The Nike EYBL Circuit was in the north Indianapolis suburbs over the weekend, and The Daily Hoosier was there all three days to get a closer look at some of the players Indiana is recruiting in the classes of 2023 through 2025.
The event was a whose-who of college basketball. We saw 13 of the 14 head coaches in the Big Ten, and three members of the IU staff. Mike Woodson, Kenya Hunter and Yasir Rosemond were there at various points.
Here are our notes about three of the class of 2024 prospects Indiana is involved with.
Yves Missi (2024) – A long rim-protector who can fill the dunker spot on offense, The Cameroon product seems to fit the bill for the kind of center Mike Woodson would like to have in the program.
Missi has very quick feet for his size and appears to be capable of being disruptive as a defender on high ball screens, and someone who can chase down shots from the help side. He is averaging an EYBL U16 best 3.5 blocked shots per game, and Missi is third in rebounds per game. He produces those big numbers because of his aggressive high-motor style.
One play by Missi really stood out, and speaks to the kind of player he is. As the ball went off his teammate and sailed towards the sideline, he put his 6-foot-10 frame parallel to the floor, diving head first out of bounds after it.
While he has room to develop offensively, Missi is well beyond just being a raw athlete. He has skills on the low block, and isn’t afraid to put the ball on the floor and attack. He is 0-of-7 from three on the Nike circuit, so development in that area will go a long way towards how intense his recruitment gets. Indiana offered last week.
EYBL stats: 11.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.5 blocks, 62.5 FG%
(Missi is pictured above)
Liam McNeeley (2024) – The 6-foot-7 Texas product checks every box as a complete, versatile, modern player on the wing.
McNeeley is a volume scorer who can get buckets in a number of ways. His perimeter shot is effortless with great mechanics, and he needs very little space to get it off. He also has high-end speed off the bounce, seems equally effective with either hand, and he attacks fearlessly and can elevate at the rim.
While he doesn’t project as a point guard, McNeeley was often the primary ball-handler for his Drive Nation squad, bringing the ball up in both half court and transition opportunities.
McNeeley also brings a lot of intangible assets. He is tough-minded, physical and very verbal out on the court.
McNeeley is fourth in EYBL in scoring, but he is also a willing passer. He didn’t shoot it well in the games we watched, but he was 9-of-17 from three during the first live period a few weeks ago.
Indiana offered two weeks ago.
EYBL stats: 21.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 50.5 FG%, 35.3% 3FG%
Kanon Catchings (2024) – The Brownsburg, Ind. product is the nephew of former Indiana Fever star Tamika Catchings. Running with the 2024 Indy Heat, Catchings checks in at around 6-foot-6, and he is very thin. His frame is a limiting factor right now in the physical and athletic EYBL, but Catchings’ potential is easy to see.
He projects as a three at the next level, and with a good-looking shooting stroke, great length, and an impressive pedigree, his development will be interesting to keep an eye. That’s Indiana’s posture at this point, as they haven’t yet offered.
For notes on 2023 prospects at the second EYBL event, GO HERE.
The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”
- Find us on Facebook: thedailyhoosier
- You can follow us on Twitter: @daily_hoosier
- Seven ways to support completely free IU coverage at no cost to you.
