Las Vegas Saturday: Luguentz Dort leaves an impression
It was the final day of the final evaluation period for the members of the 2017 class. All throughout the city of Las Vegas, the very best were ending their careers on the travel circuit where things got a bit chippy as the chance to play onto Sunday gave way for heated levels of competition. Luguentz Dort, a member of the 2018 class, made a major statement, Nick Weatherspoon gave further intel on his coming weeks at hand, and Darryl Morsell caught us up to speed on his first official visit planned to date.
LUGUENTZ DORT IS A MAN
Want to talk about having a Herculean body? Luguentz Dort has that and a bag of chips. The 6-foot-4, play making guard and super aggressive rising junior, was fabulous in his team’s quarterfinal loss on Saturday as he did everything in his power to keep his Brookwood squad afloat against a more balanced Team Loaded VA squad.
A member of the Arlington Country Day program in Florida this past year, Dort didn’t seem to certain on returning back to the school this fall but whatever the case may be, college programs from all across the nation will definitely be tracking the big time prospect out of the 2018 class.
All about getting to the basket and drawing the foul as he made 12 of his 18 foul shot attempts in his afternoon affair, Dort is a downhill locomotive all of the way. He never shies away from contact and has some alpha traits that show off major winning abilities on the playing floor. While it would be nice to see the tough-nosed junior shoot it some from beyond five feet, yet the Canadian guard understands where his bread is buttered.
On the final stat sheet, Dort can do it every which way possible. Despite the loss, the Brookwood star finished with 23 points, nine rebounds, three steals, and two assists. Due to his well-rounded skills and college ready body, programs are beginning to prioritize the top tier recruit. “I have eight offers right now,” the Canadian stated. “My most recent one came from Oklahoma State at the beginning of July.
A break out to some of the college coaches in Vegas, there are two programs that have laid the most groundwork with the 6-foot-4 dynamo at the guard position. “Oregon and Florida,” Dort said about the two programs that he talks to the most often.
Due to the Canadian connection at Oregon, the Ducks seem to be in a good spot. “I know Chris (Boucher) well. We are from the same neighborhood,” Dort stated. He is just telling me to be ready and that it is a great place up there.”
Already having visited Florida earlier in the year, expect for a plethora of schools to get on board with Luguentz Dort, a potential five-star recruit and a dynamic play maker with the ball in his hands.
Jackson, MS
NICK WEATHERSPOON FINISHES OFF HIS TRAVEL CAREER
It has been quite the ride for Nick Weatherspoon. Seen by most as a top-100 guy coming into the spring, the 6-foot-3 guard leaves Vegas in a solid spot for the McDonald’s All-American game next year.
Blessed with an amazing first step and some Russell Westbrook qualities near the basket as he gets to the rim with rather ease due to his explosiveness and strong physique, the Mississippi native has had quite the ride these past few months turning his recruitment into a blueblood affair.
After getting ousted by the E1T1 bunch on Saturday, Weatherspoon seemed somewhat satisfied with his summer but also ready for the next step. “I am probably going to cut it down to a final five after I get home, probably on Monday before I leave for adidas Nations,” Weatherspoon said.
Ohio State, Mississippi State and NC State are the three schools that the MBA Hoops star stated that he felt were coming at him the hardest but such others as Kansas and UConn were also trying to get into the mix. However, there is one school that will definitely get an official visit from the five-star guard. “Mississippi State,” Weatherspoon replied with a place in mind for a trip in the coming weeks. “Coach Howland and I talk a lot about some of the guards that he has helped and some of the things that he has done with my brother.”
Expect for a more cut and dry list coming in the next few days but for the likes of MSU, NC State, and OSU to be in a prime spot for a spot on that list.
DARRYL MORSELL EYES A VISIT
Has there been a bigger breakout this summer than Darryl Morsell? That is for you to answer but he sure has received the proper dues and the attention that his game rightfully deserves these past few weeks. Bringing great size and a college ready body to either guard spot on the floor, the Team Melo prospect has solidified his standing as a top-100 candidate within the 2017 class.
A fine play maker with the basketball in his hands who can shoot it off of the bounce, make others better on the drive to the rim, and also score it some on explosive finishes, the upside and basketball ceiling out of the Baltimore native is pristine.
After a morning session win on Saturday as head coaches from Dayton, Virginia Tech, and Pitt, along with assistants from Villanova, WVU, Cincinnati, and Maryland watched from nearby, Morsell gave intel on his current recruitment. “I am probably going to cut things down to a top five in late August,” he told HoopSeen. “I have on official visit planned so far to Notre Dame on September 17.”
Morsell further noted the likes of Virginia Tech, Maryland, Dayton, and WVU among others involved but it seems that there is still some ground to be covered in landing the top breakout of the summer in the coming months.
OTHERS OF NOTE
It was an all-around effort out of Dwayne Cohill to end the night at the adidas Summer Championship. The highly athletic 2018 guard was the catalyst for his Ohio Basketball Club's dominating performance where he finished with 27 points off of mid-range jumpers, step back 3s, and impressive finishes at the basket. Penn State head coach Pat Chambers along with Purdue, Duquesne, and Notre Dame took in the big time outing from the junior from Ohio.
Is there a more fluid, silky smooth scorer out of the Midwest in the 2018 class then Tyler Herro. The 6-foot-4 guard showed off a premier mid-range game as he stopped on a dime and hit timely shots from near the elbows on the floor and continued to display play making skills near the basket. Wisconsin, Iowa State, Creighton, Michigan, Marquette, Illinois, Arizona, and a slew of others watched the 31 point outburst from the junior from Wisconsin.
It is hard not to be impressed with Jose Alvarado. The sub 6-footer has played much more under control and efficient with the basketball this month which has led to even greater value placed onto him from the college side of things. While he doesn't have elite athleticism or size, he definitely has spunk and some composure as he made timely shots and the proper plays down the stretch that led to a NY Rens win over their rivals from the northeast in the Expressions Elite program.
Reggie Perry continues to show elite potential but also some ball skills out of the power forward spot. Already sporting a college ready body but just now entering his junior year, the Arkansas Hawks big man competed on the glass, displayed excellent high low skills as a passer, left a major dent on the glass, and even hit a 3 from off the bounce. The five star recruit was watched by Alabama head coach Avery Johnson and an assistant from Mississippi State to end the night.
