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Published Jul 4, 2019
Three-Point Play: Matt Cross, June live period, stock-boosters
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Corey Evans  •  Basketball Recruiting
Basketball Analyst
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Today in the Three-Point-Play national analyst Corey Evans takes a look at the ongoing recruitment of four-star forward Matt Cross. Also, a recap of the newly implemented June high school live period events and a look at some of the stock boosters that used last week to boost their stock.

MORE EVANS: Twitter Tuesday mailbag | Wednesday leftovers

2020 Rankings: Rivals150 | Team | Position

2021 Rankings: Rivals150

1. Matt Cross is a busy man

I thought that I was a busy man last month, but then I heard Matt Cross's itinerary, I didn’t feel as bad. Whether it was finishing up his junior year at Woodstock Academy, taking a handful of official visits or competing at the NBPA Top 100 Camp, it was a hectic few weeks for one of the spring’s greatest stock-boosters.

A 6-foot-7 forward that fits the small ball 4-man role to a tee, Cross has never struggled to land quality, high-major scholarship offers. He had a good winter with his high school team, but it wasn’t until he dominated the Nike EYBL circuit this spring that really put things into hyperdrive.

Within the past six weeks, Cross has taken official visits to Butler, Indiana and South Carolina, squeezing in all three during his junior year. He just finished an official visit to Miami that counts towards his senior year, leaving four more available.

Cross could potentially take official visits to Florida, Iowa and/or Texas A&M. However, none have been scheduled and he could decide that he has seen all that needs to and end his recruitment. He told Rivals.com that he plans on committing in August.

There is no leader for him as it is a neck-and-neck affair between the four that have already hosted him. Wherever he does land, one should expect for a ready-made contributor in the frontcourt that competes with a steady motor, can make shots to the perimeter, and rebound at a good rate, adding up to what would be a tremendous addition for any of those involved.

2. June evaluation period gets more praise

The Rice Commission wanted to loosen some of the control that the travel coaches had over its kids which brought to hand the two high school June evaluation periods. While there were a few hiccups, it was a great success for all of those involved during its inaugural campaign.

I was able to evaluate such camps in Georgia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, and I walked away heavily impressed with the talent that I saw and the organization by those that hosted such events. High school coaches agreed.

“The high school live events period was a great platform for our kids to play with their classmates against top competition in front of hundreds of college coaches,” Rutgers Prep head coach Matt Bloom said. “The feedback has been tremendous from the college coaches, who were able to see our players in roles that translate to the next level.”

A high-major assistant coach shared a similar sentiment.

“I believe that it was great to be able to see guys with their high school teams," he said. "The different evaluation setting really allows you to focus in on a different environment with different coaches. The high school organizations did a great job setting up high level camps that had great teams plays against other great teams.”

The Rice Commission was blasted for the new rules that it pushed through, but it does look as if the structured, organized high school events that just took place was one its best ideas. Concerns remain as to how the new July calendar will play out, but the past few weeks was definitely a step in the right direction for all involved.

3. More June stock-boosters

While we did our best to cover the final evaluation period last week, there were a few more players that were deserving of some praise.

At the DMV Elite Live 2 event, Noah Batchelor was one of the surprising finds of the entire month. Standing close to 6-foot-6, Batchelor looks to be one of the best shot-makers in his class nationally. He made five or more 3-pointers in every game I saw as the Mid-Atlantic Select product is currently hearing from Clemson, George Washington, NC State, Rhode Island and Xavier.

In Philadelphia, Trey Patterson put on a complete show. The top-50 sophomore has really done a great job with his body and overall skill set in recent months which helped guide his Rutgers Prep team to an undefeated weekend at the Philly Live 2 event. Georgia, Indiana, Miami, NC State and Villanova are his latest offer, and Notre Dame, Stanford and Virginia have kept a close eye on the high academic prospect.

Gonzaga College High has never struggled to produce talent and next season will be no different. Myles Stute, Terrance Williams and Butler-bound Chuck Harris are the faces of the program, but the underclassmen core is not lacking, either. Rising junior Malcolm Dread already holds a James Madison offer, Devin Dinkins is slated to start at the point guard spot as a sophomore, and his classmates, Jared Turner and Judah Mintz, look to be early producers with the latter already holding an offer from George Mason.

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