LONG BEACH, Calif. – Cliff Alexander is coming off a promising sophomore campaign at
Curie (Chicago), but he may be best known for shattering a backboard during a club circuit game in April.
The 6-foot-9, 225-pound post player has a new claim to fame after a weekend in Southern California, earning most outstanding player honors at the 10th annual Pangos All-American Camp.
"I feel pretty good," Alexander said in a booming voice befitting his plus-sized stature. "To come out here from Chicago and win MVP is a great honor."
Cliff Alexander
Photo courtesy of adidas
Alexander, who averaged 13.3 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocked shots per game last winter at Curie, joins a recent list of Pangos MOPs that includes
Shabazz Muhammad, Myck Kabongo, Harrison Barnes, John Wall, Brandon Jennings and James Harden.
What separates Alexander from that group is that he will just be a junior next fall. All six previous MOPs were rising seniors.
Alexander doesn't possess the flash that some of his fellow campers displayed over the weekend at Cabrillo High School, but he was efficient and effective. He was near the top of the scoring list and overpowering on the low block. For comparison's sake, think Elton Brand.
As far as recruiting goes, Alexander's list started and stopped with one program – Michigan State. Expect the Spartans to be tough to beat as even a little prodding failed to get the Class of 2014 star to name another school.
More Sunday news, notes and nuggets from Pangos*
Zena Edosomwan,
Conner Frankamp and
Stanley Johnson shared MVP honors in the camp finale, the "Top 30 Cream of the Crop" showcase.
Edosomwan, a 6-8 post player who is expected to head to Harvard after a year of prep school, benefitted from the unselfish play of Frankamp, who set him up for several beastly dunks.
Johnson continued his stellar weekend play with 18 points and five rebounds. He spent some time matched up with highly-touted fellow 2014 standout
Wayne Selden and showed he belonged among the elite in the class.
* The transfer saga of
Shaqquan Aaron has overshadowed his talent since leaving
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) following his freshman season, but the slender 6-6 wing can fill it up. Arizona, Connecticut, Kentucky, Missouri and UNLV are among the schools showing interest.
*
Quindarious "Tookie" Brown was one of the younger campers on the roster, but the small town Georgia product held his own and should be a force in the Peach State for the next three years. The 5-10 rising sophomore point guard has already heard from Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State and UCLA.
* Fresno State is the leader in the recruitment of
Paradise Valley (Phoenix) Top 100 wing
Paul Watson. Arizona, Arizona State and USC are also keeping tabs on the 6-6 rising senior.
Pangos All-American Camp coverage continues Monday with our look at the weekend's top overall performers.
