Zero Gravity Finals - Saturday Recap

by Luc Smith | Sunday, June 14th, 2015

The Zero Gravity Finals punctuated the spring AAU season by welcoming over 500 teams to the state of Massachusetts for the biggest grassroots tournament of the year. With the vast majority of the New England’s top programs in attendance, day one of the event was like a who’s who of New England’s best:

Varsity Division:

Bruce Brown – BABC - The electric Brown was able to create numerous highlight dunks in transition but also showcased his ability to post up smaller guards, blow by his defender, and hit the three.

Robert Martin Jr. – BABC - Martin’s activity defensively was outstanding, blocking shots and getting steals. But he complimented the defense with a great ability to score in the open floor and in the post.

Patrick Fisher – BABC - Fisher who had numerous college visits this past week, showcased his high basketball IQ and aggressiveness in getting to the paint, where he impressed by making plays for himself and other.

Kevin Marfo – BABC - The big man, who picked up offers from UMASS and Boston College this week, was dominant in the paint. Finishing over both shoulders and through contact, his interior skill set was remarkable.

James Foye - Metro Boston – The Phillips Exeter guard put together arguably the top performance of the day, catching fire from behind the three-point line and connecting on seven long-balls for a total of 33 points.  

Tremont Waters - New England Playaz - Waters floor vision is spectacular, seeing passing opportunities few others would. To go along with his great passing ability, he is crafty ball handler who gets into the paint and finishes. He also has a smooth stroke from deep and midrange.

Kellan Grady - New England Playaz - Grady showed off his bounce Saturday throwing down dunks in transition. Grady also displayed his outstanding shooting ability from deep before unfortunately going down with an ankle injury.

Ian Sistare - New England Playaz - A hard working and high IQ player, Sistare had a shining moment Saturday hitting a buzzer beating three in the corner in overtime to win it for the Playaz.

Jimbo Lull - New England Playaz - The big man was a force Saturday. His ability to finish with both hands in the paint is one-reason college coaches are excited about his potential.

Tomas Murphy - New England Playaz - Murphy continued his success from the Super 16. He was extremely productive on the boards, running the floor in transition and finishing in the paint.

Cheick Kone - Castle Athletics - Kone is tremendously athletic and great in the open floor. He was a highlight reel waiting to happen, getting above the rim to throw down more than one big slams.  

Shyheim Ulrickson - MB Nation - Urlickson really showed great leadership throughout the day by taking charges, being vocal, physical, and getting into the lane and finishing.

Wenyen Gabriel - Mass Rivals - Gabriel cracked the top 100 in the nation this week and demonstrated why: at 6’9 he has the ability to do it all. Gabriel can score in the post or take people off the bounce or shoot it from three.

Makai Ashton-Langford - Mass Rivals - Ashton-Langford is a super composed point guard. He’s well known for his ability to get to the rim but he also finds teammates in the corners off his drives, and then almost invariably hits the shooters’ pockets.

Wabissa Bede - Mass Rivals - Bede continues to get better every time we watch him. With his strong frame he’s able to get into the lane, take contact and create for himself and others.

Saul Phiri - Mass Rivals – He continued to show his offensively versatility, using his strong body and deceptive athleticism to create his own offense off the dribble while also stroking it from deep.

10th graders:

Chuck Hannah - New England Playaz – The versatile and tough forward is hard to guard going to his dominant left side and does a nice job of using his strong upper body to finish in the post through contact.

Nate Laszewski - New England Playaz - Laszewski is as skilled a 6’8”player as we’ve seen this year. He has the ability to knock down shots from mid-range and three and finish with authority at the rim. Nate is starting to blossom into a high level prospect.

Chris Doherty - New England Playaz - Doherty’s uncanny ability to get to his left hand and finish in the post is unlike most in the class of 2018. With great hands, he grabs rebounds and finishes through contact.

Aaron Wheeler - New England Playaz - Wheeler’s game continues to develop. The long and lanky forward was impressive hitting threes and throwing down some furious dunks.

Justin Mazzulla - BABC Gold – A truly versatile guard and budding big point guard, Mazzula has a great ability to create for others but also showed off his scoring and rebounding capabilities.

Jakigh Dottin - BABC Gold - Dottin’s talent to finish acrobatically through and around defenders was on display all day Saturday. It often appeared defenders had a block on Dottin but his athleticism and craftiness allowed him to finish his drives.

Jonathan Casseus- BABC Gold - Casseus has a great feel for the game.  He established himself with his ability to penetrate and dish or score.

Daniel Rhymer - Rivals Geo - Rymer is a strong and athletic individual who powers through and over defenders and finishes with a soft touch. Rymer was a force on the backboard, grabbing numerous rebounds.

Brad Landry – CBC - Landry has a quick release, which allowed him to hit numerous shots over taller Playaz defenders. His court vision was stellar, allowing him to pick out teammates for better looks.