Weekend Warm-Up: Louisville JamFest
The third weekend in July is much more than just another weekend of AAU basketball.
For seniors-to-be, it’s their last time to make an impression on college coaches as a grassroots player. It’s also their last time to experience the AAU atmosphere from a player’s eye — something that can hopefully be cherished amongst the pressure of recruiting.
For families and longtime coaches, it’s often good-bye. For us guys carrying around packets on the sidelines, it’s the last opportunity to get a read on a prospect for a while.
In order to provide some semblance of a preview, here’s our Weekend Warm-Up, an article that provides context to a tournament through recruiting insight and general updates. For this one in particular, there is no schedule link. Instead, download the Hoop Group app for access.
Louisville Jam Fest
17U: No. 5, D Miller Elite
No. 8, Nova (Russell)
No. 13, Ohio Basketball Club
No. 16, Miller Factory
No. 19, Nova (Rodgers)
No. 3, Ohio Basketball Club 16U
All Ohio Wolves, Cincy Classics, Cincy Ducks, Cincy Lakers, Ohio Ballstars, Ohio Hoopsters – LBC, Queen City Prophets, Shining Star – Jelinek, SMAC Primetime, SMAC Rebels
16U: No. 9, Ohio Bulldogs
No. 12, Mid Ohio Pumas Elite (Younkin)
No. 18, Miller Factory
Club Ohio, Ohio Ballstars, Ohio Phenom, Queen City Prophets
15U: No. 5, Cincinnati Royals – Blue
Miller Factory, Ohio Bulldogs, Ohio Hoopsters – LBC, Queen City Prophets, Shining Star – Harris
D Miller Elite is a team comprised of all-but-one 2018 high school graduate. They return to Louisville after placing as runner-up in last weekend’s All In HoopFest. Elijah Bishop, who will spend a year at Dohn Prep after graduating from Beechcroft in the fall, played out of his mind at times last weekend as a finisher and rebounder. The 6’6” athletic wing tells us he will be watched by The Citadel, Saint Leo, Kent State, Kentucky State, and Sacred Heart this weekend. He doesn’t communicate with those schools directly.
In terms of colleges vying for the prospects on Nova (Russell), leaders in the clubhouse have emerged for most of their prospects. For the 4.4 GPA, 34 ACT score prospect that is Mitchell Kershner, John Hopkins seems to have the inside track. However, others like Carnergie Melon and Rochester remain possible fits. Jacob Drees, who won’t be in Louisville this weekend, has four D-II offers, but look for either Hillsdale or Cedarville to be his choice. Upper Arlington point guard Josh Russell is maintaining contact with a number of Midwest and East Coast D-III schools, but Gettysburg is at the top currently. Then, Owen Hazelbaker’s recruitment picture is still yet to take form. Mount Vernon Nazarene and Concord offered after last weekend, but he’s still more up in the air than the other mentioned.
Ohio’s adidas Gauntlet Gold affiliate, OBC, will be in Louisville this weekend. Both of their teams are playing in the 17U division. The two Lorain prospects, Devon Grant and Taevon Pierre-Louis, are rolling in July. Grant has interest from Kent State, Morehead State, and Bowling Green (offered in March). TPL is also being watched by Kent State, along with New Orleans and Indiana State. Meanwhile, Brison Waller has built interest from Arizona State, James Madison, New Mexico State, and St. Joseph’s. It’s unclear if Waller will suit up or not this weekend though.
We also have updates for every player on Miller Factory 17U, so let’s hit those with bullet points. The teams listed are interested and may show-up to watch at the Louisville JamFest.
- Jimmy Patton: Denison, Saint Francis (IN), Lourdes, Assumption
- Kayin Derden: Ashland, Saint Leo, Northwood, Malone, Hillsdale, Charleston, Denison, Ohio Wesleyan, Capitol
- Chris Boyle: Holy Cross, Williams, Bates, Tiffin, Colby, Hamilton, Ashland, Navy
- Zach Sawyer: Wittenberg, Otterbein, Heidelberg, Marietta
- N’Keeley Elmore: Navy, Detroit Mercy, Otterbein, Denison, Chestnut Hill
- Curtis Houston: Nova Southeastern, Lourdes, Kent State, Seton Hill, Salem, Hillcrest Prep (AZ)
- Kaveon Ross (2020): Otterbein, Capitol, Hillcrest Prep (AZ)
- Treohn Watkins: Hillcrest Prep (AZ), Ashland, Findlay, Ohio Dominican
Watkins is sacrificing scoring opportunities on this team. It should be noted that he’s being asked to facilitate, come off the bench, and explore an entirely new role this summer without complaint.
Nova (Rodgers) 6’7” forward Sam Towns has flown under the radar throughout the summer. However, Howard, Northern Kentucky, and Salem are expected to watch him in Louisville to finish up the Live Period.
Other one-man updates include Alex Dotson of RGB Ohio Unity. He’s acquired D-I interest throughout his high school career but was most recently contacted by Malone, following last weekend. He will attend a Malone camp in August and we’d expect them to check him out in Louisville.
Then, Eric Hanna shot the lights out for SMAC Rebels last weekend. Plenty of the Ohio programs are on the shooter from Olmsted Falls. Specifically, he expects Capitol, Baldwin Wallace, Ohio Dominican, Mount Vernon Nazarene, and Ohio Wesleyan to check him out this weekend.
Finally for 17U, Sahmi Wiloughby of OH-LBC and Reynoldsburg continues his ascent. The intriguing forward has strong interest from Otterbein. Holy Cross and Capitol are circling also.
As far 16U teams go, the Mid Ohio Pumas Elite group will look differently this weekend. They’ll have just two 2021 prospects on the bench in Garner Wallace and Jack Pugh if he’s healthy after tweaking his lower back last weekend. Miami (OH), Belmont, Northern Kentucky, Duquesne, Wright State, Western Carolina, Indiana Wesleyan, and Bellarmine, will follow the Pumas in Fort Wayne primarily for Jake Younkin, Jack Pugh, Grant Whisman, and Alex Mangold. Also, Liberty hopes Younkin and Whisman will visit following the Live Period.