The new open period format brought the college coaches out to the yard for the last weekend of June, and several players didn’t disappointment at the Charlie Hughes Tournament in Indianapolis. Here is a list of some players who made the most of the weekend:
DJ Hughes, 6’7″ Forward, Lawrence North (2021)
Hughes was great over the weekend leading LN to a 3-1 record. He played well matched up against Tre Coleman from Jeffersonville in a 64-62 win. Hughes had 22 points and the buzzer beating 18 footer to win the game Friday night. He followed that up with 27 points in the morning game against Marion. He was rewarded for his strong play with his first offers from IUPUI, Western Illinois and New Orleans. Hughes will play up to 17u this month for EG10 on the Gauntlet.
Trey Kaufman, 6’8″ Forward, Silver Creek (2021)
Kaufman, who already holds offers from Indiana and Purdue, dazzled all weekend. He is lean and certainly mean inside at the rim and will make a program very happy when he heads to their campus in two years.
Nijel Pack, 6’1″ Point Guard, Lawrence Central (2020)
Don’t be fooled by what other services may say about who is the best guard in the state of Indiana. His name is Nijel Pack. Nursing an ankle sprain and missing DeAndre Davis for LC this weekend, Pack still led the Bears to a 4-0 record and had a blistering 32 point, 9 rebound, 6 assists game against Mishawaka Marian’s Jaden Ivey, Pack, now a Kansas State commit, has the tools to be the top player in Indiana.
Sincere McMahon, 6’1″ Point Guard, Attucks (2020)
Look up crafty in the dictionary and there will likely be a picture of McMahon. McMahon can really create his shot and has a far underrated jump shot. He is leading the Adidas Gauntlet in 3-point shooting (53%) and was a junior all-star. He just picked up his first D1 offer this week from Western Illinois.
Sean Black, 5’10” Point Guard, Warren Central (2021)
Black has waited his turn patiently at Warren Central having to sit behind some talented point guards (Dean Tate, Isiah Moore, etc). His time is now. He was instrumental in laying down a convincing win over Culver Academy this weekend and is a player to watch heading into the school season.
Jalen Hooks, 6’6″ wing, Franklin Central (2023)
New head coach Criss Beyers had Franklin Central playing well over the weekend, and Hooks is going to be a centerpiece as a freshman. The Top 100 nationwide player has the build of an upperclassman already and a great skill set.
Khristian Lander, 6’2″ Point Guard, Evansville Reitz (2021)
Yes, Lander has offers from just about everybody. And should with his ability. The one play that really caught my attention this weekend won’t be found in any stat sheet. Towards the end of one of his games with Reitz, a teammate through him an errant pass during the press breaknin the last 30 seconds of a close game. Any mere mortal player, that’s a turnover. Not for Lander. He skies for the pass with one hand and brings it down in bounds, dribbles some and is fouled. His team wins a close game. Those are game saving, team advancing, coaching job saving plays. He has an unrivaled skill set and athleticism at his position. Lander picked up a new offer this week from Florida.
Qushawn Ware, 6’5″ Wing, Attucks (2023)
Ware is getting plenty of clock so far as a freshman for Attucks. He has a long frame, which he uses to snatch rebounds and demonstrated a nice shooting stroke.
Ronald Johnson, 6’1″ Point Guard, Park Tudor (2021)
Johnson is a Point Guard’s Point Guard. He has a super high IQ and can really run a team. He can also get buckets and create his own shot. Park Tudor was impressive all weekend for a long group and Johnson ran the show.
Anthony Leal, 6’4″ Shooting Guard, Bloomington South (2020)
Leal demonstrated why he is a Top 100 player with some services. He can really shoot it and moves well without the ball. He was big (16 points) in a 59-53 win over Lawrence North. The coveted player has offers from many programs, including Indiana.
Tayshawn Comer, 6’2″ Point Guard, Cathedral (2022)
Comer is next in a long line of top point guards that will come out of Indiana. He toyed with the competition all weekend and can get his shot anytime he wants. Plays for Team Teague.
Robert Fry II, 6’2″ Point Guard, Ben Davis (2020)
Fry II has transferred from state champion Carmel where he played a pivotal role as a part-time starter and in the rotation. He is really athletic and a great ball handler. He is very strong getting to the rim and a tenacious defender.
Dylan Stafford, 6’2″ Guard, Muncie Central (2020)
Stafford had some big moments in June for the Bearcats, including a 29 point game versus Pike. He played well helping lead Muncie Central to a 3-1 record. Play for Indy Ice.
