I made the trip to the Tampa area over the weekend with 5-star commit Moussa Diabate and IMG Academy (FL) in action against Calvary Christian (FL) at the Sun Bash event. IMG needs no introduction at this point, as 2022s Jett Howard, Eric Dailey and Jaden Bradley are all major targets. Calvary Christian features 2022 offer Gregg Glenn along with 4-star junior big Taylor Hendricks and 5-star sophomore guard Marvel Allen. 

Moussa Making Push For Top 5 Status

Stock Status: Up

Updated Evaluation: This is the best I've seen from Diabate in a live evaluation. He was absolutely dominant as a two-way player and would likely be a top 5 overall prospect for 2021 if I were to update my rankings right now.

During my last live viewing of Diabate in October, he made big strides with his perimeter skill in terms of shooting/handling/passing. This time around, it was Moussa's defensive versatility that really stood out. He literally defended every position 1 - 5 and absolutely locked up the opposition regardless of position. It is almost unfathomable that a 6'10 prospect possesses that level of length, agility and quick twitch leaping. Full court ball pressure, helpside rim protection, switching on the perimeter, post-defense—you name it and he excelled at it. 

Offensively, Moussa was just as impressive. The new wrinkle this time around was the post-up game. He's added a spin move that proved lethal against elite competition with size/length (Taylor Hendricks is a legit HM prospect with some pro potential down the road.) Diabate continues to make rapid improvements as a ballhandler facing-up from the perimeter and in transition. He was able to navigate through traffic and finish with the off-hand with great body control and push it from coast-to-coast in transition. The most undervalued facet of his skillset is definitely passing. He had an extremely impressive jump-pass assist from the post after collapsing the defense that was LeBron-esque. Much more analysis to come later this week in Future Hoops Original. 

Recruitment: The headliner for the #1 class in America

[Hit THE JUMP for Jett and friends]

Jett Flashing As An On-Ball Type

Stock Status: Slightly Up

Updated Evaluation: After my live viewing of Jett in October, I came away with an evaluation that mirrored Franz Wagner in many ways. A wing with good size/length that really excels getting the ball on the move + finishing at the rim and a great help-defender that is very disruptive, but a shooter that is better in theory than in percentage terms. 

The biggest development for Jett came in the on-ball shot creation department. While he didn't necessarily get a ton of volume in that regard, he was impressive with the opportunities he did have. The first possession in the clip above is the best display of change of direction/speed I've witnessed from Howard to date. The crossover was low, crisp and sudden. It was textbook and he nearly dropped his defender while maintaining balance before raising up for a triple.

The very next possession in the clip above once again displays some on-ball prowess, this time as a playmaker. IMG runs a BLOB (baseline out of bounds) action for where Moussa sets a ballscreen for Jett and he drops a dime to a teammate for an easy layup. This was a great read, as Jett was required to analyze the defense in order to make the correct decision. He waited until the defense chased Moussa and Eric Dailey on the pop-out before making the pass. Need to see more, but this addition to Jett's game is certainly one that will raise his ceiling.  

Recruitment: Wants to have the experience of being a blue-chip prospect, but undoubtedly the biggest lock for the 2022 class. 

Jaden Bradley Cements Status as Premier Playmaker

Stock Status: Same

Updated Evaluation: Not much has changed from my October evaluation. Jaden is among the top 5 passers/playmakers in the country regardless of class and that was on full display over the weekend. He has good positional size at 6'2, a tight handle and is a good defender at the point of attack. He did show a bit more pop as a vertical leaper in relation to prior viewings, but he still didn't attempt a single jump shot during the game on Saturday. 

Recruitment: Michigan one of the four schools recruiting Bradley the hardest. Has great relationship with Juwan Howard. Definitely serious mutual interest here. 

Eric Dailey Making Strides As A Shooter

Stock Status: Slightly Up

Updated Evaluation: Dailey thrived in October as a combo-forward that exploited bigger defenders as a face-up option and bullied smaller defenders in the post. Generally excellent in transition and a solid passer as well. It would've be unfair to label Eric a non-shooter at that point, but that part of his game was average-ish.

He made some progress as a floor-spacer in Tampa, knocking down multiple jumpers off the catch from both distance and the midrange area. One of those triples came from NBA range and the other came after relocating/sliding left. Those two things bode well for the future, particularly for a prospect that impacts the game in so many other ways. If he continues the uptick in his shooting prowess, Dailey has the look of a Deshaun Thomas type. 

Recruitment: Michigan is a serious contender early on, part of an informal top 4 along with Iowa State, Miami and Texas A&M. Playing with Jett Howard at IMG can only help the cause.

First Look at 2022 Offer Gregg Glenn

Stock Status: Slightly Down (Composite #52)

Evaluation: Gregg is a playmaking face-up forward with solid vision. He's at his best from the elbow area when he can put the ball on the floor for 1-2 dribbles and bully the opposition to the rim and finish. Absorbs contact well and is a physical driver given his strength advantage. Glenn is a plus passer as well. He consistently found teammates as a passer out of the post and in transition. Sees the floor pretty well for a bigger prospect. Not a plus shooter at this stage in his development. 

Athletically, he has some pop as a vertical leaper, particularly off two legs. Not the most agile prospect and doesn't project as a great on-ball defender on the perimeter. Measured in at 6'6 (without shoes) and close to 220 at the 2019 Nike Elite 100. Projects as a face-up power forward that bullies his way to the rim in the half-court, rebounds at a high rate and finishes in transition. I'd probably have him as Tier 2 option with the way Juwan Howard is recruiting these days. 

Recruitment: Michigan offered back in December 2019, but there hasn't been much reported movement between the two parties since then. Close friends with Jett Howard, so probably a good relationship despite the lack of publicized recruitment.