Coach Bobby Hurley has signed a couple of instant impact backcourt players for the 2017-18 season. Luguentz Dort of Athlete Institute in Ontario and Elias Valtonen of Helsinki Basketball Academy - Mäkelänrinne Sports High School will join the Sun Devil program as early as this summer.
SCOUT/247 SPORTS SUN DEVIL TOP-60 RECRUITS (2002-PRESENT)
23. James Harden, 2007
25. Luguentz Dort, 2018
34. Jahii Carson, 2011
54. Kimani Lawrence, 2017
55. Ike Diogu, 2002
60. Elias Valtonen, 2018
Dort, listed at 6-5 and 220 pounds, played for Team Canada in the Adidas National Tournament and helped lead his team to the 2016 championship game. He also competed at the 2017 NBA Basketball without Borders (first-team selection) and has played in Adidas EuroCamp in Treviso. Dort was the Canada BioSteel All-Star Game MVP and participated in the Nike Hoop Summitt. The nation's No. 25 overall prospect and No. 3 shooting guard by 247Sports and just the third top-50 Sun Devil according to the site, joining James Harden (No. 23 in 2007) and Jahii Carson (No. 34 in 2011). As a junior he played at The Conrad School in Orlando, Florida, but announced in the summer that he would attend Athlete Institute Prep in Ontario.
"Luguentz is one of the most talented guards in the scholastic ranks," notes Coach Hurley. "We are very fortunate that he wants to be a Sun Devil. The future is limitless for him. He will be a difference maker as soon as he gets to Tempe. "Lou" has tremendous physical talent, strength, athleticism, and physicality in how he plays. He is a super creative offensive player that can get to the basket at will. Defensively, he brings the same determination and desired to be high-level defender. Lou is a major impact player for our program and has great intangibles as well...he is a great teammate, plays the game the right way, has a great attitude, and a desire to get better. He is the type of person we love to bring into our program."
The No. 60 player per 247 Sports, Valtonen visited ASU in October and competed in the u17 World Championship and averaged 14.1 points and 4.4 boards. In the 2016 FIBA u18 Europen Championship, he averaged 7.7 points and 4.5 rebounds. He was coached by Hanno Möttöla.
"Elias plays at a high-level and a great program. He is an all-around great and skilled player that fits to how we play," notes Coach Hurley. "I value guys that can shoot and make the three. We have done that successfully since I have been here. Especially with a guy like Kodi graduating, his (Elias) size at 6'6", skill level, and shooting ability will fit in very well."
SCOUT/247 SPORTS SUN DEVIL TOP-60 RECRUITS (2002-PRESENT)
23. James Harden, 2007
25. Luguentz Dort, 2018
34. Jahii Carson, 2011
54. Kimani Lawrence, 2017
55. Ike Diogu, 2002
60. Elias Valtonen, 2018
Dort, listed at 6-5 and 220 pounds, played for Team Canada in the Adidas National Tournament and helped lead his team to the 2016 championship game. He also competed at the 2017 NBA Basketball without Borders (first-team selection) and has played in Adidas EuroCamp in Treviso. Dort was the Canada BioSteel All-Star Game MVP and participated in the Nike Hoop Summitt. The nation's No. 25 overall prospect and No. 3 shooting guard by 247Sports and just the third top-50 Sun Devil according to the site, joining James Harden (No. 23 in 2007) and Jahii Carson (No. 34 in 2011). As a junior he played at The Conrad School in Orlando, Florida, but announced in the summer that he would attend Athlete Institute Prep in Ontario.
Welcome @luguentz to the ?????? family! pic.twitter.com/Ffa2KrVd5i
— Bobby Hurley (@BobbyHurley11) November 9, 2017
"Luguentz is one of the most talented guards in the scholastic ranks," notes Coach Hurley. "We are very fortunate that he wants to be a Sun Devil. The future is limitless for him. He will be a difference maker as soon as he gets to Tempe. "Lou" has tremendous physical talent, strength, athleticism, and physicality in how he plays. He is a super creative offensive player that can get to the basket at will. Defensively, he brings the same determination and desired to be high-level defender. Lou is a major impact player for our program and has great intangibles as well...he is a great teammate, plays the game the right way, has a great attitude, and a desire to get better. He is the type of person we love to bring into our program."
The wait is over... FORKS UP?????? https://t.co/OhSp874zDW
— Luguentz Dort (@luguentz) October 19, 2017
The No. 60 player per 247 Sports, Valtonen visited ASU in October and competed in the u17 World Championship and averaged 14.1 points and 4.4 boards. In the 2016 FIBA u18 Europen Championship, he averaged 7.7 points and 4.5 rebounds. He was coached by Hanno Möttöla.
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) November 9, 2017
"Elias plays at a high-level and a great program. He is an all-around great and skilled player that fits to how we play," notes Coach Hurley. "I value guys that can shoot and make the three. We have done that successfully since I have been here. Especially with a guy like Kodi graduating, his (Elias) size at 6'6", skill level, and shooting ability will fit in very well."
Officially a Sun Devil??Cant wait to join the family next year?? #ForksUp ?? pic.twitter.com/RHMxjxFIeX
— Elias Valtonen (@EliasValtonen) November 8, 2017