flory bidunga
2024 Flory Bidunga
Top 5 ranked Flory Bidunga at Adidas 3SSB Chapter 1! @3SSBCircuit @FBidunga pic.twitter.com/QL8jpPvoXx
— Courtside Films (@CourtsideFilms) April 22, 2023
The 5-star center from Indiana has likely been the most physically imposing big on the Adidas 3SSB circuit. Bidunga is an explosive finisher that gets off the ground extremely quick. He generally scores as a release valve on dumpoffs/lobs and putbacks, but is starting to display the ability to put the ball on the floor for a few dribbles as a face-up option. Defensively, the quick twitch jumping definitely manifests, as Flory is an imposing rim protector and rebounder with a good motor.
The good news here is that Bidunga is set to take a second visit to Michigan later this month. Flory was Juwan Howard's very first stop of the April live evaluation period and there's no secret he sits near the top of the board, if not the number one overall priority. Flory has also visited Florida, Auburn, Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue and Butler. All that said, I wouldn't get my hopes up here. Bidunga's AAU program has major connections with Cincinnati and all signs still point to the Bearcats based on my latest intel.
2024 Aiden Sherrell
This not even the full package 🥷🏾 pic.twitter.com/HfiIbidxj7
— aidensherrell_3 (@AidenSherrell) April 26, 2023
Aiden has been really productive on the EYBL circuit, averaging 13.5ppg on 56% FG while only playing 18.5 minutes per game on a loaded Vegas Elite team that is undefeated through 8 games. Sherrell is a very skilled big with some guard-like skills. The 4-star forward is capable of knocking down pull-ups from both distance and midrange, and the handle/shot-creation is definitely a plus relative to his position. He's not necessarily quick-twitch, but is an above-average athlete in terms of agility and verticality.
Michigan made a top 8 back in February along with Alabama, USC, UNLV Michigan State, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Arizona State. Plans to visit Michigan and gave standard fluff to ON3 in late April:
Michigan: “I have a great relationship with Coach Juwan (Howard). He sees me being a key player in their program. He could really help me grow as a player if I went there.”
Aiden is originally from Michigan, hence the Midwest vibe to this recruitment despite currently attending high school in Arizona. Has visited Michigan State, Alabama, and UNLV. You know the general rule at this point - if no visit comes to fruition, this probably isn't a serious affair.
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The early signing period is roughly six weeks away and we're going down the home-stretch of a few recruitments while gaining steam with newer targets on the board. The uncertainty of stay/go decisions on the horizon after the 2022-23 season in tandem with the portal means the net is a bit smaller in relation to the past for HS recruiting. Let's take a look at where we stand.
GUARDS
Isaiah Collier
Height/Weight: Listed height in the 6'2 - 6'4 range, with listed weight ranging between 170 - 205. Eye test says he's probably a legit 6'2 and 190-195.
High School/AAU: Marietta Wheeler HS (GA)/Nike EYBL The Skill Factory (GA)
Mainstream Ranking: Now a consensus top-6 overall prospect
EM Ranking/Projected Impact: 5-star/#8 overall. Expected projection/production of a true 5-star prospect, even if it isn't necessarily what is expected of a consensus top-10 prospect as a freshman. Think consistent rotation player that plays 15-20 minutes per game at minimum, with the potential to be a starter by the time February/March comes around. Has positional size/frame that NBA covets, but lacks the desired twitchiness/acceleration and has some unnecessary motion on the shot mechanics that may give GMs some pause. Will likely be all-conference level player in year two if he sticks around in college.
Latest Recruiting Intel: Isaiah has been at the very top of Michigan's recruiting board for the majority of 2022 and continues to be with a decision coming soon. Rob Cassidy of Rivals switched his FutureCast from USC to Cincinnati yesterday, while On3's Jamie Shaw still has the Trojans as the leader with the Wolverines surging and now in second place. Michigan's entire staff has completed home/school visits with Collier twice since the fall recruiting period opened on September 9th, so Juwan Howard and crew definitely believe they have a legit shot. I sound like a broken record, but nobody has a real grasp on things here, as Isaiah keeps a low-profile on his recruitment and there haven't been any leaks. It's a three-team race battle between USC, Michigan and Cincinnati. Hopefully the Wolverines cross the finish line first.
George Washington III
Height/Weight: Listed at 6'2 and in the 165-175 range. Likely 6'1 - 6'2 and 180 based on my eye test.
High School/AAU: Chaminade-Julienne HS (OH)/Nike EYBL All-Ohio (OH)
Mainstream Ranking: 4-star/60-135 range overall
EM Rankings/Evaluation: 3-star/#121 overall. Above-average/good volume perimeter shooter with outstanding shot mechanics. Averaged over 5 attempts per game from distance during all five EYBL sessions. Aggregate percentage is around 33%, but that isn't really indicative of the shooter he is because it doesn't account for shot difficulty. Washington can knock down jumpers off movement via pull-ups and screens from both distance and midrange. He's an average secondary ballhandler, but not a kid that is going to run ballscreens with any sort of volume. Physically, he's a tad undersized for the SG spot and is only an average athlete. Not likely to be an instant-impact player, but can provide valuable floorspacing while sticking around four years. A bit reminiscent of some Beilein-era targets.
Latest Recruiting Intel: As first reported by your author earlier this month, the Wolverines have been in heavy pursuit of the former Ohio State commit. The interest is clearly mutual, as George included Michigan in a final five that also includes Louisville, Virginia, Dayton and Wake Forest. Washington was initially scheduled to be in Ann Arbor last weekend, but decided to postpone that visit so that Louisville HC Kenny Payne could attend a school visit/workout. Although he now attends HS in Ohio, George resided in Louisville for two years before making that move. Accounting for that, I'm inclined to think the Cardinals are in strong position here, along with Dayton, where his father is on staff with the WBB team. Look for Washington to make his official visits public later this week, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him cut his list to four. Keep in mind he only has 4 OVs left. In any event, Michigan should get a visit/make the cut. Washington is is looking to make a decision prior to the November signing period, so upcoming visits will play a critical role down the stretch.
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