The 2019 Iverson Classic

Every year, NBA Legend and Hall of Famer Allen Iverson has one of the top High School Basketball All American games. In its third year the Iverson Classic has exceeded expectations each year.  It’s tough to build a brand who can compete with the McDonalds game and the Jordan Brand Classic but Iversons team pulls it off and makes it look easy.  Made up of guys like Baron Davis, JR Smith, Stephen Jackson, Darius Miles and Will Bynum the NBA is well represented on the Iverson coaching staff. Throughout the week of festivities these former NBA guys seemed more like family to the players than coaches.  The tournament boasts some of the country’s finest High School Basketball players like Kentucky bound Khalil Whitney and Duke commit Cassius Stanley.

University of Miami commit Isaiah Wong came out firing and led team Honor to a 159-155 victory pouring in 38 Points.  Kentucky bound Khalil Whitney scored 31 for team Loyalty while Duke bound Boogie Ellis and Florida Gator commit Tre Mann scored 26 and 22 points, respectively.  The game was full of future NBA talent and the crowd at the Souderton Area High School was given a show.  Rapper Jadakiss came out to the game to show his support to Iverson and had fun interacting with the people.  There is a huge difference between the Iverson Classic and the hosts of the other All American games.  The environment felt like family more than anything and that’s what they the staff aimed to accomplish.  A family atmosphere that nurtures these kids and provides them with a foundation of support as they start their adult basketball lives.

There were a few players who really impressed me.  After dropping 50 at the Play by Play Classic earlier in the week, Isaiah Wong approached the Iverson Classic with the same mentality.  Score.  He couldn’t be stopped and had defenders on skates all evening.  “I love Isaiah Wong,” said former NBA All-Star Baron Davis, who coached Team Honor. “I love his demeanor. He never really shows emotion, and that’s what I like because he has a killer’s mentality.” He is a highly underrated player and The University of Miami recruit is going to really make some noise in the ACC next year.  Kahlil Whitney and Keion Brooks, the Kentucky Wildcat commits were also showing what they were capable of throughout the event.  

The Iverson Classic is getting better every year. They have a dedicated staff who prides themselves into helping the next generation of NBA prospects escape some of the pitfalls they are plagued with at this stage of the process.

All Things Hoops X Iverson Classic Standouts

Isaiah Wong. University of Miami commit.  The two-time Catholic League MVP put on a show against some of the top recruits in the country. The 6’3 Wong will give the Miami Hurricanes instant firepower with his uncanny ability to score the basketball.  With his craftiness and ability to make plays he can really turn some heads in Miami. He will need to get stronger to endure the physicality of the ACC but I believe as time goes on he will make the necessary adjustments. He was the Co-MVP of the Iverson game and was well deserving of the accomplishment.

Kahlil Whitney.  Roselle Catholic (NJ). University of Kentucky. The 6’7 Chicago native won co-MVP of the Iverson Classic. He is a gritty type of player with skills to succeed at the next level.  He can do everything on the court and is going to produce results instantly at Kentucky.  Whitney averaged 19.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game in helping lead Roselle Catholic High School in New Jersey to a 28-4 record and a No. 17 ranking in the final USA Today Sports Super 25.

Keion Brooks. La Lumiere School. University of Kentucky. Brooks is a 6’7 Forward who plays bigger than his size.  He can score from just about anywhere and can defend multiple positions.  What stands out most about Brooks is his work ethic.  He is also very unselfish and that will bode well for him in John Calipari’s Kentucky offense.  He’s a very dangerous player because he can do everything.  His versatility is what sets him apart from his peers. Look for Brooks to do some special things at Kentucky. Once he develops a consistent mid range jumper he’s going to be even more dangerous.

Josh Pierre-Louis. Roselle Catholic (NJ). Temple University. Temple fans are excited for what the guard will be able to do once teamed up with his brother, Owls guard Nate Pierre-Louis, under new coach Aaron McKie next season.  He simply does everything it takes to win and is scary to try and defend.  He has good bounce on the court and can hit from behind the arc.  He is tough as nails and has what it takes to be a big time player at the collegiate level.  He makes electrifying plays and once his mind is made up to score its nearly impossible to stop him from doing just that.  Once UNLV fired Their Head coach after three seasons and a first-round exit from the Mountain West Conference tournament Pierre-Louis committed to Temple

Cassius Stanley. Sierra Canyon HS. Duke University. Cassius is a freakish athlete who has committed to play with Coach K’s Duke Bluedevils next season.  He has a high basketball IQ and his feel for the game comes naturally.  At 6-foot-5, Stanley has good size and length for the shooting guard position. Athletically, there aren’t too many players at the collegiate level who will be able to match his drive and high motor.  He excels in transition and on the defensive end, and will have a chance to be an exceptional perimeter defender.  He will have to work on his ball handling skills to help diversify his skills.

DJ Carton. Bettendorf High School. Ohio State University. This was my first time seeing DJ Carton play and I was highly impressed.  The 6’1 Carton is a mentally strong Point Guard who is going to help Ohio State Out instantly.  His high motor will be on full display in the Big Ten.  The only thing that Carton needs to concern himself with is the speed and physicality of the collegiate game.  Other than that Carton will fit in perfectly and be able to contribute right away.

I want to take this time out to thank everyone who was involved in making the Iverson Classic one of the premier All American Games in the country. When Iverson was coming out of High School they restricted him from playing in any All American Games. Fast forward to present day and he has his name on one. If that’s not resilience and fortitude I don’t know what is. Salute ?