NC Prospect Watch List: Class of 2019
Prospect Watch List: Class of 2019 As this high school basketball season has gotten underway, I’ve been able to check out some prospects that don’t have a ton of recognition yet as well as some with a little bit of…
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Continue ReadingProspect Watch List: Class of 2019
As this high school basketball season has gotten underway, I’ve been able to check out some prospects that don’t have a ton of recognition yet as well as some with a little bit of early recognition. Sophomores Collin Lewis (Millbrook), Jamal King (Wayne Country Day), Shyquan Jones (Pope John Paul II), Nicholas Evtimov (Mt. Tabor) and Max Farthing (Word of God) have definitely stood out early. They have given me enough glimpses to prove to me they should be worthy of playing at the next level someday. Below I’ve explained in detail what I like about their game and also a few things they could improve on before moving to the next level in a couple of years.
Collin Lewis | Millbrook HS | 6’0 G | Class of 2019
Lewis is another left-handed guard that is solid. Only a sophomore, he plays with really good pace. Has good form and rotation on his jump-shot. Collin does a good job of picking his spots and making himself available to receive passes in rhythm. Due to playing alongside senior guard Jordan Whitfield (Campbell signee) it’s not clear yet whether or not he could be a full time point guard, but he has shown a solid handle, court vision and ability to get to the rim off the dribble. Defensively, he has moments where he really nags ball-handlers with constant pressure. Can get under the skin of guards that don’t have particularly tight handles. He could stand to improve on his overall strength and quickness. Added strength, speed and quickness could take his already developing two way game to a new level.
Jamal King | Wayne Country Day | 6’5” SG | Class of 2019
King appears to have all the tools of a high major shooting guard prospect. Already possesses a college level body and great pace. Off the dribble, Jamal does a great job of getting a comfortable shot with minimal dribbles. His go to move is his step-back dribble where he then rises up into a very nice looking jump-shot. Gets great elevation. He mixes his offensive game really well, not settling for just jumpers. He attacks the rim, using his top shelf athleticism to throw down some thunderous dunks in transition as well as in traffic. Unselfish, does a great job in drive and kick situations. He could be more aggressive at times and really put his stamp on games earlier. Defensively, he must do a better job of staying on his feet and using his size to bother shooters. A lot of things to like. I would not be shocked to see offers begin rolling in soon.
Shyquan Jones | Pope John Paul II School | 6’4” SG | Class of 2019
Jones is wired to score the ball. On the offensive side of the ball, he gets it. He has an underrated ability to handle the ball and get to the rim. Not necessarily flashy and won’t blow you away with his athleticism, but he will always score the ball. He has solid understanding of angles and gets into the paint very quickly. Despite his slender frame, he finishes very well through contact in route to multiple 3 point plays seemingly every game. Defensively, he uses his length and quickness well to steal the ball from ball-handlers. Does tend to pick up cheap fouls and gets caught watching the ball on jump-shots, leading to his man getting offensive rebounds. Offensively, despite being a solid passer, he can go through stretches where he goes into scoring mode. Once he does that, he tends to drop his shoulder more frequently on drives, bailing out defenders where they can draw charging calls. All in all, he has the makings of a college level wing down the line. Only a sophomore.
Nicholas Evtimov | Mt. Tabor HS | 6’7” PF/C | Class of 2019
You would be hard pressed to find a more skilled big man than Nick. His footwork, handle and IQ is very advanced for a sophomore big man. He isn’t an imposing athlete yet and won’t overpower you. However, he will surprise a ton of big men with an above average handle, nifty footwork and mid-range jump-shots. He very well could be primed for another growth spurt as well. Comes from a family of really tall athletes. On the block, most teams will have to game-plan for him to lessen his touches. Could see a ton of time at the free-throw line due to his size, quickness on the block and ability to use fakes. Areas of improvement however would definitely be his end to end speed and overall athleticism. Should his athleticism catch up with his skill level, Nick will undoubtedly become a highly coveted inside presence on the recruiting trail.
Max Farthing | Word Of God | 6’7″ W | Class of 2019
I haven’t seen too many kids come out the gate as hot as Max has from beyond the arc. Watched him bury 9 triples in his first contest on the road and he hasn’t looked back. Has no conscious from the outside. Once his feet are set, you can almost assuredly count it. Inside, he also has a soft touch around the rim and a nice looking turn around hook shot. Could very well develop into a good inside outside threat over time. He’s somewhat underrated defensively. Not a overly dominant athlete physically, but at nearly 6’7″ on the wing, he does a solid job of using the most of his size to contest shots and get several deflections each game. Like most sophomores, he could definitely use some added explosiveness and overall aggression. Has all of the tools to become a rather dominant inside outside type of wing in due time.