Live Period I Weekend Notebook: Adidas, Under Armour, & NY2LA
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Admittedly, our Prep Hoops staff was primarily focused on covering our event, The Stage, at the Indianapolis Convention Center and surrounding area during the first live recruiting period of the spring. However, with so many high profile events taking place…
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Continue ReadingAdmittedly, our Prep Hoops staff was primarily focused on covering our event, The Stage, at the Indianapolis Convention Center and surrounding area during the first live recruiting period of the spring. However, with so many high profile events taking place in the city our coverage simply would have been incomplete without taking some time to see the other action. I was able to briefly attend games at the 3SSB, UAA, and NY2LA events over the weekend while gathering some additional information from well planted moles at each event. Let’s take a look at some notes from the other non-Prep Hoops events in Indianapolis.
Indiana Elite Fell Against Midwest Basketball Club
Late Friday night I was able to run up to Finch Creek Fieldhouse to catch Indiana Elite 17u against Midwest Basketball Club 17u on the 3SSB Circuit. In front of a huge crowd of fans and high-profile college coaches these two teams battled it out until the final buzzer. Jake Davis Jake Davis 6'6" | SF Cathedral | 2023 State IN (Cathedral H.S. 2023) had it going early on for Indiana Elite hitting three three-pointers by the midway point of the second quarter. However, future Indiana Hoosier Gabe Cupps Gabe Cupps 6'1" | PG Centerville | 2023 State #80 Nation OH (Centerville H.S. 2023) would answer each shot on the other end of the floor for MBC. The score was all knotted up at 26-26 at the half.
The 6’6″ Davis added another set of back-to-back three-pointers early in the fourth quarter, but Kentucky commit Reed Sheppard Reed Sheppard 6'3" | PG North Laurel | 2023 State #22 Nation KY (North Laurel H.S. 2023) answered with a pull-up three to take a 49-47 advantage with five minutes remaining. Midwest Basketball Club was able to hold on for a 55-53 victory.
High school teammates Logan Imes Logan Imes 6'4" | PG Zionsville | 2023 State #202 Nation IN (Zionsville H.S. 2023), a Penn State commit, and Nick Richart Nick Richart 6'9" | PF Zionsville | 2023 State IN (Zionsville H.S. 2023) were both solid for Indiana Elite. Richart has great size inside at 6’9″ with a sturdy base to go along with good hands and feet. He is definitely a prospect for Division I coaches to follow closely this spring. Indiana Elite would finish the weekend with a 1-3 record.
George Hill All Indy is Loaded
George Hill All Indy jumped out to an 18-2 lead at the beginning of their Saturday afternoon game against Gain Elite. They would eventually allow Gain Elite to come all the way back to tie the game, but all-in-all it was an impressive performance by GHAI. This team really has it all. Sheridan Sharp Sheridan Sharp 6'2" | PG Ben Davis | 2023 State IN (Ben Davis H.S. 2023) is as good of a two-way floor general as there is in Indiana’s Class of 2023. His fellow backcourt mate Keyon Garrett-Miller Keyon Garrett-Miller 6'1" | PG Southport | 2023 State IN (Southport H.S. 2023) has been one of the pleasant surprises of the spring so far. The 6’1″ guard is a dynamic playmaker and has really impressed during these last two weekends. Out on the wings, Garwey Dual Garwey Dual 6'5" | PG Carmel | 2023 #113 Nation CA-S (Carmel H.S. 2023) blew up during the first weekend out in Wisconsin and was solid once again in Indianapolis. Jayden Pinkston Jayden Pinkston 6'6" | PF Southport | 2023 State IN (Tindley H.S. 2023) was good against Gain Elite. The 6’6″ forward is extremely athletic and has every physical tool imaginable. He was tough in transition, showed the ability to drive it in a straight line from the wings, and played above the rim.
Then, there is Xavier Booker Xavier Booker 6'11" | PF Cathedral | 2023 State #4 Nation IN (Cathedral H.S. 2023). The 6’10” 4-star recruit has had Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo following him around consistently since the high school season and with good reason. Booker went for 25 points in the game I saw to secure the victory for George Hill All Indy. His ability to run the floor and handle the ball at his size, while also being able to knock down three-point shots, has scouts and coaches across the country buzzing right now. In terms of a team made up solely of Indiana prospects, this is the group to watch this spring and summer.
Kyle Guy Elite Black/White
I had the opportunity see both 17u Kyle Guy Elite squads on Saturday while over at NY2LA’s Spring Extravaganza. For the KGE Black team, they put up an impressive shooting performance from beyond the arc despite losing in the game that I watched. Spencer White Spencer White 6'5" | SF Carmel | 2023 State IN (Carmel H.S. 2023) was hot from three-point range and Landon Biegel Landon Biegel 6'4" | SF Oak Hill | 2023 State IN (Oak Hill H.S. 2023) was shooting the ball very well too. Both of these 6’4″ wings can really, really shoot the basketball. They have a very skilled overall team with several prospects for coaches of all levels to take a look at.
As for Kyle Guy Elite White, they cruised in their game against Mercury Elite Konchar on Saturday afternoon. The leading scorer in that one was Lucas Parker Lucas Parker 6'4" | SF Carmel | 2023 State IN (Guerin Catholic H.S. 2023) who shot the ball very well showcasing a quick release and improved athleticism from what I remembered. Cade Brenner Cade Brenner 6'3" | SG NorthWood | 2023 State IN (NorthWood H.S. 2023) was really good as well scoring consistently off of the dribble and showing off good all-around playmaking skills. Both of these 17u teams have some impressive talent and I look forward to catching the younger groups later in the spring and summer.
Highlights from UAA/UA Rise
The main talk from UAA on Sunday afternoon while I was in the gym at the Pacers Athletic Center, as it pertains to Indiana prospects, centered around Joey Hart Joey Hart 6'5" | SG Linton-Stockton | 2023 State #214 Nation IN ‘s (Linton-Stockton H.S. 2023) second half performance against SOH Elite (FL). Hart poured in 17 of his game-high 19 points in the second half to secure a 54-50 victory. The 6’5″ wing was knocking in three-pointers, got to the rim a couple of times off of the bounce, and hit his free throws down the stretch. After the strong performance he added an offer from Purdue Fort Wayne and should see more continue to roll in over the coming months.
Down at the 16u age group, Jack Benter Jack Benter 6'4" | SG Brownstown Central | 2024 State #121 Nation IN (Brownstown Central H.S. 2024) didn’t suit up on Sunday after tweaking his ankle on Saturday. However, I came away very impressed with the development of 6’8″ forward Josiah Gustin Josiah Gustin 6'7" | PF Pendleton Heights | 2024 State IN (Pendleton Heights H.S. 2024). He has clearly gotten stronger and has really made strides with his offensive skill level. An intriguing one to follow over the spring and summer. In the backcourt, Jaylin Faison Jaylin Faison 6'1" | PG Dynamic Preparatory | 2024 IN (Carmel H.S. 2024). He was very good with the ball in his hands and showed the ability to make some tough pull-up jumpers off of the dribble. Stays under control and has good strength for a guard.
Before calling it a day at the Pacers Athletic Center I caught a little bit of D1 Indiana 17u in the UA Rise Circuit. Once again, Kamari Jones Kamari Jones 6'4" | SG Lawrence Centra (IN) / Hilcrest Prep (AZ) | 2023 IN (Lawrence Central H.S. 2023) played well knocking in a couple of corner threes and showing off his athleticism attacking the basket. He will continue to be a stock-rising guard throughout the spring.
Other Notes From Around Indy
- Indiana Elite Defenders 2025 went 4-0 over at The Challenge, another event hosted in the city by USA Youth Hoops. Camden Craig Camden Craig 6'4" | SF Switzerland County | 2025 State IN (Switzerland County H.S. 2025) was excellent all weekend long pouring in 26.5 points per game. Joshua Renfro Joshua Renfro 6'2" | SG Christian Academy | 2025 State IN (Christian Academy 2025) and Fletcher Cole Fletcher Cole 6'0" | PG Paoli | 2025 State IN (Paoli H.S. 2025) added 15.0 and 14.5 points per game respectively. This is a really talented group of southern Indiana prospects.
- Carter Kent Carter Kent 6'0" | PG Jennings County | 2025 State IN (Jennings County H.S. 2025) and Tyler Raasch Tyler Raasch 6'8" | C NorthWood | 2025 State IN (NorthWood H.S. 2025) led the way for Indiana Elite Team Indiana 2025 at the Adidas Gold Circuit. Kent averaged a team-leading 14.3 points per game while Raasch added 9.5 per game. The team went 4-0 on the weekend.
- It took place in Orlando and not Indianapolis, but Session I of the EYBL took place over the weekend as well. The 17u Indy Heat group went 1-3, but all the three losses were by eight, one, and three points. Jermaine Coleman Jermaine Coleman 6'7" | SF Park Tudor | 2023 State IN (Park Tudor 2023) shot the ball well on Sunday and Ashton Williamson Ashton Williamson 6'2" | PG Gary 21st Century | 2023 State #287 Nation IN (Gary 21st Century 2023) picked up his first two Division I offers after the weekend. At the 16u level, Indy Heat went 2-2 with reports of strong performances by Ajani Washington Ajani Washington 6'2" | SG New Haven | 2024 State IN (Fort Wayne Concordia H.S. 2024) and Lyna Brooks Lyna Brooks 6'3" | CG Saginaw Arthur Hill | 2024 State MI (Franklin Central H.S. 2024).