Finishing up the players who have D1 offers but are still uncommitted, followed up by the top two bigs available.  All three of the guys with D1 offers are post-grade candidates.  

Chrishawn Christmas, 6'5" senior small forward; Gary West Side

  • Enjoying his senior year after moving back to Indiana and recovering from a knee injury, Christmas is having a solid season on a team full of options and size.
  • Christmas' strengths are driving to score and being active on the glass especially for his position.  Definitely a HM athlete!
  • His perimeter shot is very much a work in progress.  
  • Defensively, Christmas can make plays with his athleticism and length.  West Side's defense is geared toward a ton of man oriented pressure.  His high motor make him a plus-defender candidate.
  • He had early offers from DePaul, Ohio and Stetson, but the NCAA allowing players to not count this year against eligibility has caused that to dry up, but Ohio, Stetson and others have been pushing him to consider post-grad work, which he plans to do.

Owen Dease, 6'7" senior small forward; Evansville Reitz

  • Dease has one of the prettier shots in the class, and at 6'7" his upside as a catch/shoot guy is MM for sure.  
  • His motor is what is at question.  It impacts him defensively, and it impacts his movement without the basketball.  
  • Seeing him engaged offensively, is also a kid who can drive closeouts with good finishing moves.
  • When he is engaged defensively, he's a capable defender who rebounds his position well and length can be an asset.
  • His reported offers have been Evansville, IUPUI and Miami(OH).  The UE and IUPUI offers were with previous coaches in place.  There rarely is news of a scholarship being rescinded, but Dease is likely another victim of COVID recruiting issues.

Kyle Ross, 6'7" senior power forward; Lake Central

  • A power forward whose ability to stretch the floor is progressing both in terms of his range and ability to facilitate part of an offense.
  • Ross' game has been trending to more perimeter oriented since entering high school, but he's at his best when he's versatile in his touches.  The more he's willing to post up favorable match-ups, the tougher he is to defend.  That willingness ebbed and flowed a bit, but he's on track with that now.
  • He's a physical defender, and he can certainly rebound his position.  Defending quicker players has been a problem, but those have been highly talented players.  He definitely can guard his position and is strong enough to guard most LM and D2 centers.
  • The progression of his shooting mechanics will go a long way to determining if he's a D1 candidate or a strong get at the D2 level.
  • He has reported offers Drake, Green Bay, IUPUI and Rhode Island.  The Rhode Island one was the most recent.  His recruiting would be maximized by those who view him as a definite PF.  

Noah Gordon, 6'6" senior power forward; Mount Vernon

  • Gordon really impressed last summer with his ability to drive from mid-range and score in the low post.  His footwork in the paint is excellent.
  • He shot well in the summer from 3PT range, but that hasn't led to much during the school season.  He still has the mechanics that suggest he can stretch his range, when he isn't also the lone low post offensive threat.
  • He's extremely active on the glass.  Gordon is a strong kid with the body to add positive weight, and he has a plus-wingspan.  Not sure about his activity on the offensive glass, but defensively, he gets most of what comes off.
  • He's a capable defender who just needs more focus off the ball.  He can guard his position inside and out.
  • No reported offers, Gordon would maximize his recruitment as a PF, which likely puts him at the D2 level.  He has offensive upside for sure, and his rebounding translates to even the MM level.

Mason Nicholson, 6'9" senior center; Gary West Side

  • Late developing true low post, who has been injured for part of his senior year.  As his body and conditioning improve, it could unlock a lot of potential.
  • His biggest asset is paint and rim protection.  He understands how to just be big and doesn't just hunt for blocked shots.  His strength makes him a mountain of an obstacle to deal with.  
  • Mobility away from the rim is his biggest weakness.  He would probably have to be a drop coverage guy defending screens, and offensively has shown much range yet.  
  • He has been a good passer, working in tandem with Jalen Washington on high/low action.  Nicholson is excellent in the low post and has good hands.  His rebounding translates, and he'll occasionally tap back a ball he can't quite get to.  Sometimes he just taps it to himself.
  • No reported offers, but he's a kid with rare size (not just height) and length.  He would be a clean slate offensively and is an effective screener.  He has a good motor too.  If I'm a LM D1, I'm taking a chance on this kid.  He's a better defensive player than some of his 2021 peers who have committed to D1 schools.

 

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