Only the Real Deal

The nation’s top preps put on a show in Little Rock.

Perry Ellis, 2012 | 6-8, 220 pounds, Forward | KC Players | Wichita, KS

I wasn’t sure if I was watching Perry Ellis or Carlos Boozer at the Real Deal. Yep I am going with the NBA comparison here, but like Gavin Ware, I only watched him for a half or so. He spent most of the time on the left side of the floor and fell in love with driving the baseline where he did finish strong. He rebounded well in space but seem to be taking the night off from crashing. I would say his game is a physical one and has a great skill set for a guy his size.

Grant Jerrett, 2012 | 6-8, 200 pounds, Forward | Belmont Shore | La Verne, CA

Jarrett definitely looked the part at the Real Deal. He has the body of a prototypical power forward, long frame with long arms and broad shoulders but its missing one thing, strength. His offensive skill set that consists of both perimeter and mid-range game is among the elite, but his lack of strength seems to keep him off balance when faced with contact in the paint. If he can mature physically, the Arizona commit will be a force in the PAC 10.

Ricardo Gathers, 2012 | 6-7, 240 pounds, Forward | Brandon Bass Elite | LaPlace, LA

I didn’t know the Real Deal was a combine for the NFL replacement players. First it was Andre Drummond with the NBA-ready body, now it’s Gathers with the NFL-type body that gets out in transition like he is the gunner on the kick off team and attacks the rim like it’s the returner. In basketball terms he is a run and jump forward but like every high school forward, he thinks his game is on the perimeter. If he keeps a double-double mindset and develops more on the block, sky is the limit for the big guy.

Shabazz Muhammad, 2012 | 6-6, 200 pounds, Forward | Dream Vision | Las Vegas, NV

Muhammad’s shoes (wore the gold three-stripes) weren’t the only thing that stood out at the Real Deal. Let’s just keep this simple when describing Shabazz…….he is just a flat out PLAYER! It can get real lengthy if I described all the things this cat does well but I will sum it up with this, he has a scorer’s mentality and lives at the charity stripe. One more thing, his jumper off-the-bounce is like “butter baby” (line from the movie Sunset Park).

Alex Poythress, 2012 | 6-7, 215 pounds, Forward | Georgia Stars | Clarksville, TN

Poythress may have put stamp on being a combo forward after his performance at the Real Deal. I will not tag him as small forward yet, but if he continues developing his offensive skill set, I will have no choice. He displayed great ability to knock down the three on a consistent basis and rebound on both ends. His best attribute is attacking the basket where possesses major athleticism and great length to finish over bigger outstretched defenders. If he develops any kind of a post game, Poythress will be a potential match up problem.

Devonte Pollard, 2012 | 6-7, 200 pounds, Forward | Southern Phenoms | De Kalb, MS

Pollard showed signs of a small forward at the Real Deal. Let’s tag him as a power forward for now but in time you will see him develop into small forward. His ball handling needs work in the half court but has no problem in space going rim to rim, after a rebound, and finishing with the dunk. (Perry Ellis and Co. had front row seats for one those coast to coast finishes.) He also has the ability to knock down the pull up jumper and finish with his right hand (he is a lefty) but definitely needs to improve his ball handling and ability to create in the half court to prove my theory of him being a wing.

Gabe York, 2012 | 6-1, 150 pounds, Guard | Compton Magic | Orange, CA

After watching Gabe York play at the Real Deal, I now know what Jacob Tucker would have looked like with some game. I don’t know what is more impressive, the 30 points he put on the ATL Celtics or his high flying dunks in transition. The 6-1 combo guard had great lift on his jump shot and showed great explosiveness getting to the basket in both transition and the half court. He has great ball handling skills along with the willingness to pass, so the transition to point should go over well in college.

Kris Dunn, 2012 | 6-3, 180 pounds, Guard | Connecticut Basketball Club | New London, CT

Dunn, well pretty much got it done this past weekend at the Real Deal. If players were stock, I would definitely buy Dunn. He is a versatile guard who can play either guard spot because of his ability to handle the ball and score off the ball. He distributed the ball well but stood out most in screen action where he knocked down the three or used a effective floater to finish in the paint.

Marcus Hunt, 2012 | 6-4, 200 pounds, Guard | Georgia Stars | Riverdale, GA

Hunt was in attack mode all weekend at the Real Deal. The 6-4 wing showed his ability to be a complete scorer by scoring in variety of ways. He uses his big shoulders well to create space while attacking the rim and to take contact when finishing. His three ball was on point and often posted smaller guards.