Scouting the State Volume One: December 2nd

Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy! As we enter December, most high school programs have started their season. With that has come established players continuing to put their mark on Oklahoma basketball and new players emerging. Scouting the State will serve as a recap of recent players watched in person that might not have been highlighted in previous articles. It includes a detailed breakdown of the prospect that stood out the most, then quick hitters breaking down a wider group of players.   Prospect of the Week [player_tooltip player_id="1332074" first="Dylan" last="Warlick"], 6’5 Class of 2024 Forward, Edmond North "Knowing how to play" is a cliche that often runs hollow when trying to describe why a player is good. But in this case, it’s one of the best ways to describe the rugged Husky sophomore. So let’s give that phrase some depth. For Warlick it means that he has a strong understanding of who is as a player right now and he plays to his strengths. <ul> <li>Relentlessly crashing the glass on both ends.</li> <li>A strong understanding of post position by using his strong frame to catch it deep and create efficient scoring opportunities close to the rim.</li> <li>Strong passing out of double teams down low, or setting up his teammates as a smart passer when catching the ball out of the high post.</li> <li>Pushing the ball off a defensive board, but not doing it with dreams of crossing up a defender and dunking. He uses his dribble to keep the momentum going and to find a guard in good positions. Then he continues to run, hoping to get it back or crashing the boards if the shot is missed.</li> </ul> Those are all things he did during the season opener against Norman North. Some are little, some are small but together they added up to a very productive 27 point outing in a victory. To go along with his outstanding understanding of his current role, Warlick showed some promising face up driving capabilities against Norman North. And while not shooting any jumpers his form looked good in warms up, and apparently he was a good spot up threat in the summer time with his AAU program. Adding and improving those traits around his current game will be important steps in his development. At the sophomore’s current size, he is a bit undersized for the next level as a 4/5 type. But too often when a projecting a player out, the good traits they have are dismissed in favor of what they need to become. As a college prospect, adding ball handling, quickness and shooting will be needed long term. But the current identity of Warlick is still a strong building block and it will serve him better to add to it, rather than dismissing it in search of becoming a player he is not. Right now, Warlick does exactly what he should do, while starting to diversify his game in small steps. It’s refreshing to watch and he looks in line to be one of the best players in Oklahoma the next three seasons.   Other Notable Prospects [player_tooltip player_id="967403" first="Tony" last="Palma"], 6’0 Class of 2022, Guard, Classen SAS Palma stands out for his athletic ability. He’s quick and fluid when attacking. That athleticism also translates with a good second jump capability, allowing him to be a good rebounder for a smaller guard. The drawback to his game, was despite putting himself in good positions for scoring opportunities, he struggled with finishing against Millwood. It could’ve been an off night but he warrants further monitoring as he does have strong physical gifts to work with.   Tray Davis, 6’3 Class of 2022 Guard, Daniel Webster Stepping into a bigger role as the only returning starter from last year’s state tournament team, Davis has been the Warriors primary scoring threat. Last season, the guard was often a spot up specialist from beyond the arc, with occasional drives after being ran off the line. Now Davis has improved handles and is playing with the ball in his hands more. This has led to good scoring results, as with his size he’s a strong driver that can finish through contact. As his offensive game continues to grow for the new look Warriors, Davis should start to earn opportunities from regional small colleges.   Cahlsee Lee, 6’2 Class of 2022 Guard, Edmond North In the season opener, Lee looked like one of the best athletes in the senior class. He has true explosiveness when attacking the rim, which he showed with a quick first step and slam in the halfcourt and then shortly afte catching an alley oop off a backdoor cut. While able to get by players with that quick first step, he didn’t have the look of a primary ballhandler but played well and was a good decision maker in the Huskies’ disciplined system. Next level athletic abilities are something that can’t be taught, and the skill development by many college programs often unearth ceilings that would not be expected out of a player out of high school. Lee with his natural tools could be a candidate to have such a high ceiling brought out by the right small college program.   [player_tooltip player_id="1156120" first="Aadhi" last="Ayyappan"], 6’0 Class of 2023 Guard, Bartlesville Last week in Texas, the scrappy junior guard played a big role in a season opening victory for the Bruins. Ayyappan backed up his rep as a spot up threat, by consistently hitting big threes. Especially in the second half, to extend the lead. To go along with that shooting ability, he did an outstanding job playing fearless defense on Texas five star Tre Johnson. He drew a charge, deflected a few passes intended for Johnson and overall made him uncomfortable for much of the game. The Bruin is maturing into a valuable two way player.   TO Barrett, 6’3 Class of 2024 Guard, Edmond North As highlighted by Warlick above, Edmond North has an outstanding sophomore class. Four of them start, and Barrett is another intriguing prospect. While young, he’s already built like a linebacker/saftey hybrid from the gridiron, and he has the athletic ability to back it up. His high motor and athletic ability is especially evident on the defensive side ball with his disruptive play. Offensively there were promising moments: a good euro step to score in transition, looking comfortable hitting a pull up midrange jumper off a ball screen, a good straight line drive off the perimeter with a strong finish. Barrett looked good playing in the structure of the Huskies offense while also finding moments to let his natural talents shine.   Jaden Nickens, 6’3 Class of 2025 Guard, Millwood Nickens continues to look like the next big prospect to come out of the 405. His jump-shooting especially standouts, as he’s equally adept at catching and shooting, or pulling up and hitting contested jumpers. Add in his strong and athletic frame which allows him to finish strong or avoid contact on drives. All the makings are there for a big time player. The offers from Oklahoma State and Auburn back it up. Only a handful of games into his high school career but if he continues to back it up with the work over the next few years, Nickens will be a must watch player for any high major program and basketball fans around OKC.