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Top 31 to Watch in 2011

Here are 31 players who will be sure to keep you glued to the edge of your seats at this year’s 31^st Annual NACBAIT Championships in Boston.

El Birman, Washington CYC China Dolls. El’s rapid rise to the elite list of PG’s is a testimony to the hard work she has put in over the past 7-8 years. Now a college player at Bridgeport, she has developed great ballhandling skills and has learned the intricacies of the game so well that she’s like another coach on the court. One of the best floor generals around.

Stephen Chang, Seattle Bladerunners. The reigning Men’s Elite MVP, Chang made the jump from Arizona Desert Jade to the Seattle Bladerunners last year. He stepped right in and didn’t miss a beat. His midrange jumper is sweet, his turnaround is undefendable, and his effort is unquestioned. Chang simply has a deeply rooted will to win and leaves it all on the floor. Putting his athletic ability, his skillset, and his attitude together in one man produces one of the most feared competitors in the NACBAIT.

Sabrina Cheng, NY Sabres. This monkey armed swingman leads a Sabres team that has legitimate hopes of getting themselves another Liberty title. With a diverse combination of abilities and the potential to make jaw dropping plays, Cheng is going to be a star. Sabrina can conquer any task Coach Law assigns.

Jordan Chiang, Toronto Dragons A. Lil Jordy has track star speed, as he can take his man to the bucket for two, or tally up the dimes once the help side steps up. He hits big time shots and doesn’t back down from any challenge set before him. Chiang is one of the most exciting players to watch in the Elite.

Wayne Fung, Philly Suns B. All year long, Wayne has been the most consistent player on an undersized Suns B team. Even as opponents have geared their defenses to stop him, he has still been averaging double digits each tournament. You can’t stop what you can’t catch and Fung’s a roadrunner.

Sidney Giang, LA Aiya. Sid is a solid combo guard with terrific fundamental play. She always has her feet set, and is in position to fire off the bounce. LA will be short on frontline players in Boston, but Giang will do her best to keep their streak of Final Four finishes alive.

Tony Ho, Toronto Titans. Tony has point guard vision, is unselfish, plays top notch defense, and uses his volleyball player leaping ability to grab tough rebounds in traffic. One of the most unassuming players in the NACBA as he defers to vets like Carlos Andrade and James Chen, Ho is one of TO’s best kept secrets.

Benny Hoang, LA Alpine. Agent 00 makes a grand return to the tourney that made him a household name over 10 years ago. Some things have changed, but Benny’s legend still precedes him. Once the most feared defenders in the NACBA, this Top 25’er has become a reliable outside shooter and veteran leader in the Jason Kidd mold. Be sure to see Benny so that you can tell your grandkids you saw him play.

Robbie Huang, Indiana Pandas. Huang is one of the tournament’s lankiest defenders and he tough, if not a little dirty. Last year he showcased his skills as a role player for NY FBNYC, but he’s looking to expand his horizons in 2011 as possible All-NACBAIT pick in the Friendship. Robbie could throw it down on the break, so don’t miss a minute of the action.

Justin Kao, NY USAB A. One of the most underrated players in the tournament, Justin has a great basketball IQ to go along with quick hands on defense and a picture perfect jumpshot. He is going to be a big key if the team wants to get back to Monday action. Kao doesn’t fear pressure, he thrives in it.

Henry Lam, NY Falcons Red. Lam is Atlas strong, as he carries the other Falcons on his broad shoulders. He can go to the basket, he snares rebounds like they were going out of style, and he can shoot the rock from midrange. At the Friendship level, Henry may be the most unguardable player in a one on one situation thanks to his sheer strength and his finesse game.

Denny Lee, NY Legends. Most of you know Denny as the NACBA Co-Chair, some of you know him as the big man in charge of the NY Rockits, others know him as the host of the NYC 3-on-3 extravaganza, but let’s remember that he’s also a part of the NACBA’s Top 30. The MVP of last year’s Master division, Lee is a scorer, ballhandler, and inspirational leader on the court. Watch as Denny shows the young kids that he’s still got game.

Kevin Lee, Washington CYC B. For the past 10 years, this NACBA Top 18’er has been giving it his all each time he stepped onto the hardwood. An excellent athlete with ballhandling wizardry, Lee’s unselfish nature is a great fit for a CYC team brimming with pure shooters.

Kimberly Lee, Toronto Dragons. The 2008 Liberty MVP and the 2010 Women’s Open MVP, Lee is at the pinnacle of her game. With range extending to 25 feet and confidence to take the big shots, I’m not sure that she couldn’t compete in the Men’s Elite division. A down to earth young lady with splendid scoring ability, Kim is a must see. Check rock.

Kyle Lew, NY Young Life Rockits. Kyle is quite the young man. He understands the game, is calm under pressure, and plays tougher than his 5-7 build would suggest. He really gets after it on the defensive end and directs the traffic on offense. Lew has a nice little post up game as well.

Darren Liu, Markham FCCM. Darren was the hands down MVP of the Open last season. Don’t let his quick smile and cordial demeanor fool you because he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Once the game gets started, this star guard will be the first one to tear into the scorebook. Darren has wicked range.

Moses Ma, Phila Fastball A. As the starting PG for Grace University this past season, Ma showed the hard work and floorgame that made him an All-NACBA selection in Toronto. As tenacious, strong, and determined as a bulldog, Moses is on the short list of dynamo PG’s to watch.

Timmothy Mak, Philly Young Suns. At about 220 pounds, Tmmmak is a huge order for any team to handle. I watched him transform himself from a shy 8 year old kid at a church afterschool tutoring program into one of the most difficult matchups in the Youth division and in the buffet line. With an arsenal of inside moves and the skill to snap the strings from ultradeep, Mak is a player to watch.

Korey Mui, Boston Knights Juniors. Mui is the future of the Knights. A 6-3, 155 lb. threeman, he can rattle in jumpers and run the break with the best of them. With a few seasons of AAU experience in his pocket, this sophomore will be the young leader of a team that should finish in the Final Four.

Jimmy Ng, NY Junior Rockits. This lightning quick guard is the next big thing in the Big Apple. He’s already years ahead of where most kids are at his age. He sees the floor well, has a jumper that’s true, and has speedy hands on defense. If you watch only one Youth game this tournament, make sure it’s a Rockits game.

Tracy Ng, NY Lady Rockits. Doctor T plays every game is if it were her last. It’s not often that you see the largest player on the floor diving, hustling, and tumbling onto the floor, but Tracy is willing to sacrifice her body for the love of the game. Effective in the post and from the perimeter, Ng is a good candidate for another All-Tourney selection this year.

Kevin Redmond, Boston Hurricanes AAU. A gutsy wingman, Redmond turned in sweet performances at last year’s Toronto NACBAIT and at this year’s Pre-NACBAIT Classic. Redmond has a sly crossover move that leaves the opposition scratching their heads in wonder as he weaves his way to the basket. Kevin is also an underappreciated outside shooter.

Stephen Tee, Cali Davis Dynasty. Take one look at Stephen and you just know he’s got to be a pretty good ball player. Athletic and fearless, he is willing to take it to the cup amongst bigger players and D up against the top perimeter players on opposing squads. And he’s also got a smooth midrange pullup in transition.

Tracy Tiao, SF ArcAngels. This former MVP is not just another pretty face. She’s got supreme baller talent to go with those model looks. A great athlete with tremendous anticipation, she gets the job done time and time again. Tracy’s complete game solidifies the ArcAngels as one of the 2011 Women’s Open favorites.

Derrick Tsou, NY Maximum Output. On a team full of superstar quality guys who can do it all, Tsou is an overlooked commodity. He’s a little bit streaky, but when he gets it going, he can really chalk up some big numbers. Take a moment to check out some of Derrick’s games this weekend. He won’t disappoint.

Christine Vuong, Toronto CCYAA A. One of the few players to have taken part in every Women’s NACBAIT since its inception in 1999, Vuong remains a major force on the circuit. She has dribbling showmanship, finishes in transition, and makes excellent decisions against ball pressure.

Eddie Wang, NY RL Cruisers. Eddie is a deadly weapon who perfectly complements the Tony and George twin towers duo. Positioning himself wisely on the court, opponents must choose whether to double team the pivot and leave the Wanger wide open for an automatic swish, or let Tony fatten up the stats via man to man single coverage.

Keith Wang, Washington CYC A. Keith spent the past few years living in Hawaii, lounging on a beach sipping Pina Coladas out of coconuts. His play really suffered, as he was not in tip top shape. Now, he’s back in Maryland and working out 5 days a week. Wang’s dropped 20 pounds and is showing flashes of the old Keith who used to dominate the Men’s division at 17-18 years old. Keith doesn’t miss from the corners.

Matt Xie, NY USAB 18. The MVP of the Pre-NACBAIT Classic Juniors division, this rookie surprised everyone with his play. A 6-2 hybrid forward, Xie has excellent shot selection and can play against taller players on defense. In order for USAB to start a new Chip streak, Matt is going to need to play at a high level.

Kenny Yu, NY Rockits AIA. If Kenny has fully rehabbed himself to his pre-Achilles injury self, then expect the Rockits to be the team emerges with the Men’s Open title. A NACBA Top 18’er, Kenny’s collegiate level experience (Rutgers Camden) gives him the talent and poise needed to be an impact player at any level.

Richard Zhu, Toronto CCYAA Seniors. I know, I know. Richard is on this list every year. But how can I leave him off when he’s the single biggest reason that CCYAA has dominated the Seniors circuit? Richard is as complete a player as there has ever been. Expect another MVP trophy to be put in his showcase.

The 2011 Waiver Wire

In college hoops, transfers and JUCO recruits have huge March Madness impacts. JUCO transfers provide coaches with experienced options come crunch time, instead of teams being forced to rely on babyfaced one and doners. Transfers from other big time programs seek greener pastures, because maybe they couldn’t fit in their previous system, they want to be closer to home, or they see a better opportunity elsewhere. In the NBA, free agency has given us the Miami Heat’s D-Wade, Lebron, and Bosh trio. In the League, players move around for more money, more endorsements, and sometimes they’ll take their services to South Beach for a chance at winning it all. This trend, for better or for worse, has slowly trickled down to all level of basketball and the NACBAIT is no exception.

While there are a handful of rookie players with the skills to make an impact each Memorial Day, it has been pretty evident over the past few years that the easiest way to attain positive results is to grab players that have already played in the tournament. The players know the rules, they know the format, they already know their opponents, you don’t need to worry about eligibility squabbles, and they are used to the bright lights of the big dance. Plus, when you add a player that you have seen play in this environment, you pretty much know what you’re going to get. With rookies and new adds, you never know what to expect.

The golden days of teams pulling it off with entirely grassroots campaigns may have passed us by as we entered the 21^st century. The 2004 Boston Hurricanes might have been the last time we will ever see something like that again, and even then they needed to sign MVP Oak Nguyen (NACBA Top 30, formerly of the Boston Freemasons) in order to climb the big mountain. Although there is no replacement for chemistry or time spent practicing and busting your behind in the gym with your 10 guys, in the end you can’t teach tall, you can’t teach athletic, and you can’t teach fast. If you have a pretty solid group of players and just need those one or two guys to push your team over the hump, then it’s time to take that step. NY USAB did it, using four transfers on their eight man roster as they took home the 2007 title. While some teams like the Toronto Dragons, NY Sabres, NY Rockits, or the Philly Suns pride themselves on winning or losing with their own guys, these organizations are the exception rather than the rule. Longstanding teams like the NY Cruisers (Ian Yu, Howie Chu, Leon Chu, Alex Stewart, Stan Yeung) and Washington CYC (Hank Huang, Huy Nguyen, Brian Liang, Daniel Liu, Tuan Tang, Stan Hwang) still get it done with their traditional core but have added carefully combed the free agent market to bolster their chances over the past two seasons. The key is to find guys who will fit into your system, and that’s the hardest part of the game. One day, NACBA teams are going to need GM’s.

Don’t blame the players or the teams for ruining the game, because the new additions are just as passionate and committed to winning the chip as the “originals.” Anyways, teams are just following the blueprint for success that was laid down by the Seattle Bladerunners dynasty when they inked Song Cun (NACBA Top 30, LA Alpine). Last year’s newest Bladerunner, Stephen Chang (AZ Desert Jade,) was clutch when they needed him, earning MVP honors en route to the team’s 6^th Championship. They have continued to scour the pantry in search of top talent as you will see below.

Lest you think it is just the Men’s Elite division that’s working the wire, the ladies have been getting in on the action the past few years. Angie Leung’s big switch from the NY Cruisers to the Toronto Dragons made huge headlines when it happened years ago, and recent additions (or re-additions in the case of Kim Lee) pushed them to the 2010 title. Now, there is just as much player movement in the female divisions as there are the in the male ones. The Seniors have also followed the wave, with guys like Robert Choy (NACBA Top 30, Chicago Dragons) hopping on with the Toronto CCYAA Seniors in 2009 to get in on the Championship Run. As you will also see when you scroll down the page, even the Youth and Juniors divisions are not exempt from player poaching.

In the end, it’s a tournament by the players for the players and if this is what the players want to do, then that’s what I’ll write about. Without further debate, here we go with the much anticipated 2011 edition of the NACBA Waiver Wire.

We begin with the Seattle Bladerunners, who will be without Austin Yuen (NACBA Top 30, 2009 Elite MVP) and brother Royce. To replace the Yuens, Coach Yu has signed a contract with 6-2 PF Ryan Dunn (All-NACBA, SF Duke). As if Dunn’s scoring won’t be enough, Cal-Berkley’s 6-5 F Thomas Fang (SF Wildcats) will be ready for action. It may be a case of addition by addition.

Washington CYC A loses Huy Nguyen (2007 Friendship MVP, 2010 All-NACBA) with a knee injury but has inked 6-1 SF Tuan Tang (Penn-State Abington, 2009 Friendship MVP) as a temporary stopgap on loan from Philadelphia Fastball. He could be a sleeper. CYC has also added 6-5 260 lb. C Stan Hwang of Arizona Desert Jade as an insurance policy

LA Aiya finally gets the free agent acquisition they have been craving for years as NACBA Top 10’er and 2006 MVP Cecilia Chan has been persuaded to put on the Aiya orange. Her shipjump will certainly cause some drama and makes LA’s deep run inevitable. Hopefully CC decides to come from Hong Kong to play.

SG Ling Lai (NACBA Top 10, 2004, 2005, 2006 All-NACBA, 2007 Liberty MVP) and Chinatown childhood buddy PG Shannon Yu (2007 All-NACBA) last played in 2008/2009 for the Philly Lady Suns but have since left the club and joined the Phila Fast Belles (2011 Pre-NACBAIT Classic Champions). As the Fast Belles will not be playing this year due to the unexpected pregnancy of a key player, Lai and Yu will lace up for the Washington CYC China Dolls in 2011, joining Fast Belles teammate Michelle Chan.

The NY Lady Rockits teams have taken on a large number of NY Sabres in the past couple years. This year, Vanessa Leung, Kristin Lew, and Terri Chu will join the ranks of F Serena Poon and SG Aileen Tso, who defected last season. They are hoping that a change of scenery and playing style will do them good this May.

Four time All-NACBA pick Alex Stewart returns to NY Maximum Output after a highly successful one year stint with the NY RL Cruisers where they reached the Final Four and upset the Chicago Dragons WW on day one. This do-it all forward’s return to Coach Chow’s MO squad makes them a legit title contender.

5-11 PF De Lin rejoins the Philly Suns after an up and down year with Fastball B. He gives the Suns a little bit of size and passion on the boards.

Brothers Tommy Le (5-10 F, 2007 All-NACBA) and Tung Le (6-2 C), both former Philly Suns, have abandoned the fort and joined most of their old teammates on Phila Fastball. The Le boys will bolster the Fastball B frontline. 2010 All-NACBA PG Moses Ma (Grace University) has also joined Phila Fastball after starring last year for the CCYAA Downtown Raiders.

Ma’s old Raider teammate, 6-2 Center/Ngun Lam fastman Daniel Tran has also left the Raiders and will be stepping up to the Toronto Dragons A, as they attempt to replace Chinabound 6-7 C Jon Tam. The Dragons A have also moved up post player Kelvin Cheung and SF Matt Lum (All-NACBA 2010) to fill their roster voids. The Dragons B have gotten Hancocks from two former CCYAA Juniors to take Cheung and Lum’s roster spots. Daniel Mong and Jason Ng will get a taste of playing with the men from now on.

Former All-NACBA SG John Hsu (previous stints with Washington CYC B and NJ Raging Demonz) brings his sniper attack to NY FBNYC B.

Manuel and Anthony Cuadrado have departed the proud NY USAB program and have joined up with the NY United East Juniors, following in the footsteps of their big brother. Steven Zhao has done the same.

The United East Men’s team has lost 4 players from their second place Men’s Open squad, as All-NACBA PG Tommy Zheng, Jack Ma, Will Pun, and Sean Zhang have done the group thing and will be putting on new unis for the NY Runnin Rebels.

6-1 SF Robert Yee (Montgomery College), who had runs with Washington CYC and the NJ Pirates in recent years, will see if he still has that go-to pullup jumpshot move when he steps onto the court for the Boston Knights Seniors. Chemistry won’t be an issue as he spent the best years of his career with the Knights while he lived in Boston for work.

Guard Jimmy Ng did the Rockits-USAB-Rockits thing, but the Youth division’s top talent looks like he will remain dedicated to the Rockits.

Legendary NACBA Top 30 player Robert Choy has returned to his roots and will rejoin the team that made him a star as the Chicago Dragons Master 45’s have their eyes on the prize.

Versatile 6-3 big man Ken Hsiung returns from an improbable Elite 8 run last year with Montreal to his Markham FCCM pals. SG Jackie Fung has moved to Hong Kong, so the tradeoff for more size should help as FCCM moves up to the Elite this year after winning the Open in ’10.

SG/SF Ronald Lim put on a Texas Ballistics uniform for almost a decade, but as the Ballistics will not be taking part this year, Lim has assembled his own terror squad, and brought along former Ballistics PF Kiet Huynh as well as sibling Rudy Lim to the new Team Texas.

With the New Jersey Pirates absent this year, NACBA Top 30 guy Beaver Ho (NACBA’s All-Time leading scorer) was looking to get another couple games in. He will hook up another Top 30’er, Denny Lee, as he departs the NY Fishmen. Together, they will give the NY Legends a decidedly legendary flavor.