Welcome to the 6th installment of The War Room for 2018. As always, I'll begin this session with the ground rules for those that may be new. Everything that is reported in The War Room must stay in The War Room. Sometimes the info is sensitive enough that it simply doesn't need to be passed on beyond the doors of this message board thread.
This is a special feature for our subscribers only. The reason why it is posted on the premium board is because that's the only way to ensure that the info stays exclusive to Dayton Flyer fans. Thanks for your cooperation.
Without further ado, here it is.... The 6th edition of the War Room for 2018!
REPRESENT
As you are well aware by now, Dayton head coach Anthony Grant will be an assistant coach under Bill Self for the United States U18 National team, alongside Danny Manning. Grant was previously in this position ten years ago as an assistant on the 2008 U18 National team. This time, he’ll not only represent the USA, but also UD.
Grant is leaving in the middle of this week and will report to Colorado Springs, Colorado. From there, they will whittle down a group of 30-plus invitees to a team that they’ll be taking to St. Catherines, Canada, to compete in the 2018 FIBA Americas Championship.
A late invitee to the training camp was Hazel Green (AL) guard Kira Lewis, who Dayton has pretty much been on since Anthony Grant accepted the position at his alma mater. Between Grant and James Kane, the Flyers have a strong relationship with the four star recruit and had him on campus for an unofficial last fall.
This trip could be a pivotal one in the recruiting battle for Lewis. From what I am hearing, Dayton is still strongly a contender and they’re expecting to know exactly where they stand by the middle of June. Hopefully, the rapport between he and Grant grows even stronger during their time together and the Flyers could right in the thick of things when it comes time to make a decision. Of course, the alternative could be that they find out that he blew up too much this past spring, but knowing where you stand is half the battle. You find out that you’re a legit contender or you move on and can spend time on other top prospects during the evaluation month of July.
MR. JONES
The topic on everybody’s mind after this past weekend is Bahamian big man Kai Jones. As was posted in other threads, Jones graduated this past weekend from Orlando Christian Prep. From what I am told, Dayton may be the only one or at least one of only a couple schools that are even aware that 2018 is a possibility for Jones.
The latest I am hearing is that Jones is likely leaning towards remaining a member of the 2019 recruiting class. If he does that, it’s still up in the air as to where he will play next season, but I’ve been told that IMG Academy is a strong possibility.
Dayton, with two scholarships, would obviously love to bring him in for the fall. Like Kenny Isnord, I read recently that Jones is relatively new to the game of hoops. One thing I read was that this was just his first year of competitive basketball.
We should know this week or next what he decides to do. I believe they’d like to know so he would be able to arrive on campus and attend Summer Session II that begins on June 11th. Regardless, Dayton will continue to recruit him whether it’s for 2018 or 2019.
CONFERENCE TALK
The last time I touched on this subject in a War Room, it appeared that Dayton and AAC were two entities heading on a collision course. My sources that have been telling me this slowed their roll a little in the past couple of weeks.
Not meaning that the two are no longer talking, but that there’s more to the story. From what they told me, Neil Sullivan is working very hard on a new conference and AAC might not be the only one in play.
I was told he is working around the clock on two possibilities with the other possibility presumably being the Big East. In public, all we hear is how happy the Big East is at 10 teams, but in private, they know expansion will likely need to happen to compete with other big conferences.
With all the money being poured into the Arena, a couple of the large donors that have given to the arena efforts are the ones leading the charge on this conference talk. They’re wanting to host bigger and more entertaining games in the renovated place. My guess is it is getting too late in the game for a switch during this upcoming season. Dayton brass is being very careful about which donors they are sharing conference information with. They’re being very secretive, but there’s definitely a lot of ground work being laid for a possible departure of the A10.
UNOFFICIAL VISITOR
The Dead Period ended on May 25th, leaving a small window for Dayton to host any type of visit before Anthony Grant leaves for Colorado Springs. Today, he will host an out-of-state visitor for an unofficial.
Dayton will welcome in 2019 Pendelton County (KY) wing Dontaie Allen. The 6-7 three star prospect averaged over 31 points and over 11 rebounds per game as a junior and his biggest offer to date is Xavier.
Here’s a quote from his high school coach that I read and thought was worth sharing. “If there’s a player in the state of Kentucky that works harder on his game individually than Dontaie Allen, I would love to meet him and see his workout routine, because every day at 6:30 a.m., Dontaie is at our gym working on his game. For the past three years he’s been the first student to walk into the building every single day and we don’t start class until 8:05. And it’s not like it’s wasted time. He’s in there getting a sweat in, working on his ball handling, working on his jump shot, working on his post moves. It’s amazing how driven he is despite all the hype that he’s always had and despite the scholarship offers.”
He previously visited Xavier, and is also planning trips to Western Kentucky and the University of Kentucky. Louisville and Purdue are also showing interest. His length, skill, versatility, and motor could lead him to picking up an offer from Dayton during his visit.
CLOSING
That does it for this edition of the War Room! Thank you to all for your patience with me last week, we finally got everything moved out of the old house and I have about 10 bruises all over my legs to prove it. Yes, I learned my lesson and will be hiring movers when we move into our new house at the end of June. A formal welcome to the new subscribers and thank you to all of you long-time, loyal subscribers, some dating all the way back to 2002! You guys are the reason this is the best place to talk Dayton hoops all year round! Until next time, WE ARE…..
This is a special feature for our subscribers only. The reason why it is posted on the premium board is because that's the only way to ensure that the info stays exclusive to Dayton Flyer fans. Thanks for your cooperation.
Without further ado, here it is.... The 6th edition of the War Room for 2018!
REPRESENT
As you are well aware by now, Dayton head coach Anthony Grant will be an assistant coach under Bill Self for the United States U18 National team, alongside Danny Manning. Grant was previously in this position ten years ago as an assistant on the 2008 U18 National team. This time, he’ll not only represent the USA, but also UD.
Grant is leaving in the middle of this week and will report to Colorado Springs, Colorado. From there, they will whittle down a group of 30-plus invitees to a team that they’ll be taking to St. Catherines, Canada, to compete in the 2018 FIBA Americas Championship.
A late invitee to the training camp was Hazel Green (AL) guard Kira Lewis, who Dayton has pretty much been on since Anthony Grant accepted the position at his alma mater. Between Grant and James Kane, the Flyers have a strong relationship with the four star recruit and had him on campus for an unofficial last fall.
This trip could be a pivotal one in the recruiting battle for Lewis. From what I am hearing, Dayton is still strongly a contender and they’re expecting to know exactly where they stand by the middle of June. Hopefully, the rapport between he and Grant grows even stronger during their time together and the Flyers could right in the thick of things when it comes time to make a decision. Of course, the alternative could be that they find out that he blew up too much this past spring, but knowing where you stand is half the battle. You find out that you’re a legit contender or you move on and can spend time on other top prospects during the evaluation month of July.
MR. JONES
The topic on everybody’s mind after this past weekend is Bahamian big man Kai Jones. As was posted in other threads, Jones graduated this past weekend from Orlando Christian Prep. From what I am told, Dayton may be the only one or at least one of only a couple schools that are even aware that 2018 is a possibility for Jones.
The latest I am hearing is that Jones is likely leaning towards remaining a member of the 2019 recruiting class. If he does that, it’s still up in the air as to where he will play next season, but I’ve been told that IMG Academy is a strong possibility.
Dayton, with two scholarships, would obviously love to bring him in for the fall. Like Kenny Isnord, I read recently that Jones is relatively new to the game of hoops. One thing I read was that this was just his first year of competitive basketball.
We should know this week or next what he decides to do. I believe they’d like to know so he would be able to arrive on campus and attend Summer Session II that begins on June 11th. Regardless, Dayton will continue to recruit him whether it’s for 2018 or 2019.
CONFERENCE TALK
The last time I touched on this subject in a War Room, it appeared that Dayton and AAC were two entities heading on a collision course. My sources that have been telling me this slowed their roll a little in the past couple of weeks.
Not meaning that the two are no longer talking, but that there’s more to the story. From what they told me, Neil Sullivan is working very hard on a new conference and AAC might not be the only one in play.
I was told he is working around the clock on two possibilities with the other possibility presumably being the Big East. In public, all we hear is how happy the Big East is at 10 teams, but in private, they know expansion will likely need to happen to compete with other big conferences.
With all the money being poured into the Arena, a couple of the large donors that have given to the arena efforts are the ones leading the charge on this conference talk. They’re wanting to host bigger and more entertaining games in the renovated place. My guess is it is getting too late in the game for a switch during this upcoming season. Dayton brass is being very careful about which donors they are sharing conference information with. They’re being very secretive, but there’s definitely a lot of ground work being laid for a possible departure of the A10.
UNOFFICIAL VISITOR
The Dead Period ended on May 25th, leaving a small window for Dayton to host any type of visit before Anthony Grant leaves for Colorado Springs. Today, he will host an out-of-state visitor for an unofficial.
Dayton will welcome in 2019 Pendelton County (KY) wing Dontaie Allen. The 6-7 three star prospect averaged over 31 points and over 11 rebounds per game as a junior and his biggest offer to date is Xavier.
Here’s a quote from his high school coach that I read and thought was worth sharing. “If there’s a player in the state of Kentucky that works harder on his game individually than Dontaie Allen, I would love to meet him and see his workout routine, because every day at 6:30 a.m., Dontaie is at our gym working on his game. For the past three years he’s been the first student to walk into the building every single day and we don’t start class until 8:05. And it’s not like it’s wasted time. He’s in there getting a sweat in, working on his ball handling, working on his jump shot, working on his post moves. It’s amazing how driven he is despite all the hype that he’s always had and despite the scholarship offers.”
He previously visited Xavier, and is also planning trips to Western Kentucky and the University of Kentucky. Louisville and Purdue are also showing interest. His length, skill, versatility, and motor could lead him to picking up an offer from Dayton during his visit.
CLOSING
That does it for this edition of the War Room! Thank you to all for your patience with me last week, we finally got everything moved out of the old house and I have about 10 bruises all over my legs to prove it. Yes, I learned my lesson and will be hiring movers when we move into our new house at the end of June. A formal welcome to the new subscribers and thank you to all of you long-time, loyal subscribers, some dating all the way back to 2002! You guys are the reason this is the best place to talk Dayton hoops all year round! Until next time, WE ARE…..
