By Joey Pickus, Staff Writer
It has been an extremely exciting past week for basketball fans, particularly high school basketball fans. The McDonald’s All-American Game took place a couple days ago, the Geico High School Nationals are just starting, and the top 2022 recruits are finishing up their commitments.
The class of 2022 is led by Duke commit Dereck Lively. Duke is dominating the recruitment process in this year’s class with 3 of the top 5 players as they add Dariq Whitehead and Kyle Filipowski. Amari Bailey, a UCLA commit combo guard from Sierra Canyon High School, and Keyonte George, a Baylor commit shooting guard from IMG Academy, both crack the top 5 in both ESPN and 247 Sports lists. On ESPN’s list, the next five to wrap up the top 10 include Nick Smith, Dillon Mitchell, Gradey Dick, Jarace Walker, and Jordan Walsh. Julian Philips, Malik Reneau, Skyy Clarke, Eric Dailey Jr., and Tyrell Ward are the five best players who have yet to make a commitment. Up to this point, 247Sports recruiting rankings are 1. Duke 2. Arkansas 3. Alabama 4. Kansas 5. Ohio State 6. USC 7. Michigan 8. UCLA 9. Virginia 10. Texas.
On March 29th, the East All-Stars, led by the 5 star big man, Dereck Lively, took on the West All-Stars, who were led by Amari Bailey. This event was stacked with the most talented high school basketball players in the nation. Multiple NBA scouts, coaches, and executives attended each practice, the scrimmage, and the game to study the next generation of NBA superstars.
Matt Redinger, an assistant coach for the East Stars, was asked a variety of questions about the game.
What was it like coaching and being a part of a team with some of the best high school basketball players in the nation, specifically the game MVP, Dariq Whitehead, and the number one player in the nation according to ESPN, Dereck Lively?
“It was an unbelievably wonderful experience. One thing about them is they have a super high competitive drive. As for individuals, I was coaching the east team, so we specifically practiced and spent the week closely with those 12 players. We had 3 guards who were injured and could not play (JJ Starling, MJ Rice, and Jaden Bradley) so they transferred Arterio Morris from the west to the east for the week. I did get to know members of the west squad as well. The one thing about the east that I could say is our lineup was a bit bigger than the west in terms of guard strength, especially with Chris Livingston and Cam Whitmore. You asked specifically about Whitehead and Lively. Dereck is a dynamic guy. He has a big motor. He does not short cut any drill and he is a great leader and terrific defensive player with his versatility. Dariq is a unique kid. He is a very positive person and another great leader and defender. He was McDonald’s game MVP and then was MVP at the Geico Nationals last Saturday winning his 4th title. All the kids on the east were great kids. Chris Livingston and JJ Starling and I still talk. I absolutely loved coaching Dillon Mitchell and Jarace Walker. Two outstanding kids who will have great careers. Juilain Phillips was out for most of the week but was able to play the game. Earnest Udeh was so fun to be around as was Brandon Miller. I know them specifically as we practiced them and spent time but I got to know some of the west kids as well. Just really great kids.”
Out of all 24 players you got to see play live, which one do you see having the biggest impact for their school in their freshman year next season and why?
“That is a hard one to answer. The Duke kids (Lively, Whitehead, Mark Mitchell) come to mind simply because they will have to, with what Duke will have leaving before next season. Lively will affect games with his defensive playmaking for sure. Ones to really watch for will be Nick Smith, Jordan Walsh, and Anthony Black at Arkansas. Eric Musselman got a great haul to say the least and Nick Smith is super good. I can see him along with Jordan Walsh making a huge difference in Arkansas. Nick is super explosive and will guard you.”
You were able to coach two national champions in Whitehead and Mitchell from Montverde Academy. What made their chemistry and/or approach stand out to you?
“They have great personalities. I told Dillon he has a million dollar smile. Dariq went to Montverde in the 8th grade and Dillon just got there but you’re right, they had great chemistry. They are so well coached with Kevin Boyle who is probably the best in the country. So most of our kids were from prep type schools, not all but most, and you can tell how those academies really prepared them for big levels. Also the summer circuit, these kids are playing with and against each other for years now so they all have relationships. Nothing beats the locker room or the shared time playing ball!”
Some all-time greats have played in the McDonald’s All-American game like Lebron, Kobe, Magic, and Shaq. Out of every player you saw this year, whose name will most likely be named with these greats 50 years from now?
“Wow, that is a great question and a difficult one to answer. Obviously each kid, as great as they are, all have things they have to improve on, mostly shot consistency and such. I am pretty certain all will continue to work and work hard on their games. Those are some lofty names. I would like to see all of them get like that because they were such wonderful people to be around for a week. If you put me out on a limb and said you have to pick one I am not sure I could or would. Dariq, I could see, potentially becoming that. He will get shot consistency.”
The rosters for the game were:
East
Cam Whitmore Villanova SF Spalding
Dariq Whitehead Duke SF Montverde Academy
Jarace Walker Houston PF IMG Academy
Ernest Udeh Kansas C Dr. Philips School
***JJ Starling Notre Dame SG La Lumiere School
***MJ Rice Kansas SF Prolific Prep
Julian Phillips Uncommitted SF Link Year Prep
Dillon Mitchell Texas SF Montverde Academy
Brandon Miller Alabama SF Cane Ridge High School
Chris Livingston Kentucky SF Oak Hill
Dereck Lively Duke C Westtown School
Arterio Morris Texas PG Justin F. Kimball High School
***Jaden Bradley Alabama PG IMG Academy
West
Amari Bailey UCLA SG Sierra Canyon
Anthony Black Arkansas SF Duncanville High School
Adem Bona UCLA C Prolific Prep
Gradey Dick Kansas SF Sunrise Christian Academy
Keyonte George Baylor SG IMG Academy
Mark Mitchell Duke PF Sunrise Christian Academy
Nick Smith Jr. Arkansas SG North Little Rock High School
Cason Wallace Kentucky PG Richardson High School
Jordan Walsh Arkansas SF Link Year Prep
Kel-EL Ware Oregon C North Little Rock High School
Kijani Wright USC C Sierra Canyon
Bold= Competed at Geico Nationals
***= unable to play due to injury
When asked about his thoughts of the game, Senior, Charlie Kluckhuhn, proclaimed, “It was really cool to watch a local player (Cam Whitmore) play a great game in the McDonald’s All Star Game”. Whitmore is committed to Villanova University and looks to make an immediate impact on the Wildcats who just made a final four runs. They will be losing seniors Jermaine Samuels Jr. and Collin Gillespie so Cam, along with the other some Villanova commits, have some big shoes to fill.
The Geico Nationals started on March 31st with the 4 quarterfinal games between 1 Sunrise Christian and 8 Prolific Prep, 4 Link Academy and 5 Oak Hill, 3 Montverde Academy and 6 AZ Compass and 2 IMG Academy vs 7 La Lumiere. 3 seed Monteverde eliminated 2 seed IMG in the semi finals 62-57 while Link Academy defeated the 8 seed Prolific Prep 60-53. In the championship, Dariq Whitehead and Dillon Mitchell led their squad past Link Academy to win the Geico National Championship with Whitehead winning MVP.
There will be future events, such as the Nike Hoop Summit and the Jordan Brand Classic to showcase some of the top talent from the senior class. After watching the top players compete at the biggest stages of their career thus far, it is safe to say that the next generation of basketball is in good hands.