SYF Players

Location: Indiana
Region: GBOA North
Coach: Wayne Brumm
NBA Alumni: Lonnie Jones, Milwaukee Bucks; Jerome Harmon, Philadelphia 76ers
NCAA Alums: Gary McQuay, Purdue University; Lennie Mabela, Bowling Green; Lonnie Jones, Ball State; Eugene Wilson, U of I.
Founded: 1993

The Sport Youth Foundation is approaching its 15th year as a not for profit athletic/academic program focused on the development of young people throughout the State of Indiana. Over a period of 14 years an average of 7.50% SYF student/athletes per year have entered NCAA Division I Universities. The SYF Players had eight elite players selected to the 2007 senior and junior Indiana All Star teams showing the programs dedication in finding the best talent in the State to represent their program. Also in 2007, the SYF Players won the 2007 Indiana State Championship.

# Name HT WT Class High School Interests
3 Jovon Freshwater 5'7'' 154 2009 Marion Creighton, Western Michigan
5 John Taylor 5'11'' 155 2009 North Lawndale Prep

UConn
20 JaRob McCallum 6'1'' 175 2009 Marion

Southern Illinois,
Kent State, Western Michigan
15 Scott Wood 6'6'' 165 2009 Marion

N.C. State
32
 Morgan Newton 6'4'' 215
 2009 Carmel (Football) Ohio State, Michigan
23 DeShawn Clay 6'4" 195 2009 Gary West Side

Indiana, Marquette
33
 Hayden Humes 6'8'' 200 2009 Valparaiso High Toledo
44 Jon Nwannunu 6'8'' 220
 2009 Merrillville Illinois State
42 Ryan Smith 6'6'' 230
 2009 Merrillville Liberty
34 Damien McGee 6'6'' 230
 2009 Gary Lew Wallace Ball State, Indiana State
SYF Players Season Preview
Friday, 18 April 2008 21:25

This year's SYF Players team will play with the same heart and strength that have brought the organization so much success in the past. Coach Wayne Brumm says, “the game is really important to the kids. I have had a lot of players that carry their press clippings in their back pockets, but these kids aren’t that way at all. These kids are so unselfish and winning is very important to them” (reported by Peegs.com). SYF has ten key players that will lead the team to success.

SYF will be participating in the GBOA North Tournament on May 10-11, led by point guard John Taylor. The six-foot, 170-pounder has received attention during his career with North Lawndale College Prep. Another top college recruit is Scott Wood who committed to North Carolina State. Wood knows his basketball and led his Marion High School to the 4A title game this year.

Woods will be joined on SYF by Marion teammates Javon Freshwater and JaRob McCallum. Freshwater showed his backcourt skills in the 4A title game and has a lot to live up to at the GBOA North tournament. McCallum has also shown a lot of promise, with college recruiters hot on his heels, including offers from Ball State, Kent State, and Southern Illinois.

Perhaps the most talented all-around athlete can be found in Morgan Newton. This SYF Player is a quarterback prospect for the Big Ten and other high major scholarship offers. Newton is a leader and represents the great athleticism that SYF is about. Finishing off the roster are forwards Jon Nwannunu and Ryan Smith, insiders Hayden Humes and Damien McGee, and helping out on the wing DeShawn Clay. Coach Brumm has high hopes for McGee from Gary Lew Wallace. This six-foot-eight prospect was named to the Junior All-Stars team this year and arguably is one of the most talented athletes in the state of Indiana.

The SYF has already played in two events this month and is experiencing early success. As May approaches the SYF Players are getting ready to face some of the best teams in the North Region at the GBOA tournament in Chicago. The outlook looks promising for this committed team. While SYF may not always have the best record, they always bring passion and character to the court which ensures them great success!