Hoops City Highlights

Blew up! That's the best phase that describe Nick King's burst from an unknown baller to a 5 star highly ranked hooper. After playing on an under-performing East High basketball team, Nick King 2013, took full advantage of the spring and summer AAU scene. Nick, who is a 6'7" silky smooth lefty wing, was absolutly amazing for the YOMCA 16 and under team. It was King's last second bucket that earned the "Y" the 16 and U championship at this year's Nike Peach Jam. On top of being an outstanding basktball player, King is an excellent young man. Please sit back and enjoy.

Matt Butler is by far one of the most impressive prospects at the Super 80 Fall Showcase. While Butler may not be the flashiest player or have the sexiest game, he kills you with good ole' fashion fundalmentals. Butler has one of the sweetest strokes from beyond the stripe that I've ever seen on the high school level. Butler also impressed with his ability to free himself up by using sceens and picks. Once he catches the rock the battle is over because he's going to find a way to score.

Andre Applewhite's, 6'4" SG Memphis Central 2012, time has come. After being the guy along side Top 20 nationally ranked big man, Jarnell Stokes for three years, Applewhite will now have to lead a young group of Central Warriors as the experienced vet. From everything that I wittness during the Super 80, I think he can deliver. Dre is a defensive nightmare because of his length, strong plus active hands, and quick feet. Over the Summer, Applewhite put the work in and became more consistant with his jumper and worked on his moves off the bounce. In Andre's eyes the Central Basketball Warriors aren't dead yet. Be on the look-out.

Leron Black's, 6'7" Small Forward 2014, game is morphing into beast mode. Black is the perfect combination of size, length, skill, and plus he has the will to want to be great. Leron's White Station Spartans lost three key players to graduation, but he feels that he and fellow 2014 team mate Davell Roby are ready to step up.

After transfering to Woodale, 6'7" combo forward Tavin Askew is ready to make his mark on Memphis High School basketball. The athletic four-man is always active around the paint. Askew has quick lift, meaning he jumps high and quick. Add post moves and an expanding wing game, Askew is poised to have a break-out year. The name Askew is familiar to old Memphis State fans from the mid 80s. Former Tiger, Vincent Askew is Tavin's uncle.

The last time PM Hoops talked to Austin Nichols it was during the 2010-11 basketball season. At the time Nichols was averaging about 15 point and 12 rebounds near the end of his sophmore year and had two offers from colleges hoping to land the talented big man. What's changed since then? A lot! Nichols took advantage of playing along side 2012 Nationally ranked stud big man Jarnell Stokes during the Summer and for lack of a better term,"He Blew Up!" Nichols turned heads during the Nike EYBL. Most importantly, he was able to catch the attention of some major college coaches. Nichols took what was two offers for college scharlorships and turned them into fourteen. Now all eyes will be on the 6'8" big man from Briarcrest Christian.

Memphis Central High School is without a doubt in transition. This Summer, the Warriors found out that they were losing Nationally ranked senior forward Jarnell Stokes and last years starting point guard, Blake Johnson, both to transfer. The thing about basketball is that someone must always step up. Tim Shaw, 2013 Point Guard, is poised and ready to do so. The 6'1" lightning quick Shaw will be one of the best scorers on the Warriors roster for 2011-12. PM Hoops caught up with Shaw at the Super 80 Fall Basketball League.

Jarnell Stokes has had an interesting Summer. Stokes head-lined a team full of prep all-stars as the Memphis YOMCA travel team won the Real Deal in the Rock, The Tennessee State AAU Championship, finished runners-up in the Nike EYBL and AAU Nationals in Orlando, Fla. Stokes did more than solidify his status as one of the Nation's premier prep Basketball players. With so much going on in his life at this moment, it was a pleasure to get a chance to talk to the young man about it all. Stokes was kind enough to discuss his work-out regiment, his diet, his over-all preparation, and he even broke down his list of top five potential universities. After talking with Jarnell, it's apparent that he's a bright young man and he is just as good of person as he is a basketball player. Thanks to Tigersportsreport.com's Leroy Watson for conducting the interview.