Locals Tip Off Nike Global Challenge in Portland

Three New Jersey players and two New Yorkers are representing at the Nike Global Challenge in Portland, Ore. Seton Hall-bound guard Jordan Theodore of Paterson Catholic, Louisville commit Samardo Samuels of St. Benedict's (left) and uncommitted swingman Lance Goulbourne of The Hun School, who lists Vanderbilt and Marquette as his top two options, are among the top 40 American players chosen from those who participated in the LeBron James US Skills Academy. The Americans make up five teams taking on squads from Canada, China and Puerto Rico. Senegal, which produced Rutgers big man Hamady N'Diaye (who is back in his home country for nearly a month), was supposed to field a fourth international team, but could not because of visa problems.

Theodore (left) is teaming in Portland with Gauchos teammates Kemba Walker (UConn) and Durand Scott. That squad (Team USA 3), which also features 6-10 big man Greg Monroe, the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2008, beat China, 101-62, Sunday in an exhibition.

Tyreke Evans, a top guard from American Christian (Pa.) and Goulbourne's AAU teammate, is also at the event. Evans appears to be down to Louisville and Villanova. If he chooses the former, he would team up with Samuels; if he heads to Nova, he'll play with Jersey products Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes in what could be a devastating backcourt for years to come. Pitt commit Nasir Robinson and UConn-bound Alex Oriakhi are also on hand.

(Photos courtesy Kelly Kline)