At 7-1, Dereck Lively commanding respect on travel basketball circuit

INDIANAPOLIS – One of the most intriguing center prospects in the 2022 class is Dereck Lively from Norristown (Pa.) Westtown School.

The 7-1, 220-pound Lively was in Indianapolis this past weekend for the Made Hoops Midwest Mania event as he plays for Nike-backed Team Final. He is on the same team as Montverde Academy power forward Jalen Duren, ranked as the nation’s No. 2 prospect in the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Lively, himself, checks in as the nation’s No. 36 prospect overall, No. 4 center and No. 1 overall in Pennsylvania for 2022 in the 247Sports Composite.

Team Final swept through its games in Indy, including convincing wins over Bradley Beal Elite and Bates Fundamentals, which is led by the nation’s No. 1 prospect in Michigan State verbal Emoni Bates.

“We are still trying to get some things moving, but this team is a lot of fun,” Lively said. “We just look forward to every game we have coming up.”

Lively discussed the things he is working on during the spring and summer.

“I’m working on playing outside the three-point line, my ball handling, my dribbling and my shot,” he said. “I’m working on being a leader as well.”

This past weekend, Lively showed he is an adept defender who can stop opponents at the rim.

“I can impact the game more than just scoring points,” he said. “I can block shots and steal the ball. I feel I am just a great defender and great energy-bringer.”

Asked to describe his game and compare himself, Lively said, “I try to compare myself to Anthony Davis. I feel I’m somebody who can set screens and get to the rim, but can also step outside the three-point line and work on guard skills and also guard a guard (on a switch).”

Lively said the Covid-19 pandemic had an impact on his high school season at the Westtown prep chool. He was named to the all-state first team for schools outside the PIAA system.

“We ended up being able to play 20 games, but we only played like five different teams,” he said. “We rotated and played them each four or five times. It was a hard time of year, but we were just happy we got to play anyway.”

Lively boasts nearly 20 offers from schools across the country. He was asked which schools have stayed in contact with him the most.

“I’d probably say Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and many more other schools,” he said. From that group, all but Duke and Kentucky have offered, Lively said.