Recruiting roundup: AAU seasons start with a bang

News, notes, and other tidbits dealing with Hoosier recruiting targets

2017 Targets

- It's been touched on in the past, but do not discount Michael Porter's (pictured above) Indiana connections. The #2 overall player in the class of 2017 will get an in-home visit from the IU staff on Tuesday. On the court, Porter is an all-around dominant force, evidenced during EYBL play in Brooklyn this weekend, where Porter averaged 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists in a loaded tournament field.

Elite 2017 prospect Michael Porter Jr. says he has in-home visits with Texas A&M, Washington and Indiana next week.

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 16, 2016

- Jaren Jackson Jr. (2017) has continued his ascent toward elite prospect status. In EYBL action, Jackson averaged 17 points and 6 rebounds a game while shooting 55% from 3. The 4-star Indy product stole the show with one performance, where he put up 35 points and 9 rebounds in a 77-68 win over the Alabama Challenge.

- Longtime Hoosier target Kris Wilkes (2017) had himself a very nice opening weekend, as well. With Tom Crean in attendance, Wilkes did his thing en route to averaging 23.5 PPG for the tournament, leading the way for all players from Indiana. Watch highlights of Wilkes below:

- As a teammate of Wilkes for the Indy Heat, Paul Scruggs (2017) is no stranger to big-time AAU games, as he has solidified himself as a premier target for not only Indiana, but other major programs around the country. A physical combo guard, Scruggs asserted himself as more than just a scorer, as he made his presence felt with his rebounding prowess. Scruggs scrapped his way to the tune of 8 rebounds per game as a 6'2" guard.

- Tom Crean came back to watch some more Indy Heat games even with Kris Wilkes out for a matchup on Sunday. In that game, Scruggs and teammate Zach Gunn (2017) dominated, with Gunn showcasing his 3-point distance, making a number of key shots from way beyond the NBA 3-point line.

- Mohamed Bamba, the 6'11", 210 lb 5-star PF out of NYC, put on a clinic all weekend. In front of a litany of blue-blood coaches including Coach K, Jim Boeheim, and Tom Crean, Bamba dominated from start to finish. In an early victory, his PSA team defeated RENS, with Bamba pouring in 16 points (6-6 FG), 19 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Later that day, he finished with 17 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 blocks in a win, highlighted by a game-saving block with time winding down.

- Al Durham, the only player who has verbally commited to Indiana's 2017 class, opened up EYBL play with a solid showing for his Southern Stampede squad, putting up 19 points and 6 rebounds in a win over King James AAU.

Underclassmen

- At the 2018 level, Robert Phinisee led his Indiana Elite team to a title down at the Adidas Uprising event in Dallas. Phinisee led Indiana Elite in points, rebounds, AND assists, highlighted by a 24 point performance in a 61-52 win over Upward Stars AAU in the semis.

- Here's a name to store away. Trendon Watford (2019), younger brother of Christian, has made his way into the national AAU scene. Playing 2 years ahead of his age with the U17 group, Watford not only acclimated, but stood out. The 6'7", 205 lb sophomore scored 20 points and had 6 rebounds in his debut for the Alabama Challenge. Expect to see him on the radar of a number of major programs over the next year, including IU.

- As always, keep up to date with our ever-changing recruiting board.