The spring AAU season is officially under way.
Nike's Boo Williams Invitational in Hampton, Va., was the most notable tournament over the weekend. Eric Bossi, a longtime basketball writer and scout, reported on the action all weekend long, including his thoughts on DeMatha power forward and Maryland target Mikael Hopkins.
He's still lacking a bit for strength, but the 2011 big man is progressing quite nicely. He scores around the rim and is a high level rebounder both in and out of his area. Overall his fundamentals are solid (not surprising given he plays for a great coach at DeMatha in Mike Jones) and he plays with purpose.Bossi was also impressed with Devin Langford, a 6-foot-6 Terps target from Huntsville, Ala.
During the winter, Huntsville's Devin Langford was touted as a 6-foot-6 point guard. When I saw him play, he struggled mightily and looked disinterested. Playing alongside Austin Rivers for Each 1 Teach 1, Langford looked like a high major wing prospect at times. A solid athlete with some versatility, it'd be interesting to see what he would do if he got much more aggressive.
• Desmond Hubert, a junior center from New Egypt (N.J.), continues to list Maryland.
Hubert has offers from UConn, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Xavier, Penn State and Villanova. Georgetown, North Carolina, Georgia Tech and Maryland are also on his list.
• Norcom (Va.) forward Dorian Finney-Smith is on Maryland's radar, according to the Daily Press (Va.).
Virginia Tech, Maryland, Alabama, Cincinnati, Xavier, Marquette and Notre Dame have contacted [Norcom coach Leon] Goolsby and told him they will monitor Finney-Smith this summer.
• Marcus Thornton, a senior forward from Atlanta and former Maryland target, has asked to be released from his letter of intent to Clemson.
Thornton will reportedly also consider Georgia Tech and Georgia.