Doron Lamb has heard the rumors. He’s seen them online. John Calipari, his future coach at Kentucky, is allegedly angling for an NBA job, perhaps with LeBron James. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard isn’t worried.
“He told me isn’t leaving, he’s going to stay,” said Lamb, who scored 10 points to help lift the New York Panthers to a record 17th iS8 title, 82-80 over New Heights, on Sunday. “I hope he does stay.”
Lamb, the All-American from Laurelton, Queens who graduated from Oak Hill Academy (Va.) on Saturday, is excited about his future as a Wildcat. Despite losing standout freshmen John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Bledsoe and Daniel Orton, Calipari has compiled arguably the best class in the nation. It includes All-Americans Brandon Knight, Terrence Jones and Enes Kanter.
“We got a good team,” Lamb said. “I think we can do big things next year.”
While Lamb has spent much of his AAU career with The Bronx-based New York Gauchos, he played with the Panthers on Sunday so he could rightfully claim one iS8 title before heading to Kentucky. As an eighth grader, he was also on the Panthers, but didn’t play. He would’ve played with the Gauchos, but academic commitments at Oak Hill got in the way.
Taylor excited about future with Isiah: When Florida International began recruiting Phil Taylor, the Brooklyn product was immediately intrigued even though he had bigger schools such as Clemson, Georgia Tech, and Florida State on his list. Then he met Isiah Thomas, the NBA Hall of Famer and former New York Knicks coach.
“He told me I remind him of himself – short and quick,” said the 5-foot-9 Taylor, who now lives in Atlanta, Ga., and played with New Heights at iS8. “It was something I never heard before. He’s someone I looked up to all my life being a small guard as well.”
Taylor’s dream becomes a reality in less than two weeks – he will arrive at Florida International on June 15. While Thomas is still scrutinized in these parts for how he handled his Knicks tenure, Taylor is excited about the opportunity to play for the legendary point guard.
“It’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said. “It’s something I want to take advantage and make the best out of.”
Collier named Player of the Year: Oregon State has to be thrilled. Bronx native Devon Collier, an Beavers commit out of St. Anthony (N.J.), earned iS8 Nike Spring Classic MVP honors, a prestigious award considering the national prospects that make the trek to South Jamaica. He scored 14 points in New Heights’ 82-80 loss to the New York Panthers in the title game on Sunday.
“Being Player of the Year is special,” the 6-foot-7 forward said. “It makes me want to play harder.”
First team honors went to J.J. Moore of the Panthers, Aaron Brown of New Heights, Elijah Carter of Sports University, and Jelan Kendrick and Eric Ferguson of the Sean Bell All-Stars. Second team honors were given to Ryan Rhoomes and Jeffrey Short of the Panthers, Maurice Harkless of Variety Boys & Girls Club, Derrick Williams of Sports University, and Jamir Hanner of NIA Prep. Jayvaughn Pinkston and Jermaine Sanders of New Heights, Melsahn Basabe of the Gauchos, Nemaja Djurisic of the Panthers, and Tony Parker of the Unique All-Stars made the third team.