(AJ Dixon turned heads with his play)

 

The 2021 IndyBall Shootout began Saturday, and many players caught the attention of Indiana Basketball Source. Here are notes on the players that stood out the most.

 

Cooper Koch – Indiana Elite 2024

The Illinois native (Peoria Notre Dame) was impressive in every way possible. He is a lanky 6’6”/6’7” forward that shoots well from the outside, can put the ball on the floor, and score with his back to the basket. It looks like he is still growing, too. The upside to Koch’s game is massive. With his size and skill level, Koch should be a nationally-ranked prospect.

 

Jaxon Edwards – D1 Indiana 2022

Edwards had some great games for Cathedral, but the Fighting Irish did not need him to score a ton since Vincent Brady and Tayshawn Comer were highly consistent. Edwards is a 6’4”/6’5” wing that finishes above the rim and will step away from the basket for outside shots. His game was clicking on Saturday. Against 920 Elite, he had a few highlight-reel dunks and shot well from three. His shooting is the most important piece to his game going forward. If he proves to be a consistent shooter, D1 offers will start to roll in.

 

Jaylen Fairman – D1 Indiana 2022

Fairman had a great showing against Indiana Faith. The Jeffersonville guard shot well off the dribble as he helped D1 Indiana open a comfortable lead. Fairman is a solid athlete with quick feet. It seems like he is actually a better lateral athlete than vertical. That allowed him to harass ball-handlers and create turnovers on the defensive end. For D1 Indiana, he also handled the ball frequently. There is a lot to like about Fairman’s game.

 

AJ Dixon – IE-Team Indiana 2022

Dixon finished the high school season well, and it looks like he is continuing his strong play into the travel season. The strongly built wing shot extremely well in the two games that Indiana Basketball Source watched. As a spot-up shooter, his shot is a bit slow, but Dixon was converting shots all morning. He also had a handful of eye-catching dunks. It was a great start to the travel season for Dixon.

 

Richard Brooks – IE-Team Indiana 2022

Brooks is a powerfully built guard that makes shots, and that is exactly what he did Saturday. He has a textbook release on his jumper. The Mishawaka Marian product shoots well off the dribble, and that was displayed in the two games. With his size and shooting ability, Brooks should see more college attention this spring and summer.

 

Will Lovings-Watts – Indiana Elite 2022

Lovings-Watts played the passing lanes to get frequent transition opportunities. With an official camp going on, he was called for two technical after dunks for hanging on the rim. He was barely on the rim; he certainly was not taunting during the dunks. Those calls aside, Lovings-Watts was aggressive and productive. His motor and assertiveness off the dribble made him stand out. This should be an important spring and summer for the Jeffersonville wing.

 

Connor Essegian – Indiana Elite 2022

Over a year ago, Indiana Basketball Source tabbed Essegian as the best on-the-move shooter in the state. In Indiana Elite’s first game, he backed that up with a few deep threes. Essegian also made an impact with his defense. He collapsed on ball-handlers and post players with urgency from the help side. That burst to the ball led to many steals and a few held balls. He has plenty of low to mid-major offers. It will be interesting to see if even bigger programs offer him this summer due to his shooting ability.