EYBL: In-home visits set for five-star Knox

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The first Nike EYBL open weekend wrapped up with another solid day of competition. There was a full crowd for the last game of the day where five-star Mohamed Bamba and four-star Quade Green (PSA Cardinals) edged out five-star Hamidou Diallo’s team (The Rens) 66-55. Also standing out today were 2018 shooting guard Keldon Johnson, 2017 small forward Kevin Knox and 2017 power forward Cody Riley.

Interest has picked up for five-star small forward Kevin Knox. Duke, North Carolina, Miami and Florida State were all sitting courtside for today’s game. Ranked No. 7 overall in the 2017 class, Knox plays a fast-paced game and likes to get out and score in transition. This summer he’s working on tightening up his ball handling and being more consistent on the offensive end. After just three games Knox is averaging 22 points and 7 rebounds per game.

On the recruiting front, Duke had an in-home visit last week and continues to make a good impression.

“Duke has just told me they’re making me their number one priority and saying how well I would fit into their offense there," Knox said.

North Carolina is scheduled for an in-home visit with Knox next week.

“I’m just looking forward to sitting down with Coach Williams," he said. "I really like how North Carolina runs a fast-paced offense and that’s what I like to do.”

Kentucky will have an in-home visit tomorrow and Florida State has been in mix early since Knox's dad played wide receiver for the Seminoles in the 1990s. Knox is looking to cut his list down at the end of the summer.

Class of 2018 five-star Keldon Johnson could not miss today. The shooting guard went 9-of-10 from the field and finished with 23 points. His most recent offer is Florida while Louisville and Kentucky have showed interest.

Johnson's brother Caleb Johnson currently plays at Georgetown but he’s not pushing Keldon to join him.

“He just tells me that I need to pick the school and program that’s right for me," Johnson said. "You know, take my time in the whole recruiting process and see what each team has to offer.”

Four-star point guard Quade Green and five-star power forward Mohamed Bamba are a fun pair to watch. Green has great court vision and Bamba connects on the long passes up in transition as well as the drive and dish down on the block. The duo combined for half the team’s 63 points today. Green finished with 18 points and Bamba contributed 16 points.

In terms of recruiting, Green listed Texas, Michigan State, Syracuse and Louisville as the schools recruiting him the hardest. Duke is showing interest but has not offered yet.

“I want to get to Duke, Michigan State, Louisville, Miami and USC this summer," he said. "I plan on cutting my list down in August and making my decision in September.”

EYBL team Phoenix Phamily might have the best high-low post game in the league with five-star Marvin Bagley and four-star Cody Riley. Anytime the ball is passed to the elbow it’s almost always an automatic two points with the quick lob down to the low post. Ranked No. 26 overall in the 2017 class, Riley was a perfect 5-of-5 from the field and finished with 12 points.

Having Bagley in practice every day to go up against has helped improve his game.

“It’s just like they say, iron sharpens iron," Riley said. "It’s so great to have Marvin as my competition in practice. We’re both just working hard to get each other better.”

UCLA is definitely the team to beat right now. Riley said he wants to get out to Kansas for a visit and has been talking to Connecticut and USC recently.