Under Armour Finals

Keyshawn Hall

The final live period of July is known for having a lot of tired legs on the court, and tired eyes in the stands watching games. To succeed in the third event of July you have to really have a passion for the game, and have done the necessary preparation beforehand. We spent the last weekend of the travel season in Indianapolis, and even though there were several different events taking place, we spent the majority of our time at the Pacers Athletic Center, checking off the third of the three major shoe circuits we wanted to evaluate this month. Spending Friday and Saturday scouting games at the Under Armour Association Finals, here are some prospects who stood out in games we attended…

Keyshawn Hall – ’22 SF/PF Prep School: A class of 2021 graduate of Cleveland Heights, who dominated the Cleveland city league before transferring over for his senior year, Hall has made a huge splash on the recruiting trail this summer. Now classified as a 2022 prospect who will be attending a prep school next year, Hall earned NCAA D1 offers from Duquesne, East Carolina, Illinois State, Middle Tennessee State and Bowling Green based on his play during the first two live periods. With schools keeping a close eye on his progress in the UAA Finals, Hall was the most productive player on his C2K Elite team, going toe to toe with some of the circuit’s most highly regarded players. We loved the physicality and toughness that Hall played with Saturday against the Houston Defenders, using his massive frame and quick feet to defend the post. However, it is Hall’s offense that excites college coaches, as he’s an extremely unique prospect who can really handle and create with the dribble despite his big-bodied frame at 6’7. When Hall gets his hip into you it’s pretty much over for defenders, and he’s agile and skilled enough to finish around athletic defenders as well. Wherever Hall goes to prep school next year he’ll surely get a lot of continued college interest, as the late bloomer out of Cleveland might be the Ohio prospect who saw the biggest uptick in his recruitment of anyone in July.

Drey Carter – ’22 SF/PF Westerville South: Speaking of prospects who have seen their individual recruitment blow up in July, if there’s one player who can challenge Hall it would be Carter. A long wing forward out of the Columbus area with a ton of upside who has come into his own this spring and summer, Carter recently added offers from Akron, Kent State, Miami (OH) and Wright State, with all of those schools and then some tracking him in Indianapolis with his Nova Village team on the UA-Rise. Unfortunately for us, but fortunately for Carter’s Nova Village team, the game we watched was a blowout in Nova’s favor, but despite the poor evaluation setting Carter was Nova’s most intriguing prospect on the day. The 6’7 forward made shots from the perimeter and was aggressive off the dribble to get to his scoring spots, showcasing considerable upside as he continues to add weight to his lanky frame over time. With today’s college game focusing on shooters with size and mobility, Carter is the prototypical combo forward prospect for the modern game, and should continue to be prioritized by the in-state mid-majors as we enter commitment season.

Elias Lewis – ’23 SG Olentangy Orange: We had been hearing all spring and summer about the talent of this year’s Nova Village 16u team but unfortunately, before this event, had been unable to see them play. Saturday afternoon we finally caught up with the team and, despite a heartbreaking two-point loss, we came away impressed with several young prospects. The strength of the team in our opinion is the play of combo guards Elias Lewis and Ryan Nutter, with both catching our eye with their offensive prowess in Indy. Lewis in particular was an interesting prospect to evaluate, as he brings fluid athleticism and size to the guard position, as well as the ability to make shots from the perimeter. Shooting the three might be the thing that Lewis will be most known for, but he was also intriguing as a finisher with good athleticism off of two feet and showed the ability to handle and pass the ball in transition for his Nova squad. With players like Drey Carter blowing up on the recruiting scene in their 17u season, don’t be surprised if Lewis takes a similar trajectory next summer.

Christian Harmon – ’23 SF/PF Akron Buchtel: A new name to follow in Northeast Ohio who transferred in from New York, Harmon is enrolled at Akron Buchtel as part of a loaded roster with the likes of Chris Livingston for next season. Playing his summer ball with the C2K Elite 16u team, Harmon had a breakout session in Indianapolis. Heading into the game we evaluated on Saturday evening, we had received word that Harmon had been shooting the ball really well in Indianapolis; and that proved true as the 6’5 forward knocked in three consecutive triples at one point early in the first half to lead his team in scoring. A versatile offensive forward with a strong body capable of playing inside or outside on the high school level, if Harmon is able to continue to make shots at a high percentage, then he easily could be one of the top scorers for Buchtel next year, with defenses likely locking down the paint to limit Livingston’s ability to finish at the rim. Having just arrived in the area, we still don’t know a ton about Harmon, but his size, confidence and scoring ability make him a rising junior to follow statewide.

Honorable Mention: Bowen Hardman (’22 Cincinnati Princeton), Khalil Luster (’22 Lima Senior), Cooper Davis (’22 Olentangy Liberty), Josh Whiteside (’22 Gahanna Lincoln), CJ Hornbeak (’23 Toledo St. John’s), Bede Lori (’23 Caldwell), Ryan Nutter (’23 Dublin Jerome), Peyton Frey (’23 Hilliard Davidson)