INDIANAPOLIS, In. -- Last week we were invited to cover one of the top high school basketball events in the Midwest. The 2nd Annual Manual HS Extravaganza held in Indianapolis hosted some of the top prospects in the Midwest and numerous college coaches were in attendance. We want to thank Manual athletic director Aaron Sembley for his hospitality and Next Up Recruits plans to make this event a yearly stop. Here are some of the standouts from this great day of basketball.

2017 Prospects

Jaylen Butz 6’10 PF - Fort Wayne North HS (IN)
The DePaul signee started off slow in his team’s victory over Tindley HS (IN) but took over in the second half finishing with 28 points. An athletic big man, Butz has nice touch around the basket and likes to face up defenders and go by them. Butz threw some impressive full court outlet passes that led to easy transition baskets for his teammates. If his footwork improves, Butz should be an immediate contributor for an up and coming DePaul program.

Andrew Lewis 6’3 CG - Milwaukee Vincent (WI)
A lefty combo guard, Lewis can flat out score the basketball. The St. Cloud State signee can score it from all 3 levels and shows range out to the NBA 3pt. line. A good on ball defender who uses his length and quickness to get steals and deflections. Lewis’s shot selection can be questioned but he is an absolute steal for the Division 2 powerhouse.

Emmanuel Little 6’5 F            - North Central HS (IN)
An undersized stretch 4, Little showed an ability to knock down the open 3 while also showing a consistent back to the basket game. Despite being only 6’5 and not overly athletic Little is an elite rebounder who knows how to use his strong body and has a knack for knowing where the ball is going off the rim. Low majors need to be all over this fierce competitor who is the glue guy for one of the top teams in the country.

Kris Wilkes 6’8 Wing - North Central HS (IN)
An elite athlete with a huge vertical, the UCLA signee has the look of a future lottery pick. While always a good rebounder, Wilkes played with a lot more energy on defense then we had seen in the past. Wilkes outside shot has improved immensely but he is still at his best when attacking the rim. Wilkes needs to get stronger but 10 pounds on his slight frame should be all needs to reach his potential at the next level and become a one and done player.

Ra Kpedi 6’9 PF - Lawrence North HS (IN)
A strong and physical post player, Kpedi has improved a ton since we last saw him on the Adidas circuit in July. A strong rebounder and shot blocker, Kpedi has the ability to guard positions 3-5. Kpedi is raw offensively but shows good touch around the rim and always gets deep post position. Mid – Majors who have the time to develop Kpedi should be all over this unsigned prospect

Jalen Newsom 6’3 SG - Bend Davis HS (IN)
Never has there been a time where outside shooting has been prioritized more in recruiting and we are glad we found this below the radar sharp shooter from Ben Davis HS in Indianapolis. Newsome hit six 3 pointers in his teams win over Chicago Kenwood and used his strong body to shut down Kenwood’s quick guards. Newsom’s recruitment is still pretty slow but we expect this shooter to have a huge SR year and be a late signing period steal.

2018 Prospects

Tony Hopkins 6’4 SG/WF - Indianapolis Howe HS (IN)
A powerful wing, Hopkins is an old school fundamental scorer who deadly within 15 ft and loves to use the glass. Despite only being 6’4 and not a great athlete, Hopkins is an elite rebounder and a physical defender. His 33 points and 11 rebounds in his team’s victory over Lighthouse CPA may have been the best all round performance of the day.

Eric Hunter 6’3 SG - Indianapolis Tindley HS (IN)
This explosive lefty scorer has solidified himself as a high major prospect. Hunter is extremely fast in transition and has a vertical that allows him to finish over bigger defenders. Showcasing a consistent midrange jumper and floater, Hunter can score in a variety of ways gets to the FT line frequently. Despite a tendency to overdribble, Hunter has the makings of a fast riser in the national rankings next summer.

De’Avion Washington 6’4 SG - Terre Haute South HS (IN)
This was our first time seeing the thick built scorer Washington, and he brings to mind comparisons to Arizona freshman Rawle Alkins.  When he drives the ball, it is almost impossible to keep Washington out of the lane and he uses great body control to bounce off defenders and score. Washington scored 32 points in his team’s victory over Milwaukee Vincent HS and if his outside shot improves Washington will become a high major prospect.

Kevin Easley 6’7 WF/PF - Lawrence North HS (IN)
This face up forward has as soft of a touch as you will find and made some tough contested shots in his teams thrilling victory over Michigan Powerhouse Detroit Jesuit. Easley tallied 32 points in the victory scoring off fade away jump shots, 3 pointers and jump hooks. If Easley showed more effort defensively we could be looking at a 5-star prospect. A double -double threat every time he touches the court, it’s easy to see why Easley already has a number of high-major offers.

Zachary Winston 6’3 SG - Detroit Jesuit HS (MI)
A confident lefty shooter with NBA 3 pt. range, Winston hit a ton of clutch shots down the stretch in his team’s overtime loss to Lawrence North. The brother of Michigan St pg. Cassius Winston is a fierce competitor who plays with a chip on his shoulder and is not afraid to mix it up. Winston needs to develop his right hand but he is a lights out shooter who is Detroit tough.

Kendle Moore 5’11 PG - Danville HS (IL)
A tough undersized PG who shoots a high percentage from 3 and is quick enough to beat defenders off the bounce, Moore was one of our favorite prospects at the event. A relentless on ball defender who makes it tough to bring the ball up the floor, Moore is sure to become one of the most sought after 2018 prospects in the state of Illinois

2019 Prospects

Keion Brooks 6’8 WF - Fort Wayne North HS (IN)
Skilled wing with size and a huge wingspan. Can score inside and out but has a tendency to float to the perimeter and settle for outside shots. Has a beautiful stroke and can hit the open 3 but we would like to see him utilize his length and athleticism to get to the rim more often. Brooks is a quick leaper who blocks or alters any shot in his vicinity and is a borderline top 10 player in his class.