Will freshmen feast at Thanksgiving tourneys?

By Jason Hickman Nov 24, 2009, 12:00am

76 Classic and Old Spice Classic feature plenty of frosh firepower.

College basketball tournaments beginning Thursday in Anaheim (76 Classic) and Orlando (Old Spice Classic) will provide a nationally-televised early progress report for several talented freshmen.

In Anaheim, Calif., at the 76 Classic, Clemson will look to a trio of rookies in Devin Booker, Milton Jennings and Noel Johnson to contribute to its push toward the tournament title.

In Orlando, Fla., at the Old Spice Classic, Florida State would love to get a breakout performance from ultra-talented Michael Snaer. Xavier’s Mark Lyons enters the event as the leading scorer among freshmen, averaging 11.3 points per game

More freshmen to watch from Anaheim and Orlando;

76 Classic – Anaheim, Calif. (Nov. 26-29)

Clemson
Devin Booker, Union (Whitmire, S.C.): 4 games, 4.8 rpg, 4.3 rpg
Milton Jennings, Pinewood Prep (Summerville, S.C.): 4 games, 6.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg
Noel Johnson, Fayette County (Fayetteville, Ga.): 4 games, 8.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg

Minnesota
Rodney Williams, Robbinsdale Cooper (New Hope, Minn.): 3 games, 15.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg

Texas A&M
Naji Hibbert, DeMatha Catholic (Baltimore, Md.): 3 games, 3.7 ppg, 1.3 rpg

UCLA
Nelson Reeves, Modesto Christian (Modesto, Calif.): 3 games, 7.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg

West Virginia
Dan Jennings, Oak Hill Academy (Staten Island, N.Y.): 1 game, 9.0 ppg, 12.0 rpg
Kevin Jones, Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon, N.Y.): 1 game, 14.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg

Old Spice Classic – Orlando, Fla. (Nov. 26-29)

Michael Snaer, Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley, Calif.)
Michael Snaer, Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley, Calif.)
Photo by Louis Lopez
Baylor
Nolan Dennis, Richland Hills (North Richland Hills, Texas: 4 games, 4.3 ppg, 1.3 apg, 1.0 rpg
Cory Jefferson, Killeen (Killeen, Texas): 3 games, 4.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg

Florida State
Michael Snaer, Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley, Calif.): 3 games, 8.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg

Iona
Mike McFadden, Newark Tech (Newark, N.J.): 3 games, 7.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Kyle Smyth, Don Bosco Prep (River Edge, N.J.): 3 games, 9.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.7 apg

Marquette
Jeronne Maymon, Madison Memorial (Madison, Wis.): 3 games, 4.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg

Michigan
Darius Morris, Windward (Los Angeles, Calif.): 2 games, 8.0 ppg, 4.0 apg, 1.5 rpg
Matt Vogrich, Lake Forest (Lake Forest, Ill.): 2 games, 7.5 ppg, 1.0 rpg

Xavier
Mark Lyons, Brewster Academy (Schenectady, N.Y.): 3 games, 11.3 ppg, 3.3 apg, 2.7 rpg
Jeff Robinson, Lawrence North (Indianapolis, Ind.): 3 games, 2.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg