2020 Unsigned Senior Bigs Remaining in May

<p>The 2019-20 high school basketball regular season and playoffs have long been over, but there are still quite a few unsigned seniors left who have not yet committed to a college. With all travel ball events being put on indefinite hold, unsigned seniors didn’t get one final opportunity to showcase themselves to college coaches.</p> <p>In addition to that, the NCAA transfer portal exploded, and college coaches seemingly opted to go with more proven college talent than taking a chance on a senior in the absence of the spring live period.</p> <p>Here are some seniors I’ve watched this season who are still unsigned and could probably help a college team at some level, whether that be D1-DIII or even NAIA and JuCo.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: impact, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;">Is</span><span style="font-family: impact, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;">aac Tesfaye – Cherokee Trail</span></p> <p>Tesfaye is undoubtedly one of the top bigs remaining in the class, if not the top big man. Tesfaye moves exceptionally well on the floor and shows off the ability to play with his back to the basket as well. He is a quick leaper that gets up and dunks the ball, rebounds in bunches, and has the speed to track long shots down. Tesfaye sets hard screens and gets to the right spot, finishes well in traffic, and has a few go-to moves. In Tesfaye’s senior season, the 6’6 forward averaged a team-high 15.8 points and 7.2 rebounds a game. While his big games did not translate to many wins, he was still able to get his own. Schools still looking for big men options should take a long look at Tesfaye.</p> <p>https://twitter.com/tesfaye_isaac/status/1240772771719725058?s=20</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: impact, sans-serif;">[player_tooltip player_id="770390" first="Elijah" last="Thatch"] – DSST: Byers</span></p> <p>Thatch is a bit undersized, but he makes up for it with strength and an ability to get to his spots offensively. What he does well is use his body around the rim. Thatch is a high IQ scorer that scores in bunches, reads what the defense is giving him, and uses his speed to get by defenders. Thatch can put the ball on the floor and get out on the break, grab the board and go and also was used well in the PnR. In Thatch’s senior season, the 6’2 forward put up a stat-stuffing 16.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.7 steals a game. Thatch is a high academic star on the court and the classroom that can help a small school at the next level and plays extremely hard.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: impact, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="987902" first="Bally" last="Diakite"] – Northfield</span></p> <p>Diakite is one of the underrated gems in the state and was a massive reason that Northfield was one of the surprise standout teams in 4A this season. Diakite rebounds exceptionally well, provides defensive tenacity as a rim protector, and keeps plays alive for his team. He moves well on the break and fills the lane for easy finishes at the rim. Diakite is a bit raw offensively, and has plenty to work on but plays hard and has a few moves on the block. Diakite can defend multiple positions and is a glue guy that you can plug onto any team. Diakite will be undersized at the next level at 6’5 on the post but has heart and the willingness to outwork everyone, which goes a long way. He put up 10.8 points and 6.9 rebounds a game, which was essential in Northfield’s trek this season.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: impact, sans-serif;">Liam McKenny – Battle Mountain</span></p> <p>McKenny is an under the radar player that genuinely stood out this year and put opposing teams on notice night in and out. He is a forward that has to be taken seriously. McKenny was a stat-stuffer this season that put up big numbers as a big with a good feel for the game and knows how to put the ball in the basket. The senior captain played with extreme intensity as teams had a difficult time trying to slow him down or keep him off of the boards. McKenny also showed that he could get on the boards and get it done on the defensive end. McKenny averaged 18.8 points and 6.9 boards a game and also was a playmaking big that found teammates for easy baskets as he dished out three assists a game. At 6’6, he has the size; if a team takes a chance, they will be getting a forward that scores in various ways.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: impact, sans-serif;">[player_tooltip player_id="915335" first="Jake" last="Hassett"] – Rock Canyon</span></p> <p>Hassett is certainly one of the tallest players still remaining on the list, and at 6’7, he has a long vertical reach and a ton of upside. Hassett is a skilled big that showed that he could score when called upon, grabs boards in bunches, and also finds the open man. Hasset works well on the block but can be moved around in the PnR and also excels in halfcourt situations. Hassett has soft touch around the rim, an improving back to the basket game, and an excellent feel for where the defender is. This year, he had his best season as he put up 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds a game. A small school could easily take a chance on him.</p>