Kentucky coach John Calipari spent New Year’s Eve watching 7-footer Stephen Zimmerman win the Beach Ball Classic with his Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gorman teammates.
Bishop Gorman beat Duke-bound Luke Kennard and Franklin (OH), 71-39, in the Beach Ball Classic final in Myrtle Beach, FL.
Zimmerman was named Tournament Most Valuable Player after posting 12 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in the win and his Duke-bound teammate Chase Jeter had 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Kennard was named the Most Outstanding Player of the event after posting 17 points and 9 rebounds. He set the four-game scoring record at the event with 147 points.
Zimmerman is down to Kentucky, Kansas, UCLA, Arizona and UNLV.
Lori Stevens previously told SNY.tv Zimmerman expects to decide by February or March, but won’t sign an NLI.
Kentucky is involved with several 2015 big men still on the board, including Zimmerman, Thomas Bryant, Cheick Diallo, Ivan Rabb and Carlton Bragg.
TOURNAMENT AWARDS (courtesy BeachBallClassic.com)
Most Outstanding Player: Luke Kennard, Franklin (OH)
Most Valuable Player: Stephen Zimmerman, Bishop Gorman (NV)
Keith Lane Sportsmanship Award: Evan Hall, Knott County (KY)
Hustle Award: Kipper Nichols, St. Edward (OH)
Danny Defensive Award: Jacque Brown, East Carteret (NC)
All Tournament Team (all players above are also All-Tournament):
* Jalek Felton, Mullins (SC)
* Prince Ali, Sagemont (FL)
* Craig Randall, Shadow Mountain (AZ)
* P.J. Dozier, Spring Valley (SC)
* Malik Beasley, St. Francis (GA)
* Seth Towns, Northland (OH)
* Chase Jeter, Bishop Gorman (NV)
* Evan Crowe, Franklin (OH)
* Luke Maye, Hough (MC)
* Camron Justice, Knott County Central (KY)
Photo: Lori Zimmerman
