(2018) G/F Damezi Anderson to Detroit Mercy

[Stuhoo]

11 minutes ago, AKHoosier said:

Maybe good news coming, as it looks like Damezi will likely decide soon, probably by July/August.

http://www.southbendtribune.com/sports/high_school/basketball/riley-s-anderson-looks-to-round-out-hoops-game/article_3fbb91af-7e28-525b-86a0-c50472d9e44b.html

Anderson received his first college scholarship offer – from Purdue – last year. Offers from Connecticut, DePaul and Michigan followed.

Last month, while on a visit to Bloomington, Anderson received a scholarship offer from new Indiana coach Archie Miller. That one stayed with him a little longer.

“They first liked me when Tom Crean was there,” Anderson said. “But Archie Miller sees something in me and that’s pretty cool.”

 

Or, we quite soon could lose Damezi to Purdoodoo or ND, causing a mini-meltdown of the board! :)

Would be nice if he was the first good news; he'd be an excellent get for the program.

 

[HoosierAloha]

I would take a commitment from Anderson in July or August. A good tough nosed, versatile recruit from the state.

[VO5]

Hopefully we get him, but don't have a great feeling about it. Purdue and Notre Dame have both been on him longer. Tough to get a read on his recruitment.

[GnarlyNormEllenberger]

51 minutes ago, VO5 said:

Hopefully we get him, but don't have a great feeling about it. Purdue and Notre Dame have both been on him longer. Tough to get a read on his recruitment.

I actually think we can land him if we really put forth the effort. Purdue has thrown the kitchen sink at him, but still didn't receive a commitment. I would think that if long-term relationships were THAT big of a factor for him, he would already be a Boilermaker. But he's not because he wanted to see what else was out there. So he ended up getting an IU offer (plus UConn, DePaul, etc.) And he seemed pretty pleased about getting an offer from us. That at least tells me we're in the thick of things.

I like what I have seen from him. Definitely a shooter-type. Kinda reminds me a bit of Trevon Blueitt or Robert Vaden... from the little that I have seen.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

From the South Bend Tribune:

Fun times with family and friends beckoned Riley High School basketball standout Damezi Anderson.

Fielding an early-afternoon phone call Tuesday to talk a little basketball, Anderson figured he’d be headed outside soon for a get-together with those closest to him. A barbecue was on tap for later in the evening and then, of course, some fireworks to end the night.

But while staying cool in a pool and celebrating Independence Day was on the minds of many, Anderson already was thinking ahead. Way ahead.

To the season’s first official practice with new Wildcats coach Eric Brand. To his final year of high school. To elevating his game to places he believes it still can reach.

Forget lighting off stuff that blows up. Anderson wants to do everything he can now so his game can do the same later.

“I want to have some fun on the Fourth of July, but I also wanted to make sure I put in a little work,” he said. “I wanted to go out and put up some shots.”

Seldom has a summer’s day passed without Anderson doing something basketball-related. He’s usually at the center of a group text with his Riley teammates.

Who wants to get up some shots? Who wants to run pickup? Work out?

Doesn’t matter that the Riley gym is unavailable while the floor is being refurbished. There’s always the upstairs gym to get a good sweat going. Or a court down the block.

“We’re all thinking about ball,” said Anderson, who will enter his senior year 76 points shy of becoming the school’s all-time leading scorer.

There was a time not too long ago that Anderson wasn’t so serious about the game. Back in middle school, he played it only because he was one of the tallest kids in his middle school. It often came easily for him, but he was so raw that he really didn’t know what he had.

Everything about that changed prior to his freshman year at Riley. Anderson realized that if he got serious about the game, his life might one day also change.

“That’s when I thought, ‘Man, if I put in the work, I can be a big-time player,’” he said. “I started to take it more seriously.”

The present

This is a serious time for Anderson. July is an important month for college basketball coaches and their staffs.

It’s THE month for recruiting, which kicks into high gear July 12 with the first of three, four-day evaluation periods (July 12-16, 19-23, 26-30) where coaches get front-row seats to watch prospects participate in AAU events from California to Georgia and all points in between.

Anderson, who plays for the Mean Streets AAU team out of Chicago, will start the month at the Peach Jam in North Augusta, Ga.

The Northern Indiana Conference most valuable player and honorable mention all-state after averaging 24 points a game during a junior season that saw Riley finish 19-3, Anderson is considered a four-star prospect by both rivals.com and scout.com.

Rivals has Anderson pegged as the No. 103 prospect nationally; Scout has him at No. 82. Both those rankings, and his overall star level, could go up another notch with solid showings this month.

ESPN.com does not have Anderson listed in its rankings database.

“He’s a very even-keeled and humble kid,” said Brand. “He wants to work hard and have success for himself and his teammates.”

Anderson received his first college scholarship offer – from Purdue – last year. Offers from Connecticut, DePaul and Michigan followed.

Last month, while on a visit to Bloomington, Anderson received a scholarship offer from new Indiana coach Archie Miller. That one stayed with him a little longer.

“They first liked me when Tom Crean was there,” Anderson said. “But Archie Miller sees something in me and that’s pretty cool.”

That’s as deep as Anderson’s college wish list runs. He’d like to play well enough along the AAU circuit to catch the eyes of other schools.

He insists there isn’t a “dream offer” that he’d like to add to his wish list, though he wouldn’t mind if Kentucky coach John Calipari would wander down and watch Anderson and his Mean Streets teammates a little closely.

Not that Anderson would notice. This past winter, the likes of Purdue’s Matt Painter and Notre Dame’s Mike Brey made their way to South Bend’s south side to watch the 6-foot-7, 205-pound Anderson do work.

Anderson remained focused more on the floor and less on the stands, something he insists he’ll try to carry over in July.

“I usually just zone all those coaches out and pretend they’re not even there to still play my game,” he said. “Shoot, it’s kind of tough, but you have to figure out a way to do it and tell yourself they’re not there.”

The future

Anderson has a laundry list of areas where he wants to improve before his senior season. Like becoming a better defender and rebounder. Be more aggressive driving it to the basket and not settling for spot-up jumpers. Playing harder on both ends. Becoming a better teammate.

Everything.

“We talk every day about being a leader, about how if you’re the best player on the team, you have to lead by example,” Brand said. “Damezi gets it. He really gets it. He’s very receptive.

“He wants to be good.”

Anderson would like to have a college decision sooner than later. He could have one as soon as the July evaluation ends. The latest he might have one is by the start of his senior year at Riley. His first day back at school is Aug. 16.

Anderson already worked through a recruiting decision of sorts in the spring. Following his junior year, Anderson was recruited by LaLumiere School, a prep school in nearby LaPorte.

There was strong interest on both sides. Anderson is considered one of the state’s top talents. Playing at LaLumiere, which won a national championship last season, would allow Anderson to evaluate his game by playing a rigorous national schedule of prep powerhouses.

Anderson was tempted to test himself against the best.

Then he thought of his basketball brothers – and Brand – back at Riley.

There will be a day when he’ll have no choice but to leave Riley. But not yet. Not now.

“Coach Brand is a great guy; he knows the game,” Anderson said. “And I’ve been at Riley for three years with my brothers.

“I just couldn’t leave them like that.”

[goonaha]

Not really new news but Anderson is still planning on deciding after July. IU, Purdue, Michigan, UConn, Depaul. 

[schoosier]

I would love to see him being the first IN recruit who Arch gets. I think he would get the ball rolling with others soon following. We're after a lot of great players and there won't be schollies for all of them. 

[VO5]

Damezi just committed! What is happening?!

[Hoosierfan2017]

Is it too late to redo our tournament and make Archie the greatest Hoosier of all time??

[taco corp]

Normally i attend South Bend Washington games, since i have a family member that works there. Looks like i will have to make it to a few more Riley games instead.

Congrats Damezi!


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[HoosierAloha]

Welcome aboard Damezi!

[ALASKA HOOSIER]

Damezi! Welcome to the mecca of college basketball.

[WayneFleekHoosier]

What in the actual FFFF is going on????


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[WayneFleekHoosier]

I'm a big fan of this kid. 2 great top 100 6'7" shooters added in 1 freaking day.


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[ebridges24]

Dang, whatever Arch is sellin' they're buyin'

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[bhaggard89]

Certainly not taking Henry now, right? I don't see three SF being the entire class


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[Hoosierfan2017]

2 minutes ago, bhaggard89 said:

Certainly not taking Henry now, right? I don't see three SF being the entire class


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I feel kinda bad for the kid. He seemed really excited about the offer. 

[Crimson and Cream]

I'm so confused and yet happy at the same time

[BtownBanner6]

I preferred Henry but Anderson isn't a bad option.


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[HoosierAloha]

Was the Henry offer to force one of these two to commit?