Agent Zero 17U First and Second All Tourney Teams
Ron Bailey, Publisher
July 15, 2008 – This past weekend, travel teams in the boy’s 14 – 17u age classifications did battle at Chantilly, VA’s Hoop Magic Sports Academy in the Agent Zero to Hero Invitational. For championship round info, click here.
Now it’s time for the All Star listings, to be used by coaches, fans and players in assessing who did what. Many young men distinguished themselves, and anyone not included should not feel slighted. Here are the 17 and under guys.
First Team
Thomas
Robinson – 6’8” F, Squash All Beefs, Sr.
- Though his team lost in semi-final play, Robinson had one of the best
tourneys of all its participants, as he consistently dominated on the
boards as well as defensively, with great effort being his trademark.
Coaches from the Big East, ACC, Atlantic 10 and Mountain West flocked
to his every game. Thomas must improve his face up game from 17 feet or
so, as well as avoid defensive lapses, which at this level he successfully
relies his shot blocking ability to compenstate.
Thomas Robinson has become one of the more hotly recruited 2009 players of the summer; coaches such as Maryland's Gary Williams sat on him throught the Agent Zero.
Christopher Braswell – 6’8” F, Triple Threat, Post Grad – Tied with Robinson for receiving the most college recruiter interest, Braswell, who recently de-committed from Georgetown, did nothing to disinterest onlookers; being adept around the tin as well as the elbow extended offensively, Braswell can shoot, pass, rebound and block shots. Looks in good shape, consequently was a force in Triple Threat’s transition game also. Braswell needs to continue sharpening that conditioning, as well as not fall in love with mid-post deployment.
Rodney McGruder – 6’5” G/F, DC Assault, Sr. – Headed to Kansas State, McGruder, as he does, slashed, defended and generally excelled. Observers were disappointed his DCA Gold team chose to forgo Sunday’s championship rounds, opting instead to travel to a tourney in Miami. Nevertheless, McGruder got it done, which he does also when putting in work on his game, focusing on increasing the consistiency of his jumper and improving his ball handling.
Daryl Trayham – 5’9” PG, DC Assault, Jr. – Trayham was the best pure point guard in Agent Zero play, period. Loves to drive and dish, and has increased the effectiveness of his floater. Good, active, crafty defender also. Is highly recruited, with Maryland, Syracuse, Xavier, Fordham, UMass and Kansas State offering. Will continue to strengthen his ‘J’.
Talib Zanna has worked to become a top D.C. are big man in a class of high profile performers, including Braswell, Robinson, and Dante Taylor.
Talib Zanna – 6’8” F, Triple Threat, Sr. – Talib has turned the proverbial corner, as he’s now a force under the rim where he can rebound, defend. The Nigerian native even unleashed a particularly nice post spin move, where he gets his shoulder under an opponnent’s center of gravity before exploding to the tin. The likes of Villanova, Virginia, BC, Colorado and Va Tech have all offered, with a host of other schools showing major interest. Going forward, Talib must get stronger still, and become more comfortable in the mid post area.
Mike Gbinije – 6’6” G/F, Triple Threat, Soph. – Last but not least is Gbinije, a new arrival to Triple Threat but known to Mid-Atlantic recruitniks and recruiters, as G’Town, Texas, Florida, Pitt, Va Tech and UNC are seriously interested or have offered. It’s no wonder, as Mike can drive, shoot, defend, rebound and approaches the game in a team-oriented fashion – he’s a total package that with increased strength has unlimited potential.