Recruiting: 2020

[FieldGoodie05]

Remains to be seen, but can this staff successfully recruit anyone over 6'6"? 

Fazekas, ok maybe because he was recruited before he went out of region is the case I present.  So pre Lottich.

Sorolla, I still consider a Drew recruit who possibly followed Jackie Emanuel who is no longer at VU.

I'm sure to be countered here, welcome input.

Mileek is a huge project unless unfathomed improvement happens before junior year.

Hazen bye bye

[VUGrad1314]

I think you'll see some great improvement from Mileek if the reports on how his offseason training is going are true.

[bbtds]

I'm sure VU2014 is all over this, but starting at 12:01 this morning, coaches can make unlimited calls and texts to 2020 recruits, so I'm sure Valpo's coaches have been reaching out to prospects today.

Was this a change in recruiting rules?

Fairly recently (changed in 2012).  Old rule was you could only call or text a recruit once a month between June 15th after their Sophomore year through July 31 after their Junior year.

Ask Kelvin Sampson and Eron's brother Eric Gordon about that rule when Eric had committed to Illinois.

[NativeCheesehead]

Ha!  Ask Scott Drew about that rule.

[VU2014]

Remains to be seen, but can this staff successfully recruit anyone over 6'6"? 

Fazekas, ok maybe because he was recruited before he went out of region is the case I present.  So pre Lottich.

Sorolla, I still consider a Drew recruit who possibly followed Jackie Emanuel who is no longer at VU.

I'm sure to be countered here, welcome input.

We've no doubt struck out of some 6'6" and up guys this offseason: Mike Davis and Braun Hartfield

But we have had some 6'6" and up guys like Markus Golder (a great find), Mileek McMillan (a project) and they did land Joe Burton (obviously didn't work out). Fazekas is 6'8".

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/HoopsIntensity/status/1010676371725737984
https://twitter.com/WolvesILL/status/1010617183800569856

[VU2014]

The staff has been recruiting Holmes for a while now. I remember hearing they were showing interest since Fall 2017.

https://twitter.com/real_hoops_dad/status/1011269665912446976
https://twitter.com/real_hoops_dad/status/1010975432576036868

[FWalum]

Mileek is a huge project unless unfathomed improvement happens before junior year.

Who started this whole thing about Mileek being a "project"?? A project is a kid who comes in tripping over his own two feet and that is not Mileek.  Mileek is a guard who grew 8 inches played the 5 as a senior and now has a 7'3" wing span. I will admit that he had some defensive issues this past season, but also at times showed explosive skill offensively.  The staff is Very, Very high on Mileek

[VU2014]

Mileek is a huge project unless unfathomed improvement happens before junior year.

Who started this whole thing about Mileek being a "project"?? A project is a kid who comes in tripping over his own two feet and that is not Mileek.  Mileek is a guard who grew 8 inches played the 5 as a senior and now has a 7'3" wing span. I will admit that he had some defensive issues this past season, but also at times showed explosive skill offensively.  The staff is Very, Very high on Mileek

I'm very high on Mileek's future as well but at least his freshman season could be defined as a "project" or a "work in progress". He was arguably the most raw guy on the team last season, other than Parker (who didn't look ready for D1 basketball at all). He looked very green at times (which is to be expected) but would also show flashes of impact potential in games like the Loyola game on the road. Apparently he was still growing in terms of height as recently as last summer. I love his potential.

We will need Mileek to take another step in his development by the time next season starts, specifically on the defensive end. If he could limit the foul trouble and be available and trusted more later in games it could have a be a big boost. Apparently he's packed on ton of muscle this offseason. I'm closely going to be watching his progression next season. I'll also be watching Micah Bradford. He seems to be getting quite a bit of hype in the offseason open gyms. I just can't get myself to buy into his stock till I see him on the court against live competition though. Hopefully the hype is real.

[VUGrad1314]

It's Micah's last chance. If he doesn't produce this year  he'll have a tough time seeing the floor next year if he's still here. I just hope they have a good sense to put him on ball and play Evelyn on ball. That worked so well I don't know why they went away from it at times throughout the year.

[EddieCabot]

Saw on Twitter that Valpo expressed interest in Deontae Craig of Culver Academy.  Sophomore starter on the 3A state champs, but don't know much else.  Maybe 2014 can do some research.

[VU2014]

Saw on Twitter that Valpo expressed interest in Deontae Craig of Culver Academy.  Sophomore starter on the 3A state champs, but don't know much else.  Maybe 2014 can do some research.

I got you 

He's a two sport athlete in Football and Basketball. He's been on Purdue and Notre Dame's radars for football. He's already taken unofficial visits to both schools. He's a Fort Wayne native. I couldn't find much info if on his recruitment. No offers yet, but his high school teammate is considered one of the top 100 recruit in his class. Deontae sounds like a really strong kid.

Deontae Craig
6'4"225 lbs Sophomore
Graduates in 2020
Position: SF, PF

http://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/deontae-craig/6xfp3VmVEea-8KA2nzwbTA/default.htm

https://twitter.com/MattGlenesk/status/1011698861008654341

IndyStar basketball recruiting rankings for Indiana's 2020 class
Kyle Neddenriep
Indianapolis Star
June 26, 2018

........

15. Deontae Craig, Culver Academy: The 6-4 Craig was a key part of Culver Academy's Class 3A state championship team as a sophomore, averaging 13.6 points and a team-leading 7.3 rebounds per game. Craig was Junior All-State in football so his future might be there.

Culver Academy's Deontae Craig Impresses on All Fields
March 1, 2018
Dalton Tinklenberg

...

"Currently I have no offers but I've been on a couple visits to Notre Dame and one to Purdue for football and I have a little bit of interest from Northern Kentucky for basketball," said Craig.

...

"Relentless," said Culver Academy head coach Mark Galloway. "He's a relentless rebounder, he's a relentless defender and he's relentless in how he plays the game. I think when you have a guy like that it's nice to have him on your team every night. I think he's expanding his game and he's adding more versatility. Probably last year as a freshman it was more back to the basket. Now he's facing up, putting the ball on the floor and we're playing him on the wing more."

.... http://bluehqmedia.com/culver-academys-deontae-craig-impresses-fields/

https://twitter.com/CMABasketball/status/996463438422528002
https://twitter.com/CMABasketball/status/995030291268952065
https://twitter.com/INBBallSource/status/993162456276094977
https://twitter.com/BbalEvv/status/977695850595061760
https://twitter.com/BbalEvv/status/977663991555264512

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvG75W1lLz8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rURgj9XoK-4

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/okonscoutnews/status/1012409094731333632

Dante Maddox, Jr.
Status: Undecided
Year: 2020 (HS SO)
Position: PG
Height: 6-2
Weight: 180
Hometown: Chicago Heights, IL
High School: Bloom High School
AAU: Mac Irvin Fire
Offers: SIU
Rank: NA

He was getting recruited by UWM while Coach Townsend was still there.

Hudl Highlights: https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8746341/5a36148f19b0390d54e91b0a

https://twitter.com/CoachTy_Johnson/status/966877809653272576
https://twitter.com/CoachTy_Johnson/status/848741327013543936
https://twitter.com/okonscoutnews/status/942467886613958662

https://twitter.com/SouthtownSports/status/941878305434763264

Dante's inferno: Maddox Jr. heats up for 34 points as Bloom's comeback stuns H-F
Tony Baranek
Daily Southtown
December 15, 2017

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/sports/ct-sta-boys-basketball-homewood-flossmoor-bloom-st-1217-20171215-story.html

Recruiting Report: Dante Maddox (2020)
By Scott Burgess
Posted On: 11/20/17 12:00 PM

Dante Maddox is a 6'2" 2020 shooting guard from Bloom that is an athletic and can score the basketball.  His athleticism shows through in the transition game where he gets out as a finisher with big dunks.  He is a quality scorer in the half court as well with range on his shot out to beyond the three point arc.  Clean looking stroke.  At times he takes some forced shots from deep.  D1 talent in the 2020 class.

He broke down July running with a stacked All-In 15U squad.

"It actually went really well for me personally.  I had a good last couple of tournaments when we went to Summer Jam and Las Vegas.  I had a couple good games."

What are the best parts of his game?

"My strengths are shooting.  I shoot the ball really good consistently.  Now over the last couple months I have got more athletic and have been able to get more going to the hole and finishing."

At Bloom he is surrounded with a trio of other highly rated sophomores.  College coaches are taking notice.

"We have a lot of young talent.  In my opinion we have the three best guards in the state in 2020.  We have a lot of good coaches that have come through to watch us.  Illinois, Montana, SIUE, and Chicago State.  A lot of D1 schools."

What schools have expressed early interest in him?

"Kent State, SIU, Wisconsin Milwaukee, Yale, and a couple more."

https://www.prephoops.com/2017/11/recruiting-report-dante-maddox-2020/


Bloom's super sophs knock off Kankakee
Michael O'Brien
mobrien@suntimes.com | @michaelsobrien
Feb. 23

https://www.suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2018/02/23/bloom-kankakee-basketball/

Henricksen: Pangos provides look at next wave of talent

Joe Henricksen
For Sun-Times Media | @joehoopsreport
Oct. 24, 2017 5:14 p.m.

....

"...Maddox, Jr. showed a versatile floor game and Mitchell's improvement continues and ceiling rises, it was Williams who really opened eyes at the Pangos Camp. The 6-2 combo guard is a solid athlete and such a threat offensively off the dribble."

... https://www.suntimeshighschoolsports.com/2017/10/24/henricksen-pangos-provides-look-next-talent-wave/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlnXvClIdMY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaK7PjSbsGA

[FieldGoodie05]

Dante Maddox looks like he would be one of the less athletic guards we could recruit.  But that's not everything.  Can that lack of a vertical or quick step make a mark in the MVC?

Alex wasn't an athlete of note, so if Maddox has a work ethic and is savvy might be a solid get.

But a top tier athlete he is not and doesn't appear he will become.

[VU2014]

https://twitter.com/okonscoutnews/status/1012408976011681792

Martice Mitchell
Bloom High School
Chicago Heights, IL
6'9"170 lbs Sophomore
Graduates in 2020
Position: PF

http://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/martice-mitchell/Qvdxgs-oEeeT-Oz0u-e-FA/default.htm

Recruiting Report: Martice Mitchell (2020)
By Scott Burgess
Posted On: 08/25/17

At 6'8" Bloom 2020 center Martice Mitchell is a long and thin post has great height, but will need to pack on strength over the next few years.  The 2020 post moves extremely well for his height as he runs the floor with ease and moves around well on the interior of the defense.  Mobile around the hoop and can finish alley-oops.  He shows that he can knock down a mid-range jumper with confidence on occasion.  The skilled post also is a nice interior passer.  Very intriguing prospect in 2020.

How did he feel it went with All-In Athletics this spring and summer?

"I played my best.  I played better than I did than I last year.  I am putting more effort and getting better every game."

He chatted with us about his game.

"I can do a lot of different things.  I can shoot.  I can dribble when I need too.  I box out and rebound."

Mitchell was one of a select number of prospects from Illinois that participated in the Crossroads Camp for top young high school prospects during the summer.

"It was good playing against guys like Jalen Johnson and some of the other top prospects at that camp.  I learned self-discipline and rewarding myself when I do good."

He spoke about his freshman year at Bloom.

"That was good.  I played sophomores at the beginning of the season and moved up to varsity at the end.  We played real good and will have a good team this season."

Mitchell has visited a pair of in-state programs already in SIU and Western Illinois.  What stood out about the Salukis?

"I liked SIU.  I liked the gym.  It is a good program.  I liked the coaches and the players that are there."

He also enjoyed his trip to WIU.

"We weren't really able to see the gym at Western because they were remodeling it.  I liked it a lot there.  The school is not too big or not too small."

https://www.prephoops.com/2017/08/recruiting-report-martice-mitchell-2020/

2017 CrossRoads Elite Invitational Camp Recap
Emerging young talent from the Class of 2020 and 2021 converged in Indy.
BY RODGER BOHN
JUNE 14, 2017

....

Martice Mitchell, 6-8, PF, Bloom Township (IL), 2020

Despite playing right outside of the CHI, not too many people are aware of the special talent that resides in Bloom Township. The wiry forward showed off a diverse package of skills, creating mismatches and shooting the lights out with his Steph Curry release from the chin. It shouldn't be long before D1 programs are aware of the long term potential that Martice possesses.

... https://www.slamonline.com/college-hs/high-school/crossroads-elite-invitational-camp-recap/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg4a1OAypJk

[zvillehaze]

He's a two sport athlete in Football and Basketball. He's been on Purdue and Notre Dame's radars for football. He's already taken unofficial visits to both schools. He's a Fort Wayne native. I couldn't find much info if on his recruitment. No offers yet, but his high school teammate is considered one of the top 100 recruit in his class. Deontae sounds like a really strong kid.

Deontae Craig
6'4"225 lbs Sophomore
Graduates in 2020
Position: SF, PF

I saw Culver play several times this year.  Deontae improved and expanded his game throughout the year.  He's definitely an undersized 4 at this point, but still has two years to develop his game if he makes basketball a priority. 

They were 16-1 over their last 17 games, only losing at LaLamiere.  They return almost everyone, so should be the 3A favorite next year (and maybe the following as well). 

They also have a rising senior point guard, Ethan Brittain-Watts, who has D-I offers.  To my knowledge, Valpo hasn't shown interest in him.

[VU2014]

Valpo isn't shown in his list of teams interested in him. Interesting. I know the Valpo coaches have shown some interest in the past. He was at the Valpo Elite Camp a few weeks ago.

https://twitter.com/teamyandr/status/1013801961836204032

[FieldGoodie05]

Valpo isn't shown in his list of teams interested in him. Interesting. I know the Valpo coaches have shown some interest in the past. He was at the Valpo Elite Camp a few weeks ago.

https://twitter.com/teamyandr/status/1013801961836204032

Are 6'1" SG in demand?

[wh]

Valpo isn't shown in his list of teams interested in him. Interesting. I know the Valpo coaches have shown some interest in the past. He was at the Valpo Elite Camp a few weeks ago.

https://twitter.com/teamyandr/status/1013801961836204032

Are 6'1" SG in demand?

6-1 SGs are everywhere in D-1. Pick 10 rosters at random and start counting every 6-3 SG you see.

[M]

They're also a dime a dozen.

[4throwfan]

I wouldn't put Tevonn Walker in the "dime-a-dozen" category.  Point is that average 6-1 to 6-2 SG's are dime-a-dozen, as you say, but good one's aren't.  I would never shy away from kicking the tires simply because the size is common.

[FieldGoodie05]

I wouldn't put Tevonn Walker in the "dime-a-dozen" category.  Point is that average 6-1 to 6-2 SG's are dime-a-dozen, as you say, but good one's aren't.  I would never shy away from kicking the tires simply because the size is common.

We are hungry enough that I'd agree.  But that's for coach to figure.  In the meantime my excitement-o-meter has not registered any current with this player...

[M]

I agree with you that a player shouldn't be disregarded just because of his height. Heck, the kid I like in this class is only 5'10-5'11" currently (though his hands and feet say he should be a lot bigger).

[vu72]

I agree with you that a player shouldn't be disregarded just racist of his height. Heck, the kid I like in this class is only 5'100-5'11" currently (though his hands and feet say he should be a lot bigger).

Racist??   

[Ourne1989]

comments taking credit for everything I did for this kid it's a decent article.  He can flat out score the ball, has incredible range, great character and gets it done academically.  He also loves the university, and I'm hoping he will grow another couple of inches (he's 5'10'' currently) and maybe catch their eye.

I also really home that he can made it through- he is really talented