(2019) SF Keion Brooks Jr. to Kentucky

[Uspshoosier]

I notice Brooks has slipped in both Rivals and 247 rankings.  Maybe the other big boys will back off a bit

Izzo will be there until the end. In my opinion this is only a 2 horse race regardless of who else jumps in


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[hoosierpap]

28 minutes ago, Uspshoosier said:

Izzo will be there until the end. In my opinion this is only a 2 horse race regardless of who else jumps in


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Agreed, unless dominoes start falling before he makes his decision. But as I see it now, I'm with you. 

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

Nothing really new.

From Drew Davis at IndianaSportsCoverage.com

Keion Brooks Jr. Recruiting Update

Fort Wayne Northside and Spiece Indy Heat forward Keion Brooks Jr. has continued to turn the heads of college coaches across the country this summer. This season on the EYBL Brooks averaged 18.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, and 1.8 APG. Keion is ranked in the top 20 of the 2019 recruiting class by multiple recruiting outlets.

Last season as a sophomore Brooks led Fort Wayne North Side to an appearance in the state finals. When asked how much the loss in the state title game motivates him, Brooks had this to say, “To be honest it fuels me every day. I don’t think there has been a day after that game where I haven’t thought about what I could have done better, or what I could have done to help my team win. That’s a big reason for how hard I work because we were right there knocking on the door, 3 points away from being a champion, and we came up short. Since that day, it’s been my goal to get back there and win it.” Brooks also mentioned that he believes this year’s North Side team will have a great chance to accomplish that, if they just do the little things right throughout the season.

Since I had the chance to watch Brooks play several times over the summer, I could really see the strides he has made with his game. When asked what he has improved on since the beginning of the summer Keion replied, “I feel like I’ve got a lot better with the ball in my hands as far as being a ball handler and being able to come off ball screens which has allowed me to create my own shot off the dribble. I feel like I have become a better defender, and it has helped me guard smaller and quicker guards. Also, my basketball IQ is growing so I’m able to slow the game down more.”

A few weeks ago, I watched Keion play in the Peach Invitational, and Keion really had everything working well for him on that particular day. One thing that caught my eye during that game was Keion’s midrange game. When asked how big of a staple the midrange game is for him, Brooks said, “It’s a very big part of my game. I’ve always felt like the midrange is kind of dying and going away, but some people still make their living there, and I feel like I’m one of those guys who can tear you apart from midrange.”

Brooks said that just about every school he has talked to has shown a lot of interest in him, but the schools that keep in contact with him the most are Indiana, Michigan State, UCLA, and Purdue.

Michigan State and Tom Izzo have been recruiting Brooks for a very long time. When asked what their pitch is to him Keion responded, “Their pitch right now is I can come there and they will build around me, and I can be the man right away. They’re going to recruit guys that will help me get to where I want to be and help me succeed at the next level. Also, they tell me that Michigan is not too far from home, and their pitch has always been they were the first to recruit me, first to show some loyalty, and the first to see the promise in me as a basketball player.”

Earlier this spring when I first talked to Keion at the EYBL event in Westfield, Archie Miller and Indiana was just getting started in his recruitment. Keion had this to say about what Archie has been telling him, “Archie was kind of later than some other coaches, but he has been working hard to catch up. We talk a lot and his pitch is you’re an Indiana kid, why would you want to go somewhere else when you can do it at Indiana. Also, Indiana has a great fan base and if you go to Indiana and you’re successful, then the fans in the state of Indiana will love you forever.”

Keion’s relationship with Archie has grown a lot this summer, and when asked what appeals to him about coach Miller Keion said, “The thing with Archie Miller and his staff is they’re recruiting my family as well, and not just recruiting me as a basketball player. I can really tell with Archie Miller that it’s genuine, and everything isn’t always about basketball. You know sometimes we just have normal conversations where basketball isn’t brought up, and that’s the thing I really like about IU.”

Brooks also mentioned that this fall he would like to visit the schools interested in him that are a reasonable distance from Fort Wayne.

Early on Michigan State appeared to be way out front for Brooks, but during the spring and summer I believe Archie Miller made up enough ground to have Indiana in a good position in this recruitment. I’m not saying Brooks will go to Indiana, but things are certainly looking much better for the Hoosiers than they did at the beginning of the spring.

 

[Bowhunter]

I didn't realize MSU was that far out in front. He definitely has some good things to say about us too. The part about MSU telling him they were the first to recruit him, first to show loyalty.. cracks me up. Sounds almost like they are tyring to guilt trip him from feeling pressure that we are catching up in this recruitment.

 

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[MoyeNeeded]

I didn't realize MSU was that far out in front. He definitely has some good things to say about us too. The part about MSU telling him they were the first to recruit him, first to show loyalty.. cracks me up. Sounds almost like they are tyring to guilt trip him from feeling pressure that we are catching up in this recruitment.
 
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I don't really believe that MSU is that far out in front! Good relationship between the family and this coaching staff will win out ultimately if we show the improvement on the floor.

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[AKHoosier]

Ed Schilling is out in Ft. Wayne again to watch him today.

I can't help but feel like we're the leader for him.

[Dalton26]

Ed Schilling is out in Ft. Wayne again to watch him today.
I can't help but feel like we're the leader for him.

I'll be stunned if he goes anywhere else at this point.

[Hoosier Guy]

Brooks would be a really good get. That 2019 class is loaded. Him, Watford, Hurt and Wiseman. Go reel them in Archie!

[Brass Cannon]

9 hours ago, Hoosier Guy said:

Brooks would be a really good get. That 2019 class is loaded. Him, Watford, Hurt and Wiseman. Go reel them in Archie!

Lots of talent there, for balance I would prefer to get 2 one and dones and 2 multi year players.  Maybe Davis instead of Hurt or Wiseman  

[WayneFleekHoosier]

Take this with a grain of salt but i talked to a NS student today. Asked him if he knew IU was recruiting Brooks, he said "yeah, but they won't get him. He'll go to Michigan State". I said why, he's not an Indiana fan. He said not like MSU.

Like I say, take this with a grain of salt as this student knows Brooks and is at the games but is not a friend with serious inside scoop.

Izzo at the games seems to had made a strong early impression. I think IU and Schilling can make an impact more than this students thinks but FWIW, I thought I'd share.


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[mdn82]

Take this with a grain of salt but i talked to a NS student today. Asked him if he knew IU was recruiting Brooks, he said "yeah, but they won't get him. He'll go to Michigan State". I said why, he's not an Indiana fan. He said not like MSU.

Like I say, take this with a grain of salt as this student knows Brooks and is at the games but is not a friend with serious inside scoop.

Izzo at the games seems to had made a strong early impression. I think IU and Schilling can make an impact more than this students thinks but FWIW, I thought I'd share.


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Yep, that is why most felt Izzo all the way early on. I am guessing most students that go to school with him will feel differently now that they are back to school.


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[VO5]

1 hour ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Take this with a grain of salt but i talked to a NS student today. Asked him if he knew IU was recruiting Brooks, he said "yeah, but they won't get him. He'll go to Michigan State". I said why, he's not an Indiana fan. He said not like MSU.

Like I say, take this with a grain of salt as this student knows Brooks and is at the games but is not a friend with serious inside scoop.

Izzo at the games seems to had made a strong early impression. I think IU and Schilling can make an impact more than this students thinks but FWIW, I thought I'd share.


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Yeah, I've thought this recruitment would be difficult from the start. Izzo has had a full 2 year head start on recruiting Brooks. I wouldn't be so worried if it was anyone in the BIG but him.

it doesn't help that he's about to watch MSU win the BIG and have a great year while we most likely just make the tourney.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

3 minutes ago, VO5 said:

Yeah, I've thought this recruitment would be difficult from the start. Izzo has had a full 2 year head start on recruiting Brooks. I wouldn't be so worried if it was anyone in the BIG but him.

it doesn't help that he's about to watch MSU win the BIG and have a great year while we most likely just make the tourney.

Certainly difficult but we do have Ed Schilling's relationship with Sr. which hopefully can impact Jr.  And, if we can fill out our '18 class with some star power and have a reasonably good season, you just never know.  If FCTC were still coaching, there would be no debate that Izzo would get him but at least for now there is a new vitality about IU basketball and if we can keep the momentum rolling............! 

[hoosierpap]

Yeah he's got old info. Things have changed. MSU still there but IU isnt behind anyone - I know that.

[mdn82]

Certainly difficult but we do have Ed Schilling's relationship with Sr. which hopefully can impact Jr.  And, if we can fill out our '18 class with some star power and have a reasonably good season, you just never know.  If FCTC were still coaching, there would be no debate that Izzo would get him but at least for now there is a new vitality about IU basketball and if we can keep the momentum rolling............! 

Plus the strength of Brooks to Izzo toned down a bunch over the last 6-8 weeks. There is more of a feeling he of any of the 5* we are after is coming to IU. Most people around Fort Wayne feel IU. 2-3 months ago? Yeah MSU all day. I feel good about this one.


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[mdn82]

Yeah he's got old info. Things have changed. MSU still there but IU isnt behind anyone - I know that.

Beat me to it. I haven't heard one person around Fort Wayne say MSU that is around this kid or who has talked to him in the summer. IU isn't trailing.


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[VO5]

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

Certainly difficult but we do have Ed Schilling's relationship with Sr. which hopefully can impact Jr.  And, if we can fill out our '18 class with some star power and have a reasonably good season, you just never know.  If FCTC were still coaching, there would be no debate that Izzo would get him but at least for now there is a new vitality about IU basketball and if we can keep the momentum rolling............! 

I like your take much better than mine :)

[323SGrant]

20 minutes ago, hoosierpap said:

Yeah he's got old info. Things have changed. MSU still there but IU isnt behind anyone - I know that.

Good!!

[Hoosier Guy]

Yeah that student definitely doesn't know what's up. IU has completely taken over since Archie started recruiting Brooks

[Stuhoo]

Yeah that student definitely doesn't know what's up. IU has completely taken over since Archie started recruiting Brooks

Well now, let's not get all cocky about it.