Another Wave of Recruiting News — Offers Continue to Stack Up

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off a big weekend that included action at the Midwest Showcase in Columbia, it came as little surprise that there was even more movement on the recruiting trail. Prospects from across the area continued to see their recruitments gain momentum, collecting offers from programs around the region and throughout the country. I'll get you caught up on the latest recruiting news and take a closer look at what each development means as these players continue to build traction heading into the heart of the summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Teke Deng | 6'11" Forward | Olathe North</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deng was finally able to secure that first Division I offer, with UNLV pulling the trigger. For those who have followed and covered Teke over the past year, the news came as little surprise. Now, the question becomes how many more programs will follow suit over the coming weeks and what his recruitment will look like as he heads into his senior season this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The length, versatility, and overall impact have always been there, but you're now seeing a much more confident and deliberate version of Deng. He's playing with purpose, trusting his abilities, and becoming increasingly comfortable asserting himself on both ends of the floor. That continued growth only adds to what already made him an intriguing prospect and makes him an even more unique recruit moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2334930' first='Brandon' last='Rooks'] | 6'1" Guard | Battle</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rooks may have been one of the biggest winners of the weekend, turning a strong and impressive showing into three new offers. Eastern Illinois, Central Missouri, and Austin Peay all extended opportunities to Brandon, and it's easy to see why.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His ability to score the basketball continues to separate him. Rooks plays with a methodical pace and never seems rushed, allowing him to get to his spots and create quality looks. Whether it's from beyond the arc, in the mid-range, or at the rim, he has proven capable of producing efficiently from all three levels. With the way he performed over the weekend and the momentum he's building, expect his name to continue generating attention throughout the summer with additional opportunities likely on the horizon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2334950' first='Tyran' last='Frazier'] | 6'10" Forward | Principia</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The newest addition to Principia's loaded roster, Tyran took full advantage of his opportunity in Columbia and was nearly impossible to miss on the floor. His versatility continues to stand out, showing the ability to impact the game both inside and out. He was especially effective in transition, where his athleticism was on full display as he finished at high speeds, played above the rim, and consistently made himself available as both a lob target and finishing threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His performance helped generate an offer from Missouri, and it would be surprising if other Power Four programs weren't soon following. The combination of size, athleticism, and versatility makes Tyran one of the more intriguing prospects in the region. More importantly, what he brings to Principia only raises the ceiling of an already loaded roster, making them a legitimate candidate to be one of the top teams in the country this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2607456' first='Titus' last='Moore'] | 6'6" Forward | Logan-Rogersville</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another player who capitalized on a strong weekend was Moore, who came away with multiple new offers. St. Louis, Nebraska, and Iowa all extended opportunities to Titus as the versatile and mobile forward continues to build momentum this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His size and strength have always been among his biggest strengths, but what continues to stand out is the growth in his overall skill set. Moore is becoming increasingly comfortable operating off the bounce and making plays on the perimeter, giving him even more versatility within different offensive actions. Around the basket, he may have some of the best footwork I've seen all year. He plays with patience, balance, and a strong understanding of how to create angles and scoring opportunities in the paint, making him a highly effective interior scorer despite his expanding perimeter game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With his recruitment continuing to gain traction and his game showing noticeable growth, this could be just the beginning of a big summer and fall for one of the area's fastest-rising prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Majok Ater | 6'9" Forward | Principia</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The youngest player on this list, Ater is another Principia prospect who should be firmly on the radar as part of the next wave of area names to know. At a legitimate 6-foot-9, his length, activity level, and overall presence stood out throughout the Midwest Showcase. He was impressive on the offensive glass, consistently creating extra possessions and using his size to make life difficult around the basket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ater projects as a major piece for Principia this winter, and college programs are already getting an early look at the upside he brings to the floor. St. Louis became the latest program to offer early this week, and it would not be surprising if that proves to be the first of many. As he continues to develop physically and refine his game, Ater has all the tools to become one of the more intriguing young prospects in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2564264' first='Mamadou' last='Barry'] | 7'0" Center | Vianney</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similar to Deng, Barry brings the kind of length and mobility that allows him to take over stretches on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he challenges nearly every possession, using his length and activity to disrupt opposing offenses, while also showing signs of taking another step forward offensively this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With his upside continuing to stand out, it makes sense that both Oral Roberts and St. Louis extended early offers this week. It also raises the question of why more programs haven't fully entered the conversation yet. Barry has put together a strong spring and summer to this point, and there's every reason to expect that momentum to continue as he moves forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2377735' first='Kingston' last='Money'] | 6'3" Guard | Principia</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In my opinion, Money is still very underrated and somewhat slept on, even as his recruitment continues to pick up. He recently picked up an offer from Jacksonville, a notable step forward in what could quickly become a much larger wave of interest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, there isn't much he can't do. He showed it throughout the weekend, scoring at all three levels with confidence — knocking down perimeter shots, attacking the rim, and operating effectively in the mid-range. His dynamic offensive game makes him a constant problem for defenders and allows him to play with a level of comfort in different situations. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, he's also bringing impact, where his activity and instincts round out a profile that looks like a true two-way guard. At this point, he looks like a player who could step in and contribute right away at the next level. It feels like only a matter of time before more regional programs begin to extend offers his way, especially with Principia giving him a platform to stay in front of plenty of college coaches in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='2920307' first='Mo' last='Kourouma'] | 6'9" Forward | Chaminade</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kourouma, who will be a key piece for Chaminade this coming winter, has looked noticeably stronger and more physical so far this summer, and he more than held his own over the weekend at the Midwest Showcase against a talented group of forwards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He continues to show his athleticism and versatility, bringing an intriguing and steadily growing two-way presence to the floor. That combination has started to translate into more recruiting attention as well. St. Louis has now joined the mix with an offer, pairing with a Central Michigan offer he received in late May.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, Mo enters a crucial stretch as he wraps up the summer and looks to carry this momentum into the high school season, where he'll have a chance to further establish himself and put his best foot forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->