2019 Rankings: Stock Risers
(Photo Credit: USA Today High School Sports)
Kentucky’s 2019 class is loaded, with players capable of playing at the small college level all the way up to high major. PHKY takes a look at 2019’s Stock Risers who impressed in May and June – and who have jumped up the ranks and look to make some noise in July and going forward.
2019 STOCK RISERS
Top Five
David Johnson, Louisville Trinity (6’4, G)
Johnson is ranked as the #1 Kentucky prospect in the 2019 class through a number of different scouting services. He is Prep Hoops Kentucky’s projected #1 prospect and ranks #31 (#5 at his position) nationally according to Scout.com. This summer he was invited to attend the USA U16 training camp, and although he didn’t make the final roster, competed well and stood out during the training camp. He helped lead Trinity to a 29-4 overall record as a sophomore. Louisville, Xavier, and Cincinnati have offered, with Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia Tech all showing interest. You can find Johnson competing with the Louisville Magic in July.
Dekeyvan Tandy, University Heights Academy (6’2, PG)
Tandy averaged 23.6 points per game and 4 rebounds while leading the UHA offense at the point guard position. He currently holds offers from Oklahoma, Florida, and New Mexico State. Tandy is a versatile scorer, able to go downhill and score at the rim while also pulling up off the dribble. He sees the floor well, too. Tandy, along with David Johnson, will be running with the Louisville Magic in July.
Michael Moreno, Scott County High School (6’6, F)
Moreno continues to be a force at the forward position. What remains to be seen is how well his abilities at that position at the high school level translates at the D1 level. If Moreno can improve on three things – ball handling, shooting with range, and defending, watch out high majors. He currently holds offers from Iowa, Bradley, and IUPUI. As a sophomore, Moreno averaged 21.8 points and 10 rebounds per game. He shot almost 60% from the field.
Dontaie Allen, Pendleton County High School (6’6, Wing)
Allen continues to show an ability to slash and make plays around the basket. His length allows him to do a number of different things offensively. Allen averaged 29.1 points and 12.2 rebounds per game as a sophomore. Dontaie has scholarship offers from Northern Kentucky, Morehead State, and Eastern Kentucky.
Kyle Rode, Lexington Christian Academy (6’6, SF)
Rode’s ability to score from all over has caught the eye of many college coaches. He received his first offer recently from New Orleans and looks to garner more interest in July while playing with Indiana Elite. As a sophomore, Rode averaged 14.5 points and 6 rebounds while helping lead Lexington Christian to it’s first ever 11th region tournament appearance.
KEEP AN EYE ON…
Isaiah Cozart, Madison Central High School (6’7, F/C)
Cozart broke Kentucky high school basketball’s blocks record last season – as a sophomore. His biggest impact (as of now) is on the defensive end of the floor. Once Cozart adds some offensive depth to his game, watch out. He already has D1 offers and interest and projects to only receive more as time goes on. Helped lead the Indians to a 19-15 overall record and a trip to the 11th Region tournament.
Carson Guthrie, Mayfield (6’5, SG)
Averaged 15.1 points and 7.2 rebounds as a sophomore. He and brother, Connor (16 ppg), almost led Mayfield to the state tournament last season, losing to Graves County in overtime. Both are playing with Pocket City AAU this summer.
Cade Cunningham, Madisonville – North Hopkins (6’0, G)
Cunningham has had quite the summer. He had an impressive showing at Ric Bouls’ Blue-Chip Camp, earning a spot on the top 20 all-star game roster (beating out 160 campers). At Next Up Recruits Elite Camp, Cunningham showed the ability to be a knockdown shooter from deep as well as creating for himself and teammates off the dribble. Cunningham holds an offer from Brescia University (NAIA) already. He averaged just 6 points a game last season as a sophomore. Expect that number to increase immensely next season.
DeShaud St. Martin, Danville High School (6’7, F)
Coaches, catch him now. St. Martin has D1 athleticism and is already receiving interest from in-state schools such as Morehead State. He averaged just over 8 points and 5 rebounds a game as a sophomore. Capable of altering shots at the basket and rebounds the ball well. Sky’s the limit for St. Martin.