Nike EYBL Indianapolis 2016

Hello, I attended the Nike EYBL Indianapolis this past weekend, saw a lot of players, was checking out the Kentucky targets mostly but saw some great basketball. Let's start out with stuff I heard about recruiting: I met a young man who runs Hoops DFW, the subject of Marques Bolden came up, he said he's still undecided but thinks Kentucky has a great shot at getting him. There was a lot of rumors flooding around about DeAndre Ayton and why Kentucky and Duke have backed off his recruiting. Kansas is still recruiting him but I've heard that he was not going to class out at Hillcrest Prep, hence they don't think he'll be eligible for college basketball. The buzz is he will play professional basketball somewhere, D-League or Overseas before going to the NBA. Ayton himself said he will not have eligibility problems. We will see soon enough stay tuned on this one. I also heard Wendell Carter is earmarked for Duke, he will visit Big Blue Madness but that is just to enjoy the Show, he is very focused on academics hence he will also take a visit to Harvard so don't get your hopes up Big Blue fans on this recruitment. Now for the Kentucky targets I watched over the weekend here we go: MICHAEL PORTER JR(MOKAN ELITE)- The 6'9" small forward gets up and down the floor very well, was not hitting his three pointer this weekend but was hitting everything in between. He can bring the ball coast to coast and finish strong, also is not bad on the defensive end of the court. Showed well in the Showdown vs PSA Cardinals and Expressions Elite. TRAE YOUNG(MOKAN ELITE)- The 6'2" point guard did not shoot well most of the weekend but did show his change of pace speed and was getting to the basket. He did have trouble with pressure vs PSA Cardinals and was ripped twice in open court by Tremont Waters of Expressions Elite which was a great point guard showdown, speaking of: TREMONT WATERS(EXPRESSIONS ELITE)- The 5'11" point guard who just received an offer from Kentucky this week showed his quickness vs Trae Young in getting into the lane but was dishing off to open guys right into their shooting motion. He did not shoot many three pointers so don't know about his outside shooting. I will check out more of him in future sessions. NICK RICHARDS(EXPRESSIONS ELITE)- The 6'10" power forward is just that, power was average in the first half vs MoKan Elite but picked it up in every phase in the 2nd half, rebounding, blocked shots, finishing around the rim, running the floor, everything a big man should do. He has a lot of upside in his game. JOHN PETTY(WE ALL CAN GO)- I was very disappointed in his performances this weekend, a lot of turnovers trying to force the action into the lane and getting ball stolen, did not shoot well from the outside nor finish well inside. He did rebound well on the defensive end, his troubles could be the product of a new team, freshman point guard etc. I will see if he picks it up in other sessions. KEVIN KNOX(E1T1)-The 6'9" forward is a slasher extraordinaire great finisher going to the basket, did not see much of a perimeter game when I watch ed him but plays well on both ends of the floor. Kentucky just offered him over the past week.  He played well the game I saw vs Houston Hoops. JARED VANDERBILT(HOUSTON HOOPS)- The 6'9" point forward was back to slashing to the basket at every opportunity was a little sloppy with the ball this weekend but showed his versatility with his great vision and passing. He also hits the boards well for his position not a lot of perimeter shooting in the two games I saw him. BILLY PRESTON(HOUSTON HOOPS)- This was his 1st week playing with Houston Hoops, still adjusting to playing with new teammates, he still took a lot of shots and did a lot of perimeter ball handling. Lots of ability but not sure of his upside because he will be 20 years old by the time he starts college. He hopes Kentucky offers him at some point, we will see. MOHAMED BAMBA(PSA CARDINALS)- He's 6'11" with a 7'8" wingspan and used it this weekend to block shots and hit the glass though he does not get the ball enough in the low post for my taste. When he did get it he showed he had a nice jump hook and turnaround jumper. He did the little things in a high profile overtime win over MoKan Elite. He runs the floor very well and probably has the highest upside of any player in the EYBL as he is young to the game of basketball. BRIAN BOWEN(MEANSTREETS)- He's a 6'6" swingman who handles the ball pretty well and can get his shot anytime, the problem is he was missing a lot of shots vs Houston Hoops he just could not buy a basket, you could still see his athleticism in hitting the glass and running the floor, good pickup for Meanstreets. HAMIDOU DIALLO(NEW YORK RENS)- I did not get to see much of this new Kentucky offeree but I can say two things: 1) He has a better three point shot than folks think great form on his shot and 2) He's a great straight line driver and finisher at the rim, in saying this he has to improve his breakdown skills off the dribble to take his game to the next level. He does play very good lockdown defense for his 6'5" swingman position. DEANDRE AYTON(CALIFORNIA SUPREME)- As I said earlier it looks like Kentucky has laid off him for eligibility concerns but......WHAT A PLAYER!!!!!!! He can do everything on the floor(hit 4 threes vs Mac Irvin Fire), he scores just about anytime he wants in the low post and also has a great midrange shot. The only issues is he has to give a better effort at all times because when he decides to he's unstoppable. It would be a shame if we don't see him at the college level. MARVIN BAGLEY III(PHOENIX PFAMILY)- He's a Class of 2018 player the 6'10" forward/center is a very versatile player, he can bring it up the court, has great touch out to 3 point range, he hits the glass, hits his free throws and gets his shot in the low post whenever he wants(though he missed some shots in there). He was very impressive and if someone said he is the best in Class of 2018 I would not dispute it at all. GARY TRENT JR(HOWARD PULLEY)- This is the only prospect I did not get to see this weekend that is a Kentucky target, I have seen him in other settings though and I'll check him out in the other sessions online.  There you go, a great weekend and I will see more as their games are online but it was great to get to see these guys live and up close. I hope to see a lot of them again at the Nike Peach Jam. Well check out my online radio show on Wednesday nights 7pm EST call 516-595-8069. GOD BLESS AND PEACE TO THE CREATURES!!!!!!!!!!