Despite some of the limitations on recruiting due to the pandemic, Massanutten Military Academy (VA) Class of 2021 prospect Markus Ilver has rapidly surfaced as a hotly pursued target on the recruiting market. A high level shot-maker and floor spreader who rebounds like a true big and manipulates shots inside, Ilver has recently garnered offers from James Madison, Utah, Nebraska and Xavier.
Under head coach Curtis Peery this past season, the 6-foot-8 small forward from Estonia broke games open with his lethal shooting. Ilver scored 26 points before a handful of coaches at the Scotland Invitational, displaying NBA caliber 3-point range during a 107-97 win over Rocktop Academy.
The Estonia native’s ability to hit deep treys with consistency was on display at last year’s Mount Zion Invitational in Maryland, as he scorched the nets to the tune of 6-for-8 from beyond the arc against (now defunct) Action Sports Institute.
Massanutten assistant coach Bob Gallagher cited his explosiveness as an intriguing factor alongside his consistency as an elite level shot-maker.
“He really embraced the weight room and added strength and size throughout (his junior) year,” explained Gallagher. “He’s really developed as a more well rounded scorer at three levels by improving his ball handling and finishing.”
Peery and Gallagher nurtured the development of one of the most unheralded and promising bigs in the country this past season In recently graduated Touba Traore. The Niagara-bound big was a menacing shot blocker with mobility and a noteworthy above the rim game at 6-foot-11. With Traore gone and Ilver returning as the focal point in 2020-2021, the stock riser will inherit some ownership of the traditionally powerful MMA national team.
Gallagher said Ilver’s growth during his junior season has prepared him for the challenges which await.
“Markus has had a great experience playing with his national team,” Gallagher said. “He’s a very unselfish player and a great teammate. He has all of the characteristics of an elite student-athlete: relentless work ethic, extremely coachable and a focus on winning.”
Kirsipuu On The Rise
One player who is poised for a potential breakout year is actually Ilver’s countryman: 6-foot-2 Scotland Campus Class of 2021 guard Johannes Kirsipuu.
Kirsipuu, who came to the United States from Estonia three years ago, was a role player on Scotland Campus’ 40-4 national team that wound up garnering a berth in the 2020 Prep National Championships. The unique blend of outside shooting, crafty and ambidextrous finishing, and hard edged defensive is what makes Kirsipuu such an intriguing prospect.
His toughness and ability to finish through contact are attributes transferable to mid major basketball. He erupted for a sizzling 43-point single game scoring spree vs AIM High Academy (MI) for Scotland’s high school team this past season. The combination guard has garnered interest from Charlotte, UMBC, North Alabama, Yale, and Mount St. Mary’s (MD).
“I’ve seen Johannes grow over the years in every aspect of the prep experience,” explained Scotland Campus head coach Chris Chaney.
“He is a talented, ultra competitor who cares about winning first. He is one of the top shooters in the country and his IQ is off the charts. He also loves to defend and takes every practice like it’s the GAC championship.”
