Keegan Murray named Most Outstanding Player at National Prep School Invitational Tournament

[Franisdaman]

This tournament concluded last weekend (Jan 31 - Feb 2).

Additional information on the 10 other Players Named to the All Invitational Team:

Bensley Joseph, 4 star PG, Class of 2021, has high interest in IOWA

Hassan Diarra, 4 Star PG, Class of 2020, committed to Texas A&M

Olivier-Maxence Prosper, 4 star 6'7" SF, Class of 2020, committed to Clemson

Darius Ervin is a 5'6" guard from Massachusetts; he is unsigned (2020 prospect); not sure of college offers

Tyrone Washington is a 4 star, Class of 2021 6'4" undecided PG

Frankie Collins is a 4 star 6'1" PG, Class of 2021

Jaylen Blakes is a 3 Star 6'1" shooting guard; class of 2021

Elijah Mahi is a 2022 6'5" SG

Nick Jourdain--can't find anything on him in terms of college offers; he appears to be a 2 Star and in the Class of 2020; he is a 6'8" PF

Alan Brzezinski turns 19 in April; he is a PG and plays in Sweden.

 

[Franisdaman]

Here, Keegan hit the game winning shot.

Watch:

 

[Franisdaman]

Here's another look at that game winner.

Watch:

 

[Bee93]

I’m far too lazy to do it, but does anyone know anything about the other players on the all-tournament team? Is it full of solid D1 prospects? Still curious about the level of competition. I know it’s got to be better than Iowa hs hoops, but just how did him and his brother get so lightly regarded?

 

[TheTruthTheWholeTruth]

I’m far too lazy to do it, but does anyone know anything about the other players on the all-tournament team? Is it full of solid D1 prospects? Still curious about the level of competition. I know it’s got to be better than Iowa hs hoops, but just how did him and his brother get so lightly regarded?

Diarra 4* Texas A&M
Brzezinski International player
Jourdain NA
Maxence Prosper 4* Clemson
Ervin NA
Joseph 4* Uncommitted
Washington 4* Uncommitted
Collins 4* Uncommitted
Blakes 4* Uncommitted
Mahi NA

 

[Bee93]

Diarra 4* Texas A&M
Brzezinski International player
Jourdain NA
Maxence Prosper 4* Clemson
Ervin NA
Joseph 4* Uncommitted
Washington 4* Uncommitted
Collins 4* Uncommitted
Blakes 4* Uncommitted
Mahi NA

Thanks much. This leads to other questions. Wonder if these uncommitted players are trying to qualify grade-wise. I always assumed that’s what these prep academies were for.

 

[kceasthawk]

I’m far too lazy to do it, but does anyone know anything about the other players on the all-tournament team? Is it full of solid D1 prospects? Still curious about the level of competition. I know it’s got to be better than Iowa hs hoops, but just how did him and his brother get so lightly regarded?

Players mature at different rates and times. Both also went through a growth spurt late in their high school careers. I would imagine they are just this last year becoming comfortable with their growth and gaining strength and confidence. At this point it appears that Fran may have pulled off a solid win here by being in on the twins before they exploded, just as he was with Luka. If they prosper at Iowa, it will be that much sweeter, since Kenyon is so highly regarded as a great former Hawk.

 

[CleteyColgate]

This tournament concluded last weekend (Jan 31 - Feb 2).

View embedded media

Kris Murray had an impressive tourney, too!

 

[LetsGoHawks83]

Here's another look at that game winner.

Watch:

View embedded media

Wonder what the reason for that early whistle was... On the first game winner?

 

[Franisdaman]

I’m far too lazy to do it, but does anyone know anything about the other players on the all-tournament team? Is it full of solid D1 prospects? Still curious about the level of competition. I know it’s got to be better than Iowa hs hoops, but just how did him and his brother get so lightly regarded?

I updated the orig post with this:

The Other 10 Players Named to the All Invitational Team:

Bensley Joseph, 4 star PG, Class of 2021, has high interest in IOWA

Hassan Diarra, 4 Star PG, Class of 2020, committed to Texas A&M

Olivier-Maxence Prosper, 4 star 6'7" SF, Class of 2020, committed to Clemson

Darius Ervin is a 5'6" guard from Massachusetts; he is unsigned (2020 prospect); not sure of college offers

Tyrone Washington is a 4 star, Class of 2021 6'4" undecided PG

Frankie Collins is a 4 star 6'1" PG, Class of 2021

Jaylen Blakes is a 3 Star 6'1" shooting guard; class of 2021

Elijah Mahi is a 2022 6'5" SG

Nick Jourdain--can't find anything on him in terms of college offers; he appears to be a 2 Star and in the Class of 2020; he is a 6'8" PF

Alan Brzezinski turns 19 in April; he is a PG and plays in Sweden.

 

[Franisdaman]

Wonder what the reason for that early whistle was... On the first game winner?

Russian officials

 

[JEDN]

Thanks for the work Fran!

 

[Franisdaman]

Thanks for the work Fran!

thank god for Google search

 

[amahawk]

I have wondered if this was a take two to get one deal?

 

[CleteyColgate]

I have wondered if this was a take two to get one deal?

?

 

[BirdistheWord]

?

Meaning take both Keegan and Kris or none. I am thinking no, but what the hell do i know. They were not exactly getting a ton of interest when Iowa offered, but certainly Fran is looking smarter and smarter by the day. By now, would have to think there would have been some high major interest. I believe Auburn was starting to sniff around right around when we offered?

 

[Hawkfan_08]

I have wondered if this was a take two to get one deal?

Without doing the research, I thought Kris has been solid this year as well. He had 25ish pts against IMG earlier and played every minute.

 

[Fran-Con-2]

Meaning take both Keegan and Kris or none. I am thinking no, but what the hell do i know. They were not exactly getting a ton of interest when Iowa offered, but certainly Fran is looking smarter and smarter by the day. By now, would have to think there would have been some high major interest. I believe Auburn was starting to sniff around right around when we offered?

If they weren't already committed, they would most certainly be garnering interest from other schools considering the seasons they're having (can't be sure if they would've gathered major school offers though).

Based on their size, shooting ability, and tendency to stuff the stat sheets, I think they are carbon copies of Nicholas Baer. Baer was super valuable to have on the bench. These guys might not be D-1 stars, but if they can provide what Baer provided, I would be more than happy to have them on scholarship.

 

[JEDN]

Looking at the tapes of the Murray boys I see no similarities to Baer.

 

[DewHawk]

Looking at the tapes of the Murray boys I see no similarities to Baer.

Yeah, I would have to agree. Murray boys look much more fluid and better shooters IMO.

 

[The Deplorable Sleeping Dog]

The Murray boys would be the biggest recruiting story in Iowa history if they blow it up at Iowa. Just the legacy factor makes a nice human interest story for the media. The unusual path to Iowa is another nice human interest story. Blowing up as good players is just a great story.

Here's the link to their team. It looks like they play a schedule that would be much better than a HS schedule but probably not as talented as top flight AAU competition.

Having said that, they are putting up very good numbers. They've had some really big games. There is a lot of video on the pair. They look like good players that are pretty good up and down the court for their size. Can't really tell them apart but one looks taller than the other, and the taller one seems to play more inside. The other one seems more of a 3/4 depending on the lineup.

 

[JEDN]

Is Kris the lefty/southpaw?

 

[Franisdaman]

I still find it odd that neither of the twins have been rated by Rivals.

@Blair Sanderson , thoughts on this?

 

[The Deplorable Sleeping Dog]

I still find it odd that neither of the twins have been rated by Rivals.

I don't think they rank prep school players do they?

 

[Franisdaman]

I don't think they rank prep school players do they?

see the orig post. there are a lot of 4 star players who made the all tournament team

 

[The Deplorable Sleeping Dog]

see the orig post. there are a lot of 4 star players who made the all tournament team

I couldn't find where Rivals does a ranking for "prep" school players. Although, in bouncing around it appears there might not be a real specific definition of what is a "prep school". For example, when I clicked on the prep school list at Max Preps, it looked like a number of HS that use the would "prep" in the name were included. Like Ahron Ulis at Marian Catholic. Pretty sure that's just a Catholic HS like that school on Buffalo Road in West Des Moines.

 

[Franisdaman]

I couldn't find where Rivals does a ranking for "prep" school players. Although, in bouncing around it appears there might not be a real specific definition of what is a "prep school". For example, when I clicked on the prep school list at Max Preps, it looked like a number of HS that use the would "prep" in the name were included. Like Ahron Ulis at Marian Catholic. Pretty sure that's just a Catholic HS like that school on Buffalo Road in West Des Moines.

These were all prep schools participating in this invitational.

Bensley Joseph and Hassan Diarra, as two examples, made the all tournament team and Rivals have them both rated as 4 stars. So, Rivals does rate prep school kids.

 

[Legend12]

These were all prep schools participating in this invitational.

Bensley Joseph and Hassan Diarra, as two examples, made the all tournament team and Rivals have them both rated as 4 stars. So, Rivals does rate prep school kids.

I don't think they are updating rankings for kids going to Post Grad schools. Only kids at prep schools who have not used up their high school eligibility.

 

[BirdistheWord]

Lets go with 4 star for Keegan and high 3 star for Kris

 

[The Deplorable Sleeping Dog]

These were all prep schools participating in this invitational.

Bensley Joseph and Hassan Diarra, as two examples, made the all tournament team and Rivals have them both rated as 4 stars. So, Rivals does rate prep school kids.

View embedded media

View embedded media

Did you just search the players? Is this the carryover from HS senior year rankings. Serious questions, not trolling. I don't think ESPN has a separate list, can find guys individually but not on prep school link.

Fred Russell went to a prep school. I knew a guy that was an asst coach at a football prep school in Texas (of which there are several). He said its kind of a wild west environment. That's about the totality of my knowledge of prep school sports.

The Murray boys have made the topic interesting.

 

[Franisdaman]

Did you just search the players? Is this the carryover from HS senior year rankings. Serious questions, not trolling. I don't think ESPN has a separate list, can find guys individually but not on prep school link.

Fred Russell went to a prep school. I knew a guy that was an asst coach at a football prep school in Texas (of which there are several). He said its kind of a wild west environment. That's about the totality of my knowledge of prep school sports.

The Murray boys have made the topic interesting.

No, I get it. The whole prep school thing is not something we as fans are used to.

In the 2 Rivals profiles I used as examples above, they don't list:
* Date of birth
* If they finished high school & then went to the prep school

I have seen some super star high school kids leave their high school after their junior year and head to a prep school, where they are teammates with other super stars and where they can work on their game. Remember Andrew Fleming? He did that, where he left his high school and went to Oak Hill Academy his senior year.

I double checked; the Murray boys did indeed graduate from Cedar Rapids Prairie High School; they are now, of course, spending one post-grad year at DME Sports Academy in Daytona Beach, FL, before heading to Iowa.

 

[CleteyColgate]

I still find it odd that neither of the twins have been rated by Rivals.

@Blair Sanderson , thoughts on this?

Because Rivals is lazy?

 

[Legend12]

I looked it up; the Murray boys graduated from Cedar Rapids Prairie High School and are spending one post-grad year at DME Sports Academy in Daytona Beach, Fla.

You looked that up?

 

[silasstarr]

If they weren't already committed, they would most certainly be garnering interest from other schools considering the seasons they're having (can't be sure if they would've gathered major school offers though).

Based on their size, shooting ability, and tendency to stuff the stat sheets, I think they are carbon copies of Nicholas Baer. Baer was super valuable to have on the bench. These guys might not be D-1 stars, but if they can provide what Baer provided, I would be more than happy to have them on scholarship.

I think they are more skilled than Baer ever was, but that’s on limited observations.

 

[CP84]

No, I get it. The whole prep school thing is not something we as fans are used to.

In the 2 Rivals profiles I used as examples above, they don't list:
* Date of birth
* If they finished high school & then went to the prep school

I have seen some super star high school kids leave their high school after their junior year and head to a prep school, where they are teammates with other super stars and where they can work on their game. Remember Andrew Fleming? He did that, where he left his high school and went to Oak Hill Academy his senior year.

I double checked; the Murray boys did indeed graduate from Cedar Rapids Prairie High School; they are now, of course, spending one post-grad year at DME Sports Academy in Daytona Beach, FL, before heading to Iowa.

I think you are conflating all prep schools. Bensley Joseph is on a HS prep team while the Murray's are on a post grad team.

Sometimes these teams play each other. For example, the DME post grad team lost by 50 to the IMG HS prep team loaded with 4 stars but they beat a solid IMG post grad team.

 

[Franisdaman]

I think you are conflating all prep schools. Bensley Joseph is on a HS prep team while the Murray's are on a post grad team.

Sometimes these teams play each other. For example, the DME post grad team lost by 50 to the IMG HS prep team loaded with 4 stars but they beat a solid IMG post grad team.

Interesting. Also, in theory, the Murray twins would have been class of 2019 prospects, since that's when they graduated high school.

Therefore, they appear to be 2 to 3 years older than these five individuals named on the 11 player All Tournament team:

* Bensley Joseph, 4 star PG, Class of 2021, has high interest in IOWA

* Tyrone Washington is a 4 star, Class of 2021 6'4" undecided PG

* Frankie Collins is a 4 star 6'1" PG, Class of 2021

* Jaylen Blakes is a 3 Star 6'1" shooting guard; class of 2021

* Elijah Mahi is a 2022 6'5" SG

 

[CP84]

Interesting. Also, in theory, the Murray twins would have been class of 2019 prospects, since that's when they graduated high school.

Therefore, they appear to be 2 to 3 years older than these five individuals named on the 11 player All Tournament team:

* Bensley Joseph, 4 star PG, Class of 2021, has high interest in IOWA

* Tyrone Washington is a 4 star, Class of 2021 6'4" undecided PG

* Frankie Collins is a 4 star 6'1" PG, Class of 2021

* Jaylen Blakes is a 3 Star 6'1" shooting guard; class of 2021

* Elijah Mahi is a 2022 6'5" SG

That's true. Certainly the Murray twins have some maturity advantage over those high school players but they're still 4 star guys. It demonstrates that the twins can compete against higher tier prep competition. Even with the age advantage, this is tougher competition than they would have faced at CR Prairie.

The jury is out as to how it will transfer to D1 college, but the good news is that we likely don't need them next year unless we have significant attrition. If Pat is healthy then I really don't see an immediate need and would think they would both redshirt.

PG Toussaint, Ulis
SG Fredrick, Bohannon
SF Wieskamp, Pat
PF Connor, Nunge, Pemsl
C Garza, Ogundele

Redshirt - Perkins, Keegan, Kris

I could see Ogundele redshirting but he said he's not planning on it and I think it makes sense to play him since he's likely the heir to Garza and I wouldn't want to go into 2021-22 with no experience at that position. I think Ulis plays and fills the role Evelyn has this year. If Bohannon is healthy I wouldn't be surprised to see him start at PG again, especially for his senior sendoff year.

 

[The Deplorable Sleeping Dog]

I don't think we'll see much from any freshmen next year. Everyone but Ryan returns from an already good team, and we get PMac, Nunge and Jordan. That really doesn't need many minutes for anyone else.

Of course, if somebody comes in and is really good that's a different situation. But which of the returning five, plus P Mac Nunge and Jordan is likely to lose minutes to one of the freshmen?

 

[Bee93]

I don't think we'll see much from any freshmen next year. Everyone but Ryan returns from an already good team, and we get PMac, Nunge and Jordan. That really doesn't need many minutes for anyone else.

Of course, if somebody comes in and is really good that's a different situation. But which of the returning five, plus P Mac Nunge and Jordan is likely to lose minutes to one of the freshmen?

I agree with your sentiment, but hopefully the better Murray twin takes Nunge’s potential minutes. And hopefully Ogendele is ready to backup Garza. Once had high hopes for Jack, but just not sure where he fits.

 

[ChiPackHawk]

I think they are more skilled than Baer ever was, but that’s on limited observations.

Just because Baer was skinny and had horrible posture - don’t think for one second he wasn’t skilled. You don’t achieve what he did without talent.