6/16 Big Ten Morning Power Bar: Four-Star Guard Ayo Dosunmu Garnering Big Ten Attention

Every week, the BTPowerhouse Friday Power Bar will detail what’s going on across the league on the recruiting trail.

On the heels of the NBA Draft, college recruiting has taken an understandable backseat. Despite all the attention turned to the pros, however, the prep landscape has generated a substantial number of headlines. With a flurry of scholarship offers, as well as countless visits scheduled, the past week saw plenty of action.

Let’s take a look at this week’s recruiting headlines.

-Ayo Dosunmu’s Stock is Red Hot.

As the cream of the 2018 crop embark upon the University of Virginia for the NBPA Top 100 camp this week, one name continues to emerge: Ayo Dosunmu. A combo guard out of Chicago, IL, Dosunmu has opened eyes with his electrifying quickness and complete disregard for whatever unfortunate soul finds them self in his path to the rim. So far, the four-star prospect is averaging 14.3 points a game, good for fifth best in the camp.

Dosunmu finds himself sitting at the top of the priority list for several Big Ten schools. Illinois, Northwestern, and now Ohio State have offered scholarships and are aggressively pursuing his services. They certainly have their work cut out for them. In addition to his Big Ten interest, Dosunmu holds offers from Kansas, Xavier, Cincinnati, Missouri, Creighton, NC State, and Wake Forest, among others.

As the Buckeyes play catch-up, Brad Underwood and Chris Collins are readying themselves for an on-campus pitch.

“Right after I leave this camp I’m going to sit down and make some visits,” Dosunmu told Pat Lawless of Made Hoops. “I’ll get out to schools that have recently offered me that I need to visit and schools that I meant to get out to last year. I want to get out to Wake Forest, Kansas then I want to get back out to Xavier, Illinois and Northwestern.”

Donsumo wasn’t kidding. On Tuesday, he will head to Champaign for an unofficial visit with Illinois.

It’s no coincidence the Illini are first up on his summer tour either. According to the 247Sports crystal ball predictions, Underwood and co have the inside track to landing Donsumo. Considering his location, as well as AAU ties to incoming freshman Damonte Williams, it’s logical that Illinois would get first crack this summer.

But Collins and the Wildcats will assuredly have something to say about it. New Buckeyes coach Chris Holtmann isn’t going anywhere either. It will certainly be intriguing to watch Donsumo’s recruitment unfold.

-Four-Star Guard Robby Carmody Starts Official Visits.

The Midwest cannot get enough of Robby Carmody. The four-star shooting guard has already collected scholarships from nearly half of the Big Ten, including Michigan, Maryland, Purdue, Northwestern, Ohio State, and Penn State. Additionally, Carmody holds offers from Notre Dame, Pitt, and Butler, among others. That lengthy list, however, may soon be shrinking.

last week, Carmody announced three official visits for the month of June. First up is Purdue, followed by Notre Dame, and then Michigan.

Carmody can flat out score. Through the first two weekends of the Adidas Guantlet, the 6-foot-4 guard averaged 19.6 points. He also put in work on the glass, averaging 5 boards.

Considering the overwhelming recruitment, as well as his visit announcement, odds seem pretty good Carmody lands in the Big Ten.

-The Scarlet Knights Make Four-Star guard Montez Mathis’ Final 8.

Montez Mathis cut his list to 8 on Monday, and once again the Rutgers Scarlet Knights have found themselves in his good graces. Steve Pikiell and his staff have voraciously pursued Mathis, and clearly it has made an impact.

Montez Mathis can score from anywhere on the court. At 6’4”, he possesses the height to shoot over smaller guards, and employs the ability to create space off the bounce. With a smooth three, the shooting guard has the outside shot that typifies a top flight, front court offensive skill set. When his shot is over pursued by the defense, he attacks the rim with a perfect marriage of athleticism and tenacity.

What sets him apart, though, is his physicality and nose for the basketball. Mathis is a tremendous rebounder. As lineups shrink, the ability to gather boards from traditionally non-rebounding positions has become increasingly important.

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Check back next week for more Big Ten recruiting headlines.