By Steve Spiewak
MaxPreps.com
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. --- RBK U opened to the public today, allowing the media, scouts, and fans to catch a glimpse of some of the top basketball players from across the country.
The five-day camp aims to help 130 talented individuals develop both on and off the court, with seminars educating players on social interaction and self growth.
The day began with position drills before moving into games in the afternoon. The players were split into teams, each named for an NBA player sponsored by Reebok. Each uniform had a No. 22 decal on the shoulder, representing Dante Anderson, a top shooting guard from Florida who was killed in a car crash earlier this year.
Perhaps the most impressive squad was Team Allen Iverson. Featuring the California connection of Brandon Jennings and Renardo Sidney, the AI squad went 2-0 on the day. Sidney averaged 23 points, while Jennings added 16 points per game.
No individual school was better represented at RBK U than St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.). The Friars had five players in attendance at the prestigious camp, a number practically unheard of for such an elite event.
"These are some very unusual circumstances in high school basketball when you have this many kids many kids playing at a camp of this caliber," St. Anthony coach Bob Hurley said.
Seniors Travon Woodall, Mike Rosario, Tyshawn Taylor, and Jio Fontan all played well on day one. Junior Dominic Cheek, arguably the most talented of the bunch, was injured early on, but his spirits were not dampened.
"It's a great opportunity," Cheek said. "I never thought it could happen, having five players from the same school at the camp. It shows everyone that St. Anthony's is a great school with great kids."
Also in attendance were two of Florida's top players - 6-2 junior Kenny Boynton and rising sophomore Brandon Knight. The two were placed together on Team Baron Davis, but seemed to struggle getting in sync. The team went 0-2, and Boynton and Knight combined to shoot only just 11 of 47 from the field, despite showing flashes of brilliance.
Other standout performances included Stevie Mejia, the lone Massachusetts representative, shot 6 of 8 from three-point land for Team Thabo Sefolosha. Not to be outdone on the other end, ultra-athletic Olu Ashaolu hit 12 of 15 from the field, tallying 26 points and propelling Team Gerald Green to victory.
As RBK U continues over the next couple days, players will be battling for the right to play in Tuesday night's all-star game.