July 2013 | Page 9 of 21

BY JEREMY WOO

Special to ZAGSBLOG

MEQUON, Wisc.—With a second day of action in the books at the NY2LA/Under Armour Summer Jam, here’s a look at some of the players who stood out.

Cliff Alexander

With John Groce, Rick Pitino and assistants from Kentucky, Michigan State and DePaul looking on, Alexander again looked like the best player in the tournament, and possibly the country. The 6-foot-8 big man from Chicago exposed UK commit Karl Towns, using his strength to overpower down low and win the matchup. His 19 points, 14 rebounds and handful of dunks spurred the Mac Irvin Fire to a statement victory in a heated game.

Jones Carrying On Without Okafor, But Not for Long

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor would’ve been the main attraction here at the Nike Global Challenge.

Fans and coaches alike could’ve seen the potential package deal in action before they potentially become a college package.

But Okafor didn’t make it, leaving Jones to lead the USA Midwest team without him.

“I think it would’ve been fun. It would’ve been fun and I think everyone would’ve liked to see it,” the 6-foot-2 Jones said after going for 6 points and 5 assists as USA Midwest crushed Brazil, 99-55, at Trinity Washington University.

Jordan McLaughlin: Making A Statement Out West

By JACK LeGWIN

Special to ZAGSBLOG

ORLANDO — The top-ranked point guard out West has been making quite a name for himself in the past couple months, racking up offers from the likes of Indiana, UConn, Kansas, UCLA, USC, UNLV, Stanford and many others.

Listed at 6-foot, 165-pounds, Jordan McLaughlin is virtually impossible to keep out of the lane due to his athleticism and quickness, and has drawn comparisons to Russell Westbrook and Allen Iverson. He is ranked No. 18 in the nation by ESPN as well. But he insists he still has much growth left to do.

Robert Johnson Says Four Working Hardest

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Robert Johnson appears to be one of the hotter names on the recruiting trail right now, but he says four schools are working the hardest for him.

“I’d probably say Villanova, Florida State, Indiana and Wake Forest,” the 6-foot-3, 185-pound combo guard from Chesterfield (Va.) Benedictine School told SNY.tv after scoring 11 points in the USA East’s 101-77 rout of France in the Nike Global Challenge at Trinity Washington University.

Ranked No. 84 in the Rivals150 for the Class of 2014, Johnson says he wants to transition to point guard from shooting guard as he moves forward.

Recruiting

Kelly Oubre Talks Schools, Will Cut List Again

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Houston Hoops wing Kelly Oubre recently cut his list to eight schools and says he will trim it again by the start of his high school season.

“We’re still in the process right now,” Oubre said after going for 14 points and 5 rebounds as the USA West team beat Canada, 93-77, at the Nike Global Challenge at Trinity Washington University. “So you can look forward to that sometime during the high school season, when high school starts.”

Kansas, Florida, Kentucky, Georgetown, Louisville, Oregon, UConn and UNLV made the initial cut, and he says he has one official visit he wants to take.

2015 Big Man Ivan Raab Focusing On a Few Schools