adidas May Classic: Saturday notebook

  • 05/15/2010 8:35 pm in

Notes and observations from Saturday of the adidas May Classic:

+ You’d be hard pressed to find a better 2013 AAU trio than Basil Smotherman, Devin Davis Jr. and Zak Irvin. All three suit up for the Eric Gordon All-Stars and each player is loaded with potential. Irvin, who hit a game-winning shot Friday night to knock off Collin Hartman and the Indiana Elite Stars, continued his stellar play with 19 points in Cook Hall in a 62-47 win over the Ohio Basketball Club early Saturday morning. Irvin played junior varsity last season at Hamilton Southeastern and will surely join Gary Harris on the varsity next winter. He said the main reason he played JV was his strength and he’s working to improve that this summer. Davis Jr., who has a high motor and is a top-level athlete, was equally impressive and will be a sophomore at Warren Central. Kyle Neddenriep of The Indianapolis Star reported on Thursday that IU offered Davis Jr. a scholarship. The 6-5 Smotherman scored just four points in the Saturday morning game I watched, but is already claiming offers from Purdue and Xavier.

+ Twins Brenton and Bryson Scott of Ft. Wayne Northrop, also members of the 2013 class, turned in solid efforts in an early Saturday win, 75-48, over the Michigan Mustangs. Bryson, the better prospect of the two, had 25 points for the Spiece Indy Heat 15’s and Brent added 14. Afterwards, Bryson said he wasn’t sure whether he’d like to play with his brother in college.

+ Cincinnati Aiken guard Aaron Thomas continues to talk about a heavy interest in Indiana. Thomas said Indiana has offered a scholarship as have DePaul, Xavier and Cincinnati. Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan and Michigan State are also interested. Thomas said he hopes to make a decision by the end of July. (Click here for video.)

+ Austin Etherington did not play Saturday and is expected to miss a few weeks due to a stress fracture in his lower back. He could return for the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions, which takes place the final weekend of May.

+ Kenny Kaminski said he plans to make a decision on July 31 and Indiana, Michigan State and Ohio State appear to be the schools to beat for the 6-8 shooter from Medina (OH). Kaminski hopes to visit Wisconsin, Arizona State and Florida before making a decision. (Click here for video.)

+ D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera had not yet visited Cook Hall when I spoke with him, but said he planned to take a look this weekend. Smith-Rivera is a strong guard who can knock down shots and create for his teammates. When asked about a timetable for a decision, the North Central guard said he was “gung-ho” about making a decision, but his parents would like him to hold off for now. Smith-Rivera plans to visit IU, Kentucky, Louisville, Xavier, Washington, Villanova, Georgetown and North Carolina. (Click here for video.)

+ Hanner Perea is a big time athlete that can finish with the best in the country. He didn’t show much of a perimeter game, but wasn’t really challenged on his way to the basket. He was also a presence on defense as he had a couple of ridiculous blocked shots. Perea said he really likes Cook Hall and he’s looking for a school that will play an up-tempo style at the next level. (Click here for video.)

+ Cody Zeller said he plans to take all five official visits before making a decision and reeled off this list of offers: Indiana, Purdue, Notre Dame, Butler, Ohio State, Michigan, Florida, Wake Forest, Texas. North Carolina hasn’t offered, but is in regular contact with the Washington big man. Zeller said Indiana is “showing as much interest as they can show.” (Click here for video.)

+ Twelve schools are recruiting Jeremiah Davis and the Muncie Central guard said he won’t trim his list before making the call. Arizona State is the newest school in pursuit. Davis says he’s still enjoying the recruiting process and that IU and Etherington continue to recruit him hard. (Click here for video.)

+ Darryl Hicks, a 2013 guard from Shelby Co (KY), told Jody Demling of The Louisville Courier-Journal that his top three schools are Indiana, Cincinnati and Kentucky. Arizona recently offered a scholarship.

+ 2013 Jeffersonville guard Darryl Baker scored 28 and 34 in pool play games and said he’s close to being 100 percent. Baker has an offer from Xavier and interest from Indiana, Michigan State, Purdue and Ohio State.

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