Hello, GMs and followers of the league. I just wanted to make you guys aware of a rookie pre-draft combine that happened a couple days ago. The top 16 prospects split up into teams of 8 and played against each other in a 3-game series. The teams were... The Rookie Stars led by first-overall pick, Denis Alexander (PG, Kentucky). The other team was named the Rookie Phenoms, and that team was led by second-overall pick, Lawrence Roman (SG, Akron).
Game 1 (Stats here
http://www.leaguelineup.com/gamesum_basketball.asp?url=jbabasketball&sid=38048430&GameID=18744941)
The first game of this series saw a heroic fourth-quarter comeback by the Phenoms, as they trailed by 16 heading into the game's final period of action. The Phenoms came away with the victory though, 67-65.
The Phenoms were led by SF Todd Blanco (Akron), who happened to be overshadowed throughout the college basketball season last year by two higher-rated prospects who also played for the Zips, in SG Lawrence Roman and SF Mario Whittaker. Blanco stole the show in this one though, scoring all 11 of his points in the game's final quarter.
Blanco was only overshadowed by College basketball's player of the year from last season, Texas PF Mikel Pickens. Scouts aren't sold on Pickens' ability at the professional level, but he was an impressive 6-8 from the field, including a perfect 2-2 from long range, he led the Phenoms with 14 points. Robles and Hoover, the teams two centers, finished with 11 and 10 respectively. Blanco's higher touted Akron teammates Roman and Whittaker finished with 8 and 7 points.
For the Stars, it all came down to the play of a certain Kentucky PG that most scouts are enamored with. Denis Alexander finished with a game-high 18 points and a game-high 7 assists. Alexander showed very nice chemistry with Tennessee center Cornelius Cummins, who was the only other star in double-digits (15 pts off the bench).
Game 2
In Game 2, the Stars came back and showed their firepower, in an 82-72 victory. The Stars never trailed in this one, taking a 14-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The team was led by their big men in the middle as Tennessee C Cornelius Cummins netted 10 points and four rebounds off the bench, while Carter Olson (C, Texas) added a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Olson's trademark is not offense though, but he was dominant defensively against opposing center Loren Robles, as he held him to 33.3% shooting on 8 points.
Darryl Schmitt tied Olson's game-high 16 points and also added seven rebounds. Schmitt improved his draft stock and showed that he could fill it up from long-range, by hitting a couple of three-point attempts in the contest.
As for the Phenoms, PG Josiah Jean showed great efficiency, finishing 7-9 from the field with 14 points and 5 assists. Jean didn't miss a shot from inside the three-point line all evening. The team however shot around 21% from three and trailed the whole way.
Other notable scorers for the Phenoms:
Roman 10
Whittaker 11
Blanco 13
Game 3
In game 3, it was the Phenoms who stormed back and dominated, winning 92-78. The Phenoms took a 24-point lead into the final quarter, when the Stars showed their first sign of light for the entire game. The Stars outscored the Phenoms 34-24 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't nearly enough for the victory.
The Phenoms had, quite possibly, the stand-out performance of the entire Rookie pre-draft combine series from South Carolina center Loren Robles. Robles had 19 points and 14 rebounds on 66.7% shooting, and he did this all against college's Defensive Player of the year last season (Carter Olson).
Robles wasn't alone though, as Lawrence Roman and Mikel Pickens each added in an efficient 15 points, while Mario Whittaker and Alonzo Hoover had 14.
For the Stars, the ball movement just wasn't there from the very beginning. Denis Alexander had a solid outing, shooting above 57% for 11 points and distributing 8 assists, but the stars were led by back-up PG Claire McGuire. McGuire tallied a team-high 14 points. Other double digit scorers on the night were Carter Olson, Daryll Schmitt, and Cornelius Cummins.
Leaders over the three-game combine (Can be seen here
http://www.leaguelineup.com/standin...all&sid=38048430&divisionid=698146&listtype=1)
With the draft underway, will these performances give anyone a reason to change their mind on their selections? We will see!
