Recruiting Update: I-20 International Flavor
Yoro Sidibe, First Love Academy
The 6-foot-7 forward is raw but has the versatile skill-set and athleticism that’s translatable to upside. He’s got a commendable motor defensively and is known for furious above the rim explosions. He’s still very raw and as a two-star recruit has room for growth.
Madiaw Niang, DME Academy
IPFW is the latest program to offer the long and versatile 6-foot-9 Class of 2018 prospect. Niang relished the leadership role with multiple 30+ point performances this season. He registered his presence in big games and was an active ingredient on the glass and an effective facilitator.
It’s been a rapid transformation for Niang, who was a fourth option behind Luguentz Dort (Arizona State) and a trio of others at The Conrad Academy last year.
He’s shed his feast or famine tendencies, developed into a better defender, and kicked the habit of forcing shots.
Niang’s game took off this summer, as he emerged with a notably better all around feel for the game.
Balsa Koprivica, Montverde Academy
LSU and Baylor appear to be high on the hot-shooting 7-foot-1 Class of 2019 prospect. Koprivica’s game has evolved in the post. At the same pace, he’s established himself as a deft passing big man with an advanced IQ at this level.
It’s been a topsy turvy season for Koprivica, who has the upside to be a Pau Gasol clone at the next level.
He initially was at Windermere Prep, where he was held out of action due to eligibility concerns. He then swiftly transferred to a star-spangled lineup at Montverde.
He’s been a key cog in Montverde’s floor spreading style, which features a traditional dish-first point guard in Andrew Nembhard (Florida) and prolific scoring 6-foot-7 R.J. Barrett (Duke).
Eddie Allier, Scotland Campus Sports
The 6-foot-4 Australian is long and versatility, with the ability to guard the 1-4. He may not have Division-I potential, but he would be a key piece at other levels. He’s got the upside of a glue guy who can provide sturdy defense and knock down shots. He’s shown a knack for spotting up and hitting timely 3-pointers. A high release enables him to be trickier to guard than most. The Class of 2018 post graduate has improved his handle and ability to see the floor and kick in passes.
Arminas Kleisys, Scotland Campus Sports
At 6-foot-10, Kleisys has intimidating size and shot-blocking ability. He’s got a feathery touch from 15-20 feet out and has established himself as a 3-point threat as well. He still needs to get more physical and apply his size in the trenches, albeit he showed spurts this past season.
The Class of 2018 prospect has a high ceiling and would be a major get at the high Division-II level.
Jonathon Kaminga, Huntington Prep
At 6-foot-8, Kaminga is explosive and uber athletic. He’s got a high major tool set as far as attacking the rim and finishing above the rim. Kaminga’s possesses an ahead of his years sculpted build. The Class of 2021 prospect has a ways to go as a shooter and an all around scorer, albeit the promise and quality are there.
If he can develop into a knockdown shooter and incorporate consistent off the dribble moves, he’s got the potential to be a lethal scorer and enticing prospect down the road.
Joel Brown, Brewster Academy
The Canadian-bred combo guard is score-first by nature, with a real gifted ability to get into the paint and finish. He’s constantly in attack mode, driving and finishing in crafty fashion through the towering rim protectors upfront.
Brown is quick and shifty on both sides of the court. If he can become a reliable shooter and develop the same instinctive style as a passer, he’s got real pro potential.
Lukas Kisunas, Brewster Academy
The monstrous 6-foot-8, 235-pound forward has a tactical and ultra-skilled interior scoring game. Kisunas is an explosive finisher who also has a crafty style, capable of finishing with either hand and really picking apart a frontline with an arsenal of manipulative moves.
Kisunas stock is up following an impressive summer with Lithuania in the U-18 European Championships. He has recently de-committed from UConn following the swift firing of Kevin Ollie and subsequent hiring of former Rhode Island boss Danny Hurley. While UConn fans and beat writers have been quick to laud the hiring of Hurley, he inherits a downtrodden program entrenched in yet another NCAA scandal. Kisunas is now being pursued by programs such as Providence, Purdue, and Pitt since re-opening his recruitment.
Michee Mianga, Forrest Trails Academy
At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, the Congo native is a muscle-bound but undersized forward. When he’s engaged for four quarters, he’s a near immovable presence in the paint. He must sustain focus and continue to box out and hustle for 50-50 balls. While his offensive game was once a work in progress, he’s improved as a one dribble and attack source.
Lawrence Slim, Scotland Campus Sports
The 6-foot-7 forward via the Netherlands has deep 3-point range and a smooth perimeter stroke. He’s got a scorer’s mentality, as he’s progressed as getting into the teeth of the defense and finishing. He still needs to be more aggressive as a scorer and rebounder, albeit there is a good production and progression tree here.
Slim was a key supplemental scoring piece on an elite team which criss-crossed the country, playing top-tier competition.
Dejan Marjanac, Westminster Academy
The 6-foot-8 Class of 2019 forward played sparingly on a team that captured back to back state championships behind FGCU-bound guard Zach Scott, sharpshooter Chase Johnston, and 6-foot-6 high major target Dudley Blackwell.
Marjanac has European guard skills with a smooth stroke from beyond the arc and can pass it quite well for a guy of his size. He needs to assert himself more and develop a killer instinct. He’s shown strides recently, applying high-pressure defense and shot-blocking ability. Still needs to prove himself, which he’ll have the opportunity to do while playing on the Under Armour AAU circuit this summer.
Allan Rose, The Conrad Academy
All the way from France, the 6-foot-4 combination guard has length and knockdown shooting ability. He still needs to pack muscle onto a slim and dainty 155-pound frame, albeit he’s improved as an on-ball defender.
Rose’s shooting form and high release are components translatable to Division-I basketball. The Class of 2020 prospect has some big game experience from the SIAA. If he can adapt to the alpha dog role, he has the potential to be a sleeper recruit.
Yuot Gai, Capital Christian
The 6-foot-11 Class of 2018 prospect is likely going to do a post-grad season this ensuing year. With length and versatility, Gai is your quintessential multi-positional forward. The Melbourne, Australia native has a silky smooth shot which he can extend beyond the confines of the arc.
Matt Roseby, Scotland Campus Sports
The 6-foot-9 forward is a stretch four type who has grown as a rebounding threat and back to the rim threat. He came in as strictly a knockdown threat but has worked on his explosion and increased his vertical, steadily transforming into a high percentage threat.
A native of Sydney, Australia, Roseby has adapted to the physical rigors of the American game.
Jereon Kales, Scotland Campus Sports
A transfer via now defunct 22 Feet Academy (S.C.), Kales has a high-rising jumper and a sound all around skill set. When his jumper is fluid and he’s engaged, he can impact the game on both sides of the ball. Consistency is key for Kales, who also has 3-point range.
The post graduate and Amsterdam, Holland native has the work ethic and strength to be a quick-hit impact guy at the right level.
Sam Chaput, Scotland Campus Sports
All year, Chaput appeared to be a severely underrated recruit on the market. A well-built 6-foot guard with quickness and shiftiness, Chaput has a natural adeptness at getting to the rim. The Canadian guard is also equipped with crafty scoring tools, including a stepback and nifty floater.
He can also steer a pressure cooker, which he proved on a clutch game-winning 10-footer to defeat Believe Prep Academy. Chaput recently committed to IUPUI, where he’ll have the opportunity to make an immediate impact.
Hosana Kitenege, Charnwood
The 6-foot-7 Class of 2019 forward is a physical specimen who thrives as a defensive behemoth. He’s a shot blocker who can guard multiple positions, an aspect his football player frame certainly helps with.
He’s got the type of talent to get by on hustle points and instincts alone. He’s developed a smooth stroke from beyond the arc as well.
Taylor Downs, Hastings
At 6-foot-4, the undersize four man plays a lot bigger than he is. He’s got a knack for key rebounds and embraces the physicality of the game. This aspect helps him protect the rim against significantly bigger frontlines.
While Downs’ jumper is a work in progress, He has developed a refined post up game and can score with either hand around the rim. Stoked with confidence, Downs certainly has a local following pulling for him and holding him to a high standard.