Virginia Basketball Recruiting Notes: Casey Morsell Continues To Shine In Indy

St. John’s (Washington, D.C.) guard Casey Morsell may not be turning in any explosive scoring performances this weekend in Indianapolis (IN). Frankly, he doesn’t need to with the talent his Team Takeover AAU squad boasts. What he has done, though, is turned in three highly efficient and productive games so far, helping Team Takeover to a 3-0 record with one game remaining in Nike EYBL Session II action on Sunday (April 29).

The 6’2”, 175-pound junior contributed 11 points, two assists, one block and one rebound in Team Takeover’s win over BABC Friday night (April 27). Saturday morning (April 28), Morsell poured in a team-leading 13 points and had one steal as Team Takeover bested previously unbeaten Woodz Elite (AR) by 25 points. Later Saturday, Team Takeover overcame a 4-point halftime deficit to beat Brad Beal Elite (MO), 65-62. Morsell had 10 points and two rebounds in this latest victory.

Morsell has made 12-of-17 field goals (70.6%), including 4-of-7 from 3 (57.1%), in Indianapolis. He has also gone 6-of-7 (85.7%) from the free throw line. The 4-star recruit has been a major player as Team Takeover remains the lone unbeaten team on the 2018 EYBL circuit, boasting a 7-0 record. They take on New Jersey Playaz Club (3-4) Saturday at 11 a.m. EST, in what will be the final game of EYBL Session II in Indy.

No doubt Virginia head coach Tony Bennett is smiling from ear to ear about the Morsell, who committed to the Hoos earlier this month.

More On California Guard Drake London

Moorpark (CA) class of 2019 guard Drake London, a player who appears to be very high on Tony Bennett’s wish list, told 247Sports last week that he planned on playing both football and basketball when he gets to college. He walked that stance back somewhat this weekend in an interview with Julius Kim of Elevate Hoops.

“Right now I’m speaking with my parents about playing both,” London said in Saturday’s (April 28) article, which you can read by clicking here. “But we’re on the fence right now and nothing is decided.”

Virginia basketball and Virginia football have offered scholarships to the 6’5” standout, a combo guard on the hard court and a wide receiver on the gridiron. Should he choose UVA, he would have the chance to play both sports in Charlottesville. As mentioned, it’s evident Bennett really wants him. He scouted London’s BTI Prospects team multiple times during the April 20-22 Live Evaluation Period. Associate head coach Jason Williford was spotted (by ESPN’s Jeff Borzello and Kim of Elevate Hoops)watching London and class of 2020 wing Ziaire Williams in action on Saturday (April 28). The latter player received a scholarship offer from Coach Bennett earlier this week.

More Virginia Basketball Recruiting Notes From Day Two Of The April 27-29 Evaluation Period

– Courtesy of Endless Motor Sports, we know Coach Bennett and Coach Williford watched West Coast Elite, which includes known Cavalier targets Josh Green (c/o 2019 guard) and Nico Mannion (c/o 2020 point guard) take on Mudiay Elite on Saturday in UA Association action in Indianapolis.

Virginia extended a scholarship to Mannion, a native of Phoenix (AZ), on Friday (April 27). Although he is currently in the 2020 Class, Mannion told Zagsblog.com that he may reclassify to 2019. Green, who has held an offer from UVA for several months, was sensational against Mudiay. The IMG Academy (FL) product scored 37 points on 16-of-22 shooting in an 80-69 win.

– Kowacie Reeves of Hype South Media reported Virginia as one of the schools represented at the TMP versus Georgia Canes matchup at the On The Radar Hoops Sweet 16 Session II event in Powder Springs (GA) on Saturday (April 28) evening. TMP features class of 2019 point guard Josiah James, a 6’6”, 190-pound standout out of Porter Gaud High School in Charleston (S.C.). James boasts an offer from the Cavaliers.

TMP won this matchup, 40-19.

– Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Corey Evans tweeted that Coach Bennett watched Drive Nation take on the Oakland Soldiers in Nike EYBL Session II action in Indy on Saturday (April 28). Drive Nation features versatile big man Drew Timme, who scored a scholarship offer from Bennett during the April 20-22 Live Evaluation.

The 6’10” Timme, a product of Pearce High School in Richardson (TX), was credited with 10 points, three rebounds and three steals in a losing effort.

– Team Loaded VA 17U spotted UVA assistant coach Brad Soderberg scouting its matchup with Hoop City Elite at the Adidas Gauntlet event in Atlanta (GA) on Saturday morning. Class of 2020 prospects Mark Williams and Henry Coleman are a couple of players we know Virginia is targeting on this team.

Coleman, a sophomore wing out of Trinity Episcopal (Richmond, VA), was his team’s second-leading scorer with 15 points in the 79-41 blowout win. Virginia is interested but has yet to offer a scholarship. The Hoos have offered Norfolk Academy’s (Norfolk, VA) Williams.

Team Loaded NC, which features Virginia class of 2019 wing target Jaelyn Withers and class of 2020 star Isaiah Todd, and the ITPS Wildcats, which features class of 2019 post target Oscar Tshiebwe, were also in action in Atlanta Saturday. UVA has offered all three of these prospects.