Pittsburgh Jam Fest report (link):
Grassroots Canada Pump and Run 67, DC Metro 52
(Open pool divison)
Hailing mostly from Toronto, the group that stole the show last year
to win the Jam Fest championship, returned this year in the open pool
bracket and dominated DC Metro to take yet another trophy home. Dwayne Smith
led the way with 24 points and eight rebounds, physically dominating
every player DC Metro threw at him. With strong drives to the bucket on
one end of the floor and quick hands defensively that got the
pick-pocket easy steals, Smith may have made a bigger name to the
coaches in attendance watching the youngster ecel up and down the
floor. Tramar Sutherland kicked in with 15 points for Grassroots second championship campaign.
Scouting Report:
Dwayne Smith
Guard/Small Forward, 6’6, class of 2008
Top Interest: George Washington, Central Connecticut State, Rutgers
Strong Point: Can use both hands handling ball with ease; makes defenders miss.
Area of Improvement: Needs better approach defensively.
The Skinny:
Smith is 6’6, but plays much taller offensively, pounding the glass
going for offensive rebounds and attacking the hole, dodging each
defender he faces. Dwayne has incredible court vision that saw him find
beautiful no-look passes to the paint for wide-open lay-ups. He can
muscle up with anybody on the floor and pull down tough rebounds on
both ends, making him a deadly force at any spot. Smith, with better
defensive skills, can build up a big resume and possibly get more
scouts north of the border to check on his up-lifting talent that can
match up to grade-A Division One talent.
He said it:
“I get plenty of motivation from my teammates and the hard work we put
in day in and day out. We won here two years in a row because we worked
that hard to reach this level and we never had the thought of backing
down.”