July. For most a summer paradise, for those of us who immerse ourselves in the world of the hoops, its where we separate the men from the boys, where we find those emerging new prospects that keep us energized and where we catch our first sneak peak of the newcomers, the future of the game.

This notebook will feature three storylines unique to the state of Tennessee; as well as, some information about who rose up during this July period and put themselves squarely on the radar for future communication from the ones who make the real decisions about their futures.

WE DONT NEED NO SHOE CONTRACT TO MAKE OURSELVES BE NOTICED

The most often debated and talked about subject at any and every AAU/Summer tournament...we are EYBL, UAA, adidas, we are sponsored by one of the shoe companies. Some are and some aren't, but this alone does not dictate summer success.

Now don't get this twisted, the two most prominent shoe sponsored teams in our state, Team Penny and Team Thad, represent to the highest level. I simply want to point out that being sponsored doesn't always dictate summer success.

Here are a handful of squads who did very well in July despite paying for their own shoes.

Team NLP, a Chattanooga based squad, found success in a big way winning the 17U AAU Nationals behind 19 markers from jumping jack rising senior K.K. Curry (Cleveland/pictured above) defeating the Miami Running Rebels 61-56. Be on the lookout for Patrick Urey (Baylor), Jason Jitobah (Hamilton Heights) and Boris Ristanovic (Baylor).

The Tennessee Bobcats shocked the world during the live period capturing two championships including the Atlanta Jam and a silver crown at the adidas Invitational in Indianapolis. Cooper Robb (Kentucky) had a glorious summer and pledged his wares to Mark Price at the University of Charlotte. Keep your eyes open for the likes of rising junior post Brock Jancek (Knoxville Catholic) and Grant Ledford (Grace Christian), a smart and efficient Class of 2019 kid who will be a must have for the right program.  

Over in the 16 and under division the EAB Tigers 2019 made some noise of their own in July showing out in several events including a quarter-final finish at the Super Showcase in Orlando. EAB blasted out to a 3-0 start in pool play including a big 73-52 win over shoe sponsored Nike Team Florida. Bracket action saw an additional pair of victories including a 73-60 win over JSI Elite, another shoe company sponsored squad before falling to the powerful BABC squad 78-73 with a trip to the final four on the line. EAB finished 8th out of 80 teams at the prestigious event. EAB was led by rising sophomores Keon Johnson (Webb School), Luke Burnett (Heritage) and Mason McKnatt (Grace Christian); as well as, rising juniors Donald Fitzgerald (Hillsboro) and K.J. Johnson (Marshall County).

In the 15 and under division, the BMAZE Elite made everyone not only in Tennessee but nationwide standup and take notice as the blazed through July with a 12-2 record including a 4-0 finish at the On the Radar Super Session 6 event in Atlanta, oh incidentally they were playing up in the 17 and under division. Jaden Springer (North Carolina) and Akeem Odusipe (Knoxville Catholic) were both selected to attend the Under Armour All-American camp.

AND A CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM

One of the biggest storylines that made itself ruggedly apparent during the July period was the influx of big time young talent being produced by the state of Tennessee. let me preface this with, not only from the Memphis area but all over the Volunteer state.

The rising sophomore and freshman classes are loaded with good young talent that should keep Tennessee on the national radar among coaches and recruiting folks alike.

Big guys like 6'8 Akeem Odusipe (Knoxville Catholic), 6'7 Markeston Douglas (Haywood) and 6'6 Anterrius Jeffries (Memphis Overton) could be overshadowed by the wealth of talent on the wing including the likes of Matthew Murrell (Whitehaven), Marcus Fitzgerald (Hillsboro), Omari Thomas (Braircrest), Emory Lanier (Knoxville Webb) and Kendall Thomas (Harding Academy).

The most important position on the floor is the centerpiece for this rising sophomore class led by the incomparable Keon Johnson (Webb School), Joe Anderson (Maryville), Dante Harris (Alcoa), Ray Tyler (Oakland) and Marvin Hughes (McGavock).

Tennessee royalty as another Lawson leads the way for the emerging 2021 class, Jonathan Lawson (Memphis East), is said by many in the Bluff City to be the best of the brothers, we shall see.