Virginia basketball coach Tony Bennett spent Thursday in Spartanburg (S.C.) at the Adidas Uprising Gauntlet Finale. As mentioned in our “Notes” feature Thursday, Bennett was first spotted watching Basketball University versus the Ohio Basketball Club and then spotted watching the Indiana Elite take on the Arkansas Hawks.
Indiana Elite features class of 2018 point guard Robert Phinisee, who Virginia offered last year. Phinisee followed up with an unofficial visit to Charlottesville. According to the Adidas website, Phinisee scored 8 points (2-9 shooting including 1-3 from 3) and had 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 turnovers in Elite’s 11-point loss to the Hawks.
Also at Adidas …
Bennett was among the head coaches in attendance for Mass Rivals’ matchup with the Atlanta Celtics. Mass Rivals features class of 2018 combo guard David Duke, who Virginia offered this spring. The Celtics took down the previously undefeated Mass Rivals team, 64-54.
Providence, Virginia, Auburn, Notre Dame, American HCs all here for @RivalsNation vs @AtlCeltics2018 pic.twitter.com/ezBn5bGjhU
— Andrew Slater (@ASlater247) July 13, 2017
Ryan James, who runs the Minnesota Golden Gophers’ Scout.com site, and others reported seeing Bennett at the 6 p.m. contest between Team Loaded VA and MBA Hoops. Team Loaded VA features several prominent Virginia targets, including class of 2018 post David McCormack, class of 2018 point guard Jaelin Llewellyn, and class of 2019 post Armando Bacot. MBA captured a 2-point win, eliminating previously unbeaten Team Loaded from the Gauntlet Finale Championship bracket.
Canada native Noah Kirkwood had a big-time performance against Ohio Basketball Club on Thursday, pouring in 22 points and pulling down 14 rebounds in a 17-point win. The 6’7” Kirkwood claimed a Virginia offer last year. However, where Virginia stands with him and vice versa is currently a question. Rivals.com’s Corey Evans, who described Kirkwood as a combo forward, reports heavy Ivy League interest in this article. Notre Dame and Vanderbilt have also offered previously.
More Virginia Basketball Recruiting Notes
– As we reported last month and again earlier this week, Sidwell Friends (Washington, D.C.) wing Saddiq Bey said Coach Bennett would be watching him this month. Rivals.com’s Eric Bossi reported that Bennett gave the 6’6” rising senior an extensive look on Wednesday at the Under Armour Association Finals. Bey played well Wednesday night, scoring 16 points (6-9 shooting including 3-4 from 3) and pulling down 10 rebounds while helping DC Premiere defeat Atlanta Xpress.
– Multiple outlets report that class of 2018 two-guard Noah Locke has scored a scholarship offer from West Virginia. Florida, Michigan, Pittsburgh, Providence, Virginia and Virginia Tech are among the other schools that have offered the 6’2”, 180-pound McDonogh (Owings Mills, MD) standout.
