Getting Ready for Sin City pt. 3

The best thing about all three of the tournaments in Las Vegas is that each and every one of them brings something different to the table. The Adidas Super 64 for Gonzaga fans is the main focus because of the sheer number of recruits that will be participating. The Main Event is an insane display of youth and will present a look at the future of the game of basketball.

The Reebok Summer Championships is definitely the tournament with the most talent. There is so much talent in this tournament that Reebok selected 8 of the most talented teams to play in a min-tournament within the regular tournament. These matchups will feature some of the best players (especially guards) in the country.

Zag fans won't have many players to watch too closely in this tournament as most recruits are in the Adidas Super 64 but their will still be some exciting basketball to watch. Here are a few pools to keep an eye on if you are a Gonzaga fan.

Pool H: Dallas Mustangs, I Can Allstars, Illinois Wolves Carpenter, Hoop Magic Symonds

Dallas Mustangs schedule: vs. I Can Allstars 7/22 @ 12:30
vs. Illinois Wolves Carpenter 7/22 @ 9:15
vs. Hoop Magic Symonds 7/23 @ 4:15

The Dallas Mustangs have been a team Gonzaga fans have been watching for quite some time. Marshall Henderson is a big-time guard for the Mustangs and has Gonzaga in his top five. Within the past year, we have seen Henderson's stock with the Zags go up and down. It had been my contention a while ago that things had cooled between Marshall and the Zags and that has come to fruition as Henderson has named the Utah Utes as his current leader. Prior to that, it was all Zags. He has been a Gonzaga fan all his life and seemed to be bound for Spokane. As it looks right now, both parties have begun exploring other options. Will the flame be rekindled? Only the coaching staff and Marshall knows that, but for now it seems that Henderson will not be playing his basketball in the Pacific Northwest.

Pool EE: FBC Perris, Boise Flite Orange, Colorado Chaos 17's (Red), Camp Darrly 2000 Royal.

FBC Perris schedule: vs. Boise Flite Orange 7/22 @ 10 AM
vs. Colorado Chaos 17's (Red) 7/22 @ 6:45 PM
vs. Camp Darryl 2000 Royal 7/23 @ 1:45

Perris, California is the home to guard Robert Smith. Smith had originally committed to Gonzaga rival Santa Clara but decommitted and has seen his recruitment blossom quite nicely. Smith, a 6 foot point guard, has been offered by Cal and USC. He is also receiving interest from Virgina and Gonzaga. Scouts Inc. believes that Smith is one of the top 5 guards out West. His description sounds like current Gonzaga guard Jeremy Pargo. A short, stalky, but very strong guard. Smith tends to play at an extremely fast pace which tends to lead to turnovers at times. He seems like an excellent but very raw talent.

Top 8 Tournament:

Abdul Gaddy and Avery Bradley are still a pipe dream for Gonzaga fans and will be leading the Northwest Panthers into the "Create-N-Finish Cup" which puts the top 8 teams (as seeded before the tournament) against each other.

Northwest Panthers v. Team Breakdown 7/22 @ 12:30 PM

This game will match Bradley and Gaddy versus two of the top guards in the nation: Kenny Boynton and Brandon Knight. This will be one of the best matchups that AAU basketball has ever seen. And that fun will not stop there as the other players included in this min-tournament are John Wall, Ryan Kelly, Renardo Sidney and many others.

It is going to be a star-studded event and there is no better for the stars to come out then in Las Vegas. If you can't make it to Vegas to see all of the live action, you can watch it at WazooSports