Episode # 3 "The EYBL Experience" We bring you some behind the scene footage of our experience while playing through the first two sessions. This league is like no other and we are currently 9-0, each game is like a championship game and you must bring your A- Game each and every night. You will view footage from the first stop in LA then onto to Virginia, If you want to play against the best, #NIKE #EYBL is where the best play.
Stay tuned as we will bring you closer as are road on the circuit continues, #EYBL

           For the second year in a row HDM was on hand to catch The 2013 Jordan Brand Classic, which turned out to be bigger and better this year.  The event which took place at the New Barclay Center in Brooklyn, New York, turned out to be a star studded event with the likes of a few New York Knicks (Melo, Jr Smith, and Amare Stoudemire), Spike Lee, Drake and of course his airness himself Michael Jordan among others. 

In between the celebrity sightings and Jordan dancers we were able to watch two great games, both regional and national that consisted of some of New England’s top prep players.  In the regional game we saw Putnam Science guard Dayson Smith wow the crowd with great plays for his self and others drawing lots of Oooo’s and Ahhh’s from the Brooklyn Crowd. Smith finished with a nice stat line of 11pts 11ast and 6rebs kids a natural play maker.  Playing in the regional game was also Brewster’s Kyle Washington( 12pts 9reb), South Kents Shane Rector (12pts 8ast), and Vermont Academy's Richard Williams( 4pts 8reb).  All 3 players also made crowd-pleasing plays and represented the NEPSAC very well.

            In the National game representing for New England was Jayhawks Wayne Selden, Hoosier’s Noah Vonleh, and Memphis Tiger Kuran Iverson. 

After the festivities we caught up with Vonleh and Selden, who gave us some insight into what this opportunity meant for them and what their plans were for after graduation.

“It was an honor to come through here and play with all the great players that has come here and Michael Jordan himself.  I’m just thankful for the opportunity. It was just great, great feeling playing stuff like that it was just an all around great time,” states Selden.

Vonleh shared the same sentiments as Selden, but went on to say that being able to play against the best “going hard every day in practice," Getting better being able to take that back home, was the biggest opportunity he took away from this experience.

As for the summer plans Wayne will continue to workout and push him self to get better. “Lifting workout and just getting ready for school“ say’s Noah.

Abdul Malik Abu (Expressions Elite) Kansas, Texas, Marquette, NC State, Minnesota, Florida State, Tennessee

Jared Terrell (Expressions Elite) Kansas, Florida

Kaleb Joseph (Mass Rivals) Marquette, Minnesota, Georgetown

Terrance Mann (BABC) Florida, Iowa State

Malik James (BABC) Canisius

Miles Wright (Metro Boston) Dartmouth

Alec Brennan (Expressions Elite) Wake Forest

Jafar Kinsey (Metro Boston) Dartmouth

Aaron Calixte (ECE Mass) Albany, UNH, Siena, Robert Morris

Quincy McKnight (SCAN) Buffalo, FAU, Florida Gulf Coast

Kahari Beaufort (LI Lighting) Canisius, FIU

Angel Delgado (LI Lighting)  Seton Hall

Terry Larrier (SCAN) VCU, USC, Florida, Maryland, Seton Hall, Rutgers, Memphis, St. John's, Providence, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, George Mason, Penn State and West Virginia.

After committing from their verbal pledges fast forward a month to date and Levin along with Moore have made a decision but won't playing together in college.

Gabe Levin a 6-foot-8 hybrid forward gave Loyala Maramount a verbal commitment and Marquise Moore a 6-foot-1 athletic guard is headed to George Mason. Both players were receiving high major interest during the 2nd round of their recruitment but felt like LMU and George Mason were the right fit.

"The prestige academics," Levin on his commitment. "Basketball wise, coaches are great and everyone i'm going to play with is really committed to winning and seem like great teammates.'

MacDuffie School forward Phabian Glasco commits to Central Arkansas

Brewster Academy's Martez Harrison commits to UMKC

Marianapolis Prep post-graduate Mike Mallory commits to Southern Connecticut State University.

St. Thomas More post-graduate guard Marquis Moore commits to George Mason

St. Thomas More forward Gabe Levin commits to LMU

Brimmer & May point guard Adrian Oliveira commits to  Southern New Hampshire University

Brimmer & May forward KJ Baptiste commits to Brandies University

Adrian Oliverira of Brimmer & May School (MA) was destined to play scholarship basketball, a two sport athlete as he played soccer and basketball.  Oliveira defines the term hard work, after battling through injury his senior season he fought back to lead his team into the playoffs under head coach Tom Nelson. While at Brimmer & May Adrian was able to reach the 1000 point mark.

When asked what made him choose Southern New Hampshire, Adrian states

"I chose SNHU because when I worked out with the team and met with the coaches I really felt a connection,"

"Even though my initial interest was to play for a Division one College I had a great opportunity in front of me to play for SNHU. They don't have a point guard committed and I know I can come in right away and make myself known in a great NE-10 Conference."

SNHU will be getting a great basketball player and an even better person, congrats A.O. and good luck.

P.S. He has my vote for rookie of the year, remember you heard it here first.

Financial difficulties forced Smith to leave the school and come back to Boston to finish his high school career.  When he returned home Smith joined the Expressions Elite team who peaked during July’s live period, Smith was a big reason why the team had success.  During the process landing various scholarships offers including Rutgers University.

One thing that would haunt Smith and has throughout his whole life was academics, Smith finally got his act together with the support of the entire community pushing him to do better. Malik Smith, Tyron Boswell, Will Blaylock, Stevie Hailey, Leo Papile, Eggie McCray Joe Chatman and Damen.

All have played a valuable role in Damion’s life at some point and time, fast forward April 30, 2013 Damion Smith has signed a national Letter of Intent to Lee Jr. College (TX) a school full of rich tradition who annually produce scholarship players, under Head coach Roy Champagne.

“What made me turn things around was I didn’t want to be just a player from the city that had the talent and didn’t do anything with it.”

“I didn’t want to let the people down that believed in me,” says Smith about how he felt about letting people in the Boston community down.

“Lee has a great program, great coaching staff and they are all about getting players ready for the next level”

I would like to thank my family, friends and everyone who understood my situation, and most importantly those who never gave up on me.

"I chose UMKC because the new coach and direction of the program. He played point guard and I feel like when he came to see me at my school we were both on the same page as far as winning and how we will play this season," Harrison on his decision.

"also the feeling on the campus felt right, a very open and pretty nice campus. The community was open to me coming home and turning the program around."

"The coaching staff was great, pretty good group of guys that know what they're doing and really turning this program around.

"I'd like to thank my family here in KC , and my folks at brewster and of course you guys man."

Aaron Calixte is probably one the best guards in the regions 2013 class in terms of beating his man off the dribble and getting to the rim. After one season at Lee Academy (ME) Calixte who stands at 5-foot10 would have to go from being a primary scorer at Stoughton High school (MA)to a point guard who would need to get his teammates involved.

AAU season is upon us and Calixte has taken advantage of the live period to showcase his new approach to the game. With just two weeks into the spring AAU season while running with ECE Mass Calixte has racked up a handful of offers.

"I've worked on all parts of my game, but I really focused the most on keeping my jumper more consistent and making better decisions on the court," Calixte explained when asked what parts of his his game he's improved on. "being more vocal and a leader are my goals for the summer and to continue to improve all aspects of my game as well as helping my team win games along the way."

Calixte picked up offers from Albany, Robert Morris, UNH and Sienna over the weekend. Expect more schools to come calling as thisyoung rising star continues to show and prove

Jonathan Joseph (BABC) – The pass first point guard has learned how to control the game in multiple speeds instead of at a fast pace. Moving forward Joseph will show why he’s one of the best point guards in New England. The two-time AAU national champion is a proven winner

Tyler Nelson (BABC) - One of the best pure outside shooters this region has seen in a while. Nelson is a zone buster who will look to prove that he's not just a spot up shooter but can also put the ball on the floor and create his own shot

Saul Phiri (Mass Rivals) – At 6'3" Phiri can score in bunches and only a freshmen look for him to be one of the regions best to blow u at a young stage in his high school career. Showing so much promise for a bright future, we'll be keeping a close look at Saul development.

Bonzie Colson (BABC) – It's pretty weird to be listing Colson but for a two time defending AAU national champion he doesn't get the credit he deserves. Look for that to change this time for Colson is now the main focal point on his BABC squad who will be looked at to score the ball, rebound and be active on the defense.

Sammy Mojica (Rivals) - As smooth as they come with the ball in his hands attacking off the dribble. Mojica has a motor that keeps on going but it's his on ball defensive pressure that separates him from most in his class.

Timmance McKinney (Metro Boston) – McKinney a 6'3 point guard with tremendous athleticism and will to score. McKinney will look to run the show for Metro Boston this year and show colleges at the next level that he can be a table setter. McKinney has already starting to gain interest from numerous scholarship level programs.

Myles Wright (Metro Boston) – A 6'4 wing player that possesses strength and athleticism that allows him to finish in traffic while taking contact. Wright is developing a perimeter game that's allowing him to excel at the guard possession. An improvement in Wright's ball handling will almost allow him to be unstoppable if he tightens it up.

Mike Rodriguez (BABC) – Rodriguez has gotten stronger and has showed a tighter handle with the basketball. A facilitator who can score the ball if he has to and gets after it on defense.

AJ Brodeur (RI Hawks) – The 6'8" big man is coming off of an outstanding sophomore season where he averaged 17ppg 14rbg 8bpg. With some much needed strength to eventually be added to his frame, this specimen will be dominant on the circuit and make a name for himself.

Aaron Falzon (Expressions Elite) – The sharp shooting forward who stands at 6'7" has added the dimension of making rebounding a priority on both ends of the floor. Falzons acknowledgment how critical rebounding is that it will get him a second chance points and take his game to the highest level.

Jared Wilson-Frame (Expressions Elite) – A natural born scorer whose offensive game is ahead of the curve than his defense. But the 6'5 wing player will improve on that aspect of his game with better foot speed. Wilson-Frame will be a match up problem for opposing defenders with body built of a ripped defensive end.

 Paschal Chukwu (CBC) - The 7'1 big man is fairly unknown on the national scene but all that will change with a shortage of skilled big men around the basket at his height. Look for Chukwu to have from the highest level attempting to come calling after the first live period.

Levy Gillespie (CBC) - The next up in a long list of CBC point guards who have made a name for themselves over the years. Gillepie will now run the show and show college coaches that his time is now.

Sean McNally (Middlesex Magic) - at 6'5 the '14 wing player reminds me allot of Chris Braley but not as physically strong. But in terms of being able to score the ball from the mid range along with attacking the basket McNally will no doubt make a name for himself.

Quincy McKnight (Team Scan) - The 6'4 McKnight hold numerous division one offers but we expect the combo guard to get serious looks and be this years version of Dayshon Smith in terms of going from a mid major player to be sought after numerous high major program when the AAU season comes to a close.