Loyola has locked in two commitments for the class of 2023 – Wesley and Miles Rubin. They both give Loyola something they haven’t had in a while. They possess incredible potential as well as athleticism from the 4 and 5 spots on the court. Are Drew and his staff done recruiting for the class of 2023? Probably not, but most likely we will not see much more action or commitments from the class of 2023 until next spring. Until then, we’ll keep updating the list as players or offers change. Thank you for reading!
Class of 2023 COMMITMENTS
Wesley Rubin – F, 6’8” – Committed to Loyola
Simeon / Meanstreets
Currently Unranked
Even though Wesley’s twin brother Miles is nationally ranked as a top 150 recruit, don’t let that dissuade you from appreciating Wes’s game. He’s a very unique and talented player. It’s apparent on the offensive side of the ball that Wes has great court awareness. He’s an above average passer for his size, especially to his brother. He also shows off his slashing abilities. He can often read the soft spots on offense to penetrate the defense and find open shots for himself or teammates. One skill that I want to keep an eye on is Wes’s soft touch around the rim. He’s not a rim rocker by any means, but he uses his athleticism, height, and finesse to absorb contact and finish around the rim. If Wes can add a three point shot to his game, he’ll become an excellent player at the next level.
Wesley’s defensive potential is what is extremely enticing. He might not be quite as impressive a shot blocker as his brother, but he is really darn good at it. He’s got quick feet and long strides. Even if he gets beat off the dribble, he can make up space and still affect shots. He will need to pick up a step of quickness in order to defend multiple positions at the next level, but his long arms will clog up passing lanes and lead to fastbreak opportunities for teammates. By all accounts, Wes is an incredible teammate. On the court, his chemistry with Miles is impressive. This past January, Wes was awarded the AC Williamson Award at the 90th Pontiac Holiday Tournament. This prestigious award is given to one player in the tournament that displays these five characteristics: sportsmanship, leadership, performance under pressure, exemplary behavior, and hustle and determination. Wesley has a great head on his shoulders in addition to huge potential on the basketball floor.
BuckScore:
S: 45/55
O: 50/65
D: 45/60
R: 40/60
A: 50/65
B: 40/60
Miles Rubin – F, 6’9”, Chicago, IL – Committed to Loyola
Nike Meanstreets / Simeon
3 star, #147 national ranking, #4 in IL
Miles Rubin and his twin brother transferred in to Simeon this past year from Homewood-Flosmoor High School to bolster a somewhat weaker than average Simeon roster. They both provided much needed size and athleticism to their frontcourt. Miles is 2 inches taller than his brother. He provides a strong inside presence on both the offensive and defensive sides of the court. Joe Henricksen from the Chicago Sun Times labeled Miles as the “Biggest Junior Stock Riser” this past year. His brother was the runner up, and Brock Harding was honorable mention. Joe cited his emerging offensive game, size, length, and instincts as to what lead to his junior year jump. That size and quickness allow him to occasionally guard well out to the perimeter as well.
Rubin would fit extremely well into the Loyola system both offensively and especially defensively. He’s currently 6’9” but might add an inch or two before he’s done growing. His shot blocking ability is elite for his age. He’s unlike any big we’ve had at Loyola in the past 8-10 years because of that alone. As of now, he hasn’t shown much of a jump shot, but Miles would not need to be a jump shooter as a center at Loyola. He offensive rebounds well and has a few different effective go to post moves. I’d imagine a player like Miles would benefit from either a red shirt year or a first year playing sparingly to bulk up, add something to his game, and learn a system. As of now, I think Miles would be an effective mid Major center. But with how fast he improved during his junior year, he may even end up turning the heads of high major coaches after this AAU summer season.
-> Drew and company got their guy. The staff undoubtedly loves Miles. The future ability they see in him is limitless. Could he be an all A10 type player? We shall see…
BuckScore:
S: 40/55
O: 40/55
D: 50/80
R: 50/65
A: 55/75
B: 50/75
Class of 2023 OFFERS
Jamari McDowell – CG, 6’5”
Mangel High School, Houston Defenders
4 star, ranked #131 nationally on 247
Jamari glides across the screen and through the air in all of his highlight tapes. He’s the type of athlete that makes everything look easy. He makes me wish that it was as easy as Jamari makes it look. He’s got great body control, which he utilizes on both sides of the ball. On offense that especially helps him finish through traffic. It also helps him to be able to pass out of bad situations, and find open teammates even when he’s in the air. Jamari is a true three level scorer. I’ve seen some publications criticize his three point shot, but that was about a year ago. Since then I think he has greatly improved his catch and shoot three point shot, and his pull up mid range shot. There’s no question that Jamari can break down the defense and drive to the hoop. I do think he’ll need to improve his ball security if he wants to be a lead ball handler at the next level.
On defense, Jamari uses his athleticism and length to wreak havoc for opposing ball handlers. He’s quick enough to guard quick-twitch guards, and long enough to guard combo guards and small forwards. He often jumps passing lanes in order to create transition opportunities for him and his teammates. Jamari plays with passion on defense. He’s described as being the heart of his AAU team’s defense. If he can keep that energy and dedication, he will be a plus defender at any level. Jamari would make an excellent midmajor player, but he’s also received offers from Minnesota, Wake Forest, and Texas A&M.
BuckScore:
S: 50/70
O: 45/65
D: 50/65
R: 40/60
A: 60/75
B: 50/60
Carlton Carrington – Committed to Pittsburgh
Miles Heide – F/C, 6’9”
Mount Si High School, Elite Sports Academy
Currently Unranked
Miles is going to make some coach look like a genius some day soon. The one characteristic that jumps off the page for Heide is his ability to understand his body. Most high school big men don’t quite understand how tall, strong, or powerful they are yet as they’re still growing and maturing. On both ends of the court, Miles shows off his athletic ability aided by his quick decision making. He has mostly been getting mid major offers, but recently he got offers from San Diego State and Washington State. On defense, Miles shows off his shot blocking ability from time to time. He definitely picks his spots to be able to alter the opponent’s shots. He doesn’t often make the mistake of fouling on bad shot attempts. He even is able to close out three-point shooters and block shots on the perimeter from time to time. The one thing he does exceptionally well is rebound. On defense Heide is outstanding at boxing out and finding ways to snag rebounds.
Miles just came off a weekend at “Section 7 Arizona” where he averaged 21.5 PPG, 19.5 RPG, and 3 BPG. That is the type of performance that will vault him up prospect lists. I believe he has the ability to reach among the top 150 prospects nationally. On offense he is much more than an offensive rebounder. He has an array of moves he can use both at the low post and the high post to score. He also has great court awareness to be able to pass out of both spots on the floor. In addition to his 1 on 1 game, he is great at running the floor on the fast break. He’s able to drive the ball to the hoop when he gets moving downhill. I think the one thing he can work on to improve his offensive game is the use of his off hand. He mostly just uses his left hand around the hoop. If he can score with both, he’ll become even more effective around the basket.
BuckScore:
S: 45/65
O: 50/55
D: 50/65
R: 50/75
A: 50/65
B: 50/65
Jaiun Simon – F, 6’6”
Pebblebrook High School / Game Elite
3 Star, #183 on Prep Hoops
Jaiun might only be 6’6” but he plays much bigger than he’s listed at. He’s an aggressive rebounder, dunker, and competitor. He talks the talk and walks the walk on the court. He hails from the same high school that produced Collin Sexton and Jared Harper, Pebblebrook. He helped his Pebblebrook team reach the semifinals of his state playoffs, where they lost. Jaiun plays against the top competition in Georgia, the 7A division. He showed consistently throughout his highlight tapes that he isn’t afraid to do the dirty work. He boxes out, rebounds, sets screens, and patrols the paint as the starting big man for his high school team.
Jaiun’s calling card is his athleticism. He shows it off on both ends of the floor. Whether he’s skying up for a rebound, or he’s defending a quicker guard on defense it’s evident he has outstanding athleticism. What I believe sets him apart on defense as a prospect is his commitment to on ball defense as well as his ability to guard 2-4. I think the next step he can take on the defensive end is either to become quicker or bulk up a bit. Most college teams will want him to either guard 1-4 or 2-5. Jaiun still could grow an inch or two, and will most likely add on some in the next year. That will be great for his defensive development. On the offensive end, Jaiun is a slasher, roll man in the pick and roll, as well as a low and high post threat. What sets him apart is his ability to create his own midrange shots. He has a few different moves in his bag that he can hit you with from the midrange. The next step in his development on offense is to add a three point shot game to his game. It’s evident he’s trying to add that to his game. With Jaiun’s determination, I wouldn’t want to come between him and a goal he’s set. Jaiun has a very bright future as a mid-major college player.
BuckScore:
S: 45/60
O: 45/55
D: 55/75
R: 50/75
A:60/80
B:50/70
Shey Eberwein – PG, 6’5”, The Woodlands, TX
TX Impact / Woodlands HS
3 Star, #230 on 247
One of the things that pops off of Shey’s tape is that he embraces being a “big guard”. He isn’t afraid to back down smaller defenders in the post, he keeps the ball up after his gather step while driving the lane, and he can throw down some sick dunks as evident by his 2021 school district’s dunk championship. I think his ball handling skills are above average, but another thing that shines through in Shey’s tape is his ability to dribble with his off hand (left) and finish with his left hand in the paint. He may need to develop a bit more ball security as he moves up to the college ranks. Occasionally he can make lackadaisical passes, but possesses the ability to improve and become an excellent distributor. He has a nice jumpshot and an excellent release. One thing he may be able to improve is where his shot begins. Often he dips the ball a bit too low, which in turn slows down his release allowing for defenders to make up ground. If he can speed up the release, he has the ability to become a knockdown shooter from deep.
BuckScore:
S: 45/60
O: 45/60
D: 35/50
R: 30/40
A: 50/70
B: 40/60
Joey Hart – SG, 6’5”, Linton, IN
Grand Park Premier / Linton-Stockton HS
3 star on 247, #211 on 247
Something that surprised me about Joey Hart is his defensive prowess. This dude makes impressive plays on the defensive end. I can’t quite tell if it’s due to some abnormally long arms, his defensive awareness, or both. He already has a smooth jump shot with a high release point. He is right hand dominant, but likes to attack from the left side often. It’s especially evident on his dunks. Just like we learned that Lucas Williamson is a better dunker with his left, it seems Joey is as well. For a guard, he has a nice back to the basket game. He’s not afraid to low post or middle post and hit a turnaround jump shot. His ball handling skills are good and effective, although will need some improvement at the college level. He’s patient when he has the ball and will pass to teammates for better shot opportunities. I think his defensive ceiling is very high. He might be able to guard all positions 1-4.
BuckScore:
S: 45/60
O: 35/55
D: 55/65
R: 45/65
A: 45/60
B: 50/65
John Blackwell – CG, 6’4”, Detroit, MI – Committed to Wisconsin
3 star on 247, #4 overall in MI, #203 National
John Blackwell has the frame, size, athleticism, and basketball intelligence to be the starting point guard on a great mid-major team or a role player on a high major team, in my opinion. He plays on one of the best teams in Michigan this year, Brother Rice. He’s also faced off against Loyola ‘22 commit, Trey Lewis, once where Lewis’s team beat Blackwell’s team. John has a nice three point shot, and constantly seems to be in control of his body and his team as their lead ball handler. Blackwell plays alongside two other highly touted recruits in Xavier Thomas and Curtis Williams. That can be a double-edged sword. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if John benefits from having less pressure or defensive attention, or if he’s the captain of the ship. I believe that Blackwell makes Brother Rice’s team go. He hustles, he rebounds, he plays tough defense, and is a great passer. I think the most impressive thing he does well is move quickly and stay in control under pressure with the ball in his hands. Blackwell has the potential to develop into a well rounded player that will be tough to take off the floor, because he can do a lot of things very well.
BuckScore:
S: 45/60
O: 45/65
D: 45/60
R: 40/55
A: 50/65
B: 40/60
Ty Pence – G/F, 6’6”, St Joseph, IL
Mid-Pro Academy / St. Joseph-Ogden
3 star, #219 on 247
Ty is one of my favorite players that Loyola has offered in the ‘23 class. Ty is a true hybrid player. His body and mannerisms on the court are that of a wing, but his ball handling and unlimited shooting range are that of a guard. What’s clear to me is that Pence can shoot the absolute heck out of the basketball. He regularly pulls up from 25 feet. He’ll back out of double teams just to hit a three in two defenders’ faces. His athleticism is impressive as well. I wouldn’t say he’s a high flyer, instead I’d describe his athleticism as a controlled explosion. He has the body control in the air that usually only comes with age and maturation. He has great body control attacking the basket, but also has great body control while shooting jump shots. He often hits shots while contorting his body, taking fadeaways, or while being fouled. As the AAU season has gone on, it’s been fun to watch him develop as a slasher. His PG, Brock Harding, is excellent at finding him cutting towards the basket for easy dunks.
One thing that I’ve noticed is that he has a habit of leaning or fading away when he doesn’t need to. Hopefully that’s an easy habit to break before his senior year of high school or when he gets to a college campus. Ty has offers from high major schools including Illinois. He’ll be an impact player wherever he goes. We just hope he decides to come play at Loyola with his good friend Jalen Quinn.
BuckScore:
S: 50/70
O: 45/60
D: 40/60
R: 45/65
A: 50/65
B: 40/60
Jack Janicki – SG, 6’4”, White Bear Lake, MN
D1 Minnesota / White Bear Lake
Currently not ranked by 247
Janicki reminds me a lot of incoming Freshman, Jalen Quinn. Jack has all the gifts to be an outstanding D1 basketball player. He’s got legit range as a shooter. He can score at all three levels. His passing is very mature for his age. If there’s one thing he needs to work on, it’d be ball handling and ball security. Most sites have him listed as a shooting guard, but I wonder if he’d consider trying to lean more towards point guard duties. His offensive profile reminds me a little bit of Braden Norris. He seems to make really smart basketball decisions, and never seems to play outside of his abilities. While watching his film, I came across a game where his team had just lost the lead with around 5 minutes left. Here were his next 4 possessions: step in transition three, slick baseball pass across court to find an open three for his teammate, steal and hammer dunk, and lastly hit a dagger three in the eye hole of his defender. Jack will need to improve his quickness, toughness, and physicality on the defensive end in order to be above average on that side, but I’d never count this kid out.
BuckScore:
S: 50/70
O: 40/60
D: 30/50
R: 40/55
A: 45/60
B: 35/60
Richard Barron – SG, 6’5”, Chicago, IL
Meanstreets / St. Ignatius
Currently not ranked by 247
One of the things that jumps off the video of Richard Barron is his physicality. He looks like a linebacker on the basketball court. He’s got a body that would be ready to play college basketball right now. But don’t let his body fool you. Barron has some finesse to his game as well. He has a deep bag of floaters, mid range step backs, and a technically sound three point shot. Richard really embraces being a “big guard”. He’s got great toughness as well. He came back from a severe ankle sprain in his state semifinals to try to give his team a shot to win. They lost that game, but won the next day to secure third place.
He often will use his size and strength to drive into the paint, and uses his impressive finesse and footwork to give himself open looks around the rim. One thing I think Barron will have to work on is how he executes some of his shots. Because he is a big guard, he often can shoot around smaller defenders rather than over them. Once he gets into College, he will have to adjust his game to shoot over guys that are his height or taller. Additionally, I enjoy watching him on defense. He is always locked in and looking to make a play. He will have to become a half step quicker in college in order to keep up with smaller guards, but he’s got the finesse to learn how.
BuckScore:
S: 50/60
O: 45/60
D: 45/60
R: 45/60
A: 50/60
B: 40/55
David Tubek – F, 6’8”, Glendale, AZ
NJ Scholars / Dream City Christian
3 star on Rivals, #190 on 247
Tubek is one of the most difficult players for me to evaluate. His talent, potential, and athleticism is off the charts. On the other hand, his fundamentals, shot selection, and shooting form need some adjustments and progress. One thing is clear from Tubek’s tape. He is a gifted rebounder. He routinely boxes out, high points the ball, and out rebounds taller opponents. For a bigger guy, Tubek has some nice handles. I wouldn’t trust him to run the offense, but Tubek can bring the ball up in a pinch or help break a press. He probably has some of the highest potential of any guys on this list. If he can develop a more consistent three point shot, he’ll have game changing abilities on both sides of the ball. For a player that is ranked as a two star player on 247 Sports, his list of high-major offers is impressive. Tubek has offers from Texas, Kansas, and West Virginia. Tubek will have the ability to be an outstanding rebounder, shot blocker, and around the basket scorer at any level.
BuckScore:
S: 30/55
O: 35/55
D: 50/75
R: 50/75
A: 50/70
B: 35/55
Sam Orme – F, 6’8”, Carmel, IN
Indy Heat / Carmel HS
3 star on 247, #149 on 247
Sam Orme has a lot going for him. He seems to do everything really well. Sometimes the players who do everything really well, end up being your best players. To put it simply, Sam Orme does simple better. The two things that jump out to me about Sam is his height and length as well as his effortless looking three point shot. Those two attributes alone would get him a starting gig on any mid-major in the country. He can score from all three levels as well, not just from three. Sam is a gifted finisher with a soft touch around the rim. He excels at finishing with his dominant and off hand. In addition to those skills, Sam is a playmaking defender. He will need to bulk up in order to avoid being out physicaled, but even when Sam gets beat his athleticism and timing can help him still disrupt shots and passing lanes. Another thing that I enjoy about watching Sam play is that he doesn’t always need to have to ball in his hands in order to make a positive impact. He’s an effective slasher with great instincts to make a smart pass if need be in the lane. He knows how to be a great role player, if that’s what the team needs. I’d love to see Sam add some deception to his game with either pump fakes or jab steps to allow him to gain a step on defenders and use his length to get easy buckets.
BuckScore:
S: 55/70
O: 45/60
D: 50/70
R: 45/65
A: 50/65
B: 40/60
Boden Kapke – PF, 6’11”. Victoria, MN
D1 Minnesota / Holy Family Catholic
Unranked by 247
Boden has the potential to be a “Modern Big Man” in every sense of the definition. He has the athleticism, shot blocking ability, and shooting range to fit the mold. Boden really shows off his athleticism on the fast break. Not only can he run and jump, but he makes good decisions and finishes around defenders rather than just trying to go through them. He has a good low post up game that should translate well to mid major basketball. Kapke can operate in the mid-post or top of the key, too. He’s a threat to shoot, pass, and dribble from mid range. He has great court vision and can often find shooters in the corners or on skip passes. One thing he’s going to have to improve is his ball security, especially when double covered. Additionally, I’d like to see him become a bit more aggressive when fighting for rebounds. He’s a great offensive rebounder, but can be outhustled by smaller opponents occasionally. Kapke has the tools to develop into a dominant modern big man. He’s got the physical tools to start on a mid major team today, if he could. It’s a matter of fine tuning and working hard to become even better for Boden.
BuckScore:
S: 45/65
O: 45/65
D: 55/75
R: 45/75
A: 55/65
B: 45/65
Davius Loury – F, 6’8”, Chicago, IL
Mac Irvin Fire / Kenwood Academy
4 star on rivals, #98 Nation
Can I offer you an elite 3&D forward with huge untapped potential? That is Davius Loury. He plays for Kenwood Academy in Chicago along with a bevy of other top players in the state of Illinois. He plays as the second or third option offensively with guys like Dai Dai Ames and Trey Pettigrew taking lead ball handling duties. Davius has a pure jump shot form. Loury does a great job of offensive rebounding. He can hit from midrange, and uses his length and patience extremely well to get defenders off balance. Even though he’s impressive on offense, he really shines on the other end of the court. Loury can legitimately defend 2-4. If he can pick up a quicker first step and bulk up a bit, he will be able to defend 1-5 at the next level. He constantly affects shots, interrupts passing lanes, and fights for rebounds. I’m looking forward to watching his AAU season and senior year at Kenwood. I think he will pick up more offensive responsibility. I want to watch more of his 1 on 1 game, but I’m extremely high on this kid.
BuckScore:
S: 50/65
O: 45/65
D: 55/75
R: 50/70
A: 55/70
B: 45/70
Matthew Reed – PF/C, 6’9”, Lewisville, TX
3 Star, #178 on 247
Basketball Means More / iSchool Entrepreneurial Academy
Matt Reed impressed me with his playmaking abilities for a big guy. He can take defenders off the dribble to use his quick footwork and smart body positioning to get easy shots for himself and teammates. He has told reporters that he knows he’s not all that athletic. But because of that, Matt knows that he has to use good footwork and shot fakes in order to beat his defenders. Matt also has a complete game for a modern big man. He has a more than competent jump shot and three point shot as well. He can be a very effective point forward or center at the next level. His offensive game is ready for Mid-Major college basketball, but his defense needs some work. Because Reed is not the most athletic big, he lacks huge potential in defensive play making. He plays good one on one defense, especially in the post, but doesn’t make game breaking blocks. He’s a good offensive rebounder but needs to improve his tenacity on the boards to become an above average rebounder at the next level.
BuckScore:
S: 45/65
O: 50/75
D: 40/60
R: 45/65
A: 40/55
B: 50/65
Brock Harding – PG, 6’, Moline, IL – Committed to Iowa
Mid Pro Academy / Moline Sr
Brock Harding is relentlessly shifty. I wouldn’t necessarily describe him as the fastest but he is the quickest guy on the court, and he’s constantly looking for and finding angles to burn you with. Harding has always faced criticism when it comes to his stature. He’s heard that he’s too short, too weak, and not athletic enough. And yet, when he’s on the court for his AAU team, Mid Pro Academy he’s often the best player on the court. His eye popping passes, dazzling three point shooting, and highlight reel plays are aplenty. Brock’s commitment to fundamentals will be what gets him far. He’s always making the smart basketball play. His footwork as a guard is impressive. He always looks confident in the paint, he knows how to pivot in order to open passing lanes, and he quickly sets his feet on jump shots to get them off before the defenders can collapse on him.
Brock has constantly outplayed and outworked what other people have expected from him. As of now, he’s not ranked by any of the recruiting websites. He should be a quick riser during or after this summer AAU action. Not only is he an offensive playmaker, but he impacts the game on defense as well. He can be a pesky defender and usually is a stout defender of guards near his same size. He can struggle at times against big guards, but would flourish under a defensive system like Loyola where he could switch off larger guards and fill the Braden Norris role on defense. There’s a part of me that hopes Brock remains this hidden gem in the rough, but he has already gotten looks from some bigger programs like Illinois, Iowa, and Marquette. Just recently, Harding picked up an offer from SLU – his second A10 offer. Harding can be a game changer with the ball in his hands at any level.
BuckScore:
S: 55/75
O: 60/80
D: 50/60
R: 40/50
A: 55/65
B: 55/70
Carter Lang – C, 6’9”, Charlottesville, VA
Team Loaded VA / St. Anne’s-Belfield
4 star, #113 on 247, #94 on Rivals
Carter has been playing against the best of the best since before his sophomore year of high school. That summer he played along the class of 2021 kids. He stood his ground against players two years older than him. It was clear that he needed to fill out and bulk up, but other pieces of his game still shone through. While playing against older competition, Carter was still able to be an effective pick and roll, pick and pop, and post up player. He also showed aggression on both the offensive and defensive boards. The past two seasons, he has consistently added to his game.
The most obvious change has been Lang’s physicality. He has added weight and strength to his frame. His current frame is strong enough to survive a season of college basketball. This past season he added a three point shot to his game and became a better shot blocker. As he became stronger, Carter started to understand his length better. He blocked more shots and hit more three pointers this past season. Although his shot mechanic needs a bit of help, he hits them at a decent clip and forces defenses to guard him on the three point line. Lang does almost everything very well for a big guy. The one thing that sets him apart from other bigs is what he most recently added and is currently working on. Lang has been working on his passing and his point center skills. This current AAU session, he has begun to show off his high post decision making skill. He often finds cutters or uses them to find an easier shot for himself. Lang initially picked up a few high major offers, but I wonder if bigger teams have cooled off on him a little bit. Loyola recently conducted an in-home visit. We very rarely hear about Loyola conducting an in-home visits so I have to imagine Carter is a priority for Loyola.
BuckScore:
S: 45/60
O: 55/65
D: 50/65
R: 55/75
A: 50/65
B: 50/70
James Scott – C, 6’10”
Team Loaded NC / Seventy-First HS
I think the coaching staff had a “type” in mind when offering scholarships this past cycle. Both James Scott and Carter Lang are bigs who played at the “3-Stripes Select Basketball” circuit. They both led the entire circuit in rebounding after the first session with 13 rebounds per game. Scott is an extremely raw prospect. His height, athleticism, and coordination is on display consistently at both ends of the floor. He does simple, extremely well. He’s a talented shot blocker. He constantly is altering shots with his long arms, so he doesn’t need to jump at a player when trying to block his shot. Scott is quick and springy. He’s able to get up quickly on the second jump to either block a shot or grab a rebound.
This past session of 3SSB, James showed off his mobility on both ends of the court. He was able to play quicker defense on the perimeter by hedging screens against guards in the pick and roll. On offense, Scott is a bonafide alley oop target. He has shown off his above the rim play during the AAU season. He can high point the ball on an offensive rebound and finish with dunks in traffic or over defenders. As of now, Scott is tall and thin. He’s between 6’10” and 6’11”. His frame will fill out as he matures, and how much muscle and strength he develops may impact how great of a player he becomes. He could be a dominant mid major center or a quality high major role player if he continues to develop. Right now, his skills besides blocking shots, rebounding, and dunking are very raw, but the defensive mobility is intriguing. He’s a player to watch blossom throughout this summer and into the fall.
BuckScore:
S: 40/50
O: 50/60
D: 50/80
R: 55/80
A: 50/85
B: 50/60
Silas Demary Jr – CG, 6’4”
Liberty Heights/Combine Academy / Team Curry
3 Star, #107 on 247
Silas has had a unique journey to get to where he is now. He originally was very young for his class of 2022. He won a state championship for his Millbrook High School in Raleigh, NC. After that season he played for Team Curry, and he led his team to an undefeated record and the Under Armour circuit 16u championship. He then reclassified into the 2023 class. This past season he played for Liberty Heights. He’s now playing with Team Curry 17u team, and will play a year for Combine Academy in order to play a national schedule for his final high school year. It’s impossible to deny that Silas is a natural winner. His Team Curry has already enjoyed success this summer in the UAA circuit in addition to all his past success.
How he leads is evident on the court. Demary Jr. is a plus defender, plus passer, and a plus athlete. Those three skills alone would make him a tantalizing prospect. But then you add on that he has a college ready physique, an improving jump shot, and good ball handling skills, and you’ve got a top 100 type prospect. Demary’s defense just jumps off the screen. He effectively uses his mature physicality to stop ball handlers. He uses his quick hands to pester and poke the ball out. And he also uses his long strides in order to make up space and help out on defense. On offense, Demary is a playmaker. He’s able to penetrate, break down defenses, and use his great decision making to execute impressive passes. His athleticism is most noticeable on the defensive side of the ball, but he can also show off some high flying dunks in transition. He has said recently that he has been focusing on improving his jumpshot. If he becomes a great jump shooter, he could become a top 50 player in the class of 2023. For now, he will make a great player at any level, it may just take an extra year at a high major school to reach that level.
-> Silas will no longer be taking a visit to Loyola this summer. Instead he seems to be focusing on VCU, Providence and St. John’s. Silas Demary Jr’s dad actually reached out to us on twitter to let us know that coaching staff has informed them that they will no longer be recruiting him due to the commitments of the Rubin twins. We wish the best to Silas. His future is bright!
BuckScore:
S: 50/65
O: 60/80
D: 50/80
R: 50/70
A: 50/80
B: 55/80
Trent Pierce – SF, 6’9”
Union High School / Team Griffin
4 Star, #114 on 247, #74 on ESPN
Trent is bar none, the best prospect I’ve reviewed. He has everything you could want in a player. He’s got all the measurables in this day and age to be an outstanding offensive player and to defend 1-5. He’s 6’9” with a pure jump shot, incredible athleticism, ball handling ability, and can easily play above the rim. Heck, I’ve even seen him pull a few post moves out of his bag from time to time on film. It’s tough to put it into words, but Trent just makes everything look so easy on the court. He glides in toward the rim and is able to finish over and around defenders. When he spots up, the ball just seems to be in perfect flow so he’s able to shoot quickly and effectively from any spot on the court. His skills are darn good right now, and he still has lots of room for improvement.
I’m no expert when it comes to evaluating high school prospects, and I know even less about NBA prospects. I think Trent Pierce is a legitimate NBA prospect. His size, ball handling, shooting ability, and defensive versatility are exactly what players in the NBA display on a nightly basis. Pierce has already gotten a few High Major offers, namely from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Minnesota. One thing we can offer that’s different is success within the past 5 years. We have more March Madness victories since 2017 than those three schools combined — just saying. If Pierce plays more than one year of college basketball, I guarantee he will be an all conference player no matter what conference he is in.
BuckScore:
S:60/85
O:50/70
D: 55/80
R: 50/80
A:65/90
B:50/80
