The month of January finally brought the cold, snowy weather to the northeast but it also showcased some big time performances from some of the best prospects nationwide. Looking back on the month that was, I will remember it for a few things but none more than the performance of Hamidou Diallo at the Hoop Hall Classic, the Ball show, and the progressions of Kevin Knox.

HAMIDOU DIALLO DOMINATES

We have covered Hamidou Diallo here at HoopSeen over the past few months more than anyone else. However, what the 6-foot-5 wing did this past month and on the biggest stage that is the Hoop Hall Classic, the New Yorker showed just why he is an elite recruit within the 2017 class.

Always one of the more energetic, passionate guys around, Diallo struggled mightily in the first half of his contest against Commonwealth Academy. However, the Putnam Science junior went bonkers in the final session in Massachusetts hitting on nine of his ten field goal attempts and throwing up 28 points in the second half alone. Add in his 10 rebounds that he corralled out off of the perimeter and in front of Kentucky head coach John Calipari, Diallo showed just how immense his upside and potential is. Think about it…Diallo didn’t hold a scholarship offer heading into his sophomore year of high school play last year. Now 16 months later, Diallo is a top-15 recruit and a possible one-and-done recruit, which is if he keeps producing like which he did this past month.

LONZO BALL IS DYNAMITE

For such a well-mannered, easy going kid, Lonzo Ball is quite the polarizing prospect. It seems that you either love him, or you hate him; maybe not him personally, but his game and what he can be at the next level.

Regardless, one cannot disrespect just how good of a passer of the basketball that Ball is and after taking his show across the nation and onto national television, the future UCLA star showed just how impactful he can really be. Chino Hills High isn’t your typical high school bunch as they love to get up and down the floor and the value that they place on any given shot isn’t your norm. However, the entertaining flair for things definitely isn’t lacking and neither is the squad’s ability to win against any type of competition. Where the oldest Ball brother tends to rely on having the ball in his hands, his production is consistently elite and thus, if I am Bryce Alford, I am super giddy and anxious at the thought of how many open jump shots that might be available in Westwood next college basketball season.

KEVIN KNOX HAS NO CEILING

Last spring, Kevin Knox escaped out of relative obscurity by running with the Each 1 Teach 1 bunch. On a team was such priority, top-50 recruits as UNC signee Tony Bradley, Florida State signee Jon Isaac, and current NC State freshman Maverick Rowan, Knox was brought off the bunch to spell minutes for his lethally talented frontcourt. He was immediately a factor due to his bouncy body at the basket, instincts within the miscellaneous, and versatility on the defensive end. Fast-forward to his junior high school campaign and the Sunshine State native has become a top-10 recruit within his own right.

Known primarily as an energy giving athlete with upside this past summer, Knox has really developed his own identity as a skilled ballplayer. This past month and within the confines of his state, the son of a former Florida State football star displayed just how far he has come with his game. Where I was unable to see him make just one pull-up jumper all of last summer, Knox hit several within two contests of my viewing. His handles have tightened where he can take guys off the bounce, he wields a confident jumper out to the 3-point line, and is now learning how to be ‘the guy’. With UNC and Duke visits on the horizon, Knox has a worker’s approach when no one else is watching, displaying how great he wants to be and with the talent in tow, could be as good as he might want to be.

OKLAHOMA STATE IS NEXT YEAR’S BIG 12 SLEEPER

It is crazy just how deep the Big 12 is. Nearly the entire conference can be seen within KenPom’s top-100 ratings but when it comes time to look at resumes, it is going to be difficult for Oklahoma State to see postseason play as it sits at 11-and-10 and 2-and-6 within league play. While this year may have been a step backwards, how does the saying go? Take one step back to take two step forwards…that is exactly what I foresee for the bunch next season.

Quite possibly the best point guard within the freshmen ranks nationally, Jawun Evans has breathed new life into the program within recent weeks. The 6-foot guard is averaging over 12 points, five assists, and four rebounds per game yet he could be even more productive if he had the right personnel around him. See, Evans is more of a pass-first guy that wants to create for others off the drive and next year, with the proper guys in place, the South Carolina native should see his game skyrocket.

With Joe Burton, an average 43-percent 3-point shooter on the year, and a known outside shooting prowess in Jeffrey Carroll headed back to Stillwater next season, which alone brings promise. However, when you throw in the possibility of Phil Forte, one of the most prolific perimeter shooters of the ball that the Big 12 has seen for some time now, capable of receiving an extra year of play due to a medical redshirt, it brings even more intrigue to what could lie ahead. Not done yet, Oklahoma State has signed two premier shooters of the ball within the 2016 class in Thomas Dziagwa and Lindy Waters, both who can create for themselves but flourish in spot-up situations; the Big 12 must be warned. They may be young, but don’t be surprised to see Travis Ford spread guys out next year, go small-ball with a bevy of 6-foot-5 guys on the floor, and have a type of a breakout campaign that Clemson is enjoying this year within the ACC.