I made the drive up to see the game live and it was my 2nd year attending RU72s production/game. The place (St Joseph's HS in Trumbull CT, was very nice.
As far as D1 players, here is the list
For the Connecticut team.
Donovan Clingan (Top 50 kid. 2022, UCONN commit). Immediate impact guy off the bench for UCONN, has all the features and tools. Somewhat mobile or more mobile than UConn starter Adama Sanogo. Clingan presented a 3 point shot. That separates him from the traditional bigs, along with his ability to be a defensive player in the paint.
Matty Curtis (Fairfield, Jay Young has a solid development piece, knows how to play and get to his space to shoot). Not a superb handle as a SG, but good enough. If he had another step quicker, he would be a higher level kid (6'3").....if you give him space, he will knock down 3s.
DaShon Gittens (FIU).....I liked this kid, did everything well, definitely a player that I wouldn't be surprised would transfer up a level in a couple of years....6'3 combo guard. Plus defender.
New Jersey
Mark Armstrong.....well, it's one thing to see a highlight reel or video....it's a whole other thing in person.
Plays with pace and under control....understands defenses played against him. Did turn down some very good looks from 3, because defenses were playing off of him, taking driving lanes away. Can get anywhere on the court to score, off the dribble. Probably a blend or version of Corey Sanders/Jacob Young, just with an elite handle with both hands and might be the quickest kid I've seen in HS, that understands how to play.
Tommy Conniff (6'11 kid) headed to Lehigh. Didn't wow me. But understands how to not get his shot blocked because Clingan was a menace in the paint. Safe development tape of kid down the road.
Donovan Long (Manhattan commit). Played this past season at Rutgers Prep and Matt Bloom. In these types of settings where there are a lot of scramble types of plays, Long hustles and scraps and can elevate at 6'6". Played with a knee sleeve (not a brace) so I am 99% certain he is probably not close to 100% right now. He showed a decent shooting stroke from the top of the key and built strong and plays through contact (probably got fouled 3 times on 3 separate drives in 2nd half, where the refs let the kids play). I think he is a kid who will be another one that does all the dirty work you need on a winning roster. I didn't see any noticeable gaps or weaknesses in his game. Definitely a good fit at a MAAC or A10 early in his college career, where he can earn minutes right away.
Finally, RU commit. Derek Simpson.
I actually don't think the Geo comparison is really that easy to make. He does some things much better than Geo did early in his RU career. He has a better handle, better quickness in both directions or a quicker 1st step. Willing defender with active hands......Good range on jump shot (did not knock down a couple of transition 3s).
Was willing to take his defensive player off the dribble and challenge Clingan at the basket, but Clingan wingspan altered a couple of layup attempts.
On defense, I casually counted at least 6 steals/deflections. And add in a couple of assists to Armstrong late.
Simpson is sneaky athletic. Had 2 explosive dunks in the 4th quarter and understands how to play with pace, where he can play faster and if not, also looks very comfortable. Not anywhere near the bounce as an Armstrong, who probably lands in that 1% category for kids in our area.
Simpson probably is 10 lbs of muscle away from playing Game 1, Day 1 at RU and not looking lost. I think he is a 3/4 year starter for RU and even in the mid 250s at a rating, is criminally underrated right now.
The Geo comparison is kinda based on his mature demeanor and you can pick up right away, he has intelligence and an awareness of how to play. He has been well coached by others (parents, AAU, HS).
If he gets more consistency on his jumper, which usually comes with more reps and strength, he has a higher upside than Geo. I don't think or know it would be very fair to expect "closing Geo Baker or late-in game, Baker". But I am very confident that the tape I watched before Sunday in CT, matched what I expected. He is a absolute B1G guard and a steal for Brandin Knight, Pike and RU.