A common question after the announcement by Romeo Langford that he was committing to Indiana was whether that decision would create momentum with IU’s recruiting efforts, especially in-state. You know Hoosier fans, we are never satisfied.
One recruiting target that needs little introduction at this point is Keion Brooks, Jr. If Langford was IU priority number one for the class of 2018, Brooks is likely that person for the class of 2019. According to 247 Sports, the five star wing from Fort Wayne North High School is the top-rated player from the state of Indiana in his class.
If Archie Miller wants to keep the momentum going on his “inside-out” initiative, it starts with Brooks. Add in the fact that Brooks is playing on a travel team with another 5-star Indiana native in Trayce Jackson-Davis, with some discussion that the pair may team up in college, and it only makes him all the more critical.
According to 247 Sports, Brooks is ranked 16th overall in the country in the 2019 class. They have him slotted as the 6th best small forward nationally. For his junior season at Fort Wayne North, Brooks put up massive numbers, averaging 23.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.
The recruiting competition for Brooks has been growing by the day as has attracted a lot of attention on the Nike EYBL, even earning session MVP honors last weekend.
Brooks’ statistics through the first two weekends of the Nike EYBL reveal why he has garnered so much interest:
- 22.1 points per game,
- 6.2 rebounds per game
- 2.1 assists per game
- 2.0 blocks per game
- .6 steals per game
We previously shared with you a quote from Brooks indicating that the notion of playing in-state seems to have a certain appeal to him and he seems comfortable in Bloomington. Couple that with his family’s relationship with IU assistant coach Ed Schilling, and it is reasonable to believe that the Hoosiers are legitimately in the running.
Brooks made another statement over the weekend that indicates that he is continuing to keep a close eye on the Hoosiers. In an interview with WANE NewsChannel 15’s Andy McDonnell, Brooks was asked about his reaction to hearing that Romeo Langford had committed to IU:
Most of this second video is the same as the first, but there is a bit more Q&A with Brooks here:
There is still a long way to go with Brooks’ recruitment as the offers continue to pile up. The top competition as it stands now appears to be Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina and Michigan State. At least based on outward appearances right now, however, Indiana is in a good position.
With Brooks now hearing from many of the nation’s blue bloods, it would not be safe to assume that Indiana is in the lead, however. This is an evolving recruitment, and with so many new offers rolling in, Brooks and his family have a lot to digest.
One thing all college coaches should learn if they want to win this recruiting battle is to be sure they know what position Brooks plays. While his 6-foot-8 frame appears to be long enough to play power forward, his versatile game, and his Twitter account suggest otherwise:
I’m not a Powerfoward ??? https://t.co/VewdbvLBjG
— Keion Brooks Jr. (@KeionB_12) May 3, 2018
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