Twitter Roundup For Virginia Basketball’s Live Evaluation Weekend

By: Kris Wright |

A Twitter roundup for Virginia basketball recruiting.

The first of three Live Evaluation periods began for Division 1 men’s basketball on Friday so gyms across the country were packed with AAU teams and college coaches this weekend. Virginia’s Tony Bennett and his staff were spotted in Hampton, New York, South Carolina, and Texas for events.

Of course, coaches aren’t the only ones in the gym. Media outlets and recruiting services take in the action as well, leading to a lot of reports in the social media world. The Sabre rounded up some Twitter posts from the weekend to give you a snapshot at some players known to have Virginia offers or interest.

Let’s go!

Keldon Johnson

A five-star guard from in state, Johnson is a priority for Virginia in the class of 2018. He played at Huntington Prep in West Virginia last season and is in the Boo Williams’ organization for AAU. He had a big weekend at the EYBL in Hampton, turning heads immediately in the opening game and sustaining the effort throughout the weekend. His team went 4-0. NC State joined a list of offers that is likely to grow in the coming weeks.

Immanuel Quickley

A five-star point guard, Quickley is one of the top prospects in the class of 2018. Back in March, Evan Daniels at Scout reported that Quickley had narrowed his top seven to Kentucky, Kansas, Duke, Miami, Maryland, Virginia and Providence. So yes, the Hoos are swimming with big fish on this one.

Jahvon Quinerly

Another five star target at point guard in the 2018 class, Quinerly has drawn heavy interest as well from the big fish. He told Adam Zagoria at ZAGSBLOG.com that he will cut his list in the next six weeks or so with Duke. Virginia, Kansas, Arizona, Villanova, Seton Hall, Cal, and Stanford all mentioned as possibilities. He told Corey Evans at Rivals that he likes the UVA coaching staff and would like to make an official visit soon.

Prentiss Hubb

Hubb put Virginia among his top six recently and Coach Bennett caught him in action this weekend. The Gonzaga (D.C.) standout is highly ranked by the recruiting services, including the No. 35 player in the country by 247. He’s considered a Maryland lean by recruiting gurus.

Elijah Weaver

Coach Bennett watched Weaver play more than once this weekend in New York before heading back to Hampton. He already visited Weaver at Oldsmar Christian on March 28 as well. Plus Cavalier assistants took in his high school’s state semifinal and championship games. Weaver included UVA in his top 12, but other schools have continued to offer him as well, most recently Illinois this weekend. He’s visited Louisville and Villanova previously.

Michael Devoe

Another Florida prospect that UVA watched in multiple games this weekend at the EYBL. He’s in the big guard mold that the Hoos have liked in the past at 6’4”. Sabre guru Chris Horne saw a steady and consistent player in the games in Hampton, calling him a terrific passer. South Florida

Joey Hauser

A four-star power forward, Virginia has been involved with the Hauser family for a few years now. Older brother Sam Hauser eventually picked Marquette. Wisconsin, Michigan State, Iowa State, and others are in the mix here and it’s not clear how much of a push UVA is making.

Jake Forrester

Forrester entered the weekend without a UVA offer, but he did get some evaluation time from the Hoos as both Bennett and Williford watched him in action. The Sabre’s own Chris Horne liked his work on the glass and his ability to run the floor. This is a name to keep an eye on to see if an offer heads his way this spring.

Aaron Wiggins

Wesleyan Christian’s small forward had a good weekend in New York at the UA event. He told Scout’s Josh Gershon that Virginia is among the school’s recruiting him the hardest. Maryland is the apparent leader here, but Arizona, Cal, Virginia, and Virginia Tech are on the trail too. The Cavaliers offered last fall.

Cole Swider

Another small forward on the board, Swider is known as a flat-out shooter. That was on display again this weekend, including a 37-point outburst. He picked up an offer from Indiana (get used to seeing this overlap with Archie Miller now there with a similar defensive system to UVA) and he already had offers from the ACC in Miami, Syracuse, Wake Forest, Pitt, and Boston College. Swider’s stock is warming up so keep an eye on his recruitment.

More Roundup Hits

Bryce Wills (Chris Horne will have a Sabre article on this 2019 prospect this week)

Naz Reid (UVA had interest, but Kansas, Kentucky, St. John’s and others appear to be the leaders)

Jalen Smith (one of the Hoos’ top targets, but Maryland is the guru prediction for the Baltimore prospect)

Brandon Slater (the Paul VI prospect has a UVA offer, but Maryland, Louisville, and Villanova are seen as leading)

Rob Phinisee (a point guard with a UVA offer)

Musa Jallow (Virginia offered, but Indiana is emerging lately)

K.J. Hymes (UVA and many others have offered)

Nassir Little (a Virginia offer early, but Florida, FSU, and Louisville lead)

J’Raan Brooks (a name of interest, though no known Virginia offer at this point)

Other Virginia Twitter Mentions