Basketball Shoot-out starts next weekend

[NT80]

Basketball: Shoot-out a showcase for top talent

07/10/2003

By Mike McClendon / Staff Writer

The next LeBron James might be in Denton this weekend.

The 15th annual Denton Great American Shoot-Out tips off Friday and some of the country’s best high school basketball players will be competing. And college scouts will be watching.

"If people want to see the top high school players in the country, this is the place to be," said Great American Shoot-Out director Mike Kunstadt. "These are the guys you’re going to be reading about in the sports pages. These guys are going to be the ones who will make headlines for years to come in college and the pros."

A record 256 teams from across the country entered this year’s tournament, said Kunstadt. The four-day event will boast 628 games spread over 25 courts in the Denton area.

Each team will play three pool games before advancing to a single-elimination bracket. Teams in the Shoot-Out will compete in three divisions — the NBA, NCAA and NIT.

"The NBA is for the top college prospects," said Denton Bronx coach Harry Eaddy. "The NCAA usually has teams with players from the bigger high schools and the NIT is for the younger guys or teams with players from smaller high schools."

The Austin Dawgs Red, Houston Select and the Louisiana Sports Academy Cubs are among the favorites to take home the NBA Division title. The Dawgs Red and Select have combined to win the last three Shoot-Outs.

"The Austin Dawgs Red won our last Shoot-Out [in San Antonio]," said Kunstadt. "But the Cubs have won some tournaments around the country. Houston Select will be among the top teams, too."

The Dawgs are led by 5-11 guard A.J. Adams, who scored 22 points in the championship game of the San Antonio Shoot-Out. The Cubs boast a pair of 6-8 towers, Glen Davis and David Gomez. Chamberlain Oguchi, a 6-3 guard, headlines Houston Select.

Kunstadt also mentioned 6-1 Ryan guard Austin Jackson as one of the top players in the tournament. Jackson will be competing for the Dallas Mustangs Blue in the NBA division.

Among the players who went on to star in college or the pros after playing in the Shoot-Out are Indiana’s Bracey Wright, Illinois’ Deron Williams, Utah Jazz center Greg Ostertag and Chris Bosh, who was recently the No. 4 overall pick in the NBA draft. That kind of star power attracts Division I-A college coaches to the Shoot-Out.

"Some big-time college coaches will be in attendance," said Denton High School coach Henry Thomas. "Bobby Knight [Texas Tech], Dave Bliss [baylor] and Rick Barnes [Texas] were here last year."

Several local teams will be playing in the Shoot-Out, including the Bronx, which features players from Denton and Ryan. The Bronx will be competing in the NCAA division.

"College scouts are everywhere and you get to compete against players from all over the country," said Bronx guard Ryan Mabry. "You really get the feeling that you’re part of something big."

"This is a special tournament," added Eaddy. "You never know who you could be playing. You might just walk on the court against the next LeBron James."

MIKE McCLENDON can be reached at 940-566-6873.

Top prospects at Great American Shoot-Out

Marcus Monk 6-7 post Arkansas Hawks 17

A.J. Abrams 5-11 guard Austin Dawgs Red

Bryan White 6-6 post Coast to Coast Basketball Club

Casey Wohlleb 6-6 post Coast to Coast Basketball Club

Calvin Miles 6-6 6-6 post D-Nice Basketball Club

Austin Jackson 6-1 guard Dallas Mustangs Blue

Byron Eaton 5-11 guard Ft. Worth MLK Nash

Jeremis Smith 6-6 post Ft. Worth MLK Nash

Emanuel Willis 6-7 post Gulf Coast Stars

Connor Atchley 6-10 post Houston Gold

Chamberlain Oguchi 6-3 guard Houston Select

Marshall Brown 6-7 post Houston Superstars

Dion Dowell 6-7 post Houston Westside

Kurt Vangle 6-8 post K.C. Pump and Run 17s,

Darius Hill 6-7 post K.C. Pump and Run 17s,

Glen Davis 6-8 post Louisiana Sports Academy Cubs

David Gomez 6-8 post Louisiana Sports Academy Cubs

Tassmin Mitchell 6-7 post Louisiana Sports Academy Cubs

Garrett Temple 6-6 post Louisiana Sports Academy Cubs

Nolan Richardson 6-2 guard Tulsa Junior Hurricanes

Clayton Wrice 6-8 post Tulsa Junior Hurricanes

Eric Payne 6-3 guard Tulsa Junior Hurricanes

Great American Shoot-Out

Pool play: Friday (2 p.m.), Saturday (9 a.m.)

Bracket play: Sunday (9 a.m.), Monday (9 a.m.)

Sites: University of North Texas Super Pit, Physical Education Building and Old Men’s Gym, Texas Woman’s University Pioneer Hall, Ryan High School, McMath Middle School, Argyle High School, Crownover Middle School, Strickland Middle School, Calhoun Middle School and Krum High School.

[CMJ]

Sounds like great action! I love those all-star type tourney's.

[Zeke]

This will be my first time in about 3 years that I will miss this tourney. I love watching those games.

[PlummMeanGreen]

When UNT's new $31 million Student Rec Center opens this Fall, how many basketball courts will it have? Anyone have any idea?

I am sure that Great American Shootout Director Mike Kunstadt already knows the answer to that question. He will welcome whatever number of new BB courts for his huge event next summer at UNT.

[UNTLifer]

The should be, and should have been in the past, a great recruiting tool for UNT, since it showcases our facilities. I wonder why this doesn't carry over to signing day? UNT has the best college basketball facilities in the Metroplex.

[PlummMeanGreen]

The should be, and should have been in the past, a great recruiting tool for UNT, since it showcases our facilities.  I wonder why this doesn't carry over to signing day?  UNT has the best college basketball facilities in the Metroplex.

UNTLifer, I'd bet many others on this board and beyond have had those same thoughts. You'd think every once in a blue moon even UNT would land a Karl Malone type player. Hell, if LaTech could do that, couldn't anyone?

Many of us even remember seeing NBA Hall of Famer Maurice Cheeks for about 3 years when he and his, uh, (get this) "West Texas State" Buffaloes would come to the SuperPit back in the mid 1970's for some college basketball action. When will it be our turn for that level of basketball talent in Mean Green Country?

On the previous question: Anyone know how many basketball courts the new Student Rec Center will have? Just curious...

[UNTLifer]

On the previous question: Anyone know how many basketball courts the new Student Rec Center will have? Just curious...  

There are four multi-purpose indoor courts.

[CMJ]

Spud Webb almost signed with us back in the day.

[UNTLifer]

almsot

That's our problem.

[CMJ]

If I remember the story right he *wanted* to sign with us(and the coach of course wanted him), but the AD he had some kind of issue with his lack of size.

[Cooley]

Bill Blakeley was fired. New coach Tommy Newman felt that Spud didn't fit his slow down style.

[NT80]

Bill Blakeley was fired. New coach Tommy Newman felt that Spud didn't fit his slow down style.

We lost Blakeley and Spud and a good basketball program all at the same time.