The Under Armour Summer Jam presented by NY2LA Sports tipped off on Wednesday night at Homestead High School in Mequon, Wisconsin as some of the nation's best from across the country played to a high level. Team Thad and the Illinois Wolves went to overtime in a great start-to-finish contest where Chris Chiozza and Keita Bates-Diop shined bright while top-ten big men Cliff Alexander and Myles Turner clashed as well in a battle of highly coveted big men. Here's a look at that and more that impressed on day 1 of #UASUMMERJAM2K13...
TOP PERFORMERS
(Note - Listed in alphabetical order)
Cliff Alexander -- 2014 -- PF -- Mac Irvin Fire
6-8 -- Curie H.S. -- Chicago, IL
One of the nation's premier prospects, Alexander used his strength to score inside on hooks and other power post moves in a prime time matchup against fellow top-ten big Myles Turner. Alexander rebounds at a high level thanks to his explosive leaping ability and he can also finish above the rim with power with the best of the them.
Keita Bates-Diop -- 2014 -- F -- Illinois Wolves
6'8 -- University H.S. -- Bloomington, IL
As the grassroots season rolls along, KBD's perimeter game continues to improve. Although he'll need to add strength, Bates-Diop is better off the bounce and his perimeter jumper also looks as smooth as ever. When you couple in his ability to rebound and be productive inside, Bates-Diop is trending towards a potential spot in the McDonald's All-American game.
Chris Chiozza -- 2014 -- PG -- Team Thad
5-11 -- White Station H.S. -- Memphis, TN
The Florida commit stepped up in the second half and overtime of a win over the Illinois Wolves. Chiozza knows when to score and when to distribute and when Team Thad needed buckets, Chiozza went and got them by knocking in three-pointers and also getting to the rim.
Romelo Trimble -- 2014 -- G -- D.C. Assault
6'2 -- Bishop O'Connell H.S. -- Arlington, VA
Trimble gets buckets at a high level from the guard position and also runs a bit of point. In an overtime win over Dream Vision, Trimble continually made big plays and scored using the jumper and got some clutch buckets when D.C. Assault needed them in the game's final minutes.
Myles Turner -- 2014 -- PF -- Texas Select
6'11 -- Trinity H.S. -- Bedford, TX
In the much-hyped battle with the Mac Irvin Fire and Cliff Alexander, Turner started out strong and played well overall despite his team coming up short. Turner showed his skill by stepping out and knocking in some jumpers and showed good touch around the hoop by finishing on a turnaround over Alexander. He also rebounded in traffic and blocked some shots. He still needs to add strength as Alexander was able to overpower him at times, but he's still a top-10 prospect with tremendous upside.
STOCK BOOSTERS
(Note - Listed in alphabetical order)
James Demery -- 2014 -- SF -- Team Charlotte
6'6 --Northside Christian H.S. -- Charlotte, NC
Demery was great off-the-bounce, where he uses his body and his dribble to attack the basket and create space for finishes. James does a nice job knowing when to kick it out to open shooters or try to finish and draw a foul. The jumper still needs to improve, but he's so good getting to the rim for now that it's not as big of a glaring need as it is for most.
Riley LaChance -- 2014 -- PG -- Ray Allen Select
6'2 -- Brookfield Central H.S. -- Brookfield, WI
LaChance went for 20 points in the first half in a win over Team Loaded Virginia and knocked in three-pointers off-the-catch, runners, floaters and ran a bit of point. We're putting him in the "stock boosters" category because he was simply unstoppable scoring the ball and performances like this will have high-major programs taking a serious look at him. One scout gave a comparison to Gonzaga guard Kevin Pangos and I think that's the best comparison I've heard for LaChance.
JayQuan McCloud -- 2014 -- SG -- Illinois Wolves
6'2 -- North Chicago H.S. -- North Chicago, IL
McCloud continues to have a strong grassroots season and on Wednesday night, he knocked in shots on the perimeter while also getting to the rim and finishing at a high level. McCloud has a smoothness about his game and can make a lot of things happen with the ball in his hands. He can also be a secondary ball handler in certain situations and is an improving perimeter defender as well.
Ed Morrow -- 2015 -- F -- Mac Irvin Fire
6'7 -- Simeon Career Academy -- Chicago, IL
Playing up on 17s, one of the next stars at Simeon was especially productive in the second half, scoring on put backs, rebounding at both ends of the floor and also blocking a shot. He played with his motor running high as a backup big and held his own against Myles Turner during some stretches.
Tre'Shawn Thurman -- 2014 -- F -- Team Nebraska Express
6'7 -- Omaha Central H.S. -- Omaha, NE
In the opening game of Summer Jam, Thurman began by throwing a block party. Thurman registered a high number of blocks and also rebounded and showed some skill as a 4/3 combo forward. His production on both ends of the floor stood out and he helped lead Team Nebraska Express to a close win.