Recruiting: 2018

[VU2014]

The ESPN rankings are pretty terrible. At least once you get passed the Top 100-150. ESPN has really fallen off the map in terms of what the quality of their "recruiting services" use to be. It shows in the Illinois ranking. Just trying to give reference to the "#4" in the state ranking. Freeman is a great prospect but he's isn't a consensus #4, but is definitely Top 10 guy and would be a great get for Valpo.

ESPN's Illinois list is missing obvious top talents like Conditt, Talen Horton-Tucker, Griffin, Peterson, etc.

https://twitter.com/REALPREPREPORTS/status/900449822032965632

https://twitter.com/PSH_HSscout/status/900508216999763972
"Interesting Notes":
-Finke may land with Bryce down in Vandy if he doesn't end up with the Illini
-Zion Griffin - His recruitment has absolutely blown up. Valpo got involved a little later in his recruitment and was reported to have talked to him and saw him a few months ago. He just cut offers down the the final 4: Kansas, Iowa State, Pitt, &... fellow MVC team Illinois State. 4 star guy
-Kezo Brown - surprised everyone and committed Chicago State
-Darius Beane - One of the top PGs in the state committed to SIU (his Dad is an assistant at SIU)
-Ryan Davis - it was reported that Valpo was showing interest. Hard to see him landing at Valpo.
https://twitter.com/okonscoutnews/status/851598452714766337

Some news on Valpo offer Xavier Castaneda who is High School teammates with Javon Freeman-Liberty.

http://www.suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2017/08/07/henricksen-july-rewind/

State champion point guard with solid July:
"Fresh off leading his team to a state championship this past March, Young's Xavier Castaneda followed that up with a strong July on the club circuit while playing with Meanstreets.

Calm and cool with the ball in his hands, the 5-11 senior point guard is poised under fire, makes those around him better and continues to make the right play and the correct pass.

South Florida and coach Brian Gregory extended an offer in July and has made Castaneda a priority. Wichita State jumped in with an offer as a whole bunch of mid-major programs –– from Loyola, Valpo, Kent State to several others –– hope to hang on and be there in the end.

Castaneda says he so far has visits planned for South Florida, Wichita State and Kent State."

[VU2014]

It's going to be a big weekend for Valpo Basketball. I hope Javon enjoys his time at Valpo this weekend.
https://twitter.com/PSH_HSscout/status/902219154605965312

Weather
Friday: 75/55 Partly Cloudy
Saturday: 81/61 Partly Cloudy
Sunday: 83/63 Sunny

[VU2014]

Well Trevon Faulkner just committed to NKU. A really good get for NKU. He's going to play with his cousin Mason. The class of 2018 can't sign their 'letter of intent' till November.

2 scholarships currently available for the class of 2018

Current Outstanding Offers:
2018:
SG:
-Javon Freeman-Liberty (visiting this weekend)
-Deavion Washington
-Walter Ellis
-Israel Barnes

PG:
-Xavier Castañeda (he set 3 official visits to: Wichita State, Kent State, University South Florida)
-Shakur Daniel

2019:
SG:
-Alex Hemenway

https://twitter.com/nikemeanstreets/status/902329591255138306
https://twitter.com/okonscoutnews/status/902362901905895424

[VU2014]

Terre Haute native Deavion Washington SG is going to be making his official visit in a few weeks.

https://twitter.com/g3risingstars/status/903252472248107008

Whoever wrote this tweet butchered Valparaiso and Terre Haute.

[M]

As well as the date

[covufan]

Whoever wrote this tweet butchered Valparaiso and Terre Haute.

As well as the date

With tweets I don't normally worry about spelling - even the most well intentioned tweeters can fat thumb spellings.  The dates are out of whack, though.

[VU2014]

http://www.suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2017/08/30/henricksen-breaking-top-dozen-prospects-class-2018/

Henricksen: Breaking down top dozen prospects in Class of 2018
By: Joe Henricksen
For Sun-Times Media | @joehoopsreport
Aug. 30 9:19 a.m.

.........

4. Xavier Castaneda, 5-11, PG, Whitney Young

Often the forgotten player in the class and a little under-appreciated for the player he is, but it's Castaneda who led his team to a state championship last year in Class 4A. Smart, poised, calm and with a sneaky burst in the open floor who gets others involved –– just the type of ingredients you want in a point guard.

Castaneda has scheduled visits with South Florida, Wichita State and Kent State and has Valpo heavily involved.

........

6. Javon Freeman, 6-3, WF, Whitney Young

A long, active and athletic wing who took off during the second of half of his junior season in helping lead the Dolphins to a Class 4A state championship. Freeman is a slasher and finisher at the rim, especially in the open court, and has the potential to be an impact defender down the road. Freeman will visit Akron, Valpo and Florida Gulf Coast.

........

[VU2014]

The Coaches are even acknowledging it publicly. This Javon Freeman-Liberty visit is huge for Valpo Basketball!

https://twitter.com/emandildy/status/903623668143726592
https://twitter.com/CoachRagsVU/status/903629123469418496

[crusader05]

Looks like the Coaches nailed the visit

https://twitter.com/Kennethpittman_/status/904151532874203137

https://twitter.com/AintuJavon/status/904151102026915842

[VU2014]

This is a big time commit for Valpo Basketball!!! Great news!!!

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/PSH_HSscout/status/904154711309393920
https://twitter.com/CoachRagsVU/status/904147325580345345
https://twitter.com/emandildy/status/904154702660739073
https://twitter.com/INBBallSource/status/904153696883417089
https://twitter.com/chilandprephoop/status/904156861494153220
https://twitter.com/REALPREPREPORTS/status/904156661304188929
https://twitter.com/IlliniSwami/status/904158461440733184
https://twitter.com/scottybscout/status/904157616003264513

His uncle & former NBA player Marcus Liberty.
https://twitter.com/Givemeliberty30/status/904161548775645189
https://twitter.com/Givemeliberty30/status/904162630327205888

https://twitter.com/TheReal_MG3/status/904193070387912704

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/PrepHoopsIL/status/904162208388669441
https://www.prephoops.com/2017/09/javon-freeman-valpo/

Javon Freeman to Valpo
By Scott Burgess
Posted On: 09/2/17 8:30 PM

Whitney Young 2018 shooting guard Javon Freeman has committed to Valparaiso while on his official visit.  He announced the commitment on his twitter page.  He told us why they were his choice.

"Close to home and I love the coaches.  We have a good connection."

Freeman noted that the environment on his official visit this weekend played a huge part in his decision along with how he will be used.

"I will be able to fit in and start."

Valpo has recruited Chicago hard for years and it continues with this commitment.  Assistant coach Emanuel Dildy has ties in the Chicago area and played a factor in this commitment.

Freeman is a slick two guard that transferred over to Whitney Young last season when his previous school Seton closed.  He slowly got into rhythm with his squad as the season went along and was a major reason they won a state championship.  Freeman is smooth with the rock in his hands and has the ability to get to the rack as well as be a good passer from the wing position.

He played with Meanstreets on the Nike EYBL circuit.  Freeman is currently the #7 overall prospect in the 2018 class and #3 shooting guard.

[vu72]

Great early get!! No doubt he will influence others in his class!

[wh]

3 stars, baby!

https://verbalcommits.com/players/javon-freeman-liberty

[VU2014]

Wow his announcement of his commitment to Valpo caused him to be on the of Top Trending Topics in Chicago right now.

https://twitter.com/TrendsChicago/status/904179382658494464

[wh]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXEZatG1E-A

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/CSNChicago/status/904365583407472640

http://www.csnchicago.com/preps-talk/whitney-youngs-javon-freeman-commits-valparaiso

Whitney Young's Javon Freeman commits to Valparaiso
By Scott Phillips
September 03, 2017 10:09 AM

Whitney Young senior guard Javon Freeman became the first major domino to fall in the local Class of 2018 on Saturday night as he committed to Valparaiso.

The 6-foot-4 Freeman helped lead the Dolphins to an IHSA Class 4A state championship last season as he was one of the most potent scorers in the state.

...........

[vufan75]

Great VC news!! Another Top 10 Illinois player coming to Valpo! Super job by coaching staff. No doubt this staff CAN recruit. Congrats to all and welcome to Valpo Javon!!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk

[wh]

Whitney Young guard Javon Freeman-Liberty commits to Valparaiso

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mens-basketball-valparaiso-javon-freeman-liberty-st-0904-20170903-story,amp.html

[M]

So we have one scholarship left for the 2018 class now right? That should put some pressure on these kids to sign pretty quickly in the early period here if they are serious about Valpo.

[VU2014]

Whitney Young guard Javon Freeman-Liberty commits to Valparaiso

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/post-tribune/sports/ct-ptb-mens-basketball-valparaiso-javon-freeman-liberty-st-0904-20170903-story,amp.html

I few interesting things I took from this article on what Javon's future role may be.

"The Crusaders like his winning mentality, athleticism and skill set."

"They told me I can be a combo — guard and wing," Freeman-Liberty said. "They told me I'm a leader and I'll have the ball in my hands to score."

[wh]

So we have one scholarship left for the 2018 class now right? That should put some pressure on these kids to sign pretty quickly in the early period here if they are serious about Valpo.

Now we need Whitney Young's other 3-Star -
Xavier Castaneda (4th ranked IL senior) - to commit and we can put a wrap on 2018. Javon and Xavier would would be a very dangerous backcourt combination.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xc4LVkVRAk

[VU2014]

Agreed with WH here. Landing both Xavier & Javon would be a recruiting coup for Valpo basketball! This duo lead Whitney Young to win a State Championship when both of them were only Juniors.

It may be tough to land Xavier though. He is set to visit Wichita State (this upcoming weekend), Kent State, & USF, but apparently Valpo is still very heavily involved. I'm sure it also doesn't hurt Valpo's chances that his good friend high school teammate & AAU teammate is committed to Valpo. It would be a dynamic duo. One stumbling block may be that we have 2 PGs (micah & Bakari) on the roster which may be a negative to him when he looks at the roster formation when it comes to early playing time, but if he's a stud I'm sure the coaches would play him his Freshman year at VU. The best players play and I've heard Bakari could play as a combo 1/2 guard in most lineups.

Someone mentioned to me that Xavier Castaneda is Keith Carter 2.0 with better hops. He's a special player if thats true. He's a floor general type point guard who is also dynamic enough to be a real scoring threat.

[oklahomamick]

K. Carter was the best guard we ever had a Valpo.  Complete shame we didn't see him in more games. 

[wh]

K. Carter was the best guard we ever had a Valpo.  Complete shame we didn't see him in more games. 

You might be forgetting someone.  (Hint: his jersey is hanging from the rafters.)