'26 IN G/F Blake Neill

[BlueBleeder]

Wing/Forward
IN Bloomfield HS
AAU: Indiana Elite 2026

Ht: 6'6" | Wt: 200 lbs

His team (Bloomfield) is getting ready to tip off in the Wabash Valley Classic against Robinson, IL. He has scored the ball at a high clip this year, over 30 ppg, but not sure of the competition. Saw he had 44 points the other day in a game. Anyone have any info on the kid? Have we kicked the tires at all?

 

[BlueBleeder]

Well, after 3 quarters I have not been overly impressed by Blake. He does have 24 points, but is not overly athletic and has missed a ton of shots, including a wide open dunk. He is a crafty scorer for sure, but if he were being guarded by a D1 caliber recruit, he would likely struggle to score. He doesn't have a quick first step and doesn't seem to rebound well. He does however have some solid footwork and a smooth turnaround jumper. Could just be a really good HS player who knows how to score.

*Note* Neill finished with 33 points and 5 rebounds against Robinson.....but Robinson looked pretty inexperienced and rough. Seems crazy to say i wasn't impressed by a 33 points game in a little over 3 quarters, but that's my gut reaction. You can usually tell a D1 player on the HS court as they often stand out, but didn't feel that way about Blake. He absolutely is a very good HS player, but feel it might be DII talent at the next level.

 

[jturner38]

Wing/Forward
IN Bloomfield HS
AAU: Indiana Elite 2026

Ht: 6'6" | Wt: 200 lbs

His team (Bloomfield) is getting ready to tip off in the Wabash Valley Classic against Robinson, IL. He has scored the ball at a high clip this year, over 30 ppg, but not sure of the competition. Saw he had 44 points the other day in a game. Anyone have any info on the kid? Have we kicked the tires at all?

We only post info on kids ISU has interest in or offered. So as far as I have seen no.

 

[SycamoreStateofMind]

Wouldn’t be the first time this tournament alone helped to raise the stock of certain players… I don’t take in HS ball at this stage in my life but I’m sure as my boys get older I will consume more and more. Probably been 5ish years since I’ve been to a Classic game - the talent pool ain’t what it once was around here. Bunch of guys that are good HS players but can’t play in college - especially at the D1 level.

 

[EvilleSycamore]

Wouldn’t be the first time this tournament alone helped to raise the stock of certain players… I don’t take in HS ball at this stage in my life but I’m sure as my boys get older I will consume more and more. Probably been 5ish years since I’ve been to a Classic game - the talent pool ain’t what it once was around here. Bunch of guys that are good HS players but can’t play in college - especially at the D1 level.

Your last 2 sentencs is EXACTLY why I cringe everytime people get on here and rant about Oh! We need to recruit more local or more players from Indiana. The rest of the world has caught up, keep going where the talent takes you and get the right players for the system. We are going the right way in that department.

 

[SycamoreStateofMind]

Your last 2 sentencs is EXACTLY why I cringe everytime people get on here and rant about Oh! We need to recruit more local or more players from Indiana. The rest of the world has caught up, keep going where the talent takes you and get the right players for the system. We are going the right way in that department.

Right… Look at ole Joey Semmler Hart. Kid played 14 minutes in Ball State last game vs Evansville a nearly 40 point bead down and some how managed to record a single rebound - that was it in 14 minutes of PT. Yesh. He might be paying NIL money to the next school to take him not the other way around.

 

[EvilleSycamore]

Right… Look at ole Joey Semmler Hart. Kid played 14 minutes in Ball State last game vs Evansville a nearly 40 point bead down and some how managed to record a single rebound - that was it in 14 minutes of PT. Yesh. He might be paying NIL money to the next school to take him not the other way around.

Maybe Grave knew a little more than he let on or we gave credit to about Joey Boy and that is why he is in Red not baby blue.......

 

[treeman]

Right… Look at ole Joey Semmler Hart. Kid played 14 minutes in Ball State last game vs Evansville a nearly 40 point bead down and some how managed to record a single rebound - that was it in 14 minutes of PT. Yesh. He might be paying NIL money to the next school to take him not the other way around.

All I know is I'm bringing in Papa Hart for my next contract negotiation

 

[sycamore_21]

He did break the Pizza Hut Classic scoring record. Was 118 by RJ Maurhin. He had 131 over 4 games. Talent level overall is definitely down but he could get his own shot whenever he wanted.

 

[Southgrad07]

He was pretty impressive over the 4 days to me. Never went up against anyone who would be a college player, but he flat out dominated every game he played...shoots it really well and plays a smart game. Would like to see him this summer against some better competition

 

[sycamore_21]

He was pretty impressive over the 4 days to me. Never went up against anyone who would be a college player, but he flat out dominated every game he played...shoots it really well and plays a smart game. Would like to see him this summer against some better competition

Totally agree. He’s a junior too

 

[Jason Svoboda]

Your last 2 sentencs is EXACTLY why I cringe everytime people get on here and rant about Oh! We need to recruit more local or more players from Indiana. The rest of the world has caught up, keep going where the talent takes you and get the right players for the system. We are going the right way in that department.

That said, if the kid is an upperclassmen and doesn't have offers by now (I've honestly not looked into many 2026 guys yet), he'd be a walk-on candidate so there would be no harm in recruiting him under that premise.

Also remember that the NCAA hoops scholarship limit is bumping from 13 to 15 starting in the 2025-2026 season.