Rakease Passmore sets first visit, talks Kansas offer, and more
Rakease Passmore’s recruitment has taken off. Yes, that was a pun because if you have ever seen Passmore play, ‘taken off’ is an apt descriptor. The class of 2024 small forward has picked up over 14 offers since the start of May this year.
“I’m becoming more of an all-around player, basically,” Passmore told On3. “I get downhill, try to get my teammates involved. My handles have improved greatly, that and my shooting. I watch a lot of Anthony Edwards; he is one of my favorite players to watch. He attacks downhill but also shoots it and gets his teammates involved.”
The high-flying, 6-foot-5 wing transferred to Lincolnton (NC) Combine Academy. On3 caught up with Rakease Passmore at a recent workout to go in-depth about his recruitment.
“I’m hearing a lot from everyone, really. Tennesse, Georgia Tech, and Wake Forest have all been in to see me,” Passmore said.
Passmore talks recruitment
Tennessee: “They have a really good program. They had guys from here go up there like Grant Williams. When I went up there for Elite Camp, I saw that if you don’t play defense, you’re not going to play.”
Wake Forest: “I really like their coach, Steve Forbes, he’s kinda crazy, and I like crazy. They like that I can get downhill and how I can play defense.”
Georgia Tech: “I just got that offer, so I haven’t been able to watch too much of them. They said they like how I run the floor and guard all the positions.”
New offers
“I just got offers from Kansas and Missouri,” Passmore said.
Kansas: “I mean, they won the title last year. They got guys like Bobby (Pettiford) and MJ Rice, big-time players going there. They like how I can get downhill and say I’m vocal on the court and can knock down shots.”
Missouri: “I don’t know too much about Missouri, but I’m excited to get to know more. They said they liked my athleticism and ability to stretch the floor while playing defense hard.
Passmore talks visits
“My first official visit I got set up is with Oregon,” Passmore said. “I don’t have a date yet, but they’ll be first. I’m not sure who else, maybe LSU.”
Oregon: “Oregon is just different; I mean, it’s Oregon. I used to watch Oregon all the time as a kid, like on Youtube and stuff like that. It is just like a dream. They like long and athletic guys on the wing. They also say they like my defensive energy.”
LSU: “Coach (Matt) McMahan gave me my first offer ever when he was at Murray State. He’s my guy, really. There is a tight bond there between me and him. He likes how I score the ball from the wing, the energy I bring, and how I’m shooting it. He thinks I’m the whole package.”
“We’ve been in contact with UCLA a good bit; they haven’t offered,” Passmore said. “I hope my guy Jason Hart with the G-League offers.”
Passmore talks G-League
“I’ve always wanted to get an offer from the G-League,” Passmore said. “One of my favorite players went there, Jalen Green, and he is in the league now.
Passmore’s take
“I’ll be looking for a place that feels like home,” Passmore said. “I want to be comfortable; I’m going to have to live there. I want to have a good relationship and trust my coaches.
I’m not going to look at the conference or location, really, whoever can get me to the league. I like to be trained hard, both on the court and in the weight room. I want a coach who will do that.”
On3’s take
Rakease Passmore is a lengthy and highly explosive wing. At 6-foot-5, there is talk of him having a 46-inch max vertical jump. When he gets a head of steam, he attacks the rim with bad intentions. Passmore is much developed as a shooter. The release is high and consistent. He needs to develop creating off the bounce and building consistency, getting the ball into his shot pocket off the live dribble. Passmore has a high-level work ethic, which is evident by his rapid improvement over a short amount of time. He averaged 21 points playing with the Garner Road program on the Adidas 3SSB 16u Circuit. There is a massive upside here, and the work is showing to reach his vast ceiling.