Reebok EDGE 1-3-5 Recap
By: Rick Staudt, FloridaHoops.com
The Reebok EDGE 1-3-5 Middle School Showcase took place this weekend in Orlando. Presented by YBOA and Fasttrack Scouting, the nearly 40 attendees were exposed to a wide variety of skills, drills, tips, and techniques designed to make them better players and challenge their skills against some top competition.
Saturday began with 23 participants meeting at the EDGE training center. Run by former Boston Celtic All-Star Dee Brown, EDGE is devoted solely to basketball training, regardless of age or level of ability. Brown could put on an NBA uniform right now and still be a productive player. He has a passion for the game and does a great job of getting his points across with clarity.
After some full-court dynamic warm-ups, the players were split into three groups. The first group with Brown worked on some full court drills. The second group worked with Matt Wheeler on ball-handling. The third group worked with shooting instructor Shay Robinson. Each group got an hour in each area.
In the full court drills, Brown got the kids running with the 3-0 rush drill. The drill emphasis passing on the move and scoring at full speed. From there, the players moved toward cone drills, working on changing speeds and direction. One of the key points was to focus on the basket as you move down court, not just where you want to go to. In the first series, each player stopped at the cone, did five stationery change of direction dribbles (cross-over, between the legs), then moved to the next cone and did the same thing. After making the basket at one end the player had to speed dribble and make a lay-up. In the second series, they had to do a different change of direction move at each cone, make a lay-up and then speed dribble back and score at the other end. In the third and final series, the players did the same change of direction moves, but coming back they had to make another change of direction and score on the left hand side. This proved very difficult for some of the players.
In the stationary ball-handling area, Coach Wheeler started the players with focusing on keeping on balance with the basketball. After that, he got the group to focus in the right way to protect the basketball while dribbling so as to avoid an offensive foul. Coach Wheeler then moved to a series of dribbling drills, such as figure eights, inside-out dribble, between the legs. All the time the emphasis was on keeping your head up, the ball low and protected, and staying on balance.
In the shooting station, the players worked on shooting off the catch, off the dribble, and coming off screens. Coach Robinson also provided video analysis of each player’s shot, calling them over and showing them the mistakes they were making and why the shot was inconsistent. He focused on how to hold the basketball, the shooting window, and the ball should be on the fingers, not the palm of the hand. From there they worked on adding head fakes, then ripping the ball across the body and going away from the defense. The emphasis here was on the correct footwork to not travel and looking at the basket when using head and ball fakes.
In all there were three hours of great training by Dee Brown and his staff at the EDGE. That alone is worth the $125 that was charged for the two day event.
After a lunch break, the group moved over to the Smith Center for more drill work and three-on-three games. The players that were unable to attend the EDGE training met up there. They were split into four groups and sent to different baskets for drill work. At one basket, the group worked on defensive footwork, guarding a man away from the ball, and one-on-one defense. Another group worked on ball-handling, this time with two-ball dribbling drills. On the other court, one group worked on shooting form and technique while the final group worked on passing and cutting. Each station lasted fifteen minutes then the players rotated.
From there, the players were randomly split into 4-man teams for the 3-on-3 games. In this setting the players worked on moving without the ball, setting ball-screens, and defense. While there was some initial disorganization, the players eventually got it. After a day filled with individual skill development, they players headed home to prepare for Sunday’s five-on-five play.
The players gathered for play at 9:30. Six teams were created and each team played twice in the morning. At this point the players started to separate themselves in terms of ability. After the first set of games, the skill sessions continued. Rebounding, ball-handling, defense, and one-on-one moves were emphasized in this one hour session. After that, the final five-on-five games were played. The players continued to separate themselves and after the final set of games, the top 16 players were chosen for the all-star game. The talent was pretty evenly matched as the game ended in a tie.
The players that attended left with a booklet provided by Powerbasketball.com that gave them information on attitude, skill development, and how to start working toward a college scholarship. After two days, skill training with a former NBA all-star, over two hours of individual drill stations, and games against solid competition, everybody left with a better idea of what they needed to do to get to the next level in their skill development.
Reebok 1-3-5 Showcase Player Notes
The following players participated in the all-star game at the Reebok 1-3-5 Showcase this past weekend:
James Washington, a 6’2 8th grader at Maitland Middle in Orlando, is very active inside, does a great job on the boards, and isn’t afraid to play defense.
Karlan Smith, a 6’1 8th grader at Southwest Middle School in Orlando, has a soft touch inside, moves well up and down the court, and plays under control.
Brandon Weinstein, a 5’11 7th grader made the trip from Atlanta. He has a pretty good skill set for his age, makes smart decision with the basketball, and gives 100% effort on every play.
Damani Harris, a 6’0 8th grader from Piedmont Middle in Orlando, scores will around the basket, goes hard after rebounds, and handles the ball pretty well for an interior player.
Tayquan Hamburg, a 5’6 8th grader at Southwest Middle, is a solid guard with a nose for the basketball, penetrates well, and has a pretty good touch on his jump shot.
Michael Walmer, a 5’10 7th grader at Pine Castle Christian in Orlando, loves to attack the basket, handles the ball well, and has a high basketball IQ for someone this age.
Mike Calder, a 5’3 8th grader at Westminster Academy, is thin but very quick with the basketball, shots it pretty well from deep, and plays tough defense on the ball.
DaVon Sherman, a 6’2 8th grader at Meadowbrook Middle in Orlando, has a solid frame, handles the ball pretty well on the perimeter, and works both boards very hard.
Terrance Linton, a 5’10 8th grader at Robinswood Middle in Orlando, is very good at putting the ball in the basket in a wide variety of ways. He plays hard all the time and always seems to be around the basketball.
Tevin Taylor, a 5’10 8th grader from North Carolina, played smoothly and under control. He seems to really understand the game, knows where to be at all times, and is effective without dominating the basketball.
Geito Ervilus, a 6’2 8th grader at Carver Middle in Orlando, is a smooth and athletic player that handles and shoots the ball with confidence.
Diante Harrison, a 5’6 8th grader at Liberty Middle School in Orlando, is strong and fast with the basketball, a solid defender, and shoots it with good form and range.
TyQuavion Dix, a 5’4 7th grader at Piedmont Lakes, is a quick guard that gets the ball quickly from end to end. His is a pretty good passer and outside shooter as well.
Jeremy Jones, a 5’10 8th grader from Tampa, handles the ball well, gets to the basket and finisher, and has a good understanding of the game.
Chazz Miller, a 6’5 8th grader from Southwest Middle, has very good post moves for his age, is a pretty fair leaper for his size and really gets after the rebounds at both ends.
Sheldon Brown, a 5’6 8th grader, is a very good shooter and plays smartly and with great effort.
Two other players that would have made the all-star game had they not had to leave early:
Austin Aikener, a 5’9 8th grader from Tampa was impressive during the 3-on-3 and the 5-on-5 games on Sunday morning. He attacks the basket and has good floor vision.
Eric Floyd, a 6’5 8th grader from Tampa has only been playing basketball for a few months. He moves and jumps well for a guy his size and age and was very tough to stop once he got the ball inside.
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