Indiana Basketball Coaches Spend Weekend Watching Recruiting Targets

With only one live recruiting period in the month of April, it was all systems go this weekend for Archie Miller and his Indiana basketball coaching staff.

Under the new reforms recommended by the Rice Commission last summer, April 26-28 was the only time during the spring that college basketball coaches were allowed to watch recruits play in person.

With major AAU events being held at different locations around the country, it was time to divide and conquer as the IU staff covered as much ground and as many prospects as possible.

Here is a summary of where Miller and his crew spent the weekend, and who they watched.

NIKE EYBL – ATLANTA

Indiana assistants were in Atlanta for the Nike EYBL early in the weekend and eventually Miller made it to Atlanta, all based on multiple social media accounts.  Collectively the coaches were able to take in 2020 targets Caleb Love, Cam’Ron Fletcher, Ethan Morton, RJ Davis, and, Davion Bradford, and 2021 Terrence Clarke and Caleb Furst to name a few.

In the younger group, Brownsburg (Ind.)’s Pierce Thomas impressed, along with Kamari Lands, DJ Hughes, and Luke Goode on the U16 Indy Heat squad.

Nike EYBL: Friday Standouts.

Michael Foster was dominant. Pierce Thomas played at a high level through his aggressiveness. Karl Jones made an impression with his energy and athleticism.

More: https://t.co/bG3Et32dyw

— Trevor Andershock (@INBBallSource) April 27, 2019

Meanstreets wins 69-68. Kamari Lands had 17, Luke Goode 15, DJ Hughes 12. https://t.co/KUD43Fv9kW

— Trevor Andershock (@INBBallSource) April 28, 2019

Archie Miller made it over to Atlanta on Sunday in part to watch the Indy Heat team that includes Furst and Indianapolis Lawrence Central point guard Nijel Pack.

Pack made a major impression and is a name to keep an eye for IU.

Indy Heat beats Boo Williams 84-82. Nijel Pack was incredible for IH. High-major player.

Full notes: https://t.co/yyebIEaJjg

— Trevor Andershock (@INBBallSource) April 27, 2019

Indy Heat junior Nijel Pack was one of the biggest breakout players in Atlanta @indy_heat @NijelPack24 🎥 @inthegymhoops_ pic.twitter.com/dsn0vKJgQU

— D1 Circuit (@D1Circuit) April 29, 2019

Notable AAU Numbers (Year to Date)

• Caleb Furst: 16 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
• Nijel Pack: 17.2 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists on just one turnover per game.
• Kiyron Powell: 2.3 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 9.5 minutes of action per game.
• Davion Bradford: 5 points and 3.7 rebounds in 10 minutes of action per game.
• Caleb Love: 19.5 points, 5 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game.
• Ethan Morton:  7.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
• Terrence Clark: 19.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.

ADIDAS GAUNTLET – DALLAS

Miller spent Saturday in Dallas watching several players based on multiple social media reports, including Anthony Leal, Trey Galloway, Khristian Lander, Dawson Garcia, Donovan Johnson and Zach Loveday.

Tom Ostrom was in Dallas for the weekend as well.

Rivals’ Corey Evans indicated that a Loveday visit to IU in the coming weeks appears likely.  The 7-foot-0 big man continues to impress and show major year-over-year development.

Johnson also drew praise from Rivals’ Evans.

Has been a great start to the week for Donovan Johnson. Lefty is skilled, instinctive, can shoot it and has plenty of versatility on both ends. Trending up wing that is beginning to see recruitment expand https://t.co/fh7zCHkR8o

— Corey Evans (@coreyevans_10) April 27, 2019

With Archie Miller taking in-home visits with both Leal and Galloway on Monday, their performances over the weekend were interesting to watch.  Neither player shot the ball particularly well.  Leal had a strong performance on Friday night before Miller arrived, and we’re told that Galloway had the better overall weekend, especially the games in front of Miller.  The statistics seem to bear that out.

Notable AAU Numbers (Year to Date)

• Anthony Leal: 13.7 points, 4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game
• Trey Galloway: 19.5 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists per game
• Khristian Lander: 10.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game
• Donovan Johnson: 15.2 points, 4 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game
• Zach Loveday: 10.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2 blocks per game
• Dawson Garcia:  10 points and 3 rebounds.

UNDER ARMOUR – KANSAS CITY

Per a source, Miller was in Kansas City on Friday night to watch Mike Saunders.  Saunders is a point guard that plays for Wasatch Academy in Utah.  He is from Indianapolis and has been garnering high major recruiting attention lately.  Saunders is averaging 13.5 points, 4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game thus far on the Under Armour circuit.

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