2022 AAU Season

[HoosierHoops1 5,024]

21 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

Raby - A college coach just made an interesting comparison for Xavier Booker:  Lamar Odom at the same stage in high school. Long, lanky, skilled, left-handed, moves very well in the open court, has skills facing the basket.

Maybe he'll commit to Archie at Rhode Island and further the comparison.

[Demo 17,433]

 

[Demo 17,433]

Been wondering if Newton is legitimately 6’4”. Been up close to Cupps and he is legit 6’2”, so it looks like he is.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,082]

Jamie Shaw on yesterday's EYBL

2023 PF Arrinten Page

On3 Consensus Ranking: Unranked
The Skill Factory (GA) 17U

Arrinten Page immediately caught my eye when I saw him last weekend at the Team USA junior national minicamp (where he was one of my standouts). Today the 6-foot-9, 225 pounds forward of The Skill Factory caught my eye once again. You can tell the big man is just starting to scratch the surface. He’s physically college-ready, has good hands, can catch and finish lobs, and has a nice touch around the rim. In the game I watched, Page finished with 17 points (7-11 FG) and seven rebounds.

Page is one of those dudes that’s criminally underrated, and many college coaches will regret not offering him. Within the last week, Indiana, Alabama, and Georgia have offered him (his first high-major offers).

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,082]

G3 All-Indy vs. 3D Empire.  Xavier Booker, Garwey Dual, Sheridan Sharp, David Meriwether, etc.  Matt Painter, Tom Izzo, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Notre Dame, Illinois State, IUPUI, Southern Indiana and more here.

Xavier Booker with 22 points to lead G3 over 3D Empire

[WayneFleekHoosier 46,807]

8 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

G3 All-Indy vs. 3D Empire.  Xavier Booker, Garwey Dual, Sheridan Sharp, David Meriwether, etc.  Matt Painter, Tom Izzo, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Notre Dame, Illinois State, IUPUI, Southern Indiana and more here.

Xavier Booker with 22 points to lead G3 over 3D Empire

Interesting Booker is excelling statistically in AAU better than HS season.  Couple of possible takeaways.  He likes the higher speed play?  He’s likely getting matchups more similar to his size. Coach is getting him the ball more? Idk, but it’s interesting and his stock appears likely to skyrocket.  

[BtownStrength 994]

14 hours ago, Demo said:

Saw that. Maybe some physically, but someone looking at Booker and comping him to a facilitating point forward with elite handles and vision who could create his own shot as well requires….imagination. But, hey, we see what we see. 

Yep, I said something similar on tos. Lamar was a top 5 player, maybe best in his class that could do eveything at a top level. Doubt Booker gets to that point, but he does has a unique skill set. 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,082]

Indiana Basketball Source:  

Indiana commitment Jakai Newton played well to kick off Saturday. Newton is a killer in the mid-range with his height, length, and muscle. That was displayed against DC Premier as he made contested shots all game. He also had a backboard shaking dunk on a fast break.  His three-point shooting is not a strength right now, but his form indicates that it could be in the future.

Kokomo’s Flory Bidunga is a hot name this weekend. After a remarkable sophomore season, Bidunga is carrying it over to 16U play. With his ability to pop off the floor, Bidunga is a man amongst boys at the 16U level. In addition, he is an elite rim finisher and rim protector, which has been shown all weekend. 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,082]

2025 6’8 F Caleb Wilson from @AE5Basketball is super intriguing! Has a nice looking shot that he can knockdown from deep, he’s good around the rim and has a nice touch and he can put it on the floor and make plays!

Travis Graf on Flory Bidunga -   Bidunga might seriously be America’s best kept secret. The 2024 forward, who plays high school basketball in Kokomo, Ind., was one of the most dominant players in the building on Saturday. Bidunga is extremely light on his feet and is explosive when leaving the floor. His finishing ability within five feet was the most advanced of any big man on display on Saturday, as he finished with both hands and showed off some big time dunks and hook shots with both hands. Defensively, he blocks everything coming his way.  The crazy part? Bidunga doesn’t have a single offer. Don’t worry, though. They’ll certainly start to roll in after this weekend. Look for him to hit the Rivals150 in the next rankings update.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,082]

Not much but it's all I've got after the first weekend.  Unfortunately again this  year, the  only detailed box scores being posted are those in the 17U EYBL league.  Everything else is just catch what I can from a multitude of sources.   USPS indicated Carr wasn't expected to play because of an injury and it looks like he tried but he only played 18 min. in the Friday game and 5 min. in his Saturday morning game.

Coen Carr '23 (PF) - Georgia Stars										Has IU Offer
Date	W/L	Pts.	FGM	FGA	FTM	FTA	3PM	3PA	Reb	Assts.	TO's	Stls.	Blks.	Min.
4/08	W	7	3	5	1	2	0	0	2	0	0	0	1	18
4/09	W	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5
4/09	L				DID	NOT	PLAY
4/10	L				DID	NOT	PLAY
# Gms / Avg	2	3.5	60%		50%		#DIV/0!		1	0	0	0	1	12
HS 21-22	17	14.1	53%		72%		26%		5.3	0.5	1.7	0.6	1.8
AAU '21	7	7.4	43%		55%		22%		5.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	0	27
HS '20-'21	16	11.9	52%		56%		18%		5.6	0.8	1.0	1.7	0.4
Kwame Evans Jr. '23 (SF) - Team Durant										Has IU Offer
Date	W/L	Pts.	FGM	FGA	FTM	FTA	3PM	3PA	Reb	Assts.	TO's	Stls.	Blks.	Min.
4/08	L	7	3	10	1	4	0	2	10	1	6	2	0	21
4/09					DID	NOT	PLAY
4/09	L	0	0	2	0	0	0	2	0	0	1	0	0	3
4/10	W	14	6	6	2	2	0	0	9	2	2	1	1	22
# Gms / Avg	3	7.0	50%		50%		0%		6	1	3	1	0	15
HS 21-22	19	6.1							3.9	0.9	0.4	0.6	0.4
AAU '21	6	11.8	51%		69%		40%		4.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	22
HS '20-'21		NO	SEASON
HS '19-'20	n..a.	9.1							4.8	3.1			2.0
Liam McNeeley'24 (PF) - Drive Nation  16U										Has IU Offer
Date	W/L	Pts.	FGM	FGA	FTM	FTA	3PM	3PA	Reb	Assts.	TO's	Stls.	Blks.	Min
4/08
4/09	L	32	12	14					5	4
4/09	L	17							10	4		4	3
# Gms / Avg	2	24.5	86%		#DIV/0!		#DIV/0!		8	4	#DIV/0!	4	3	#DIV/0!
HS 21-22	38	17.0							9.0	5.0		2.0	2.0
FIBA '21	6	5.7	48%		77%		33%		5.0	2.0	1.4	2.0	0.7	14
HS 20-21	N.A.
Arrentin Page - '23 (PF)  - TSF										Has IU Offer
Date	W/L	Pts.	FGM	FGA	FTM	FTA	3PM	3PA	Reb	Assts.	TO's	Stls.	Blks.	Min.
4/08	W	6	3	6	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	29
4/09	W	17	7	11	3	5	0	2	7	0	2	0	0	25
4/09	W	14	6	9	2	3	0	2	3	0	0	0	0	22
4/10	L	15	5	8	5	6	0	1	8	0	1	0	1	25
# Gms / Avg	4	13.0	62%		71%		0%		6	0	1	0	0	25
HS 21-22	N.A.
AAU '21	N.A.
HS 20-21	N.A.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,082]

Stats for Liam McNeeley's final game of the weekend:   24 pts on 10-15 FG; 3-7 on 3s; 1-2 FT; 13 reb; 6 asst; 0 stl; 1 blk; 2 TO.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,082]

Discovered a few of the EYBL 16U teams did post box scores and Indy Heat was one that posted 3 of its 4 games.

Jalen Haralson '25 - Indy Heat     16U										Has IU Offer
Date	W/L	Pts.	FGM	FGA	FTM	FTA	3PM	3PA	Reb	Assts.	TO's	Stls.	Blks.	Min.
4/08	L	4	1	1	2	2	0	0	2	1	0	0	0	19
4/09	W	11	4	6	3	4	0	0	3	0	2	1	0	17
4/09	L	4	2	3	0	0	0	0	1	2	0	0	0	15
4/10	W			NO	STATS
# Gms / Avg	3	6.3	70%		83%		#DIV/0!		2	1	1	0	0	17
HS 21-22	21	16	54%		67%		33%		4.6	1.3	2.5	0.9	0.1
AAU '21	N.A.
HS '20-'21	N.A.
Trent Sisley '25 - Indy Heat       16U										Has IU Offer
Date	W/L	Pts.	FGM	FGA	FTM	FTA	3PM	3PA	Reb	Assts.	TO's	Stls.	Blks.	Min
4/08	L	2	0	0	2	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	16
4/09	W	9	3	4	2	4	1	1	5	0	1	0	0	21
4/09	L	14	4	6	5	7	1	3	2	0	2	1	1	17
4/10	W			NO	STATS
# Gms / Avg	3	8.3	70%		69%		50%		2	0	1	0	0	18
HS 21-22	24	19.9	57%		76%		40%		9.2	1.6	3.8	1.1	1.3
AAU '21	7	12.7	42%		51%		20%		7	1	2	0	0
HS 20-21	N.A.

[Demo 17,433]

 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,082]

In the final game of his Adidas event, Paul McNeil scored 28 pts.  His 4-game average for the weekend was 23.3.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,082]

Jakai Newton @jakai_newton

I appreciate all the fans that came to support me this weekend . Can’t wait to be back up there !

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,082]

Good synopsis of the past weekend with links to other commentators thoughts.   Also couple of new possible targets mentioned included Flory Bidunga and Jonathan Powell who have been previously discussed on btb.   Other new names include 6-foot-7 2023 Asa Thomas who plays AAU for the Illinois Wolves on the UAA circuit.  Also 6'8" 2024 F Ace Bailey who will be a top prospect nationally in 2024 with explosiveness, fluidity, and skill at 6’8”.

Trent Markwith (Relentless Hoops) tweeted around noon today that Bailey had been extended an IU offer; however, none of the usual IU sources have made similar tweets.

Full story at:  https://www.thedailyhoosier.com/recruiting-roundup-iu-basketball-news-and-notes-from-the-first-live-period/?fbclid=IwAR2-AWsPilUnDCr0MRrmNXoeDJ1QM4SqJufUmYis3ajav_ombQXtGVBSKzg

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,082]

Jamie Shaw on ‘24 6-9 C Flory Bidunga, Indiana Elite 16s

Even at UAA, all we heard about on Saturday night was Flory Bidunga’s performance at Adidas. The Kokomo (IN) High big man finished with 34 points for the game and a load of buzz. Bidunga is a native of The Congo and just came over to the United States less than nine months ago. His activity level is what sticks out the most. Bidunga chases the ball on the boards, and when he secures the rebound, he puts his head down and charges directly to the basket. He is a good athlete, he attempts to dunk it when close to the rim, and he has a soft touch over his right shoulder. Purdue head coach Matt Painter was courtside watching. He is very raw and still has a ways to go when processing the game, but you cannot ignore the frame and production. 

Status: No offers coming into the weekend

Jamie Shaw on 24 6-4 SG Jonathan Powell, Wildcats Select 16s

Jonathan Powell exploded for 45 points in the game we watched. It was an array of three-points, mid-range pull-ups, and finishes at the rim. The Centerville (OH) High shooting guard has a good frame and played comfortably on the ball in the half-court. His ability to get to his spots off the bounce and his confidence made the 45 points look effortless. In a game where most coaches were courtside to watch another player, Powell clearly took the Adidas spotlight and shined it brightly. 

Status: Illinois offered on the spot, his first offer.

 

[Uspshoosier 44,248]

 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,082]

Eric Bossi - – On the final day of the Adidas 3SSB stop just outside of Indianapolis, we saved one of the best performances for last as top 20 sophomore Paul McNeil showed why he’s so highly regarded.

Currently ranked No. 16 overall by 247Sports in the class of 2024, McNeil more than backed up his lofty status. Where to start with what makes him so good? He’s got 6-foot-6 size, he plays with great pace, he is being coached by longtime NBA player David West, he can really pass and most of all he is an elite shooter from deep. Each and every time McNeil pulls up from deep, you get the feeling that the ball is going in.

McNeil isn’t a crazy athlete, but he moves well, has good agility and can play under control and fast at the same time. His maturity on the floor is well beyond his years. NC State head coach Kevin Keatts was locked in until the end and the Pack have offered. McNeil also listed offers from Clemson, Indiana and Tennessee among others and has been on the campuses of Clemson, NC State, North Carolina and Wake Forest.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 81,082]

Max Feldman of MadeHoops

Came away highly impressed by the development of Jacob Theodosiou's approach from FIBA U16 action to now. At 6-4 hailing from Canada, the 2024 guard showed assertiveness and polish initiating offense in the PnR. High level decision making and refined live dribble playmaking with strong instincts and the ability to fire the pass in small windows to his bigs and cutters. The lead guard has a mature feel for attacking angles and creating advantages in non traditional manners. Theodosiou is a high level processor handling the ball while the shooting prowess remains a cornerstone of his skillset. The Canadian guard is a strong communicator, a palpable leader on the floor and the table-setter for Wildcat Select. Theodosiou has rare traits given his age and Villanova among others have taken early notice.

I was eager to get eyes on the highly touted 2024 wing, Paul McNeil, and he didn't disappoint. The North Carolina native took time to settle in, but it didn't take too long to notice the full-fledged firepower scoring at each level. A smooth, fluid shot creator with juice off the dribble and a quick riser to find his pull-up. A wiry, slinky mover at 6-6 with rapid decision-making, a quick trigger, spatial awareness and extraordinary flexibility as an athlete. McNeil got to his stutter rip consistently off the catch and never struggled to get to his spots or get his shot off. Willing to project the Garner Road guard as a high level shooter long-term given his mechanics, versatile shot profile and feathery touch at surrounding levels. Outside of the natural shot creating reputation I came in expecting, I left more bullish on McNeil than expected due to his playmaking and low usage offensive impact. I expect the potent shot creator to continue to rise up rankings based on the indicators from this past weekend.

 Bryson Tiller was the youngest prospect on the floor in each outing. The 6-8, 2025 forward played up with the 16U Atlanta Xpress group and was impactful on both ends. A fluid, well-built and at times, violent athlete who cleaned the glass and put pressure on the rim as a dive man and slasher. In terms of the upside discussion, Tiller flashed intriguing indicators controlling and handling in the pick and roll. The Pace Academy standout is a name to monitor atop the 2025 cycle that's already garnering buzz. Auburn, Xavier and Indiana have already offered.