Under Armour Indy: Beast Mode backcourt lives up to name

FISHERS, Ind. – A top-five player in 2018, point guard Javonte Smart got plenty of help from fellow point guard and four-star junior C.J. Roberts as Beast Mode made a big comeback. They were just two of the stars on display on the opening night of the Under Armour Association's Indianapolis area stop.

As the No. 3 player in the class of 2018, Javonte Smart has already cemented himself as one of the top players in the country. The 6-foot-4 point guard certainly looked the part of a top-five player for long stretches on Friday night during Beast Mode's comeback win over Team Breakdown.

By the time Smart was done, he'd racked up an impressive 17 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. But, he wasn't without help.

Much of it came from 2017's No. 86 player, C.J. Roberts. One of the more explosive backcourt players in the junior class, Roberts used his tremendous burst to get to the rim, he made shots and his competitive fire rubbed off on his teammates. He was good for 21 points, four rebounds and four assists of his own, and really gave a lift with his energy.

However, without Chris Smith's game-tying three at the end of regulation, Beast Mode wouldn't have won. Perhaps slightly over-ranked, for now, at No. 23 nationally in 2018, Smith is an interesting prospect. He's pushing 6-foot-8 with legit wing skills and after being silent for almost the entire game he came alive after sending the game to overtime.

Smart listed offers from Baylor, LSU, UMass, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt and Texas A&M. Roberts' most recent offers have come from Rhode Island, South Carolina and Rutgers. Jamie Dixon and the new TCU staff are making him a priority, as well. Smith listed offers from Baylor, UT-Arlington, Connecticut and SMU.

Currently a three-star prospect, junior small forward Savion Flagg was one of the biggest stories of the first live period. To kick off the second live weekend, Flagg didn't have a great night shooting but he showed a lot of promise and the athletic 6-foot-6 wing looked the part of somebody who needs a spot in the 2017 Rivals150 during the Houston Defenders' win over Team Felton.

Flagg isn't the only Defender on the rise, though. Class of 2017 guards Maxwell Evans and Cameron Mack, along with 2018 forward Mitchell Seriale, were all impressive as well. Evans is a tough-and-rugged combo guard who can go get buckets off the dribble, Mack is a slick-and-quick floor general who gets into the paint and Seriale is a high flyer who crashes the glass and specializes in getting buckets above the rim.

Evans listed offers from Boise State, Kansas State, Weber State, San Diego State, Lamar, Stephen F. Austin, Middle Tennessee State and New Mexico among others. Flagg has added offers from TCU, Houston, Kansas State, Northwestern, Purdue, SMU, Creighton and Texas A&M of late.

"I feel like I've been in the gym working hard for this," said Flagg. "I felt like (attention) would come to me with exposure but I'm not surprised by it."

Big man Nate Watson of DC Premier snuck into the most recent 2017 Rivals150 at No. 143. Next time around he'll likely be a little higher.

A rugged 6-foot-8 insider, Watson did work when he got the ball on Friday night. He has good touch, he is efficient around the rim and he will rebound.

According to Watson his recruitment has really taken off. He listed offers from Maryland, Providence (Ed Cooley watched Friday), Clemson, West Virginia, Wake Forest, N.C. State, St. Joseph's, Virginia Tech (Buzz Williams watched) and Georgia Tech.

After some moving around between teams, Watson feels comfortable at Arlington (Va.) Bishop O'Connell and with DC Premier, and he feels like the stability has been good for his game.

"I'm just putting extra time in the gym," said Watson. "I'm working on all of my game and I'm really comfortable with where I'm at."

His Louisiana Elite team fell to New Heights, but 2017's No. 64 player Josh Anderson looked good on Friday night. An athletic wing, Anderson showed improved ball-handling and playmaking ability to go with his capability in transition.

A line of eight points and five rebounds isn't eye-popping, but 2018 five-star Bol Bol was very impressive in KC Run GMC's comeback win over Canada Elite. The skinny near 7-footer played with physicality, disrupted shots and used his length to make plays nobody else in the gym could make – particularly an offensive rebound where he seemed to reach all the way across the lane and over a player to flip the ball to himself for a jam. Bol picked up an offer from Kansas earlier in the week. On Run GMC's 16U squad, power forward Yor Anei had an impressive double double. He played above the rim, ran the floor and at 6-foot-8 he's a 2018 kid with potential. Denver is his first offer and there will be more.

There are times when North Carolina-bound point guard Jalek Felton can coast. Then there are night's like Friday – especially in the second half – where he turns up the juice and puts on a show. In front of Roy Williams and an assistant, Felton had the most impressive offensive showing of the night going for 32 points on just 19 shots. His body control is impressive and his athleticism is subtle but there's no doubt he has tools.

No need to wait any longer, 2018's No. 15 player Gerald Liddell is worthy of a bump to five-star status. The 6-foot-6 wing is still a little loose at times, but he is active, has athleticism and he plays hard. He has a lot of similarities to 2017 five-star Kevin Knox who blew up at the same time last year. Liddell drew a pair of Duke assistants among many others.

The class of 2019 continues to impress early this spring. Standing out on Friday night were D.J. Jeffries of Team Thad's 16U squad and Joey Baker of Team Felton's 17U team. Both are right around 6-foot-7 and have plenty of athleticism. Jefferies is more physical and attacks the rim while Baker is a glider who can shoot from deep.

Finally, four-star shooting guard L.J. Figueroa from 2017 backed up a huge first weekend. He was good for 26 points in a loss and did it with the deep jumper and off the dribble. He's about a bucket whenever the ball is in his hands.