The last hurrah for basketball's summer circuit begins Wednesday in Las Vegas, where three separate tournaments will dominate the hoops headlines for the next five days.
The July 25-29 dates fall within the parameters of the NCAA's third "live" evaluation period this month, meaning college coaches will be in the building putting eyes on top prospects in action.
Robert Hubbs should draw a big crowd to Bishop Gorman on Wednesday.
USA Basketball/Steven Maikoski
The adidas Super 64, Fab 48 and Las Vegas Classic will host more than 1,000 (1,042 to be exact) boys teams. The coexistence of the events was rocked Tuesday when
Tristan Aird of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that the Fab 48 is considering legal action against Nike for steering a number of its clubs away from the event.
The Nike-sponsored Oakland Soldiers – inaugural Fab 48 champions in 2010 and coming off a major title victory last weekend at the Peach Jam – will participate in the Las Vegas Classic instead this year, along with fellow Swoosh affiliates Mac Irvin Fire of Chicago and the Houston Hoops.
Off-the-court controversy aside, unknowns will emerge, stars will step up (2011 MVP and Oklahoma State signee Marcus Smart owned the Super 64 last year), scholarships will be earned and college coaches will be out in full force at area schools in and around Las Vegas throughout the week. It's a hoops extravaganza worthy of the Entertainment Capital of the World.
The Fab 48 will be a popular destination for college coaches and the media Wednesday with a special tip-off showcase that will feature more than 20 Top 100-caliber talents, including breakout star Robert Hubbs, Jarell Martin and 7-foot-4 Mamadou Ndiaye.
The Super 64 will be headlined by Florida Elite, which has rattled off a number of major tournament victories this summer behind the play of five-star prospects Kasey Hill and Chris Walker – both Florida Gator commitments.
CBS Sports Network will televise the adidas Super 64 championship game Sunday at 6 p.m. ET. Last year Smart and Texas Assault knocked off Shabazz Muhammad and Dream Vision for the tournament crown.
MaxPreps will provide reports from Sin City throughout the week.
Here's a quick look at "The Big Three" events this week in Las Vegas:
adidas Super 64
Web: adidassuper64.com
Tournament headquarters: Rancho High School
17U defending champ: Texas Assault
17U teams to watch: Atlanta Celtics, Compton Magic (Calif.), Dallas Mustangs, Dream Vision (Calif.), Eric Gordon All-Stars (Ind.), Florida Elite, Garner Road (N.C.), Indiana Elite, The Magic (Ariz.), Massachusetts Rivals, Michigan Mustangs, Nashville Celtics (Tenn.), Northwest Panthers (Wash.), Ohio Basketball Club, Urban DFW (Texas).
Quick links: Pool listings/schedule
Fab 48
Web: lasvegasfab48.com
Tournament headquarters: Bishop Gorman High School
17U defending champ: Kansas City 76ers (Kan.)
17U teams to watch: Arkansas Hawks, Belmont Shore (Calif.), DC Assault, Double Pump Elite (Calif.), Kansas City 76ers, Las Vegas Prospects (Nev.), Louisiana Elite (La.), M33M (Tenn.), New York Rens, Play Hard Play Smart (Calif.), Team Loaded (Va.).
Quick links: Pool listings (PDF) | Schedule
Las Vegas Classic
Web: bigfoothoops.com/tournaments/lvc/lvc
Tournament headquarters: Durango High School
17U defending champ: Central Kentucky Storm
17U teams to watch: California Supreme, Houston Hoops, Mac Irvin Fire (Ill.), Oakland Soldiers (Calif.)
Quick links: Pool listings/schedule
Watch more videos of Montrose Christian basketball
