BSD Recruit Report: AAU Statistical Update for Top 2018 Targets

We’re officially two events into the 2017 AAU circuit and it’s becoming a whole lot clearer as to who the staff is prioritizing in the 2018 class. As familiar names such as Devon Dotson have been crossed off the board, new ones have come up, like 4* Michael Devoe who listed the Deacs this week as one of the schools recruiting him the hardest. Below I’ve provided the stats for seven prospects that have been heavily linked with the Deacs in recent weeks.

Not included is talented 4* PG prospect Sharone Wright Jr, who didn’t have stats available on the Adidas Silver circuit. The high school level for all these players varies dramatically, so AAU statistics are a great way to see which recruits can actually compete against the best and which ones cannot. You can checkout the numbers they’ve been producing so far this spring below.

Jaylen Hoard (Small Forward)

Team: Team CP3 (6-2)

Circuit: Nike EYBL

Statistics: 9.4 PPG, 5.5 RPG, .8 APG, 29% 3PT, 69% FT

Other Key Stat: Game-winning tip-in last week vs. Team Penny

Isaiah Mucius (Small Forward)

Team: PSA Cardinals (7-1)

Circuit: Nike EYBL

Statistics: 5.4 PPG, 3.5 RPG, .4 APG, 10% 3PT, 67% FT

Other Key Stat: Averaging 18.1 MPG (3rd on PSA Cardinals)

Aaron Wiggins (Small Forward)

Team: Team CLT

Circuit: (UA Association)

Statistics: 13.8 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 52% FG, 46% 3PT, 67% FT

Other Key Stat: Averaged 23.5 PPG at UA Association NYC showcase

Drue Drinnon (Point Guard)

Team: SC Supreme (2-6)

Circuit: Adidas Uprising

Statistics: 12.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.75 APG, 35% 3PT, 50% FT

Other Key Stat: Leads team in FGA and FTA (96 and 28 respectively)

Nate Laszewski (Small Forward)

Team: NE Playaz (8-0)

Circuit: Adidas Uprising

Statistics: 9.6 PPG, 5.8 RPG, .5 APG, 44% 3PT, 91% FT

Other Key Stat: Leads team in rebounds, blocks, 3PM. Lowest in TOs and personal fouls

Michael Devoe (Point Guard)

Team: Nike South Beach (3-5)

Circuit: Nike EYBL

Statistics: 16.2 PPG, 4.8 APG, 5.1 RPG, 30% 3PT, 79% FT

Other Key Stat: 30th overall in the league in scoring

John Newman III (Shooting Guard)

Team: Team CP3 (6-2)

Circuit: Nike EYBL

Statistics: 9.6 PPG, 2.6 APG, 5.0 RPG, 50% 3PT, 77% FT

Other Key Stat: 61% shooting from the field (12th overall amongst players with 40+ FGA)

Five Key Notes:

• Keep in mind that these statistics are still based off a small sample size. Having a cold streak for 2-3 games is enough to ruin a shooting percentage when you’ve only played 8 games. Scoring numbers are also somewhat diluted because coaches usually play more than a 7-8 man rotation, meaning MPGs are down.
• Nate Laszewski’s numbers on an 8-0 NE Playaz team are phenomenal. His shooting percentages from 3 and the line are excellent, while he’s taking care of the ball and keeping himself in the game by minimizing personal fouls. At 6’8, he seems like the perfect replacement for Dinos in 2018.
• Jaylen Hoard has been having a sensational spring so far according to multiple analysts. In addition to the game-winner, he’s been noted as being the best player on the court a number of times on Twitter. He also is doing things like this... which is well.. cool.

• John Newman’s season has been about as consistent as they come for Team CP3. His shooting ability has clearly improved over last season and he’s finding ways to contribute against every opponent. You can see why Danny Manning and his staff have tried to get him on campus multiple times.
• There are a couple huge events this month you should keep an eye on in regards to the AAU tour:

-Nike EYBL Session 3: Atlanta May 12-14

-Adidas Gauntlet Regional Qualifiers: Boston, LA, Chicago, Atlanta May 26-29

-UA Association III: Los Angeles May 27-28

For all the recruiting updates you need in between, you can follow me on Twitter @DeacFan3.