Patrick Ingram 6’2 SG North Central was absolutely huge for Eric Gordon Central Stars against Indiana Elite One and then Indiana Elite Team Indiana. Ingram is always a hound on defense but he also showed he can really shoot it from the outside Sunday. He hit a few over people including an “and 1” from three. Slightly under the radar since he played on a guard-loaded North Central team.
Jeremy Hollowell 6’7 SF Lawrence Central had a very good Sunday against some great defenders. He was guarding mainly by Ron Patterson and Hanner Perea. He posted up the shorter Patterson and he took the taller, stronger Perea off the bounce. Showing why I believe he could end up being the top prospect in a loaded 2012 class. Once he adds muscle, he could be absolutely unreal.
Ron Patterson 6’3 SG Broad Ripple shot the ball really well all weekend…if it was off the catch. He struggles when he goes left and when he shoots off the dribble. His handles need a ton of work…when he is facing an athletic defender that can get into him, his handles are extremely loose. Still a great prospect but people are catching up with his athleticism now.
Kellon Thomas 5’11 PG Southport was really solid this weekend. He scored over the top of some players I didn’t think he had the ability to complete the play. My question has always been how high is his ceiling? He is most likely done growing, he has always been the strongest guard on the court (that will change at the next level), he is quick but doesn’t have the highest gear that a guy like Yogi Ferrell has, solid shooter but not highly consistent yet. I see him as a mid-major type of recruit and not an elite high-major.
Nick Osborne 6’7 PF Muncie Central was really good this weekend. Osborne has always been good because of his motor, size, and athleticism but now it seems like he is adding more skill to go with those assets. He showed a couple mid-range jumpers and a couple of nice finishes with his back to the basket against very good competition. I love his upside if he is committed to improving his skill set in terms of face-up game and back to the basket moves.
Kellen Dunham 6’4 SG Pendleton Heights shows flashes of being really good but just isn’t really consistent yet. He has improved a lot over the last year and has grown a solid amount. Once he adds some muscle and fully gets used to his body, his game could really take off. Lots of “if’s” but if he could grow another 2 inches and be a SF at the college level then he would be a high-major guy.
D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera 6’3 PG North Central was good…kind of tired about writing about him but I have to mention him because he is good very weekend. Rumors are floating around that he might head to prep school like an Oak Hill Academy. I have no idea if he will or not but if all the best high school players go to prep school it will definitely hurt the high school game. DSR’s handles are good enough to play the point, his outside shot is still a bit inconsistent but is improving still. He gets most of his points by overpowering people and usually not blowing by them.
Mitch McGary 6’9 PF Chesterton looks to be fully healthy for the first time in a long time. He had a lot more energy and effort this weekend. Sprinting the floor even when he wasn’t going to be in the play…even getting a back tip against a ball handler on a fast break. He has great touch on his outside shooting, but will fail to convert inside a little bit more than I would like. I don’t think there is any doubt he is high-major if he gets his academics straight and is focused on improving.
Yogi Ferrell 5’10 PG Park Tudor was great again this weekend. I don’t care if he is 5’2, he can play at any level. He is a competitor and has an extra gear with the ball then everyone else. He has been shooting it really well off the catch and off the dribble. No doubt, high major talent but I still think he will get another inch or two before college.
Cody Zeller 6’10 PF Washington didn’t have a huge weekend especially in the game they lost to an undermanned Team Southern Indiana team. I love his game, but he doesn’t take over games enough for me. Maybe it is because he isn’t used to being the go-to guy in the AAU setting. I would say he has way more potential than McGary just because he moves better and has improved so much over the last two years.
Jeremiah Jones 6’3 SG Merrillville was huge against D3 Heat 2012, who has Gary Harris, on Sunday. I love Jones’ game when he is aggressively looking to attack the basket. He has the handles and quickness to get there almost anytime he wants, but settles for the outside shot in my instances. Don’t get me wrong, he can shoot it well from the perimeter but he is really good when he gets in the lane. Definitely a mid-major prospect.
Harry Wills 6’2 PG Ben Davis might be the biggest sleeper in the loaded 2012 class especially as a point guard. Super quick, good size, jumps well, awkward shot but it is a high release and pretty quick. I really like his upside. Mid-major prospect, he plays for Team Up-tempo.
Ronnie Johnson 5’10 PG North Central as long as we are on the topic of 2012 point guards we have to mention Johnson. He has been absolutely killing it this spring. Consistent shooter that is ultra-quick with the ability to finish in the lane via his floater. He rarely goes right but no one seems to be able to stop him from going left. A couple of inches would help his stock, but definitely a mid-major prospect with his abilities and basketball IQ.
Hanner Perea 6’9 PF United Faith Christian Academy (NC) is unbelievably long and athletic. He doesn’t have too much else to his game but those two things allow him to dominate because he is also aggressive. He looks to dunk everything on the offensive end and he likes to contest every shot defensively. Perea can put the ball on the floor for one or two dribbles at most right now but covers a ton of ground during those dribbles. Rumor is that he is down to Indiana and Baylor for college. He plays for Indiana Elite Team Indiana 16’s.
Max Bielfeldt 6’6 PF Notre Dame (Peoria, IL) didn’t look comfortable this weekend. I saw him out in Pittsburgh and he was really good. He wasn’t as active this weekend…almost like he was lost or didn’t understand what the coach wanted from him. His strength and motor are his best assets along with his pick and pop ability.
Travis Trice 6’0 PG Wayne (Dayton,OH) didn’t have a particularly great weekend for SYF. In the games that I witnessed, he really struggled shooting the ball. He will force some shots and rarely looks to attack going left. Trice does compete though and I don’t think he lets a poor offensive game affect his defensive effort.