New Heights Presents 2nd Annual NYC Summer Classic

Youth organization aims to create elite experience both on and off the court.

(From our friends at New Heights)

Perhaps the most iconic image of summer basketball is that of thousands of fans cramming into and around Rucker Park to watch the game’s greatest players match skills on the famed playground court in Harlem. These outdoor courts used to be the place where reputations were made and legends born. As the game has evolved, AAU events have become that showcase for today’s young talent and tournaments are played throughout the country. Again this year, the spotlight will find its way back to NYC at the second annual NYC Summer Classic AAU tournament, presented by New Heights.

According to New Heights Athletic Director Kimani Young, the event will not only be a showcase for players but a welcome addition to the current landscape.  “We love traveling, but we also wanted to create an event that brought the experience home,” said Young. “We feel like New York is the center of the basketball universe and, as such, we thought there should be a tournament that capitalizes on that energy.  Our goal is to produce a high quality NYC summer basketball event for the top prospects, coaches and programs in the Tri-State area. That means quality basketball, quality facilities, quality officiating, quality competition and high quality NCAA academic workshops.  Last year’s event was a tremendous success, with 32 teams participating and more than 100 college coaches in attendance.  This year’s event promises to be even bigger and better.”

Nick Blatchford, the founder of New Heights, added that New Heights is putting a strong emphasis on creating a high quality experience, not just in terms of the caliber of play, but across the board.  “We want to create an environment that reflects New Heights’ mission, which combines competitive sports with an emphasis on education and character development,” said Blatchford. “We want teams to walk away from New York City with a positive experience, regardless of how they do on the court.”

This year’s one-day showcase tournament will be held on July 31st at Fordham University in the Bronx. The invitation-only event will showcase 48 of the nation’s most talented 15/U, 16/U and 17/U teams and will be certified by the NCAA as a “live” recruiting event, meaning college coaches from all over the country will be in attendance to scout young prospects from the region.

Committed Featured Programs Include:

New Heights

NYC
NY

Gauchos

NJ Playaz

Long Island Lightning

Metro Hawks (NY)

D-One Sports (NC)

NY Panthers
Sports U (NJ)

Team NJ ABC

Team Philly

Juice All Stars (NY)

Team Takeover (DC)

National Top 100 Prospects Include:

Jermaine Sanders ’11, Rice (NY), New Heights, Big East/ACC interest, top 60 on Hoop Scoop

Mike Taylor ’11, Boys & Girls (NY), Metro Hawks, Big East, ACC, Big Ten offers/interest, top 35 on Hoop Scoop

Mikael Hopkins ‘11, DeMatha (MD), Team Takeover, Big East, ACC offers, top 100 on ESPN

Michael Gbinjie ‘11, Benedictine (VA), Team Takeover, committed to Duke, top 25 on ESPN

Quincy Miller ‘11, Quality Education (NC), D One Sports, top 5 on ESPN

Sidiki Johnson ’11, St. Raymond’s (NY), Metro Hawks, committed to Arizona, top 100 on Rivals

Nkereuwem Okoro ’12, St. Raymond’s (NY), Long Island Lightning, Big East interest, top 60 on ESPN

Daniel Dingle ’12, St. Raymond’s (NY), Long Island Lightning, Big East interest, top 65 on Hoop Scoop

Myles Mack ’11, Paterson Catholic (NJ), Playaz, Big East, ACC, A-10 offers/interest, top 55 on Hoop Scoop

Myles Davis ’11, St. Peter’s Prep (NJ), Playaz, Big East, ACC offers/interest, top 90 on Hoop Scoop

Desmond Hubert ’11, New Egypt (NJ), Playaz, Big East, A-10 offers/interest, top 30 on ESPNU

Kyle Anderson ’12, Paterson Catholic (NJ), Playaz, Big East, Pac-10, A-10 offers/interest, top 20 on ESPN

Maurice Harkless ’11, Forest Hills (NY), NY Panthers, Big East offers/interest, top 75 on Hoop Scoop

Derrick Randall ’11, South Kent (CT), Playaz, Big East, ACC offers/interest, top 100 on Hoop Scoop

Corey Edwards ’11, Christ the King (NY), New Heights, top 100 on Hoop Scoop.