Defenders, rather than the Harrisons.
Two players that were originally expected to be members of the 2013 class at Maryland and Towson, were also in the event. When Damonte Dodd committed to Maryland some months ago, it’s fair to say that he was among the most unknown pledges in any BCS college’s recruiting class at the time. On the flip side, point guard Frank Mason looked like an absolute steal for Towson.
As the spring turns into summer and Damonte Dodd continues running with DC Assault and Mason is still on the roster for Team Loaded (North Carolina/Virginia-based), it seems less likely that each player will end up in the D1 ranks next year, and prep school could seem more probable. Nothing is set in stone just yet, but it will be a situation worth monitoring as both played quite well in this tournament.
Dodd, in particular, was way better than his unknown rep would seem to indicate. He passes the look test and seems like a high-major center in the lay-up line, but when the action starts and he hits the floor, he can play, too. There aren’t many actual sleepers in this era of heavily recruited early identified high school prospects, but Dodd appears to have a chance to be one.
The 17-U (Senior-to-Be) division was won the Milwaukee Runnin’ Rebels, which featured 6-8 forward Kevon Looney, a 2014 prospect. Looney is long, athletic, and a top-20 prospect nationally due to his fluidity and inside-outside offensive game. Damontre Jefferson, a 5-9 point guard from the 2014 class, put up serious points and was dynamite backcourt player all weekend in the championship run.
The Runnin’ Rebels took out Net Gain Sports, a squad which was also led by an elite 2014 prospect in 6-4 shooting guard Rashad Vaughn. He has a bevy of Big Ten suitors, which is no surprise given his terrific all-around game and heady play. Vaughn is quickly working his way into a universal top-25 national ranking in his class.
The 16-U (Junior-to-be) division championship was captured by a hometown entry, Dallas Showtyme. Their star over the course of the weekend was 6-6 wing D’Angelo Allen. The youngest age group, the 15-U (Sophomore-to-be) title was won by Net Gain Sports.
Some of the prospects that played well over the course of the weekend included 2013 Purdue commit Kendall Stephens (Illinois Wolves), 2014 shooting guard Isaiah Whitehead (Juice-NY), 2013 Kansas commit Conner Frankamp, 2013 BYU pledge Nick Emery (Utah Reign), 2014 point guard Emmanuel Mudiay (Texas Select), 2014 Virginia commit BJ Stith (Team Loaded), twin 2014 wing forwards Caleb and Cody Martin (Team Loaded), and 2014 point guard Alex Robinson (DJH5).
Kellon Hassenstab runs Hoopniks.com. Follow him on Twitter @hoopniks.
