HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

Carmelo Anthony and Hakim Warrick have always joked about whose hometown produces the best NBA talent. The two former Syracuse teammates will find out soon, as Baltimore and Philadelphia will square off in an exhibition game at the historic Palestra on September 25.

Warrick has assembled Team Philly, which will include Kyle Lowry, Lou Williams, Jason Thompson, John Salmons, Wayne Ellington, Markieff Morris, Marcus Morris and Flip Murray among others.

Team Melo will feature several players from Baltimore, but Anthony will also bring some of his friends along, as he did for the showdown against the Goodman League.

LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Eric Bledsoe, Josh Selby, Gary Neal and Donte Greene will suit up alongside Anthony against Team Philly.

Anthony, James and Paul faced off against Durant during the Melo-Goodman game, but the trio has recruited him to take on Philadelphia’s finest.

“My Philadelphia All-Stars look forward to getting on the court and proving to Melo and the people of Baltimore/DC that the best ballers come out of Philly,” said Warrick. “Melo told me he was bringing a squad that can’t be beat so I have a few ‘All-Star’ surprises for him when my team takes the court on September 25.”

This game will be streamed online via the Basketball Channel. Tickets range from $35 to $50, and can be purchased online at pennathletics.com starting today at 3 p.m. A portion of the game’s revenue will go to various charity groups in the Philadelphia area.

Day One of Impact CTS: Impact Basketball’s competitive training series is underway. Day one featured four games, and plenty of media members and fans were in attendance to get their basketball fix.

While the games aren’t currently being streamed online, that may change later in the week once some of the technical details are worked out. Games will be played every afternoon for the next two weeks at 4:30, 6:30, 8:30 and 10:30 ET.

The top scorers from day one were J.J. Hickson (32 points), Dahntay Jones (31 points), Austin Daye (30 points), Isaiah Thomas (26 points) and Iman Shumpert (25 points).

Marreese Speights and Melvin Ely were the top rebounders, grabbing 12 boards apiece. Mo Williams and Sebastian Telfair were the leading passers, with 10 assists each. Ely and Daye led all players in blocks with three apiece. Shelvin Mack recorded a day-high three steals.

The eight teams will compete over these two weeks for a chance to make the playoffs, which will be held on September 22. The championship game will be played on September 23.

Team A features Sebastian Telfair, James Anderson, Kawhi Leonard, Malcolm Lee, Larry Hughes, Marreese Speights and Melvin Ely.

Team B features Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington, Tony Allen, Armon Johnson, Josh Selby, Xavier Silas, Coby Carl, Jeremy Evans, Gary Forbes and Derrick Caracter.

Team C features Kyle Lowry, Austin Daye, Jared Dudley, Channing Frye, Courtney Lee, Hakim Warrick, and Alan Anderson.

Team D features Chauncey Billups, Iman Shumpert, Roger Mason, Shawne Williams, Jermaine O’Neal, Damon Jones and Jamaal Tinsley.

Team E features Mo Williams, Eric Bledsoe, Travis Leslie, Willie Warren, Ryan Gomes and Al-Farouq Aminu.

Team F features DeMar DeRozan, J.J. Hickson, Corey Maggette, Dorell Wright, Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley and Bonzi Wells.

Team G features John Wall, Rashard Lewis, Nick Young, Jordan Crawford, Shelvin Mack, Terrico White, Larry Owens, Marcus Banks and Desmon Farmer.

Team H features Paul George, Wesley Matthews, Dahntay Jones, T.J. Ford, Brandon Rush, Dominique Jones, Corey Stokes and Jordan Williams.

HOOPSWORLD’s Steve Kyler and Eric Pincus will be in Las Vegas on Wednesday to provide more coverage of the Impact CTS.

Utah Jazz Hire Experienced Scout: The Utah Jazz have made a big addition to their scouting department. Kevin O’Connor, the team’s general manager, announced that Rich Sheubrooks has been hired by the franchise as its Executive Director of Global and Pro Scouting. In this newly created position, Sheubrooks will focus on the scouting of international prospects as well as the professional leagues.

“We feel fortunate to be able to bring someone in with as much international experience as Rich has,” said O’Connor.  “Rich’s knowledge and background can be a real asset to the Jazz organization in what has clearly become a global game.”

Sheubrooks joins the Jazz after spending the previous four seasons as the Director of Global Scouting for the Charlotte Bobcats.

Sheubrooks is well known on the international basketball scene for his role as a Global Basketball Consultant for Nike where he has played a key role in organizing the Nike Hoop Summit the past 14 years. The annual game features the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Select Team playing against a World Select Team, comprised of top players 19-years-old or younger from around the world. Sheubrooks has a long history with the sports apparel brand, working as European Sports Marketing Manager from 1997-99 and Basketball Grassroots & Events Manager from 1990-1994

Prior to his work with the Bobcats, Sheubrooks spent six seasons in the same role with the Memphis Grizzlies.  He has also served as the Director of the Michael Jordan Euro Tour (2007) and as the Executive Director of the Charlotte Sports Commission (1994-97).

In addition, he has collegiate coaching experience having spent three seasons as head coach at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M Kingsville) from 1976-79, following two seasons each as an assistant at both Texas A&I and Midwestern State.

Add the Jazz to the list of teams who are creating positions and expending resources to scour the international scene for top prospects.

HOOPSWORLD Chats: There are two chats on today’s schedule. First, Eric Pincus kicks things off with his weekly NBA chat at 4 p.m. ET. Lang Greene will also hold his weekly chat tonight at 8 p.m. ET. Submit your questions now because both of these chats fill up fast.