Many proud sponsors have teamed up, including VirginiaPreps.com, ESPN Radio 94.1, NIKE SPARQ, Powerade, 7 Cities Sports, Cox Channel 11, TowneBank, Tidewater Physical Therapy and a host of others for the must-see hoops event in the Hampton Roads area.

	Rod Johnson
	Recent Providence Friar commit Josh Fortune from Kecoughtan is set to compete

"I think in this day in time, it's new technology that helps to measure a kid, his athletic ability, quickness, agility.  I think it's the wave of the future," stated Williams.

"I would recommend kids to get in something like this to show where he's at athletically.  From there, he can work on his quickness, athletic ability, speed, endurance or whatever he needs to work on.  There's no question it's a measuring stick, and it's great for young kids, such as the freshmen and sophomores, in showing them what they need to improve on, and they've got time to improve." 

The Basketball Skills Challenge portion of the event will be headed up by area High School Basketball coaches, such as Nansemond River's Ed Young, Warwick's Ben Moore and Hampton's Walter Brower along with several others.  Also, special guest Mike Bailey, who coached Allen Iverson when he played at Bethel, will be providing a free shooting analysis for all participants.

Williams encourages participation for the event as it can only help - - not hurt - - someone to see what their strengths and weaknesses are in preparation and hopes of playing at the next level. 

"It shows them what they need to work on and what they need to improve on," said Boo, a former star basketball player himself at Phoebus High School and then in college at St. Joseph's University.  "It gives them the kind of skill that you need if you're interested in playing College Basketball, some things you see at NBA Combines.  It shows everybody what you're capable of doing."

Over 40 college coaches and scouts have been invited, and also the opportunity for athletes to be profiled by Rivals.com and VirginiaPreps.com.  Some of the top basketball players in the Eastern Region are expected to attend.  They include the likes of Kecoughtan's Josh Fortune, who recently committed to Providence, Nansemond River's Ashton Moore, Cox guard and Chicago transfer Sedric Nady, Woodside's Trevor Lyons (younger brother of Air Force's Mike Lyons) Lakeland guard Josh Beck and many, many more.

In May, entering the Best of the 757 Football Combine, few college recruiters or analysts knew much about Class of 2011 prospect Aaron Matthews from Kecoughtan.  That quickly changed after he popped the top NIKE SPARQ score among athletes from the Tidewater area at the event.  Matthews' phone started ringing as his name now sits squarely on the recruiting radar of a number of college programs throughout the mid-Atlantic area. 

Maybe that next basketball breakout name will emerge at the Best of the 757 Basketball Showcase, coming to the Boo Williams Sportsplex in Hampton on Saturday, September 18. 

*** Be sure to visit www.bestofthe757.com and save $10 on registration (only $30) before September!   Also see more info here at this Link.  ***

Matthew Hatfield is the AAA State Basketball Analyst for VirginiaPreps.com - - the #1 High School Sports Site on the Rivals Network.  Check out Hatfield's website - - www.matthewhatfield.com - - for more on the pro and college sports scene.  Contact Matthew via e-mail at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  and also catch him every Saturday at 11AM during the VirginiaPreps.com Hour with Rod Johnson on ESPN Radio 94.1.