The 17th annual Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions tipped off in North Carolina on Friday night and with teams from across the country it was sophomore Montrezl Harrell who stole the show with an eye opening performance that made him one of the hottest topics of discussion on the night.  Here’s a brief look at some who impressed on opening night…

(Note – Listed alphabetically)

ADJEHI BARU – 6’10 – 2011 – TEAM LOADED
Long athletic interior talent with bounce and an ability to make things happen.  Was active on both ends of the floor, finished around the basket, attacked the glass, and served as a dominant force in victory to open pool play.

JEREMIAH DAVIS – 6’3 – 2011 – INDIANA ELITE
Skilled and instinctive, Davis excelled passing the basketball on Friday as he distributed in transition, attacked the rim off the bounce and turned in a solid effort in a come from behind victory on Friday.

MONTREZL HARRELL – 6’7 – 2012 – CAROLINA ELITE
Easily the most impressive performance on the night for a talent who promises to soar up the charts with his effort on Friday.  Blocked shots, attacked the rim, knocked down jumpers, and powered home a number of dunks in a dominant overall effort.  A definite high major talent on the rise, Harrell was sensational on Friday and looks the part of one of the biggest stories to develop in the 2012 class.

TYLER LEWIS – 5’11 – 2012 – TEAM LOADED
Doesn’t look the part but he’s savvy, instinctive, and makes plays when it matters the most.  Attacks the rim and finishes off the bounce, has solid dribble penetration skills, sees the floor well, and makes the big play.  Knocked down a last second trey ball to put his team ahead for the victory. 

ALEX MURPHY – 6’8 – 2012 – NEW ENGLAND PLAYAZ
Came up with a huge effort on Friday and was superb in doing so.  Has solid athleticism, attacks the rim off the dribble, strokes a smooth trey ball when open and sees the court exceptionally well.  One of the premiere sophomores in the country, Murphy was exceptional on Friday.

BERNARD SULLIVAN – 6’8 – 2011 – TEAM CHARLOTTE
One of the quiet sleepers in the junior class, Sullivan is a skilled lefty power forward with bounce, toughness, and range that extends to 17 feet with consistency.  Hit mid range jumpers, finished around the basket, and showed solid athleticism and power on Friday.  One to watch.

RAY PARKS – 6’4 – 2011 – M33M ELITE
Really liked this young talent last summer and while he’s been so so this spring, Parks really came up big on Friday with a versatile offensive performance.  Scored off the bounce, posted up well, hit trey balls, etc.  Plays with a scorer’s mentality and was dominant in the process on Friday.

KEVIN WARE – 6’4 – 2011 – ATLANTA CELTICS
Ware was spectacular in the second half for the Celtics and helped them break open the game.  The Tennessee commit knocked down trey ball after trey ball, attacked off the bounce, and helped lead the Celtics to a convincing win as they turned in one of the best performances of the spring.  Ware was a leader in the purest sense and his dominance was effortless in the process.  Big time showing on Friday.

B.J. YOUNG – 6’4 – 2011 – ST. LOUIS GAMEFACE
Caught this young man’s act in Indiana earlier this month and tonight has a chance to spend more time to absorb his skills and really break down his game.  The results are the same as Young is a major dude.  Easily a top 50 talent nationally, Young may very well land between the 25-40 range with continued performances like Friday.  Hit trey balls, attacked off the bounce, scored in transition, knocked down mid range looks, etc.  Whatever you want he has in terms of scoring the basketball and he has a smooth polish to his game.  Exceptional effort once again on Friday.

NOTES:
2011 SG Damien Leonard took to the court with Team Power on Friday and the talented sharpshooter claims offers from Kentucky, Oklahoma State, Arizona, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Clemson, Florida International, Tennessee, and Florida.

2011 F Dominique McCoy of the Atlanta Celtics was solid on Friday and continues to show his athleticism and versatility.  The talented forward claims offers from Auburn, UAB, Georgia State, Tennessee State, and Alabama.

2011 PF Nick Jacobs of the Atlanta Celtics continues to see his stock improve.  The powerful interior talent claims offers from Oregon, UNC-Charlotte, Miami (FL), Florida State, Cincinnati, Alabama, Virginia Tech, and Georgia along with interest Florida. 

2011 G/F Abdel Nader of Niles North High School in Illinois is playing with the M33M Elite this weekend.  Nader has already committed to New Mexico.

2012 C Kaleb Tarczewski of the New England Playaz remains one of the most coveted sophomores in the country and for good reason.  Equipped with excellent size and instincts, the young big looks the part of a high major impact talent whenever he takes the court.  Tarczewski claims offers from Kansas, Georgetown, Georgia Tech, Providence, Boston College, Indiana, Arizona, and West Virginia at this time.