Damezi Anderson broke a long span of years since a basketball player from South Bend suited up for Indiana University.
It appears likely that another South Bend talent — from the same high school as Anderson — will have the opportunity to establish a trend.
Class of 2021 shooting guard Blake Wesley is a rising star in a highly talented group of incoming juniors across the state of Indiana.
Playing at the same high school as Anderson, Wesley had a big sophomore season at South Bend Riley.
The 6-foot-5 Wesley averaged 12.3 points, 3 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.1 assists in 19.9 minutes per game for the 2018-19 season. He shot 45% from the field overall and 34% from behind the three-point line. Wesley also shot 72% from the foul line.
Wesley is ranked the No. 72 player overall in the 2021 class by 247Sports and the No. 5 player in the state of Indiana.
Playing for the G3 Grind on the Under Armour AAU circuit, Wesley has been efficient this spring in U16 play. He is averaging 11.6 points per game in 21.9 minutes per contest. He is 55% shooting overall and 43% from behind the arc.
Wesley is a true dual-threat guard, with the ability to knock down shots from the perimeter and create and score off the dribble. He has a good combination of length and the ability to handle the ball well for an off guard.
Recruiting service 247Sports wrote this about him after watching him play this spring:
“At around 6-foot-4 with long arms, good athleticism, and a frame to add strength, Wesley has a chance to be a sure high-major prospect. While his jumper was slightly off, he does have good form and rotation, and looks like he can be a good shooter in time. Add in an ability to drive the ball, and a nice motor, and it is easy to see why Wesley could emerge as one of the best in Indiana in the class.”
Butler offered Wesley a scholarship in May and he also holds offers from Miami (Ohio) and Toledo. On his current trajectory, the offer from the Bulldogs appears to be the first of many at the high major level. According to 247Sports he also has interest from Indiana, Purdue, Notre Dame and Xavier.
Damezi Anderson’s younger brother Davyion is teammates with Wesley at Riley.
Wesley’s father Derrick was a first team All-MAC player at Ball State and is a member of the school’s hall of fame. He played for the Cardinals from 1984-1988.
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