Class of '66 Old Fart

Justin Byerly recruiting analyst for HoopSeen - A guy that will be a household name over the next couple of years is 6’10 forward Xavier Booker with George Hill All-Indy. Long and lean prospect that is developing his timing and footwork. Blocks a lot of shots. Holds offers from LSU, Kansas State and IUPUI. Booker with a 14 point outing for George Hill All-Indy in a win over Da House.

Darnell McCullough @darnellm_ If you as a human, can’t understand why my child would make this decision; I would advise you to go Urgent Care and get checked out....illness sometimes leads to delusions...

“Coach (Dane) Fife, a couple days after he had transferred in (from Michigan State) let me know that he was at IU and he was still going to recruit me and he wants me there,” Washington said. Fife had been leading the charge for Michigan State on Washington before he joined Woodson’s staff. And the IU head man in charge has been in touch with Washington too. “He called me about a week ago and we had a good talk,” Washington said of Woodson. “We’re just getting to know each other. The next time we talk we’re going to get into more basketball and what he thinks about me and my game.” https://www.thedailyhoosier.com/iu-basketball-recruiting-2022-in-state-5-star-jalen-washington-impressed-with-woodsons-resume/?fbclid=IwAR3nuq6VOd2aNqMv66d_E7upKSZsgchOTGoSo7nlk5eVJZcE7zbK6XoRcW4

Season recap. https://www.insidethehall.com/2021/04/26/thats-a-wrap-trayce-jackson-davis-2/?fbclid=IwAR061B04yBsbxrbNgyCmf__moe9TnCNajgwqj1m0f7XXXb6c11xDn9rC0o0

1 min clip of Livingston (#24) from this weekend's AAU event.

Nick Baumgart - An IU beat writer called me "the social media hype machine" last October for suggesting Joey Hart was a H-M prospect who IU should be friendly with. 6 months later, his dad told BaumHoops that in the last week, he's heard from Xavier, Iowa, Northwestern, Penn St, and IU. June 15th is the date college coaches can contact prospects in the 2023 class.

LSU transfer Aundre Hyatt has committed to Rutgers.

Team Durant gets past NJ Shoreshots 60-45 behind 6'4" Rodney Rice with 17pts, 3 treys, 2 asts.

2 min. clip of Xavier Booker's AAU weekend. Not the best quality video.

Trent Markwith of Relentless Hoops: Alex Karaban finished off #MidwestMania with 26 points to help Expressions get a win. It had been over a year since I last saw him live, but he’s as productive as ever & has become more proficient with his 3-point shot. Matchup nightmare. He’ll be a big help at IMG next winter.

It only takes an hour to prove how little I know so I really need to start keeping my mouth shut. From Jamie Shaw at Rivals - Favour Aire, a four-star prospect who is ranked No. 55 in the 2022 Rivals150, is playing travel ball with New World on the 3SSB circuit. He holds more than 10 offers, but there are already a few programs that are standing out above the rest. “I am mostly hearing from Indiana, USC, Maryland, Rutgers and Seton Hall.” IN HIS OWN WORDS USC: “They play a lot with their big men. I mean over the past four years they have put all their big guys in the league. They are a school that focuses greatly on their bigs, that is what really attracts me to the school.” Maryland: “I am from Maryland; I have been to like two or so bigs now. They play through their bigs and let them stretch the floor a little bit. They know how to use their bigs a lot. They had 'Sticks' (Jalen Smith) who went to the league last year.” Seton Hall: “They had a big man who won the Kareem Abdul Jabbar award a couple of years back. I know that when they have a talented big, they know how to use him and play through him.” Indiana: “They have Trayce Jackson-Davis right now, a good big. They know how to use their bigs and have success. I have not talked to the new head coach yet, but the assistant who is recruiting me has been in touch.” Rutgers: “They are a school who has a good big there now, while he stretches the floor a little and isn’t a true big man, they know how to play inside-out. “Michigan is really the only school who has not offered me and is talking to me consistently.” WHAT'S NEXT? “Right now I don’t really have a time frame, but I am looking for a school that is really into development of the bigs. I can hold my own at any level right now, but I know I still have work to do to take me to that next level. I need to go to a place that will get me stronger, that will help me stretch the floor a little, that will get my feet right in the post just help me get to the league and look like a modern big man.”

https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2021/4/25/mens-swimming-and-diving-lanza-secures-olympic-spot-in-200-im.aspx

Bossi from this weekend's Exposure Breakout in Georgia - A top 60 ranked four-star big man, 6-foot-10 Favour Aire of New World was very impressive. The big man is starting to fill out, has great length, protects the rim and is an above average rebounder who goes and grabs balls off the rim at the highest point with two hands. He can really run the floor and is starting to expand his offense well beyond dunks and putbacks. Connecticut, Georgetown, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Seton Hall and Virginia Tech are among those who have already offered. NOTE: No mention of IU, but Archie extended an offer in September 2020. With Archie gone, our interest in Aire may be gone as well.

Bossi from this weekend's Exposure Breakout in Georgia - When I first saw Julian Phillips a little over a year ago, I was impressed by his smooth athleticism and versatility, but I liked him best as a mobile four man. After watching him a few times this weekend, I’ve warmed up to him as a legitimate wing prospect. He’s got good size at 6-foot-7 or so, can really move laterally and his ball skills have come a long way. Long term he should also be a well above average multi-positional defender if he really wants to commit on that end. USC’s late season run made an impression on him and Mike Woodson’s message has impressed him since he took over at Indiana. Alabama, Kansas, Florida State, Ohio State and Wake Forest are among many programs looking to pry him away from home state programs Clemson and South Carolina.

Bossi from this weekend's Exposure Breakout in Georgia - Four-star wing Tyler Nickel of Team Loaded VA is a lot of fun to watch. He’s got toughness, skill and loads of confidence. He hits timely jumpers and isn’t afraid to plow through contact for a conversion at the rim. He’ll decide early in his senior year and mentioned Virginia Tech, NC State, LSU and Iowa among those making an impression.

Bossi from this weekend's Exposure Breakout in Georgia - Back in October when I accepted my current job with 247Sports, one of the first messages that I received was one advocating for 6-foot-7 small forward Tyrell Ward out of traditional power Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha to be higher in the national rankings. I agreed that the lean and springy wing deserved a chance to move up, but I just hadn’t seen him enough to feel good about where to rank him. In January, I saw Ward with his high school team and it was clear to me that he was going to be a big spring riser and that he deserved to be moved higher than his current spot of No. 110. After watching him play with New World twice on Saturday, there is no doubt that he’s going to rise and that Ward has put himself into consideration for elevation into the top 50 nationally. His handle could be tightened up a little and there is still room to improve all around, but the tools, the motor and toughness are all there. Ward can get to the rim, is a threat to hit jumpers and he’s got a lot of versatility on the defensive end because of his agility. He’ll ultimately have his choice of where to play on the next level but mentioned that Georgetown and Maryland are on him hard to stay local while others like Georgia, LSU and Seton Hall are among those chasing hard.

2023 Xavier Booker scored 16 pts for @G3_All_Indy 16U in their win this morning at #GrassrootsShowcase2K21

Not much of anything but it's about all you can get from most of these weekend events. Hopefully, when the shoe company events start we'll get much more info. Team Final with a big win over Bates. The perimeter of Corey Floyd, Otega Oweh and Justice Williams attacks with toughness and are team based players. Note: The Bates team features Emoni Bates but the team itself is far from a powerhouse.

Midwest Hoops Spotlight - Jalen Washington can just be unguardable with his size, mobility & skills. Scores it incredibly well around the basket but has also shot it at a high percentage from the mid-range & 3 tonight.

Arizona State's Marcus Bagley will enter the NCAA transfer portal, his father Marvin Bagley Jr. told ESPN. "Marcus will continue to work out for NBA teams and attempt to improve his draft status. However, he’s entering the NCAA transfer portal to ensure all options are covered."

Saturday recap of Fighting Illini Big Ten Relays. Hoosiers with 4 relay victories. https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2021/4/24/track-and-field-iutf-concludes-time-at-big-ten-relays-with-four-victories.aspx

Rothstein - Louisville transfer Josh Nickelberry has committed to La Salle.

Pretty low on the IU radar but FWIW from Relentless Hoops: I liked the motor that 2022 G Will Lovings-Watts played with in a blowout win today for Indiana Elite. Really long arms that help him on both offense & defense, smooth getting to the basket. He had 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks.

Yes!

In AAU action today, Phillips and Upward Stars lost to Tyler Nickel and Team loaded 51-50. Phillip with 14; Nickel with 16.