Welcome to the home of the SOUTHERN KINGS, a NIKE sponsored AAU Program based out of Lithonia, GA. Our organization is dedicated to positively provide a complete youth development experience that will enhance the character of each participant via teamwork and commitment. Through the development of a strong work ethic and an understanding of what it takes to succeed, the SOUTHERN KINGS program emphasizes academics, self discipline and social growth in our youth and prepares them for success, in the classroom and in life. The Southern Kings focuses on the individual. We teach our youth to leverage their own “God given Talents” to become the best that they can be.
Congratulations Tony Parker on making the
16U USA National Team.
The 2009 USA Basketball Men’s U16 National Team (5-0) captured the gold medal at the 2009 FIBA Americas U16 Championship after posting a 101-87 victory over host Argentina (4-1) on Sunday night in Mendoza, Argentina.
The time is coming near for the #1 youth basketball camps of the summer. Southern Kings Youth Basketball will be presenting two summer camps this year. We will kick off the summer with the James Forrest Basketball camp session one in June and end the summer strong with session two with The Dion Glover Summer Basketball Camp in July. Both former Georgia Tech stars are looking forward to spending quality time with your child as we end the summer strong focusing on ways to improve your child’s overall game on and off the court.
Session One (June)
3rd Annual James Forrest Summer Basketball Camp
Dates: June 15-18, 2009
For more information on this camp please contact James Forrest at 678-437-0248
Session Two (July)
2nd Annual Dion Glover Summer Basketball Camp
Dates: July 20-24, 2009
For more information on this camp please contact Morris Gordon at 770-696-9631
Dai-Jon Parker (2011 Southern Kings)- A naturally talented combo guard, Parker is one of those prospects who plays within himself but also produces the feeling that he is capable of doing so much more. He was the Southern Kings top performer in a bracket win over the Jacksonville Lee Bulls.
Julian Royal (2011 Southern Kings)- Would like to see him develop a more physical edge to his game, but nonetheless, Royal is a skilled four with a soft touch.
2012 Prospects
Tony Parker(2012 Southern Kings)- Rarely does he play above the rim, but in a Jared Sullinger type fashion, Parker punishes defenders with both his physical play and nimble footwork.
Recruiting news
Southern Kings' 2011 point guard Shannon Scott lists offers from Clemson, USC, Xavier and Florida State. North Carolina, South Carolina and UConn are showing interest
Not many 15 and under AAU teams can boast one player that is 6’7 or above. That is not the case for the Southern Kings out of Georgia. In the first game of the day, the Kings thumped the Marietta Heat behind the play of 6’5 Jarmal Reid (Decatur, Ga./Columbia), who plays much bigger than his listed height, 6’8 Justin Touyo (Lovejoy, Ga./Lovejoy) and 6’9 CJ Dubose (Marietta, Ga./Wheeler).
Dubose has the biggest long term potential of the three. While he lacks strength and smooth offensive post moves, he more than makes up for it by playing the game at a pace unmatched by his opponents. Constantly flying in for rebounds or coming from the backside for a monster swat, Dubose has big time potential that will be developed over the next few years. That will result in him being another highly recruited player from the Wheeler program.
Reid will end up being a combo forward in the future. He can step out and handle the ball fairly well and displayed a great catch and shoot form that put the Heat squad down early. Several times Reid caught the ball at the elbow and either faced up and shot, or came off of a screen to catch the ball and knock down an open shot. He will need to hit the weight room a little and play more aggressively, but Reid will be a player to watch over the next few years.
The final big man, Touyo, is just becoming accustomed to the game of basketball. He has adjusted fairly well thus far, showing excellent skills as a shot blocker. Touyo has a long ways to go on the offensive end, but since he is only a rising sophomore, he has plenty of time to allow that part of his game to develop.
Gamecock news and notes
- Center prospect Jaleel Roberts is now playing with the 16 and under Southern Kings and told me he would be re-classifying to the 2011 class and changing high schools. Right now he is considering Patterson Prep in North Carolina. He said South Carolina was still recruiting him but was not sure if they had offered or not.
The Family 16 and under squad boasts a pair of big time prospects. One is big man Amir Williams and the other is scoring dynamo Carlton Brundidge. Against the Southern Kings, Brundidge was an absolute beast. The burly scoring guard put his team on his back in the second half and kept them in the game. He is at his best going to the rim and finishing through contact, but Brundidge also was hitting threes and scoring in the mid-range. As his decision making improves he will be a big time offensive force.
While Brundidge starred for The Family, Williams had to do battle with the highly touted 2010 prospect Tony Parker. Parker was a beast on the boards. He used his strength to root out Williams, and corralled several key offensive rebounds when the game got close late in the second half. Parker didn't score much, but it was his work on the offensive and defensive boards that proved to be a key difference in the game.
Along with the solid board work from Parker, the Southern Kings got huge efforts from Shannon Scott and Julian Royal. Scott scored 22 points, and seemingly couldn't miss from the outside. Beyond that he was a true floor general who did a good job of running the show. Royal scored inside and outside to finish with 20 points.
Another 2011 guard who made an impression was Quinn Cook. In his team's losing effort to Spiece Indy Fastbreak, Cook was a star. While he possesses solid point guard skills, Cook can absolutely light up the scoreboard. He shot the ball well, and also scored at will going to the rim to give D.C. Assault an opportunity to win the game. Overall Cook was nearly impossible to stop off the bounce with his combination of savvy and quickness.
So far this spring Michael Chandler has been excellent, and while he was good against D.C. Assault, he wasn't up to his usual standards. Chandler did score down low when given the chance, but he wasn't as aggressive at times as he could have been.
Shannon Scott, PG, Southern Kings Red 16’s – Throughout the Kings win, Scott was always in control. He rarely, if ever, forces the issue and displayed impressive court vision and touch on passes. Already the 6-foot-3 lead guard has a developed mid-range game that consists of pull-up jumpers. He may not have elite speed, but he’s crafty and handles the ball with ultimate care
Tony Parker, Southern Kings Red 16’s– There aren’t many freshman as big as Parker. Standing 6-foot-9 and weighing in at over 240 pounds, Parker uses every bit of his frame to bang with the opposition in the paint. He’s load to handle in the paint, and extremely tough to keep off the glass. The offensive glass is where majority of his damage was done on Friday as he patrolled the paint looking for offensive put backs.
by nationalhoopsreport.blogspot.com posted 03/30/2009
Georgia Hoops spent Friday and Saturday at the Icebreaker Invitational in Aiken, S.C. A number of teams from the Peach State participated in the event. The Southern Kings Gold played up a division and brought home the second place trophy from the event.
The National Hoops Report, a sister company to Georgia Hoops, recapped the weekend's action. Milton sophomore Shannon Scott (pictured above) was one of the highlights.
STAR POWER
Shannon Scott, Southern Kings Gold – With Mfon Udofia now finished with his high school hoops career in Georgia, there is a new player atop of the point guard position. Scott is the top dog at the position in the Peach State now. The 6-1 sophomore knows how to run a team, defend and score. He gets to the basket about as good as any guard in his class nationally. Overall, his play was great from start to finish at the Icebreaker.
Tony Parker, Southern Kings Gold – Get used to seeing Parker’s name in the Star Power section. The 6-8 center is one of the most skilled big men in the Southeast. He has an array of moves. He uses his size to his advantage. He knows how to score with his back to the basket. He can make the tough shots on defenders. His hands are tremendous. Did we mention he’s just a freshman?
Dai-Jon Parker,Southern Kings Gold – Think Jerel McNeal. Parker can pump in the points in a hurry and his perimeter game is a fine weapon in his offensive arsenal. What gets lost in the shuffle sometimes is his passing ability. The 6-3 sophomore can really see the floor and he finds teammates with ease. Leave him open and Parker will burn you from deep or beat you with the dribble to the rim.
Justin Young
Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting Senior Writer
Youth was served at the Georgia Hoops Fall Showcase this year as a handful of 2010, 2011 prospects and one 2012 prospect stood out last weekend. Rivals.com's Justin Young looks back at the young players that caught his eye at the event.
It could be argued that the freshman was the best post player in the entire camp. The 6-foot-8, 255-pound Class of 2012 prospect dominated his match-ups against 2009 Rivals150 prospect Shawn Kemp and used his giant frame to establish position on the low blocks. He's incredibly comfortable for a player of his age with his back to the basket. Parker knows how to put the ball in the basket and has great hands. Keeping in shape and learning how to be more explosive off the floor will likely be the separating factor as far as him being a good high-major player and a great high-major player.
PF Henry Brooks, Lithonia (Ga.) Miller Grove (2011)
The long and lanky big man has developed quite a bit physically in the last 12 months. He's working with more upper body strength and that has helped his development inside the paint as a scorer and rebounder. Brooks is still much more a prospect than producer at this level but the flashes of what can be were there last weekend at the camp. He'll be one of the more sought-after big men in Georgia's 2011 class.
PF Donte Williams, Lithonia (Ga.) Miller Grove High School (2010)
Baby steps. That is what the 6-foot-9 big man is taking with his progression. He's getting better each time out. Williams does a fine job of playing aggressive in the paint despite his thin frame. He was one of the top big men in the drill work with NBA veteran Andrew Lang and then showed an ability to step out and hit the perimeter shot, albeit with an awkward release. With continued strength and bulk to his long and lanky frame, Williams will turn his high-major interest into high-major offers this season.
SF Jamail Jones, Decatur (Ga.) Greenforest Christian (2010)
The powerfully-built, 6-foot-5 wing was the best-looking college prospect in the event. He has a college body that can handle the wear and tear of physical play. Jones is a great athlete that can power his way to the basket, where he is in his comfort zone. Perhaps the greatest revelation of the weekend was his ability to knock down the long ball and create havoc on the perimeter. Jones has the potential to be a lockdown defender, too. Overall, he proved himself amongst his peers and took advantage of the stage he was working on.
PF Adrian Hubbard, Norcross (Ga.) High School (class of 2011)
For the first time in a long time, the 6-foot-7 forward left his football helmet in his locker and he is focusing only on basketball. And those that line up against him on the hardwood are the recipients of his aggressiveness. Hubbard played with great fire and energy at the post position. He challenged opponents to stop him in the blocks and for the most part, it didn't work. Hubbard excelled in the post drills and soaked up the information given to him. He later applied the teaching in game situations. Now at Norcross, one of the elite level hoops program in the country, Hubbard will be watched by both mid-level and high-major schools this season.
Shannon Scott, a point guard from the talented Southern Kings team out of Atlanta, is on the campus of his father's alma mater this week. Pops (Charlie Scott) was pretty good during his time in Chapel Hill and the younger Scott is doing pretty well for himself, too. Scott is one to watch in 2011 and Georgia, Auburn, Florida and Xavier already are, he said.
Also, congratulations to the entire Southern Kings team on beating the NY Gauchos in the 15U Select Championship Game.
Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions
15-U All Tournament Team
National MVP: Chane Behanan – Ohio Basketball Club
Select MVP : Dai-jon Parker – Southern Kings
Spencer Turner – Indiana Elite 1
Chris Martin – DC Assault
LaDontae Helton – Michigan Mustangs
Michael Neal – NC Gators
Achraf Yacoubou – Rich Soil
Trevor Jorgenson – Wisconsin Playground Warriors
Joe Lundy – Triple Threat
Myles Davis – Playaz
Jerrel Adams – South Carolina Ravens
Aquil Yonger – Team Kobe
Darrell Luckey – Long Island Lightning
Marquis Rankin – United Celtics Tony Parker – Southern Kings
Shannon Scott – Southern Kings Jordan Price - Atlanta Celtics Kervin Rameau – New York Gauchos
DeVaughn Reid – New York Gauchos
Bobby Parks – M33M
Adonis Thomas – M33M
Jehvon Clarke – Ohio Basketball Club
Stevie Taylor – Ohio Basketball Club
You could argue that Ross was the best overall player in the tournament from start to finish regardless of what class he is in. He was constantly scoring 25-plus points and looked nearly flawless doing it.
Ross has a little Tracy McGrady, a little Devin Ebanks and a little Rudy Gay to his game. That's not a bad trio to be mentioned with. Ross earned those kinds of marks after his play in Atlanta in the oldest division.
Outside of Ross, Parker was the best player we saw in Atlanta over the weekend in his class. The 6-foot-3 scoring guard continues on his scoring tear this spring. He's a great athlete and calling him a great shooter isn't out of the question either.
Parker is a no-brainer high-major prospect and has been one of the top at his position so far. The rookie can go for efficient 30 points in any game he plays in.
He seemed to play with a little more power in the game we caught of him and was one of the best true big men in the 16 and under division. The 6-foot-7 forward can burn teams inside and out.
Royal has shown a consistent ability to knock down the face-up jumper and even pop out to knock down the three ball. His aggressiveness in the post could be the part of his game that truly separates himself in the class of 2011.
The 6-foot-2 point guard glued it all together for the 16 and under champions over the weekend. He fed the post and put Royal into good position to score on the low blocks. When he wasn't pounding it inside, Scott dished it out to Parker for the score on the wing.
Scott is a solid defender to boot. Overall, he played like a point guard that understands the value of being a cohesive unit. The result was the trophy. Not bad for a team playing up an age group.
After seeing Dai-Jon Parker last month at the Columbus Riverfest, we had an idea on how good he is and how good he will be. We didn't think he'd be this good this fast. Parker scored an impressive 27 points in a tough loss to the Spiece Gym Rats in the 15 and under semi-finals. Parker, a 6-foot-3 guard from Marietta (Ga.) High School, is a perimeter threat with big-time athleticism to boot. He's a high-major kid in the 2011 class.
Teammate Julian Royal received the most notoriety of any freshman in Georgia this season after a strong season at Milton (Ga.) High School. On Sunday morning, the 6-foot-7 forward went to work inside and out. He was good on the glass and stepped out to hit a couple of three-pointers.
Because he's only in eighth grade and because he'll be mentioned on this site at least one hundred times by the time he graduates high school, we'll be brief about one Tony Parker. But keep the 6-foot-8 forward on your mind for stars of the future from the class of 2012. The Georgia big man has a post game that some class of 2009 big men are striving for. Parker shined for the King James Shooting Stars South this weekend in the 14U division.
