Indiana Basketball Source, Miami of Ohio, and Western Michigan attended North Central’s open gym on Thursday. First-year head coach Kevin Gant has his players flying around the court throughout the workout, and many young players left an impression on Indiana Basketball Source.
Joey Brown (2023) missed the summer due to a leg injury, and he is not cleared for live competition yet. However, the six-foot-five guard participated in drills and looked fluid. He finished above the rim with no indication that he is still rehabbing. He had a breakout spring with G3 All-Indy as his physical tools caught the attention of college coaches. Brown recently visited Illinois and has many other unofficial visits planned for the fall.
On Wednesday, Connor Essegian (2022) officially announced his commitment to the University of Wisconsin. After taking official visits to Wake Forest and Wisconsin this fall, the Central Noble guard made his verbal pledge to the Badgers.
(Travis Grayson pictured in April with Indiana Elite-Team Indiana)
Indiana Basketball Source stopped at Chesterton High School in Northwest Indiana to check on senior point guard Travis Grayson and sophomores Justin Sims and Tyler Parrish, but others ended up playing well too.
Scott Chemma gathered a group of his Indiana GAME players for a workout/showcase on Tuesday evening. With numerous small college coaches in attendance, here is a review of the action.
(Jalen Hooks from April with George Hill All-Indy)
Crispus Attucks attracted Air Force, Wichita State, and Xavier to its open gym on Monday. Jalen Hooks (2023) brought Wichita State and Xavier, while Air Force concentrated on JJ Louden. It was an impressive open gym with players from each grade playing well.
Hooks was the vocal leader throughout the drills and scrimmages. He deferred to others last year, but it looks like he is comfortable being out front this year. Hooks was active and engaged in every part of the workout. He was best going to the basket but mixed in outside shots as well and competed defensively. Along with Wichita State and Xavier, Illinois watched him last week with Arkansas, LSU, Georgia, and many others planning visits.