Mid-August Recruiting News

August 15, 2023 by Tony McNiff

Mid-August Recruiting News: The recruiting trail has been extremely busy the past week as multiple prospects have already committed or started taking visits. In this feature I’ll be diving into a collection of 2024 recruits who recently cut down the list of schools they are considering. Make sure to check out our commitment hub and our 2024 rankings as well. 

Billy Richmond (#18 in 2024)
6’6” Wing | Camden (NJ) & NJ Scholars (EYBL)

Recruitment: Announced that he is down to Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Memphis, Miami and Texas. 

Richmond has been one of the biggest risers in our 2024 rankings after he put together a big spring and summer. He averaged 18.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG and 2.4 APG on 54% from the field during the regular season of the Nike EYBL. Excelled in playing a heavier ball handling role than we saw during the HS season at Camden (NJ) alongside DJ Wagner (Kentucky) and Cian Medley (St. Louis). Tough athlete who is a prominent slasher with his force and aggression at the point of attack. Rugged rim finisher who isn’t afraid of contact and tends to be efficient with his dominant hand.  Smooth pull-up scorer inside the arc, although he’s still extending his range & improving his 3PT consistency. Dangerous transition scorer who is a fast break igniter with his instincts and motor on the defensive end. Will be a huge addition for whatever program lands a commitment from the fast-rising wing. 

Matthew Hodge (#55 in 2024)
6’8” Wing | St. Rose (NJ) & PSA Cardinals (EYBL)

Recruitment: Announced that he is down to Alabama, Marquette, Old Dominion, Pittsburgh, Villanova, Seton Hall, Penn State, Virginia, Maryland and Xavier. 

Hodge is another prospect on this list who saw his stock rise throughout the spring & summer. The Belgium native hasn’t been in the states very long, although he left a big impact on the grassroots scene with PSA Cardinals (EYBL). He’s a functional athlete who affects the game in numerous facets on both ends of the floor. Highly productive rebounder who plays with a relentless motor on the glass. Possesses the speed to beat slower bigs off the bounce, plus he also flashed some floorspacing ability this past summer. Heady high-post hub who is comfortable being utilized as a dribble handoff operator as well. Brings appealing switchability to the defensive end where he slides his feet & guards in space well at 6’8”.

Kuol Atak (#61 in 2024)
6’9” Wing | Haltom (TX) & 3D Empire

Recruitment: Announced that he is down to TCU, Oklahoma, Texas, SMU, San Diego State and Oklahoma State. 

Atak is a notable prospect down South who were higher on than most given his appealing archetype and ceiling. He possesses an appealing blend of positional size, movement skills and extensive touch at 6’9”. He’s a long and wiry athlete who moves fluidly without the ball which allows him to be a strong movement shooter. Versatile wing forward who is a consistent floorspacer that can be utilized in the pick & pop or a variety of off-ball action. Has the foot speed to take advantage of poor closeouts, although he’ll need to tighten up his handle & bulk up his frame to enhance his ability to play through contact. There’s some intrigue on the defensive end as well where he has the size and length to contest or block opponents shots. 

Jared Harris (#76 in 2024)
6’4” Guard | Silsbee (TX) & Houston Superstars

Recruitment: Announced that he is down to Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Kansas, Colorado, Memphis, Illinois, Arkansas, DePaul, LSU and Alabama. 

Harris is a quick-twitch & long athlete who is a shifty ball handler at the point of attack. Leverages his explosive burst & quick changes of pace to beat closeouts routinely off the dribble. Tends to provide paint touches at a high volume & consistent downhill playmaking on the offensive end. A bouncy finisher in the lane who is a springy & explosive athlete, plus he’s lethal in the open floor as well. He’s flashed improving consistency as a spot-up scorer from the perimeter, although there’s room to grow & enhance his efficiency as a three-point shooter. Possesses the potential to be a defensive playmaker with his length & quick reflexes that allows him to jump passing lanes. 

Ryan Jones Jr (#125 in 2024)
6’9” Big | The Rock School (FL) & Team Judah Nation

Recruitment: Announced that he is down to Florida, LSU, Virginia Tech, Xavier, Missouri, Miami, Oklahoma State and Louisville.  

Jones Jr has faced some injuries over the last few years, however he put together a solid summer and there’s numerous high-major programs recruiting him. He’s a physically mature frontcourt prospect whose flashed some inside-out scoring ability. Rugged, aggressive and forceful low-post scorer who has the strength to overpower smaller defenders when he’s able to get in the paint. He’s a capable face-up scorer who has the ability to stretch the floor from time to time when he’s given enough space. There’s room to improve his foot speed and explosiveness, however he has the size & upper body strength to keep opposing bigs out of the paint. 

Malik Abdullahi (#144 in 2024)
6’7” Wing | Christopher Columbus (FL) & Nightrydas (EYBL)

Recruitment: Announced that he is down to Florida Atlantic, UMass, Iona, Princeton and Sam Houston State.

The Florida native is an appealing long-term prospect who tends to have a steady two-way impact on the floor. Rangy and long athlete who is loaded with vertical pop and explosiveness as a rim finisher. Leverages a quick first step and an explosive twitch when attacking closeouts off the bounce. Showcases long strides and extensive ground coverage which gives him the ability to get up & down the floor quickly. Switchable defender who has flashed the ability to defend in space and on the drive. Moves his feet well laterally, has strong instincts and plays with a fiery competitive edge. His activity level, aggression and energetic motor also give him the ability to secure rebounds on the glass or keep possessions alive. While he’s still adding polish and putting the pieces together, there’s a lot to like in the present with Abdullahi. 

Brooks Bahr (#145 in 2024)
6’5” Guard | Keller (TX) & Texas Impact (UAA)

Recruitment: Announced that he is down to BYU, Colorado State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Saint Mary’s, USC, Utah and Wake Forest. 

Bahr is a talented playmaker who popped on tape from the UAA Circuit and he saw his recruitment ascend over the summer. Skilled lead guard who possesses a strong balance of scoring and playmaking. He’s a capable shotmaker who is comfortable shooting off the bounce or catch when given enough space. Prominent dribble-drive creator who can size up smaller guards & leverage changes of pace to beat closeouts. He’s a physical handler at the point of attack who isn’t afraid to initiate contact as well. High-feel and willing playmaker with strong floor-mapping instincts. A talented offensive prospect who has continued to rise the ranks nationally. While he’s still building up his frame and adding to his game, there’s a lot to like with the Texas native at this stage. 

Austin Maurer
6’11” Big | Cascade Christian (OR) & Team WhyNot (EYBL)

Recruitment: Announced that he is down to BYU, Grand Canyon, New Mexico, Oregon State and Washington State. 

Maurer is a talented big out of Oregon who has developed into a priority recruit for a collection of programs out West. He possesses a strong mix of positional size and evident mobility at 6’11” which pop at first glance. While he’s still putting the pieces together physically, he’s shown glimpses of his touch that can extend out to the three-point line as well. Functional low-post scorer with a high release point on jump hooks & he has adequate hands to secure lob passes above the rim. Assertive rim protector who has solid instincts and length to block opponents shots in the lane. A frontcourt prospect to keep tabs on as he could be nearing a commitment. 

Micah Smith
6’7” Wing | Sandy Creek (GA) & AE5 (3SSB)

Recruitment: Announced that he is down to Bradley, Clemson, FGCU, James Madison, Kennesaw State, Mercer, Mississippi State and Western Kentucky. 

Smith is another prospect who showed glimpses of his developmental growth throughout this past spring & summer. He possesses strong positional size, a wiry frame, and a relentless motor. Highly productive around the rim with his quick finishing & soft hands. Also tends to be a reliable lob threat given his strong positional size and quick first jump. His mix of positional size and a relentless motor gives him the ability to be highly productive when it comes to rebounding the ball. Has the foot speed to attack slower bigs off the bounce and he’s also flashed some face-up scoring ability. He has a strong sense for leveraging his physical tools to block, alter or contest opponents' shots when it comes to protecting the rim. 

Terrence Hill Jr 
6’3” Guard | AZ Compass (AZ) & Northwest Rotary Rebels (EYBL)

Recruitment: Announced that he is down to Utah State, San Jose State, Oregon State, New Mexico and San Francisco. 

Hill Jr is a talented backcourt prospect and it appears as if he’ll be staying out West for his college career based off his finalists. Crafty lead guard who is a smooth pull-up scorer and prominent playmaker out of the pick & roll. Possesses the speed, burst and shake to attack closeouts, plus he has an advanced feel as a playmaker. Poised pick & roll operator who has a knack for making strong reads off a live dribble. Prominent dribble-drive playmaker who also completes drop downs & skip passes at a high rate. Capable scorer from multiple levels, although he tends to be most productive when playing in attack-mode. Will be a big addition for whichever program is able to land a commitment from the Oregon native.