FORT WAYNE, INDIANA: This is my second year going to this and it was an outstanding event once again, especially one that is run in the dead period. Hosted by Indy Heat Gym Rats, I spent most of my time at Turnstone with the 17's. Here we go:
BEST MATCHUP OF THE WEEKEND: Sunday morning. Platinum bracket Quarterfinal. Y n R 17U an Independent club vs Indiana Elite 17U 3SSB on Adidas circuit.. Sutton vs Bidunga in a big time matchup. Bidunga is a known player nationally, Sutton is 126 in the country 247 composite. It was must see tv one of those get your popcorn ready games. Big time late threes by Travis Perry and Cooper Koch along with two free throws by Koch win the game 74-71. This should have been the title game but Y n R led most of the time till the last minute. Sutton had 18 points about 5 assists and a couple of blocks, Bidunga had 17 points, double digit rebounds and a couple of blocks. Koch had 17 points, Perry had 13 points. Davius "Nuk" Loury of Y n R capped a great shooting weekend from three with 15 points and 3 threes.
TOP SLEEPER IN THE COUNTRY: Darrion Sutton of Young and Reckless (Y n R) was a revelation. Should easily be Top 30 in America in Class of 2024. He's about to blow up. Helped them to a big win on Friday night against All Ohio Red EYBL.
Darrion Sutton, 6'10" wing, Young and Reckless (Y n R): Highlight was a big time right handed dunk driving to the basket over consensus Top 5 player in Class of 2024 Flory Bidunga. The dunk was right handed (Sutton is a left hander). https://twitter.com/thecircuit/status/1655230856661794819?s=61&t=9iI_MPKDvJi1zSTS-hxd1wShowed point guard skills as he did not get the ball taken from him off the dribble all weekend. Doesn't shoot a lot but can hit threes, attack the basket, and nice pull-up mid range game. Guards all five positions and rim protects very well. He had a couple of 4 and 5 block games. High majors need to come calling and yesterday for the St Louis, MO native.
Flory Bidunga, 6'9" forward, Indiana Elite 3SSB 17U: 247 composite 3rd ranked player in Class of 2024. Is being recruited by high majors like Kentucky, Indiana, Purdue to name a few offers he holds. Strong player on the interior, the lefty was unstoppable finishing over his right shoulder. Had big time dunks, averaged a double/double and is a great rim protector. Had multiple games with 4 and 5 blocks. Led his team to the Platinum 17U Championship.
Travis Perry, 6'2" point guard, Indiana Elite 3SSB 17U: All time leading scorer in Kentucky High School basketball history didn't show it the first two days. He ran the offense, got the ball to Bidunga, Koch, and a couple of others being the floor general. Occasionally showed his nice pull-up mid range jump shot. Sunday he put on his scoring shoes, scoring on threes, hard drives to the basket with a great first step, finished with either hand. Had 13, 21 and finally 25 in the title game win over Midwest Basketball (OH) 3SSB. Kentucky has offered amongst many others. Power 6 point guard no doubt.
Cooper Koch, 6'9" wing, Indiana Elite 3SSB 17U: Koch is a nice three point shooter from the corner, but hit a few from other spots, had nice drives to the basket, ran the floor well. Had double figures scoring in each game and helped Bidunga on the glass. Iowa commit and one of the top players in 2024 for Illinois, had a clutch three and two free throws in quarterfinal win over Y n R.
Collin White, 6'6" wing, Indiana Elite 3SSB 17U: Is a great fourth option, did the dirty work of hitting the glass, getting on the floor for loose balls, and scoring on drives to the basket and three pointers. His games made his team blow out 5 of the 6 opponents they played over the weekend.
Trent Noah, 6'7" wing, Midwest Basketball Club (OH) 3SSB 17U: Big time three point shooter from all over the floor. He also mixes in drives to the basket and finishes at the basket. Goes to the basket strong and is a good athlete running the court and finishing on the break. Hits the glass well for a wing. I'll just say Kentucky should give this young man an offer for the homegrown young man. Led team to the Platinum 17U title game.
Jonathan Powell, 6'6" guard, Midwest Basketball Club (OH) 3SSB 17U: Showed he could run a team as a big point guard attacking the basket and finishing. Can hit pull up threes and mid range pull-ups. Long arms gets steals on defense.
Davius Loury aka Nuk, 6'7" Wing, Young and Reckless (Y n R) 17U: Shot an ungodly percentage from three this weekend. He shot about 70% from behind the line, might have to get him some more shots. Sat out last season with an injury, will be a Class of 2024 player. Showed improved defense guarding players on the interior.
Justus McNair, 6'2" combo guard, Young and Reckless (Y n R) 17U: Showed he could run the point on a consistent basis this weekend. Set up the offense, hit threes, had strong athletic drives to the basket and finished. Explosive off the floor.
RJ McKinnie, 6'3" combo guard, Young and Reckless (Y n R) 17U: Two way monster, hits threes, drives to the basket, pressures opposing guards 84 feet. Makes life miserable for other teams with his hustle and all around play. Scoring, passing, and rebounding makes him able to stay on the floor in any lineup.
Cole Certa, 6'5" combo guard, Illinois Wolves 17U UAA: Played point guard this weekend but still had his scoring shoes on. He can score soon as he steps on the court. Ungodly range from three and has a middle game, along with improved finishing at the rim. Helped team to Platinum `17U Semifinal.
Angelo Ciaravino, 6'6" wing, Illinois Wolves 17U UAA: He was very aggressive in drives to the basket and finished with either hand. Showed his versatility by hitting some threes all weekend and setting up teammates on some of his drives. Helped team to Platinum 17U Semifinal.
Jerry Easter II, 6'6" point guard, All Ohio 17U EYBL: Played up as he's a Class of 2025 player. Plays with great pace, hits threes, mid range pull-ups and take his time in the lane to get clean finishes at the cup. You cannot speed him up as he plays at his own tempo. High major recruit.
Calvin "CJ" Worsham, 6'7" forward, DeNard Bros Basketball Club 17U: Double/double machine as he has added point forward to his game. He brought the ball up a lot and played bully ball at the basket, powering up to score in the paint. Has developed a nice mid range scoring game to his arsenal. Went at everyone this weekend and took names.
Tristan Ford, 6'4" point guard, Mac Irvin Fire 16U E16: Dominated this weekend leading his team to the title in the Platinum 16U bracket. Hits threes to accentuate his driving game and pull-up jumpers. Had a nasty poster dunk over the weekend. https://twitter.com/mike_irvin/status/1655005284740341763?s=61&t=9iI_MPKDvJi1zSTS-hxd1wSmooth lefty who's getting better every time out.
Cameron Regnerus, 6'8" wing, Storm National 17U: Grand Valley State commit could play division one basketball. He's a versatile wing who can step out and hit threes, along with dominating in the post and on both backboards. For his frame he hits them HARD on both ends and tries to dunk anything within miles of the rim. Also rim protects at a high level. GVSU GOT AN ABSOLUTE STEAL!!!!!
Other top performers:
Dhani Flannigan, 6'0" point guard, 94 feet elite 17U
Azavier Robinson, 6'2" point guard, George Hill Indy 16U
Michael Nee, 6'0" guard, Breakaway Basketball 15U UA RISE
Rajan Roberts, 6'2" combo guard, Team Rose 15U 3SSB
Rafael Pinto, 6'3" combo guard, Breakaway Basketball 15U UA RISE
Mike Jones, 6'6" wing, Mac Irvin Fire 16U E16
Dawayne Williams, 6'6" wing, Indy Heat EYBL 17U
Eion Dillon, 6'8" forward, Illinois Wolves 17U UAA
Dekwon Brown, 6'2" point guard, Denard Brothers 17U
Not pictured
Meyoh Swansey, 6'4" wing Wildcat Select 17U 3SSB
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