Ever since Carmelo got that invitation to play in the Jordan Classic (shout out to my man Mark "Air Canada" Bayne) the D1 High Major interest in Melo has intensified. Clearly, there were only two real candidates for that invitation and Rasham Suarez was born in 1992 so he was unable to qualify to play. IPRB has gotten calls from over 50 schools in the last two weeks asking if the kid is all that or just another little point guard from PR.
IPRB has been telling our friends from the Hoyas not to allow his size to stop them from looking at him. IPRB has not been able to confirm this from any of GU Hoyas coaching staff directly but the word is that Georgetown Hoyas Coach, John Thompson III will be in San Juan on vacation and is itching to see/hear more about Melo. Our sources tell us that GU is pushing to develop relationships with some of the top PR coaches through their connection to PRP founder Todd Washington.
Washington has been working with Carmelo and his parents for the last couple of months and supposedly worked with NIKE to make sure a kid from PR finally got an opportunity to shine in a major event like the Jordan Classic.
We are going to jump out there on this one and wager that GU is one of the first schools to make a real hard push at Melo and maybe make an offer. The modified Princeton offense fits Melo's game perfectly and given the strong alumni base and GU support that exists in PR, Melo may be a GU Hoya sooner than you think
Friday, March 26, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Its Official, Melo @ The Garden April 17th
Carmelo Betancourt is playing in the Jordan CLassic International Game on April 17th at 5:30 in "The Garden"! IPRB will be traveling up with the family to show support for Carmelo! Melo in the Garden, April 17th! Lets go baby!
Abreu Selects Akron
It's official, ALex Abreu aka The Little Point From Puerto Rico has decided to attend the University of Akron. He select Akron over Utah and Nebraska both of whom made late pushes to try and sign him. Abreu follows the path that Puerto Rico greats JJ Barea and Carlos Arroyo took selecting a "mid major" over a "major".
Abreu made a name for himself last summer while playing on the 19U PR team and went up to Jersey and took control of his own destiny by showing up big against players who had big reps! His willingness to go to prep school and the sacrifice his family made is an example of the sacrifice it takes to get it done! Hats off to Ada and family for trusting PR Playmakers and the commitment they made to them that if Alex went to prep school he would secure a scholarship.
Abreu made a name for himself last summer while playing on the 19U PR team and went up to Jersey and took control of his own destiny by showing up big against players who had big reps! His willingness to go to prep school and the sacrifice his family made is an example of the sacrifice it takes to get it done! Hats off to Ada and family for trusting PR Playmakers and the commitment they made to them that if Alex went to prep school he would secure a scholarship.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Carmelo Betancourt Invited to Jordan Classic????
IPRB was told by sources close to Nike that Carmelo Betancourt has been invited to participate in the 2010 Jordan Classic. Betancourt will represent Puerto Rico in the International game which takes place before the All American Game. The game will feature the best player in the world who were born in 1993 or 1994.
FBPUR Senior Advisor and the person responsible for brokering the deal with both Nike and Jordan Brand told IPRB today,"we are working with Nike and Carmelo's mom to finalize the trip. Mark Bayne from Nike reached out and asked me who the best kid in that age group is and from what I have seen there is no question it is Carmelo. My program PR Playmakers is working with Carmelo's family to assist them in securing unique basketball experiences and opportunities. Carmelo and his parents are great people so it is easy and a lot of fun when you get a chance to work with people like that. Its amazing the number of parents and players who are reaching out and asking for our help. What makes PRP different from other programs is that we will help any kid who is able and capable. They do not have to play for one of our travel teams in order to get PRP's help. If you can play and have good grades we will help any kid!"
FBPUR Senior Advisor and the person responsible for brokering the deal with both Nike and Jordan Brand told IPRB today,"we are working with Nike and Carmelo's mom to finalize the trip. Mark Bayne from Nike reached out and asked me who the best kid in that age group is and from what I have seen there is no question it is Carmelo. My program PR Playmakers is working with Carmelo's family to assist them in securing unique basketball experiences and opportunities. Carmelo and his parents are great people so it is easy and a lot of fun when you get a chance to work with people like that. Its amazing the number of parents and players who are reaching out and asking for our help. What makes PRP different from other programs is that we will help any kid who is able and capable. They do not have to play for one of our travel teams in order to get PRP's help. If you can play and have good grades we will help any kid!"
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Carmelo Betancourt Rehabbing With The Best
IPRB has learned that Carmelo is back on his feet and rehabbing with the best trainer in PR, Desmond Santiago. IPRB learned that Carmelo got clearance to get back on the court and could be ready for the tournament season in March!
Carmelo and his family are also working with PR Playmakers who have been assisting in trying to set up a summer schedule for Carmelo. This would include a some live period camps and the selection of an AAU team.
Several teams could open a spot for Carmelo to include, Boo Williams, New Heights NYC and even Pump and Run Los Angeles.
Carmelo and his family are also working with PR Playmakers who have been assisting in trying to set up a summer schedule for Carmelo. This would include a some live period camps and the selection of an AAU team.
Several teams could open a spot for Carmelo to include, Boo Williams, New Heights NYC and even Pump and Run Los Angeles.
Rasham Suarez 4A Regional Player Of The Year
IPRB just got a text from Rasham"s dad. We are going to link up with Rasham later today and talk about the honor, his plans for this summer, recruiting and whether or not Rasham is a high major D1 point guard.
There is lots to talk about so stay tuned!
There is lots to talk about so stay tuned!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Angel Garcia Live and Direct
IPRB traveled to Memphis late last year to see Lebron and the Cavs play against the much improved Grizzlies. While in Memphis we had a chance to see Angel Garcia work his ass off rehabbing his torn ACL. After a grueling work out I watched Angel shot NBA 3 pointers like it was a lay up.
Coach Pastner and the entire staff must have been licking their chops as it was clear to me after watching him shot the ball that if he could get healthy and stay healthy that this kid was pro.
We reported last week that Garcia was back and in his most recent game he showed the world why many insiders think he is a lottery pick. Garcia, who is only in his third game back from an ACL tear scored 16 points on seven-of-nine shooting from the field.
Garcia was expected to miss the season due to the torn ACL but made a quicker recovery than expected. We spoke to him tonight in his hotel room in New Orleans. You could tell how happy he was to be back on the court playing the game he loves!
Garcia said," I worked so hard and it was great to see 20,000 fans give me a standing ovation. My whole family called to tell me that I was all over the news and stuff in PR so it feels great."
The staff at Memphis should be applauded for not trying to play Garcia in long spurts. They have been playing him at 3-5 minutes at a time and allowing him to get his legs back and gain confidence.
"my coaches are great guys and have supported me. Im just going out there and trying to help me team win games. It is great to be back out there playing and trying to get back to the level I know I can play at," said Garcia.
We asked him about his plans for this summer and whether or not he will be able to play for the PR National Team. " I really want to come home and play for my country. I have to go to summer school so I not sure of my schedule but I want to play."
If Garcia stays healthy he is someone the coaches of the National Team need to consider. Garcia is a pro with a pro body and only needs to take care of the knee and we should be seeing him on TNT on Thursday nights!
Below are some You Tube highlights from Garcia
Coach Pastner and the entire staff must have been licking their chops as it was clear to me after watching him shot the ball that if he could get healthy and stay healthy that this kid was pro.
We reported last week that Garcia was back and in his most recent game he showed the world why many insiders think he is a lottery pick. Garcia, who is only in his third game back from an ACL tear scored 16 points on seven-of-nine shooting from the field.
Garcia was expected to miss the season due to the torn ACL but made a quicker recovery than expected. We spoke to him tonight in his hotel room in New Orleans. You could tell how happy he was to be back on the court playing the game he loves!
Garcia said," I worked so hard and it was great to see 20,000 fans give me a standing ovation. My whole family called to tell me that I was all over the news and stuff in PR so it feels great."
The staff at Memphis should be applauded for not trying to play Garcia in long spurts. They have been playing him at 3-5 minutes at a time and allowing him to get his legs back and gain confidence.
"my coaches are great guys and have supported me. Im just going out there and trying to help me team win games. It is great to be back out there playing and trying to get back to the level I know I can play at," said Garcia.
We asked him about his plans for this summer and whether or not he will be able to play for the PR National Team. " I really want to come home and play for my country. I have to go to summer school so I not sure of my schedule but I want to play."
If Garcia stays healthy he is someone the coaches of the National Team need to consider. Garcia is a pro with a pro body and only needs to take care of the knee and we should be seeing him on TNT on Thursday nights!
Below are some You Tube highlights from Garcia
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