Reigning ALL-USA POY Sharife Cooper finding new motivation in final season

Auburn signee Sharife Cooper is finding new motivation to dominate again this season after winning ALL-USA Player of the Year last season.

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Sharife Cooper is in this weird space where on one hand, as the reigning ALL-USA Player of the Year and No. 2 overall player in USA Today Sports’ Chosen 25, he feels the bull’s-eye growing daily; yet on the other hand he hears the whispers that McEachern High School (Powder Springs, Georgia) is vulnerable this year with Cooper as the only returning starter from last year’s 32-0 state championship team.

“It can make you think crazy if you let it,” said Cooper, a point guard who is signed to Auburn. “I don’t. I just use it as motivation both ways; if people are sleeping on us that makes me want to go all out even more, and if people want to be first to knock off the champs I can’t let that happen, so I have to go all out. Either way, I’m going all out.”

RELATED: USA Super 25 Boys Basketball Rankings Week 1

That PSA was deafening last weekend at the Thanksgiving Shootout.

Cooper averaged 48 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds a game; that included a 44-point, 10-rebound, six-assist performance against No. 12 Mayfair (Lakewood, California), which featured five-star guards Josh Christopher, who is ranked No. 16 in the Chosen 25, and Dior Johnson.

The Indians, who check in at No. 6 in USA Today’s Super 25, won 87-79 and sit at 6-0 for the season.

For the season, Cooper is averaging 34 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists a game. That’s up from last season when Cooper averaged 28.6 points, 8.7 assists and six rebounds a game.

RELATED: Preseason ALL-USA Basketball Teams

“Every time we step on the court, one way or the other people want us to fail,” Cooper said. “That’s the bottom line. It’s a different energy when it’s you and your guys against everyone else. It’s different, but I like it.”

Another difference is Cooper’s role as a scorer; sounds wild for a guy who averaged 28 points a game last season, but Cooper said he’s taking on the challenge of elevating his scoring this season.

“Last year I had guys that would take that load, but this year it’s something I have to do more of for my team,” Cooper said. “I’ve always prided myself in being the guy who would do whatever it takes for my team to win because winning is all that matters to me. Scoring comes naturally to me so it’s just a matter of staying aggressive. I still don’t force things, and I’m a natural playmaker so I’m always gonna make my teammates better and make the right basketball play. It’s a new year and a new challenge, and I’m ready for it.”

Follow Jason Jordan on Twitter: @JayJayUSATODAY

Top 10 holds strong in Week 1 Super 25 Boys Basketball Rankings

Montverde Academy remains No. 1 in Week 1 of the USA Today Super 25 boys basketball rankings.

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The proverbial dust has settled on the preseason Super 25 Boys Basketball rankings, and the top 10 have remained intact in the Week 1.

FULL RANKINGS: Super 25 Boys Rankings, Week 1

Top-ranked Montverde (Florida) Academy had a strong showing at the Thanksgiving Hoopfest in Dallas this past weekend, demolishing then No. 22 Duncanville (Texas) 84-51 and then Yates (Houston) 98-46.

RELATED: ALL-USA Boys Basketball Teams

Eagles point guard Cade Cunningham, an Oklahoma State signee who is ranked No. 1 overall in USA Today Sports’ Chosen 25 for 2020, led a balanced attack averaging 14 points, eight assists and six rebounds for the weekend.

Prolific Prep (Napa, California), ranked No. 5, was also impressive at the Hoopfest, but the Crew will face its toughest challenge of the early season when they square off against No. 3 Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix) at Hoophall West on Thursday at 9 p.m. ET (ESPN2).

McEachern (Powder Springs, Georgia), ranked No. 6, had an impressive 87-79 home win over then-No. 12 Mayfair (Lakewood, California) at the Thanksgiving Shootout; reigning ALL-USA Player of the Year Sharife Cooper, an Auburn signee who is ranked No. 2 in the Chosen 25, posted 44 points, eight rebounds and six assists in the win.

RELATED: Chosen 25 Basketball Rankings

Both Duncanville and Rancho Christian School (Temecula, California) suffered two losses and subsequently fell out of the rankings, which opened the door for Briarcrest Christian School (Eads, Tennessee) and Gonzaga College (Washington, D.C.) to debut in the Super 25.

Hoopfest: Cade Cunningham happy be back home as a Cowboy

Cade Cunningham said he knows he made the right decision picking Oklahoma State.

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DALLAS – Cade Cunningham knew the question was coming at some point and, while he’ll concede that “it’s a fair question,” he’s not ready to give an answer.

HOOPFEST: Harrison Ingram earns respect

Earlier this month when Cunningham committed to Oklahoma State he released a video and said, “To be honest, I was this close to picking a different school, but blood is always thicker than water,” eluding to his brother Cannen being on staff at Oklahoma State as the reason the Cowboys ultimately won out.

“I’m not gonna say which school it was,” said Cunningham, the No. 1 overall player in USA Today Sports’ Chosen 25. “But the small space between my two fingers was how close I came to going to another school. Things changed though and I’m happy where I’m at. I wouldn’t want to be at any other school; I can honestly say that. It feels good to know you made the right decision.”

HOOPFEST: Bryce Thompson thrives after committing to Kansas

On Friday at the Thanksgiving Hoopfest, Cunningham channeled that positive energy into a big win, scoring 15 points and handing out eight assists to lead the No. 1 Eagles past No. 22 Duncanville (Texas) 84-51. It was Cunningham’s first high school game in his home state since transferring to Montverde from Bowie (Arlington, Texas) the summer before his junior year.

“it was great to be back home,” Cunningham said. “It’s been a minute for me, but it just felt great to get the chance to play in front of everybody. Now, I’m just focused on winning a GEICO Nationals title with my guys.”

Last year in the GEICO Nationals semifinals, Montverde blew a 16-point second half lead and fell to eventual champion IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida), who currently checks in at No. 2.

HOOPFEST: Elite sophomore Arterio Morris stars at the Hoopfest

“We’re No. 1, but we’re the hunters,” Cunningham said. “We’re trying to beat the brakes off every team we play like they’re No. 1. We’re just hungrier this year than we’ve ever been. We’re coming for everybody.”

Follow Jason Jordan on Twitter: @JayJayUSATODAY

Hoopfest: Nimari Burnett gets social media boost after viral halfcourt shot

Nimari Burnett’s viral halfcourt buzzer beater earned him a social media boost in followers.

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DALLAS – Coming off the shot of the season thus far, a halfcourt buzzer beater to knockoff Dream City Christian (Glendale, Arizona) 66-63 in the Duel in the Desert championship game on November 23, Prolific Prep (Napa, California) point guard Nimari Burnett was “even more excited” to play his first game as a Texas Tech signee in the Lonestar State.

“This is where I’ll be, so it feels good to be able to play in front of the fans,” said Burnett, who is ranked No. 15 in USA Today Sports’ Chosen 25. “These are the people that will be supporting me next year, so I wanted to give them a good show.”

HOOPFEST: Bryce Thompson thrives after committing to Kansas

In two wins at the Thanksgiving Hoopfest, Burnett averaged 15 points for the No. 5 Crew.

“First, I’m just happy to win,” Burnett said. “I just want to set the tone for winning here in Texas because my plan is to do a lot of that next season. That halfcourt shot got a lot of the fans excited.”

Since the halfcourt heave went viral, Burnett said he’s added “over 3,000 followers” on social media.

HOOPFEST: Caleb Love has emotional connection to future school UNC

“It was pretty crazy all of the attention that came,” Burnett said. “We had fun with it in practice the next week and all of that, but now we’re moving on from it. Our goal is to go undefeated this season, and the way we’ll do that is to focus on every game in front of us. We have to because we have one of the toughest schedules in the country, but we have the team the depth to get it done.”

Follow Jason Jordan on Twitter: @JayJayUSATODAY

Thanksgiving: Elite HS basketball players give thanks for skills

Five-star high school basketball players like Azzi Fudd and Sharife Cooper give thanks for skills.

In observance of Thanksgiving, we caught up with a handful of elite high school athletes to find out what they’re most thankful for.

No, we’re not talking about health, family or any of the typical responses you hear around the table; instead we had them reveal which skill they’re most thankful to have in their arsenal.

Here’s what they said.

RELATED: Chosen 25 Basketball Rankings

Azzi Fudd

St. John’s College High School (Washington, D.C.), SG, 2021

College: Uncommitted

The one skill/move I’m most thankful to have in my repertoire is… “The in-and-out crossover dribble and the pull-up jumper. That’s my go-to move and everyone’s always like, ‘That’s all she does,’ but no one can stop it. That move has gotten me to where I’m at, so I love it.”

Hunter Dickinson

DeMatha Catholic High School (Hyattsville, Maryland), C, 2020

College: Uncommitted

The one skill/move I’m most thankful to have in my repertoire is… “My left-hand hook shot. That’s my go-to if I need a bucket.”

DJ Steward (Photo: Jon Lopez)

D.J. Steward

Whitney Young High School (Chicago), PG, 2020

College: Duke

The one skill/move I’m most thankful to have in my repertoire is… “My ‘heart-over-height’ mentality and not caring about who’s in front of me. It helps me to just go out there and have fun.”

Henry Coleman

Virginia Episcopal High School (Richmond, Virginia), F, 2020

College: Duke

The one skill/move I’m most thankful to have in my repertoire is… “Just being amiable and being able to be friends and a great teammate. This skill allows me to be a great leader on and off of the floor.”

RELATED: ALL-USA State Boys Basketball Teams

Jaemyn Brakefield

Huntington (West Virginia) Prep, SF, 2020

College: Duke

The one skill/move I’m most thankful to have in my repertoire is… “Being able to shoot the way I do. When you can shoot, it opens everything else up.”

Sharife Cooper

McEachern High School (Powder Springs, Georgia), PG, 2020

College: Auburn

The one skill/move I’m most thankful to have in my repertoire is… “My ability to make my team better and my ability to switch speeds. Making my team better with little things like pass aheads, knowing people’s spots, lobs… Those sorts of things and switching speeds because it’s harder for my defender to stay in front of me.”

Follow Jason Jordan on Twitter: @JayJayUSATODAY

 

Phenom Hoops Showcase: Chosen 25 shooting guard Cam Thomas focused on two

Cam Thomas said he’s focused on LSU and UCLA and could decide at any time.

RALEIGH, N.C. – It’s not that Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Virginia) shooting guard Cam Thomas is devoid of passion for the game or an excitement about his propensity to score loads of point night in and night out; it’s just that when you’ve been the leading scorer not just on your team, but in every league you’ve ever played from the age of 7, you tend to get used to the swish of the nets on your jump shots.

RELATED: Phenom Hoops – Jaden Bradley lives up to hype

“Scoring isn’t hard for me,” said Thomas, who is ranked No. 11 overall in USA Today Sports’ Chosen 25. “I feel like I was born to do it. I just look at it as me doing my job for my team to win. I don’t see it as anything special.”

Hard sell for a guy pumping in 35 points a game on the No. 14 team in USA Today’s Super 25.

On Friday, Thomas’ scoring barrage continued, dropping 22 points in Oak Hill’s 89-45 win over Crestwood Prep College (Toronto) at the Phenom Hoops National High School Showcase.

“I just try to do my job, but I’m most happy with the win,” Thomas said. “I know that people think we’re down this year, but I use it as motivation.”

RELATED: Elijah Fishers impresses despite flu

As for his recruitment, Thomas said LSU and UCLA “are standing out,” but Auburn is still in the mix.

As for when he’ll decide, Thomas said he wasn’t sure but didn’t rule out the possibility of committing during the NCAA’s Early Signing Period which kicked off on Nov. 13 and runs through Nov. 20.

PRESEASON BASKETBALL COVERAGE:

Super 25 Boys Rankings | ALL-USA Boys | ALL-USA Girls

“I don’t really know when it’ll happen,” Thomas said. “I feel like I’ll know when I’m ready. I want to go to a school that’s gonna let me play my game, a school that will get me better and a school with a family-like atmosphere. I feel like all three of the schools will give me that so it will be a hard decision for sure.”

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Follow Jason Jordan on Twitter: @JayJayUSATODAY

Seventeen Super 25 teams to be featured in the GEICO ESPN High School Showcase

GEICO ESPN High School Showcase will feature 17 Super 25 teams and multiple Chosen 25 stars this season.

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Seventeen of the 25 teams ranked in USA Today’s Super 25 Boys Basketball Rankings will be featured this season in the GEICO ESPN High School Showcase.

In all 34 games will be available across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and digitally on ESPN3.

“When you combine the abundance of nationally ranked teams and the nation’s most elite prospects, this year’s schedule is our biggest and best to date,” said Paul Biancardi, ESPN national recruiting director.

RELATED: Day one of the Early Signing Period

The TV games will kickoff on Dec. 5 when No. 5 Prolific Prep (Napa, California) takes on No. 3 Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix) on ESPN2.

The Crew features elite guard Nimari Burnett, a Texas Tech signee who is ranked No. 15 overall in USA Today Sports’ Chosen 25, and Jalen Green, who is ranked No. 3 overall, while the Bruins feature a handful of Chosen 25 players, including junior forward Michael Foster, who is ranked No. 6, and Keon Edwards, who is ranked No. 19.

PRESEASON BASKETBALL COVERAGE:

Super 25 Boys Rankings | ALL-USA Boys | ALL-USA Girls

Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, California), ranked No. 8, will make 15 appearances across the different platforms this season.

The Trailblazers boast Chosen 25 star shooting guard B.J. Boston, a Ketucky signee who is ranked No. 14 and Ziaire Williams, who is ranked No. 9. Also, Bronny James, son of NBA superstar LeBron James, and Zaire Wade, son of retired NBA star Dwyane Wade, suit up for Sierra Canyon.

Checkout the full slate of games below.

Date Time (ET) Matchup Network
Thu, Nov 21 11 p.m. No. 8 Sierra Canyon (Calif.)at Montgomery HS (Calif.) ESPN3
Fri, Nov 22 11 p.m. No. 8 Sierra Canyon (Calif.) vs. Saint Augustine (Calif.) ESPN3
Sat, Nov 23 11 p.m. No. 8 Sierra Canyon (Calif.) vs. Cathedral Catholic (Calif.) ESPN3
Thu, Dec 5 9 p.m. No. 5 Prolific Prep (Calif.) vs. No. 3 Hillcrest Prep (Ariz.) ESPN2
Sat, Dec 7 7 p.m. No. 16 Mater Dei (Calif.) vs. Perry (Ariz.) ESPN3
Sat, Dec 7 8:30 p.m. Christ the King (N.Y.) vs. No. 18 Rancho Christian (Calif.) ESPN3
Sat, Dec 7 10 p.m. No. 8 Sierra Canyon (Calif.) at Millenium (Ariz.) ESPN3
Sat, Dec 7 11:30 p.m. Hamilton Heights (Tenn.) at No. 3 Hillcrest Prep (Ariz.) ESPN3
Thu, Dec 12 8 p.m. No. 10 DeMatha (Md.) at No. 1 Montverde Academy (Fla.) ESPNU
Sat, Dec 14 8:30 p.m. No. 8 Sierra Canyon (Calif.) vs. St. Vincent & St. Mary (Ohio) ESPN3
Thu, Jan 3 7 p.m. Park Center (Minn.) at Minnehaha Acadamy (Minn.) ESPN3
Thu, Jan 3 9 p.m. No. 4 The Patrick School (N.J.) at No. 8 Sierra Canyon (Calif.) ESPN2
Fri, Jan 4 8 p.m. No. 8 Sierra Canyon (Calif.) at No. 20 Minnehaha Academy (Minn.) ESPN3
Thu, Jan 10 9 p.m. No. 7 Huntington Prep (W.Va.) at No. 2 IMG Academy (Fla.) ESPN2
Fri, Jan 11 TBD No. 18 Rancho Christian (Calif.) at No. 8 Sierra Canyon (Calif.) ESPN3
Fri, Jan 18 3 p.m. La Lumiere (Ind.) vs. Gonzaga (D.C.) ESPN3
Fri, Jan 18 4:30 p.m. No. 18 Rancho Christian (Calif.) vs. Camden (N.J.) ESPN3
Fri, Jan 18 6 p.m. No. 2 IMG Academy (Fla.) vs. No. 4 The Patrick School (N.J.) ESPN3
Fri, Jan 18 8 p.m. No. 8 Sierra Canyon (Calif.) vs. Dominican (Wis.) ESPN3
Sat, Jan 19 12:30 p.m. Orangeville Prep (Canada) vs. Brewster Adcademy (N.H.) ESPN3
Sat, Jan 19 2:15 p.m. Whitney Young (Ill.) vs. No. 4 The Patrick School (N.J.) ESPN3
Sat, Jan 19 4 p.m. No. 3 Hillcrest Prep (Ariz.) vs. Sunrise Christian (Kan.) ESPN3
Sat, Jan 19 5:30 p.m. No. 6 Prolific Prep (Calif.) at vs. La Lumiere (Ind.) ESPN3
Sat, Jan 19 7:30 p.m. No. 2 IMG Academy (Fla.) vs. No. 1 Montverde Academy (Fla.) ESPN
Sun, Jan 20 11 a.m. No. 8 Sierra Canyon (Calif.) vs. No. 12 Paul VI (Va.) ESPNU
Sun, Jan 20 1 p.m. No. 18 Rancho Christian (Calif.) vs. No. 10 DeMatha (Md.) ESPNU
Sun, Jan 20 3 p.m. No. 17 Bishop Gorman (Nev.) vs. No. 11 Oak Hill Academy (Va.) ESPNU
Sun, Jan 20 5 p.m. No. 1 Montverde Academy (Fla.) vs. No. 6 McEachern (Ga.) ESPNU
Thu, Jan 24 11 p.m. Coronado (Nev.) at No. 17 Bishop Gorman (Nev.) ESPNU
Mon, Jan 28 TBD No. 8 Sierra Canyon (Calif.) at Campbell Hall (Calif.) ESPN3
Thu, Jan 31 TBD No. 8 Sierra Canyon (Calif.) at Brentwood School (Calif.) ESPN3
Mon, Feb 4 TBD No. 8 Sierra Canyon (Calif.) at Paraclete HS (Calif.) ESPN3
Wed, Feb 6 5:30 p.m. No. 25 Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.) at Christ the King (N.Y.) ESPNU
Wed, Feb 6 7:30 p.m. Saint John Vianney (N.J.) vs. Christ the King (N.Y.) Girls TBD
Thu, Feb 7 TBD No. 8 Sierra Canyon (Calif.) vs. Gil St. Benard’s (N.J.) ESPN3
Fri, Feb 8 TBD No. 8 Sierra Canyon (Calif.) vs. No. 9 Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) ESPN3
Fri, Feb 8 TBD Huntington Prep vs. The Patrick School TBD

 

Thanksgiving Hoopfest moving to American Airlines Center

The Thanksgiving Hoopfest will give high school players a chance to play on an NBA court.

Prolific Prep (Napa, California) point guard Nimari Burnett is the last player on the roster who needs extra motivation to get up for games.

“I’m just always ready to compete,” said Burnett, a Texas Tech signee.

Still, come Nov. 30 when he and the Crew lace ‘em up for the Thanksgiving Hoopfest in Dallas, he’ll have a little built-in motivation.

RELATED: Super 25 Boys Basketball Rankings

To accommodate the massive number of fans unable to attend the Hoopfest due to the showcase selling out within the first hour tickets went on sale, Hoopfest founder Glenn Smith has decided to move the venue on the second day to American Airlines Center, the home of the Dallas Mavericks.

Games will remain at Duncanville (Texas) High School on Nov. 29 and for the morning session on Nov. 30.

That night, games will tip at AAC, beginning with Prolific Prep (Napa, California), ranked No. 5 overall in the USA Today Super 25, against St. Mark’s School (Dallas) at 5 p.m. The Hoopfest will provide a comp ticket for every ticket purchased for Saturday’s games at Duncanville.

“I’ve never played on an NBA court before so I’m hype,” said Burnett, who is ranked No. 15 overall in USA Today Sports’ Chosen 25. “We’re all ready to get out there and get that experience.”

RELATED: Day one of the Early Signing Period

Prolific Prep is one of three Super 25 competing in the Hoopfest; No. 8 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, California) and No. 22 Duncanville (Texas) will also participate. The Hoopfest made our list for the top 16 high school hoops events of the year.

“My dream is to play in the NBA, and to know that I’ll be able to play on an NBA court in high school is like a dream come true,” Burnett said. “We go hard in every game, but I know we’ll be going extra hard in this one.”

AAC schedule for Nov. 16:

5 p.m: (Boys) Prolific Prep (Calif.) vs St. Marks School (Texas)

6:30 p.m: (Girls) Sierra Canyon (Calif.) vs. Duncanville (Texas)

8 p.m: (Boys) Sierra Canyon (Calif.) vs. Duncanville (Texas)

9:30 p.m: (Boys) Yates (Houston) vs. Montverde (Fla.) Academy

Follow Jason Jordan on Twitter: @JayJayUSATODAY