Recruiting Report: Will McCracken (2021)
Between Moeller and Indiana Elite, 6’4” guard/wing Will McCracken (2021) plays for two of the best prep programs in the Midwest. The year-round experience allows McCracken to compete for championships while evolving into a college prospect.
One year in, McCracken has spent a summer playing an important role on while having the opportunity to tag along on Moeller’s State Championship playoff run. Getting a taste of success at the high school level leaves McCracken wanting more.
“We won State, but I was more of a practice [guy],” McCracken said. “But my goal is to actually play and contribute to the team winning States.”
Typically in the Moeller program, freshmen play freshmen ball and sophomores play junior varsity — a path he may be taking. And while he proved capable this grassroots season of being an impact defender and opportune scorer right now, McCracken is approaching next season with maturity.
“We got some strong seniors who are there to be leaders,” he said. “Right now, I’m just working out every day and working to plan on starting, so I can help the team. But that’s right now on the coaches. Hopefully in open gym they’ll see how hard I’m working and I’ll see the benefits of that.”
Moeller’s process is a proven one, in terms of winning and getting players to the next level. Not only does the team work-out before and after school even at this point in the calendar, McCracken also explained that the coaching staff is there to “help win and stuff, but they’re there to help grow the person.”
It’s made an impression on the sophomore, who used similar terminology when asked what he’s looking for in a college program.
“I like having the coaches understand you and not just worrying about winning.” He added, “I do want to go kind of far from home. Just so you have the experience of living on your own and getting ready for real life.”
Maybe those formative years will take place in West Lafayette, as McCracken impressed at Purdue’s Elite Camp this weekend. Prep Hoops Indiana regarded him for his effort, defensive versatility, shooting, and rebounding on Saturday— all things McCracken identified as strengths himself.
“I think I played really well [at the Purdue camp],” McCracken said. “I just tried to do everything I could possible to play well and hustle. And I tried to take leadership on our team.”
McCracken, who mainly plays off-ball and scores off the bounce, played a lot of point guard on Saturday. He combines that playmaking confidence with excellent lateral quickness and a strong frame, which allows him to lockdown 1 through 3, and sometimes against forwards. He can also score within a motion offense on a consistent pull-up jumper, or barrel into the lane for physical finishes in traffic.
Along with the Boilermakers, MM+/HM programs in Southwest Ohio are in early on McCracken.
“I’ve been contacted by [head coach] Travis Steele from Xavier. I went there up there for a visit to talk to him and some of the coaches about a month ago,” McCracken said.
The 3.6-3.7 GPA student will also head northbound on I-75 for another visit soon. This time, he’ll travel alongside Moeller 2021 classmate Logan Duncomb.
“Me and him are both going to Dayton on the same day soon for a visit,” McCracken revealed.
He also mentioned that all three programs — Purdue, Xavier, and Dayton — plan on checking up on his development this high school season, be it open gyms or games.