By: George Mason Recruiting Staff
Hello, and welcome to the Patriots Recruiting Recap. Is this the start of a new series? We don’t know yet, but with all of the action throughout this past week, we thought it would be beneficial to provide some updates on what we saw from various Patriot prospects across the major grassroots circuits and talk a little bit about where we believe Mason stands with each one.
A couple of notes before we get started:
– While we are highlighting quite a few prospects in this article, by no means is this a complete list of who the staff is keying on. Recruiting is extremely fluid. Names pop and names drop. The staff was on the road from Thursday morning through Sunday afternoon at several events checking out every player listed below in addition to many, many others. This is simply a compilation of some of the prospects we followed this week, along with some names we kept hearing about.
– Readers will notice that we have complete stats for the prospects who play on the Nike EYBL circuit, and we do not have that for those who play on the Adidas or Under Armour circuits. This is simply because the EYBL provides those, and the others do not. That, along with the free streaming availability of all games makes it so much easier to watch, follow, and provide updates on guys we are linked to. Admittedly, there are more names listed from Nike than the other circuits, mainly because of the reasons stated above. We very much hope that the other circuits increase their access to information in the near future.
Alright, let’s do this:
Nike EYBL Peach Jam – North Augusta, SC
Justin Begg – 5’11 PG
– Peach Jam stats: 12.6ppg / 4rpg / 4.4apg / 41.7 3P%
Begg was impressive all week long running the show for Houston Hoops. The 5’11 PG continued to shoot it exceptionally well from 3, while creating opportunities for his teammates all over the floor. He has every ability to attack the defense off the dribble with a lightning quick first step, getting to the rim, utilizing his floater, pulling up from mid-range, and can also be equally as effective off the ball as a knock down shooter and floor spacer. Begg has long been viewed as a priority by the staff and he did nothing this week to change that. He’s already taken an official visit to Fairfax, and the hope is that he ends up deciding to call it home soon.
Landren Blocker – 6’4 SG/Wing
– Peach Jam stats: 4.2ppg / 2.4rpg / 0.8apg / 1.4spg
The reigning Arkansas 4A State Tournament MVP, 4A All State honoree and 4A-5 Conference Player of the Year is one of the most athletic players in the Class of 2024. While the Peach Jam numbers don’t jump out at you, it’s important to note that Blocker is a role player for Brad Beal Elite who averaged just 11.2mpg this week. He has elite bounce, plays extremely tough, disruptive defense, and makes the most of his offensive opportunities when they come his way. In his final game on Friday, Blocker registered 11 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals in 17 minutes. He recently included Mason in his Top 7, and it will be interesting to see if the staff can get him to campus for a visit.
Chris McDermott – 6’7 Forward
– Peach Jam stats: 19.8ppg / 11rpg / 2.4apg / 1.2bpg
One of the stars of the week, McDermott was outstanding from beginning to end for JL3 Elite, finishing 5th in PPG and 2nd in RPG in the 17U division. He showcased his entire offensive arsenal. Low-post moves, put backs, mid-range turnaround jumpers, knocking down 3-balls. On the defensive end he upheld his reputation as a really good rim protector while also being able to defend for stretches on the perimeter. After the week he had, McDermott has already picked up offers from Louisiana Tech and SMU, and we’d be shocked if he doesn’t get half-a-dozen more. Mason fans would obviously hope to get McDermott in for a visit and continue to be a major player in his recruitment, but it’s not going to be easy.
Ashton Simmons – 6’3 PG
– Peach Jam stats: 11.6ppg / 7.6rpg / 6.8apg / 100 FT% 19-19
McDermott’s JL3 Elite teammate had himself a week as well, leading the 17U division in APG, while finishing 10th in RPG. Simmons put on one of the best performances of the week with a 20-point, 11-rebound, 14-assist triple double, hitting the game winning shot against NH Lightning in an overtime thriller. He is a stat-sheet stuffer, somewhat in the mold of former George Mason guard Marquise Moore. His points mainly come from attacking the basket, and either finishing or getting to the line where he was a perfect 19 of 19 this week. He is an excellent distributor, and a purposeful rebounder. His recruitment is due for a well-deserved bump, as he has already announced new offers from Louisiana Tech and St. Bonaventure. It’s tough to say where things stand between the Patriots and Simmons. I could certainly see the staff pushing Simmons for a visit, especially if their other PG targets end up taking more time and entertaining other offers/interests.
Dominick Stewart – 6’5 Guard
– Peach Jam stats: 10.8ppg / 4.8rpg / 2.2apg / 36.1 3P%
A new name we’ve been hearing recently, Stewart carried his strong play from the recent DMV Live session in June over to North Augusta, which resulted in him earning an offer from the Patriots. The Team Durant guard has the ability to play on or off the ball, serving as a primary scorer and/or distributor. He can knock down shots from long range comfortably off the dribble, and off the catch. He’s also shown a nice first step on drives when a defender is guarding the jump shot. Stewart recently announced that he was reclassing to 2025, we will see if that remains to be the case. Given that he is a local product out of Mt. Zion Prep, we’d expect to see him on campus in some capacity in the coming months.
Dylan Warlick – 6’5 Forward
– Peach Jam stats: 16ppg / 8rpg / 3.3apg / 1.2spg
Warlick got off to a hot start with a 26-point, 10-rebound performance on Monday, including the game winner, and stayed hot throughout the week for Team Griffin. It’s hard not to be impressed with his ability to get to the basket and convert from the mid-post. His physical style of play leads him to a ton of opportunities at the free throw line, where he shot 32-40 this week. Given that Warlick would be considered an undersized 4-man in the A10, a big aspect moving forward will be his ability to hit from outside. He doesn’t shoot much from beyond the arc, only attempting eight 3s this week, but he made 4 of those 8 attempts, and has a good-looking shot with a high release point. We know that the staff likes Warlick and they have been following him closely. He has already earned multiple A10 offers and certainly didn’t do anything this week to take his name off the radar for Mason and several others.
London Jemison – 6’7 Forward
– Peach Jam stats: 9.2ppg / 5.8rpg / 0.4apg / 100 FT%
There were several 2025 prospects that had good weeks in North Augusta, and one of the names we heard multiple times was London Jemison. Playing up with the 17U Expressions squad, the Connecticut-native showed off his athleticism around the rim, on the block and on the drive, finishing off the glass with either hand, while also throwing down some monster dunks. He has shown the ability to hit outside shots, and although he only had 3 attempts, he converted from the free throw line. Jemison has several high majors interested in him and has developed into an early priority for the Patriots as they look ahead.
Preston Fowler – 6’7 Wing
– Peach Jam stats: 14ppg / 7.6rpg / 1apg / 35 3P%
The other 2025 Connecticut-native that seems to have become an early priority is Preston Fowler. He had a fantastic week playing with NH Lightning 16U, including a 28-point, 16-rebound effort against the Lebron James coached Strive for Greatness team where he knocked down a couple of 3-balls and went 4-4 from the line, while adding a steal and a couple of blocks. He can be a prolific shooter from deep, can easily finish at and above the rim, and has great length and hustle as a defender. Like Jemison, Fowler has already garnered quite a bit of interest, earning offers from Temple and Wake Forest this week.
Adidas 3SSB Palmetto Road – Rock Hill, SC
Lewis Walker – 6’6 Forward
Walker and the reigning 3SSB champs Team Loaded VA had a really good week by normal standards, finishing 3rd overall, however as one of the best grassroots programs in the country regardless of circuit, anything less than a championship for that program is considered a disappointment. For his part though, Walker himself continued to show why the Patriots view him as a priority in the 2024 class. We were able to watch him play against New World on Thursday. Walker is really strong, and he uses that strength to get to the basket on the drive and draw contact, often finishing And-1 opportunities. He showed a nice first step, and impressive handles for his position, utilizing a hesitation dribble, operating in close spaces, and eventually getting his shot near the rim. I’d almost describe him as shifty. For the game, which was not close, Walker finished with 12 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 steals, going 6-8 from the FT line. On Sunday he poured in 28 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in the 3rd place game. He visited Fairfax last month and is at the top of the Patriots wish list.
Jamie Vinson – 6’10 F/C
Like Walker, we got to see Vinson play on Thursday as well. He’s a big who is very comfortable stepping out to the 3-point line and hitting consistently, while being able more than capable of scoring on the block via drive and drops, post ups, and put backs. He has a formidable defensive presence, blocking and altering shots around the rim. On Thursday he finished with 10 points and 6 rebounds, including a couple of 3’s, one of which was the game winner in OT. He continued his hot shooting following day, knocking down a quartet of 3-balls. He has received offers and interest from HMs, however, after the week that was, we’d bet that Mason will increase their efforts with Vinson, as multiple members of the staff were impressed with what they saw.
Under Armour UAA Finals – Cartersville, GA
Baraka Okojie – 6’3 PG
We were able to travel down to Georgia on Friday to catch both of Okojie’s games live. Given that he was the first offer made when Coach Skinn stepped back on campus, has taken his official visit, and remains a top priority, we were thrilled to be able to see him in action. Firstly, he plays with an incredible combination of passion and joy, which bleeds into his teammates. He is a floor general, a leader, and also a really good overall player. He hit shots from mid-range and from deep, showed off an elite burst, converted consistently from the FT line, and threw five alley oops on the day, including a couple from beyond the 3-point line which were all right on the money, and one off the glass which I believe was off a steal. He’s a tenacious on-ball defender, a great communicator, and although he plays with a ton of passion, he always seemed in-control. He had a great week, helping lead Canada Elite to an appearance in the UAA Championship game. We believe every member of the coaching staff saw him play multiple times. We’d be lying if we didn’t say that we’ve been on commitment watch for quite a while now. He continues to play well, and George Mason continues to show up in force to his games. In the end, Patriot fans should hope that Coach Skinn’s commitment to Okojie from the beginning pays off.
Anthony Andrews – 6’7 Forward & O’Marion Harvey – 6’7 Wing
These two 2025 prospects, who both recently earned offers from George Mason, play on the same Houston Defenders 16U team. We were able to watch parts of their two Friday games and came away impressed with each.
Andrews is a self-described “Stretch 4” who possesses good size and a smooth outside shot. He has a beautiful turnaround game with fadeaways and jump hooks and can comfortably convert from 3. His bigger frame allows him to move people in the paint, protect the basket, and finish through contact.
Harvey has more of a slender build with a large wingspan. He’s active on the defensive end, with his length and athletic ability allowing him to effectively guard on the perimeter and alter shots around the rim. Offensively, he can score from every level, and has solid court vision as a distributor.
As Coach Ekanem continues to lead the recruiting charge in Texas, we expect Andrews and Harvey to stay on the 2025 radar heading into their Junior years.
