2019 Spalding Hoophall Classic

5 Burning Questions Heading Into Star-Studded Spalding Hoophall Classic

5 Burning Questions Heading Into Star-Studded Spalding Hoophall Classic

The 2019 Spalding Hoophall Classic is airing live on FloHoops and ESPN. Here's what you need to know.

Jan 18, 2019 by Adam Zagoria
5 Burning Questions Heading Into Star-Studded Spalding Hoophall Classic

The Hoophall Classic runs Jan. 17-21 in Springfield, Massachusetts, and FloHoops.com will have coverage of many of the games.

As you look ahead to the talent-filled competition in the birthplace of basketball, these five questions might come to mind.

1. Where can you watch the action?

FloHoops and ESPN will air all of the games from the Hoophall. Click here for a complete broadcast schedule of all the games. Due to the impending snowstorm, a couple of game times have been changed on Saturday. Kentucky-bound Kahlil Whitney and Roselle Catholic of New Jersey will now play Brandon Boston and Norcross of Georgia at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday instead of 6 p.m, while Gonzaga College High School from Washington D.C. will meet Memphis commit D.J. Jeffries and Olive Branch from Mississippi at 6 p.m.

Watch the 2019 Spalding Hoophall Classic LIVE on FloHoops!

Kentucky fans can tune in to see the 6-foot-7 Whitney, who is attempting to lead Roselle Catholic to back-to-back New Jersey Tournament of Champions titles. The Lions are currently ranked No. 11 by USA Today and No. 1 in New Jersey.



2. What's the latest on Cole Anthony?

The 6-foot-3 Anthony out of Oak Hill Academy in Virginia is the top uncommitted player in the Class of 2019, and is down to six schools in North Carolina, Oregon, Wake Forest, Georgetown, Miami and Notre Dame.

He has completed all of his official visits and may take an additional unofficial visit to Miami.

His mother told ZAGSBLOG this week he plans to decide sometime around the Final Four in April.

“We’ll probably announce around Final Four time,” Crystal McCrary McGuire said Thursday by phone. “You want to see how things shake out.”

Anthony and Oak Hill are ranked No. 6 nationally by USA Today and are slated to face No. 4 IMG Academy of Bradenton, Florida, on Sunday at 7:30 p.m (ESPN). IMG features three high-major commits in Armando Bacot (UNC), Josh Green (Arizona) and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (Villanova). Expect Bacot to be in Anthony's ear about joining him at UNC.



3. Who's the one player you need to see most this weekend?

For my money, it just might be Jaden McDaniels of Federal Way in Washington State, which is slated to meet Ranney of Eatontown, New Jersey, on Monday at 11 a.m (ESPNU). Federal Way is ranked No. 15 by USA Today, while Ranney is No. 9.

The 6-foot-10 McDaniels is reminiscent of a young Kevin Durant and is currently projected as the No. 3 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft per ESPN.com.

Kentucky, Texas, Washington, San Diego State and UCLA comprise his final five, but McDaniels won't decide until after his season ends at Federal Way.

Having missed out on bigs James Wiseman (Memphis) and Vernon Carey (Duke), Kentucky would desperately love to add McDaniels during the late period. Wildcats head man John Calipari and assistant Tony Barbee were courtside at Barclays Center last month when McDaniels and Federal Way destroyed a Lawrence Woodmere Academy team from New York led by Louisville commit Aidan Igiehon.

Kentucky may be back on hand for Monday's game when Federal Way faces a Ranney team led by Villanova-bound guard Bryan Antoine and Florida-bound wing Scottie Lewis.

"We looked at potential Ranney opponents, and we determined the best matchup was a traditional high school as opposed to an elite program," Greg Procino of the Hoophall told the Asbury Park Press this week. "The more competitive game for them would be a high school, with a great player, and a chance to win a state championship.

"This matchup is the end result, and what we believe will be the most competitive environment for them."



4. UPDATED: When can you see Isaiah Stewart announce?

The 6-foot-9 big man will announce his college choice on Sunday night on ESPN during halftime of the Oak Hill Academy-IMG Academy game, which tips at 7:30 p.m.

Stewart is considering Duke, Michigan State, Syracuse, Kentucky, and Washington. He broke down his schools in this FloHoops story.

Stewart takes the court on Monday at 5 p.m when La Lumiere (IN), No. 1 in USA Today, meets No. 3 DeMatha Catholic in a titanic matchup.



5. Are New York and New Jersey as loaded as they seem?

There are eight teams from New York and New Jersey competing between Saturday and Monday, including USA Today No. 9 Ranney, No. 11 Roselle Catholic and No. 22 Long Island Lutheran.

The other NY/NJ teams are Christ the King (N.Y.), Our Saviour New American (N.Y.), Iona Prep (N.Y.), Ramapo (N.J.) and The Patrick School (N.J.).

On top of the actual teams from those states, Cole Anthony of Oak Hill is from New York City, Isaiah Stewart of La Lumiere is from Rochester and Precious Achiuwa of Montverde Academy spent five years living in New York and also attended St. Benedict's Prep (N.J.). IMG Academy also features New Jersey transplant Noah Farrakhan, while Montverde freshman star Dariq Whitehead is from Newark.



Adam Zagoria is a basketball insider who runs ZAGSBLOG.com and contributes to The New York Times. Follow Adam on Twitter.

Related Content