Written By: Mike Mon
Twelve unsung heroes who do all the little things under the radar to help put their teams in the best possible position to capture this year’s NACBA Mens Elite title.

1. Pat Chin, Kai Hopton, Norman Moy, Chicago Dragons: This trio of experienced players are the big guys who always go unnoticed for Wing Wor.  Their guards and wings are so good that the forwards just don’t get the credit they deserve. But anyone who has played Chicago knows that the rebounding, screening, high FG%, and defense they provide are indispensible.
   
   
2. Kenny Ho, Washington CYC A: Most people don’t know who this guy is, and that is just fine with the low key Kenny.  They also don’t know that about 10 years ago, Kenny Ho was a highly regarded guard coming out of the SoCal area with D-1 offers from a number of schools.  He chose to follow his academic dreams and has now become a successful engineer, but his jumpshot and his defensive prowess remain steady.
   
   
3. Tony Ho, Toronto Titans: This 6-0 athlete doesn’t have a true position. He’s just a basketball player.  While their imposing 6-9, 6-7, 6-7 frontline will probably be a big story this year, perhaps one of the Titans’ most crucial players will be Tony.  A former standout in the 18’s for CCYAA, Tony can hit the outside shot, he can finish at the rim, and he can defend the best of them.
   
   
4. Wes Hsu, Seattle Bladerunners: It is hard to say that a guy who plays professional basketball in Europe is underrated by NACBA standards.  But that’s what happens when you play for Seattle.  Players like Song Cun, Austin Yuen, Jim Shih and Kyle Kiang have been headliners all their life, so Wes quietly goes about his business and takes advantage of the opportunities he is given.  A great shooter and smart player, Hsu would be a star on any other team.
   
   
5. Mike Pan, NY USAB A: Big Mike has won a whole lot of titles, including the 2007 Elite chip and many others dating back to his days as an 18/Under behemoth.  He’s a tough post player, an underrated shooter, and physical presence inside for USAB.  Without Mike and Brandon Chock there to enforce and keep everyone honest, the USAB guards would likely get hammered each time they ventured down the lane. 
   
   
6. Vince Sung, Cali Davis Dynasty: It might be a stretch to say an athletic 6-5 guy could fly under the radar. But on a team as guard oriented as Dynasty, it happens.  He does all the little things that don’t always show up in the box score, such as great defense and offensive rebounding.  Keep an eye on Vince.
   
   
7. Andrew Suen, Toronto Dragons: This NACBA Top 18’s player has steadily increased his production to become one of the most important Dragons these days.  Suen’s athleticism, prolific scoring, and 3-point shooting are starting to make other teams take note of the new sheriff in town.
   
   
8. Loc Tang, Phila Fastball A: The undersized 6-3 center is the only true pivotman for Fastball.  His shotswatting and boarding get the break going for Philly.  This big guy can also hit the open jay, as he was the NACBA’s 2008 3-point Champion so don’t sleep on Loc.
   
   
9. Quoc Tran, Phila Suns A: At 6-0, Quoc is too small to be a PF.  He compensates for a lack of height by simply playing harder than his opponents.  He also possesses an effective floater to get some buckets against bigger guys.  As the adage goes, it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but it’s the size of the fight in the dog.
   
   
10. Ricky Vien, NY Rockits AIA: This former USAB guy has carved out a great niche for himself with the crosstown Rockits.  By blocking shots, defending the paint, and setting great screens for top scorers like Chris Chin and Kenny Yu, Ricky has entrenched himself in the Rockit lineup.
    
    
11. Kevin Woo, Boston Hurricanes AAU: While C Ricky Chan and SF Johnson Lam have captured most of the headlines for the former Champs, it has been Kevin Woo that’s been knocking down big shot after big shot when defenses collapse on the better known players.  He makes you pay from 3-point range, so at this point it’s just become a pick your poison choice when you face the Canes.
    
    
12. Stanley Yeung, NY RL Cruisers:  George Chan and Tony Hu garner all the attention for the Cruisers, but it’s Stan’s turnover free game, high basketball IQ, and quick defensive hands that have turned this team from an annual Consolation finisher into a team that is in the title hunt each year.  He may be the most underrated PG in the NACBA.