GARDEN GROVE, Calif. – In a last look at the third session of the Under Armour Association held over Memorial Day weekend in Southern California, we talk top prospects based on their weekend play. A baker’s dozen players -- including five-star point guard Trevon Duval -- made the list. They are listed alphabetically by class.
Recruiting wrap: Offers from Texas A&M, Baylor, Florida, LSU, N.C. State and others.
Bossi’s take: So far this spring, Anderson has outplayed his ranking. I’m not ready to call him a point guard, but he’s certainly a two guard capable of creating off the dribble, serving as a secondary ball-handler and allowing for creativity in an offense. His plus athleticism doesn’t hurt either.
Recruiting wrap: Offers Arizona, Baylor, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas, Louisville, Maryland, Syracuse, Villanova and many more.
Bossi’s take: Frankly, I have seen Duval play much better in other venues and he wasn’t up to his usual standards. He’s the highest ranked player in the UAA and never gets a rest from other teams taking their best shot and sending waves at him. Even on a “down” weekend, he’s still showed many flashes -- burst and vision in traffic – of why he’s the best point guard prospect in 2017.
Recruiting wrap: Committed to North Carolina.
Bossi’s take: Felton has sometimes been a bit casual with his effort. This spring his motor has been ramped up and he’s showed lots of ability as an off the dribble scorer. He’s got things headed in the right direction.
Recruiting wrap: Final eight of Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State, Ohio State and Xavier.
Bossi’s take: Scruggs looked about the most comfortable I’ve ever seen him running the point and had his best weekend of the spring. He was making tough off-the-dribble jumpers, finding teammates and showing again that he’s one of the best rebounding guards in America.
Recruiting wrap: Offers from Georgia Tech, Maryland, Florida State, Ohio State, California, N.C. State and USC among others.
Bossi’s take: Throw out one lousy shooting game and Walker was as prolific scorer as there was in the 17U division. He can catch and shoot from deep and the former football star has a body built for contact.
Recruiting wrap: Offers from Indiana, Maryland, UCLA, Michigan State, Xavier, Purdue, Notre Dame, Illinois and others.
Bossi’s take: I still feel like Wilkes is a bit under-appreciated. He is tough, a very good scorer from 17 feet and in and he’s a versatile athlete that always produces. Improvement on his jumper could make him a truly elite prospect.
Recruiting wrap: Offers from Arizona, Baylor, Kansas, SMU, Texas, Texas A&M
Bossi’s take: Liddell isn’t a great jump shooter yet and he can improve his efficiency. But, I love the effort he plays with, his size and how he’s willing to go to battle on the glass. He lived up to his five-star status.
Recruiting wrap: Offers from Auburn, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, LSU, Wake Forest and Georgia Tech.
Bossi’s take: I’ve been high on this kid for a while and don’t see any reason to back off. He’s got tremendous size, handles and passes very well, is a very good athlete and he’s started to play with some aggression and edge. Has the tools to be a big-timer.
Recruiting wrap: Offers from Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, N.C. State, Rutgers, Seton Hall, St. John’s, Syracuse and Villanova among others.
Bossi’s take: Reid probably won’t like this, but I see him as an ideal college center in today’s game. He’s big and strong enough to play the position but is also mobile and has skill facing the hoop and running the floor. When he’s engaged and playing with effort he’s a load, but he could also be more dominant on the 16U level given his physical gifts.
Recruiting wrap: Offers from VCU, Notre Dame, Maryland, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Florida, Villanova, St. John’s and Temple.
Bossi’s take: What an impressive looking guard prospect. Antoine is a dangerous shooter from deep, shows skill and feel as a ball-handler and decision-maker and has the plus athleticism and tremendous size you would like to see in a shooting guard. He looks like a potential five-star prospect.
Recruiting wrap: Offers from Ole Miss, Memphis, Iowa State, Florida, Wake Forest and Texas A&M.
Bossi’s take: I first saw him in May of 2015 and thought he had huge potential. Now he has a chance to be a truly elite prospect. He’s pushing 6-foot-8, can make jumpers, takes rebounds coast to coast for buckets and seems to have a world of potential. Barring some real changes, he’s a lock for early five-star status when 2019 gets ranked after the summer.
Recruiting wrap: Offers from VCU, Notre Dame, Maryland, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Florida, Villanova, St. John’s and Temple.
Bossi’s take: He isn’t as skilled as his teammate Antoine, but he’s a scintillating athlete who is always attacking. Lewis is going to have to build his skill, but the tools to be a high-level player are all right there at his fingertips.
Recruiting wrap: Offers from Florida State and West Virginia.
Bossi’s take: It isn't often you see prospects who are legitimate seven-feet (plus) tall who have just finished their freshman year of high school. Chol has size, moves much better than you would expect, is a shot-blocking machine and shows some offensive skill and touch. He looked pretty good when I first saw him in October and he's progressed very nicely over the last seven months or so.
