ELITE 60 Showcase talented players 

by Thomas Gadson

(Richmond, VA) October 17, 2010 - You my know Cade Lemcke from East Coast Fusion AAU basketball program, but the Richmond, Virginia based organization is one of the finest on the East Coast. This weekend Cade assembled a talented group players throughout the east that came to the Richmond Outreach Center (ROC) to test their basketball IQ and skills and be evaluated by the RADAR Player Evaluation staff.  When we walked in the door two players immediately caught our attention for different reasons.

2012 Andre Washington 6"11 Center who attends Roanoke Catholic and 2012  Washington stood heads over everyone, although we had an opportunity to see him throughout the summer season we wanted a closer look at his abilities. Washington was blocking and altering shots from the players who attempted to take a trip down the lane. Several Division 1 college have taken notice of Washington and he will clearly become a better player by the time he enters college.

Devon Anderson 6"3 Wing from the Miller School. Anderson caught attention with his multicolor socks but as we found out he was more substance than swagger. The former Oakhill player now at the Miller School was a big surprise not only by his play and swagger on the court but his leadership off the court.  Anderson is another player coming from the Miller School that has the gain attention of division 1 programs such as Elon University, Davidson, NC State, University of South Florida and Stetson University.

Other standouts were 6"7 Obinna Enechionyia 2013 South County Secondary School; 6"7 Nick Gorski 2013 Cosby High School; 6"3 Wayne Bradford 2011 Roanoke Catholic; 5"10 Nick Coppola 2013 Cosby High School, 5"10 Torey Burston 2012 Trinity Episcopal

Merritt Hempe | Stafford High School | 2012: She's got game!

by Thomas Gadson - January 19, 2010 - Continue

(STAFFORD, VA) -- There was a buzz in the air and around the gym about Merritt before we had an opportunity to conduct an interview with her. As we were on the court with her brother Justin Hempe who by the way is a talented player himself, our interview with Merritt became one of our most anticipated interviews for 2010.

The 6"3 sophomore from Stafford, Virginia is not only an outstanding basketball player but an outstanding young lady who was pleasant to talk with about her basketball career, her future and her expectations for this high school season .  Merritt plays for Stafford High School in Stafford , Virginia and is coached by Eric Jackson, the team is currently carrying an 11-1 record and looking to build upon last years regional final finish. 

Merritt is currently listed on the ESPNU HoopGurlz Watch List for 2012 and if you are not familiar with the girls game this is where the best of the best are identified. As ESPN goes so does VA Elite Hoops.com as we will be following Merritt throughout the remainder of her season and throughout the summer. Only a sophomore Merritt is being courted by some of the top programs in the country to take her game to after high school. In 2009 Merritt attended the Nike Regional Skills Academy and the information VA Elite Hoops.com received was right on the money.    

Checkout our interview with Merritt Hempe: Interview

SPECIAL FRATERNITY: SPORTS ILLUSTRATED COVER

by Thomas Gadson  - December 1, 2010

For a long time Northern Virginia has seen some of the best known basketball players accomplish great things in college and in professional basketball. By appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated David Robinson, Grant Hill and Scottie Reynolds have created a special fraternity of ballers from Northern Virginia.

Manassas native and Osbourn Park High School alum David "The Admiral" Robinson, while attending the US Naval Academy graced the cover of Sports Illustrated on November 19, 1986 and again 6 more times. Then Reston native and South Lakes High alum Grant Hill who attended Duke University graced the April 8, 1991 issue of Sports Illustrated for the first time, and then again as an NBA All-Star on the November 10, 1997 issue. Now 22 years later Herndon High alum and current Villanova point guard Scottie Reynolds continues a unique tradition for basketball players from this area that have graces the cover of this prestigious international sports magazine.  Who will be next we are sure that one day someone from the Northern Virginia area will become the next inductee to this fraternity!

David Robinson Osbourn Park H.S. Naval Academy Manassas, VA Native	Grant Hill South Lakes H.S. Duke University Reston, VA Native	Grant Hill South Lakes H.S. Detroit Pistons Reston, VA Native	Scottie Reynolds Herndon H.S. Villanova University Herndon, VA Native

TRENDSETTER: Rickey Gadson, 9-Times World Champion

by Thomas Gadson  - December 1, 2009

Many of you may not know Rickey Gadson the 9-Times World Motorcycle Drag Racing Champion for Kawasaki Motor Sports and avid basketball fan.  Rickey has been around professional sports for over 15+ years and throughout his professional career basketball has always been a passion. Last summer Rickey stopped by Hoop Magic in Chantilly, VA during the High School basketball event and wasn't even recognized by the many in attendance. Recently Gadson was inducted into the California African American Hall of Fame.

Pictured below with 2009 Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Michael Jordan, actor/comedian DeRay Davis and Hip Hip Musician Jim Jones and posing with his 2009 World Champion Kawasaki ZX-14, growing up in Philadelphia, PA,  sports has always been part of his DNA. Either racing motorcycles or being around Philadelphia pro athletes. This pro motorcycle drag racer has accomplished establishing his legacy on and off the track. Becoming the first African American to ever participate in a motor sports event in South Africa. In 2009 Rickey supported his long-time friend and radio personality "Big Tigger" as Grand Marshall for Tiggers Ride for AIDS in support of AIDS research in Washington, D.C. Gadson also has appeared on Hollywood's big screen in the movie Biker Boyz, on televisions ESPN, Speed TV and Orange Coast Choppers to name a few all while maintaining dominance in his professional sport.

The Winningest Professional Drag Racer in AMA Prostar Drag Racing history and nine-times world champion, Rickey Gadson has elevated the sport of motorcycle drag racing to new heights. Gadson found his love for motorcycles at the early age of nine years old when his father put him on his first Kawasaki street bike and by age 13 he was racing on the drag strip.

Gadson became the sport’s first full-time factory-sponsored rider in 1998 when he signed with the Kawasaki. Since then, this world-renowned champion has seized numerous race wins, competing in classes from 600 SuperSport to Pro Superbike to Streetbike Shootout. Just as impressive, Gadson holds two 1/8 mile world records in Streetbike Shootout: 5.146 ET and 152.31 mph. He was also the first African-American to compete on South African soil.

Gadson’s love for drag racing extends well beyond the track. Gadson made his movie debut in 2003 in the movie “Biker Boyz”  with Laurence Fishbourn and also provided on-set consultation for scenes in the movie.  Other athletes and entertainer are aware of who Rickey Gadson is and his accomplishment and so should you.

Visit www.rickey-gadson.net or google "Rickey Gadson".