Spotlight
This section showcases Pat The Roc’s picks for players that deserve to be in the SPOTLIGHT. #PatTheRocSpotLight
MAURICE CREEK
Maurice Creek is a 6’4 shooting guard for Indiana University. Mo is a sharp shooter and can rack up the scoreboard with his ability to outwork the defense. He has been a true inspiration for all Hoosiers fans as he returned to the roster after overcoming a knee injury. Mo has showed hard work pays off as he and his team have been ranked Top 5 in the nation for the 2012 NCAA season. #PatTheRocSpotlight
Pat The Roc Says: “I remember seeing Mo play when he was in middle school. He would come to the local rec center and work on his game all day. It definitely didn’t surprise me when I turned on ESPN and saw him suited up for Indiana!”
R.J. BUCK
R.J. Buck is a 6’4 shooting guard for N.C. A&T University. Buck is an amazing athlete and gifted basketball player. His relentless work ethic has allowed him to dominate the basketball court with ease. He has an ability to score at will and is known for his posterizing slam dunks! #PatTheRocSpotlight
Pat The Roc Says: “I remember R.J. would be the only little kid at the park playing with the big boys. He would work on his game all day! I knew it would only be a matter of time before I’d be watching him star at the collegiate level.”
QUINN COOK
Quinn Cook is a 6’0 point guard for Duke University. His ability to pass the ball makes you think he has eyes in the back of his head. When he isn’t dropping dimes to his teammates, he is knocking down the 3 point ball with ease. Hailing from the DMV area, Quinn’s signature crossover makes it difficult for any defense to match up with him! #PatTheRocSpotlight
Pat The Roc Says: “Years back I was catching a flight back home from an appearance I made in Missouri. As I was waiting at my gate I kept hearing a basketball bounce. I looked up to see little Quinn working on his handles in the airport. He and his AAU teammates were on my flight back home to DC. I remember saying to myself, one day this kid is gona make it!”
JAMES WHITE
James White is a 6’7 wing guard that has all around game. His leaping ability has earned him the title of world’s greatest dunker. Nicknamed “Flight”, James has been throwing it down on defenders since his college days at University of Cincinnati. James took his talents to the NBA and won a ring with the San Antonio Spurs. In 2012 James suited up with the New York Knicks. His fans are anxious to see him tear down the NBA Slam Dunk Contest with one of his signature free-throw line dunks! #PatTheRocSpotLight
Pat The Roc Says: “I’ve been around a lot of high jumping players in my career, but none compare to my boy James. We went to college together at the University of Cincinnati and all I can remember is him windmilling from the free-throw line like it was a layup.”
NIKI AVERY
Niki Avery is one of the best women’s basketball players to come out of the basketball mecca, New York City. Summer after summer, she has dominated courts such as Rucker Park, repeatedly bringing the crowd to their feet with her ankle breaking crossovers and silky smooth jumpshots. Taking her talents global, Niki has also played professionally in Sweden. Her hard work and determination earned her a spot on the (WNBA) New York Liberty practice team.
Pat The Roc Says: “The first time I saw Niki playing was at a pick up game in Brooklyn. She was playing with all boys and effortlessly scored every time down the court. I had never seen someone so confident with the basketball!”
CHRIS WALKER
Chris Walker is one of the top 5 high school basketball players in the country. The 6’10 power forward has all around game. If the ball comes off the rim, watch your head because he just might dunk on you after he snatches the rebound. All of his hard work and practice has paid off as he has decided to take his talents to the Florida Gators next year.
Pat The Roc Says: “I had a chance to watch Chris play last summer. The thing that amazed me was how easily he dominated the game. His passion to be the best was unreal.”
Jade Howard
Jade Howard is an amazing young point guard from Kentucky. Her ability to slice through defenders and light up the scoreboard will continue to lead her down a long path of success. Her 3 point shooting makes her a threat as soon as she crosses the half court line. Her college success has allowed her to be scouted by many professional teams.
Pat The Roc Says: “I have seen a lot of good players in my career. But Jade is beyond good, she’s great! She is such a fierce competitor and works so hard on her craft everyday! I wish I was the owner of a WNBA team, because she would definitely be my first pick!”
JOSEPH BERTRAND
Joseph Bertrand is an explosive guard for the University of Illinois. His relentless hustle on the court leads to some of his signature fastbreak dunks. When he’s not in the air, he’s mixing defenders up with some his unstoppable go-to moves. Joseph is a force to be reckoned with and his desire to improve his skills everyday will take him far!
Pat The Roc Says: “When I first saw Joseph play, I immediately knew what type of player he was. A player that is already good, but is eager to be great. His mindset is rare. He understands what he has to do to get to the next level and is willing to do what it takes to get there. Reminds me of myself. He really outworks!”
RAYNISHA WASHINGTON
Raynisha Washington is a fierce competitor on the court. So fierce that in the offseason she prefers to run 5 on 5 with the boys. She devotes most of her summer days and winter nights in the gym. Raynisha had a stellar college career, as she lit up the JUCO scoreboards in Texas. On her pursuit to become the next WNBA superstar, Raynisha has no doubts her work ethic and determination will land her a spot in a uniform which reads WNBA.
Pat The Roc Says: “Raynisha has all around game, point blank! She reminds me of a young Sheryl Swoopes. She is so confident in her ability and that is why I know her future is super bright!”
BRANNEN GREENE
Brannen Greene is one of the top high school ballers of the 2013 class. His versatility on the court makes him so difficult to guard. He can take you off the dribble, post you up, or take one dribble over half court and hit the three! His hard work and determination has led him to commit to the Kansas Jayhawks.
Pat The Roc Says: “Brannen is a special player. This kid can flat out play. What I admire most is his humble spirit and commitment to constantly work on his game. That’s going to take him far!”
JEFF GREEN
Jeff Green of the Boston Celtics is one of the most exciting players to watch in the NBA. His athleticism and ability to attack the rim have made him a Sportscenter Top 10 regular. The former Georgetown star has a versatile game, making him a tough matchup for any defender in the league.
Pat The Roc Says: “I have seen lots of talented players come out of the Maryland area, and Jeff is definitely somewhere at the top of the list. He just has a complete all around game. More importantly, his story is a true inspiration to many to never give up.”
LAKEISHA SUTTON
Lakeisha Sutton is a super talented point guard who just finished up an amazing career at the Universiy of South Carolina. Her ability to split the defense with her crafty dribbling skills has set her apart from other guards in her class. Not to mention her humble spirit off the court has made her a fan favorite! She credits her family and college coach Dawn Staley for her continued success.
Pat The Roc Says: “It’s rare you find players who don’t settle for good, but rather aspire to become great. That is what I discovered about Lakeisha. She is like a sponge, constantly trying to absorb as much information as possible towards helping improve her skills. I admire that and I look forward to seeing her in a WNBA uniform very soon!”
COREY LAW
Corey Law is a high-flying hooper for High Point University in North Carolina. Whether he is in the paint, or on a fast break, Corey never disappoints the crowd, as he brings them to their feet each time he slams it through the rim. His ability to soar through the air has landed him a spot in the 2013 College Slam Dunk Contest.
Pat The Roc Says: “I’ve had the chance to see Corey fly in person. He is flat out one of the best athletes I have ever seen. He could catch one of my oops any day!”
D’VAUNTES SMITH-RIVERA
D’vauntes is a hard working point guard who is currently running the show for the Georgetown Hoyas. His ability to break down the defense with his strong handle makes him a threat, not to mention his shot accuracy from the 3-point line.
Pat The Roc Says: “I love his work ethic! That’s what will separate him from other players. Whether he’s getting up shots, working on his ball-handling, or running stairs, this guy wants to be the best!”
DEVON SADDLER
Devon Saddler is an unstoppable 6’2 point guard running the show for the University of Delaware. His ability to pass and score at ease has made it a nightmare for any defender to match up with him. Devon is on track to be one of the highest point scorers in the University of Delaware history.
Pat The Roc Says: “Devon is a very gifted player. You can’t teach what he has. His natural ability matched with his relentless work ethic will only lead him to more success on the court. I look forward to seeing this guy playing at the next level, he’s a beast!”
STEVIE CLARK
Stevie Clark is a very talented player who works on his game relentlessly. Leading the show for Oklahoma State, Stevie has shown that he is one of the top point guards in the college game. His ability to break down the defense with his dribble is unreal. Not to mention his ability to hit the three.
Pat The Roc Says: “This kid is going to be special. It’s scary how well he has played as a freshman. I’ve had the chance to work him out, and the thing that stood out the most is, he wants to learn as much as he can. He’s the type of player that wants to be first in every drill! That mentality will take him far.”
KAHLIL DUKES
Kahlil Dukes is a sharp shooting point guard for USC. His ability to shoot the three and beat defenders off the dribble has allowed him to be one of top talents to ever come out of the Connecticutt area. He has an opportunity to do some big things at USC.
Pat The Roc Says: “It’s rare to see a player his age with such a relentless work ethic. He is the type of player that won’t leave the gym until he masters it. He’s a gym rat. It’s unreal knowing how good this kid is going to be in the long haul!”
NOLAN SMITH
Nolan Smith is one of the top guards to come out of the DMV area. His successful career at Duke was topped off with a national championship. Nolan’s ability to score at will and attack the basket makes him a threat for any defense.
Pat The Roc Says: ”Nolan is super gifted. He can do a little bit of everything. He might cross you, hit the shot, or even dunk on you. He just has a complete game!”
