Four things I learned at the 2022 Bob Kirk Invitational

Cumberland, Maryland – I was in Cumberland, Maryland – a city tucked away two hours southeast of Pittsburgh and two hours west of Washington D.C. – for the better part of 48 hours. However, the trip to the Bob Kirk Invitational told me some stories I needed to hear. Whether it was confirming previous thoughts or updating some new ideas, this trip allowed me to collect more live data on some of the highest-rated prospects in the country.

Read Day 1 Storylines of the Bob Kirk Invitational

Here are four things I learned at the 2022 Bob Kirk Invitational.

Kaleb Glenn imposed his will

This was the best I have seen Kaleb Glenn play. It is also the best I have seen Glenn look physically. The No. 76 player in the 2023 On3 Consensus is a long-armed, broad-shouldered forward. At about 6-foot-7, Glenn was a menace at the high post.

The Louisville signee carried a little extra weight over the summer. Well, in Cumberland, he looked like he was chiseled straight from a granite rock. Glenn finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds in La Porte (IN) La Lumiere’s close game with Bel Aire (KS) Sunrise Christian. Glenn played a very physical brand of basketball, attacking hard right and showcasing footwork and touch around the basket.

Cooper Flagg makes his impression on the game

This year’s Montverde (FL) Academy team is loaded with talent; eleven players on the roster are eight signed or being recruited by high-major programs. The youngest of the group is 2025 On3 150 No. 1 Cooper Flagg.

Being on a team that is deep with talent – nine players played between 8 and 24 minutes – no one player is able to put up huge numbers. However, as you watch the game go, you see the impact that Flagg is having. The 6-foot-8 sophomore will typically guard the opposing team’s best wing or forward player. His instincts on defense are as good as any player in the high school game. He is a good positional rebounder and moves the ball quickly to the open man.

His ability to slide into any situation and carve out his own valuable role is unique. However, his play at the Bob Kirk Invitational showed how valuable he is to winning.

John Bol is finding his lane

John Bol has been tantalizing onlookers for over a year. At 7-foot-2, it is the way in which he moves that makes him so unique. However, Bol, only a junior, is still in the process of figuring out his frame and how to utilize his unique stature best.

Bol started for the MoKan team that won Nike’s EYBL u17 Circuit. However, his stat lines were minimal. That is pretty much what came to be expected from Bol, impressive flashes but fluid production. However, this weekend in Cumberland, Bol found consistency.

Bol moves in a way not many his size are able. at the Bob Kirk Invitational, he showed he can slide his feet on switches but also block shots around the rim. The four-star had one play where he blocked the shot at the basket, saved the ball in the corner, ran the floor, and caught the rebound off the missed layup. It was simply something not many can do.

Bel Aire (KS) Sunrise Christian went 2-and-0 in Cumberland. And John Bol’s fingerprints were firmly planted on each win.

Liam McNeeley goes about his business

Liam McNeeley is shooting over 50 percent from three on the season. This weekend he finished 7-for-13 from three while leading Montverde (FL) Academy in scoring at 17.0 per game. While it may be his ability to space the floor that gets him on the court with this team, McNeeley is far more than just a shooter though; he simply knows how to play the game.

McNeeley is a good team defender, understanding angles, rotations, and hard work; he averaged 1.5 steals. The 6-foot-7 wing is also a good positional rebounder; he averaged 5.5 boards. McNeeley is currently No. 20 in the 2024 On3 150; however, he has proven to be Montverde’s most consistent scorer this season.

This & that

Duke signee Sean Stewart is a premier rebounder. Against Mouth of Wilson (VA) Oak Hill Academy, the 6-foot-8 center secured 11 rebounds in 19 minutes played. Six of those rebounds were offensive. He is simply relentless.

2024 On3 150 No. 25 Dontae Russo-Nance is very talented; you can easily see that. However, the New Zealand native has only played in a handful of games in the United States. Versatile, playing on or off the ball, Russo-Nance is still trying to figure out how his skill set best serves this team. It could be a learning curve; however, the talent is certainly in place.

Daniel Jacobsen is new to the scene and worth monitoring. I mentioned him in yesterday’s Day 1 standouts, but his Thursday night performance was worth another mention in the Bob Kirk Invitational wrap-up. At 7-foot-1, the class of 2024 center finished 4-of-4 from three, 6-for-6 overall, for a team-high 17 points against Sunrise Christian. He is also only 16 years old.