Mike White| Friday, June 5, 10:35 a.m.
Hempfield basketball player Nate Perry is opening some eyes on the AAU basketball scene.
Perry, a 6-foot-3 junior guard at Hempfield High School, had a good showing recently at Bob Gibbons' Tournament of Champions in North Carolina. Gibbons is a nationally-known talent scout who has run All-Star Sports scouting service for decades. He is one of the most respected scouts in the country and his Memorial Day weekend tournament always attracts many top AAU teams and players.
Perry played for the Basketball Stars of America team and was selected to the all-tournament team, along with some other top players around the country. Perry averaged 23.5 points in the tournament and had 10 3-pointers in one game against the New England Playaz. That game was played at Duke's fabled Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Perry was the WPIAL's third-leading scorer this season with a 25.7 average. He already has verbally committed to Coastal Carolina, a mid-major Division I school. But the way Gibbons sounded, Perry might be able to play at a higher level.
"Nate Perry was terrific at our tournament. I think he's a major-college prospect," Gibbons said.
Interesting stuff. I've known Gibbons for two decades, ever since he used to help pick players for the old Dapper Dan Roundball Classic. He is terrific at judging talent. His opinions and ratings are trusted by many college coaches.
Perry plays on the same AAU team as Sewickley Academy guard Tom Droney. Gibbons rates Droney as only "a mid-major prospect." More interesting stuff.
Posted
Jun 05 2009, 10:28 AM
by
Mike White