Lessons in College Basketball #1

I know I have been a huge support and I know that college players have listened to me many times. I've been given some poor news about athletes that come from Philadelphia and it's disturbing to know that we are struggling because Philadelphia as a whole is not preparing our athlete, yet instead, we are rooting for them without critiquing. I'm going to give you a quick background on how this system for college athletes work and for any high school athlete that reads this, I pray they take this before they reach this level and focus on it's different details. If you have an misunderstandings about what I am saying, please contact me...It is my pleasure to explain or be of a support.

I need and want people to understand 1 thing about the college basketball system and I want people to read this, not as an attack, but as a serious note. "YOU ARE NOT GOD". You have never been and never will be. I need every student athlete to know. There is a 100% in the system and there is 4 different entities that control the system of you making or not making it.

#1. You.. You are only 25% of the package. With your play and positive character with following the rules and contributing more to the university and community than yourself. The system of you making it pro or doing what you need to do is bigger than you ever believe. Negative character, poor decisions and nasty attitudes will only count strikes against you.

#2. Media... Media will take your name and do as it please. It links with the other parts of the package but it takes a conscious understanding to know what it means to get on the right path for your future. Communication is valuable. The content you give during an interview is also.

#3. The School... The school has to be behind you. Create a system that helps exploit your skills. Too many guys go to schools just because of the name instead of the game. Too many guys have I seen go to a school and create a large negative imprint when you go to a school who doesn't embrace you and doesn't care anything about who you are and what you do. It'll will drown your career before it even starts.

#4. The Fans... They come from all over the country. They understand the person they are rooting for. When the athlete comes across the fans, The fans understand what the athlete is really about. Are they about themselves, others or the program. Prayerfully, it's all 3, but if it's just yourself, it doesn't work.

3rd Annual Mary Kline Classic 2013

Alex Kline

2013 Mary Kline Classic

Almost 10 years later... Mary Kline continues to fight.

Mary Kline is the mother of the Mary Kline Classic director and high school basketball recruiting analyst in Alex Kline. Alex began his career very early with scouting kids around the country. In time, it went from something he loved to do, to now having his own subscription for his own blog through Rivals.com. Alex has been blessed with not only ability to write about players all around country but also work towards a personal goal in finding ways to raise money for fighting caner.

On Sunday June 2, 2013. Alex continued the battle with his mother's fight to raise $25,000 for defeating cancer. Alex, for the last 3 years have put some on the show of the year for High School Basketball with some of the best talent in the country. This year featured some of the biggest future stars in high school and college basketball.  This year became a little more interesting, being that Alex was able to get the support of some prestigious companies to help the fight. These companies are Nike and Skullcandy, 2 companies that have continued it's growth and support in the community.

This year honoree was Jaliah Armstrong who is from Georgia and is beating cancer. She, at a young age, has been working on continuing to help find ways of spread information on cancer and her story.

This year's competitive nature of basketball involved the Underclassmen, 3 Point Contest, Slam Dunk Contest and Senior Game. Of course me being from Philadelphia, I took a huge support to Rysheed Jordan (St. John's), Brandon Austin (Providence) and Ja'Quan Newton (Nuemann-Goretti). They were all able to come in the game and perform at a high level and do some really interesting things.

Ja'Quan Newton (Neumann-Goretti)

Rysheed Jordan (Vaux/St. John's)

Brandon Austin (Imhotep/Providence)

Underclassman game,
Isaiah Whitehead (Lincoln NY) (Co-MVP) 28 pts. 4 asst. 6 rbs. --- showed his ability to get to any point on the floor and dominate. Hit tough shots and shoot the ball efficiently.

Justin Jenifer (Milford Mill MD) (Co-MVP) 25 pts. 10 asst. 3rbs. --- Playmaker/Showstopper. He's a freak of nature at such a small size. He's about 5'9" but finds ways of passing the ball and playing tough.

Karl Towns (St. Joes Metuchen NJ/Kentucky) --- This guy committed early to Coach Calipari and you can see why. He has all the tools as a close 7 footer of NBA potential game. Finishes strong and great footwork.

Ja'Quan Newton (Neumann-Goretti Pa) 18 pts. 4 rbs. 4 asst. and 2 stls.--- shows why he is the future of Philadelphia Basketball. Great effort and ability to create shots for himself and others.

Malachi Richardson (Roselle Catholic NJ) --- If he's open, he's hitting it. He takes the game personal and shows the ability to defend anywhere on the floor with his 6'6" bulk body. Highly skilled.

Abdul-Malik Abu (Kimball Union Academy NH) --- Athletic and plays strong. He finds ways of hitting pretty good shots and doesn't go outside his game besides working hard.

Dion Wiley (Potomac MD) --- Big Guard who has the ability to change the tempo of the game. He really showed his ability get the job done at times during the game when others couldn't.

3 Point Contest

AJ Lapray (Sprague/Oregon) --- The Oregon commit proved to be everything and more. If he's open, it's his shot. He really showed that rhythm and won this competition.

Slam Dunk Contest

Jamar Ergas (22 Feet Academy KY) --- JUMPS OUT THE GYM. He really put on a show and showed people by jumping over 2 guys over 6'4" for a winning dunk.

Senior Game

Soma Edo (Richardson Berkner TX/Fresno St.) 26 pts. 8 rbs. --- Looks like Amare, Built like Amare and definitely plays like him. He has tremendous leaping ability and works harder than anybody on the floor.

Geno Thorpe (Shaler Pa/Penn St.) 20 pts. 4 rbs. 3 asst. --- He was able to hit all the necessary shots to keep his team ahead. He plays with tremendous energy and just got all the right opportunities.

Rysheed Jordan (Vaux PA/St. John's) 12 pts. 2 rbs. 7 asst. 5 stls. --- Provided all the excitement needed for the team to stay close in the game. Playmaker and aggressive game attitude.

Brandon Austin (Imhotep Pa/ Providence) 13 pts. 2 rbs. 4 asst. 1 stl. --- Plays will skill and has a great touch on his jump shot. His handle is above and beyond and great team player.

Tyler Roberson (Roselle Catholic NJ/Syracuse) --- Works hard on the block. Extremely talented with his touch on the floor and makes all the plays from the block but has a great face up game.

BJ Johnson (Lower Merion Pa/Syracuse) --- He's not Kobe but coming from his high school, he shows the potential to be a really good player. He takes great shots and does a great job ball handling as a linky lefty.

Kuran Iverson (Fishburne Military Va/Memphis) --- He has great size and plays with energy. Great motor and doesn't do more than he has to. He definitely has great skill for his size.

Jon Severe (Christ the King NY/Fordham) --- Holds his own and makes plays as a guard. Doesn't allow others to rush his game and he's very patient and potent with everything he does.

Josh Brown (St. Anthony NJ/Temple) --- Crafty as ever. He makes the game come very easy to himself. He works hard on both sides of the floor and has great length defensively.

MiKyle McIntosh (22 Feet Academy KY/Illinois St.) --- Doesn't do everything but makes some really strong and skilled plays. He's respectable and you have to love his ability to find his spots on the floor.

Thanks Alex for inviting to another year of this great event. Let the FIGHT CONTINUE. #LetsBeatCancer2gether

Nick Lindner (Trust is Everything)

Me and Nick Lindner

There's always that special player that no one really pays attention to until he starts to catch heat. Nick is that guy. 

Nick Lindner is a 5'10" PG from Germantown Academy who works as hard if not harder than any guard that I have ever met. He continuous and relentless work on his skill has landed him the opportunity to play for Lafayette University after he graduates from GA. Nick has done some great things such as score 1,000 points at the beginning of this season, but don't tell him that, he'll just tell you, he has much more work to do.

Nick is a crafty guard who can make a play when there is no play and he finds himself this season in as the favorite of the Inter-Ac, if not the Independent State. Pressure seems to surround this team with high expectations. This team has a group of D1 guys such as Julian Moore who is a 6'9" Forward who will be attending Penn State next year and then Greg Dotson who's a 6'5" F who has not made his decision yet but draw some really good offers. Along with Nick, there should be no problem, but as I had a conversation with Nick, he talks about what it takes for his team in the Questions and Answer below. 

I definitely know his career will end well and that he will have great success in college. He's a really guard and he's willing to work as hard as possible. Congratulations to a great Career with Nick and I hope and pray for great success.

Questions and Answers:

1. How is everything coming along so far with the season?

1. Everything has really started to come together in the past 5 games because we've learned to trust each other as teammates and accept whatever role coach has given us. I look forward to a strong second half of the season.

2. What was the reason you decided to go to Lafayette?

2. I decided to go to Lafayette because of how comfortable I felt with the team and coaching staff as well as it being a great academic school. It is also a short drive from where I live now in Doylestown.

3. Coming in, people see your team as the favorite for not just the Inter-Ac but the State Title...What do you think about that?

3. I think we have enough talent to do both of those things. However we need to continue to play together for the full 32 minutes every game and take nothing for granted. Every game will be a battle in the inter ac no matter who were playing. 

4. What is is like to play with a guys like Greg Dotson and Julian Moore?

 4. I love having the opportunity to play with Jules and dots because they open things up for everyone else. They run the break hard and Always make the right plays. This makes my job easier because the d is less likely to help in the lane when they have to cover one of those two. 

5. What's your goals for the year?

5. My goals for this year are to win the inter ac title and win the independent state title!

 Nick... You are the Best! (Thanks for the help with the article)