Eastern Kentucky’s Top 10 Players

<p>We’re here to answer the question of, “Who are the 10 best prospects in the Eastern Kentucky area?”</p> <p>What are the stipulations? None, really. Regardless of class and regardless of positions, what our top 10? For purposes of this article, Eastern Kentucky is defined as regions 14 through 16 (with a little bit of the 13th added in).</p> <p><strong>#1 [player_tooltip player_id="922994" first="Trey" last="James"], Martin County (2021) - </strong>The biggest player in the state, Trey is a throwback post player who averaged a double-double last season. The best rim protector in the mountains, Trey recently decommitted from Wake Forest after Danny Manning’s firing. Martin County won the region this year but didn’t get their chance to impress at Rupp due to the season being cancelled.</p> <p><strong>#2 [player_tooltip player_id="926884" first="Jordan" last="Akal"], Harlan - </strong>A high volume scorer, Akal was one of the top scorers in the state the last two seasons and had multiple 35+ point outings last summer against powerhouses like Scott County. Jordan is a good athlete with a solid handle and the ability to score on about anyone. He’s sort of like a mountain version of [player_tooltip player_id="773408" first="Zion" last="Harmon"]. A high scoring PG with the knack for making things happen.</p> <p><strong>#3 [player_tooltip player_id="793786" first="Mason" last="Moore"], Rowan County (2021) - </strong>Moore has been committed to Kentucky for baseball for a couple of years now but the rumors are he’s trying to play both basketball and baseball in college. Mason is one of the most efficient scorers in the state as he posted nearly 25 points per game this season with shooting splits of 53/42/84 and is likely to be a Mr. Basketball finalist in 2021.</p> <p><strong>#4 [player_tooltip player_id="932768" first="Colin" last="Porter"], Ashland (2023) - </strong>One of our top ranked rising Sophomores, Porter has been known for a while because he’s been playing varsity basketball for a while. In his freshman campaign, he helped lead the Tomcats to an undefeated season but didn’t get to show his skills at Rupp. A 42% shooter from deep, Porter is among the best three point shooters in the 2023 class.</p> <p><strong>#5 [player_tooltip player_id="926887" first="Rylee" last="Samons"], Pikeville (2022) - </strong>Samons is a top 2022 in Kentucky but struggled a little in his Sophomore season. A big wing, Rylee struggled with his perimeter shooting but still averaged 17 points per game. At nearly 6’7, Samons has big time potential and seems to have a tremendous work ethic so he could move up this list over the course of his Junior season.</p> <p><strong>#6 [player_tooltip player_id="923007" first="Isaiah" last="May"], Johnson Central (2021) - </strong>It feels like May has been playing for Johnson Central for a decade at this point. In his Junior season, he led the Golden Eagles in scoring and rebounding again. Isaiah is volume scorer but the JC offense allows everyone to take plenty of shots in primary and secondary break looks. </p> <p><strong>#7 [player_tooltip player_id="923012" first="Connor" last="Robinson"], Clay County (2021) - </strong>Connor has been one of the better players in the mountains for a while now. His game lacks flash but he’s almost always making the right play. His high IQ helps him score plenty of crafty buckets and he’s a better passer than he gets credit for.</p> <p><strong>#8 [player_tooltip player_id="926890" first="Colby" last="Fugate"], Paintsville (2022) - </strong>Colby scored over 22 points per game in his Sophomore season, showing he can score the ball with the best of them. Fugate is a good athlete but chooses to float around the perimeter and shoot threes when he’s at his best attacking the rim. Colby should see a better Junior season shooting the ball and his rebounding numbers will have to go up with [player_tooltip player_id="915157" first="Nick" last="Keeton"] gone.</p> <p><strong>#9 [player_tooltip player_id="923020" first="Wade" last="Pelfrey"], Hazard (2021) - </strong>A lot like [player_tooltip player_id="923012" first="Connor" last="Robinson"], Wade is a guy who plays with the ball in his hands a lot and his coach trusts him to make the right reads and plays. Pelfrey is a scorer first and facilitator second but can run the offense or play off the ball and get a bucket when his team needs it.</p> <p><strong>#10 [player_tooltip player_id="923014" first="Jaz" last="Johnson"], Wolfe County (2021) - </strong>One of the best shooters in the group, Jaz has been used to playing on the ball for the Wolves for several seasons now but does the most damage in the catch and shoot on the wing. Johnson is a good playmaker and will lead his team as likely favorites to win the region next season.</p>