Grassroots Update: Las Vegas Knicks 17U
It was a spring to be proud of for the Las Vegas Knicks’ 17U unit.
According to program director Lamar Bigby, his 17U squad is the the only team in the country that has beat both Compton Magic and Dream Vision, each are top squads in the nation.
“People need to understand, that when we say we’re one of the premier teams in the country, (those wins) speak volumes,” Bigby said.
The 17U Knicks qualified for the adidas Gauntlet Finale in New York in their first year as a gold division Gauntlet team. They finished 9-7 against adidas teams during the spring. They were 10-0 against independent teams, and finished with a 19-7 overall record.
Now, the focus has shifted to the Gauntlet Finale in NYC, that will be July 12-15.
“We’re preparing for the Gauntlet daily, just getting better at our facility,” Bigby said.
Five Standouts
Orlando Robinson, 6’9 PF — The California big-man recently reclassified to 2019 and will head to Middlebrooks Academy in Los Angeles next season. “He’s probably one of the most efficient big guys in the country. He shot over 64 percent for us in the spring,” Bigby said. Louisville, DePaul and Georgia Tech headline his offers list.
Sedric Hammonds, 6’4 G — Another Los Angeles product (Cathedral HS), the former Clark standout led a well-balanced Knicks scoring attack while averaging 11 points per game. He’s been a two-way standout, proving to be a stout defender as well. Arizona State, Kansas State, Creighton, UNLV and several others have offered.
Anthony Hunter, 6′ PG — The class of 2020 guard is playing up a grade and has still been one of the standouts on the squad. He’s got several D1 offers already; Southern Mississippi, Cal State Bakersfield, Long Beach State, Tulane and Cal State Northridge “He’s played so well, just the tone he sets, the tone defensively, and brings a toughness to the game,” Bigby said.
Nick Blake, 6’5 SG — Blake averaged 10.4 per game during the spring. He’s reclassified to 2020 and will be headed to Middlebrooks in LA next year with Robinson. “In our two wins against Dream Vision and Compton Magic, he was absolutely sensational in those games,” Bigby said.
Brevin Walter, 6’3 G — The Faith Lutheran rising senior averaged 9.7 points per game this spring. He currently checks in as PHNV’s 15th-ranked 2019.