It was just a few years ago during the summer of 2010 when the St. Louis Eagles Basketball Club fielded one of the most dominant 17U teams in the country.
The Eagles’ team finished the season with a 51-6 record and played in three tournament championship games and actually got to play on nationally television twice during the summer. They were a fun group to watch. The kept the STL in the national spotlight for an entire summer.
The three top players on that successful team were Bradley Beal of Chaminade College Prep, Ben McLemore of Wellston and Roosevelt Jones of O’Fallon (Ill.) High. When you turn on the television and set what these three young men are doing these days, it is quite easy to see why that Eagles 17U team was so dominant during the Summer of 2010.
All three of these young men have gone on to enjoy immense success at the next level; and in Beal’s case, the next, next level. After achieving McDonald’s All-American and National Player of the Year status at Chaminade, Beal went on to enjoy an excellent freshman year at Florida. He helped lead the Gators to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament before declaring for the NBA Draft.
Beal was the No. 3 pick by the Washington Wizards and he appears well on his way to making the NBA’s All-Rookie Team. After some early growing pains, Beal is starting to hit his stride. He was named the NBA Rookie of the Month in December after leading all rookies in scoring and assists during the month.
Entering this week, Beal is averaging 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. He has started to ascend to the role of primary scoring in recent games as well as the Wizards’ go-to scorer. He hit the game-winner jumper on Jan. 7 in a 101-99 victory over the Oklahoma Wizards. In a double-overtime loss to the New Jersey Nets on Jan. 4, Beal hit a step-back 3-pointer as time expired to send the game into overtime. He is starting to score 20 points on a more regular basis.
The 6’5” McLemore appears destined to join Beal in The Association next season as he enjoys a tremendous freshman season with the Kansas Jayhawks. McLemore quickly established himself as one of college basketball brightest young stars with his great athleticism, smooth jump shot and flair for the dramatic. All have been on display as McLemore has emerged as one of the top pro prospects in the college game. He is already projected as a Top 5 pick in the next draft.
McLemore’s exploits are regularly chronicled on ESPN Sportscenter’s Top Play of the Day as he is one of the most explosive dunkers in the collegiate ranks. He is also the Jayhawks’ leading scorer at 16.4 points a game. He also averages 5.4 rebounds, two assists while shooting 50 percent from the field, 44 percent from 3-point range and 88 percent from the free-throw line.
McLemore enjoyed a tremendous game two weeks ago against Iowa State when he scored a season-high 33 points in an overtime victory over the Cyclones. McLemore provided the dramatics when he banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to force the overtime period.
Beal and McLemore garnered many headlines on that team, but the unheralded Jones was equally important to the team’s success with his versatility and toughness. That is what Jones is bringing to Butler’s 17-2 team that is ranked No. 13 in the country with wins over North Carolina, Indiana, Gonzaga and Marquette.
The 6’5” Jones plays virtually every position for the Bulldogs; and he does it all well. He is currently averaging 10.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. He leads the team in rebounding and assists.
Jones also provided one of the most dramatic plays of the college season last weekend with his steal and running jumper at the buzzer that gave the Bulldogs a heart-stopping 64-63 victory over Gonzaga. Jones finished the game with 20 points as he sent the Hinkle Field House crowd into a frenzy with his last-second heroics.
Jones also came up big in Butler’s 88-86 overtime victory over then No. 1 Indiana on Dec. 15 in Indianapolis. Jones finished the game with 16 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. He was selected the Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Week after his performance against Indiana.
Beal, McLemore and Jones are just a few examples of the many players from the STL who are getting it done at the next level.
(You can follow Earl Austin Jr.’s daily basketball reports on his website, www.earlaustinjr., which celebrates the past, present and future of St. Louis basketball. You can also follow him on twitter.com/earlaustinjr.)
