Thursday was the first day college coaches could get on the road this week, and Kentucky took full advantage with John Calipari, Orlando Antigua, and Chin Coleman sitting prominently at courtside.
Thursday was also a day in which several UK prospects were pitted against each other. The PSA Cardinals defeated the New Jersey Scholars 63-59. Boogie Fland had 12 points and 2 assist for the winner while Billy Richmond had 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in a losing cause. The Florida Rebels defeated Team Thad 86-80. We predicted a bounce back for Karter Knox after a subpar scoring outing Wednesday, and he obliged. Knox had 23 points on 7 of 9 shooting from two-point range. Jasper Johnson also had his biggest offensive showing of the week against Knox and the Rebels. He had 24 points and 6 rebounds on 10 of 16 shooting.
Team Takeover out of the Washington D.C. area has perhaps been the most impressive 17U team of the week so far. They were too much for The Family, but it wasn't because of Darius Acuff Jr. The 2025 point guard from Detroit finished with 22 points. He is averaging 17.7 points this week, but that has jumped to 21.5 over the past two days. Meleek Thomas had 12 points and 3 assists in a 24-point loss to Team CP3. Tre Johnson had 18 points in a 48-59 loss to MOKAN Elite.
Team Final dropped an 80-69 decision to Meanstreets of Chicago in which could most accurately be called an upset. Ahmad Nowell had his best offensive output of the week with 18 points that was powered on 6 of 7 made foul shots. He still did other things as usual as his 7 assists, and 6 rebounds would indicate. Jalil Bethea had 14 points and 8 rebounds. The combo combined for 9 of 26 shooting overall.
The Kentucky coaching staff got to see several other 2025's playing up in the 17U division. Meleek Thomas for New Heights who had 12 points and 3 boards, but New Heights lost badly to Team CP3. A.J. Dybantsa was phenomenal again. The rising sophomore had 31 points, and went 16 of 17 from the foul line. He also had 8 rebounds. It is the second time Dybantsa has gone over the 30-point plateau in four games. He is averaging 27.5 points per game. I also really like his teammate, Joson Sanon who is a highly ranked 2025 guard. He had 25 points, and hit five-three pointers. He is averaging 15.3 points through four games. Caleb Wilson also had a nice game Thursday morning with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. The 2025 forward is averaging 18.7 points and 8.3 rebounds. Tyran Stokes and Dybantsa are playing up two classes. Stokes had 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists for a Vegas Elite squad that shouldn't be overlooked when it comes to bringing home the 17U title.
The last paragraph focused on underclassmen playing up on the 17's. There were fireworks today in the 16U division. Cooper Flagg keeps adding to his lore. This is not a misprint. He had 38 points, 16 rebounds, 12 blocked shots, and 6 assists for a triple-double. He has also had three double-doubles in as many games. He has already piled up two double digit blocked shots. Cameron Boozer had 19 points and 11 boards for his fourth double-double in four games.
Thursday was also a day in which several UK prospects were pitted against each other. The PSA Cardinals defeated the New Jersey Scholars 63-59. Boogie Fland had 12 points and 2 assist for the winner while Billy Richmond had 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in a losing cause. The Florida Rebels defeated Team Thad 86-80. We predicted a bounce back for Karter Knox after a subpar scoring outing Wednesday, and he obliged. Knox had 23 points on 7 of 9 shooting from two-point range. Jasper Johnson also had his biggest offensive showing of the week against Knox and the Rebels. He had 24 points and 6 rebounds on 10 of 16 shooting.
Team Takeover out of the Washington D.C. area has perhaps been the most impressive 17U team of the week so far. They were too much for The Family, but it wasn't because of Darius Acuff Jr. The 2025 point guard from Detroit finished with 22 points. He is averaging 17.7 points this week, but that has jumped to 21.5 over the past two days. Meleek Thomas had 12 points and 3 assists in a 24-point loss to Team CP3. Tre Johnson had 18 points in a 48-59 loss to MOKAN Elite.
Team Final dropped an 80-69 decision to Meanstreets of Chicago in which could most accurately be called an upset. Ahmad Nowell had his best offensive output of the week with 18 points that was powered on 6 of 7 made foul shots. He still did other things as usual as his 7 assists, and 6 rebounds would indicate. Jalil Bethea had 14 points and 8 rebounds. The combo combined for 9 of 26 shooting overall.
The Kentucky coaching staff got to see several other 2025's playing up in the 17U division. Meleek Thomas for New Heights who had 12 points and 3 boards, but New Heights lost badly to Team CP3. A.J. Dybantsa was phenomenal again. The rising sophomore had 31 points, and went 16 of 17 from the foul line. He also had 8 rebounds. It is the second time Dybantsa has gone over the 30-point plateau in four games. He is averaging 27.5 points per game. I also really like his teammate, Joson Sanon who is a highly ranked 2025 guard. He had 25 points, and hit five-three pointers. He is averaging 15.3 points through four games. Caleb Wilson also had a nice game Thursday morning with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. The 2025 forward is averaging 18.7 points and 8.3 rebounds. Tyran Stokes and Dybantsa are playing up two classes. Stokes had 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists for a Vegas Elite squad that shouldn't be overlooked when it comes to bringing home the 17U title.
The last paragraph focused on underclassmen playing up on the 17's. There were fireworks today in the 16U division. Cooper Flagg keeps adding to his lore. This is not a misprint. He had 38 points, 16 rebounds, 12 blocked shots, and 6 assists for a triple-double. He has also had three double-doubles in as many games. He has already piled up two double digit blocked shots. Cameron Boozer had 19 points and 11 boards for his fourth double-double in four games.
