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KSR's Peach Jam Live Diary: Pool Play Concludes

Jack PIlgrimby:Jack Pilgrim•07/07/23
Boozers and Fanta
KSR

Playtime is over at the 2023 Nike EYBL Peach Jam in North Augusta. The regular season is behind the nation’s top recruits and a championship is now officially up for grabs. Pool play concludes inside Riverview Park Activities Center on Friday, a day in which teams’ title dreams will come to a screeching halt or remain within reach.

It’s also a day in which the Kentucky basketball coaching staff shifts into high gear as it searches for its next crop of blue-chip talent. John Calipari, Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman were courtside to open the evaluation period on Thursday, and coaches are allowed back in the gym Friday to check out their top targets. The trio was courtside watching well over a dozen players the Wildcats have established contact with in some form or fashion, highlighted by high-profile names such as Tre Johnson, Boogie Fland, Karter Knox, Cameron Boozer and Cooper Flagg.

Who is Kentucky watching on Friday? Any new names to keep a close eye on or potential offers in sight? KSR has its eyes opened and ears to the ground inside the historic basketball facility. Follow along with the running diary throughout the day.

How about some 2027 interest?

11:30 a.m. ET

Kentucky started the day courtside for Paul George Elite’s Josiah Nance, a 6-5 wing in the rising high school freshman class, playing up in U16s. That’s at the MADE Hoops 8th Grade Finale, a look at the next generation of up-and-comers located in Augusta, GA.

Never too early to lay groundwork on the recruiting trail.

— Jack Pilgrim

Orlando Antigua, Chin Coleman and LeBron James in for Cooper Flagg

12:38 p.m. ET

Kentucky’s Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman are courtside for arguably the top high school prospect in the world, Cooper Flagg. He’s currently averaging 22 points, 13 rebounds, eight blocks and six assists per game at Peach Jam.

LeBron James — who parked his (I’m assuming) Rolls Royce right outside the front door — also taking in the generational talent.

Jon Scheyer and Jai Lucas watching closely. Duke seen as the favorite with pro options also fighting for his services.

Kentucky also expressing early interest in 2025 four-star guard Danny Carbuccia, high school teammate of 2024 target Boogie Fland. Averaging 7.8 points, 4.3 assists and 2.5 rebounds per contest here in North Augusta. Opposing guard here vs. Flagg.

— Jack Pilgrim

AJ Dybantsa vs. Tyran Stokes

One of the more exciting matchups of the day featuring two prime targets for Kentucky, top-five recruits AJ Dybantsa and Tyran Stokes of the 2026 class (for now).

The reason Flagg is ”arguably” the best high school player in the world? Dybantsa exists. At 6-8, he’s a guard that does things no one else can. Smooth, long and athletic, he draws comparisons to former Kentucky guard Terrence Clarke — his lifelong role model. From Boston and playing for the same EYBL program, Expressions Elite, Dybantsa considers the late Clarke his cousin, losing him when he was 14 years old. He models his game after and dedicates his on-court play to the former Wildcat.

As for Stokes, he’s a Louisville, KY native and as physically imposing as they come. A bowling ball in transition and a ferocious finisher, he’s at the top of the priority list for the Wildcats in the rising sophomore class.

Dybantsa is considered a serious reclass option for 2025 while Stokes looks the part physically, as well — just depends on how things shake out academically. ’25 or ’26 for either, Kentucky wants both. Bad. They’ll be able to get a closer look this high school season, as they’re set to play for Prolific Prep together this winter.

— Jack Pilgrim.

Chin Coleman watches Tre Johnson

Where do things stand with the highest-ranked shooting guard in the rising senior class? Tre Johnson finished with 14 points, 3 rebounds and two assists in a big win for Houston Hoops.

Chin Coleman was courtside for that one.

Johnson told KSR after the win Kentucky is pitching him as their next one-and-done and he models his game after Devin Booker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Baylor seen as the biggest threat there, with Alabama also getting an official visit at some point after Peach Jam.

Dynamic scorer capable of filling it up in a hurry, taking pride in defense — a new and welcomed development. In the conversation for No. 1 in 2024.

John Calipari returns to Lexington

The current Wildcats have business to take care of next week in Toronto at the 2023 GLOBL JAM. That’s why Coach Cal left Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman in North Augusta (and Chuck Martin in Rock Hill) to get back with his team for practice in Lexington.

He was joined by former Wildcat Kellan Grady, with Bruiser Flint and John Welch helping run the show while the other assistants are on the trail.

Jasper Johnson finds his groove again

Let’s be honest: Lexington’s own Jasper Johnson was screwed. Entering Peach Jam, Team Thad was a real contender to win the whole thing, a top seed. Then five-star center Jayden Quaintance left the program to join the 3SSB circuit for its championships, leaving Thad without one of its core pieces — certainly the player with the highest ceiling, averaging 9.9 points 6.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per contest.

Johnson was already one of the team’s top performers. Now, he was tasked with a bigger role on grassroots basketball’s biggest stage. He struggled the first few days (three points in game one, two in game three), but finally settled in to close out pool play, going for 24 points on Thursday and 15 points on Friday while adding four rebounds and two assists.

The 6-foot-4 guard ranked No. 17 overall in the On3 Industry Ranking is thin at 170 pounds, but the skill is undeniable. He’s patient and poised, a smooth operator with touch and finesse. Age-wise, he’s a strong reclass candidate for ’24, but is he ready for the jump? He’s inching closer toward that possibility. After a viral Thursday, Friday was no exception.

Jalil Bethea on offer watch?

If there’s one recruit in the class of 2024 who has played his way into a scholarship offer, it’s Jalil Bethea of Team Final. He’s been terrific on the floor, knocking down shots while also emerging as a real on-ball presence and defending. As others in the class have plateaued, he continues to trend upward, a clear top-10 talent among rising seniors.

Thing is, though, he wears his emotions on his sleeve, and that’s not always a good thing. He’s visibly frustrated often and there are times that directly masks the good he brings to the table as a player. And that’s the concern on Kentucky’s end, why it hasn’t been such an easy decision to pull the trigger on an offer.

Bethea entered Peach Jam averaging 18.6 points per contest, and through five games in North Augusta, he’s putting up 18.4 points per game on 52.5% from the field, 43.3% from three and 88.2% at the line. The production is there, double figures in each matchup, highlighted by his 31-point effort on Tuesday. But again, there’s more to it.

Ahmad Nowell schedules commitment date

Speaking of Team Final, Bethea’s teammate in the backcourt is also ready to make a college commitment, and Kentucky is a finalist. Four-star guard Ahmad Nowell tells KSR he will be choosing a school on July 23, deciding between Kentucky, UConn, Tennessee and Georgia Tech.

The Huskies and Volunteers are picking up the most steam ahead of his commitment date. Still, though, Orlando Antigua was courtside for his game Friday, watching him go for 13 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals in a win.

The Philadelphia native initially planned to take a visit to Lexington this summer, but that never happened. We’ll see what it means when it comes time to go public with a decision.

How about Darius Acuff?

Chin Coleman unfortunately saw 2025 four-star guard Darius Acuff’s worst game at Peach Jam, dropping five points on 2-11 shooting to go with six assists, two rebounds and three turnovers in a loss on Friday.

Leading up to that point, the 6-foot-0 scoring standout put up 14, 15, 20 and 22 points in his first four games. Keep in mind, though, he only shot 40% or above twice and hasn’t hit over 33% of his threes all week. It’s been a high-volume, low-efficiency trip to North Augusta for Acuff, who received a scholarship offer from Kentucky back in April.

Will the Wildcats continue to ramp things up with the Michigan native as the program turns its attention from 2024 to 2025 down the line?

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2025-02-27