Top talent headlines Big State Flava Jam
With the 2012 NCAA summer viewing period opening July 6, Full Court Press has added Roundball Academy as a partner to enhance FCP's prep presence. Full Court will provide extensive media coverage at five major prep events hosted by Roundball Academy, including the Big State Flava Jam, Basketball at the Bayou and the West Coast Spring Invitational, and will of course be at other major prep events as well.
Our extended prep coverage kicks off this week in Texas at the Big State Flava Jam July 5-8. Check in each day for our game coverage, feature stories, player evaluations and video highlights.
Who to watch at the Big State Flava Jam
Arkansas Mavericks Durham
The Mavericks are loaded with talent this year, including four nationally ranked 2013 players: Jessica Jackson, Imani Wright, Halle Washington and McKenzie Adams. Jackson, who was invited to the USA Basketball U17 Trials, is an undeclared 6-3 forward being heavily recruited by SEC and Big 12 schools. Wright, a 5-11 guard and Washington, a 6-3 forward, are also BCS-caliber recruits, so look for plenty of top coaches to be sitting courtside. Adams, a 5-9 point guard, the only one of the bunch who has committed, is headed to Arkansas. Look for the Mavericks, who went undefeated in pool play at Boo Williams, to be a contender for the championship in the Marquis Jackson Division.
DFW Elite T-Jack Elite
Year in and year out, DFW is a national power with alumnae such as Brittney Griner, Moriah Jefferson, Odyssey Sims and Alexis Jones. This year their heavy hitter is 6-4 wing Brianna Turner, who is rated as the top overall player for the class of 2014 by multiple scouting services. Turner was the only rising junior to make the U17 USA World Championship Team and has taken unofficial visits to Connecticut, Baylor, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M. The supporting cast for Turner includes a handful of talented guards in Roshunda Johnson, Breanna Hayden and McKenzie Calvert (who has already committed to Baylor). DFW is the defending champions of Nike Nationals, so look for the hometown favorites to via for the Flava Jam Title.
Essence Purple
This gritty squad from Florida is the Big State Flava Jam defending champion. This year they return with another quality roster that features nationally ranked 2013 players Ieshia Small, a 6-3 wing, and Shayla Cooper, 6-1 forward. Small is fresh off an appearance at the U18 USA Basketball trials and is coveted by many ACC and SEC coaches. Look for Essence to make a strong run to defend their title.
