Welcome to The Show
By Robert Alfonso Jr.
Suwanee, GA – The Tip-Off Classic is just different than many events before the NCAA Live Period. It always looks to have the best matchups basketball fans may want to see.
Fans and media will surround a court creating an intense atmosphere. Many of those games bring out the best of some players. Here are a few players and teams basking in the spotlight.
Harper lives up to national ranking
When AOT steps on the floor many people flock to the game in anticipation of seeing Ace Bailey. The 6-foot-8 is a Rutgers commit from McEachern, who has off-the-chart skills and is ranked in the top 10 nationally in many publications. He is certainly the top player in the state of Georgia.
When you pair him with another highly-ranked prospect you will get a standing room-only crowd. Dylan Harper joined Bailey to play two games during the marquee games on Sunday. Harper, a 6-foot-5 guard, asserted himself in the games The Don Bosco Prep product showed why he is ranked the No. 2 player in the class. This lefty used to get into the lane and mixed it up with his mid-range jumper. The son of former NBA player, Ron Harper, played with plenty of poise and control.
Harper has received attention from numerous college programs across the country. According to his Twitter, he has narrowed his college choices to Auburn, Duke, Rutgers, Kansas, and Indiana. His older brother, Ron Harper Jr, is a former Rutgers standout. Scarlet Knights fans would love to see another Harper in the RAC, known today at Jersey Mike’s Arena, teaming up with Bailey. This may have been a glimpse of what the future holds for the Big Ten program.
This travel season, Harper is playing with the NY Renaissance on the EYBL circuit. AOT is on the Adidas circuit.
Abdullabhi is a grown man
Malik Abdullahi is one of the more competitive juniors nationally.
The 6-foot-8 forward, from Christopher Columbus High (FL), is active on both ends of the floor. He has a great motor and is a relentless rebounder on both ends of the floor. Abdullahi helped the NightRyders to an undefeated season over some of the region’s notable sneaker programs.
Keep an eye on Abdullahi this spring and summer. His skills translate to the next level. He has helped Columbus win a 7A Florida state championship and the inaugural Throne Championship in Atlanta this season.
High-profile backcourts in Georgia
The 17U teams of Atlanta Celtics and Game Elite may have the most entertaining backcourts in the country.
Christian Anderson and Gicarri Harris are playing together for the Celtics. Both of these guys are not just the premiere scorers in the state of Georgia but across the country. Anderson, a Michigan commit, is a scoring point guard with excellent court vision and the ability to score from anywhere on the floor. Harris, who is a highly-touted recruit, scores from all three levels on the floor.
Jeremiah Wilkinson and CJ Brown are back for an encore performance with Game Elite. These two players took the travel basketball world by storm last season. They play going downhill and entertain those watching with electrifying dunks. Wilkinson, a Mississippi State commit, is a bucket-getter capable of scoring in bunches. Brown is shifty with an explosive first step. He will continue garnering national attention as the travel season is just getting started.
Watching both of these backcourts is entertaining because the level of basketball intellect displayed is enjoyable to watch.
Edgecombe racking up frequent flyer miles and highlights
VJ Edgecombe is accustomed to taking flight.
The Bahamian native looks to always jump on a flight home whenever possible. He also is fortunate to travel across the country with his Long Island Lutheran High School team and with the Austin Rivers Southeast Elite program.
While those are ways for him to rack up frequent flyer miles, while seeing many parts of the country, the junior guard is soaring on the hardwood. Edgecombe is blocking shots and then dunking on opponents.
About the Author
Alfonso
Robert Alfonso Jr. is a graduate of Mount Sait Mary College. He has more than 20 years of journalism experience. Alfonso has helped build a basketball web brand in Georgia and has covered high school through college sports for publications in New York, North Carolina, and Georgia. His mission has always been to uplift the athletes who play sports providing them the exposure needed in this new media platform.