Vanderbilt prospects in the final live session
The final week of July grassroots basketball is a smorgasbord for recruiting fanatics. This is the last session of the AAU season, and to make matters better, it is a live period for college coaches.
If you are a writer trying to cover performances and results, it can be a trying time, even if that person in Las Vegas. It's even tougher from the recliner in Tennessee. I am at the mercy of the internet, Twitter, and contacts I drive nuts via texts. Since, shoe companies aren't as involved with the exception of Adidas, the tournament websites aren't as informative. I'll give Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour credit, they get schedules, stats and scores out pronto.
Anyway, lets take a look at how some of the 2018 Vanderbilt prospects have done in the first couple of games in this all-important week. All of the recruits won't be mentioned, as individual stats are very difficult to find.
Bradley Beal Elite went 2-1 in the Eight Brackets, finishing in third place. Garland displayed his full repertoire in the tournament, using his lightning quick handles, penetrating with his head up to either finish with an array of shots around the rim, or hitting an open teammate for a finish. He also is proving his ability to make deep shots either off the dribble or on the catch.
He narrowed his list to six last Friday, and all of the head coaches have been front and center at his games since Wednesday.
Langford was ailing during the 16U World Championships in Egypt, and then the following week at the Adidas Gauntlet Finale in Spartanburg. At that time, it appeared to be a lower back, but the injury turned out to be due to a hip.
He is playing in Vegas, and Rivals' Eric Bossi saw him Thursday night, and said he just didn't look the same.
During that game Krysten Peek tweeted that Louisville, Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas, and UCLA were watching him. There was no mention of Vanderbilt, but I'm sure a staff member was there.
Louisville and Indiana are getting lots of buzz right now. He has said that he will narrow a list shortly after the AAU season. A member of Garland's contingent believes if Darius commits to Vanderbilt, Romeo will follow. All eyes in Nashville will look toward New Albany to see if the Commodores can make the initial cut.
From all reports we received, Dwayne Cohill played very well at the Adidas Uprising Summer Championships. Through three games he has averaged 14.3 points per game on 17 of 25 shooting. He has also hit threes at a 43 percent clip.
Vanderbilt made the final cut of ten programs a few weeks back, and all of those coaching staffs were present to see him.
Despite most of the acting being in Vegas this week, Bryce Drew reaffirmed his interest in Brazdeikis by attending the opening night of the tournament he is playing in Toronto.
Woodard ran with Team Thad out of Memphis this week for the first time in his AAU career. He opened up the Fab48 Tournament with a 21 point, 8 rebound outing. He impressed many pundits that had not seen him before with his body and physicality.
Bryce Drew was in attendance at that game to see him. As we have said before, Alabama has surpassed Mississippi State in the eyes of many as the front runner. The question here is the same as with some others. Can Vanderbilt get an official visit?
Kirkwood was averaging 14 points and 7 rebounds through four games at the Adidas tournament. His high was a 21 point outing in his final game.
Kopp has been one of the breakout players of the summer. He was recently named 1st-Team All Under-Armour Association. Kopp is one big reason that the Vanderbilt staff has maintained a presence at the Orlando Super Showcase.
In four games, Kopp had 20 points and 7 rebounds versus Boo Williams, 9 points and 5 rebounds against the REACH Legends, 12 point and 6 rebounds against the Albany City Rocks, and 17 points and 5 rebounds versus Team Charlotte. This was good for a 14.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Kopp is climbing up Vanderbilt's list, but Northwestern's Chris Collins has been at every game as has Texas A&M.
Eric Bossi wrote this week that Little is making a great case for five-star status. Therefore it is no surprise when Kentucky, Duke, Arizona, and Kansas show up at his games.
We have the statistics from only one game he has played at the Adidas Summer Championships, and they were a doozy. He had 24 points, on 10-14 shooting, along with 7 rebounds.
Drew was in Toronto to see Shittu as well as Brazdeikis. John Calipari and the North Carolina staff were on has as well. I would be shocked if Kentucky doesn't give him an offer, as I've called him a lottery pick after watching him on just one offensive play.
Earl Watson Elite is one of the top teams of the spring and summer, regardless of shoe affiliation. Riley Battin has made the most of the exposure. Here are some of the reviews from the past few days.
"2018 Oak Park (CA) Riley Battin showing great touch, a high skill level, and the ability to pass from the high post." NextUpRecruits
"Mr. Fundamental 'Riley Battin' has been the catalyst for Earl Watson's Elite great comeback." Joel Francisco
"Earl Watson Elite beats WER1 58-52. Two great teams battling. Big games from Cassius Stanley and Riley Battin." Courtside Films
One of Vanderbilt's most recent offerees, Laszewski has been one of the top performers of the Adidas showcase in Vegas and the reviews have been to many to type, so we'll settle for what Eric Bossi had to say after watching him Thursday.
"It was this week in Vegas two years ago that four-star forward Nate Laszewski of the New England Playaz landed on my radar. He stood out because of his size, skill and all-around versatility. Since then, there's been some ups and downs, but over the past few viewings he's been more and more consistent.
With his size, shooting ability and mobility, Laszewski is a potential steal at the bottom of the top 100 playing the way he is now. You can go big with him as a small forward or stretch defenses by using him as a four man. Basically, he fits the direction that the game is headed.
I also like that Laszewski has been well-coached by his high school and summer programs because I think it makes a big difference in the transition to college. Notre Dame and Vanderbilt have come on during July, USC and Pittsburgh jumped in during spring and others like Wake Forest, Providence and Miami have been involved for a while."
Through three games in Las Vegas, the 6-foot-9 shooter has averaged 20 points per game, going 59.4 percent from the field, including 46.7 percent from three. Expect the New England Playaz to make a deep run in this tournament, as they have been one of the hottest teams of the summer.
Team Loaded finished runner-up in the Adidas Gauntlet Finale in Spartanburg. The young man who received Vanderbilt's most recent offer was a big reason.
He has continued the stellar play in the desert. Through four games, he is averaging 21.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. His deep shooting is one trait that makes him special. He has a beautiful stroke, knocking down 17 -pointers in only 30 attempts. His best game thus far was against the renowned Iowa Barnstormers, where he poured in eight trifectas in a 34 point deluge.