Takeover Event Sleepers

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Wrapping up our coverage of Team Takeover’s NCAA Certified event (The Takeover), following are players that may be under people’s radar, yet still turned heads.

Kofi Ando – A class of 2013 guard headed to Howard University, Kondeh loves to drive and finish. Holds a 3.6 GPA at Flowers (MD). Committed to Howard because “It’s like family". To excel in the MEAC, the 6’3” Ando has to become more of a combo guard. (Mid-Atlantic Select)

Ali Kondeh – Sometimes kids get lost in the NCAA clearinghouse process, and Kondeh is just such a guy. Kondeh attended Concord (NC) last year, and has yet to qualify. A 6’3” 180 pound finisher at the forward position, Kondeh is uber-athletic, though he does need to get much stronger. Must also work on his ball handling, shooting off the bounce, and left hand finishing. JUCOS should be all over Kondeh. (Prymetime)

Cedric McFadden – Transferring to St. Andrews (MD), McFadden will likely reclass to the Class of 2014, which will help this pass first, tough point guard work on the consistency of this outside shooting. Is 5’10”. (Future Players)

Dexter Turner – Smooth and confident, Turner finds people as well as gets into the lane. A 5’10” poing guard who has yet to begin his ninth grade year (Class of 2016), Dexter needs to improve his stop and pop jumper - like most young guards - and overall strength - again, like most young people. (Squash All Beefs)

Dexter Turner defends Charlie Russo

Jamall Gregory – A stunning finisher at 6’2”, Gregory has to progress his handle past one-two dribble and finish or sideways step and pull up. Class of 2014 guard attends Bishop O’Connell. (Future Players)

Ahmaad Wilson – A quick penetrating ,tough point guard that will be at Princeton Day this year, Wilson, a 6’0”, 2013 student athlete is a sleeper that makes others better, and will defend. Has to get stronger. (Baltimore Supreme)

Leroy Butts – Long and athletic, the 6’7” Butts finishes and blocks shots well. Attends Bishop O’Connell. Needs to get stronger and further develop his perimeter skills. (Future Players)

Charlie Russo – Russo showed a deft three ball touch and shifty penetrating moves, where he finished with either hand at the rim or dropped off. Class of 2014 guy who attends Christian Brothers must continue to increase his strength and overall ball handling. (Gym Ratz)

Kofi Ando is a sleeper pick up for Howard.

Garland Owens – A 6’5”, 205 pound athletic finisher at the three position, Owens pounds the rim at a high level. Rebounds well. Headed to Masanhutten prep school (VA). (Mid-Atlantic Select)

Extra:

Whoever first said “Basketball is a game of confidence” hit the nail on the head, as self-belief allows skill sets to be flourish. Case in point is Devin Turrell. A 6’2”, Class of 2015 player at Cicero North (NY), this Gym Ratz (grassroots) forward/guard impacts the game well, when he believes he can. Presently migrating to the perimeter under the tutelage of Billy Edelin, Gym Ratz’ coach and a former Syracuse University standout from the DMV, Turrell drives, passes, defends and shoots.

When his confidence is high, Turrell clearly plays at a higher level.

Two games stand as a microcosm of Turrell: In a loss to Squash All Beefs, he wasn’t really an offensive factor, instead doubting himself and concentrating on hustling. A game later, he dropped 29 points for Gym Ratz, who defeated Team Takeover (Dunbar).

Maintaining his belief in himself should be priority number one for Turrell, who then can continue developing wiggle in his handle, shooting consistiency and overall court awareness.

Turrell's situation is instructive for all.