D1 Nation Houston Thanksgiving Jamboree Preview

Thank you to www.fivestarbasketball.com for providing event coverage. You can click on the big link below for their story on ther D1 Nation Thanksgiving Jamboree.

http://fivestarbasketball.com/originals/11-24-2011-houston-thanksgiving-jamboree-preview

Enjoy your Thanksgiving Hoops fans. When you get your fill of football today, head to Houston St, Thomas High School tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday for the inaugural D1 Nation Thanksgiving Jamboree. Over 20 D1 prospects will be on display in the 7 games on tap. Come see a future pro when Madison Prep's (Baton Rouge, LA) 2013 W 6'9" Jarell Matin takes to the floors twice against a loaded young Houston Episcopal squad Friday at 6PM and then Saturday at 6PM vs Houston Westside.

Two D1 Gunslingers Out New Mexico Way

How many backcourts on the summer circuit will rival Danny Granger's D1 Ambassadors based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico next spring? Two interchangeable, and also complimentary players in 2013 G 6'3" Bryce Alford of Albuquerque La Cueva and 2013 G 6'4" Cullen Neal of Albuquerque Eldorado are a couple of 2013's top prospects.

Cullen Neal with Coach Max Ivany on his unofficial visit to Arizona State last week.

Opening night of the New Mexico High School Season, Neal drops 40 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists in a win as his talented Eldorado squad. Meanwhile, Alford will be called upon to carry La Cueva this year and it looks like he's up to the challenge as he lit it up for 44 in an overtime win over Cibola, 78-74.

2013 G Bryce Alford of Albuquerque LaCueva dropped 44 (Photo Compliments of Rivals New Mexico)

It doesn't seem to bother or pressure these two hoopers that they have famous basketball fathers: Coach Steve Alford (New Mexico Head Coach and Indiana Hoosiers legend) and Craig "Noodles" Neal (New Mexico Associate Head Coach and Georgia Tech star/Toronto Raptors Assistant).

It's going to be a great year for both young men during the high school season and then it's going to be a blast watching them do their thing on the circuit with Danny Granger's D1 Ambassadors. We will be looking at making three impact out of state additions to this New Mexico based team. If you are interested you must fit the criteria. 6'6" or bigger wing/forward position or 6'8" or better true post man. You can reside in the neighboring States of Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma or Arizona.- Contact Coach Max Ivany. 512-791-5455

D1 Nation: 1000 Stories

Today is a special day for me. Almost 3 years ago I threw my hands up in the air with disgust at the negative things being written about kids on another basketball site. Rather than complain, I began writing on www.d1nation.com We've now added reports covering Houston, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon and New Mexico. However, the roots were right here in Austin/San Antonio , Texas which is home to me. I didn't know if anyone would bother reading what I had to say but this past month we had almost 50,000 hits on our site in October alone. This is my 1000th story, along with several hundred more while covering the other geographic areas. THIS IS A FREE SITE. THERE IS NO SO CALLED "PREMIUM" SECTION YOU HAVE TO SUBSCRIBE TO.

The years of hard work have allowed me to have a lot of influence at the college level. My opinion as to what level a player is capable of performing at is valued nationally. I take my responsibility to be able to provide opportunity to deserving players very seriously and pledge to keep working hard for the quality player who is also a quality student and good person. -Coach Max Ivany

I spend approximately 2 hours daily actually compiling, researching and writing (I'm no writer). As far as in the gym goes, the hours are countless. Counting tournament games and summer basketball I would think I easily see 350-400 games annually. It's become a big part of my life that makes me feel I am doing something positive and productive in the community. I have no plans of slowing down anytime soon. In fact, we have some great expansion plans on the table. I hope you enjoy reading these reports as much as I do in providing them.

Sincerely

Max Ivany

www.d1nation.com

D1 Nation Real Talk: 2012 W Trey Guidry

2012 Trey Guidry of Houston St. Pius readies for a great senior year and then it's on to the West Coast Conference to play for the University of San Diego.  He can play the 2, 3 and 4 positions and is pushing hard for even more respect in talent rich Texas. He is a strong slasher and rebounder, always playing above the rim. D1 Nation's A.W. "Gym Range" Robinson caught up with Guidry to rap in today's edition of Real Talk.

Q. When did you first start playing basketball?
A. 5

Q. What is your favorite class in school?
A. Goverment

Q. What music are you listening to before a game?
A. Hanging out with my friends

Q. What is your favorite food?
A. Gumbo

Q. What college or NBA player do you model your game after?
A. Rudy Gay

Q. List some goals you’ve set for this year?
A. Win State


Q. Who is the best player you played against all spring or summer?
A. Marcus Smart
Q. List the Top 6 players in Houston right now?
A. Me, LJ ,Sheed, Delvin, Christian and D House

Q. What part of your game needs improvement the most?
A. , Getting more confident with my left hand.

Q. Who is your favorite NBA player from Houston?
A. Deandre Jordan

Q. Who are the Top 5 teams in 5A or 4A this year?
A. Fort Bend Travis ,Houston Yates, Fort Bend Bush, Lamar Consolidated and Flower Mound Marcus.

Q. Where do you see yourself being 5 years from now?
A. Doing something I love and making people happy when I do it

 

Coach Max Ivany of D1 Nation on www.AzGamecast.com

The high school seaosn is well under way in Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana. Meanwhile the players in Oregon, New Mexico and Arizona are preparing for the opening of their seasons shortly. I'm almost finished my early college fall tour of campuses and teams in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico and will be back in San Antonio on Monday for Thanksgiving.

In the meantime, I was contacted by Keith Perrin of www.azgamecast.com to come into their studios to talk about club basketball and the D1 Nation. Below is a link to the interview which lasts about 20 minutes. (Yes, I know that's a long time to hear me drone on..lol). He does ask some very pertinent questions though about the club scene, what you should look for in an organization etc and did allow me a couple of minutes to brag on the players who are part of the D1 Nation and in particular shouted out to the talent in Texas. (I forget who said it, but I believe the quote is "you ain't braggin' if you can back it up").

I was very impressed with www.azgamecast.com and their professional studio. Great people, who love youth athletics! I want to thank them for the opportunity to be part of their broadcast. You can click on the link below. When Mr. Perrin finishes interviewing me he then speaks with Chad Groth of www.areacodesbasketball.com who spent many years as VP of Player Personnel with the Harlem Globetrotters. Great interview!

http://azgamecast.com/available_games.php?id_game=147

2013 G Cullen Neal Visits Arizona State

2013 combo guard 6'4" Cullen Neal of Albuquerque Eldorado (NM) spent the day in Phoenix/Temp, Arizona today on an unofficial visit on the Sun Devils campus. In an interesting juxtaposition, Neal wore a burnt orange Eldorado shirt to the game, not Arizona State maroon, nor the silver and red of New Mexico Lobos where his dad, Craig is Associate Head Coach.

Arizona State Head Coach Herb Sendek offered Cullen today. This is his 4th unoffcial visit thus far. He's been to St. Mary's, Stanford and Gonzaga and to this point says he has no clear favorite. There will be plenty of offers coming along for the talented guard who can score, create and just flat understands how to compete and run a team. He'll be paired with UNM Head Coach Steve Alford's son, 2013 combo guard 6'3" Bryce Alford of Albuquerque La Cueva (NM) this spring to form one of the Nation's most effective backcourts when they lace them up for Danny Granger's D1 Ambassadors on the circuit.

2013 G Cullen Neal at Arizona State with Coach Max Ivany of the D1 Nation

New Mexico won in a squeaker as Texas D1 Ambassadors alum, Senior post A.J. Hardeman had a huge bucket in the last minute to seal the win on the road for the Lobos. After the game, young Neal made his way to the Arizona State dressing room to thank Coach Sendek for his visit and offer. Already recognized as a Top 100 player in the country Neal attended the Nike Jamboree in St, Louis, MO with many of the country's top sophomore players.

Del Valle (TX) A.J. Hardeman came to battle ASU's two 7 footers tonight.

D1 Nation Real Talk: 2012 Alex Caruso

2012 G Alex Caruso of A&M Consolidated: Signed with Texas A&M.

Shown below at Dave Telep's NBA Pro Player's Camp

Q. How old were you when you started playing basketball?
A. First grade

Q. What are some of your hobbies outside of basketball?
A. All sports, hangin' with my friends

Q. What is your favorite class in school?
A. AP Statistics

Q. What music are you listening to before a game?
A. Anything that's gonna get me hyped

Q. What is your favorite food?
A. steak!

Q. What college or NBA player do you model your game after?
A. Kevin Garnett,I love watching KG compete.

Q. List some goals you’ve set for this year?
A. Get stronger, win district, win state

Q. Who is the best player you played against all spring or summer?
A. Shabazz Mohammed. That guy is a level above everybody else..in every aspect of play

Q. What is the best conference in college basketball?
A. It's about to be the sec/acc

Q. List the Top 6 players in Houston right now?
A. Rasheed Sulaimon, Cameron Ridley, Danuel House, The Harrison Twins

Q. What part of your game needs improvement the most?
A. strength, that's the only thing holding me back

Q. Who is your favorite NBA player from Houston?
A. Old school: Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwan

Q. Who are the Top 5 teams in 5A or 4A this year?
A. Fort Bend Travis, North Crowley, Flour Mound Marcus, Desoto, Houston Yates

Q. Where do you see yourself being 5 years from now?
A. -I hope to be graduated from Texas A&M and be playing pro ball somewhere

 Alex Caruso is the real deal. He's a  player who came out of nowhere to impress a lot of so called basketball people nationwide. That fact that this guy wasn’t on the national radar this time last year is a prime example of hard work and believing in yourself now paying off.  He burst on the scene with Max Ivany's Texas D1 Ambassadors A throw back player that plays very hard on defense. In addition to scoring he'll give you steals,blocks and rebounds. On offense he is a beast attacking the rim and watch out on the fastbreak in transition.  He's WAY above the rim! Who said White Men Can’t Jump. You haven’t seen Caruso then.-A.W. Robinson