SPRINGFIELD, Virginia– Five-star recruits Caleb Houstan and Moussa Diabate become teammates in a few months at the University of Michigan. On Sunday, January 17, the two were opponents as the nation’s top-ranked high school basketball teams squared off in the GEICO ESPN High School Basketball Showcase, resulting in No. 1 Montverde Academy taking down No. 2 IMG Academy, 55-51.
These two teams are always bound to play close games since they are two of the country’s best high school programs. As a result, the 2019 matchup of the same tournament saw IMG win on a late dunk to secure a one-point victory.
This game was different out of the gate, Montverde jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first quarter; they did this behind a strong performance from 2022 prospect Jalen Duren. According to ESPN, Duren is a five-star recruit and the number two overall recruit in the 2022 class. Duren’s defense was critical to keeping Diabate and IMG out of the paint. Duren finished with 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 blocks.
IMG would not go away easy, pulling within one-possession in the fourth. Tamar Bates helped IMG pull back within single-digits and keep the game close. Bates, a four-star recruit committed to the University of Texas, was the high-scorer for the game. He finished with 17 points and 3 rebounds.
A late post bucket from Duren and a game-sealing free throw from Houstan helped Montverde hold off their rivals from IMG.
Houstan bests his future Michigan teammate DIabate
Outside of the growing rivalry between these two Florida teams, the storyline coming into the game was the matchup of two future Michigan Wolverines. Michigan coach Juwan Howard’s 2021 recruiting class currently ranks No. 1 in the country, largely due to the two five-stars, Houstan and DIabate.
It was Houstan (No. 7 recruit in the nation, according to ESPN) who bested Diabate (No. 8 in the nation), leading his team to victory and turning in the better individual performance. He led Montverde with 16 points on 2/5 shooting from three. With IMG trailing by just three with under a minute to go, Houstan drained a clutch free throw to seal the game.
Diabate was frustrated on offense all game thanks to the strong defensive effort from Jalen Duren.
If his two top recruits were not enough to get coach Juawn Howard watching, his son, Jett Howard, also plays for IMG Academy. This is because he is the No. 36 overall recruit in the 2022 class, and the four-star showed his ability to knock down shots and score in a variety of ways.
UP NEXT
IMG Academy (FL) vs. Sunrise Christian (KS), Monday, January 18, 3 PM ET, ESPNU
Montverde Academy (FL) vs. Wasatch Academy (UT), Monday, January 18, 5 PM ET, ESPNU
