The T.J. Ford Academy brings out high-major talent

LINCOLN, Neb. — The T.J. Ford Academy hit the road this weekend bringing out some of the top talent in the state of Nebraska with some Lone Star State flavor. 

Ford, the former Wooden and Naismith Award winner at Texas and NBA lottery pick in 2003, trains and mentors some of the top talent in the Houston area. That includes time spent working with NBA players James Harden, D.J. Augustin, Kevin Durant and a number of others. 

Ford’s resume and knowledge made it a no-brainer for future high-major and mid-major players to take in a day of learning on the court. 

Future star in the 2025 class

The top prospect in the state of Nebraska may well be in the class of 2025. Charles Love (Lincoln/Southwest) checked in at the T.J. Ford Academy at 6-foot-5.5, and showed a high skill level for his age. His ability to shoot the ball at his height with the length he possesses could be a differentiator long term. Love is the son of Nebraska women’s basketball associate head coach Chuck Love. Virginia Tech and Nebraska are among the high-majors to show interest already. 

The Cornhusker State is under recruited 

The talent in the state, with the majority of it playing for the Nebraska Supreme AAU team, remains undervalued. 

The class of 2023 has a number of mid-major and high-major prospects. Combo forward Bangot Dok (Lincoln Southeast) checked in at 6-foot-8.5 with a quickly developing skill set. His ability to take instruction from T.J. Ford, and apply it to the next rep impressed On3. Dok is attracting mid-major programs in the region headed into the season. 

Dok is joined by 6-foot-5.5 wing Porter Bazil (Lincoln Northeast) and 6-foot-8 power forward Antallah Sandin-El (Lincoln North Star) in the junior class in the Lincoln area. Bazil has an offer from Eastern Illinois, along with interest from South Dakota and South Dakota State. 

The class of 2024 features a very talented wing Bhan Buom (Lincoln Southwest). Buom has regional mid-major and high-major interest. The 6-foot-6.5 forward will be ascending player this season and throughout the summer due to a high-skill level and frame yet to begin developing. 

In the class of 2022, South Dakota State and North Dakota State have steals committed. Small forward Jack Hastreiter (Lincoln Pius X) checked in at 6-foot-7, and is skilled with a smooth stroke out to 22-feet. His agility and overall athleticism is undervalued. His brother, Sam Hastreiter (Lincoln Pius X) is similar with a more developed frame at 6-foot-7.25 and 210-pounds. 

Texas travels to Lincoln

Forward Rob Miller (Pasadena, Texas/Memorial) will emerge this season as one of the top 2024 prospects in the region, if not the country. The 6-foot-8.5 forward has developed at a high rate working with Ford over the summer. Miller’s father played football at LSU, and his mother played at Tulane and in the WNBA. Miller made an unofficial visit to Creighton on Friday. 

Junior point guard T.J. Ford Jr. (Missouri City, Texas/Ridge Point) has grown to 5-foot-11, and continues to display an advanced understanding and feel with the ball in hand. Ford has also impressed with increased leaping ability, and playing strength. Ford was on campus at Creighton Friday. Oral Roberts is also showing interest. 

Class of 2022 forward Daryis Woodson (Baytown, Texas/Goose Creek Memorial) and 2022 power forward Bryan Etumna (Sugar Land, Texas/Kempner) also impressed Saturday. Woodson continues to show mid-major ability and understanding of the game.