Familiar Faces in New Places: 2021 Prep Prospects

<p>LOS ANGELES, CA - As the new season approaches, several top unsigned 2020 players were still available on the market.  After looking at their respective offers, some of them have decided to take the prep school route and will be part of the 2021 class.  Prep Hoops takes a look at 6 of the top players who are going prep:</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="942337" first="Matt" last="Lee"] (G, Southern California Academy)</strong> One of the most underrated players last season, [player_tooltip player_id="942337" first="Matt" last="Lee"] is making strides in his game and will be displaying it at the prep school level.  During the summer, Lee consistently had big games in scrimmages that included [player_tooltip player_id="787608" first="Dior" last="Johnson"] and other 4 and 5 star prospects.  Lee is an explosive scoring guard who can shoot both off the catch and off the dribble.  He doesn’t back down from big names or challenges and is one of the toughest Asian-American basketball players in SoCal.  The former Village Christian guard received D3 offers and D2 interest in the offseason.  Lee will be tutored under Travis Nichols and Julius V at Southern California Academy where he will look to take his game to the next level.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="943404" first="Snookey" last="Wigington"] (G, IMG Academy)</strong> The son of former Seton Hall guard Pookey Wigington, Snookey is a prospect who should be playing college ball next season.  Wigington displays a high IQ and knows how to run an offense.  Additionally the 5’9" guard can hit the 3 ball, and can create for his teammates.  What he lacks in height, he makes up in speed as Wigington regularly finds holes in the defense and speeds to his spots to make the right play.  Wigington is headed to Florida and will play under the bigger spotlights at IMG Academy.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="940564" first="Justyn" last="Hunter"] (G, NELA Prep)</strong> Thought to have committed to Allen Hancock College, Hunter will be playing next season instead for NELA Prep under the guidance of head coach Keion Kindred.  He is a coach’s dream as he has a high IQ and does whatever is asked of him.  Former coaches Russell Payne, Steve Baik and Reggie Morris give high praises to Hunter as he is the consummate team player. Hunter is a versatile defender who can guard multiple positions on the floor.   He reads passing lanes well which leads to a ton of steals, and has excellent lateral movement and can stay in front of his man.  On offense he hits the open 3 ball with regularity and is always looking for the open teammate.  Hunter is a developing combo guard who should have a big year.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="939986" first="Justin" last="Gladney"] (G, NELA Prep)</strong> Another player headed to Kindred’s program is another Fairfax alum in [player_tooltip player_id="939986" first="Justin" last="Gladney"].  The combo guard has showed signs of growth and improvement after  putting in work this summer with D1 players from Kentucky’s incoming class.  Gladney is a creative guard and has displayed off the dribble combo and counters to free himself for jumpers and drives to the rim.  He has a high motor and plays with intensity.  Coaches need to keep an eye on Gladney as he may have a breakout year.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="745431" first="Christian" last="Oliver"] (C, NELA Prep)</strong> The 6’10" center had a big year at Maranantha last season after transferring from Santa Clara.  Oliver put up consistent double doubles averaging over 20 points a game for the Minutemen.  Christian has a good wide frame and has a big body.  Oliver is consistently on the block and shows a nice touch around the rim.  The big man is an intriguing prospect with room to improve.  Oliver won the 2019 John Wooden Award for D5 CIF Southern Section.</p> <p><strong>Bradley Ezewiro (F/C, Unannounced)</strong> The former Bishop Montgomery big man spent a year at Oak Hill but has decided to reclassify to the 2021 class.  Bradley is a 6’8" 240 big man who is an incredible athlete.  He has good hands, good footwork, and a quick leaping ability.  Ezewiro has a big body and all the physical attributes.   Thundering dunks and jams are common for Brad as he gets the majority of his buckets around the rim.  He has not announced which prep school he will attend.  </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>