The annual Desert Duel Memorial tournament tipped off in Arizona on Tuesday and after an action packed week in Las Vegas some major talent shifted to Phoenix where players like Savon Goodman turned in some explosive performances during Day 1 of the always loaded event.  As college coaches lined the sidelines, a number of prospects looked to make a lasting impression and grab additional scholarship offers in the process.  Here’s a recap of some who impressed us on Tuesday…

(Note – Listed in alphabetical order)

TOR ANDERSON – 6’3” – SG – 2010 – NET GAIN SPORTS
An unsigned qualifying senior, Anderson looks like a completely different player than when we last saw him as he is in exceptional shape, showed excellent athleticism and explosion, he scored on the blocks, he attacked the rim off the bounce, and he knocked down a number long range shots as well.  A definite sleeper by most accounts, Anderson is a must see right now for any low to mid major programs in need of an athletic skilled off guard with the ability to score the basketball and bring energy to any team.

WAYNE BLACKSHEAR – 6’5” – SG – 2011 – MAC IRVIN FIRE
One of the premiere off guards in the country, Blackshear opened pool play with an electric performance in a victory over the Franchize All-Starz.  He dropped 30+ on trey balls and transition baskets and was virtually unstoppable at times.  At his best, Blackshear can play with anyone in the country and during his first game out of the box he was spectacular.

QUINN COOK – 6’1” – PG – 2011 – D.C. ASSAULT
Continues to just control games and dominate in the process and a rematch between D.C. Assault and the Mac Irvin Fire from the 2010 Swish & Dish Spring Warm-Up Classic this past April proved to be the Quinn Cook show as he controlled the tempo, scored off the bounce, knocked down jumpers, and created easy opportunities time and time again.  One of the premiere lead guards in the country, Cook was efficient and sensational at the same time on Tuesday.

SAVON GOODMAN – 6’6” – SF – 2012 – TEAM PHILLY
A top 10-15 talent once again when we release our new 2012 rankings, Goodman exploded during his opening pool play game with a riveting performance that saw college coaches salivating on the sidelines.  Goodman had 8-10 dunks in the game off his explosive athleticism and high flying ability but he combined that with finishes in the paint, solid distribution and playmaking, and an overall dominant exhibition of basketball.  He has size, length, power, explosion, instincts, and a huge ceiling that makes for a scary future for a player who could challenge for a top 5 spot nationally in the 2012 class by the end of next summer if he continues to develop his skill package. 

DAVID KRAVISH – 6’9” – PF – 2011 – SPIECE MO-KAN
One of the developing stories in the country right now, Kravish started to blow up after a big time effort at the 2010 NY2LASPORTS.COM Summer Jam and he hasn’t looked back as a number of mid and high major programs sat courtside for his opening pool play effort.  Long, wiry, and instinctive, Kravish runs the floor well, has excellent athleticism and bounce for a big, he grabs rebounds, and he can finish with a jumper that he hits at the mid range area and from beyond the arc.  With his best basketball in front of him, Kravish is an active skilled big who should grab high major offers before it’s all said and done.

ERIC MCCLELLAN – 6’4” – SG – 2011 – TEXAS D-1 AMBASSADORS
A slashing sleeper wing with athleticism, McClellan impressed during the opening day with his ability to score in transition and his versatility and floor impact.  He attacks off the bounce, can finish in transition, and has range that extends beyond the arc.  A surprise performer on Tuesday, McClellan deserves low to mid major looks from schools in need for an active perimeter talent who can make things happen.

MYLES MACK – 5’10” – PG – 2011 – NEW JERSEY PLAYAZ
Some people are hesitant when it comes to size but this young lead guard continues to get the job done in high major fashion every time he takes the court.  The ultra-quick talent has handles, can break down defenders, sees the floor, and has a lethal perimeter stroke from beyond the arc that can take over games and hit big time shots in big situations.  Sometimes one can get caught up over analyzing things like size and upside and lose sight of players who just know how to play and get it done and make no mistake, Mack is a big time contributor whenever he takes the court.

DAI-JON PARKER – 6’3” – SG – 2011 – GEORGIA NET BURNERS
A skilled athletic perimeter talent who can score the basketball, Parker showed an excellent stroke with range, solid transition skills, and an ability to create havoc on the offensive end of the court in a solid opening day effort on Tuesday.

BRANDON TAYLOR – 6’6” – PF – 2012 – TEAM PHILLY
An unsung hero on a loaded 16U squad, Taylor has solid instincts but he made his mark on Tuesday with a tantalizing perimeter shooting display that included at 5 trey balls that were true and pure.  He has an excellent soft stroke from beyond the arc and makes and impact with his skill and floor game allowing the other high major studs to do the highlight stuff but make no mistake he’s does some excellent things in his own right and his ability to pull bigs away from the basket with an excellent stroke opens up the lane for all the slashing other teammates do.

KYLE WILSON – 6’7” – SF – 2013 – LBA SEAWOLVES ELITE
Sat down later in the day to watch a couple of final games and watched this young explosive wing attack the rim and show solid activity and transition skills in the process.  A physical specimen without question, Wilson is still raw on the skill side but he has ridiculous athleticism and explosion for his age and drips with high major potential that was evident on Tuesday. 

News & Notes
Kravish continues to see his stock soar.  He indicated that he’s collected offers from Colorado, Loyola-Chicago, Central Michigan, Tulsa, Lafayette, and Creighton while schools like California, Wichita State, UMass, and Penn State are also showing interest.

2012 Center Willie Cauley of Spiece Mo-Kan continues to look the part of a high major talent.  The long interior talent from Kansas claims offers from Oklahoma, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Arizona, USC, and New Mexico so far.

6-11 2011 F/C Luke Piotrowski of Team New Jersey ABC made some solid things happen at times on Tuesday.  The rising senior big man indicated that he has offers from Richmond, Boston, Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon State, and Siena amongst others.

Goodman continues to explode nationally and the explosively athletic wing indicated that schools like Villanova, Penn State, Marquette, Temple, Miami (FL), Texas, LaSalle, Rutgers, etc. were on his trail. 

Rising senior lead guard Jahii Carson of the Compton Magic indicated that he has received offers from UCLA, USC, Arizona, Arizona State, Washington, Butler, St. Johns, and Washington State while schools like North Carolina are also showing interest.