WEST ORANGE, N.J. – On the second day of the Hoop Group Tip Off Showcase, more top-level teams and high-major recruits took the floor, including the number one high school team in the country, St. Anthony’s (N.J.).
Yesterday, NBCSports.com took a look at top prospects from day one. Check those out here.
Here are the top performers from day two.
Kyle Anderson | 6-7, 210 pounds G | St. Anthony (N.J.) | Class of 2012
Anderson (pictured) is a one-of-a-kind talent signed to play with UCLA in 2012. With his combination of size and ball-handling, he is a matchup problem at four different positions on the floor.
His biggest asset on the offensive end is his ability as a creative passer to see over the defense, draw defenders, and make others around him better by finding them in positions to score. He absorbs contact at the rim and can overpower most when he gets into the lane.
With his length, he can get from the perimeter to the basket in two steps, and his footwork is advanced for a high school senior. Because he gets into the lane, he draws fouls and is a solid free throw shooter.
The biggest knock on Anderson is what has given him his nickname, “Slo-Mo.” He lacks quickness, but he covers a lot of space defensively with his long arms. Questions have been raised about what position he would guard at the college level, but he has a knack for using his length to get into passing lanes and to block shots.
In a win over Trenton Catholic on Sunday evening, Anderson had 14 points and eight rebounds.
Brandon Taylor | 6-6, 230 pounds F | Trenton Catholic (N.J.) | Class of 2012
Taylor was in foul trouble throughout his team’s matchup with St. Anthony on Sunday, but Penn State has signed a strong, Philadelphia-tough player.
He is a tweener forward, too small to play power forward in the Big 10, but not a strong enough ball-handler to play the small forward spot.
The strongest part of his game is his versatility, unafraid to bang down low on the block, but can also step out into the mid-range and bring make the defense respect his jump shot. He boxes out and will fight for rebounds, which he’ll have to do as an undersized forward.
Penn State head coach Pat Chambers scored a solid player in Taylor and has taken a step in the right direction, trying to build the Nittany Lion program.
Quenton DeCosey | 6-5, 180 pounds G/F | St. Joseph Metuchen (N.J.) | Class of 2012
Fran Dunphy is getting an impressive athlete at Temple in this 6-5 guard/forward combo.
In a losing effort on Sunday afternoon, DeCosey posted a double-double, with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Plainly, DeCosey is a scorer and uses his body and his length to get to the basket and finish through contact.
He has an old-school feel to his game and runs the court well in transition.
His biggest adjustment at the college level will be on defense. He has the physical tools to be a defender, but will have to put in the effort and the work to improve.
Michael Young | 6-8, 215 pounds F | Hudson Catholic (N.J.) | Class of 2013
Young is garnering high-major interest from schools that include Florida, Baylor, and West Virginia.
At Hudson Catholic, Young understands his role and plays within his skill set, which is in the post. A lot of taller players at the high school level try to emulate Kevin Durant, or even the above-mentioned Kyle Anderson, but are trying to do too much.
Young thrives on the block, so he has developed a solid set of moves that make him effective and attractive to college coaches.
He is far from lanky, but still has lean muscle. To avoid being pushed around at the next level, he could add bulk, but, as only a junior, he has time to do that.
Young had nine points and nine rebounds in a loss to Teaneck (N.J.) on Sunday.
Tyler Roberson | 6-7, 190 pounds | Roselle Catholic (N.J.) | Class of 2013
Because of the 30-day transfer rule, Roberson did not play in the Tip Off Showcase, but an impressive summer on the AAU circuit has solidified him as a top 30 prospect in the Class of 2013.
He is a new-age small forward: long, lanky, high-level athlete who runs the floor well. At times, he doesn’t seem to be giving 100 percent, but against comparable competition, he shines.
During the summer against Noah Vonleh, a top prospect in the Class of 2014, he limited Vonleh on the offensive end when most others were unable to. He attacks the basket off the dribble and can step out into the mid-range, within 15 feet.
Much of Roberson’s recruitment has been off of potential and the value in having a player with his physical gifts, being able to mold him with a college staff and weight program.
He has offers from high majors across the country, most prominently Kansas, Kansas State, Syracuse, Louisville, Marquette, and NC State.
Daniel Martin is a writer and editor at JohnnyJungle.com, covering St. John’s. You can find him on Twitter:@DanielJMartin_
