Freshman Focus: Devin Davis
by Justin Albers in Recruiting | June 13th, 2013
“Freshman Focus” is an Inside the Hall series on each of Indiana’s six incoming freshman. Over the last week and a half, we’ve examined the impact each freshman can have for the Hoosiers next season. Today, our series concludes with Devin Davis.
When Devin Davis’ high school season ended at Warren Central in February, he didn’t wait long to get back to work and begin preparing for his freshman season at Indiana. Davis took about a week off to rest, then got right back to work.
“His dad said [Devin] will call him at odd hours and say, ‘Dad, I wanna get in the gym,’” said Matt Green, Davis’ AAU coach with the Eric Gordon All-Stars. “You used to have to tell him to go work out. It’s not that way anymore.”
When Indiana’s basketball season begins next winter, Davis won’t be relied upon to score many points or take many shots. The offense won’t be run through him.
But that doesn’t mean Davis, who was the first in the 2013 class to sign with Indiana, won’t make an impact for the Hoosiers as a freshman next season.
“One of the areas he fits in is being that high energy guy off the bench that can come in and maybe provide that spark,” Green said. “He can defend different positions, rebound the basketball. There’s always time for those types of guys.”
Davis, a 6-foot-6 forward who is unranked by ESPN.com, will arrive on campus on Sunday to begin working out with his new teammates and preparing for his collegiate career. During the offseason, Davis has spent time working with Eric Gordon Sr. on ways to get by his man and score at the rim, along with a number of other areas of his game.
“He’s worked on his ball handling, just different ways to score the basketball, being able to attack the basket,” Green said. “He’s definitely been working on his jump shot, trying to extend his range and how his form is so he can shoot it at a high level.”
Scouting notes: 2013 Derby Festival Basketball Classic
by Alex Bozich in Recruiting | April 22nd, 2013
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — One of the final opportunities to watch five of IU’s 2013 signees before they arrive in Bloomington in early June came over the weekend at Freedom Hall in the 2013 Derby Festival Basketball Classic.
The all-star game has become a regular stop for IU recruits in recent seasons as Cody Zeller, Victor Oladipo and several others have participated. Inside the Hall was in attendance at Wednesday’s closed practice, Thursday’s night of the future stars event at Floyd Central and Friday’s game, which was won by the black team featuring all five IU signees, 124-113.
Here are game statistics, observations and scouting notes on all five guys:
· Troy Williams – 21 points (9-13 FG, 2-2 3PFG, 1-1 FT), five rebounds (two offensive), four assists, two turnovers, one block in 18 minutes
Williams walked away with MVP honors for the black team and there’s a good argument to made that he was the best player on the floor on Friday. That wasn’t the case in Wednesday’s closed practice as he forced some shots and didn’t finish particularly well around the rim. Williams was once ranked as high as No. 6 nationally in the 2013 class and he’s an elite athlete that gets into the lane and finishes plays with dunks. While the setting of an all-star game doesn’t lend itself to defense or rebounding being areas of focus, Williams has the tools to be very good in both areas. He’s a long, high motor player with the ability to score in a variety of ways, which should earn him minutes from day one in Bloomington.
· Collin Hartman – 7 points (2-7 FG, 1-5 3PFG, 2-2 FT), four rebounds (all offensive), two steals, one assist in 18 minutes
Hartman’s forte is perimeter shooting, but it wasn’t his week to excel in that area. He struggled in the 3-point contest and in the game, but all was not lost as he found other ways to make an impact. Hartman was active on the glass with four offensive rebounds and also had two steals. Health has been an issue for Hartman over the past year as he battled concussions and also a wrist injury that forced him to miss time during the past high school season. He said he’s ultimately emerged stronger from missing time and said that unlimited gym access is what he’s looking forward to most in college. With work in the weight room, there’s potential for Hartman to grab a role as early as next season.
· Luke Fischer – 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-3 FT), six rebounds (three offensive), three steals, two blocks, one assist, one turnover in 17 minutes
Fischer is often compared to Cody Zeller and it’s a comparison that makes some sense because of their similar games and build. Zeller probably has a solid two inches on Fischer in shoes, but much like the former IU All-American, the Wisconsin native is a sound post player who understands how to play the game. Fischer was efficient all week in Louisville and didn’t need the ball thrown to him to make an impact. His footwork and ability to catch the ball are both very good and while he’s probably not the athlete Zeller is, he finishes well through contact and runs the floor hard. He’s also a very good passer who can come out to the high post and find his teammates. Like most incoming players, adding strength to prepare for the rigors of the Big Ten will be key, but the tools are present for Fischer to play significant minutes early.
Williams wins MVP as IU signees prevail in Derby Festival Classic
by Alex Bozich in Media | April 19th, 2013
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Troy Williams scored a game-high 21 points and captured MVP honors as the black team, featuring five Indiana signees, won the 2013 Derby Festival Basketball Classic 124-113 Friday night in Freedom Hall.
Williams shot 9-of-13 from the field, hit both of his 3-point field goal attempts and also had five rebounds, four assists and a block.
It was the 40th year for the event, which drew 10,205 fans, including many IU supporters.
The black team trailed 68-64 at halftime, but took control early in the second half as Williams set the tone with seven quick points.
Two other IU signees — Devin Davis and Luke Fischer — also scored in double figures. Davis finished with 14 points and eight rebounds and Fischer added 12 points, six rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
Collin Hartman, who committed to Indiana in November of 2010, had seven points, four rebounds and two steals and Stanford Robinson, chipped in six points, four rebounds and four assists.
In total, the five Indiana signees scored 60 of the black team’s 124 points.
Indiana has been well represented in the game in recent years with Cody Zeller, Victor Oladipo, Maurice Creek, Christian Watford, Jordan Hulls, Austin Etherington, Hanner Mosquera-Perea and Jeremy Hollowell among the players from last year’s Big Ten championship team who previously participated.
HD Video: Fischer, Davis at Derby Festival practice
by Alex Bozich in Video | April 17th, 2013
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Luke Fischer and Devin Davis met with the media on Wednesday afternoon after arriving for the 2013 Derby Festival Basketball Classic, which tips off Friday evening at Freedom Hall.
Watch and listen to what the pair of IU signees had to say about what they’re hoping to get out of this weekend’s experience and their futures in Bloomington in the embedded media player below:
Recruit roundup: Blackmon Jr. continues dominant season
by Alex Bozich in Recruiting | January 6th, 2013
Throughout the season, Inside the Hall will keep you posted on how IU’s six 2013 signees and James Blackmon Jr. are performing at their respective schools. (Photo credit: Jamie Owens/J. Scott Sports)
You can send us stats or results for this report at insidethehall@gmail.com.
2013 SIGNEES
· Collin Hartman (Indianapolis Cathedral): Did not play as he recovers from a fractured left wrist. Cathedral beat Indianapolis Northwest 82-68 on Jan. 2 and Lafayette Central Catholic 78-48 on Jan. 5.
· Devin Davis Jr. (Warren Central): Ten points in a 69-64 loss at Lawrence North on Jan. 2 and eight points in an 82-47 win at Terre Haute South on Jan. 4.
· Luke Fischer (Germantown, WI): With Tom Crean in attendance, Fischer scored a team-high 28 points in a 76-69 win over Nicolet on Jan. 4. Germantown is 12-0.
· Noah Vonleh (New Hampton Prep, NH): Did not play as New Hampton Prep is off until it hosts St. Thomas More on Jan. 14.
· Stanford Robinson (Findlay Prep, NV): Ten points in a 76-51 win over Redemption Christian on Jan. 5. Findlay Prep is 18-0 and ranked No. 1 in the USA Today Super 25.
· Troy Williams (Oak Hill Academy, VA): Did not play as Oak Hill Academy is off until Jan. 11 when it hosts Toronto Academy.
2014 COMMITMENT
· James Blackmon Jr. (Ft. Wayne Luers): Twenty-eight points and eight rebounds in a 68-61 win over Ft. Wayne Dwenger on Jan. 4 and 44 points in a 79-73 overtime win at Muncie South on Jan. 5. Blackmon Jr. is averaging 38.2 points per game and Luers is 4-3.
Recruit roundup: Robinson, Findlay Prep win Iolani Classic
by Alex Bozich in Recruiting | December 24th, 2012
Throughout the season, Inside the Hall will keep you posted on how IU’s six 2013 signees and James Blackmon Jr. are performing at their respective schools.
You can send us stats or results for this report at insidethehall@gmail.com.
2013 SIGNEES
· Collin Hartman (Indianapolis Cathedral): Out for several weeks after suffering a fractured left wrist that required surgery. Cathedral beat Brebeuf Jesuit 68-58 on Dec. 22.
· Devin Davis Jr. (Warren Central): Twenty-five points and 16 rebounds in a 99-94 triple overtime loss to Indianapolis Pike on Dec. 19.
· Luke Fischer (Germantown, WI): Thirteen points in a 71-45 win at Port Washington on Dec. 21 and seventeen points, including two 3-pointers, and three blocks in a 80-36 win over East Troy on Dec. 22.
· Noah Vonleh (New Hampton Prep, NH): Did not play as New Hampton is off until Dec. 27.
· Stanford Robinson (Findlay Prep, NV): Ten points, six steals and five assists in a 70-37 win over Moanalua (HI) on Dec. 19. Four points, five rebounds and four assists in a 73-63 win over Coolidge (D.C.) on Dec. 20. Five points as Findlay Prep beat Montrose Christian 40-35 on Dec. 21 and four points in a 61-53 win over La Lumiere on Dec. 22. All games in the Iolani Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii, which Findlay Prep won and Robinson was named to the all-tournament team.
· Troy Williams (Oak Hill Academy, VA): Twelve points in a 78-37 win over Kamehameha on Dec. 19. Seventeen points in a 62-30 win over ‘Iolani (HI) on Dec. 20. Thirteen points in a 70-67 loss to La Lumiere on Dec. 21. Ten points in a 65-48 win over Montrose Christian (MD) on Dec. 22. All games in the Iolani Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii, where Oak Hill finished 3rd and Williams was named to the all-tournament team.
