Unsigned, High-Academic Seniors

My top five, Class of 2021 unsigned, high academic prospects: These prospects are serious students with the grades and academic history to match their hoop skills but like everybody else, the Covid cancelled summer has hurt their exposure. Coaches who want to be assured their recruits will stay eligible at the collegiate level, ought to take another look at these five players: 2021 6’2 PG Jaden DeBoer (Lynden Christian) He remains unsigned even after a well-recognized junior season. This is my first time writing about Deboer as I felt he would be signed early and would not need the exposure. Deboer was a first team All-State player at Lynden Christian. He led his team to a second place finish in the 2020 ”A” State Tourney. He scored 28 points in the title game and had the highest tourney scoring average at 25 points a game. As if those credentials were not enough, since then, Deboer has grown an inch and added 15 pounds. Comparing him now to what I saw in the winter, I see that he is stronger and more athletic which allows him to be more on balance when getting to the rim. He has spent much of the down time scrimmaging against college players and his game has quietly grown. His greatest attribute remains his three point accuracy and deep range. Deboer is a clutch shooter who nailed 41% of his 200 three-point attempts during the season and improved that accuracy to 54% (16-29) from the three-point line during the State Tournament. He is not just a shooter. The lefty combo-guard also sees the floor well and is a willing passer who pushes the tempo. He is an ambidextrous ball-handler who uses a variety of left and right hand crossovers, hesitations and step-back moves to create space for his jumper or to create penetration lanes. He also shot 89% from the free throw line while setting a school record for free throw attempts. Some D1 and D2 schools have expressed interest but the lack of an AAU spring/summer circuit has hurt his exposure. Deboer has a tremendous basketball IQ, is extremely coachable, maintains a 3.5 grade point average and is a high character kid off the court. 2021 6’1 SG [player_tooltip player_id="929597" first="Connor" last="Drinkwine"] (Emerald Ridge) Since Boss of Ball in late June, Drinkwine has not played in any events but that has not slowed down the development of the pure shooter and hoop junkie. He has seen some physical growth during the lock-down and has been getting lots of instruction and work done at home. Drinkwine has a Reggie Miller-like frame and shooter’s mentality to match. I have written about him in previous posts because I see him as a valuable piece at the next level. He has a terrific basketball IQ and is an unselfish floor-spacer. His shooting and academic prowess make him an ideal fit at the D3 level but with added quickness on the defensive side, I would not be surprised to see a higher level, four-year program make an offer knowing he is going to continue to improve and be an asset in the classroom. 2021 6’5 SG [player_tooltip player_id="940451" first="Amar" last="Rivers"] (Auburn) Rivers is one of the many players who I expected to make a huge jump during the off-season. He is a sweet shooting, long wing with an extremely high ceiling, but due to the summer season being cancelled, Rivers has not played in front of any scouts. I have written previous posts about Rivers as I see him as a potential difference-maker at the four year level. I know many junior college coaches are salivating at the prospects of having him fall to their roster. Going the junior college route is definitely a viable option as Rivers needed a good summer against top competitors to show he is truly a Division 1 player. But academically Rivers is solid and having watched him play over 20 full varsity games in high school, I know he would fit in at the DII level well. His upside is huge and if he continues to fill-out like his older brother did after high school, he will be a huge asset for any program. 2021 6’8 Post Cory Schramm (Chelan) After a spring and summer of much growth, Schramm has started to get the attention of college coaches. Despite playing very limited varsity minutes as a junior at Chelan High last season, Schramm has garnered recruiting interest by showing he can finish off post moves with dunks with either hand. He has been catching and finishing lobs above the rim and has shown terrific footwork on the low block. His hands are good and he has excellent timing as a shot blocker and he has a very high motor. He is not a stretch four yet on the offensive side as his range is inside the three line. What he does have is height, bounce, length, and post moves. Most refreshing about the big man is his desire to score inside. Schramm is also a 4.0 student who scored a perfect 5 on the AP Physics exam which only 9% of the student’s tested globally have done. Schramm is my favorite find of the summer. Full disclosure- I coach basketball at Chelan High School. 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="940519" first="Dylan" last="Preston"] 6’2 SG (Bonney Lake) Preston is a Swiss Army knife of a player with all the tools. He is a glue-guy and a team leader who will defend players 1-5, take charges, and inspire his teammates. Preston had averages of 15 points per game, six rebounds, and three assists. He was an honorable mention All-League player, and had high games of 29 and 27 all while leading his team in steals and posting the highest assists-to-turnover ratio. Preston is a rugged 180 pounds now who has found a love for the weight room during the lock-down. Preston is a coach’s dream who has great mental toughness and maintains a 3.8 GPA while being a full-time, running-start student. If I’m a coach who believes character counts, I’m looking at Preston.