No Recruit Left Behind Act: High Impact JUCO Prospects
Sandro Noel, Lincoln Trail
The bullish 6-foot-7 Miami product, who starred at McArthur High, is a multi-positional defensive threat. He’s plenty capable of guarding multiple positions, an attribute he proved during his one year stay at Elev8 Prep in Delray Beach, Fla.
Noel is an explosive finisher who has fallen under the radar these past few seasons. If he can erupt as a double digit scorer and provide contributions as a rebounder and defender, expect the Class of 2019 JUCO product to be sifting through Division-I offers.
D.J. McQuarter, Hinds
The 6-foot-7 Class of 2020 sky-riser showed off rarified athleticism during the Memphis Battlegrounds tournament this spring. His length, versatility, and vastly improved shooting from beyond the arc has made him appealing to a number of Division-I programs. Ole Miss inquired about him McQuarter late. With his ability to put the ball on the deck and go coast to coast, McQuarter has the possibility of becoming a versatile combination forward in college. He will need to get stronger and more physically mature for this to happen.
Athletically gifted, McQuarter has trampoline-like bounce to him.
Chris Whitaker, Cochise
Built like a running back and possessing a smooth all around game, Whitaker shined at the Prep National Showcase with a 14-point performance against IMG Academy. He showed a deft perimeter touch and also a craftiness in how well he attacks the rim and finishes.
His strength and athleticism give him the potential to be a defensively versatile piece in the backcourt. The 6-foot-4 Class of 2020 JUCO product needs to work on staying engaged throughout both halves. He’s got the skill-set to be a low to mid-major Division-I pickup.
Isaac Jurecky, Undecided
Though he’s a bit of a tweeter because of his lack of forward size, the Australia native has elite level 3-point shooting ability. He also plays with a toughness and energy as a 6-foot-5 guard/forward.
Jurecky’s coach-ability, effectiveness on the glass and ability to spread out defenders with deep perimeter shooting are the bedrock attributes of his game. He performed notably well at the Memphis Battlegrounds tournament, hitting 4-of-5 from beyond the arc in the first half. The Class of 2020 prospect may be better suited for Division-II because of his size, but he’s got the potential to catalyze teams as an off the ball scorer.
Joel Coffey, State College of Florida
The 7-footer from New Zealand has become an instinctive shot-blocker. While he still needs more polish, he’s improved incrementally at backing down smaller players and using his size and wingspan to score at the rim.
He’s got a soft touch and a high release from 10-12 feet out. A better conditioning regimen and more of a killer instinct will take the Impact Academy product (FL) from a 5PPG scorer to a double digit scorer who is active on the glass and manipulating shots as a serviceable rim protector.
David Appelgren, Eastern Wyoming
The 7-foot international prospect has a smooth perimeter stroke and has proven effective at creating space for his shot. He’s got a knack for elbow jumpers and creating space. He’s surprisingly good around the basket and with short jumpers, albeit he doesn’t utilize the skill nearly enough.
The Class of 2020 JUCO product, who averaged 15 PPG at NTSI Orlando, has the potential to be a mid-major Division-I prospect. He must shed the label of soft and become more active on the glass in order to do this.
Jared Grubb, Mineral Area College
The well-built guard is a straight up competitor, with a high-octane style about him. He won’t wow you away with length or athleticism, but he’s a cerebral and strong guard who rarely turns it over. As he proved during various battles against JUCO opponents while in prep school, the 2019 Grubb can get hot from the perimeter and really get inside and score. He’s got some bulk as a former football player, which gives him a Chauncey Billups type build that’s hard to guard.
Grubb possesses a mid-major quality game at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds.
Rodney Culver, Vincennes
After a promising start cut down due to a lingering health issue, Culver still has the world of potential that he flashed at Elev8 Prep in Delray Beach, Fla. The Ohio native is long and defensively versatile. Offensively, he’s got explosive vertical athleticism and has had a collection of memorable dunks throughout his career.
Culver’s form is surely unorthodox, albeit he shoots it at a high percentage. Originally at Ohio, Culver will look to revitalize his career after a topsy-turvy season marred by health issues. Even at Elev8, when he played alongside 15 Division-I players and prospered on a national team, the 6-foot-5 guard has been a bit underrated.