There’s a reason so many D1 college coaches attend it. There’s a reason so many highly ranked recruits compete in it. There’s a reason celebrities stop by to catch the action year after year. The annual Fab 48 Tournament in Las Vegas is one of the summer’s hottest basketball events and it’s a showcase for many of the most talented young players in the world. Every year, it seems to get bigger — and better. Check out some of the top highlights from this year’s Fab 48 Tournament below:
If you’re a serious hoops fan, you know all about Bigfoot Hoops’ The Eight Tournament. With some of the biggest stars in basketball in the building and some of the best high school recruits squaring off in Las Vegas, you know it’s got to be appointment viewing, and this year may have been the best one yet. Check out the highlights below:
We recently celebrated a list of some of the 2010-11 NBA season’s not-so-great moments, so it’s only right that we also highlight some of the best moments of the year. Did you remember what basketball shoes they were wearing when these plays went down? Will any of these sneaker moments hold up as time goes on?
If you caught our worst plays of the year rundown, you may have noticed that regardless of JaVale McGee’s basketball IQ, he’s a crazy athlete. He has an extensive collection of highlight blocks from this season, but none more impressive than this.
Who doesn’t like seeing Chris Bosh get dunked on? By point guards?
J.R. Smith Dunks On Gary Neal — “Cool Grey” Air Jordan XI
Level of difficulty. Style. Post-dunk swing and celebration? Check, check, check and check.
Nick Young’s Incredible 360-Reverse Layup — “East LA” Nike Zoom Kobe VI
I’ve joked about Nick Young’s at-times unnecessary addition of 360s to plays that don’t necessarily need them. This play, however, is just amazing.
Manu Ginobili Works His Magic Against Clipper Defense — Nike Air Max Closer IV
I know what you are thinking: “It’s the Clippers. Of course Manu is going to make someone look bad.” He took it to a different level on this play though, somehow managing to abuse all five opposing players on a single drive.
Nicolas Batum’s Buzzer-Beating Tip-In — adidas adiPure
Point-nine seconds is long enough to catch and shoot, but a game-winning lob is always a lot more exciting.
Dwyane Wade Posterizes Kendrick Perkins, Does Cabbage Patch — Air Jordan 2011
While it may SEEM like Juwan Howard has contributed little to the Heat, as evidenced here after this dunk, he clearly taught DWade his signature dance move: the cabbage patch.
Blake Griffin Goes Crazy On Mike _’Antoni Defense — Nike Zoom Hyperfuse
In a performance that may only be possible against a Mike D’Antoni defense, Blake Griffin put together a season’s worth of highlights in a single game.
Blake Griffin abused defenders at the rim all season long, so it’s only right to see the favor returned. (Cavs fans beware – it’s very possible fraudulent posters of this play exist in the LA area, much like the Patrick Ewing non-poster on MJ adorns the walls of NYC sports bars.)
Kevin Love: 31 & 31 — PEAK Relentless
A year-and-a-half after signing with Peak, Kevin Love went for 31 and 31 the night he actually started wearing them.
