Notebook: Big Ten Moves, Early Commitments
The last week has provided us with a flurry of commitments and even a 2020 prospect is off the board, first in the state. Now, we are getting ready to turn the page into November and the list of available…
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Continue ReadingThe last week has provided us with a flurry of commitments and even a 2020 prospect is off the board, first in the state. Now, we are getting ready to turn the page into November and the list of available players is dwindling.
Davis Pulls The Trigger For Nebraska
In one of the biggest surprises in a while, 2020 wing D’Andre Davis pulled the trigger and made a commitment nearly a year before most in his position would do. While it was a bit early, it was to a school in Nebraska that is a perfect fit for his level.
With offers from Southern Illinois, Cleveland State, Bradley, Evansville, Indiana State, Miami (OH), Ball State, Toledo, and IUPUI, Davis, a 6’5 off-guard from Lawrence Central (IN) became the first in-state prospect in 2020 to make a commitment. It isn’t quite the norm anymore to make a commitment this early but all indications are that this is a solid commitment and he could end up being a steal for the Huskers based on his rise over the last calendar year.
In a little bit of a lesser surprise, 2021 guard Luke Goode of Homestead (IN) picked up an offer from Iowa this past weekend during his unofficial visit. Not a surprise in the thought of him landing a Big Ten offer but more about the fact that it wasn’t to an in-state school.
Now, Goode has a pair of offers from IUPUI and Iowa but this could be the first of many as the two-sport athlete is proving that he belongs in that tier of talent. He’s done so well as a scorer at all three levels but his IQ and athleticism standout and really help to round out his game. While Iowa was the first Big Ten school to offer, it is very unlikely that they will be the last.
Bethel Putting Together Stellar Class Early
Small school programs don’t usually get a large swath of commitments early. Normally it takes a combination of an early commit or two and then the rest coming during or after the season. However, Bethel College, an NAIA program out of Mishawaka, Indiana, is looking strong with five early commits.
This weekend they landed Gabe Johnson, a 6’4 wing out of South Bend Riley. The weekend before they got Zionsville forward Nathan Childress. They join point guard Drew Lutz, wing Nathan Aerts, and post Max Newman. Those five players are a stellar group not just for a list of early commits but for an entire class. Four of the five are ranked in the top 70 of our Prep Hoops Indiana 2019 Rankings.
Quick Hitters:
2020 PG Hayden Jones of East Noble (IN) picked up an offer from Saint Francis (IN). The 2020 guard landed his first offer from the local NAIA powerhouse.
2021 PF Caleb Furst of Blackhawk Christian (IN) picked up an offer from Indiana. The 2021 post product now has in-state offers from Indiana, Butler, and Purdue. He also took a visit to Butler this past weekend. He also picked up an offer from Iowa during his visit there last weekend.
2021 PG Khristian Lander of Evansville Reitz (IN) picked up an offer from Kansas. The 2021 point guard has been on a roll and now has tons a large handful of high-major offers including Purdue and Indiana. He also took a visit to Louisville for their exhibition game this past Sunday.
2019 SF Myles Johnson of Indianapolis Homeschool Wildcats (IN) picked up an offer from Grace College. This is the first offer from the homeschool product.
2019 forward David Ejah of Fort Wayne Carroll (IN) picked up an offer from the University of Indianapolis. He also has offers from Huntington, Saint Francis, Wheeling Jesuit, Lake Superior State, and Grand Valley State.
2020 post Kiyron Powell of Evansville Bosse (IN) took an unofficial visit to Xavier last weekend. He holds an offer from Xavier along with Miami (OH), Evansville, New Orleans, and Georgetown.
2019 SF Hayden Smithey of Bishop Dwenger (IN) took an official visit to Kentucky Wesleyan this weekend. This is his second trip to the campus this Fall.
2021 PF Kyle Ross of Andrean (IN) took a visit to Belmont this past weekend. He just returned from a visit to Iowa last weekend.
2019 G Logan Laster of Morristown (IN) took a visit to Mount St. Joseph this past weekend.
Commitments:
2019 PG Clay Hilliard of Plymouth (IN) has committed to Mt. Vernon Nazarene. He had offers from Goshen and Anderson.
2019 SF Gabe Johnson of South Bend Riley (IN) has committed to Bethel College. They were his first offer.
2019 PF Nathan Childress of Zionsville (IN) has committed to Bethel College. He also had an offer from Tusculum.
2020 wing D’Andre Davis of Lawrence Central (IN) has committed to Nebraska following his official visit.