BYU could be player for top prospect Parker

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. – Coaches from several of the nation's top college programs were on hand to see Jabari Parker of Mac Irvin Fire and Simeon (Chicago, Ill.) lead his team into the final eight of the EYBL Finals on Thursday – Michigan State's Tom Izzo, Washington's Lorenzo Romar, Duke's Jeff Capel and Kurtis Townsend of Kansas.

Then there was Brigham Young. Yes, BYU. Parker – the No. 1 prospect in MaxPreps.com's Class of 2013 Top 100 – is Mormon and made it clear he was serious about the Cougars.

"Oh yeah," Parker said. "That's my religion."

But the Chicago star hasn't had much time to narrow down his choices this summer. In addition to an exhausting schedule on the club and camp circuit, Parker also helped lead the United States under-16 team to a gold medal at the FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico.

While he earned MVP honors at the event, not everything about the experience was golden.

"The food wasn't that great," Parker said. "But playing for the USA team, it pushed me to the limit. It showed me I have to work hard."

Mac Irvin Fire coach Mike Irvin noticed a difference in the 6-foot-8, 220-pound small forward following his return from Mexico.

"He got an extra bounce in his step," Irvin said. "He got an extra gear. He played against the best players in the world his age and he just keeps trying to be the best player he can be."

Parker scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds in Mac Irvin Fire's final pool play game, an 81-71 win over Canadian entrant CIA Bounce. The Chicago club faces the Georgia Stars in Thursday night's quarterfinals.

"It's wonderful," Parker said of the quarterfinal bid. "God keeps on blessing me. With hard work, anything is possible. But I'm not satisfied. I'm hoping to win the Peach Jam championship."

Thursday morning standouts

Julius Randle, Team Texas Titans: The No. 2 prospect in MaxPreps.com's Class of 2013 Top 100 is an absolute physical marvel. He scored 19 points and grabbed 14 boards in a win over Boo Williams on Thursday in front of a crowd that included Duke's Mike Krzyzewski. What really stands out about the 6-9, 240-pound power forward is his willingness to accept a challenge and determination to dominate. He has an agitating demeanor, getting under the skin of opponents like Ricardo Gathers, Troy Williams and Justin Anderson over the past two days. It seems to get him going and he enjoys letting the other team hear it when he caps a possession with a thundering dunk or powerful drive to the basket.

Billy Garrett Jr., Mac Irvin Fire: Already committed to DePaul, the rising junior poured in 24 points – including six 3-pointers – in Mac Irvin Fire's win over CIA Bounce.

Matt Jones, Team Texas Titans: Jones, a 6-4 shooting guard from DeSoto (Texas) and No. 13 in MaxPreps.com's Class of 2013 Top 100, has been the most consistent threat from the 3-point line this week and hit five more to end with 21 points Thursday against Boo Williams. He is averaging 19.2 points per game at the Peach Jam and knocked down 17 triples in five games.

Kyle Anderson, Playaz: Didn't see the game, but the 6-8 point guard recorded his second triple-double at the Peach Jam with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.

Thursday night quarterfinal matchups (all games at 6 p.m. EDT)

Georgia Stars vs. Mac Irvin Fire
Oakland Soldiers vs. Playaz Basketball Club
Memphis YOMCA vs. Team Texas Titans
BABC vs. Team Takeover

Thursday morning leaders

Points
31 – Tyus Jones, Howard Pulley vs. BABC
30 – Archie Goodwin, Arkansas Wings vs. Team Takeover
29 – Jake Layman, BABC vs. Howard Pulley
27 – Tim Williams, Mean Streets vs. All-Iowa Attack
24 – Billy Garrett Jr., Mac Irvin Fire vs. CIA Bounce
24 – Julian Harrell, California Supreme vs. Albany City Rocks
23 – Andrew Chrabascz, BABC vs. Howard Pulley
22 – Jodan Price, The Family vs. Memphis YOMCA
22 – Myles Davis, Playaz vs. CP3
21 – Jaron Blossomgame, Georgia Stars vs. Houston Hoops
21 – Matthew Jones, Texas Titans vs. Boo Williams
21 – Marcus Paige, All-Iowa Attack vs. Mean Streets

Rebounds
14 – Julius Randle, Texas Titans vs. Boo Williams
13 – DaJuan Coleman, Albany City Rocks vs. California Supreme
11 – James Robinson, Team Takeover vs. Arkansas Wings
11 – Kyle Anderson, Playaz vs. CP3
10 – Bobby Portis, Arkansas Wings vs. Team Takeover
10 – Aaron Gordon, Oakland Soldiers vs. Louisiana Select
10 – Domoniq Bull, BABC vs. Howard Pulley
10 – Troy Williams, Boo Williams vs. Texas Titans
10 – Tim Williams, Mean Streets vs. All-Iowa Attack

Assists
10 – Kyle Anderson, Playaz vs. CP3
8 – Martavious Newby, Memphis YOMCA vs. The Family
7 – Derrick Randolph, Mac Irvin Fire vs. CIA Bounce
7 – Stephen Clark, Athletes First vs. All-Ohio Red
7 – Jordan Woodard, Athletes First vs. All-Ohio Red
7 – Max Guercy, California Supreme vs. Albany City Rocks
6 – Cameron Fowler, The Family vs. Memphis YOMCA
6 – Siyani Chambers, Howard Pulley vs. BABC
6 – Tyus Jones, Howard Pulley vs. BABC
6 – Anthony Barber, Boo Williams vs. Texas Titans