July Preview: Storylines to watch
High school summer ball is over, most college elite camps are over after this weekend and AAU programs are starting back to practice in preparation for the live periods next month. Here’s a look ahead to some of the most compelling storylines of the next month as we get into the homestretch of the AAU season.
Will Kentucky offer Dontaie Allen? – Allen has become a more and more popular name with Kentucky basketball fans clamoring for an in state player on the Wildcats roster. The talented wing scorer recently visited campus in Lexington and has been on campus (or scheduled visits) at Clemson, West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt. UK coaches have told Allen they will watch him play in July. If Dontaie plays well, could we see the first in-state scholarship player at Kentucky since Derek Willis and Dominique Hawkins graduated?
Which 2020s will get their first scholarship offers? Currently only Jackson Sivils (Murray State and Saint Louis) and Dayvion McKnight (Winthrop) have D1 offers in the 2020 class in Kentucky. Lots of prospects have been getting calls and texts from coaches since the contact period started on June 15th. Who will be next to earn an offer?
Will any 2021s break out? The 2021 class has the makings of a deep group of prospects but aside from Zion Harmon, none have really broken out as big time D1 prospects. Trey James and Darrius Washington are two who most people expect to be potential top 100 players nationally but neither has broken out just yet. Will any rising sophomores make their mark in July?
Which 2019 will commit next? So far, Jackson Harlan pledged his services to Western Kentucky and Kyle Rode is committed to Liberty. Will we see a commitment before AAU starts? The rumor has been for months that David Johnson will re-commit to Louisville and new head coach Chris Mack. There are approximately a dozen members of the 2019 class with commit-able offers. Could we see a commitment or two next month?
Are there any sleepers out there? In the class of 2015, Aric Holman entered his July 17u season with an offer from Northern Kentucky and little else going on. Two weeks later he had nearly 2 dozen high major offers. Is there anyone in the class that could have that type of July blow-up? Probably not but don’t be surprised if a kid like Dieonte Miles starts pulling down high major offers with a strong July.
How will Kentucky stack up in the big national tournaments? The Louisville Magic, Manimal Elite, MATTS Mustangs, Kentucky Vision and Louisville Legends will all take part in at least one big national tournament featuring some of the country’s top sponsored teams. Kentucky AAU generally doesn’t get much respect at the national level. With so many teams competing over the month of July, can a couple of these teams make a big statement and earn some esteem for the state?