Recruiting roundup: 2021 targets Aminu Mohammed, Mason Miller eyeing decisions

  • 11/16/2020 9:18 am in

Indiana’s top two remaining recruiting targets in the class of 2021 appear to be nearing decisions.

Five-star wing Aminu Mohammed, the No. 14 player in the class according to the 247Composite, originally planned to announce his decision at the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in January. That event, however, was recently canceled.

Over the weekend, Mohammed’s guardian Shawn Harmon told Inside the Hall’s Tyler Tachman that while no firm date has been set for an announcement, “all I can say is it will be soon.”

Recently, Georgia landed a pick in the 247Sports Crystal Ball for Mohammed. In this lengthy update from the Springfield News-Leader, the other schools mentioned for Mohammed are Indiana, Texas, Georgetown, Louisville, Kansas State, Maryland, Oklahoma State, SMU and DePaul. The NBA G-League is also mentioned as an option.

Here’s what the Springfield News-Leader wrote about Mohammed and IU:

Archie Miller has been active in Mohammed’s recruitment since offering him in June 2019. Miller told Mohammed during the summer how he likes the way he moves without the ball and his ability to use ball screens.

An advantage Indiana has over others is that Mohammed was able to visit the school. The pandemic has put a halt to his ability to take many visits he would’ve liked to take these last few months.

Indiana currently has two open scholarships on its 2020-21 roster and should be seen as a candidate to land Mohammed.

Four-star forward Mason Miller, meanwhile, is down to a final two of Creighton and Indiana.

The Blue Jays have already received a campus visit from Miller, who has not visited Indiana in-person. According to Tipton Edits, Miller will have a virtual visit with the IU staff on Monday.

The early signing period for college basketball ends on Wednesday, Nov. 18, which means Miller still has a few days left to make a decision and sign this fall, if that’s the path he chooses. It is unlikely that any official visits will be able to be scheduled as the NCAA is expected to extend the dead period for recruiting through April 15, 2021.

2022 guard McKneely trims to eight

One of Indiana’s top targets in the class of 2022, Isaac McKneely, has cut his list to eight schools.

The Poca (W.V.) combo guard, who is rated the No. 57 player nationally in the 247Composite, is considering Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Purdue, North Carolina, Virginia, Louisville and Illinois.

McKneely received a scholarship offer from the Hoosiers in August and visited Bloomington last December for the Arkansas game.

Indiana in top five for top 30 point guard

Class of 2022 point guard Bruce Thornton announced his top five schools earlier this month and Indiana remains in contention.

Thornton, the No. 30 player nationally according to the 247Composite, is considering the Hoosiers, Purdue, Ohio State, Alabama and Georgia.

Inside the Hall’s Cameron Drummond wrote an in-depth feature on Thornton back in July:

As a sophomore, Thornton averaged 23 points, 7.5 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game, showing an ability to both get teammates involved or do the scoring himself.

That’s something Will Whetstone, who has been Thornton’s coach at The Skill Factory since Thornton entered middle school, knows well.

Whetstone made his first practice with Thornton intentionally difficult, full of structure and system. Even from a young age, Thornton was up for the task.

“He was always one of those kids that picked up on everything,” Whetstone said. “In fifth grade he already knew certain defensive concepts, jumping to the ball or being vocal, high hands on closeouts, things like that.”

Indiana issues new 2021 scholarship offer

Update: On Monday afternoon, Mustapha Amzil committed to Dayton.

With its 2021 recruiting options dwindling, Indiana offered a scholarship to First Love Christian Academy (Pa.) forward Mustapha Amzil last week.

A native of Finland, the 6-foot-9 Amzil is ranked the No. 305 player nationally in 2021 according to the 247Composite.

According to his profile at 247Sports, Amzil holds offers from IU, Illinois, DePaul, Boston College, Dayton, Georgia Tech, Marquette, Maryland, NC State, Oklahoma State, Pittsburgh and St. John’s.

Amzil just arrived in the United States this fall, according to this Q & A with Stockrisers back on October 14:

You just arrived in the United States, discuss your backstory, and how it’s been here so far?

Amzil: “I moved to the states from Finland one and a half weeks ago. My mom is Finnish and my father is Moroccan. I have three siblings and my older sister plays at Cisco College in Texas. My younger brother plays in Finland still and my little sister hasn’t picked up the ball yet.”

You’re already turning into a national recruit, how has that been so far?

Amzil: “It’s been great since I came down here. My exposure has been blowing up and I’m thankful for all of the offers I’ve received.”

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