2024 Luke Bamgboye warranting a high major recruitment

Since arriving in the United States a little over a calendar year ago, there aren’t many players on the coast that have improved more that 2024 forward Luke Bamgboye Luke Bamgboye 6'10" | C AZ Compass Prep | 2024 State #110 Nation AZ . The Mt. Carmel/Team Thrill standout has established himself as one of the best shot blockers in his class nationally and when we caught him in action over the weekend against Team Melo, he doubled down on that notion by recording seven of his nine blocked shots in the first quarter alone. 

It isn’t often that a big from overseas can come over into the U.S. and immediately make an impact. With Bamgboye, there was certainly adjustments to be accounted for with the speed and overall physicality of the game. While his offensive approach took some time, the London native relied on his efforts at the defensive end to build his reputation. Over the course of his sophomore season in the BCL and MIAA, he produced multiple games with 10 or more blocks. He also made an impact with his pursuit of defensive rebounds. 

Playing alongside 2022 point guard Deon Perry Deon Perry 5'8" | PG Mt. Carmel | 2022 State MD (Loyola MD commit) meant for a ton of ball-screen action, which allowed Bamgboye quality in-game reps and asserting himself as a true lob threat both in the half court or in transition. He brings the intangibles that programs need in an anchoring forward such as a relentless motor running the floor, a prideful approach in protecting the rim and a low maintenance, but efficient scoring manner on the offensive end. 

"AAU and high school basketball are a lot different," Bamgboye told Prep Hoops. "The pace is a lot faster in AAU, so it took the first couple of live sessions for me to adjust back to that style, but I think by the second session I got more comfortable and starting showing what I can do. I get more touches on the block during high school, but in AAU I’m expected to make my own buckets. I just have to stay aggressive and that’s what I’ve learned in the early part of spring."

The pace between high school and AAU ball is drastic. At times AAU can be chaotic. For the majority of bigs who do most of their scoring inside, it can be difficult to really get into a comfort level with how and when they get the ball in a half court setting. For Bamgboye, it’ll be something he focuses on going forward.

"I want to keep working on my patience. When I get the ball, just not be in a rush. Sometimes I get rushed and it leads to turnovers, so just learning to be more patience and have more finesse so that I’ll be able to impact the game at both ends more." 

Stanford, Iona, Rutgers and Temple among other programs have been staying in touch the most, but none have yet to pull the trigger on an official offer. Illinois is also a program that could get into the mix sooner rather than later. In my opinion, the impact that Bamgboye brings to the defensive end alone is what is warranting the high major interest. While he still needs to add size to his frame, he’s a prospect with high potential and could develop into a real Clint Capela-like producer at the next level. 

It isn’t often that a transfer big, especially from Europe, can come into a conference such as the Baltimore Catholic League and take home Defensive Player of the Year honors. But that’s what Bamgboye did in a dominant effort from start to finish with the Cougars last winter.

Bamgboye currently ranks as the No. 4 overall prospect in the 2024 MD/DC rankings and has a chance to earn his spot in the top three with a productive summer.