ORLANDO, Fla. — The U-17 AAU Super Showcase is loaded with talent as travel teams descended upon the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from all over the United States and Canada. Great performances were plentiful as the tournament was played on over 30 courts throughout the greater Orlando area, featuring intense games and energetic players, coaches and fans.
Here are a few players who impressed on the first day of pool play.
Standout players
DaJuan Coleman (Syracuse, N.Y./Jamesville-Dewitt)
2012, C, 6-8, 280 pounds | AAU Team: Albany City Rocks
The big fella was aggressive right from the start, repeatedly finishing plays with power moves from the low block, tip ins on the offensive glass and rebounding everything in his area. This was all en route to scoring 28 points against Team United. When Coleman was not scoring, he was drawing fouls. He used his massive size to make it almost impossible for the defense to keep him from having his way in the lane. Coleman also displayed the ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the rim from the low wing and short corner, where he simply power-drove defenders by initiating contact. When Coleman is focused and in attack mode, it is hard to deny him success at the rim or on the glass.
Bradley Beal
(St. Louis/Chaminade College Prep)
2011, SG, 6-3, 177 pounds
AAU Team: St. Louis Eagles
The Ray Allen of high school basketball can knock down deep jumpers from anywhere on the floor: in transition, coming off screens or by simply moving to the open area. Beal gets his jumper off smoothly and quickly and has the size to shoot over smaller defenders with ease. But what was so impressive about the future Gator’s play was the way he passed and attacked the rim, where he finished on a consistent basis. Beal hit open teammates on time and on target and displayed scoring moves off the bounce that we have not seen to this degree from him before. More from the Super Showcase
