Tourney places possible Hogs prospects in spotlight

Several potential future pieces of the Arkansas basketball program will be on display in Fayetteville and Springdale this weekend at The Warmup AAU Tournament.

Former North Little Rock star and current Monteverde, Fla., Academy standout Moses Moody (6-5, 180), West Memphis forward Chris Moore (6-6, 210), Jacksonville guard Davonte Davis (6-4, 170) -- all top 150 players nationally -- and Fort Smith Northside center Jaylin Williams (6-10, 220) are all 2020 prospects that are slated to play in the three-day event.

All four of those juniors had offers from the former Arkansas staff and have been or will likely have their parents and coaches contacted soon by new Razorback head basketball coach Eric Musselman, who was hired over the weekend.

They will all be involved in one of Friday night's two showcase games with Moody's Bradley Beal Elite squad taking on Arkansas Woodz Elite, featuring the other three, in a 17-and-under division contest at 7:45 p.m. at Fayetteville High.

The first showcase game on Friday night at 6:15 p.m. will feature Woodz Elite's 16-and-under going against Oklahoma's Team (Blake) Griffin, which boasts Oklahoma prep star Trey Alexander (6-4) and Austin, Texas, Westlake's KJ Adams (6-6), sophomores who have multiple offers.

Woodz Elite's 16-and-under squad has Fayetteville High sophomore power forward Tamaury Releford (6-6, 230) and Jacksonville's 6-5 sophomore duo of Ryan and Jordan Maxwell.

Moody, just off playing in the GEICO National High School Championship Tournament in New York City and a top 30 player nationally per ESPN, and his Bradley Beal Elite squad have Saturday games at Springdale Parks and Recreation at 3:15 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Woodz Elite 17-and-under team is scheduled to play two other pool games on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. at Springdale Parks and Recreation as well as Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m. at the same venue.

LeBron "Bronny" James, Jr., the son of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, is slated to play in the 14-and-under division of the event.

His North Coast Blue Chips team has a trio of games scheduled for Saturday at Bentonville's Fulbright Junior High at 11:30 a.m., 3:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

Davis is the only one of the top four Arkansas 2020 prospects committed at this point, having pledged to Oklahoma State last December, but willing to give Musselman a shot.

He is ranked as ESPN's 53rd-best player nationally in the 2020 class while Moore is 132nd by Rivals and 138th by 24/7.

"I am not really thinking about college now, just about my spring right now, but most definitely if he (Musselman) gets in touch with my coaches, I will for sure listen," Davis said.

Davis was unable to play with his team at last week's Real Deal in the Rock event due to his recovery from a meniscus tear, but says he will be able to go this weekend.

"I had the surgery about a month ago and couldn't play last weekend, but I'll be ready to play up there," Davis said. "I'm really looking forward to it."

Moore and Williams were both named to the Arkansas All-Prep first team for their performances this past season.

Waldron's Payton Brown (6-3), who averaged 32 points a game as a junior, and Izard County guard Justus Cooper (6-4) are also playing with Woodz Elite.

Woodz Elite 16-and-under team won the Nike Peach Jam title last summer and moved up a classification this spring and summer.

"It is a such a great group of guys, a lot of talented guys to play with and we get along really well on and off the floor," Davis said. "I'm thinking it is going to be another fun and successful year for us."

Sports on 04/11/2019