Tag: 2024 recruiting class

Ian Jackson and Drake Powell impress at 2024 McDAAG

I can’t wait to watch Ian Jackson and Drake Powell tear up the court in Chapel Hill next year.

It’s going to be a fun season in Chapel Hill next year.

UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis has proven his strengths again on the recruiting trail, nabbing a pair of 5-stars in Ian Jackson and Drake Powell, the hometown kid who plays high school basketball 20 minutes from campus. Joining the two 5-stars is James Brown, the 4-star center from Chicago, Ill. who plays at Link Academy.

Jackson and Powell received the opportunities of a lifetime this week, as they suited up for the East squad in Tuesday’s McDonalds All-American game. Both UNC signees played with several future opponents, including Duke signees Cooper Flagg and Isaiah Evans.

While Powell did not score in the McDAAG, he provided valuable defense, as evidenced by his four rebounds and two steals. Don’t be fooled – Powell can score, averaging 16.6 points per game across his high school career.

“Along with it being competitive, it is very high energy and everyone is intense,” Powell told 247 Sports’ Eric Bossi on playing with his McDAAG teammates. “We’ve been focusing on sharing the basketball a bit more and playing off of one another.”

Jackson was one of the McDAAG’s offensive stars, scoring 21 points on 9-of-21 shooting. He likely would’ve been the MVP, but East teammate/ Maryland signee Derik Queen (23) and Rutgers signee Dylan Harper (22) barely outscored him.

“It’s been great just getting the opportunity to be here and compete against the players from around the country, who are considered the top players,” Jackson told Bossi on playing with his McDAAG teammates. “It’s competitive and I’ve had fun.”

Expect to see more of the same in Chapel Hill next year, only Powell will be scoring significantly more.

Can we fast-forward to November?

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WATCH: Ian Jackson’s highlights from the McDonalds’ All-American Game

Regardless of who returns to the UNC men’s basketball team next year, Hubert Davis has to find a way to get Ian Jackson minutes. Just watch Jackson’s McDaag highlights.

Tuesday, April 2 was a dream come true for some of the country’s top high school basketball players, as they played in the McDonalds All-American Game in Houston, Texas’ Toyota Center.

Fans might immediately recognize the names Cooper Flagg (top 2024 prospect, committed to Duke) and Boogie Fland (committed to Kentucky), but it was a UNC 5-star who stole the offensive show in the East’s comeback, 88-86 victory.

Ian Jackson, the 6’4″ shooting guard from Bronx, NY, scored 21 points to finish two behind Derik Queen for the East’s point high.

I watched a little bit of the game, seeing just how special Jackson can be in Chapel Hill. Take a look at this highlight compilation of his big night:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5S9SqigYWn/

Wow. That’s all I can say.

In his highlight clip, Jackson showcases his ability to speed past his opponent and finish. He slammed down a couple of one-handed dunks, caught a pass and finished an impressive standing dunk, plus finished at the rim on a couple layup attempts.

Jackson’s 21 points played a major role in the East’s big comeback. At one point in the second quarter, the Dylan Harper-led West squad was up by double-digits.

Just wait until Jackson dazzles the college circuit in Carolina Blue next year.

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Cooper Flagg says 2024-25 Duke team has ‘the chance to do something really special’

With the No. 1 overall recruit and three other five-stars coming to Durham next season, 2024-25 could be a special year in Cooper Flagg’s eyes.

The 2024-25 Duke basketball season has a chance to be memorable, according to the Blue Devils top signee Cooper Flagg.

In an article from USA TODAY Sports’ Kristian Dyer, the top overall recruit in the Class of 2024 talked about the expectations that will follow him and Duke’s No. 1 recruiting class to Durham next year.

The Blue Devils lost the last game of the regular season and their first game of the ACC Tournament this season before a run to the Elite Eight included taking down top-seeded Houston.

However, Duke lost to 11-seed NC State on Sunday, and while a trip to the Elite Eight is plenty for most programs, a fanbase with five national titles is always hungry for a sixth.

Flagg said the Sunday loss to the Wolfpack didn’t change how he feels about next season.

“We haven’t been there,” Flagg said. “So I think once you get there, like you said, get acclimated, I think we have the chance to do something really special.”

Fellow five-star Duke signee Isaiah Evans echoed Flagg’s sentiment.

“I don’t really feel pressure from this year’s team,” Evans said. “I think that we’re going to create our own journey.”

Cooper Flagg’s East team wins McDonald’s All-American Game

The East defeated the West by two points on Tuesday night, helped by a strong showing from the top recruit in the nation.

Cooper Flagg and the East team won the McDonald’s All-American game in a fourth-quarter comeback on Tuesday night, outscoring the West by six in the final frame for the 88-86 victory.

The West led 44-37 at the halfway point, but the East trimmed the lead to 66-62 after three quarters.

Flagg, a five-star Duke signee and the top recruit in the Class of 2024, finished the game with eight points, six rebounds, and three assists. He added one block and one steal apiece.

His high school teammate, Derik Queen, led the game with 23 points on 10/15 shooting. Queen is committed to Maryland.

Isaiah Evans, a fellow Duke signee and another five-star prospect, finished the game, played 20 minutes and added four rebounds and an assist, but he missed all six of his shots.

Flagg and Evans lead a dominant 2024 recruiting class for the Blue Devils, which currently boasts four five-stars and six players inside 247Sports’ top 51.

5-star OT Michael Fasusi announces top seven schools, features Oklahoma

Michael Fasusi made a splace on Monday, sharing the top seven schools in his recruitment.

Much like the defensive line was the coveted position group of the [autotag]2024 recruiting class[/autotag], the same could be said about the offensive line in 2025.

No position is more necessary for Oklahoma on the recruiting trail than the 2025 offensive line class, and the Sooners’ efforts have reflected that.

One of their top targets, Michael Fasusi, is narrowing down his recruitment, and announced his top seven that features the Sooners.

Oklahoma was featured alongside Oregon, Texas A&M, Missouri, USC, Georgia, and the Texas Longhorns.

Unsurprisingly, the two extensive SEC programs in Texas are in on Fasusi. UGA is one of the country’s best programs, and Oklahoma has some of the best offensive line development.

 

Fasusi has been in OU’s sights for a while, as they offered him on January 18, 2023. The Sooners have been in the race for a while and will likely remain in contention throughout his recruitment.

The Sooners’ most significant competition will come from Texas and Texas A&M. Tom Loy, national recruiting analyst for 247Sports, has a crystal ball in for Fasusi to land with Texas. Texas recruiting insider Hank South also has one for Texas.

Oklahoma is set to host Fasusi for an official visit on June 14. he also has officials scheduled with Texas A&M and Texas.

This is a recruitment that will go up until he signs his national letter of intent. While the Sooners may be trailing at the moment, a lot can change over the course of a recruitment.

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Sooners DL target Landon Rink sets commitment date, names top 3

The Oklahoma Sooners are battling with Texas A&M and Ohio State for 2025 four-star defensive lineman Landon Rink, who set his commitment date for April 3.

The Oklahoma Sooners had a historic [autotag]2024 recruiting class[/autotag] and are hoping to add to that in their pursuit of 2025 defensive lineman [autotag]Landon Rink[/autotag].

Rink is a four-star prospect out of Cypress, Texas and is considered a top 15 defensive lineman by Rivals and ESPN. He holds offers from 35 Power Four programs across the country, including nine of the 16 SEC schools.

Rink told On3’s Chad Simmons that his top three schools are Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M, and he plans to make his decision next week on April 3.

Link told On3, “I like Coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]’ and Coach Bates’ plan for me and what they want to do with me when I’m there. Also, I like the relationship I have with them.”

The Sooners currently have just one defensive lineman committed in the [autotag]2025 recruiting class[/autotag], Lee Summit North’s [autotag]Ka’Mori Moore[/autotag]. But they could earn another pledge as Kole Briehler dropped his top three Wednesday morning including the Sooners.

The biggest challenge comes from local recruiting power, Texas A&M. Link’s hometown of Cypress is just over an hour away from College Station. If the Sooners are going to earn his commitment, they’ll have to go deep into the heart of Texas to do it.

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Febechi Nwaiwu could be the next star offensive lineman for the Oklahoma Sooners

The Sooners signed a pretty good transfer class but one guy flying under the radar is offensive lineman Febechi Nwaiwu.

The Oklahoma Sooners have spent their offseason trying to build their offensive line and make it SEC ready. They signed four from the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag] and five in the [autotag]2024 recruiting class[/autotag].

The aggressiveness comes after they lost five starters from a season ago. Only two who started any games last season return: [autotag]Troy Everett[/autotag] and [autotag]Jacob Sexton[/autotag].

One guy I’m highest on and think could be Oklahoma’s next star offensive lineman is North Texas transfer [autotag]Febechi Nwaiwu[/autotag].

When I watch Nwaiwu’s film, this guy has power and moves really well. He has really good size at 6 feet, 4 inches and 326 pounds. He’s a perfect guard for the Sooners this season. I’ve heard nothing but praise so far in the offseason and that only increases my expectations for him.

Nwaiwu spoke about the pitch to him to come to Norman and how he’d fit into the current offensive line roster.

“He (Bill Bedenbaugh) told me he saw a lot of potential in me,” Nwaiwu said. “He also told me that there were a lot of things I could also work on that he thinks he could help me get better at. That’s what really helped sell me that it’s not just that I’m good but that he can make me even better.”

There is a world where Nwaiwu has a big season and is one and done at Oklahoma but I think he could be a two-year guy. I also think he could get some postseason conference recognition and be another draft pick along the offensive line for the Sooners.

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Duke signee Isaiah Evans leads team to North Carolina state title

Isaiah Evans, a five-star member of Duke’s vaunted 2024 recruiting class, helped lead North Mecklenburg to a North Carolina state title.

Duke’s historic 2024 recruiting class is already making waves in North Carolina.

Days after being named North Carolina Mr. Basketball for the second straight year, five-star signee Isaiah Evans helped lead North Mecklenburg to a state title on Saturday night.

He and the Vikings defeated an undefeated New Hanover team for the championship.

Evans, the No. 14 player in the class according to 247Sports’ Composite rankings, already made waves earlier this month after he had a great game in front of some North Carolina fans. The Tar Heels supporters wore gear in the front row of one of Evans’ games, and the esteemed prospect let them know where he stood on the rivalry.

Evans is one of four five-star recruits in Duke’s 2024 recruiting class, a signing group that features six of the top 50 players of the year.

Notre Dame 2024 signee named Naismith Second Team All-American

Another top talent on the way to Notre Dame is honored.

Hannah Hidalgo has set a high bar for future Notre Dame freshmen. That doesn’t mean future first-year players won’t try to top her though. One player who could do it during the 2024-25 season is [autotag]Kate Koval[/autotag].

Koval is a five-star player at Long Island Lutheran in Brookeville, New York who signed with the Irish in December. Now, she’s been named to the Naismith Trophy Girls’ High School All America Second Team.

Hidalgo made the Second Team in 2023, and [autotag]Emma Risch[/autotag] was an honorable mention. [autotag]KK Bransford[/autotag] was a Third Team honoree in 2022 and an honorable mention in 2021. [autotag]Olivia Miles[/autotag] made the Third Team in 2020, and [autotag]Maddy Westbeld[/autotag] and [autotag]Kylee Watson[/autotag] were senior honorable mentions.

It’s evidence that even in the post-[autotag]Muffet McGraw[/autotag] era, Notre Dame continues to attract top talent for women’s basketball, and there’s no reason to think that will stop anytime soon. Even so, a strong postseason showing would do wonders to show just how attractive the program still is.

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Co-defensive coordinator Todd Bates, Oklahoma working on new contract per report

Oklahoma defensive tackles coach and Co-DC Todd Bates is set to receive a raise and new three year deal per report.

It’s been one heck of a start to 2024 for co-defensive coordinator and defensive tackles coach Todd Bates.

He received a pay bump earlier this offseason and appears headed for another raise according to Matt Zenitz of 247Sports.

According to Zenitz, Bates is set to push his salary up to $900,000 per year as he finalizes a three-year contract extension with the Sooners. The extension rewards Bates for his contributions and comes on the heels of an offseason, where, according to the report, Bates was being pursued by other programs this offseason. Instead, the well-respected defensive line coach will stay in Norman to continue the work of rebuilding the Sooners defensive line.

Bates has been a monumental add for his development of the Oklahoma defensive line in larger part because of his prowess on the recruiting trail.

Bates was the primary recruiter for the Sooners in their pursuit of five-star defensive tackle David Stone. Stone was the first five-star defensive tackle the Sooners have landed in over a decade. He has also helped transform the Oklahoma defensive line that led the NCAA in tackles for loss or for no gain last season.

For Bates, his journey is just getting started. He has yet to see a complete cycle of his recruits manifest on the field. He’s revitalized the interior defensive line at Oklahoma.

Still, this year represents a significant step in competition as his unproven unit will have their first season in the SEC. They will be face some of the best offensive linemen in the country on a weekly basis.

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