Yes, if you're kid stands out. Just read twitter and all standouts are mentioned and at the end they'll likely be a larger write up. Those write ups have recruiting value. And that's just the tryout. Then they'll be the actually Jake Reed event with the coaches and social media coverage. So, again, "really" if you think your kid can stand out, it is a must recruiting event. That said, this stuff will drive us all nuts.
JR is NOT a "must" event and the opinions of Casey Vock and Ty Xanders have absolutely no recruiting value. Many of the top 2018 commits never attended JR last summer. If your son plays on a top team that is attending top tournaments then you don't need it. The top programs are at Platinum and Big 4 and a few others. If your kid is a top 20 talent, he will be recruited immediately and thus doesn't need JR. If he is more like a top 20 thru 100 player, then the upcoming fall is more important. Again, JR not a must, in fact making Philly freshmen the must. If your son falls inline after the top 100, then Maverik would become your "must". JR is nice and a lot of top players are there, along with quite a few coaches, but nothing like Philly or Maverik, or even JR rising sophs. Definitely not a "must". Also, if you feel that any coaches give damn about anything Vock or Xanders say, you are sadly mistaken. Pretty well known a large chunk of what they write is from program directors/club coaches. Sometimes they show up and watch a few minutes of a game and all of a sudden they have a kid pegged. Great for little Johnny's ego (probably more for parents ego), but meaningless for coaches. Coaches will watch your kid and either they like him or they don't.
