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BB RECRUITING

Indiana Basketball: Takeaways and notes from second AAU live period

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5 months ago

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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. 

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BB RECRUITING

Indiana Basketball: Mike Woodson spends Tuesday at OTE Pro day as one recruiting target stands out

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1 day ago

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September 20, 2023

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Tyler Jackson, Indiana basketball
2025 Indiana basketball target Tyler Jackson was among the standouts at the OTE Pro Day on Tuesday as Mike Woodson watched on.

With the open recruiting calendar, the Indiana basketball staff has been on the road for the majority of the last week. That continued on Tuesday as Mike Woodson and his staff were at a signifiant recruiting event, according to reports.

Overtime Elite hosted its Pro Day on Tuesday, containing scouts from nearly every NBA team as well as a handful of high-major college coaches. 27 players were part of the event and took place in drills and scrimmages.

Among the Indiana basketball targets who play for Overtime Elite are 2025 five-star prospects Tyler Jackson, Mikel Brown Jr and Bryson Tiller.

Jackson and Brown are entering their first season with OTE.

Among the standouts by numerous recruiting analysts was Jackson. The five-star guard has emerged as one of the best playmakers in the 2025 class over the last few months.

Jackson played for Team Thrill in the 16U division and helped lead the program to a title on the Under Armor Circuit. He was terrific down the stretch, scoring 39, 36 and 31 points in that order en route to the championship. He averaged 24.0 points per game in the final session (seven games) and shot 42 percent from the floor. He played one event up with the 17U level, playing alongside current 2024 Indiana basketball target, five-star Derik Queen.

In his one session on the Nike EYBL circuit, Jackson averaged 30.0 points per game and shot 50.6 percent from the field and 50 percent (17-of-34) from three. He scored 30+ points in three of his four games, having scoring totals of 30, 36 and 39 points.

Jackson received an offer from the Indiana basketball program last week. He is ranked the No. 16 overall prospect in the 2025 247Sports Composite Rankings.

Jackson continued that playmaking and scoring ability on Tuesday as numerous national scouts came away impressed with his performance.

Here’s what a few of them had to say:

ESPN National Recruiting Analyst Paul Biancardi: “Best playmaker. Pushes the pace. Knows how to create and find others. Passes well in open floor or tight spaces.”

On3.com National Analyst Jamie Shaw: “There is a flair that comes with Jackson’s game. He plays with a lot of confidence, able to get to any spot on the floor and rise up for a jumper. When he is at his best, he can be a true three-level scorer.”

The Athletic Analyst Tobias Bass: “Very poised and can get anywhere on the floor when he wants. He was the most consistent player in the gym.”

SEE ALSO: Down to Indiana basketball & Kansas, five-star Liam McNeeley goes into decision mode

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN, Facebook and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. You can also listen to the Talking’ Bout the Hoosiers podcast on Spotify.

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BB RECRUITING

Down to Indiana & Kansas, five-star Liam McNeeley goes into decision mode

Published

2 days ago

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September 19, 2023

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Liam McNeeley, Indiana basketball
2024 five-star and top Indiana basketball target Liam McNeeley is into decision mode as he will pick between IU and Kansas. (Liam McNeeley / Twitter)

The Indiana basketball program is one step closer to potential landing its first commitment in the 2024 class — and it would be a big one.

Montverde Academy (Fla.) five-star wing Liam McNeeley is now in decision-making mode after cancelling his Texas official visit on Monday. His visit to Texas was set for this weekend, now he’s focused on just two programs; Indiana and Kansas.

“No more visits,” McNeeley told HoosierIllustrated.com “I will make a decision before the early signing period. (It’s between) Kansas and Indiana.”

The early signing period takes place from November 8 – November 15.

McNeeley has taken official visits to both programs in September. His visit to Indiana was his second — taking both a junior and senior year official visit. He had a key reason for his second visit with Indiana basketball, something that he came away able to check off.

“I wanted to interact with the players and see the coaches in a more private setting,” McNeeley said. “Just continuing to build relationships with the coaches and player is what I was looking for.”

Mike Woodson and the rest of the Indiana basketball staff have prioritized McNeeley for the entirety of his recruitment. He has been the top target for Indiana for over the last 12 months.

Their need for him was shown even more on Monday when Indiana went four-deep, sending its entire staff to Montverde to see McNeeley, along with teammates five-star Derik Queen and four-star guard Curtis Givens — all coming off of official visits two weekends ago.

“Their consistency has never wavered for the time that they have been recruiting me,” McNeeley said. “I have formed good relationships with all of (the coaches).”

McNeeley, originally from Texas, transferred to Montverde last season and emerged as one of the top prospects in the country. This past season he averaged 13.7 points and was second in the NIBC averaging 2.2 made 3s per game.

Playing for Florida Rebels on the Nike EYBL Circuit this summer, McNeeley averaged 16.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game across 17 games. He shot 37 percent from three (30-of-81).

McNeeley proved even more this summer his ability to play both on or off of the ball. He is a tremendous and proven shooter who is highly efficient on the floor. His best tool may be his playmaking ability, however. At 6-foot-7, he can play on the ball and orchestrate the offense. He has good court vision and great feel for the game and the speed of each possession.

Related: 2024 Indiana basketball target Liam McNeeley has proved himself as ‘one of the ten best players in high school basketball’

The consistent message that the Indiana staff has sent him has been come in and make winning plays right away — all while fitting the mold of the longer, athletic and versatile wing that Woodson has prioritized since he joined the program.

“They emphasized me being a bigger guard and being versatile. Coming off ball screens or posting up smaller defenders and moving the ball in transition,” McNeeley previously told HoosierIllustrated. ” … I see myself coming in and making winning plays to help the team in as many ways as possible.

“I try and take things from Luka’s game. He is a big guard and my favorite player.”

With McNeeley in decision-making mode, he could be just the first of multiple five-star players to join Indiana’s 2024 class. While the Hoosiers are heavily involved with numerous other top prospects around the country, one player that is immediately impacted by a potential McNeeley commitment is his teammate Derik Queen.

Sources have indicated to HoosierIllustrated that it could ultimately play somewhat of a role in Queen’s recruitment. While it will be a basketball decision at the end of the day, the friendship between the two holds a lot of weight. The programs that are recruiting both Queen and McNeeley are Indiana and Kansas. They took back-to-back visits to Kansas and Indiana the first two weekends of September.

“We have a great relationship. We’re brothers,” McNeeley said of his relationship with Queen.

As for McNeeley’s visit to Kansas, it went very well as well.

“They have had many wing players that have been successful at Kansas such as Gradey Dick, Jalen Wilson, and Christian Braun,” McNeeley added. “I had a great time on the Kansas visit. Getting to meet and spend time with the players was a lot of fun.”

Liam McNeeley is ranked the No. 13 overall prospect in the 2024 247Sports composite rankings.

SEE ALSO: Indiana basketball going ‘head-to-head’ with Kentucky for five-star guard

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN, Facebook and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. You can also listen to the Talking’ Bout the Hoosiers podcast on Spotify.

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BB RECRUITING

Top Indiana basketball target and top-15 prospect Liam McNeeley cancels Texas visit

Published

3 days ago

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September 18, 2023

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Liam McNeeley, Indiana basketball
There is a key update in the recruitment of five-star Liam McNeeley, the top target for the Indiana basketball program. (Liam McNeeley / Twitter)

The Indiana basketball program could be closing in on its first commitment of the 2024 class.

Sources confirmed to HoosierIllustrated.com that top-15 prospect and Montverde Academy (Fla.) wing Liam McNeeley has cancelled his official visit to Texas that was scheduled for the weekend of September 22-24. McNeeley also later confirmed the news to HoosierIllustrated.

National recruiting analyst Andrew Slater was the first to indicate the news, followed by 247Sports.

As of this point, there are no other visits scheduled. It appears that the Indiana basketball program received the final visit in McNeeley’s recruitment. He took one other visit in September to Kansas.

McNeeley has been the top target for Indiana for much of the past 12 months, receiving both a junior and senior year official visit. The entire Indiana basketball staff also visited Montverde Academy on Monday.

“Indiana is obviously a historic basketball state, and the fans in Indiana almost worship basketball,” McNeeley previously told HoosierIllustrated.com. “Love from the fans make me feel wanted.”

Indiana, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Michigan and Alabama have been the key programs involved with McNeeley. It looks to be down between Kansas and Indiana going forward.

McNeeley, originally from Texas, transferred to Montverde Academy (Fla.) last season and emerged as one of the top prospects in the country. This past season he averaged 13.7 points and was second in the NIBC averaging 2.2 made 3s per game.

Playing for Florida Rebels on the Nike EYBL Circuit this summer, McNeeley averaged 16.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game across 17 games. He shot 37 percent from three (30-of-81).

“I think he’s proven himself to be one of the ten best players in high school basketball today…” 247Sports Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein recently said. “There also aren’t ten other players that I would rather have as freshman in college basketball next year.”

If McNeeley pulls the trigger for Indiana that is a critical step in another target’s recruitment as well. Fellow five-star and Montverde teammate Derik Queen is good friends with McNeeley and sources have indicated to HoosierIllustrated.comthat it could ultimately play somewhat of a role in his recruitment. The programs that are recruiting both Queen and McNeeley are Indiana and Kansas. They took back-to-back visits to Kansas and Indiana the first two weekends of September.

McNeeley is ranked the No. 13 overall prospect in the 2024 247Sports composite rankings.

SEE ALSO: Indiana basketball going ‘head-to-head’ with Kentucky for five-star guard

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN, Facebook and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. You can also listen to the Talking’ Bout the Hoosiers podcast on Spotify.

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