The three 2012 prospects that Pitt is taking a long, hard look at took the floor again on Saturday at the Hoop Group's Pittsburgh Jam Fest. Amile Jefferson (6'7" F), Myles Davis (6'1" G), and Nkereuwem Okoro (6'4" G/F) all had fairly productive days for their respective AAU clubs.
On Saturday, Jefferson pretty much picked up where he left off Friday night, going for 21 points in a 59-41 win over the Riverside Hawks for Philly's Finest to win their pool.
Okoro (whose first name is pronounced 'Kuro-wem') and his Long Island Lightning teammates had the pleasure of kicking off the all the Saturday games with an 8:30 A.M. bout with the Mitchellville Trailblazers (MD) at the Fitzgerald Field House. Both teams were pretty sluggish, which can probably be attributed to the early start time, and Okoro only managed to score 7 points on 3-7 shooting (1-2 from the free throw line). But Okoro has a reputation for being a tenacious player that always gives 100% when he steps on the floor and he didn't disappoint in that regard.
The Bronx native, who plays his high school ball for St. Raymond's, pulled down 6 rebounds and attacked the basket with fury, helping the Lightning to a 51-43 victory.
"We had a hectic car drive over here, didn't get that much sleep and we started slow but I'm just glad we got the W and we'll get ready for the next game," Okoro said.
The next game was a 59-48 victory over All-Ohio Gold, resulting in a trip to the gold bracket for the Lightning.
In the first round of the playoffs, Okoro paced the Lightning with 17 points in an easy win over the Raritan Roundballers Gold (NJ). The 6'4" swingman certainly has the look of a typical Pitt player in that he's physical, hard-nosed, and isn't afraid of contact despite being a bit undersized.
Okoro, who has scholarship offers from Arizona, Seton Hall, Iowa State, and most recently Texas A&M, said Pitt has yet to offer him but is recruiting him hard.
"Coach Dixon came to see me [work out], Brandin Knight came again the week after that, I love the coaches," he said.
The Lightning's run ended in the second round at the hands of Team Loaded (VA).
Myles Davis and his New Jersey Playaz squad, though, is still alive in the gold bracket thanks to victories over East Coast Fusion (NY), the Ohio Hoopsters, East Coast Elite (DE), and the PA Playaz.
Davis, who is known for being an elite three point shooter, was struggling with his shot today but managed to contribute in other ways. Utilizing some crafty offensive moves and a couple pull-up jumpers, the 6'1" guard out of Notre Dame Prep scored 16 points (6-14 FG, 1-6 3pt. FG, 3-3 FT) in the 71-54 win over East Coast Fusion.
The sharpshooter, who was formerly a member of the 2011 class, was a bit more efficient but didn't make as much of an impact in the Playaz' first playoff game against East Coast Elite. He finished 5-10 from the field (0-3 from beyond the arc), tallying 11 points along with 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals. His outside shot just wouldn't fall and he really seemed to be frustrated by it, disappearing at times on the floor.
Davis plays mostly off the ball with the Playaz, who have the highly touted 6'8" point guard prospect Kyle Anderson, but said he sees himself as a scoring point guard in college. PSN caught up with him after the game against East Coast Fusion and here's what he had to say:
Myles Davis on Pitt...
"They're not the favorite [for me] but Pitt's always gonna be there just because they've done a lot for me, they've always been there and because of Brandin [Knight]."
On playing on Pitt's campus for the Jamfest...
"When I come here I imagine it, kind of, if I could see myself playing here for the next four years and just see how things are."
On a possible timetable for his college decision...
"I'm just trying to take my time with it. I think I'm gonna decide around the first signing period, which is around my birthday in November, so I think that's when I'll decide."
On what he's focusing on this summer to improve...
"Right now just eating right, my athleticism, my strength, and my speed. That's what I know I need to work on because I know I'm not gonna play two-guard in college and even if I do make it further than that, I'm not gonna play the two so I know I have to be a scoring point guard. But I gotta work on everything."
On being labeled as strictly a shooter...
"I would just say watch me play the next game and I'll show you. I prove people wrong when they say 'he's just a shooter, he's just a shooter.' No, I can play the one, I can pass the ball, I can get rebounds if you really need me to. I'll do whatever it takes. So to just label me as a shooter, I take that as offensive. I guess I just have to prove everybody wrong."
On the role he sees himself playing in college...
"I see myself as a combo, not necessarily just a point guard...basically someone like Ashton [Gibbs]."
Davis and the New Jersey Playaz will take on Team Loaded in a quarterfinal match-up Sunday morning at 11:00 A.M at the Petersen Events Center.
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