Butler Basketball Recruiting: 2019 Peach Jam updates on top targets

Carlos Johnson (2020) – The Family Detroit

SF | 6-foot-6 | 210 lbs | No. 121 in 2020

17U EYBL Stats (11 GP – 28.1 mpg): 15.2 ppg (.508/.325/.622), 5.1 rpg, 2.6 apg

The Dawgs offered Carlos “Scooby” Johnson all the way back in August of last year and they have stayed vigilant in this recruitment. An extremely intriguing combo-forward prospect, Johnson was tremendous during Peach Jam after missing the majority of the EYBL season due to an injury. Throughout the course of the event, he showcased his all-around versatile game. In addition to using his strong frame as a rebounder and defender, Johnson flashed potential as a shooter and passer. He projects as a bit of a “do-it-all” versatile forward at the college level and would be a great addition to the Butler roster.

At Peach Jam alone, the forward averaged 15.8 points (.525/.375/.733), 7.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. This was clearly a great set of games and it seems likely that his recruitment will heat up as a result. Butler will likely have to beat out local schools Michigan and Michigan State, as well as Missouri, in order to land this commitment. Considering the Dawgs have been active in this recruitment for almost an entire year, though, that is a real possibility.

Eugene Brown (2020) – AOT

SG | 6-foot-5 | 170 lbs | No. 118 in 2020

17U EYBL Stats (4 GP – 15.8 mpg): 6.5 ppg (.562/.667/.667), 1.5 rpg, 1.0 apg

Eugene Brown did not compete at Peach Jam due to injury. In fact, he was held out for almost the entire EYBL season as a result of injuries and therefore was unable to showcase why he was once regarded as a top-100 recruit in the nation. When completely healthy, he is an exceedingly deadly 3-and-D player with plenty of potential. He is a great athlete, an elite shooter, and an incredible defender. Even though he has not played much during this summer, he seems to be near the top of Butler’s priority list for the 2020 class.

The Dawgs have been heavily active in this recruitment for a very long time and Brown even took his first official visit to campus earlier this year. There are many other top-tier programs also involved in his recruitment, though: Georgia, Georgia Tech, Xavier, and Ohio State, among others. Brown chatted with me about his recruitment earlier this summer and also recorded an Instagram Live with Tipton Edits quite recently.

Trevor Keels (2021) – Team Takeover

SG | 6-foot-5 | 210 lbs | No. 35 in 2021

17U EYBL Stats (13 GP – 24.5 mpg): 10.9 ppg (.472/.394/.614), 2.5 rpg, 2.0 apg

One of Butler’s top-rated targets at Peach Jam, Trevor Keels put together another solid week, posting averages of 10.4 ppg (.450/.462/.769), 2.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game over the five contests. Keels is rated as a top-50 player in the 2021 class and has been playing a year up on the EYBL circuit. As one would expect given his national ranking, there are going to be plenty of suitors in this recruitment. This includes recent offers from Florida, Villanova, and Virginia. There are, though, plenty of Butler connections: Keels plays on the same AAU team with Chuck Harris (BU commit) and the same former high school team of Aaron Thompson (BU’s current starting PG).

With a strong 6-foot-5 frame, there is a lot to like about Keels’ game. He is a solid shooter from distance, aggressive finisher, and versatile defender. While he has shown some signs of potentially taking on a point guard role in the future, his playmaking can still improve. No matter what, though, he is clearly an elite-level talent on the wing and Butler is shooting high with this offer. If the Dawgs are able to land a commitment, it would be the biggest recruiting win in program history.

John Poulakidas (2021) – MOKAN Elite

SG | 6-foot-5 | 175 lbs | Unranked in 2021

16U EYBL stats are not completely up to date.

John Poulakidas only recently joined MOKAN Elite’s 16U team for Peach Jam and he found a role relatively quickly. Although currently an unranked prospect in the 2021 class, there is no doubt about the fact that Poulakidas will be a high-major caliber recruit. He has already visited Butler’s campus on three different occasions and the coaching staff offered him a scholarship in early June. There is clearly plenty of mutual interest here but several other high-majors followed suit after Butler’s offer. This has included the likes of TCU and Rutgers, as well as some of the most academically prestigious mid-majors in the nation.

As a player, Poulakidas is a shot-maker. At 6-foot-5 with a smooth lefty jumper and plenty of confidence, he is the type of player that is willing to create for himself as well as succeed in catch-and-shoot situations. Additionally, he uses his length to be a solid defender although there is room for development on that end. Poulakidas is an intelligent individual, both on the court and off, and understands when to take command offensively and when to dish to an open teammate. His stats from the E16 Finals are not completely posted, but he did drop in 17 points on five 3-pointers in his first game with the MOKAN Elite program.

I talked with Poulakidas earlier this offseason regarding his play, offers, and recent visits. You can check that out here.