This year, 16 teams take to the courts to compete for the most sought after title in the NACBAIT. At least a dozen teams have legitimate hopes to make it to Monday, so it will get very competitive once the opening taps are tossed. We start with the five time Champion Seattle Bladerunners (8 Final Fours since ’99). With 3 of the NACBA Top 30, their roster is off the charts in terms of talent. Austin Yuen (Seattle Pacific 2009 MVP), Kyle Kiang (Lewis & Clark), Jim Shih (4 time MVP) and European pro Wesley Hsu (All-NACBA) are a battle tested quartet. SG Tim Wang is steady and Royce Yuen gives Seattle a spark off the pine. But Seattle is not resting on their laurels, as they have added a few more heads to keep them up top. 6-7 Tony Hsu is a young guy who will provide an active player up front, former Florida State football player Ben Lampkin is super strong, and SG Randy Wong used to rock the East Coast Asian circuit a few years back with his 3-point shot. But the big news for Coach Yu’s Bladerunners is the free agent addition of SG/SF Stephen Chang (NDNU, All-NACBA). Chang’s addition now gives Seattle one more weapon in the crunch. In Florida, the Chicago Dragons Wing Wor (5 Final fours since ’96) made the Finals for the 2nd time in 3 years. This year, high scorer Joe Carlini (Lake Forest) seeks to make a Jordan-esque comeback and will join a lineup with big time experience. Tony Ling (NACBA Top 30, Northwestern), Larry Li (DePaul), Damean Clinton (Wyoming), and Andrew Tsai (MIT) are standouts. 6-3 Patrick Chin is a Robert Horry playalike who defends bigger players in the post, but can step out to knock down monster shots behind the arc. Brian Hale is bulldog strong and is an experienced versatile team player. Chicago is a team on the brink.
Washington CYC A, like Chicago has reached a plethora of Final Fours (7 trips since ’99), but has never taken home the big prize. The backcourt is second to none as brothers Jeff Lee (NACBA Top 30, once led the Nation is assists at College of Southern Maryland) and Chris Lee (NACBA Top 30, Rutgers) are steady and unflappable. Swingman Huy Nguyen (All-NACBA) is a good fit for the CYC system and with Keith Wang (Gettysburg) back in action, the perimeter is very strong. Up front, muscleman Hank Huang (All-NACBAIT), savvy Daniel Liu (UCSD), and big Brian Liang will do the job. This might be the year CYC can overcome the hurdles. The Toronto Dragons A have made the Final Four 3 times in 7 years, and are a proven winner. They simply don’t lose games to teams they should beat. Top 30 F/C Denny Lee and 6-7 C Jon Tam do their thing in the post: setting picks, rebounding, and playing great defense. Most of the scoring is done by the young guard triumvirate of Jordan Chiang (NACBA Top 18’er), Andrew Suen (NACBA Top 18’er), and Kenny Ao (All-NACBAIT). The trademark of the Dragons is an efficient offense that is more patient than any other team in the tourney. Sleeping in their own beds could be the difference between Final Four and a little bit more.
The Boston Hurricanes AAU have made 2 Monday appearances in the past 6 years, so they’re also always in the mix. Leading scorer Johnson Lam won’t be around this Memorial Day,so the brothers Maneikis and Kevin Redmond will take on a larger role for AAU. 6-4 Ricky Chan (All-NACBA) is always reliable on the blocks, and Kevin Woo is a 3-point daredevil. Boston is going to be a tough draw because they know how to win ballgames. The NY RL Cruisers (2 Final Fours in 3 years) are the team that many predict could replace Seattle at the top of the food chain. With physical PF Tony Hu (NACBA Top 30), 6-4 George Chan (Top 18’er), and 6-4 wide load Howie Chu, they have the braun to matchup with the Bladerunners. Pass first PG Stan Yeung doesn’t throw the ball away much, and is a perfect match for this system. Wingman Eddie Wang (All-NACBA) hits midrange shots, 3-pointers, or whatever else he fires up as teams tend to double down on the post players. Toss in the signings of All-NACBA F Alex Stewart (CCNY) and SG/SF Ian Yu, and you’ve got guys with enough natural ability to win it all in 2010. The NY USAB Warriors won it all in 2007 and reached the Final Four in 2004, plus their players have a whole lot of crunch time experience from their Juniors dynasty (5 straight titles and counting). PG Nick Mui (Staten Island, NACBA Top 18’er) is a magnificent kid who creates shots when no one else can. Zach Liu (Pitt Greensburg) and Jason Chin have deadly range at the guard slots, while 6-2 Mike Zee and 6-5 Andrew Lichtenstein (NACBA Top 18’er) will play the 3 spot adeptly. Under the glass, 6-4 big men Mike Pan (Staten Island) and Brandon Chock will thrive. USAB isn’t especially deep this year, but they will take quality over quantity any day. NY FBNYC Quicks/Fury made a shocking Cinderella appearance last year, earning the #5 overall seed after day 1. Their fast pace can drive opponents batty, with Dave Wong, Wilson Lew, Ace Watanasuparp (UConn), and Ren Hsieh (NYU) willing to trade 2 points for a shot at a 3. FBNYC also has a little bit of size with Kevin Coll working the post, and Shaun Young snatching boards.
The Philly Suns A have made the playoffs the past 2 NACBAIT’s but haven’t fared well once they have gotten there. They look to build on their performance this time around with 6-2 Dave Ma (All-NACBA) and Quoc Tran hustling for rebounds and Richmond Huynh filling the peach basket with his fadeaways. The Davis Dynasty will come to Toronto with a stable full of studs in their backcourt. Quentin Wu (All-NACBA), Steven Tee (Holy Names), and Mike Yih (All-NACBA) are all great options to have with the clock winding down. Vince Sung and Joe Tang will do the dirty work in the paint. The Dynasty is a team that could upset one of the big boys. Speaking of big boys, Ron Yeung’s Toronto Titans are going to be a difficult matchup for any team they face. 6-9 James Chen (York University) is a brick wall, while Carlos Andrade & Peng Peng are the most agile couple of 6-7 guys we have seen in a long time. Acer Huang will give the Titans a vocal leader/ scoring threat, and Tony Ho is an athletic 6-1 slasher. The Titans could very well make it a Manic Monday. The Boston Knights A have potential, with 6-4 Joe Brusch a constant matchup nightmare.
The NY Rockits AIA are looking to return to their glory days as Kevin Chin (Cooper Union) and Ricky Vien will play the F/C slots with tenacity. PG’s Ming Wang and Josh Pena (Marywood) are stellar, while the wing positions will be played by a pair of NACBA Top 18’ers in Chris Chin (Baruch) and Kenny Yu (Rutgers Camden). Coach Denny Lee will have this group playing hard each time they lace em up, so be ready for a close one if you face the Rockits. The Toronto Kagers, coached by Dennis Kim, will again go as far as All-NACBA SF Eric Liao can take them. If he’s hot, then it could be pretty deep in the playoffs. Philadelphia Fastball A took home the Friendship title in 2009 (Philly Suns C) but a split from the Suns has them dressed in a new outfit. MVP Tuan Tang loves to shoot no matter what he’s wearing, and ponytailed boy Allen Van ditched the long hair in favor of a sleeker look. With 2 NACBA Top 18’ers in Bin Chun Woo and Tang Vu, along with All-NACBA G Yit Mun Lee and Papa John’s 3-point Shootout Champ Loc Tang, this team has the ingredients to hang with any team in the field. The Montreal Kaitas A will be headlined by Jason Ham Rodney (South Suburban College), and his fancy skillset. If J-Rod can stay hot all weekend long, Montreal will do work.
