Recruiting: 2018

[VU2014]

Some of the other Junior Indiana All-Stars that Valpo has had rumors to be interested is:

-PG: Mekhi Lairy (5'8") He average 23pts and over 8 assists his junior year. Finished with 8pts tonight.

-G/F Aaron Henry  (6'6") 205lbs

[VU2014]

Javon Freeman scouting report.

https://twitter.com/MidwestHoopsSL/status/872145001085624320

"Javon Freeman ('18 Whitney Young HS IL): The tall athletic wing stands at 6'5" and has a refined offensive game. Freeman uses his size, quickness and creativity to penetrate the lane and collapse the defense. His array of offensive skills include a soft floater, a paralyzing pump fake and a euro step that allow him to score from different angles on the basketball court."

[VU2014]

One of the other top performers in that article mentions Xavier Pinson who took an unofficial to Valpo last season.

He was at the Valpo vs UIC game at the ARC where we literally obliterated UIC.

Love when potential recruits come see Valpo Basketball at its best.

https://twitter.com/getbuckets_chi/status/823248047694114817

[VU2014]

Just an update. Walter Ellis is taking a visit to Toledo & Ball State the next few days.

Walter's current offers:
-Valpo
-Indiana State
-Ball State
-IUPUI

-Cal (Cuonzo Martin offered (his Dad is very good friends with Walter's Dad) & he's moved on to Mizzou)

https://twitter.com/INBBallSource/status/876798948228431874

We seem to be recruiting a lot of the same players as the Ball State, Indiana State, Evansville, IPFW, IUPUI. A little unsurprising I guess. Personally I think we are the premier Mid-Major Program in the State of Indiana but there are some solid mid-major programs in Indiana. Ball State is starting to get some talent & rebuilding that program the last few years.

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/ZachFleer270/status/877264525850013696
https://twitter.com/ZachFleer270/status/874985312686145536
https://twitter.com/ZachFleer270/status/860921232513941505
https://twitter.com/ZachFleer270/status/866008993260388353

Position: PG/SG
Height: 6'0 - 6'1
Year   2018
AAU Team: Indiana Blaze

http://www.270hoops.com/roster_players/15533884

http://www.270hoops.com/news_article/show/793259?referrer_id=
Settled In: Tre Baumgardner evolving as all-around point guard
By Zach Fleer, 05/16/17, 10:15AM EDT

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- High school basketball hasn't always been easy for Tre Baumgardner. For the first two years of Baumgardner's career, it was an up and down journey for one of the area's premier guards. With the turbulence of the past behind him, Baumgardner enjoyed a breakout junior season that started in the winter when the point guard commanded the Africentric backcourt.

"I'm happy to be in one spot in AAU and school because I don't have to worry about anything else except playing the game I love and continuing to get better," Baumgardner told 270 Hoops.

Beginning his career at the now-defunct City Prep Academy on Columbus' east side, Baumgardner was part of a celebrated freshman class in the fall of 2014 that included Pickerington North's Jerome Hunter and Eastmoor's Stanley Williams. As issues with the school's legitimacy and academic standing caused a mass exodus, Baumgardner would move on to Africentric.

With a virtually wasted freshman year, Baumgardner would struggle to find minutes as a sophomore with the Nubians. As Africentric featured a deep senior class during Baumgardner's second year with the Nubians, the guard would have to wait his turn.

The patience paid off, especially in the summer of that season, when Baumgardner made the switch to Team Blaze Select in the AAU season. Running alongside four-star recruit Musa Jallow, Baumgardner was able to focus on being an all-around point guard.

That shift in play style greatly benefit Baumgardner, as he took the momentum of last summer's AAU season into the winter. Returning to Africentric, Baumgardner had a chance alongside senior Landon Martin and junior Jah Bennett to represent the new era of Nubian basketball. And Baumgardner did just that - even if he is humble about.

"I feel that my performance [last year] was okay," Baumgardner said. "It was basically my first year and I was adjusting the whole season so I couldn't really be consistent. This year, I want to be more consistent and keep a high motor for the whole game."

Averaging 17.1 points and starting every game, Baumgardner was consistent - as far as the stat sheet goes - for most of the season, pouring in a career-high 30 points vs. Walnut Ridge in January. Never scoring below nine points in any game last season, Baumgardner officially made his mark as one of the area's top point guards, as his production matched his skill level for the first time in his career.

While Africentric would fail to win a district title for the first time since 2013, falling to eventual state runner-up Wellington by two points, Baumgardner closed the chapter of a breakout junior season.

Back with Team Blaze Select for the summer, Baumgardner has enjoyed a strong AAU season by all regards.

"It's going real well so far," Baumgardner said. "With this team, I have to be more of a true point guard because I have other people around me that can score at different levels, so I set the table first before I think to score and just let the game come to me."

Excelling as a facilitator and especially on the defensive perimeter, Baumgardner has not disappointed this spring. College coaches have also taken note, too.

While Baumgardner admits his recruitment has been a "little slow" so far, programs are still inquiring about the 6-foot-1 point guard.

"I've still been talking to Valparaiso and Alderson-Broaddus is talking to me heavy right now," Baumgardner said. "[Alderson-Broaddus] wants me to come to their invite-only camp in June and same goes for Miami (OH)."

A bit of a Division II-I tweener, Baumgardner can greatly help his recruitment for the rest of the summer leading into a senior year where the guard is looking to improve as a leader.

"To be successful this year I am going to have to lead by example, which starts on defense," Baumgardner said. "I feel that if I lock down my man 94 feet, my teammates will do the same. And also just show the passion for it and they will follow me and give their all if they see me, as a leader, giving my all. It all starts from the top."

As Africentric's unquestioned leader coming into this season, Baumgardner has embraced what comes with the territory of being 'the man.'

"The biggest challenges are that other teams watch a lot of film on you and study your game and tendencies," Baumgardner said. "Also in the City League, I got denied from the jump to the final buzzer, which was hard to get used to initially but once I figured out how to get freed up from being denied, it wasn't that much of a problem."

Most confident about his IQ, defense and play-making ability, Baumgardner will need to bring those qualities to the floor in each and every game for the Nubians.

In a City League-South division that should be as good as nearly any in Central Ohio, each game will be a battle for Africentric. For a player like Baumgardner, who has defeated adversity for his entire career, you can bet that he will be ready.

https://www.hudl.com/profile/6861029/manning-tre-baumgardner-iii

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uonSqOXK22E

[VU2014]

Strange. The Tweet saying he was visiting Valpo this week was deleted.

[vu72]

The Nubians?  That's a first.  I was looking at our team and recruitment and realized that the class of 2020 will be a huge challenge for us as we will have SEVEN spots to fill. Bakari, Derrik, J, Kiser, Ryan, Markus and Micah. Talk about rebuilding!! 

[VU2014]

Too hard to predict that far ahead. You never know what will happen between now and then.

Guys transfer, we could bring in red-shirt guys, we could land 1 or 2 of these high level/potential impact recruits then it doesn't seem like a rebuild.

But agreed, its not an ideal situation to have 7 scholarships come up in 1 offseason. My guess is that won't be the case but we'll see. It's going to be important for the coaches to land the next big impact player (ex: AP/Rowdy) for the program. Maybe those guys are already on the roster. We just don't know yet.

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/Valpo_Hoops/status/877940430821761024
https://twitter.com/IlliniSwami/status/877644319821185025

http://ilprepbullseye.com/Illini_Insider_Late_June.html

Look At The Top 5 2018 Prospects In Illinois
Date: June 21, 2017
By Ryan Evan--Illinois Prep Bulls-Eye Recruiting Contributor

..........

5) Javon Freeman-Liberty   6'4   WF   Chicago (Whitney Young)

There is a lot of talent in 2018 and this fifth spot could of went a few different ways. I believe this kid earned it by his play in
the state tournament along with helping MeanStreets qualify for the Peach Jam. In Indianapolis Freeman-Liblerty single-
handledly kept them in a couple games when his teammates were struggling. He has superior athleticism in relation to the
other four players on this list and attacks the basket relentlessly.  Freeman-Liberty can finish with contact and is aided in
this area by his incredible length.  I believe he is a high major prospect and will continue to get better over the next 12
months.  Right now Freeman-Liberty has offers from Toledo, Loyola, Valparaiso, Drake, Bradley and Chicago State.
He also told me that Tulsa and Syracuse have expressed interest .  I expect many more offers to come, as basketball is
in his blood and he's a competitor.  His uncle is former Illini great Marcus Liberty.  Even though I don't expect an offer from
Illinois, that doesn't mean that Freeman-Liberty won't ultimately land offers from other high major programs.  He is certainly
worth keeping an eye on as he tries to lead Whitney Young back to the state finals in Peoria again next season. 

........

[M]

2020 class will be huge!

[VU2014]

I don't watch a lot of Indiana High School Basketball but it's nice to see a few Valpo recruits on the list and another handful that we know Valpo has been rumored to be showing interest in.

I'd love to hear what you guys think about this list.

https://twitter.com/MattGlenesk/status/881610213928747008
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/07/02/insider-2018-indiana-high-school-basketball-player-rankings/443315001/

Insider: 2018 Indiana high school basketball player rankings
By: Kyle Neddenriep , kyle.neddenriep@indystar.com
Date: July 2, 2017

"There is little doubt about the No. 1 spot in the 2018 in-state basketball recruiting rankings. The rest of the top 20 is up for debate. Here are the updated 2018 rankings from Preps Insider Kyle Neddenriep:"

1. Romeo Langford, New Albany:
2. Robert Phinisee, McCutcheon:
3. Damezi Anderson, South Bend Riley
4. Eric Hunter, Tindley:

5. Aaron Henry, Ben Davis: (Valpo has been rumored to show interest)

The 6-5 Henry averaged 14.3 points per game as a junior and led Ben Davis to a run to the Class 4A state championship. The versatile forward was recently offered by Butler and also has a number of other offers, including Ball State, Evansville, Indiana State, Akron, Bradley, Florida Gulf Coast, Miami (Ohio), Oakland and more. Henry is also picking up interest from Big Ten programs and could see his recruitment take a jump in July.

6. Musa Jallow, Bloomington North:
7. Kevin Easley, Lawrence North:
8. Gavin Bizeau, Plainfield:

9. Mekhi Lairy, Evansville Bosse: (I know our Coaching Staff has shown some interest and has a relationship with Mekhi, but I'm not sure if we're a "fit" because we already have some small PGs including Micah, but if he's a play maker then there will always be a role for those players. It will be interesting to see if Valpo offers down the road.)

The 5-8 point guard has seen his recruiting take a spike after he averaged 23.0 points, 8.2 assists and 5.7 rebounds as a junior to lead Bosse to the Class 3A semistate. Lairy now has offers from Evansville, Miami (Ohio), Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and Tennessee-Martin — all since the beginning of June. The playmaker offsets his size disadvantage with his speed and ballhandling.

10. Walter Ellis, South Bend Adams: (Has an offer from Valparaiso)

The 6-5 Ellis, son of former Notre Dame star and NBA forward LaPhonso Ellis, averaged 19 points per game at South Bend Adams as a junior. Ellis' scholarship offers include Ball State, Fort Wayne, Indiana State, IUPUI, Toledo and UNC-Greensboro. He's receiving interest from high-major programs as well.

11. Jarron Coleman, Cathedral:
12. Austin Boucher, Fort Wayne North Side:

13. De'Avion Washington, Terre Haute South: (Has an offer from Valpo and is a priority recruit. He's a game changer from everything I've heard/read)

The 6-3 Washington showed his pedigree as a scorer and 3-point shooter for the Junior All-Star team. For his junior season, Washington averaged 19.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and shot 46 percent (38-for-84) from the 3-point line. Washington's offer list includes Ball State, Indiana State, IUPUI, Valparaiso, East Carolina, Temple, UNC-Greensboro and Western Illinois.

14. Caleb Brown, Broad Ripple:
15. Robin Duncan, Evansville Harrison:
16. Jamal Harris, Crispus Attucks:
17. DeAndre Gholston, Gary 21st Century:
18. Myja White, Brebeuf Jesuit:
19. Chance Coyle, Bloomington South:
20. Tony Hopkins, Howe:

Five more on the radar:
-Johnny Bernard, Merrillville; (Mileek McMillan's Former Teammate)
-Antwaan Cushingberry, Lawrence North;
-Jack Hansen, Guerin Catholic;
-Caleb Middlesworth, Oak Hill;
-Chaz Birchfield, Hamilton Southeastern

[M]

Johnny B was at the elite camp hosted by Valpo a few weeks back. Not sure of any interest by either party.

[VU2014]

Well Javon Freeman-Liberty's recruitment blew up today... offers from VCU, SLU, and Akron. He's definitely getting noticed and drawing more interest.

Just took a look at the amount of offers VCU and SLU's have each and its jaw dropping. They have both have 18 offers to just Shooting Guard recruits alone. If I'm a recruit and I see that I would almost get insulted. An offer to many of the bigger program are just a sign of interest and not a true offer.

[VU2014]

We're starting to see a lot of kids committing early. A couple big names from the State of Indiana just committed. Parker Hazen committed to Valpo on July 11, 2016. I wonder if we'll see any of our current offers commit early.

9. Mekhi Lairy, Evansville Bosse: (I know our Coaching Staff has shown some interest and has a relationship with Mekhi, but I'm not sure if we're a "fit" because we already have some small PGs including Micah, but if he's a play maker then there will always be a role for those players. It will be interesting to see if Valpo offers down the road.)

The 5-8 point guard has seen his recruiting take a spike after he averaged 23.0 points, 8.2 assists and 5.7 rebounds as a junior to lead Bosse to the Class 3A semistate. Lairy now has offers from Evansville, Miami (Ohio), Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and Tennessee-Martin — all since the beginning of June. The playmaker offsets his size disadvantage with his speed and ballhandling.

Consensus Top 20 player in the Indiana (class of 2018) just committed to Miami (OH). Valpo never offered.

https://twitter.com/INPrep/status/886615440641986560

Also PF Jack Hansen just committed to IUPUI. He was widely consider a Top 10-20 in the State of Indiana for the 2018 class. Didn't have an offer from VU either.
https://twitter.com/KyleNeddenriep/status/886265749651828740

[IndyValpo]

9. Mekhi Lairy, Evansville Bosse: (I know our Coaching Staff has shown some interest and has a relationship with Mekhi, but I'm not sure if we're a "fit" because we already have some small PGs including Micah, but if he's a play maker then there will always be a role for those players. It will be interesting to see if Valpo offers down the road.)

The 5-8 point guard has seen his recruiting take a spike after he averaged 23.0 points, 8.2 assists and 5.7 rebounds as a junior to lead Bosse to the Class 3A semistate. Lairy now has offers from Evansville, Miami (Ohio), Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and Tennessee-Martin — all since the beginning of June. The playmaker offsets his size disadvantage with his speed and ballhandling.

Consensus Top 20 player in the Indiana (class of 2018) just committed to Miami (OH). Valpo never offered.

https://twitter.com/INPrep/status/886615440641986560

Miami O new coach is Jack Owens who was an assistant at Purdue. He is and will recruit Indiana hard. This is the 5th Indiana recruit in his short time there.

[VU2014]

Consensus Top 20 player in the Indiana (class of 2018) just committed to Miami (OH). Valpo never offered.

https://twitter.com/INPrep/status/886615440641986560

Miami O new coach is Jack Owens who was an assistant at Purdue. He is and will recruit Indiana hard. This is the 5th Indiana recruit in his short time there.

Seems like every Indiana D1 program has renewed interest in recruiting the State harder then the past. It seems like more kids are stay home and playing for Indiana schools lately. One thing I really like about this new Valpo Staff is that they are recruiting Indiana harder then I remember the Drews did.

I'm hoping Coach Dildy can also help us navigate the Chicago Public/AAU recruiting circuit like Coach Powell did for us. So many politics (AAU coaches/shoe company sponsorships, etc) involved with recruiting Chicago  & also is a good coach to boot.

[VU2014]

Javon Freeman Liberty's unlce Marcus Liberty (former Illini star/NBA player) just tweeted this out.

https://twitter.com/Givemeliberty30/status/888821879758258178

Great advice from his unlce and we all know Valpo only offers to priority recruits (they don't offer for just having interest like most schools). We will only have 1 true shooting guard (Markus Golder who can also play SF) on our roster after this upcoming season, so he clearly would have a opening for playing time & early development on our team as young player.

Maybe this is a hint that he may be looking to commit early? Keep in mind Valpo has also offered his High School/AAU teammate Xavier Castañeda who plays Point Guard. Both are considered one of the best players in the State of Illinois landing either one would be a terrific player for Valpo and have the potential to be impact guys.

Valpo only has 5 outstanding offers for the 2018 & 2019 class currently compared to many program that have 18-20 "offers" for one class and even in some cases one position for one class.

[vu72]

Javon Freeman Liberty's unlce Marcus Liberty (former Illini star/NBA player) just tweeted this out.

https://twitter.com/Givemeliberty30/status/888821879758258178

Great advice from his unlce and we all know Valpo only offers to priority recruits (they don't offer for just having interest like most schools). We will only have 1 true shooting guard (Markus Golder who can also play SF) on our roster after this upcoming season, so he clearly would have a opening for playing time & early development on our team as young player.

Maybe this is a hint that he may be looking to commit early? Keep in mind Valpo has also offered his High School/AAU teammate Xavier Castañeda who plays Point Guard. Both are considered one of the best players in the State of Illinois landing either one would be a terrific player for Valpo and have the potential to be impact guys.

Valpo only has 5 outstanding offers for the 2018 & 2019 class currently compared to many program that have 18-20 "offers" for one class and even in some cases one position for one class.

How would you classify Joe Burton if not a 2/3?  I suppose Kiser would also fall into those spots

[VU2014]

How would you classify Joe Burton if not a 2/3?  I suppose Kiser would also fall into those spots

Joe could play the 2/3, but I think he will main play the 3 next season. I wouldn't put Kiser on athletic or quick 2s. You'd really be only playing John at the 2 in a pinch. Ryan Fazekas is listed as a SF but could also effectively be utilized as a stretch 4 and space the floor. Interestingly (oddly) Providence listed him as a guard  http://www.friars.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/ryan_fazekas_973747.html

Point being is that whoever commits to Valpo from that 2018 class at the guard position is going to definitely get opportunities to play & develop. We were close to landing the Stefanovic commitment but Purdue entered his recruitment at the last minute.

My gut says as of right now greatest competition for Javon Freeman-Liberty will be Loyola, but they'll have 8 other guards on the roster barring any transfers when he'd be a freshman (6 Shooting Guard & 2 Point Guards). Also I think Akron is a threat.

Freeman-Liberty's Current Offers: Valpo, VCU (offered 20 other guys), SLU (offered 20 other guys), Loyola, Akron, FCGU, Drake, SIU, Toledo, UWM, NKU, La Salle, Green Bay, Chicago State.

[ValpoDad89]

If Marcus has any influence on his nephew's recruiting, our newest Assistant may have a real good in. Emanuel's cousin Tracy played 2 years with Marcus at King HS in the mid 80's. My guess is that Marcus has respect for Tracy and probably trusts the Dildy family name more than any other staff recruiting Javon.

While not super solid per se, if things are tight between us and another school(s) it's these X factors that sometimes give you the advantage.

[bbtds]

If Marcus has any influence on his nephew's recruiting, our newest Assistant may have a real good in. Emanuel's cousin Tracy played 2 years with Marcus at King HS in the mid 80's. My guess is that Marcus has respect for Tracy and probably trusts the Dildy family name more than any other staff recruiting Javon.

While not super solid per se, if things are tight between us and another school(s) it's these X factors that sometimes give you the advantage.

Don't you think that Loyola has just as good a connection to Javon as one that says "his uncle played high school ball with the cousin of one of the assistant coaches?" That's not that great of a connection. It sounds like, "the assistant's neighbor's daughter babysits for the brother of the player's grade school coach."

[VU2014]

If Marcus has any influence on his nephew's recruiting, our newest Assistant may have a real good in. Emanuel's cousin Tracy played 2 years with Marcus at King HS in the mid 80's. My guess is that Marcus has respect for Tracy and probably trusts the Dildy family name more than any other staff recruiting Javon.

While not super solid per se, if things are tight between us and another school(s) it's these X factors that sometimes give you the advantage.

Don't you think that Loyola has just as good a connection to Javon as one that says "his uncle played high school ball with the cousin of one of the assistant coaches?" That's not that great of a connection. It sounds like, "the assistant's neighbor's daughter babysits for the brother of the player's grade school coach."

bbtds you're right and Loyola was the first school to offer him. Being first to offer matters to some kids. I just get the sense that he has a good relationship with their staff. Loyola the last year or two has done a good job of entering kids recruitment early on compared to many schools particularly in the Chicagoland area.

I just think as of right now we are the better fit when you compare rosters for him right now. But you never know what is most important to kids. Early playing time? Player-Coach relationship? School size? Conference? etc.

[VU2014]

New Valpo offer: Israel Barnes

Year: 2018
Position: SG
Weight: 170
Hometown: Wichia, KS
High School: Wichita Southeast High School

Star Rank:
ESPN: 3 star
Rivals: 3 star
Scout: N/A
247 Sports: 3 star (2nd best player from Kansas in the class of 2018)

Current Offers: Valpo, Weber State, Tulsa
http://www.verbalcommits.com/players/israel-barnes

https://twitter.com/Ilb_12/status/889277343772143617
https://twitter.com/TheHoopFocus/status/889185574455738368

A good interview if you want to give it a listen. He says his greatest strength is his lock-down defense. He also says he's looking for a program that has strong academics and a team that is like a family. That pretty much screams Valparaiso.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbCTvpRDlmM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HcMxcHrZU0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd-Dh9tAji0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hfcR1nfJRw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKLkhgx81gY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzCH_4UcFWs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HcMxcHrZU0

[M]

Odd they list his weight but not his height

[VU2014]

Yeah it is pretty weird. Most sites have him listed as 6'4" or 6'3".