(2019) SF Keion Brooks Jr. to Kentucky

[VeevlandBrowns]

Not a big surprise. Some may recall there was an incident last winter where Keion missed a game. Some sense that there wasn’t a meeting of the minds between coach and player/parent.

[mdn82]

Not a big surprise. Some may recall there was an incident last winter where Keion missed a game. Some sense that there wasn’t a meeting of the minds between coach and player/parent.

They have a different coach now.


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[SlamaJamaSisley]

 

 

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

Drew Davis -

#iubb targets Keion Brooks Jr. (@KeionB_12) and Trayce Jackson-Davis (@TrayceJackson) both received invites to the Nike Basketball Academy.

[WayneFleekHoosier]

Local sports take today.

He has no inside scoop but he isn’t happy with the decision and mostly blames dad. He has always had that take. He doesn’t know what Keion can gain by the decision but he ignores that he will get national spotlight games.

He said if he was going to do this he should have announced earlier to respect the new head coach and then they wouldn’t have scheduled North Side vs Southport in that Classic.

Idk, I see it as Brooks trying to increase his name and brand to better his NBA chances.

Not my favorite move as I liked how Romeo handles it, but I don’t hate it either.

I’ll report back as he will talk about it all week I’m guessing. He’s big time local sports and supports them over anything so his opinion is predictable.


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[WayneFleekHoosier]

I’m telling you, the local media isn’t helping themselves in this one.




I personally know 2 of the people making comments in the actual News Sentinel article. Regardless of motive, leave the kid alone.


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[MikeRoberts]

I’m telling you, the local media isn’t helping themselves in this one.




I personally know 2 of the people making comments in the actual News Sentinel article. Regardless of motive, leave the kid alone.


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Parental neglect? Seems like the opposite


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[SlamaJamaSisley]

 

 

[Baltimore Hoosier]

What does this mean for his recruitment? Isn’t IU on Stewart’s radar too although he’s a heavy lean to the ACC? Hopefully Archie stays in the mix...

[WayneFleekHoosier]

What does this mean for his recruitment? Isn’t IU on Stewart’s radar too although he’s a heavy lean to the ACC? Hopefully Archie stays in the mix...

Historically it’s terrible for Indiana and great for Michigan State.

Fortunately with Archie we are able to be different. Time will tell if Archie can get LaLu kids. I’d say it favors MSU and UK slightly but maybe not.

Good Luck Archie wading in these waters.


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[WayneFleekHoosier]

IU has a good relationship with the La Lu staff. Crean is not here anymore. The fact that Stewart has already visited twice shows the La Lu staff has no problem with IU so Brooks going there won’t hurt our chances.

I tend to agree


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[JMett94]

Disappointed. Don't really understand what he has to gain since he is already on track for all the offers he could want and to be a possible McDonald's All-American. I'd rather he transfer to a local parochial school and still compete in the state tournament.

No Redskin Mr. Basketball or State Championship. Probably end up at MSU or Kentucky next.

[Me So Hornsby]

Disappointed. Don't really understand what he has to gain since he is already on track for all the offers he could want and to be a possible McDonald's All-American. I'd rather he transfer to a local parochial school and still compete in the state tournament.
No Redskin Mr. Basketball or State Championship. Probably end up at MSU or Kentucky next.

Better competition on a daily basis, improved coaching and development to get him ready for the next level(s), chance to play more top level players from all over the country during the season, easier transition to college life.

That’s what this is about, it has nothing to do with offers or any of that. KBJ could probably go to any school he wanted if he showed interest. This is about him wanting to get better and prepare for the future more.


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[Brass Cannon]

Well if we get TJD thats 2 straight Mr Basketballs

[ebridges24]

1 hour ago, Brass Cannon said:

Well if we get TJD thats 2 straight Mr Basketballs

And that's the way it should be

[Hoosier Guy]

5 hours ago, Iugradman said:

IU has a good relationship with the La Lu staff. Crean is not here anymore. The fact that Stewart has already visited twice shows the La Lu staff has no problem with IU so Brooks going there won’t hurt our chances.

Just the fact of having Archie gives IU a chance with any recruit

[goonaha]

5 hours ago, WayneFleekHoosier said:

Historically it’s terrible for Indiana and great for Michigan State.

Fortunately with Archie we are able to be different. Time will tell if Archie can get LaLu kids. I’d say it favors MSU and UK slightly but maybe not.

Good Luck Archie wading in these waters.


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Let me tell you, the game is the game. Some might not like to hear it, but it's the truth. 

[fwgreenway]

https://www.wane.com/sports/brooks-jr-to-transfer-from-north-side-to-la-lumiere/1344588131

Interesting interview with wane tv in Fort Wayne.

[Stromboli]

16 minutes ago, VO5 said:

What kids want sometimes isn’t reality. I have no doubt in my mind he wants to play the 2. The question we need to ask is, can he consistently knock down the 3? Can he get by defenders on the perimeter? Is his handle good enough? 

Doing these things in AAU is one thing, but doing it at the college level where defense is head and shoulders above anything he’s seen is another. 

I believe he can get there eventually, but as a freshman I don’t think he will be ready.

 

[This was actually from the Zeke Nnaji thread, but VO5 and others were referring to Keion so I've moved my response here.]

 

I've seen Keion play with his high school team, and in AAU.  I will say, there is a remarkable difference between the two.  Prior to about 6 months ago, Keion was supposed to be a 6'8" forward, which made some sense in Indiana HS ball since he was always the tallest kid on the floor.  Of course that opens him up to everyone commenting how skinny he is, and whether or not he has inside moves.  

In AAU, his team's PG, Isaiah Thompson (Purdue commit) out of Zionsville got injured, leaving the door open for Brooks to play the role of a ball-handler/playmaker.  He excelled.  The team already had TJD and another big, freeing Keion to play more of a wing.  He basically controlled the game, distributed, and took his shots when they were open for him.  Remember he really dominated the April session, and surprised a ton of people.  No one had seen him in that role before.  Within the past few months, he tweeted something that listed him as a PF, and had the laugh emoji and said "I am not a PF."  He's distancing himself from that.

He's not as tall as he looks in pictures.  A bunch of us saw him play opposite Romeo, and if he was taller than Romeo, it was by a centimeter or two.  

So what is he?  I think he'd like to see himself as a Lebron/Simmons type of Point Forward.  Again, he looked great in AAU, far more comfortable and effective than we've seen him before.  I agree that college defenses are much more difficult, but that goes for every player.  I also wonder if Keion's move to LaLu wasn't partially because he didn't want to be his team's big/5 anymore.  Moving to LaLu lets him move out on the perimeter.  Obviously, if he's to play and succeed in the NBA, it won't be as a PF, and so I can't blame him for looking for a situation where he's in a better position.

Last note.  Watch interviews with these kids.  They are kids, mostly wide-eyed and trying to do the right thing.  They are subject to tons of influences, and any decisions they make are mostly reflections of what kind of influences they're receiving. They also get more criticism than any of us have likely received.   Let's go easy on them.  Let's also remember that some connected people are saying IU is leading for Keion, and so let's cheer for his success.  

[Stuhoo]

34 minutes ago, Stromboli said:

 

[This was actually from the Zeke Nnaji thread, but VO5 and others were referring to Keion so I've moved my response here.]

 

I've seen Keion play with his high school team, and in AAU.  I will say, there is a remarkable difference between the two.  Prior to about 6 months ago, Keion was supposed to be a 6'8" forward, which made some sense in Indiana HS ball since he was always the tallest kid on the floor.  Of course that opens him up to everyone commenting how skinny he is, and whether or not he has inside moves.  

In AAU, his team's PG, Isaiah Thompson (Purdue commit) out of Zionsville got injured, leaving the door open for Brooks to play the role of a ball-handler/playmaker.  He excelled.  The team already had TJD and another big, freeing Keion to play more of a wing.  He basically controlled the game, distributed, and took his shots when they were open for him.  Remember he really dominated the April session, and surprised a ton of people.  No one had seen him in that role before.  Within the past few months, he tweeted something that listed him as a PF, and had the laugh emoji and said "I am not a PF."  He's distancing himself from that.

He's not as tall as he looks in pictures.  A bunch of us saw him play opposite Romeo, and if he was taller than Romeo, it was by a centimeter or two.  

So what is he?  I think he'd like to see himself as a Lebron/Simmons type of Point Forward.  Again, he looked great in AAU, far more comfortable and effective than we've seen him before.  I agree that college defenses are much more difficult, but that goes for every player.  I also wonder if Keion's move to LaLu wasn't partially because he didn't want to be his team's big/5 anymore.  Moving to LaLu lets him move out on the perimeter.  Obviously, if he's to play and succeed in the NBA, it won't be as a PF, and so I can't blame him for looking for a situation where he's in a better position.

Last note.  Watch interviews with these kids.  They are kids, mostly wide-eyed and trying to do the right thing.  They are subject to tons of influences, and any decisions they make are mostly reflections of what kind of influences they're receiving. They also get more criticism than any of us have likely received.   Let's go easy on them.  Let's also remember that some connected people are saying IU is leading for Keion, and so let's cheer for his success.  

 

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