Prospect Spotlight: Don Skipper III (2021)

<p>Emerging as a leader this past season, Don Skipper III stood out.</p> <p>The 2021 Lake Region guard averaged 12.4 PPG for the Thunder (8-13). A 5'10", 157-pound guard had some big games which included a season-best 24 points against Discovery and two 22-point outings against steady area programs Auburndale and Kathleen.</p> <p>"My sophomore season at Lake Region definitely varied from last year," Skipper III told Prep Hoops. "I saw improvements in pretty much every area, from my scoring average increasing to just basic skills and my mentality on the court as a whole."</p> <p>No offers or interest have come yet for Skipper Jr. He's suiting up for Fill In The Lane for AAU this summer and he says he feels like he's learned a lot already.</p> <p>"They've me improve by simply exposing me to a higher level of basketball through circuit tournaments and camps. It’s allowed me to feel more comfortable when performing in front of college scouts and coaches rather than letting my anxiety get the best of me," he said. "It’s also helped me to know what I needed to work on to be able to compete and stand out in circumstances such as that."</p> <p>When asking Skipper III what he believes separates him from other players, he had this to say.</p> <p>"My work ethic. I hustle every moment of the game no matter how late in the game, how tired I am, how far behind my team is. I hustle, I get on the floor, I get tough, I don’t let up until the ball is in me or my teammate's hands. I also have the ability to play all five positions on the floor from point guard to center. I acquire the skills to do anything that the coach assigns me to do."</p> <p>Skipper III plays hard and smart. He's at a program that hasn't been known to be a winning one, but the energy is there and the guidance is as well from his father Don Skipper Jr., the head coach. This is a key chance for Skipper III to continue to develop his leadership skills and more this summer.</p>