2019 Stock Risers: Second Live Period
The second and final NCAA certified period of the Spring has come and gone. Teams from Kentucky were spread out across the mid-west and south but most were in Indianapolis or Atlanta. Several teams had strong weekends and many players had really good weekends. Here’s a look at some of the weekend’s top performers.
Kyle Rode, Lexington Christian (Indiana Elite 17u) – With IE starting point guard Jeremiah Francis out with injury, Rode is thriving as a point forward with one of the nation’s top teams. This weekend, Kyle was also knocking down perimeter jump shots. If Rode does that consistently, he’s about un-guardable. Through 9 games on the Gauntlet, Kyle is averaging 17 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He’s shooting 44% from 3 and 90% from the FT line. Perhaps the most impressive thing is that his assist to turnover ratio is 4 to 1. Rode got an offer from IUPUI right before the live period started and just added an offer from Bradley this afternoon. More are sure to come.
Kyle Stivers, Franklin County (Pocket City 17u) – The 6’2 combo guard from Franklin County had games of 20 and 24 while averaging 16 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists per game playing in Louisville. Goshen College watched Stivers play multiple games and have been in contact with Kyle since last summer. Stivers can be a contributor at the D2/NAIA level and continued production should land him a scholarship at that level.
Dontaie Allen, Pendleton County (M.A.T.T.S. Mustangs 17u) – Allen emerged as a high major recruit this weekend with the Mustangs. Bob Huggins (West Virginia), Chris Mack (Louisville) and Travis Steele (Louisville) are among the head coaches who watched Dontaie this weekend. The 6’7 Wing responded with 4 strong games over the weekend. Allen had 32 points in a win while Coach Steele and Coach Huggins sat in the front row. Dontaie scored 20, 32, 21 and 14 in 4 games over the weekend and has been mentioned as a candidate to move up in the national rankings in the next round of updates.
Alex Holley, Ballard (The Ville 17u) – Trinity’s David Johnson get’s most of the attention but Holley had a good second weekend with The Ville 2019 on the Adidas Silver Gauntlet. Alex had 20 points in their silver bracket title game and was in double figures in multiple games over the weekend. Alex is long and skilled and should find a home at the D2 or NAIA level in college.
Jacob Hobbs, Central Hardin (Manimal Elite 17u) – Hobbs is long and decently athletic and continuing to develop as a wing. Like many Kentucky prospects, Jacob needs to develop consistency. Hobbs had an up and down weekend, missing both Saturday games didn’t help. But the reason he’s included on this list is his stellar play on Sunday. In 19 minutes against Upward Stars, Hobbs scored 15 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Jacob was more aggressive and hit 2-3 from deep.