Published Jul 30, 2016
Adidas Nations: Four-star Nwora loving the process
Eric Bossi  •  Rivals Network Hoops Hub
National Analyst
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GARDEN GROVE, Calif. -- The end of the long grassroots summer is nearing a merciful end, but not before some of the nation's elite prospects gathered in Southern California for Adidas Nations. Nobody seemed to be loving the experience and his recruitment more than four-star forward Jordan Nwora.

NWORA HAPPY TO BE WHERE HE IS

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While many of his contemporaries appeared to be running on fumes after a long summer, four-star combo forward Jordan Nwora looked fresh on the opening night of Adidas Nations.

Ranked No. 92 overall in the 2017 Rivals150, the 6-foot-7 forward is appreciative of the position he's in with his recruitment and was too excited about a chance to play at a camp like Nations to not be in great spirits.

"It can be tough playing right now and a lot of guys are tired," said Nwora. "But this is my last year to do stuff like this and AAU. This weekend is really the last time that I can do something like this unless I'm able to come back for the college camp so I feel pretty good."

During a 15-point effort for Team Africa, Nwora showed off his skilled blend of inside/outside play. He gets immediate attention because of his dangerous three point shooting and pure jumper, and once he gets that he uses his strong body to work his way to scores between the rim and 15 feet.

After running on the Nike EYBL circuit with the New York Rens, Nwora is also enjoying the chance to size himself up against top kids from different shoe circuits.

"It's always good to see some different competition," said Nwora. "I've seen the Nike guys and then at the Fab 48 in Las Vegas we played almost all Under Armour teams. Now I get to see the Adidas guys."

On the recruiting front, Nwora said that he's really enjoying being recruited and that he doesn't feel pressured or tired of the process in any way. He's appreciative of the level he's being recruited and says that the next step will be to come up within between five and ten finalists between now and the end of August. From there, he'll probably schedule five visits but he's not going to take visits just to take them.

Nwora has seen USC, Northwestern and Seton Hall unofficially and they've all offered. Other offers have come in from programs like Marquette, Xavier, Connecticut, California, Utah, Oklahoma State, Florida and Memphis.

PERRY ON THE RISE

The rise of Reggie Perry as one of the top prospects looks set to continue based on opening night at Adidas Nations. Already ranked No. 73 in the 2018 rankings, the four-star power forward has had a big July and he has solidified that he will be among the big climbers when the class of 2018 rankings get expanded from a top 100 to a true Rivals150 at the end of the summer.

Athletic and strong, Perry can get tough, contested hoops in traffic, grabs rebounds with both hands above the rim and checks off all of the physical boxes a prospect should. He also has some faceup ability and schools have taken notice.

Perry said that his most recent offers have come from Missouri and Alabama and that he's also got offers from Arkansas, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Middle Tennessee State, Kansas State, UCF and others.


MORE FRIDAY NOTES

There wasn't a more productive player at the Next Level Sports Complex than small forward Lamine Diane of Team Africa. The long, energetic and athletic wing was all over the place and played with tremendous effort while putting together a 27 point and eight rebound night. He was most effective slashing to the rim, crashing the glass and looks like a potential defensive stopper. However, he also hit a few deep jumpers and at least looked confident in his jumper. The three-star said that he's wide open in his recruitment and that he doesn't have favorites or a list of schools.

2018's No. 8- ranked player Ethan Henderson's Team Lillard squad took an 83-74 loss on Friday night, but the slim and athletic four-star power forward had a very nice showing. Simply by staying active and converting on clean looks at the rim and from 12 feet he was good for 14 points and six rebounds. Henderson has to add a lot of strength, but he's a high major athlete with a good motor. Arkansas, LSU, Missouri, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Arizona State and Tulsa have now offered while Kansas, Marquette, Iowa State, USC, Louisville and UCLA have all inquired after watching him during July.

Because class of 2018 North Carolina commitment Rechon Black can do some things that are reminiscent of Shaun Livingston as a high schooler, expectations are going to be high. At the same time, it's those flashes of ability that have left people wanting more production from him after a somewhat quiet spring and summer. Friday night, the 6-foot-6 point guard made the right pass, sat down and defended and connected on a few mid range jumpers in a nice effort. From a pure production standpoint, his current ranking of No. 26 overall in the class of 2018 may be a bit ambitious. However, factoring in pure upside and potential, he could outplay that ranking and he's one of the toughest evaluations in the rising junior class.

Ranked No. 19 overall in the class of 2018, point guard Immanuel Quickley is one of the hottest prospects in his class. He has good size, is slippery off the dribble and does a nice job of balancing scoring and playmaking. On Friday, he told Rivals.com that Louisville, Texas A&M, UCLA, Maryland, Villanova and Arizona have all offered since he made USA Basketball's 17U team in June.

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