When it comes to producing elite basketball talent, the state of Kentucky seems to be quickly improving.
Already in the class of 2023 you’ve seen Indiana swing and miss on top-60 prospects from the Bluegrass State in forward Kaleb Glenn and guard Reed Sheppard, who are headed to Louisville and Kentucky, respectively. This follows the state producing just one top-100 talent in the three prior classes and generally speaking lagging far behind the state of Indiana in that regard.
The class of 2024 projects to be strong at the top in Kentucky as well, and two of the better prospects will be in Bloomington on Tuesday.
Ayden Evans hails from North Hardin High School in Radcliff, Ky., just southwest of Louisville. The 6-foot-8 power forward recently received his first Division One offer from West Virginia. Evans ran with the Adidas-sponsored Louisville Magic over the spring and summer. Evans averaged 5.9 points and 5.5 rebounds for North Hardin last season as a freshman.
Also in attendance will be Damone King from Dupont Manual High School in Louisville. The 6-foot-1 combo guard was a teammate of Evans on the Louisville Magic. King picked up his first Division One offer from Ohio, and other area schools such as Cincinnati, Louisville and Ohio State are involved. King was the third leading scorer for a very talented team as a freshman.
Louisville will ultimately be a very important school in the recruitments of both Evans and King.
THREE WERE ON HAND FOR SUNDAY GAME AGAINST LOUISIANA
Indiana also had three recruiting guests on hand for its Sunday game against Louisiana.
Class of 2022 signee Kaleb Banks was able to take in his first live game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall after making the trip up from Georgia with family members. Banks is averaging 29 points, 8.5 rebounds and has made 9-of-15 three-pointers in two games to open his senior season.
Class of 2023 in-state product Joey Hart was also at the game. The Linton-Stockton shooting guard has been on campus a couple other times over the last few months. Hart has a Northwestern offer and he has earned several higher-end mid-major offers such as Wichita State, Drake and Loyola, Chicago. The 6-foot-4 Hart is expected to have a big junior year and IU will pay close attention.
Class of 2023 in-state forward Sam Orme was there on Sunday as well. The 6-foot-8 Carmel High School product is best known as a sharpshooter, and he already has a Butler offer with several other schools keeping close watch as he takes on an elevated role as an upperclassman in one of the state’s top programs. Orme has been to IU for multiple visits as well.
Hart and Orme were teammates on the Grand Park Premiere’s 2023 squad.
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