MIAMI BASKETBALL

Point guards, biggies among hoop signees

Miami basketball coach Travis Steele has announced the addition of five new student athletes who signed with the RedHawks Wednesday on National Signing Day.
The group consists of two guards, two forwards and a center. Among other plusses, it provides MU with point guard talent and front line help. 

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2022 SIGNEE NOTES:

Mekhi Cooper -- 6'0, 165 point guard
Bolingbrook ILL./Bolingbrook HS
~~ Averaged 15 ppg, 4 apg and 3 rpb during junior season, earning all-state honors that year... Has reached a career total of 1,000 points.
~~ According to Steele: "Mekhi Cooper plays for a powerhouse program at Bolingbrook High School in the Chicago area. Rob Brost is the Head Coach at Bolingbrook High School, and he is one of the top coaches in the country," said Steele. "Mekhi played AAU basketball for Flight National. Mekhi is electric with the ball. He has a ton of creativity with the ball in his hands. He can score the ball at all three levels, and he has an ability to pressure the ball full court."

Elan Elmer -- 6'7, 190 small forward
Covington, KY/Robert A. Taft
~~ Won state championship in 2022 ... Averaged 9 ppg, 3.4 blocks, and shot 60.2 percent from the field in junior year.
~~ According to Steele: He attends Cincinnati Taft High School, where he is coached by DeMarco Bradley. Taft captured a State Title last March. Eian played AAU basketball for a legendary coach, Ozie Davis, with the Queen City Prophets. Ozie is a Miami alum. Eian is going to provide us with a ton of athleticism and versatility on both ends." 

Evan Ipsaro -- 6-0, 195 point guard
Covington, KY/Covington Catholic HS
~~ Reached 1,280 points in his first two years at Covington Catholic, has a total of 1,637 career points ... Averaged 21.7 PPG, 7.6 APG, 4.2 RPG, and 2.3 steals per game (SPG) his junior season ... Holds the school record for free-throw percentage at 91.2% ... Named to the all-state team voted by coaches, made the Sweet 16 all-tournament team
~~ According to Steele: "Evan Ipsaro attends nearby Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky, where he is coached by Scott Ruthsatz. Evan played AAU basketball for one of the top AAU programs in the country, Indiana Elite, on the 3SSB circuit. The first thing that comes to mind with Evan is toughness," said Steele. "He is a competitor and a winner. He is a terrific passer and really makes his teammates better.

Jackson Kotecki -- 6-0, 215 forward
Chicago, ILL/St. Ignatius College Prep
~~ Team finished in third place in the State tournament ... Averaged 10 PPG, 2 APG, 7 RPG during his junior season.
~~ According to Steele: Jackson really caught my eye this past summer while he was playing for Fundamental U on the Under Armour Circuit. His athleticism, size, length, motor, and skill set jumped off the page. He is a young man that has a very high upside. ... Jackson attends St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago where he is coached by Matt Monroe. St. Ignatius made it to the Final Four in the state tournament last year. I am excited to see Jackson compete for a state championship this upcoming season."

Reece Potter -- 7-0, 210 center
Lexington, KY/Lexington Catholic
~~ Named 2A State Tournament MVP ... Averaged 16 PPG and 8 RPG his junior year and was named to the all-city and all-region teams.
~~ According to Steele: He is a young man that I have recruited for a very long time," said Steele. "He plays for a terrific coach, Brandon Salsman, at Lexington Catholic High School in Kentucky. Reece also played for one of the top AAU organizations in the country, Indy Heat, on the Nike EYBL. Reece has a lot of tools for us to work with. He is a legit 7'0 tall, very mobile, and has a terrific skill set. He is a player that can both play inside and out. Reece fits perfectly into the way we want to play here at Miami."