With Cliff Alexander leading the 2014 Mr. Basketball USA race by a record-tying number, we decided this week was a good time to explain what it takes to be a credible national player of the year candidate. Individual talent and team success are major factors, but less obvious forces come into play.
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Nike Extravaganza: Top 25 Player Rankings
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POY Tracker: Alexander A Slam Dunk
With his epic performance at the recent Hoophall Classic, power forward Cliff Alexander replaces point guard Emmanuel Mudiay as the top Student Sports National Player of the Year candidate. Besides Alexander, Jahlil Okafor and Cheick Diallo garner first-place votes.
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POY Tracker: Seniors Stand Strong
The top players in the class of 2014 take center stage in the national player of the year race as the underclass players lose traction. Emmanuel Mudiay and Cliff Alexander remain the front-runners, but Jahlil Okafor and Stanley Johnson garner the most first-place votes.
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Tark Recap & National Updates
FAB 50 No. 6 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) won the Platinum Division of the Tarkanian Classic for the second consecutive year, outlasting No. 27 Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) in overtime. Tournament will shake up national rankings picture as No. 2 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) loses twice at event. Check story for other national updates.
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Tarkanian Classic Preview
After a successful inaugural event last December, the Tarkanian Classic is one of the premier Christmas tournaments of 2013. Six teams ranked in the recently updated Student Sports FAB 50 national rankings will make an appearance, highlighted by No. 6 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), the defending Platinum Division champion, and No. 2 Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) in the new prep school division.
Related: Tarkanian Classic Results |City of Palms Results
In just its second year, the Tarkanian Classic has quickly become an elite holiday tournament. In last year’s Platinum Division final, eventual CIF Open Division champion Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) defeated eventual NIAA Division I champion and host Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 76-60, behind a 23-point, 13-rebound performance from tourney MVP Stanley Johnson.
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Wednesday Tarkanian Classic Recap
Student Sports FAB 50 ranked Findlay Prep, Mater Dei and host Bishop Gorman post victories in first day action at the 2013 Tarkanian Classic. Mr. Basketball USA impresses with a 42-point outing.
Related: Tarkanian Classic Results | Tarkanian Classic Preview | City of Palms Results
Wednesday Tarkanian Classic Recap
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 84, Foothills Christian (El Cajon, Calif.) 45
For the first 10 minutes of the first half (in Nevada high school basketball there are two 16-minute halves and no shot clock), Foothills Christian hung with the defending California Open Division state champions.
Towards the end of the first half, Mr. Basketball USA candidate Stanley Johnson began to take over the game with strong drives to the basket. The No. 1 ranked prospect in the country by the Hoop Scoop finished with 42 points on 16-of-24 shooting, including 4-of-7 3-pointers.
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Saturday Hoophall West Recap
Oak Hill is dominant in victory over Houston Yates on Friday night and came from behind to defeat Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 60-54, on Saturday. Check below for Saturday results and analysis. Check back on Sunday afternoon for our exclusive player rankings of the two-day event.
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Early Signing Period Extravaganza
In one of the most spectacular Early Signing Period afternoons ever in the history of college basketball recruiting, four of the nation’s top six prospects pledged their allegiances on Friday. We break down the commits with some quick analysis.
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Early Signing Period: First 48 Hours
The early signing period for high school seniors began Wednesday. Here is a numerical look back at the first 48 hectic hours of this weeklong period for boys’ hoops.
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