Word on the street is that Jordan Brand sponsored program Montrose Christian wants Carmelo. Montrose is coached by Stu Vetter and is widely considered to be one of the top high school programs in the country. Coach Vetter has been an elite high school coach for over 25 years and in recent years coached had both Kevin Durant and Venezuelan PG Greivis Vazques play for him at Montrose.
On top of that St. Benedicts in New Jersey has also expressed some interest in Carmelo. St Benedicts top returning player who is also a Top 50 Class of 2011 decided to transfer to Findlay Prep. This create an interesting option for Carmelo given they are only returning two players from last years team and have a number of spots on the team available.
While PR has great high school coaches (Adinez and St Francis to name a coupl) and good schools none of the programs in PR play an elite schedule so it is hard to players like Carmelo to be challenged.
'It's a tough situation as the coaches are trying to get kids to stay but truthfully that is not helping the kids. You got kids playing center who are 6'4 and the style of play is so incredibly slow. There is no question that PR has great coaches and they have been doing a great job at developing kids to a certain point but the system is not set up to develop elite players. I was down in PR this year looking at a couple of kids and to be honest the style of play and lack of size made it hard for me to see if the kids could really play. Very few of these kids really know or want to play defense and the transition game doesn't exist", said a D1 coach.
Carmelo and his family have a high class problem given that two of the best programs in the country are interested in him. IT shows how quickly things can change when a player gets exposed.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Suarez Update
Three of the top PG in the class of 2011 are all looking to have big summers and get ready for their senior year! Rasham Suarez has left PR in the 9th grade and has attended three different prep schools in 3 years. This has been by choice and from what we hear the kid is having a great spring season playing AAU ball for a Nike Travel Team in Atlanta. Rasham has proven that he can compete at the highest level and has really focused on getting his body in shape. Playing PG is one of the toughest transitions from HS to college so getting prepared for the contact at the D1 level is critical. The question for Rasham is his athletic ability. He is an above average athlete who must begin to play above the rim and not rely so much on his jump shot rather getting to the rim and finishing above it. Mid Majors are all over him and some SEC schools have shown interest.
We think he has the tools to plat High Major D1 but must do the things this summer to strengthen his legs and improve quickness and leaping ability. We think Gonzaga, Xavier and possibly even Miami are great fits!
IPRB confirmed that Rasham's dad, Gamaliel and Coach from St. Benedicts spoke last night and that Rasham might consider transferring there if they made an offer. Gamaliel and Coach Mcleod from St. Benedicts have been friends for quite some time.
We think he has the tools to plat High Major D1 but must do the things this summer to strengthen his legs and improve quickness and leaping ability. We think Gonzaga, Xavier and possibly even Miami are great fits!
IPRB confirmed that Rasham's dad, Gamaliel and Coach from St. Benedicts spoke last night and that Rasham might consider transferring there if they made an offer. Gamaliel and Coach Mcleod from St. Benedicts have been friends for quite some time.
"We Are Back Up" Stringer Bell (HBO's The Wire)
Like ym many Stringer Bell said from HBO's the wire, We are back up! Took a little vacation to Bermuda and Aruba and now we are back up and ready to update everyone on the Class of 2011.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Carmelo @ MSG in Jordan Classic Interview
When we make a promise, we deliver, so below is an interview we conducted with Carmelo Betancourt this afternoon. Everyone at MSG wanted to know who the little guy from Puerto Rico was and by the end of the game, everyone knew that Melo, is next! Several of the top high schools in the NYC area are already reaching out and word is that Todd Washington has gotten over 10 calls since Saturday night about Carmelo.
Question: So you had one heck of a week in NYC, tell us about the experience and what it is like to play in the Jordan Classic?
Melo: I've never seen something so incredible in my life! First, I want to thank Mark Bayne and all the people from Nike and Jordan Brand! They treated me like a king and I will never forget it for the rest of my life! Mark Bayne and the guys from NIke/Jordan Brand are really trying to help kids from PR get on the map! Now people know my name and know I can play! Special thanks again to my friend Mark Bayne and the whole Nike/Jordan Brand Family! I got to play at MSG, I got to play in front of Chris Paul and got to meet Michael Jordan personally! It was crazy man! Plus my family got to come and see me play which was great and I worked so hard for this opportunity. Everything was so cool, they had this VIP lounge with flat screens, games, food, everything!
Q: Talk to us about the talent out there, you played Kevin Pangos form Canada and he is considered to be the next Steve Nash, How was the talent out there?
Melo: Our first practice he scored like 8 points in a row and we saw him at FIBA tournaments so I knew he was good. All the kids the kids from Canada, Spain and Italy were really good. Everyone was very humble and we all got along. I roomed with a player from Brazil and we played against each other during the day and at night we just chilled and tried to understand each other. He didn't speak English or Spanish so it was kind of hard but he was a great guy and it was a lot of fun!
Q: You got your first chance to play in an NBA arena at MSG, What was it like playing in the Garden?
Melo: It was so electrifying! Kobe, MJ and Lebron all talk about MSG and it was such a great honor to play on the same court that all those guy play on! Just being out there and representing Puerto Rico! Hopefully I showed people that I deserved to be there and that I am a serious players! It was the best time in my life!
Q: You showed a little bit of everything including an NBA 3 pointer in the 4th quarter. Everyone in the arena seemed to be cheering for you. Could you hear the crowd and the people cheering for you?
Melo: I could hear and see them! My mom was waving the flag, my dad and my sister were right there too and I could see/hear Todd Washington encouraging me to keep pushing and be aggressive! Plus my club coach was there so it was great to have so much support!
Q: So now you are back in PR and have had a day to think about things, what are you going to do about school next year?
Melo: I want to make the right decision and select the right school which will allow me to play and continue to prove that I can compete at the highest level. I'm going to prep school in the states next year! No question about it!
Q: What are your favorite colleges and have you thought about that?
Melo: My focus is on high school right now, getting a scholarship and then I will think about college. A lot of people came up to my mom and dad and others asking about that but I am just going to do my job and then we will go from there.
Q: What sort of stuff did you get from Jordan Brand, shoes, gear, etc ?
Melo: As soon as I got to the hotel, they gave me a huge duffel bag full of stuff and made a chair with my name on it! It was awesome man, they treated me like a king and now I see what it is like at the elite level! I want to be there! I got shoes, shirts, sweats, everything! They hooked it up big time!
Q: What are plans for this summer and who is helping you with deciding on schools, AAU and you future?
Melo: I have a group of people starting with my mom and dad. I also have my club coach and high school coaches who have been with me forever and now Todd Washington and PRP are part of the family too and we are all working together. It's great to have really good people in my corner led by my mom and dad! They have made so many sacrifices for me to be in this position and now it seems like things are paying off! I worked so hard and knew how important it was so I am glad I did a really good job and hopefully we can get other kids from PR to play in that game next year! I know Todd is working on finding me an AAU team and putting together a schedule of events for me. My dream is to go to the Steve Nash/NIke Camp. I know Todd and Mark are working on that for me so lets see but I know I am going to have a full summer!
Opportunity only strikes once and it is clear that Melo was ready when his chance came!
The thing we really like about Carmelo is that off the court he is as humble as any kid we've seen with the talent he has been blessed with. He represented PR in a way that will allow other kids to have the opportunity in the future and can hopefully be the next great Puerto Rican player named Carmelo from Puerto Rico!
Question: So you had one heck of a week in NYC, tell us about the experience and what it is like to play in the Jordan Classic?
Melo: I've never seen something so incredible in my life! First, I want to thank Mark Bayne and all the people from Nike and Jordan Brand! They treated me like a king and I will never forget it for the rest of my life! Mark Bayne and the guys from NIke/Jordan Brand are really trying to help kids from PR get on the map! Now people know my name and know I can play! Special thanks again to my friend Mark Bayne and the whole Nike/Jordan Brand Family! I got to play at MSG, I got to play in front of Chris Paul and got to meet Michael Jordan personally! It was crazy man! Plus my family got to come and see me play which was great and I worked so hard for this opportunity. Everything was so cool, they had this VIP lounge with flat screens, games, food, everything!
Q: Talk to us about the talent out there, you played Kevin Pangos form Canada and he is considered to be the next Steve Nash, How was the talent out there?
Melo: Our first practice he scored like 8 points in a row and we saw him at FIBA tournaments so I knew he was good. All the kids the kids from Canada, Spain and Italy were really good. Everyone was very humble and we all got along. I roomed with a player from Brazil and we played against each other during the day and at night we just chilled and tried to understand each other. He didn't speak English or Spanish so it was kind of hard but he was a great guy and it was a lot of fun!
Q: You got your first chance to play in an NBA arena at MSG, What was it like playing in the Garden?
Melo: It was so electrifying! Kobe, MJ and Lebron all talk about MSG and it was such a great honor to play on the same court that all those guy play on! Just being out there and representing Puerto Rico! Hopefully I showed people that I deserved to be there and that I am a serious players! It was the best time in my life!
Q: You showed a little bit of everything including an NBA 3 pointer in the 4th quarter. Everyone in the arena seemed to be cheering for you. Could you hear the crowd and the people cheering for you?
Melo: I could hear and see them! My mom was waving the flag, my dad and my sister were right there too and I could see/hear Todd Washington encouraging me to keep pushing and be aggressive! Plus my club coach was there so it was great to have so much support!
Q: So now you are back in PR and have had a day to think about things, what are you going to do about school next year?
Melo: I want to make the right decision and select the right school which will allow me to play and continue to prove that I can compete at the highest level. I'm going to prep school in the states next year! No question about it!
Q: What are your favorite colleges and have you thought about that?
Melo: My focus is on high school right now, getting a scholarship and then I will think about college. A lot of people came up to my mom and dad and others asking about that but I am just going to do my job and then we will go from there.
Q: What sort of stuff did you get from Jordan Brand, shoes, gear, etc ?
Melo: As soon as I got to the hotel, they gave me a huge duffel bag full of stuff and made a chair with my name on it! It was awesome man, they treated me like a king and now I see what it is like at the elite level! I want to be there! I got shoes, shirts, sweats, everything! They hooked it up big time!
Q: What are plans for this summer and who is helping you with deciding on schools, AAU and you future?
Melo: I have a group of people starting with my mom and dad. I also have my club coach and high school coaches who have been with me forever and now Todd Washington and PRP are part of the family too and we are all working together. It's great to have really good people in my corner led by my mom and dad! They have made so many sacrifices for me to be in this position and now it seems like things are paying off! I worked so hard and knew how important it was so I am glad I did a really good job and hopefully we can get other kids from PR to play in that game next year! I know Todd is working on finding me an AAU team and putting together a schedule of events for me. My dream is to go to the Steve Nash/NIke Camp. I know Todd and Mark are working on that for me so lets see but I know I am going to have a full summer!
Opportunity only strikes once and it is clear that Melo was ready when his chance came!
The thing we really like about Carmelo is that off the court he is as humble as any kid we've seen with the talent he has been blessed with. He represented PR in a way that will allow other kids to have the opportunity in the future and can hopefully be the next great Puerto Rican player named Carmelo from Puerto Rico!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Carmelo @ MSG
We've been getting calls all day about how Carmelo did at the Jordan Classic! BANANAS!!!!!!!
WE just got back to PR from NYC and will give everyone an update! The kid put Puerto Rico on his back and represented to the fullest!
More info on Melo at the Garden tomorrow but all we can say is bananas!
WE just got back to PR from NYC and will give everyone an update! The kid put Puerto Rico on his back and represented to the fullest!
More info on Melo at the Garden tomorrow but all we can say is bananas!
Rosario Commits to Florida
Mike Rosario went down to the University of Florida this weekend and decided he didnt needs to see anymore. Mike committed to Coach Donavan and the University of Florida Gators earlier today. Rosario told IPRB,"I'm signing with Florida man, I love it out here. I just feel like this is home for me man and I really respect Coach Donavan. He's a real cool dude and my teammates are really cool to.
Rosario was suppose to meet with Kansas State coach, Frank Martin later this week but decided that any additional consideration was unnecessary.
Rosario was suppose to meet with Kansas State coach, Frank Martin later this week but decided that any additional consideration was unnecessary.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Rosario Gets Conditional Release, Visits Florida Tomorrow
Mike Rosario is a happy man! He got a conditional release from Rutgers yesterday and the phones have started to ring off the hook! IPRB spoke with Mike yesterday and he was on top of the world.
"I am thankful for the way Rutgers handled the situation. They treated me with respect and I appreciate that alot."
Rosario is once again a very popular man as colleges having been calling since his release including the University of Florida where he is set to take his first visit tomorrow. A source close Rosario has told IPRB that " Mike is looking at Florida, USC, Kansas State and Maryland.
Mike is suppose to be leaving to take his first visit to Florida tomorrow at 1pm.
"I am thankful for the way Rutgers handled the situation. They treated me with respect and I appreciate that alot."
Rosario is once again a very popular man as colleges having been calling since his release including the University of Florida where he is set to take his first visit tomorrow. A source close Rosario has told IPRB that " Mike is looking at Florida, USC, Kansas State and Maryland.
Mike is suppose to be leaving to take his first visit to Florida tomorrow at 1pm.
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