Colorado's Roberson Projected High In NBA Mock Draft

This afternoon I received a call from Papa John Roberson of San Antonio, TX preceded by a text with a link to the 2013 NBA Mock Draft.  He asked my thoughts after seeing that his son, Andre was the #4 overall pick in that publication.  I replied the following:

            http://www.nbadraft.net/nba_mock_drafts/8516/2013

1. Get an insurance policy

2. Looks like the Roberson Clan would be living large

3. Make sure his boy sponsors a D1 Ambassadors team out of his native San Antonio!..lol

"Who'd a thunk it?" Roberson was a standout player at Converse Wagner High School in the suburbs of San Antonio who along with Tulsa's Jordan Clarkson twice led his team to the Texas 5A Final Four.  Papa John played at New Mexico State and then followed it up with a 13 year pro career. When Roberson left high school he was razor thin but had a reputation of rebounding fiercely against much bigger players.  I sat with the UCLA coaches during the 2010 Texas High School Playoffs and all but begged them to take a flier on young Andre.  They were intrigued, but resisted as they didn't think he could help them immediately.

Colorado Buffaloes Soph Forward 6'7" Andre Roberson

(Photo compliments of Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Andre was scheduled to visit Penn State in late April of 2010 when he travelled to Denver for a spring tournament (Best Buy Spring Showcase) when he joined his Texas D1 Ambassadors team mates for an unofficial visit to Boulder.  He immediately fell in love with the campus.

Time moves on.  Roberson (far right) enjoyed his unofficial to Colorado in April of 2010.  That was a pretty good crew. From left to right: Coach Max Ivany, Jake Kocher (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Alex Caruso (who just returned from his official visit to Colorado yesterday), Jalen Washington (Kilgore JC), Jaleel Williams (San Jose State), Deon Mitchell (Northern Iowa), Big Dave Hahn, Reinier Strobos (the brains of the operation who is now a freshman at M.I.T.). Missing from picture is Dylan Elias (Northern Colorado)

Just in case Andre starts getting a big head, his older sisters will rein him in.  Ashlee played basketball for Texas Tech and then professionally last year in Romania leading her team to the Romanian Cup and the Central European Championship and sister Amber is s 4 year starter for the Texas Longhorns nationally ranked volleyball team.  As the Buffs 6th man last season as a true freshman, Roberson averaged 22 minutes, 6.7 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

D1 Nation Recruiting Visits

Three members of the D1 Nation head off on recruiting visits.  2012 G 6'2" Matt Gramling will finish quarterbacking San Antonio MacArthur tonight and then he'll hop a flight to beautiful Charleston, South Carolina birght and early Saturday morning to the Citadel.  Gramling has offers from Citadel, Army, Navy, Air Force, Monmouth, Lafayette, Bradley, New Hampshire and UT-Arlington where his godfather, Scott Cross is Head Coach.  Frankly, any of these schools will be fortunate to land Gramling who is tough as nails and a winner.  He went head to head against the country's top guards all spring and summer leading the Texas D1 Ambassadors -San Antonio to the 17U Las Vegas Live Platinum Championship.

2012 G Matt Gramling of San Antonio MacArthur

Stretch 3/4 man Connor Lammert continues his official visits.  After visiting Vanderbilt and Texas A&M last week he made the 90 minute drive up Interstate 35 from San Antonio to Austin where he'll enjoy an official visit with the Texas Longhorns, tour the facilities, watch the football game and listen to Coach Rick Barnes' plans for him.  Lammert has already taken two unofficials to The 40 Acres. Lammert will take a week off for homecoming and then take his final official visit to Texas Tech on September 24th.

2012 F 6'9" Connor Lammert of San Antonio Churchill

After literally walking across the street from his College Station home for his official visit at Texas A&M last week 2012 G 6'6" Alex Caruso a versatile, high flying guard who can play either the one, two or three will visit somewhat familiar territory as he heads to Denver and then up to Boulder, Colorado to the University of Colorado.  After being hosted by Tecas D1 Ambassadors alum Daniel Alexander last week in Aggieland he'll be hosted by another D1 Nation alum as Colorado soph Andre Roberson (Converse Wagner) shows Caruso the ropes. Caruso made an unofficial to Colorado last year while playing an April tournament in Denver with the D1 Ambassadors.

2012 G Alex Caruso of College Station Consolidated shown below at the D1 Ambassadors training camp in Galveston, TX

D1 Nation Alumni Report: Alex Ellis

The Class of 2010 D1 Ambassadors squad coached by Jon Lindsey was one of the most feared teams on the circuit.  As back to back winners of the Houston Kingwood Classic they sent many a big name squad back hone scratching their heads as to what happened.  Some great players off that crew went on to play Division One basketball including Cody Doolin (San Francisco), Daniel Alexander (Texas A&M), Trey Lindsey (Louisiana-Monroe), J.J. Avila (Navy), Jordan Clarkson (Tulsa) and Chris Clements (Princeton).

Perhaps the purest shooter of that group, Alex Ellis of Austin High took a different route.  He is the first D1 Ambassadors alumni to earn a scholarship to play Division One golf.  He's at the beautiful College of Charleston in Charleston, SC. He may be the smartest one of the bunch as he's picked a lifelong sport in golf, a game that opens up many doors and the links are reknowned as the best place to close business deals.

Alex is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ellis of Austin, TX and played his high school basketball for Austin High School under Coach Tres Ellis (now at Austin Westlake).

Celtics great Ray Allen (left) tees it up with Texas D1 Ambassadors alumni Alex Ellis

Alex's favorite sport growing up was basketball.  He told me he always aspired to be like J.J. Reddick.  He played golf because he was good at it, but spent 10 years struggling with his love for basketball.  He liked shooting three's more than he did making birdies.  (What the heck Alex???? I'm lucky to get one birdie a round!)  Ellis loved the team aspect of basketball, especially the camaraderie of travelling to different states with his D1 Ambassadors Family.

"The best decision I ever made in my basketball career happened in Florida in my 8th grade summer… It was a 3 on 2 fast break and I decided to step in the lane with Jackson Jeffcoat (now the starting defensive end for the University of Texas). At the time he had me by almost a foot and at least 100 lbs, and he used every bit of it. The only thing I remember was looking straight into his waistband and the ball hitting me in the head after he dunked on me. It was awful at the time, but I say it’s the best thing that ever happened to me because that dunk really put things in perspective.

That’s is when I started realizing that I may not have been athletic enough, and I definitely wasn’t big enough. So from that point on I knew basketball wasn’t for me, I was meant to play golf. I played two more High School seasons and then gave it up for good. I still miss it every time basketball season comes around, but looking back on it I know I made the right choice in playing golf. Golf has given me opportunities like playing golf with Ray Allen and Colt McCoy as well as a Scholarship to play in one of the greatest cities in the world, Charleston, South Carolina.-Alex Ellis"

Alex, we are indeed proud of you as are your folks and your hometown of Austin, TX.-Coach Max Ivany

D1 Nation Alumni Spotlight: Robert Griffin III

Baylor's Robert Griffin III

The D1 Nation's alumni are primarily Division One basketball players but over the years we've had some great track men while others have gone on to football glory.  Robert Griffin III could have been all of the above and then some.  His last season of basketball was his freshman year as a member of the Texas D1 Ambassadors.  Hailing from Copperas Cove High School Griffin was a heck of a hooper.  A long striding wing guard with great hops he was also a straight A student and ended up entering Baylor a year earlier than expected.  Man, are the Baylor faithful ever happy that he did.

Photo courtesy of Baylor Bears

Griffin is also a world class 400 meter man and a hurdler.  Many of you remember that Baylor was 400 Meter U back in the day with several Olympians, including the great Michael Johnson who was World Record Holder as well as Olympic Champion.  Who knows what Griffin's future could be on the cinders?

Griffin is making his biggest splash on the gridiron however as the highly touted Junior QB ran for 38 key yards but passed for 359 yards and 5 TDs without throwing a pick.  Even more impressive is it was on National TV against the BCS longest regular winning streak as the broke Texas Christian's run at 25 straight W's.

Congratulations Robert.  You were a joy to coach and be around. -Coach Max Ivany and the D1 Ambassadors Family

Upcoming D1 Nation Events

It's hard to believe but once again another season of spring/summer basketball is under our belts.  Like an old oak tree, another ring is added to all of our lives.  The past year was a great one for me as I became a grandfather twice.  Noah Ivany is 16 months and Julian Ivany is 10 months. 

The D1 Nation continues to grow.  The exposure we provide for players has grown from our original base of Austin-San Antonio to include Houston TX, Lousiana, Mississippi, Oregon. There will be additional expanded coverage to come in the Fall of 2011. 

We'll be expanding on our Fall Super Showcases for high school teams this year. This has proven to be an excellent way for high school coaches to get an early feel for their team and which young players may have an impact. This is achieved through match games against opponents they normally would not play in district.  D1 Nations takes pictures and evaluates key contributors and newcomers to the varsity scene. This fall we have events in Austin, Houston and San Antonio in late September and early October prior to the high school regular season getting under way.

Our All American Prodigy Camps have expanded to other parts of the country. Long before Rivals, Pangos, Nike etc knew who they were Max Ivany's All American Prodigy Camp was the jumping off point for countless players to get on the recruiting map.  Past camp all stars are a who's who. Cory Jefferson (Baylor), John Henson (North Carolina), Allyn Cooks (South Alabama), Deon Mitchell (Northern Iowa), Cody Doolin (San Francisco), Paul Garnica (Northern Colorado), Tre Demps (Northwestern), Daniel Alexander (Texas A&M), Gus Leeper (Arkansas-Little Rock), Joel Smith (Northeastern), D.J. Stephens (Memphis) to name a few. Class of 2012 Alumni include J. Mychal Reese (Texas A&M commit) and Rasheed Sulaimon (Duke commit).

Every session sells out.  Register today to reserve your spot.  www.d1nation.com  Be the next Prodigy to have their coming out party.- Coach Max Ivany

From The 'Ville To Brazil"

This time last year, Deon Mitchell had just finished up an outstanding summer campaign with the Texas D1 Ambassadors.  He'd already been offered by Big East power, Marquette at the end of his sophomore season (summer of 2010) but was in no hurry to commit.  The 2010-2011 high school season saw Mitchell get his Pflugerville Panthers deep into the Texas 5A State Playoffs. Last November, Deon signed with Northern Iowa who had just finished a Sweet 16 run in the NCAA Tournament in the spring.  He was impressed with the constant commitment to watching his every summer game.  UNI Assistant Ben Johnson became a fmailiar face in the crowd as did Head Coach Ben Jacobson.

Pflugerville's Deon Mitchell shown below with the Texas D1 Ambassadors

Fast forward to June of this year.  Mitchell was already on campus at UNI but because of a lack of campus activity, limited interaction with coaches and this being his first time away from home he began to feel homesick.  He called me saying" Coach, I think I made a hasty decision to come here. I don't want to be this far from home".  Anyone who knows me will attest to not enabling kids and giving them the easy way out. I politely told Deon to put his nose to the grindstone and that all would be well before he knew it.  With his parents and myself on the same page we encouraged him and told him to work his way through it.  He did.  Both in the classroom and on the floor, Mitchell is already making a difference. 

He'd also gotten his first passport and at the beginning of August, Northern Iowa made a 10 day, 5 game tour of Brazil playing several club teams and a professional opponent as well.  In addition to hooping in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the UNI players experienced lots of South American culture including a trip to famous Copacabana beach where they played frisbee and football as well as chatted up the local Brazilian beauties. They went 5-0 on the trip, including a nice win versus a top pro team outside of Sao Paulo called A.E. Americana which featured Texas native and former A&M Aggie Jeffrey Addai.  On Tuesday Head Coach Ben Jacobson called gushing that Deon was everything and more that they expected him to be when they recruited him to UNI.

Mitchell, shown below signing his National Letter of Intent at Pflugerville HS last November

With a roster featuring 6 freshmen, Mitchell was a starter right out of the gate in 4 of the 5 games.  Assistant Coach Ben Johnson gave me the following updates:

"Deon played extremely well at the point position! He scored it and ran the show. He has great court vision and feel for the game. We are very confident and happy with him both on and off the floor and look forward to him positively impacting our program from day one!  The sky will be the limit fore him as you know and I cannot express how happy we are with where he is right now as a player and how he has conducted himself as a student in the classroom and socially." he led the team in scoring several times; got to the hole when he wanted, hit threes and got his team mates involved.-Coach Ben Johnson

Mitchell getting off the bus in Rio de Janeiro.  First the gym, and then the beach!

Deon, we are all proud of you and how you represent Pflugerville HS, your family, your community and the Texas D1 Ambassadors.  Don't be distracted by those who want you to fail or come back home.  Also, don't be swayed by the local schools who are bordering on tampering with your commitment.-Coach Max Ivany

Bryan's J. Mychal Reese To Texas A&M

Last night, old friend Coach John Reese of Bryan gave me a call to give me a heads up as to what was about to go down in College Station today.  His son, J. Mychal Reese one of the Class of 2012's most decorated players was about to give his verbal to the Aggies.  Texas A&M is only 5 miles down the road from Bryan High School.  Young Reese was excited to be able to get the ball in his hands and to lead new TAMU Coach Billy Kennedy's free wheeling offense.  You can expect other dominoes to fall in the recruiting world with this announcement as you can bet that other marquee' players will want to play with an unselfish player like him.

2012 J. Mychal Reese of Bryan is the new Aggies staff first high profile commitment.

Reese has carried the mantle of being the country's #1 player from the 5th to 9th grade (and beyond on some services rankings).  He may be the most scrutinized youngster in the history of bsketball because of this, with the possible exception of O.J. Mayo.  Through it all, young Reese has maintained a business like, stoic demeanor as everyone tried to give him their best shot.  This is a testament to his character and that of his family (John and Celeste Reese) as he never allowed the attention to cause him to lose focus or to get "a big head".

The biggest uncertainty for the Reese Family occurred about 10 days ago when J. Mychal went down with a knee injury.  Thank God that a potential torn ACL turned out to be only a severe strain.  Now, the only 5A Texas All State Player in history to have earned that honor as a freshman, sophomore and junior can concentrate on his senior year and attempting to lead Bryan to a State Title. Amongst other honors Reese also attended the Deron Williams PG Camp this summer in addition to the LeBron James Camp. J. Mychal was also selected to play in the upcoming Global Games in Oregon but upon injuring his knee was quickly replaced on the roster by Nike.

J.Mychal Reese (shown below with the Texas D1 Ambassadors) in the summer of 2007. Photo courtesy of ESPN The Magazine. They came to Austin and Bryan to do a feature on the rising 8th grader who was crowned the #1 player in the country. At the time Reese (along with L.J. Rose, Rasheed Sulaimon, Winston Shepherd, D.J. Griggs and Uche Ofoegbu) led the Texas D1 Ambassadors to consecutive Final Four appearances at AAU Nationals in Memphis and Orlando.

From the D1 Nation's archives I thought everyone might enjoy this reach back in time as J. Mike was featured in a Junior NBA promo video  with Suns guard Steve Nash.

Reese is an explosive lefty who gets to the rim when he wants, finishing with his devastating tear drop. Can score in bunches but loves to set up team mates and will get after it on defense.  Congratulations to The Reese Family-Coach Max Ivany

STAY TUNED ON THIS ONE AS THEIR MAY BE ANOTHER TWIST TO THE STORY!