Connect with us

BB RECRUITING

Indiana Basketball: Takeaways and notes from second AAU live period

Published

on

024 point guard Curtis Givens (3) stood out over the first live period and landed an offer from Indiana. (@RYZEHoops / Twitter)

The second live evaluation period has come and gone and the storylines continue to build as you would imagine they would. For the Indiana basketball program, the staff was once again out and about watching their huge list of targets.

Indiana Basketball associate head coach Kenya Hunter was in Rock Hill, South Carolina for UAA while fellow associate head coach Yasir Rosemond was in Bryan, Texas for 3SSB. Assistant coach Brian Walsh was in Phoenix, Arizona for EYBL.

HoosierIllustrated.com was in Phoenix and spent most of the weekend watching numerous prospects on the EYBL circuit.

Here are the takeaways and notes from the second weekend.

2024 guard Curtis Givens is about as smooth as they come: The 2024 four-star guard for MoKan Elite is one of the latest players to earn an offer from Indiana and it is very easy to see why the Hoosiers have interest in him. Givens was the first player I watched this past weekend and I was immediately impressed with his style of play, size, and court vision. Givens has an athletic build and also has one of the smoothest, composed styles of play I have seen in a high school prospect. He is also a legit playmaker around the wing both on and off the ball and can also really put up points in a multitude of ways. In four games over the weekend, he averaged 15.5 points.

No new offers at this time from this past weekend: After extending multiple offers after the first live period, Indiana Basketball has yet to extend anymore. In my opinion, it is a little suspiring that Indiana did not extend any more offers after the second live period because the staff has been known hand out many at a time. Instead, it felt as though the staff put the majority of their focus on watching the players they have already offered especially the guys they have already built relationships with. Mike Woodson and staff already have a ton of offers extended in the 2024 and 2025 class so only time will tell who Indiana offers next.

2024 guard Boogie Fland back on Indiana’s radar: Since being offered by the Hoosiers back in June of last year, Fland’s recruitment from Indiana has been sort of a quiet one. Mike Woodson and Kenya Hunter did go watch him in the Hoop Hall Classic back in January of this year, but ever since there has not been much known about the relationship between both Fland and Indiana. During the last game of the Friday session in Phoenix, Indiana assistant coach Brian Walsh was seen watching Fland during PSA Cardinals’ game vs Team Durant where he had 8 points and 4 assists. This is rather significant to see Indiana Basketball is back involved with Fland because the New York native is one of the best guards in the entire country and would make an instant impact on any team he choses. Fland would go onto average 18.3 points in four games this past weekend.

2024 wing Liam McNeeley misses entire weekend: One of the more noteworthy items that came to be on the EYBL circuit during the second live evaluation period was the absence of 2024 five-star wing Liam McNeeley, who has been playing on Florida Rebels 17u. Per sources, it was said that McNeeley missed this weekend due to a sickness he obtained which is why he did not travel to Phoenix. While it was a bummer to not be able to see McNeeley play over the weekend in the last evaluation period for awhile, him missing this weekend should have no impact or decrease in his stock as a player. Yes he may have had a chance to gain more offers but where things stand right now McNeeley he is already well-known as one of the top players in the 2024 class.

2025 forward Caleb Wilson has tons of potential: When it comes to upside and potential out of all of the 2025 targets that are currently on Indiana’s list, Wilson might be at the top. Right off the bat when watching Wilson, his elite athleticism and ball-handling for his size is what will impress you the most. He is a bigger forward that has a real solid jumper, can create his own look, and protect the rim on the defensive end. From my prospective, his motor is still an area that needs improved, but his overall skillset paired with his elite athletic ability is hard to come by in a high school prospect. With him playing for Georgia Stars and being from the state of Georgia, with Indiana’s ties there, the Hoosiers have a really good shot at landing him as of right now. He averaged 11.3 points in four games over the weekend.

Indy Heat 17U continues to be one of the more disappointing teams on EYBL: On paper, Indy Heat 17U is one of the more talented teams on the entire EYBL circuit with 2024 forwards Jesse McCulloch (Michigan State commit) and Kanon Catchings (Purude commit) and elite 2025 prospects and Indiana targets Jalen Haralson and Trent Sisley being a part of that roster. However, through 8 games and two live period weekends, Indy Heat stands at just 1-7 in the standings and are currently on track to not qualify for Peach Jam in July. When watching them play, there is no secret that the talent is there, but the entire team chemistry looks off with too much 1v1 going on. They really need to get on the same page quick because there is too much talent on this Indy Heat team for them to miss Peach Jam.

2025 guard Jasper Johnson is one to watch for: The 2025 four-star guard out of Kentucky might have been the player that impressed me the most. At 6-foot-2, Johnson is a long lead guard that has really good court vision and great handles for his length. He is a true playmaking guard that can light it up from deep and also cause problems on the defensive end especially in the passing lanes. Not overly quick but can be real explosive at times. He is a name to keep on Indiana’s recruiting radar. He averaged 13.5 points in four games this past weekend.

2024 center Flory Bidunga getting an in-home visit from Auburn this week: When it comes to visit news over the weekend, one of the more significant updates revolves around top Indiana target, 2024 five-star center Flory Bidunga. According to MADE Hoops basketball insider Travis Graf, Auburn is having an in-home visit with Flory Bidunga on Tuesday. If you have been following along with Bidunga’s recruitment, Bruce Pearl and Auburn have been one of the schools to recruit Bidunga the hardest. Bidunga took an official visit to Auburn back in November of 2022. While there is still a ways to go in his recruitment, Auburn is a team to monitor moving forward.

SEE ALSO: Indiana Basketball: AAU Live Period II – Live blog

Follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

BB RECRUITING

2024 top-25 wing Tyler Betsey sets Indiana basketball visit

Published

on

2024 top-25 wing Tyler Betsey has set an official visit date with the Indiana basketball program. (@EliteHSscouting / Twitter)

Top-25 wing in the 2024 class Tyler Betsey of St. Thomas More (CT) has set an official visit with the Indiana basketball program.

Betsey will be on campus from June 14-16, he confirms with HoosierIllustrated.com. 247Sports had the initial report. Betsey will be on campus alongside 2024 five-star guard Boogie Fland, who has officially set his Indiana basketball visit for June 13-15.

Betsey is a 6-foot-8 wing who is ranked No. 22 in the 247Sports composite rankings for the 2024 class. He is rated as the No. 8 small forward.

At 6-foot-8, Betsey is a versatile wing who is known as a shooter. He is a high-volume shooter who is very good off of the catch. He’s improving off of the dribble as well and has shown more of an ability to create plays for himself.

Playing for NY Rens on the Nike EYBL circuit and is averaging 11.6 points this summer in 16 games. He’s shooting 35.1 percent from three on 2.5 made 3s per game. He’s 40-of-114 this summer from three. He’s had four games with at least four made 3s. Betsey plays alongside current Indiana basketball target and five-star guard Dylan Harper on NY Rens as well. Harper visited Indiana in the fall.

247Sports National Recruiting Director Eric Bossi broke down Betsey’s game from earlier this summer.

“At nearly 6-foot-8 with smooth athleticism and a good-looking jumper, it was pretty clear that he has all of the tools to make a move towards the top of the class and he’s one of those kids who seems like he could end up ranked as high as he decides he wants to be.”

Currently, Betsey has offers from Indiana, Duke, Alabama, Kansas, UConn, Cincinnati, Auburn, Rutgers, Michigan State, Providence and others.

SEE ALSO: Indiana basketball recruiting beginning to click on all cylinders: ‘I wanted to be able to sit at the table with the best players’

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

Continue Reading

BB RECRUITING

Indiana basketball extends offer to 2025 top-30 prospect Jasper Johnson

Published

on

National top-30 2025 guard Jasper Johnson received a scholarship offer from the Indiana basketball program. (Jasper Johnson - @BruhJasperJ / Twitter)

The Indiana basketball program has extended a scholarship offer to 2025 top-30 guard Jasper Johnson of Woodford County (Ky).

Johnson is ranked No. 23 in the 247Sports composite rankings for the class of 2025. He is also the No. 3 combo guard in the class.

Part of Team Thad on the Nike EYBL circuit, Johnson is playing two divisions up in the 17U division. Through 16 games this spring and summer, Johnson is averaging 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. He is shooting 51 percent from the floor and 40.3 percent from three (27-of-67).

Johnson had his best game of the summer last weekend in Memphis — scoring 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting and 5-of-6 from three. He was 12-of-21 from three in four games last weekend.

Travis Branham of 247Sports broke down Johnson’s performance.

“In a three-minute span, Johnson scored a dozen points including three triples and a dunk in transition that took a three-or-four point lead and stretching it to double figures.,” Branham wrote. “Johnson has continued to grow as a player this spring. His confidence and aggressiveness are continuing to elevate along with his improving handle and jumper to create offense for himself and others.”

Johnson and the Indiana basketball program had a relationship prior to this offer. Johnson has mentioned to HoosierIllustrated.com that the NBA pedigree of head coach Mike Woodson is appealing.

He visited Indiana twice during this past season. He was in Bloomington when Trayce Jackson-Davis had a triple-double. Johnson has also visited Kentucky, Louisville, Cincinnati, Ohio State, Tennessee and Xavier in addition to others.

The 6-foot-2 guard has offers from Kentucky, Arizona State, Cal, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Louisville, Ohio State, Memphis, Xavier and others.

SEE ALSO: 2024 five-star point guard Boogie Fland eyeing Indiana basketball visit

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

Continue Reading

BB RECRUITING

IU basketball recruiting beginning to click on all cylinders: ‘I wanted to be able to sit at the table with the best players’

Published

on

Mike Woodson won't 'accept no for an answer' when it comes to recruiting and building his IU basketball roster. (Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times-USA TODAY NETWORK)

When Mike Woodson took the job as the head coach of the IU basketball program two years ago — his message was clear. He wanted to get Indiana back into the national conversation by competing for Big Ten and National Championships.

The only way to do that was to bring in high-level talent. Not just local, but from around the country.

The message has always been that Indiana has the best talent in the country — but recently, that hasn’t been the case. The previous staff did a good job of recruiting the state but failed to land top talent from outside of Indiana — or even the midwest — on a regular basis. That resulted in IU basketball failing to make an NCAA Tournament for six years.

So, when Woodson stepped back on campus on day one, it was about getting the best talent in the country — no matter where — to come to Bloomington.

“When I took the job, I made it clear to my coaches that we deserved to sit at the table with the best players,” Woodson told reporters on Wednesday. “We kind of squabbled a little bit early on because they didn’t think we were in that position to be able to do that.

“Well, back in the day, it was always that way.”

Last year saw four scholarship players from Indiana. The year before was five.

Next season will be quite different. There will only be two players from the state of Indiana on scholarship.

A main reason for that is because of what Woodson stressed — and knowing what he wanted for his roster.

“I thought we were based on Indiana basketball and the history of it,” Woodson said. “So, I didn’t accept no for an answer and I told ’em (my staff) that I wanted to be able to sit at the table with the best players and compete with the Kentucky’s, the Kansas’, the Duke’s, teams like that.”

While Woodson just wanted a seat at the table, he’s done more than just sit there.

In the last two years, Woodson has landed four five-star prospects either from high school or through the transfer portal. It resulted in having two McDonald’s All-American’s on the roster this upcoming season for the first time since 2016.

In addition to the two five-star commitments in the past two months, the IU basketball program has also seen a one-and-done five-star prospect move his way into a projected lottery-pick in the upcoming NBA Draft in Jalen Hood-Schifino. That is notable to recruits — and Woodson knows it.

“It’s done a lot, you know,” Woodson said on Hood-Schifino’s development. ” … Not to say he was a one-and-done, but he put himself in that position and was able to do a lot of nice things for our ball club and you know, our program benefited from it.”

A large reason for the (recent) uptick in the national relevancy for IU basketball in the recruiting world is because of Woodson and his NBA pedigree — yes. But, it’s the entire staff that he’s put together that has built their reputations on relationships and honesty — something hard to come by in today’s recruiting world.

“I got a wonderful staff and, you know, we are beating the phones down and when guys come available, we are trying to get in front of their parents and whoever’s their representative and we are doing all the necessary things to get ’em to campus and close the deal,” Woodson said. “And this has been a great, great summer for us in terms of recruiting and, again, I give a lot of credit to my staff and them getting me in front of the people that we’re trying to recruit, the player and we’re starting to pay off. It’s starting to pay off for us.”

And in recruiting, in order to get a yes, you’re going to get a lot of no’s. But, that’s okay and what’s needed in order to reach the next level as a program.

“All they (recruits) can do is tell us no, but we gotta get there and we’ve been able to get there some, so it’s kind of nice.”

SEE ALSO: IU basketball senior guard Xavier Johnson gives update on his health: ‘I’m 100 (percent)’

ake sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

Continue Reading

Trending